ABOUT SIGMA LAMBDA BETA
Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. is a historically Latino-based social fraternity that was founded in 1986 at the University of Iowa based on cultural understanding and wisdom. Most noteworthy is that 16 of the 18 founders were of Hispanic-Latino origin/descent.​
We believe in the ideals of fairness, opportunity, and equality of all men without regard to their race, culture, or ethnic background. Our biggest goal is to see that all of society can realize the importance of these three ideals. In order to achieve this goal, we all strive to model these behaviors and present ourselves in a gentlemanly and educated fashion.
FOUNDING FATHERS
Mario Buendia, Enrique Carbajal, Thomas Carrasquillo, Manuel Chavarria, Jose Fong, Rudolfo Garza, Luis Jimenez, Luis Marquez, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal, Eric Montes, Kuy Ou, ​Olakunle Oyeyemi, Jaime Ramirez, Olivero Rivera, J.J.R.C., Eugenio Soria, Juan Valdez, & Ricardo Zamudio.
(Not in order of picture)
Fraternity Facts
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Founding Date: April 4th, 1986
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Motto: "Opportunity for Wisdom, Wisdom for Culture."
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Colors: Royal Purple and Pure White
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Pillars: Brotherhood, Community Service, Cultural Awareness, and Scholarship.
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Symbol/Mascot: White Mustang Stallion
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Flower: Red Carnation
Largest Historically Latino Based
Fraternity in the Nation.
140+ Undergraduate Chapters
14k+ Betas Worldwide
30 States
1 Brotherhood
Our Principles
BROTHERHOOD
Brothers of Sigma Lambda Beta pride themselves in creating a family-oriented atmosphere at the campuses we are present at. This support network is one of the key aspects that makes our organization so powerful. As the largest latino-based fraternity, the networking gained through joining our organization is amazing. Our alumni work in a multitude of fields from education to engineering to law.
Even more important than career networking is the genuine brotherhood that we share. We are more than just an organization. WE ARE FAMILY. You will never hear a brother of Sigma Lambda Beta referring to another member as their "fraternity brother". We are "Brothers" and carry ourselves as such.
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SCHOLARSHIP
Since its inception, Sigma Lambda Beta recognized the key to building a strong brotherhood was premised on the academic welfare of its members. In order to live by the fraternity's four principles, it was imperative that the members continued to stress the importance of academic achievement. Most than two decades later, the same emphasis on education is still present within the organization.
One of the main objectives of Sigma Lambda Beta is helping its members graduate from college. The development of social and service skills help nurture members into men with strong leadership qualities. Within this domain is the potential to become a prominent figure in his chosen career and community. The opportunity for a college education is one of the many experiences that help mold our members into the leaders they are today.
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CULTURAL AWARENESS
This is such a prominent principle is our Fraternity because it is what separates us from other fraternities. Emphasis is placed on making cultural awareness present on campus. Some of the more popular events carried out by brothers on a national level are: El Dia De Los Muertos, Cinco De Mayo, and the Puerto RicanDay Parade to name a few.
It is important to note that culture is not equivalent to race or ethnicity. College life is a culture. So is married life. Hip-hop fans share a culture as do die-hard NFL fans. No one belongs to only one culture. We pull our lifestyle from various cultures, and it is our belief that a true understanding of these many cultures will raise our tolerance for each other's differences, hence united society and making the world a better place to live in.
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COMMUNITY SERVICE
With community service being one of the principles in which the Fraternity was founded upon, involvement within the community is one aspect that Sigma Lambda Beta takes great pride in. Since 1986, brothers have made a difference in their respective regions.
Each affiliation of the fraternity concentrates on different programs based on location. Many of these range from tutoring and motivational speaking to planting trees and building houses for low income families.
One of our national philanthropies is The Victor Correa CPR Awareness Day, in which chapters all over the country certify hundreds of people in CPR. This is in honor of our fallen Brother Victor Correa, who could have been saved if someone had known CPR at the beach where he was taken from us.