FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: W. Patrick Bryan, Director of Communications
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PARSIPPANY, NJ — Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. held its 2015 National Brotherhood Conference this past weekend (June 24 – 26, 2015) in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference theme of “Empowering our Brotherhood: One Purpose, One Future” was revisited throughout the weekend with a number of sessions focusing on fraternal values and current issues in Greek life.
ADDRESS FROM SENATOR MENENDEZ
Senator Robert Menendez addressed Lambda Theta Phi at the Leadership Dinner, encouraging the organization to continue building the Latin@ community as he and the Senate continue to push for comprehensive immigration reform.
LAMBDA CON APP
The LambdaCon app received an update this year, marking the third year of use with both an iOS and Android version. The app was developed by Triple Helix Technologies using their myconferenceapp platform.
FOCUS ON SEXUAL ASSAULT
Sexual assault, an important issue on college campuses throughout the nation this year, was a topic visited frequently at this year’s conference. Past President and Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees Jesus Peña (Associate Vice President for Equity & Compliance and Title IX Coordinator at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania) presented on sexual assault and Title IX; Gustavo Sagredo (FB Alpha Iota, Fall 1997), Violence Prevention Specialist with Peace Over Violence, presented sexual and domestic violence prevention; and Fraternal Father José A. Quiles, Ph.D. presented on seeking sexual consent.
NATIONAL SALUTE COMPETITION
The best salutes from across the country were presented on Thursday night. Tau Chapter (Central Connecticut State University) was able to secure the title of 2015 National Salute Competition Champions and the national trophy. Pi Chapter (Monmouth University) and Lambda Beta Chapter (South Florida Alumni) earned second place, and Alpha Lambda Chapter (University of California, Los Angeles) was awarded third place.
CHCI & R2L NEXT GEN SCHOLARS
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) was announced as the Fraternity’s new philanthropic and service partner last summer, and the first of many partnerships with the organization was the Latin@ Leaders Campaign to raise funds for the R2L NextGen Program. Two of the five scholars supported by this effort were selected from Atlanta, GA, and they attended the Philanthropy and Service Luncheon with their families on Friday to meet with brothers. This is the first time students from Atlanta will be participating in the program, and the first time high school youth have been invited to attend the Fraternity’s conference.
PHILANTHROPY & SERVICE LUNCHEON
CHCI’s Senior Specialist for Philanthropy, Aarón Enrique Almada (Alpha Sigma, Fall 2003), was the keynote speaker at the Philanthropy & Service Luncheon on Friday. Almada spoke about the importance of giving to empower the Latin@ community, and elaborated on the work of the past year in developing the philanthropic & service partnership with CHCI where over $15,206 was raised for R2L NextGen. A silent auction held throughout the weekend raised over $1,800 to start the second year of the Latin@ Leaders fundraising campaign. The Fraternity’s philanthropy and service awards were also presented during the luncheon. A separate press release will announce the winners.
SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON
Dr. Aneury Morales (Lambda, Spring 1993), was the invited keynote speaker for the Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday. Brother Morales spoke to the Brotherhood about the concept of a scholar, and informed brothers that “scholars encourage each other.” He recognized that all brothers in attendance are scholars in their own right, and that they have the responsibility to encourage one another, and their communities, to succeed in furthering their education. The Fraternity’s academic awards were also presented during the luncheon. A separate press release will announce the winners.
LEADERSHIP GALA
The National Brotherhood Conference culminated with the Leadership Gala on Saturday evening. Fraternal Father José A. Quiles was the invited keynote speaker. Dr. Quiles reflected on the past 39 years of Lambda Theta Phi and the role it serves in empowering the Latin@ community. The Fraternity’s leadership awards were also presented during the luncheon. A separate press release will announce the winners.
The Fraternity also hosted special guests at the Gala, including:
Mathew Mitchell, Coordinator for Greek Life at Georgia State University
Michael & Helen Steele, Assistant Director for Greek Life at University of West Georgia
Kate Steiner, Assistant Dean of Student Life at Armstrong State University
Jennifer R. Morales, Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life at Kennesaw State University
Veronica Lucena, Teach for America
Judy Torres, Peace Corps
Alfred and Lina Mendoza, Owners of Overnight Sensation
COMEDY NIGHT
Lambda Theta Phi invited Greeks from the Atlanta area to join in an evening of entertainment from comedians Oscar Collazos (Phi, Fall 1997) and Darren Rivera (Rho, Fall 1995). The two brothers have performed at the Fraternity’s previous conference in New Orleans, and regularly perform in the New York area.
OMEGA LAMBDA INDUCTEES
Lambda Theta Phi inducted its second line of brothers into Omega Lambda Chapter, designed to remember and recognize our brothers who have passed away. The ceremony was led by collegia members Fraternal Father José Quiles, Founding Father Agustín García, Founding Father Rey Lago, Founding Father Wilfredo Ayes, and National President José Grajales. Founding Brothers Christian Monck (FB Alpha Epsilon, Spring 1996), José Maldonado (FB Gamma, Spring 1980) and Luis Trani (FB Delta, Spring 1980) were inducted this year.
THANK YOU
Thank you to our sponsors, vendors and exhibitors for making LambdaCon 2015 a great success:
Sponsor: Geico
Vendors: Collegiate Greek, Greek Apparel, Greek Divine and More, TRU Designz & Printing, Greek Vida, Creative Woods Online
Exhibitors: Garcorp International, Peace Corps, Teach for America