WHO WE ARE

Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity International Fraternity Inc. is a social fraternity that was founded in 1986 at the University of Iowa. It is based on the cultural understanding and wisdom. Most noteworthy is that Sigma Lambda Beta was founded by 18 men of whom 16 were of Latin American or Hispanic descent.

The primary purpose of Sigma Lambda Beta is to promote Latino culture based upon the values of fairness, opportunity, and equality of all men no matter what their race, culture, or ethnicity. Our biggest goal is to see that all of society can realize the importance of these three principles. In order to achieve this goal we all strive to model these behaviors and present ourselves in a gentlemanly and educated fashion.

Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated (ΣΛΒ) (known as Betas, Lambda Betas or SLB) is a historically Latino based fraternity in the United States, established with a multicultural membership. The four key principles that serve as pillars to this purpose are Brotherhood, Scholarship, Community Service, and Cultural Awareness.

Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity offers lifelong support for leadership development, personal growth, academic success and community service, all in the context of true friendship.

Today, our Sigma Lambda Beta is made up of committed undergraduate members, alumni and volunteers who support our mission.

NATIONAL HISTORY

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 reasearch, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal called a special meeting on Monday, March 7, 1986 wish of the Latino students at the Chicano Indian American Cultural Centerin of the Univeristy 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 predominetly Caucasian. In addition, the Latino community on campus was divided into different social groups. As a result, the studentswho 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 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 Orgazing. 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, Schoolarship, Cultural Awerness, 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 throughout the nation by scholastic achievements, eternal Brotherhood, the dissemination of our unique and rich culture and service to our community.

Many students around the nation saw the same values that our faunders viewed. That was what made our fraternity what it is today, the Largest Latinos based fraternity with multicultural membership.

OUR CHAPTER HISTORY

During the last week of finals in the fall of 1995, Bro. E. "Tex Mex" C. discussed the idea of starting a chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc., at Michigan State University with Bro. Abelardo "Ardiente" Rodriguez, and Bro. Luis "Balazo" Vazquez. Bro. E. C. felt that there should be a fraternity to represent the Latino population at Michigan State University. Bro. E. C. also felt there was a need for a Latino organization, which would be stronger than any student club or college student group. The Michigan State University Latino Community was suffering from numerous problems:

• Latino organizations were becoming less of a supportive resource for Latino student on campus.
• Latino organizations were falling apart due to personal conflicts among individual members
• Latino organizations were also becoming more and more isolated from the Latino college retention rate at Michigan State University.

On March 30th, 1996 Bro. Alfonso Salais called a special meeting to induct the first line of Associate Members of the prospective chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity Inc., at Michigan State University. The following students were inducted Bro. E. C., Bro. Abelardo Rodriguez, and Bro. Luis Angel Vazquez. It was then decided that they would continue their enlightenment process in the fall of 1996, which was a lengthy process: 7 months, 3 weeks, 4 days, 2 hours, 2minutes, and 12 seconds to be exact. During the enlightenment process, Bro. Alfonso Salais, Bro. Esteban Tapia, Bro. Carlos Salais, Bro. Jose Olivarez, Bro. Rick Ramirez, Bro. Mark Tovar, and Bro. Miguel Centellas, all of whom were Members of Central Michigan University Rho Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc., educated the new members on the requirements for membership. On November 24th, 1996 at 2:41:11am, Bro. Alfonso Salais initiated the new members at Central Michigan University and so it was determined that this date would berecognized as the founding date for the prospective chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc., at Michigan State University. The Ship name of the founding line at MSU was established as "L.P.P.N.L.U" , with their line names: Bro. E. "Tex Mex" C., Bro. Abelardo "Ardiente"Rodriguez, and Bro. Luis "Balazo" Vazquez.

The following week was a busy time in preparation for finals, so it was decided that they would pick up in the spring semester, when all necessary plans and organization had been taken care of. The first executive board was as follows: President- Bro. E. C., Secretary- Bro. Luis Vazquez, and Treasurer/Membership Educator- Bro. Abelardo Rodriguez.Throughout the existence of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc at Michigan State University it will remain as the strongest Latino student organization on campus.

ΠΑ BROTHERHOOD

Brothers of Sigma Lambda Beta pride themselves in creating a family-oriented atmosphere in our campus were we support each other in every single way. This support network is one of the key aspects that make our organization so powerful.

ΠΑ SCHOLARSHIP

Academic success and higher education are some of the main goals driving Sigma Lambda Beta. We have high percentage of graduating members and post-bachelorate degrees. At our Chapter we have brothers that have graduate degrees from engineering to MBA, and we currently have brothers in PhD programs here at our campus, we also have brothers working on their professional degree and that is something we are really proud of.

ΠΑ CULTURAL AWERNESS

Emphasis is place on making cultural awareness present on campus. Some of the more popular events carried out by brothers in the past are: Cinco de Mayo Parade in Southwest Detroit, Zapateando, Latino Male Crisis and Latino Puluck.

ΠΑ COMMUNITY SERVICE

Our fraternity is always strive to give back to the community. Each chapter is performs a minimum of 2 community services per semester, but often we find ourselves performing more.