Sigma Lambda Beta - History

History

In the early spring semester of 1986 at the University of Iowa, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal, wanted to further expand the possibility of a Latino-based organization with multicultural membership that would promote a positive image of the Latino Community at the University of Iowa and other Universities located throughout the Nation by scholastic achievements, eternal Brotherhood, the dissemination of our unique and rich culture, and our service to our community. The purpose of creating such an organization came from the social and cultural dynamics present at the time. The student body at the University of Iowa was predominantly Caucasian. Therefore, minorities on campus were under represented and lacked interaction amongst each other. On Monday, March 7, 1986 Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal called a special meeting with some of the Latino students at the Chicano-Indian American Cultural Center in the University of Iowa. The men at this meeting, soon to be known Founding Fathers, began to explore the idea of establishing a Latino-based fraternity in order to unify all under represented minorities and to promote cultural understanding along with academic excellence.

On April 4, 1986, the members finalized the philosophy of the organization and the eighteen men who came to study in the US from Latin America, Africa & Asia became the Founding Fathers of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated. They were inducted as brothers at the university's Danforth Chapel with the following principles in mind: brotherhood, scholarship, community service and cultural awareness.

Consequently, the newly established Fraternity continued to spread its mission throughout the nation. According to Founding Father Ricardo Zamudio in Brothers and Sisters, Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororites by Craig LaRon Tobernson and Gregory S. Parks:

"There was a lot of travelling 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."

The success of SLB's expansion earned its recognition as the "fastest growing fraternity" to the East Coast and the West Coast. Ever since its establishment Sigma Lambda Beta has come a long way from being a secret society to student-directed entities to large business-savvy corporations. The following is a list of historical milestones significant in the growth of the fraternity:

• In 1992, SLB became the first Latino-based fraternity to be established at a historically black university, Prairie View A&M University.
• In 1992, SLB spans "coast to coast" with the establishment of SUNY-Stony Brook (Pi chapter) and California State University-Dominguez Hills (Tau Chapter).
• In 1992, SLB joined the North-American Interfraternity Conference, a national umbrella association of collegiate men's fraternities.
• In 1996, SLB became a founding member of the Concilio Nacional de Hermandades Latinas, the first national umbrella council for Latino Greek Lettered Organizations (1996–2000).
• In 2000, SLB became a founding member of the Latino Fraternal Council, a national umbrella council composed by five of the largest Latino fraternities in the country (2000-2001).
• In 2004, SLB joined the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations. (2004–2010).
• In 2010, SLB was established at Huston-Tillotson University in Texas, making it the first entity of SLB at a private historically black university.