Alpha Psi Lambda
Alpha Psi Lambda Fraternity, is a co-educational, Latino-oriented Greek letter
intercollegiate fraternity. It is the first such organization for Latino college students in the United States. It has 37 collegiate Chapters and 6 Affiliate Chapters; the National headquarters is in Chicago.
History
Alpha Psi Lambda was founded on February 11, 1985, on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.In Columbus, Ohio, in May 1984 a group of undergraduate students led by Dr. Josue Cruz, Assistant Vice Provost to the Office of Minority Affairs, set out to research the country for other Latino Greek lettered organizations and learn how to begin a fraternity at The Ohio State University.
On March 10, 1985, at The Ohio State University, thirteen men and women were officially initiated into Alpha Psi Lambda. These individuals set the foundation for what is the nation's first and now largest co-ed Latino fraternity. The thirteen founders were Annette Saldivar, Annette Seda, Carolyn Christian, Clara Isern, Diana Acevedo, James Cordero, Juan Casimiro, Juan Vera, Marisol Lugo, Nancy Romo, Saddy Rivera, Tammy Harris, and Yolanda Natal.
Alpha Psi Lambda was the first Latino-based fraternity established at a Big Ten school. It is a founding member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.
Important dates
May 18, 1984 – Several students attending a Hispanic leadership retreat noted a need for Latino organizations at The Ohio State University. An exploratory group, led by Dr. Josue Cruz, Assistant Vice Provost to the Office of Minority Affairs, was formed to research possible fraternities and sororities. After reviewing their findings, the group decided to start a new Latino Greek organization.February 11, 1985 – Alpha Psi Lambda was established at The Ohio State University.
March 10, 1985 – Thirteen individuals were officially initiated as the founders of Alpha Psi Lambda.
September 25, 1992 – Alpha Psi Lambda was officially recognized as a National organization.
Present – Alpha Psi Lambda has grown to include 37 collegiate Chapters and 6 Affiliate Chapters with over 3,500 members.
Purposes and mission
The 8 purposes of Alpha Psi Lambda are:- Serve the University Campus, and Community.
- Bring forth on a scholastic level, Hispanics/Latinos and others at the University on the Basis of Friendship.
- Provide a supplementary educational, social and cultural experience for the mutual cultivation of its members.
- Advocate for the needs and concerns of the Hispanic/Latino students.
- Promote a basis for the diversity of the Hispanic/Latino cultures.
- Enhance the educational experience through social and cultural activities, and assist in the development of members' leadership abilities.
- Promote inter-fraternity relations.
- Foster positive relations between the Greek system, University/Campus Administration and the outside community.
To promote continued personal and collective growth of our membership, success and unity through education, leadership, cultural awareness and community service.
Chapters of Alpha Psi Lambda
Undergraduate chapters are present at the following schools:Chapter | Year | Founding Line | University | Location |
Alpha | 1985 | Los Primeros | The Ohio State University | Columbus, OH |
Beta | 1988 | La Familia | University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign | Champaign, IL |
Gamma | 1989 | Los Dedicados | Northern Illinois University | DeKalb, IL |
Delta | 1991 | Los Originadores | Southern Methodist University | Dallas, TX |
Epsilon | 1991 | Los Predestinados | Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN |
Zeta | 1993 | Los Invencibles | University of Illinois at Chicago | Chicago, IL |
Eta | 1996 | Los Fieles | Ohio University | Athens, OH |
Theta | 1996 | Los Caballeros | University of Cincinnati | Cincinnati, OH |
Iota | 1996 | Los Prestigiosos | DePaul University | Chicago, IL |
Kappa | 1997 | Los Iluminados | Kent State University | Kent, OH |
Lambda | 1998 | Aztlán | Illinois State University | Normal, IL |
Mu | 1999 | Los Sobresalientes | University of Houston | Houston, TX |
Nu | 2001 | Los Esperados | University of Toledo | Toledo, OH |
Xi | 2001 | Los Inmortales | Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL |
Omicron | 2003 | Los Iniciadores | Texas A&M International University | Laredo, TX |
Pi | 2003 | Fuerza | Texas State University | San Marcos, TX |
Rho | 2005 | La Lucha | Northeastern Illinois University | Chicago, IL |
Sigma | 2005 | El Encendimiento | University of Texas | Austin, TX |
Tau | 2006 | El Año De Las Luces | Texas Tech University | Lubbock, TX |
Upsilon | 2006 | Los Deseados | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL |
Phi | 2009 | La Devoción | Prairie View A&M University | Prairie View, TX |
Chi | 2012 | Dominación | Lewis University | Romeoville, IL |
Psi | 2013 | Los Caciques | Northern Kentucky University | Highland Heights, KY |
Alpha Alpha | 2013 | Patria | Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC |
Alpha Beta | 2013 | La Frontera | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Brownsville, TX & Edinburg, TX |
Alpha Gamma | 2014 | Divergencia | California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento, CA |
Alpha Delta | 2014 | La Dinastia | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | Edwardsville, IL |
Alpha Epsilon | 2015 | La Tormenta | University of Michigan - Dearborn | Dearborn, MI |
Alpha Zeta | 2015 | El Cuartelejo | Colorado State University - Pueblo | Pueblo, CO |
Alpha Eta | 2016 | Los Aliados | Eastern Illinois University | Charleston, IL |
Alpha Theta | 2016 | Espíritus Resilientes | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, NC |
Alpha Iota | 2016 | La Fundación | Western Illinois University | Macomb, IL |
Alpha Kappa | 2017 | El Reino | University of St. Francis | Joliet, IL |
Alpha Lambda | 2016 | Los Chiquillos | Washington State University | Pullman, WA |
Alpha Mu | 2018 | Los Profundos | Washington University in St. Louis | St. Louis, MO |
Alpha Nu | 2018 | Los Innovadores | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH |
Alpha Xi | 2017 | DAUNTLESS | University of Lynchburg | Lynchburg, VA |
Affiliate Chapters of Alpha Psi Lambda
Undergraduate Affiliate Chapters are present at the following schools:Affiliate Chapter | Year | Founding Line | University | Location |
Affiliate Chapter | 2015 | Tikal | Villanova University | Villanova, PA |
Affiliate Chapter | 2018 | La Oportunidad | Lindenwood University | St. Charles, MO |
Affiliate Chapter | 2018 | Los Rapsódicos | State University of New York at Fredonia | Fredonia, NY |
Affiliate Chapter | 2019 | Tauro | Bradley University | Peoria, IL |
Affiliate Chapter | 2019 | Dinámicos | Sewanee, TN | |
Affiliate Chapter | 2020 | La Recíedumbre | Illinois Wesleyan University | Bloomington, IL |