Lambda Theta Phi - Zeta Chapter History

Founding Brothers:
Felix Cepero
Hermes Gonzalez
Thomas Francis Gaudio
Robert Lopez
Elmer Martinez

The campus of the prestigious Stevens Institute of Technology serves as the venue of the fraternity's sixth chapter. Jimmy Gonzalez, a Founding Brother of Beta Chapter [ Rutgers University New Brunswick], at the time a student at Stevens, brought Lambda to the attention of the chapter's founders. After a number of meetings, including February 12, February 19, and March 12, 1986, five men representing the countries of Cuba, El Salvador, Italy, Puerto Rico, and Spain founded Zeta Chapter.

Not all of Lambda's accomplishments have come easily. Zeta Chapter is a perfect example. At the National Board meeting of September 11, 1987, the brothers brought to the attention of the Board a difficulty they were experiencing with the administration at the school. Pursuant to school regulations, the chapter submitted a copy of the constitution of the organization. One of the goals of the Fraternity, unequivocally set forth in the document is "to defend the rights of Latin college students" (article 2, section 4). The administration of Stevens found this goal unacceptable. The school was of the opinion that the use of the word Latin was elitist and suggested Latinos had rights other students did not. The response from the Board? The statement was necessary as the rights of Latino students were often ignored.

Diplomacy and compromise intervened. The National Board approved a revision to the chapter's constitution, and the school granted the recognition. The Stevens Inter-Fraternity Council, however, rejected the chapter. What did the rejection mean to Lambda? First, defending the rights of Latino students would become more necessary than ever before. Second, there was one more obstacle to overcome, as Lambda was at Stevens to stay.

On April 16, 1986, an article appeared in the AHORA segment of the Hudson Dispatch, a newspaper with circulation in Hudson County, New Jersey. Titled "Derribando barreras nacionales" (Dismantling national barriers), it was an interview of the Founding Brothers and members of the National Board. This media coverage was the first ever at the national level where the history of philosophy of the organization were discussed and publicized by a noncollege/university newspaper. The name and reputation of Lambda Theta Phi was growing beyond the campuses and into the community at large.

Shortly thereafter, the Chapter faded away into memory once all the Brothers graduated and left the school in 1989. The chapter remained dormant for fifteen years until new life was breathed into in February 2004. Raphael Brito, David Gamarra, and Emanuel Rios breathed new life into the Zeta Chapter, surprising many Brothers who thought the chapter would never come back. One year later, Jimmy A. Latorre and Kevin P. Gonzalez joined the Lambda family to strengthen the organization. Through perseverance and countless effort, Lambda Theta Phi achieved Provisional Recognition from the Stevens Office of Student Life on October 25, 2006, putting the Zeta Chapter on its path towards full resurrection.

Lambda Theta Phi is currently an associate member of the Multi-Cultural Greek Council until Full Recognition is granted. The Brothers have a clear vision of the future of the organization and are working hard with other organizations on campus to create a stronger, unified community.