Lambda Theta Phi’s efforts to revive Pi Chapter at Monmouth University were recently included in “the Outlook,” Monmouth’s student newspaper. The full text has been included below. The original article can be found at: http://outlook.monmouth.edu/index.php/club-a-greek/1357-lambdas-try-to-salute-their-way-back-to-campus
Lambdas Try to Salute Their Way Back to Campus
WRITTEN BY BRIANNA MCCABE CLUB & GREEK EDITOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2013 Eight potentially interested students attended the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. information session held by seven former graduates in the Turrell Board Room in Bey Hall on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 8 pm to regain interest on campus.Nicknamed the “Lambas,” this brotherhood previously had a chapter on campus in 2009 known as the Pi chapter, but because of graduating the last of their members, they lost recognition until the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) granted them expansion again in 2012. According to Jon Buchalski, Assistant Director of Student Activities for Fraternity and Sorority life, the local regional board for the national organization of Lambda Theta Phi reached out to the leadership of the MGC to go through the expansion process. This included documentation from the national organization, a list of potential interested men, and faculty and staff support.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances at the national level the organization was not able to invite the interested men into the chapter at Monmouth and decided to wait until the national organization was ready for an educational process on our campus,” Buchalski said.
Over the past year and a half, the regional board has held information sessions on campus and made contact with several students that may be interested in joining. Buchalski said the regional board, along with some of the interested members, will continue to host information sessions until a minimum member requirement of five people to have a chapter on campus are met.
Johnathon Nunez, junior criminal justice major who has an interest in the fraternity, said, “The reason I am interested in joining is because it gives minorities the opportunity to come together and embrace the Hispanic culture to form a brotherhood that gives back to the community. It allows us to understand our heritage while also networking and meeting others who have the same values.”
Joshua Medrano, pledge of 1999 and graduate of 2002, said, “The experience that I’ve gotten from Greek life was the absolute best experience of my life.” Medrano along with six of his brothers described the fundamental values such as strength that stand as the foundation of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. as well as the motto “chivalry above self” to the interested students.
Among the interested students were five freshman, two sophomores, and one junior all looking to become part Lambda Theta Phi history.
Joyce Suarez, Induction Officer of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. and graduate of Rider University this past May, said this fraternity is the first and largest Latin fraternity with 105 chapters.
“There weren’t a lot of resources for Latinos to become successful,” said Medrano. “The Latinos wanted to be on an equal playing field with everyone else. That is how the Lambdas came into existence and that is why were are still strong today.”
According to Lambda1975.org, the brotherhood created the concept of embracing brotherhood, Latino unity, cultural awareness, and community service within the Greek-letter fraternity, all for the progress and empowerment of individuals. The Lambdas are a non-profit social service fraternity that emphasizes Latin unity, but accept all races.
A unique aspect of the Lambdas is their practice of saluting. Saluting is a means by which members of the organization can praise a particular member within their fraternity or honor the organization’s past and current accomplishments. “It makes us unique and helps establish us as being conquerors like our logo depicts. It identifies us as soldiers marching into war,” said Suarez.
“Monmouth University fraternities and sororities value greatly what our multicultural and professional organization brings to our community and are always looking for the opportunity to help students find the right organization,” said Buchalski.
“From what I’ve seen from friends involved with Greek life, fraternities and sororities bring out the positive attributes in individuals but also show ones weaknesses. The great thing about showing weaknesses, however, is it takes and transforms them into strong attributes that one may utilize in the long run of life,” said Nunez. “That is why I want to get the Lambdas recognized by the University again, and hopefully become a brother.”
The Lambdas believe that “en la unión está la fuerza,” or in unity lies strength.
