Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

[LambdaPapi]

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. was founded on December 1, 1975 at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. We are the FIRST Latin fraternity in the nation. Lambda Theta Phi's goals are to promote scholarship, Latin unity, respect for all cultures and brotherhood. Lambda Theta Phi has set out to accomplish these goals through responsible political and social action. At the moment, we are opposing the Univision/HBC merger that will monopolize Spanish speaking media. A press conference was held at The National Press Club yesturday by our National Board to oppose the FCC's approval of the merger.

The Oldest, The Largest, The Best
The originators of the Latino Greek movement.
Influencing other orgs since 1975.

Fraternal Motto: "En La Union, Esta La Fuerza"

Colors: Brown and White

Nickname: Lambdas
(note: Since 1975, Lambda Theta Phi Hermanos have been known as Lambdas. In the 1980's and 1990's, with the emergence of younger Latino greek organizations, others have used the term to refer to themselves due to the lack of thourough research.)

www.lambda1975.org

[chispa1931]

Your claim to being the FIRST is absurd.
Do you just forget to research the Sigma Iota, Phi Lambda Alpha, or Pi Delta Phi?
They were really the firsts, even though they were not in existence at the time of the founding of Lambda Theta Phi.
These organizations did merge to become Phi Iota Alpha in 1931.
Yes Lambda Theta Phi was the first to be recognized by NIC, but then you can only use those that for your claim.

[knight_shadow]

Your claim to being the FIRST is absurd.
Do you just forget to research the Sigma Iota, Phi Lambda Alpha, or Pi Delta Phi?
They were really the firsts, even though they were not in existence at the time of the founding of Lambda Theta Phi.
These organizations did merge to become Phi Iota Alpha in 1931.
Yes Lambda Theta Phi was the first to be recognized by NIC, but then you can only use those that for your claim.

This thread is from 2003. The poster hasn't logged in since October 2003. Chances are he won't see your response.

You know the "who's the first" debate is never going to die. Just do you and be happy with that.

Welcome to GC.

[sigmagirl2000]

The First Latin fraternity is Lambda Theta Phi Fraternidad Latina, Inc., (Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc.). On December 1, 1975, Lambda Theta Phi was founded on the campus of Kean College in Union, New Jersey. The First Latin Fraternity founded in the United States.

In 1975, there were no Latino fraternities in existence in the United States. The Greek-letter organizations of the time primarily catered to Anglo and African-American students and graduates. Lambda's founders, as men of vision, realized there was a need to unite the Latino students, develop their leadership skills, impart upon them the value of an education, and instill in them a commitment to their community and culture. The traditional student club would not suffice to accomplish such lofty goals. Hence, Latino unity and brotherhood would be achieved through a long recognized institution - the fraternity. This newest addition to the Greek system would be the first in the nation, by identity and by name: Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Incorporated.

Although there is another organization that claims to be the "oldest latino fraternity" Phi Iota Alpha. This organization claims to have been established in 1931. No actual documentation has been provided or presented by Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity Inc. other than the national website and wikipedia references to have factual evidence of the fraternity's establishment and latin origins in the original constitution. In 1984, a group of determined young men at RPI, upon learning about the Latino empowerment and culture that once existed on their campus, took the challenge of reviving the spirit of Phi Iota Alpha. In doing so, these courageous young men became the new generation of Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity, Inc. Briefly after the re-emergence of the Fraternity, in an extraordinary session, the last Secretary General instituted the members of the RPI chapter as the Alpha Chapter. This is the first ever reference to Phi Iota Alpha as a Latino fraternity.

References:

http://www.lambda1975.org/InsideLambda/OurHistory.aspx
http://www.phiota.net/roots/history



http://images.greekchat.com/gcforums/images/buttons/edit.gif (http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=2207590)



I'm pretty sure we got the idea of how you feel after your first 4 or so identical posts in threads that are years old......

I am glad you have pride in your organization, but I could do without reading about your negativity towards other groups repeatedly.

[MysticCat]

You know the "who's the first" debate is never going to die. Just do you and be happy with that.Is there some reason that it's debatable?

[knight_shadow]

Is there some reason that it's debatable?

Yes sir

[Kevin]

If there's a debate, after about 5 minutes clicking around and looking at the fact that at least one of Phi Iota Alpha's forerunners was in a 1920 edition of Baird's, I think Lambda Theta Phi's claim to be the first isn't even debatably true.

[knight_shadow]

http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/blog/images/684_467.jpg

[knight_shadow]

You are really too pressed about this.

[moe.ron]

oh and your "facts" of the forerunners is found where? we all know wikipedia is not a recognized credible source in research.

Study: Wikipedia as accurate as Britannica (http://news.cnet.com/2100-1038_3-5997332.html)

[MysticCat]

Again there is no proof brought to the table with any constitutional evidence that any prior organization was founded as a Latin fraternity. Yes there could have been members of latin origin as members in a fraternity but that does not make it a latin fraternity. The organization may have been a honor society, music club etc...with greek letters.http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4d/Simonument.jpg


From the 1920 edition of Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities:

http://www.phiota.info/resource/dynamic/blogs/20100208_175459_29871.jpg


Further more when your organization dies all of your history dies along with it. Any refounding can not legitimately claim lineage except the coincidence of the letters. Also if a founding date of 1931 how come there is such a big gap 1984 of second chapter that is now the Alpha chapter... doesn't make sense in the greek system.History does not die, and this is all irrelevant to the claim you made:

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. was founded on December 1, 1975 at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. We are the FIRST Latin fraternity in the nation. . . .
If any Latino fraternity was founded prior to December 1, 1975, then regardless of whether that fraternity later died out or not, it was founded before Lambda Theta Pi was, which clearly negates a claim that Lambda Theta Pi was "first." "First" =/= "oldest in continual existence."

[MysticCat]

yes the sigma iota was an organization or fraternity of spanish american students but was it a Latin fraternity by definition of its ideals, name, constitution? No one will ever know because it DIED.Since when does the fact that an organization no longer exists mean that nothing can be known about it?

[Gamma Xi Phi]

This argument is ridiculous on many levels, not the least of which is that it doesn't matter who was first. If that's what a member is stuck on, then they're not doing enough to advance their fraternity or community at all.

[Gamma Xi Phi]

I also think this "debate" is far too politically charged to ever have a resolution. It deals with the definition of Latino, the definition of Latin-American, the construction of whiteness in this country, and who is "real."

If Latino and Latin-American are synonymous to you, then Phi Iota Alpha will count. Obviously, it counts to them. For whatever reason, people in Lambda Theta Phi have a different notion of Latino-ness, since on their website they assert to be first. If you ascribe to that reasoning, then LTPhi will be first.

Who really cares? Do some service.

[MysticCat]

http://trutempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Preach-600x400.jpg

[LatinaAlumna]

All Latin orgs (except for obviously Phi Iota Alpha) recognized Lambda Theta Phi as the First Latin Fraternity

How is it that you can speak for all LGLOs now?

Your posts are disappointing. You can uplift your organization through doing actual WORK instead of bashing another. Or did that concept not reach you during your process?

[knight_shadow]

Without you there's be no us, eh?

I'm sure that our founders hopped on Wikipedia when they were creating our organizations and modeled themselves after Lambdas.

You are trying way too hard and it's making you look pressed.

[Gamma Xi Phi]

Knight Shadow as ODPhi grows we smile like a proud father that sees his son make it. "En La Union Esta La Fuerza"

http://media.tumblr.com/3353fcdfe22a2ed8d5ddc080be946b91/tumblr_inline_mj93hne5xz1qz4rgp.gif

[MysticCat]

Mystic Cat, instead of wikipedia, where in the system of higher learning and research is not a credible or accepted reference, where is the documentation for any claims?? I am an accountant and when you do an audit there must be documentation for every claim. That will close this issue. Lambda Theta Phi has ORIGINAL documents of formation, etc...http://i1242.photobucket.com/albums/gg535/AlexandraChihuahua/1e9ae20f.gif

Gamma Xi Phi dont you have band camp or a recital or something...this is for real Latino Greeks.You really are not helping your credibility, which isn't a good thing as you didn't have much to begin with.

Step away from the keyboard and grow up.

[knight_shadow]

Knight Shadow as ODPhi grows we smile like a proud father that sees his son make it. "En La Union Esta La Fuerza"

And while you are pressed about this chicken-and-the-egg issue, I'm focusing on my organization's service and social initiatives.

[badgeguy]

This debate reminds of me of another debate when one of the early member of the Sigma Pi fraternity tried to claim that Sigma Pi was founded BEFORE Phi Beta Kappa in 1776, and their only claim was that they said the letters S P on the back of the key stood for Sigma Pi! William Baird, founder of the Bairds Manual to American College Fraternities, was able to get to the bottom of it and the case was solved, and at the time was sort of a black eye to Sigma Pi until they re invented them selves and became a very strong organization.

Just an FYI
BG

[knight_shadow]

http://media.tumblr.com/3353fcdfe22a2ed8d5ddc080be946b91/tumblr_inline_mj93hne5xz1qz4rgp.gif

Tamar has given me everything this week.

[MysticCat]

LOL, I love it... your worried about what I do. you must be the skin flute player of gamma xi phi during the christmas concert.http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y305/CharacterMaster/Gif/fd9da696.gif

[thetalady]

http://i1024.photobucket.com/albums/y305/CharacterMaster/Gif/fd9da696.gif

I vote MysticCat for the win! Love this

E.Ortiz, this is really NOT the forum for you to come spew your rancor and divisiveness. Go away... just go.

[knight_shadow]

Banned? Wow.

[thetalady]

Banned? Wow.

I wondered where his last pissy post to me went. This guy was here for nothing but a fight. And this ain't Fight Club.

[badgeguy]

Found this in an 1896 Lehigh University Yearbook......
https://cache.nebula.phx3.secureserver.net/obj/REQ4M0I3MzIzRkNCMzc5MDA2RUY6Yzg2YmZlY2YzNGY2YjBlNj E5N2YxNWQ3YmZhNDA4YWQ=?uid=a9ae9455-2cf6-4629-abbd-db4a3edd8db0

[badgeguy]

And here is a list of members to boot......

https://cache.nebula.phx3.secureserver.net/obj/REQ4M0I3MzIzRkNCMzc5MDA2RUY6N2RlZTExMTFlZDRkMmYyNj A0MjhiZDY2NzlkYjhkODQ=?uid=fc0c87d3-b474-4b00-820c-c2828f343ed9

[badgeguy]

Does this count as proof?

[badgeguy]

Oh, and here is an entry for Phi Iota Alpha from the 1955 LSU yearbook.

https://cache.nebula.phx3.secureserver.net/obj/REQ4M0I3MzIzRkNCMzc5MDA2RUY6NTAyODVmMmU3YmI5MjJmND c2ZDZkNTMyMGNiODY5NmQ=?uid=3f1d79e9-8684-433c-9eed-ec351c252862

Guess that guy was right, there is no proof of these groups existing prior to 1984........ ;)

[amIblue?]

I think there's more to it than that.

But I also think he was a tad obsessed.

[knight_shadow]

Found this in an 1896 Lehigh University Yearbook......
https://cache.nebula.phx3.secureserver.net/obj/REQ4M0I3MzIzRkNCMzc5MDA2RUY6Yzg2YmZlY2YzNGY2YjBlNj E5N2YxNWQ3YmZhNDA4YWQ=?uid=a9ae9455-2cf6-4629-abbd-db4a3edd8db0

The banner at the top = Interesting, if this is really from 1896

[badgeguy]

It is. This organization was very active for severa years in the 1890s at Lehigh. You can find issues of the Epitome online if anyone wants to verify....

[MysticCat]

Banned? Wow.

I wondered where his last pissy post to me went. This guy was here for nothing but a fight. And this ain't Fight Club.I figure maybe it was for ad hominems and gratuitous slams against other GLOs.

[amIblue?]

Oh goody, you're back.

[badgeguy]

Those aren't from any website, but from the colleges themselves....do some digging and you too can learn and discover new things.

BG

[badgeguy]

What's SMH?

[amIblue?]

The ban hammer didn't take long this time.

SMH = shaking my head

[badgeguy]

Thanks