During
the fall of 1986, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal began to explore the idea
of establishing a Latino based Fraternity at the University of Iowa.
After months of intensive research, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal called a
special meeting on Monday, March 7, 1986 with some of the Latino
students at the Chicano Indian American Cultural Center in the
University of Iowa. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the need
and feasibility of creating a new social Fraternity with an emphasis on
the Latino Culture.
At
that point in time, the student body at the University of Iowa was
predominantly Caucasian. In addition, the Latino community on campus
was divided into different social groups. As a result, the students who
attended the first meeting wanted to solidify and unify the Latino
community. Furthermore, the students wanted to promote a positive image
of Latinos in the University.
After
the first meeting, the enthusiasm in favor of the Fraternity was so
encouraging that the word spread throughout the University of Iowa.
Everyone knew that something special was about to take place. On
Friday, April 4, 1986, the members finalized the philosophy and
ideology of the Organization. Hence, April 4, 1986, is the official
founding date of the Fraternity.
The Eighteen Founding Fathers established Sigma Lambda Beta with the following principles in mind BROTHERHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, CULTURAL AWARENESS and COMMUNITY SERVICE.
Our Founding Fathers had a dream and VISION that our Honorable
Fraternity could promote a positive image of the Latino Community in
the University of Iowa and other Universities located throughout the
Nation by scholastic achievements, eternal Brotherhood, the
dissemination of our unique and rich culture, and service to our
community. Furthermore, as our Honorable Fraternity expanded and grew
in the late eighties, the new and younger Brothers worked hard by
trying their best to carry out the founding principles of our
Organization. Hence, those Brothers tried to carry the torch and VISION
of our Founding Fathers. The Brothers who were initiated in the early
nineties, mid nineties, late nineties, and early millennium are keeping
the light shining and working hard to promote a positive image of our
people and our community throughout the Nation. The Brothers have the
VISION that members of our community will graduate from college, pursue
a graduate degree, join the professional work force, help the younger
members of our community, serve our community, and educate others
through cultural awareness.
In
eighteen years of existence, Sigma Lambda Beta International
Fraternity, Inc. has expanded to the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL,
ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MI, MN, MS, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, TX, WA and WI.
Expansion of our organization has also reached Puerto Rico. The
Fraternity can be found in over seventy Universities. Furthermore, the
Fraternity has twelve strong Alumni Associations. The following men are
the Founding Fathers of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity,
Inc.:
Mario Buendia
Enrique Carbajal
Thomas Carrasquillo
Manuel Chavarria
Jose Fong
Rudolfo Garza
Luis Jimenez
Luis Marquez
Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal
Eric Montes
Kuy Ou
Olakunle Oyeyemi
Jaime Ramirez
Olivero Rivera
Juan Jose Rojas Cardona
Eugenio Soria
Juan Valdez
Ricardo Zamudio
Sigma
Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated is committed to
developing individuals to their fullest potentials in order to help
serve the needs and wants of our people. As members, Brothers learn to
"open their eyes" to see the possibilities that are open to all
students, to share thoughts and ideas, and to recognize the potential
that we as a united front can and will illustrate which will keep our
shared values alive and working. Each Brother has the responsibility to
develop and utilize his own skills and assets in anyway that may
contribute to the overall success of the Fraternity, and more
importantly help improve our community, country, and the world.
Throughout
the past eighteen years, the Lambda Betas have spread the message of
positive change in the Latino Community by setting an example of pride
and wisdom in our culture. There is still a lot of work that needs to
be performed, but together we can make a positive difference in society
and our community. As the Latin Phrase in our Fraternity Shield reads "CONGRESSI SUPERAMUS DIVISI CADIMUS," united we stand, divided we fall.
