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, established with 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 | |
Founded | April 4, 1986 University of Iowa |
Type | Social |
Emphasis | Service |
Scope | United States, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom |
Motto | Opportunity for Wisdom, Wisdom for Culture. |
Colors | Royal Purple Pure White |
Flower | Red Carnation |
Mascot | White Stallion Mustang |
Publication | El Iluminador |
Philanthropy | Victor Correa CPR Awareness Day |
Chapters | 137 Established Undergraduate Chapters, 12 Colonies, 19 Alumni Networks, 10 Alumni Associations |
Nickname | Betas, Lambda Betas, SLB |
Principles | Brotherhood Scholarship Community Service Cultural Awareness |
Headquarters | 7 Hawkeye Drive - Suite 101 North Liberty, Iowa USA |
Website | www |
History
Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. was founded on April 4, 1986, at the University of Iowa by 18 men who saw a need for a Latino fraternity at the predominately non-Hispanic white university. Spearheaded by founder Baltazar Mendoza Madrigal, a member of Phi Beta Sigma, the fraternity established that it will honor 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]
Founding fathers
- 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
- List of social fraternities and sororities
- Racism in Greek life
References
- "Sigma Lambda Beta - Our Story". Sigma Lambda Beta.
- 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.
- "SLB Education Foundation". slbfoundation.com. Retrieved 2016-12-02.