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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

[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

[sigmagirl2000]

Originally Posted by 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

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]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

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]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

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]

[E.Ortiz]

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. 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.

[E.Ortiz]

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

[knight_shadow]

You are really too pressed about this.

[moe.ron]

Originally Posted by E.Ortiz

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

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by E.Ortiz

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.

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

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:

Originally Posted by 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. . . .

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."

[E.Ortiz]

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. Regardless Lambda Theta Phi is the First Latin Fraternity and the First to start the current movement known as LGLO's (Latino Greek Letter Organizations). All Latin orgs (except for obviously Phi Iota Alpha) recognized Lambda Theta Phi as the First Latin Fraternity. Since 1975 with a true history and no gaps or questions. Latin from the beginning.