Historical Timeline

1975

December 1, 1975 – Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity, Inc. is founded.

1975

Brothers of Lambda Theta Phi also become known as “Lambdas.”

1978

Fraternity Shield completed by Fraternal Father Cayetano Socarras, with the assistance of Founding Father Wilfredo Ayes.

1979

Lambda Theta Phi helps form coalition of Latino student organizations to protest a lack of services to Latino students at Kean College (now Kean University); it is the first mention of a “Latino Fraternity” in any print media in the U.S.

1980

Fraternity shield is revised by Honorary Brother Raymond Lago.

1984

Fraternity adopts “Latinos en Estados Unidos” by Willie Colon and Celia Cruz as its official song as proposed by the Founding Line of Epsilon Chapter.

1984

Fraternity shield is revised into the current image by Epsilon Founding Brother Daniel Sedares under the guidance of Fraternal Father Cayetano Socarrás.

1986

“Ahora,” a Spanish-Language newspaper out of Union City, NJ publishes a 2 ½ page article on the fraternity, the first story every printed about a Latino Greek Letter Organization (LGLO) in a Spanish-Language newspaper in the U.S.

1990

A delegation of Lambdas lead by Founding Father Agustin Garcia represents the fraternity at the International Cuban Youth Conference for a Free Cuba (translated from Spanish) in Miami, FL; the fraternity was the only non-Cuban (specific) organization to participate and make a presentation at the event

1991

Lambda Chapter, the first chapter outside of New Jersey is founded at the University of Connecticut.

1992

Lambda Theta Phi is publicly thanked for their support during the acceptance speech of Brother Robert Menendez during his victory speech after being elected to Congress.

1992

Lambda Theta Phi is the first Latin Fraternity to become members of the North-American Interfraternity Conference.

1994

January 24, passing of Fraternal Father Dr. Cayetano Socarrás, affectionately known as Chacho to those brothers who have had the privilege of meeting him.

1994

“The History of Lambda Theta Phi”,  written by Beta brother Jesus Peña, is published, making Lambda Theta Phi the first LGLO to have a published history book.

1995

The fraternity posts its first website www.Lambda1975.org, built and designed by brothers Juan Aguilar and Carlos Morales.

1996

Fraternity sponsors a contingent of brothers to participate in “’96 Será” a demonstration in Washington, DC to protest a wave of anti-immigrant legislation.

1998

Former Presidents, Jorge Diaz and Jesus Peña, establish Lambda Theta Phi Educational Foundation, a 501(c) (3) entity.

2001

U.S. Senate Resolution for “Organizational Achievement,” presented to Lambda Theta Phi at our Annual Awards Banquet, November 25, from Senator Joseph Lieberman.

2001

Lambda Theta Phi publishes its second edition of its history book titled, “Latino by Birth, Lambda by Choice”.

2001

Lambda Theta Phi receives Community Service Award at the Annual Latino Greeks.com & NALFO Awards Gala.

2003

Lambda Theta Phi becomes a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).

2003

Lambda Theta Phi holds national press conferences in Washington, D.C. and organizes students and alumni across the country to protest a media merger that they believed would create a monopoly of Spanish-language media.

2005

Lambda Theta Phi becomes the first Latin Fraternity to award a “Latina Scholarship” at its national awards banquet.

2006

Lambda Theta Phi brother, Bob Menendez, is elected New Jersey U.S. Senator.

2007

Lambda Theta Phi becomes the first U.S. Latin Fraternity to hold a Conference in Puerto Rico.

2008

Former National President Byron Bustos establishes the Lambda Theta Phi Board of Trustees.

2008

Lambda Theta Phi hires its first, full-time executive director, Gary Ballinger.

2010

Lambda Theta Phi becomes the first Latin Greek letter organization to be recognized by the institution it was founded (Kean University).

2014

Lambda Theta Phi signs memorandum of understanding with Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) as national philanthropic partner.

2014

Lambda Theta Phi establishes its first entity at a historically Black college/university with the Johnson C. Smith University Colony.

2014

Lambda Theta Phi receives six awards at the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) Awards Banquet, including Organization of the Year and Philanthropic Organization of the Year.

2014

Lambda Theta Phi crosses its first graduate induction line at Lambda Beta.

2015

Lambda Theta Phi holds its National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia

2016

Lambda Theta Phi holds its National Convention in Miami Beach, Florida

2017

Lambda Theta Phi inducts its first Graduate Induction Line on the West Coast (Lambda Xi Alumni Chapter)

2017

Lambda Theta Phi hosts its first Regional Conferences

2018

Lambda Theta Phi holds its National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri

2019

Lambda Theta Phi New Jersey Alumni crosses its first Graduate Induction Line

2019

Lambda Theta Phi fights to keep Willis Hall

2020

Lambda Theta Phi publishes its third edition to its history book titled, “United In Brotherhood”

2020

Lambda Theta Phi elects its first National President from the Graduate Induction Program

2020

Lambda Theta Phi initiates the “15 to Life” lifetime member program

2022

National Convention held in Tampa, Florida