Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

[E.Ortiz]

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