Lambda Upsilon Lambda

Lambda Upsilon Lambda
ΛΥΛ - LUL
Founded	February 19, 1982 (February 19, 1982) Cornell University Ithaca, New York
Type	Social
Scope	National
Motto	La Unidad Para Siempre
Colors	Brown   Gold   White   Red
Symbol	Fraternal Symbol
Philanthropy	P.A.T.H.E. Initiative
Chapters	85
Nicknames	LUL, Elite Lambdas
Headquarters	511 Sixth Avenue, PMB #39 New York, New York USA
Website	www.launidadlatina.org

La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. (ΛΥΛ or LUL) is a Latino-based collegiate non-profit social fraternity. It was founded at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York on February 19, 1982,^[1] and has 71 active undergraduate chapters^[2] and 14 graduate alumni professional chapters^[3] in universities and cities across the United States. La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Incorporated is the only Latino fraternity to be chartered at all 8 Ivy League universities.^[4] While founded on Latino principles, Lambda Upsilon Lambda has been open to men of all races since its inception.^[4] The fraternity is a member of The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations/ NALFO.

History

Lambda Upsilon Lambda started out as an idea in the Summer of 1981 by Latino students who felt the need for more brotherhood, unity, and cultural expression of their Latino heritage on campus. During the Fall semester of 1981, after 4 meetings amongst Latino male students, a club named "La Unidad Latina" was registered with the university on September 15, 1981. This club would set the foundation for discussions to create a fraternity on campus. The next semester in January 1982, the fraternity was officially registered with Cornell administration. The next month an official initiation ceremony would take place that would make the fraternity's officially recognized founding date as February 19, 1982 with 13 Founding Fathers (11 undergraduates and 2 faculty members).^[5] The fraternity was the first Latino based fraternity to be chartered at an Ivy League institution.

Mission

La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Incorporated mission statement is to primarily seek leadership role in meeting the needs of the Latino community through academic achievement, cultural awareness, community service and promotion of the Latino culture and people.^[6] The organization strives to become the country's leading Latino fraternity primarily through leadership.

Founding Fathers

La Unidad Latina was founded by 13 gentlemen during a peak of political and community empowerment in our country. The 13 founding fathers consisted of 11 undergraduate students and 2 faculty members at Cornell University.

The thirteen founders^[7] of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Incorporated are: William Barba, Dennis DeJesus, Hernando Londoño, Jesse Luis, Samuel Ramos, Toman Rincon, Edwin Rivera, Mario Rivera, Victor Rodriguez, Victor Silva, Jose Torres, Henry Villareal, Jim Ziebell.

Philanthropy-P.A.T.H.E (Providing Access To Higher Education)

The goal of Lambda Upsilon Lambda's philanthropy, The P.A.T.H.E. Initiative (Providing Access To Higher Education), is to support Middle School/ High school students in their quest to graduate from a four-year college and beyond. The program supports local schools and organizations by mentoring future scholars, facilitating college/university tours, providing P.A.T.H.E. initiative workshops and advocating for the improvement of the educational system. In participating in the P.A.T.H.E. initiative, Lambda Upsilon Lambda provides future scholars with the social, educational and emotional support needed to reach these goals.^[8] Nationwide, a portion of the organization's chapters allocate and provide for local scholarships to either current or prospective college students.

LULF- La Unidad Latina Foundation

The La Unidad Latina Foundation was established in 1999 as a platform for a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to academic excellence and leadership in the Latino community.^[9] LULF is a branch of the fraternity and is operated by active alumni members. The educational scholarships offered by LULF are awarded to Latino/Hispanic undergraduate students that meet moderate requirements and range from $200-$1,000.

Chapters

Members/Membership

Members within this organization refer to each other as Hermanos translated as brother in the Spanish language.

There are three ways to obtain membership within La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. which are throughout undergraduate chapters, alumni professional chapters and/or honorary status. Undergraduate and alumni professional chapters have separate academic requirements including prerequisites for membership. Honorary membership is decided by the organization's legislatives yearly.^[12] The fraternity is a nationwide based organization and is still expanding in several states within the United States.

Notable members of the fraternity include Manuel Natal Albelo, Fernando Ferrer, Arel Moodie, and Piri Thomas.^[13]

References

References