NATIONAL HISTORY

During the spring semester of 1986 Bro. Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal began to explore the idea of a Latino based fraternity at the University of Iowa. After months of intensive research, Bro. Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal called a special meeting on Monday, March 7, 1986 with some of the Latino students at the Chicano American Center. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the need and feasibility of creating a social Fraternity with an emphasis on Latino Culture.

After that meeting the enthusiasm was so encouraging that word spread throughout the University. Then on Friday, April 4, 1986, the members finalized the philosophy of the organization. Hence, April 4, 1986, is the official founding date of Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, Inc. at the University of Iowa. Everyone knew that this was the beginning of something special.

13 of the 18 Founding Fathers in Iowa.

The Eighteen Founding Fathers founded Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. with the following four principles in mind:

Brotherhood, Scholarship, Cultural Awareness
and
Community Service

Our founding Fathers had a dream of promoting scholastic achievements, eternal Brotherhood, the dissemination of our culture and service to our community. After over 15 years the fraternity can now be found at over fifty Universities and has ten strong Alumni Associations.

More complete national history is on our national website: www.sigmalambdabeta.com

CHAPTER HISTORY

At the Midwest Hispanic Leadership Conference on October 17, 1987 Bro. Juan Vega and Bro. Eddie Balderramas met with some of the Brothers of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. in Chicago, IL. The next day a meeting was held and both became interested in the newly formed fraternity.

On November 13, 1987 Bro. Juan Vega and Bro. Eddie Balderramas traveled to the University of Iowa for a special conference sponsored by Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. The Brothers left with the high hopes of starting a chapter at Western Michigan University.

It was on February 27, 1988 that Brothers from the Alpha and Beta Chapters traveled to Western Michigan University. At this time Bro. Martin Camarillo, Bro. Eddie Balderramas, and Bro. Juan Vega were inducted as the pledge line "L.E." into the Honorable Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc.

FOUNDING BROTHERS OF THE EPSILON CHAPTER

Bro. Juan de Dios Vega

Bro. Eddie Balderramas

Bro. Martin Camarillo

On April 2, 1988 the line "L.E." traveled to Iowa to celebrate the founding of this honorable fraternity. On the following day, April 3, 1988, Bro. Juan Vega, Bro. Martin Camarillo and Bro. Eddie Balderramas were initiated in the Brotherhood of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. This date, April 3, 1988 became the official founding date of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. at Western Michigan University. At this time the Chapter letter Epsilon was reserved for the colony.

After ten years on Western's campus there was a need for a rebirth within the organization. During the month of February 1998 there was an informational meeting held to rebuild interest for Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, Inc. Present at the meeting were Brothers Jose "Vichis" Martinez from University of Michigan, Bro. Miguel "Camba" Centellas from Central Michigan and Brothers Celso "Half-Pint" Garza and Reymall "Escojido" Myles from Western Michigan. Interested Brothers present were Sam Centellas, Sammy Publes, and Alex Diaz. The following Winter and Fall semesters, with the help and guidance of Alumni Advisor Bro. Reymall "Escojido" Myles, enthusiasm continued to build for the Brotherhood on Western's Campus.

On February 7th, 1999, an alumni Brother from the University of Michigan, Bro. Angelo "Cisco Kidd" Cisnernos, with the help of Western Michigan Alumni Bro. Reymall "Escojido" Myles, Central Michigan Alumni Bro. Miguel "Camba" Centellas and Western Bro. Celso "Half-Pint" Garza" started the education of the new members of Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, Inc. at Western Michigan University. This was a time of enlightenment and bonding for the new Brothers coming into the Fraternity.

Iota Line - L.S.D.N. - The Resurrection

from left to right
Anchor - Bro. Geo "Sarpum"Athappilly

Bro. Alex "Taino" Diaz

Bro. Sammy "Hatuey" Publes

Bro. Steven "El Principe" Kapala

Bro. Victor "Agüeybana" Rivera

Captain - Bro. Sam "Cruceño" Centellas

The date April 17, 1999 marked the end of the education process for the L.S.D.N. Line and the Rebirth of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. at Western Michigan University. This was the beginning of a new foundation consisting of six strong, educated, and diverse Brothers. The rebirth has since brought about change and an increased voice for Latinos and other minorities at WMU.

Following the rebirth the Brothers of the Western Michigan Colony worked hard to attain the reserved Epsilon Chapter Letter. During the National Board of Directors Meeting in Chicago, IL, on September 30, 2000 the Epsilon Chapter was finally Chartered. Fittingly so the Chapter was chartered at the United States Hispanic Leadership Conference, the same conference which introduced Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. to Western Michigan University over 12 years before. The Chapter, based on its diverse membership, chose to use the Chapter nickname of the Exotic Epsilon Chapter.

Charter Members of the Epsilon Chapter

Charter Members from left to right:
Bro. Celso "Half-Pint" Garza

Bro. Sam "Cruceño" Centellas

Bro. Victor "Agüeybana" Rivera

Bro. Geo "Sarpum" Athappilly

Bro. Rodolfo "Calmado" Martinez

Bro. Orlando "Martí" Rodriguez

Bro. Gary "El Ejemplo" Galvan

As the newly Chartered Epsilon Chapter the Brothers at Western Michigan have worked on increasing awareness of Latino issues and programs throughout the university. Some of the programs currently being used by the Brothers are the USHLI's Collegiate Leadership and Development Program (CLDP), I.M.P.A.C.T., and NIC's FuturesQuest.

Since becoming the Epsilon Chapter we have proven our dedication to our principles on a national, regionally, campus and community level. We have won awards from the Student Activities and Leadership Programs of WMU, the Division of Multicultural Affairs, WMU IFC Greek Awards, and Sigma Lambda Beta National and Regional awards. We are setting a tradition of excellence, and it will be followed for years to come.