Sigma Lambda Beta

Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated (ΣΛΒ) (known as Betas, Lambda Betas or SLB) is a historically Latino based fraternity in the United States, now expanded to include a multicultural membership. Founded in 1986 at the University of Iowa, in Iowa City, Iowa the primary purpose of Sigma Lambda Beta is to promote Latino culture based upon the values of fairness, opportunity, and equality. The four key principles that serve as pillars to this purpose are Brotherhood, Scholarship, Community Service, and Cultural Awareness.

Sigma Lambda Beta
ΣΛΒ
FoundedApril 4, 1986 (1986-04-04)
University of Iowa
TypeSocial
EmphasisService
ScopeInternational (United States, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom)
MottoOpportunity for Wisdom,
Wisdom for Culture.
Colors  Royal Purple
  Pure White
FlowerRed Carnation
MascotWhite Stallion Mustang
PublicationEl Iluminador
PhilanthropyVictor Correa CPR Awareness Day
Chapters141 Established Undergraduate chapters,
9 Associate chapters,
36 Alumni Networks
NicknameBetas, Lambda Betas, SLB
PrinciplesBrotherhood
Scholarship
Community Service
Cultural Awareness
Headquarters7 Hawkeye Dr.
Suite 103-104
North Liberty, IA 52317
USA
Websitewww.sigmalambdabeta.com

After less than 30 years, Sigma Lambda Beta expanded to over 120 universities and across 30 states from Coast to Coast. Today, a collegiate entity can be found at some of the largest institutions. Membership into the organization is open to any man who meets intake requirements, regardless of religion, race, or nationality.

History

During the fall of 1985, a group of men alongside Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal, a member of Phi Beta Sigma began to explore the idea of establishing a Latino-based fraternity at the University of Iowa as they saw a need for a Latino fraternity at the predominately non-Hispanic white university. After much planning, Sigma Lambda Beta was recognized and established on April 4, 1986. For that reason, this day is recognized as the official founding date of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity at The University of Iowa. Since its establishment the organization honors the principles of brotherhood, scholarship, community service, and cultural awareness.[1]

The fraternity saw a rapid growth in its early years, according to Founding Father Ricardo Zamudio:

"There was a lot of traveling involved in going to other campuses to talk with men who were potentially interested and having them come to our campus to learn more about our organization. From there it slowly became easier to expand to other campuses, as our network of members available to talk to groups at different campuses continued to expand."[2]

As the fraternity grew, Sigma Lambda Beta's membership grew and expanded beyond the Hispanic-Latino origins, making them one of the most diverse Greek lettered organizations from Coast to Coast. In recognizing this, the organization, which was a part of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) from October 2003 to March 2010, left due to their increasing multicultural membership and increasing regulatory nature (membership criteria).

Founding fathers

Coming from all different backgrounds and walks of life the eighteen Founding Fathers of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. are:

  • Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal
  • Luis F. Jimenez
  • Thomas Carrasquillo
  • Manuel Chavarria
  • Eric Montes
  • Luis Marquez
  • Mario Buendia
  • Enrique Carbajal
  • Rodolfo Garza
  • Jose Fong
  • Juan Valdez
  • Ricardo Zamudio
  • Jaime Ramirez Kindred
  • Olivero Rivera Davila
  • Eugenio Soria Carrion
  • Olakunle Oyeyemi
  • Kuy Ou
  • Juan Jose Rojas-Cardona

National Philanthropy

Víctor Correa CPR Awareness Day

The Victor Correa CPR Awareness Day was created in honor of Sigma Lambda Beta brother Victor "Ziggy" Correa Ortiz who died during a drowning accident where none of the bystanders knew how to administer CPR. The fraternity encourages its members to host CPR training and awareness events.


National events

BetaCon

Betacon is a biannual convention held by Sigma Lambda Beta. Past locations for the conference:

  • 1992 - Bloomington, IN
  • 1994 - Schaumburg, IL
  • 1996 - Schaumburg, IL
  • 1998 - Schaumburg, IL
  • 2000 - Schaumburg, IL
  • 2002 - Washington D.C.
  • 2004 - Orlando, FL
  • 2006 - Henderson, NV
  • 2008 - Dearborn, MI
  • 2010 - San Antonio, TX
  • 2012 - Tampa Bay, FL
  • 2014 - St. Louis, MO
  • 2016 - Dallas, TX
  • 2018 - Denver, CO

Leadership Institute

Held every other year (alternating with BetaCon), Leadership Institute is a 3-day leadership conference where collegiate brothers are guided through a tailored curriculum with the objective to enhance their leadership and organizational skills to better meet the mission of the fraternity.

Education Foundation

In 2001, brothers of the fraternity formed the Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc.’s Educational Foundation as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. The money raised by the Sigma Lambda Beta Education Foundation is used mainly for the purpose of funding educational and leadership development programs for Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc., as well as for scholarships that are made available to undergraduate and graduate student members.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Sigma Lambda Beta - Our Story". Sigma Lambda Beta.
  2. Parks, Toberson, Gregory S. , Craig L (2009). Brothers and Sister: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. Rosewood Drive, Massachusetts: Rosemont Publishing & Printing Corp. p. 122. ISBN 0838641946.
  3. "SLB Education Foundation". slbfoundation.com. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
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