A Brief History of GAMMA Chapter
On April 27, 1980, the Gamma Chapter of Lambda Theta Phi, Latin Fraternity, Inc., in its fifth year of existence, was established on the campus of Trenton State College. Ten Latino men were instrumental in the procreation of the third established chapter of Lambda Theta Phi. The ten men responsible were:
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With extensive assistance from the Alpha (Kean University, then Kean College) and Beta (Rutgers University) chapters, these ten individuals responded aggressively to the distinct needs of the Latino student population at Trenton State College. Since that time, many pledge classes have successfully entered the ranks of the Lambda brotherhood.
The Gamma Chapter at Trenton State College has been exemplary in promoting and practicing the ideals of Lambda Theta Phi. The fraternity's ideals are brotherhood, Latin unity, pride in our own cultures, respect for all cultures, scholarship, and addressing the needs of our Latino community. In its 34 years of existence, the brothers of Gamma Chapter have worked diligently in maximizing the goals of the fraternity through numerous community and social service projects, ongoing campus involvement emphasizing Latino advocacy and awareness, and reaching our highest academic potential.
Brother Accomplishments
Gamma Chapter has always vehemently stressed uniformity in all our endeavors. During its duration, however, individual Gamma Brothers have garnered impressive accolades both in the professional and civic arena. Gamma alumni, many of whom continue to be considerably active in current chapter activities, have greatly succeeded in their own vocational endeavors. Gamma Brothers currently hold positions in state and city government, the private and public sector, college administration, secondary and elementary education, law enforcement, and social services. The accomplishments of Gamma Brothers have been and continue to mark significant precedents in their respective Latino communities. To outline some of the accomplishments:
As the aforementioned material will indicate, Gamma Brothers have made significant contributions to the community and to Trenton State College. More importantly, we have made progression in enhancing Latino representation in the higher levels of administration, both in the student and professional context. We have made it a strong point to challenge the status quo and attempted to alleviate the great inequalities existent in our communities and campus. Representing the needs of our Latino student and community populations have always been the primary thrust behind all our endeavors. Individual recognition has been secondary to our strive to enhance Latino equality and mobility. We firmly believe that we have made significant progressive steps in ascertaining and addressing the needs of our Latino brothers and sisters. Gamma Brothers continue to persevere in the path of Latino progression.
- Several Gamma chapter Brothers have been included in Who’s Who Among American College Students.
- Only Latino students to be named to Trenton State College Student Leader of the Year, Billie Aponte and Arcelio Aponte.
- Will Feliciano was the only ever Latino student to be the student representative to the Trenton State College Board of Trustees, Student Government Association.
- Fransisco Hernandez is the first Latino appointed to the Trenton Affirmative Action Advisory Board.
- Billie Aponte is the only Latino individual to be selected as the director of the College Union Board, Trenton State College.
- Jorge Cruz is the only Latino student ever to be selected Senior Class President, Student Government Association.
- Mariano Pellegrino was awarded the National Professional Alumni of the Year Award, 2013
- Arturo Morillo was awarded the George Jackson Achievement Award, 2013
- Juan Carlos Garcia was awarded the George Jackson Achievement Award, 2014
- Seiichi Villalona was awarded the Simon Bolivar Achievement Award, 2014
- Seiichi Villalona was awarded the EOF Graduate Spotlight Award, 2014
- Three different Brothers have garnered the prestigious national Undergraduate Brother of the Year.
- Since its inception in 1980, Gamma undergraduates and alumni have been involved with the Fraternity on National Executive Board, including two being elected National Board president.
- Several brothers have graduated from the Hispanic Interns in Community Service and Latino Leaders Fellowship Institute, sponsored by the Center for Hispanic Policy, New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
- Several brothers have had internships in Fortune 500 companies such as First Union, GMC, Ortho-McNeil, and Lucent Technologies.
- Several brothers have interned as student researchers for Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and academic departments at The College of New Jersey including Biology, Anthropology, and Sociology.
- Several brothers have held highly selective student staff positions as undergraduates at The College of New Jersey, serving as College Ambassadors, Community Advisors, House Assistants, and Student Managers of Residential Operations.
As the aforementioned material will indicate, Gamma Brothers have made significant contributions to the community and to Trenton State College. More importantly, we have made progression in enhancing Latino representation in the higher levels of administration, both in the student and professional context. We have made it a strong point to challenge the status quo and attempted to alleviate the great inequalities existent in our communities and campus. Representing the needs of our Latino student and community populations have always been the primary thrust behind all our endeavors. Individual recognition has been secondary to our strive to enhance Latino equality and mobility. We firmly believe that we have made significant progressive steps in ascertaining and addressing the needs of our Latino brothers and sisters. Gamma Brothers continue to persevere in the path of Latino progression.
Chapter Accomplishments
Combining the dedication and abilities of our talented Brothers, the aggregate Chapter has excelled in obtaining the predetermined objectives. For this, the chapter itself has harvested numerous awards. To outline only a few:
In a Greek-letter organizational community that consists of thirty-two separate fraternities and sororities, being the only Latino fraternity has been an ongoing challenge. Many times, the fraternity had to justify its mere existence to the Greek and greater campus community. However, we continue to combat the strongholds of oppression and prejudice utilizing scholarship and higher learning as our weapons of defense.
With the certification of charter officially submitted on February 1, 1981, the Chapter has directly confronted many of the inequities prevalent to the Latino student population. The Chapter has been involved extensively within the administration to address these inequities. On several occasions, Chapter Brothers have met with former President Eickhoff to discuss these issues. Other involvement include petitions, the development of ad hoc committees specifically designed to address these needs, and bringing in outside officials to absolve these problematic issues. We are one of the few yet strong vehicles for support and advocacy for Latino students on campus; a position we take very seriously.
- National Board Chapter of the year, three (3) times
- Student Life Award for Hispanic College Day Program, Trenton State College, 1989-1990
- Numerous community citations for service from such organizations as the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, the Rescue Mission of Trenton, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and ASPIRA
- Numerous campus citations for services and programming from President Eickhoff (former president of Trenton State College), Educational Opportunity Fund program, College-bound Program, Office of Hispanic Affairs, Office of Student Life, Union Latina, and the Black Student Union.
In a Greek-letter organizational community that consists of thirty-two separate fraternities and sororities, being the only Latino fraternity has been an ongoing challenge. Many times, the fraternity had to justify its mere existence to the Greek and greater campus community. However, we continue to combat the strongholds of oppression and prejudice utilizing scholarship and higher learning as our weapons of defense.
With the certification of charter officially submitted on February 1, 1981, the Chapter has directly confronted many of the inequities prevalent to the Latino student population. The Chapter has been involved extensively within the administration to address these inequities. On several occasions, Chapter Brothers have met with former President Eickhoff to discuss these issues. Other involvement include petitions, the development of ad hoc committees specifically designed to address these needs, and bringing in outside officials to absolve these problematic issues. We are one of the few yet strong vehicles for support and advocacy for Latino students on campus; a position we take very seriously.
Brotherhood
All in all, the most important aspect of our fraternity is brotherhood. This chapter and the entire fraternity is a special bond men of incomparable to any relationships outside of immediate family ties. Lambda Theta Phi is an extended family that has constructed an established union of brotherhood, a brotherhood that is unconditional, a brotherhood that is permanent. We all have special, unique feelings for each other, feelings that are truly indescribable.
LAMBDA THETA PHI 'TIL THE DAY WE DIE!
IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH, THAT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN SURVIVE
LAMBDA THETA PHI 'TIL THE DAY WE DIE!
IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH, THAT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN SURVIVE