December first harkens to the end of the fall semester and the holiday break at most colleges and universities. For three GLOs, it also marks the day on which the organizations were founded.
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. and Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. were both founded at Kean University in New Jersey in 1975. Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc., was founded at Binghamton University in upstate New York in 1987.
According to the Lambda Theta Alpha website, Kean introduced bilingual and Latino/Caribbean studies in 1975. Seventeen women talked about forming a sorority for Latina women. They wanted an organization which would “integrate itself into the social, political and community service arena.” The sorority’s purpose is:
to provide a sisterhood based on unity, love and respect in an effort to foster the development of strong leaders who will then provide and practice political, social and cultural activities. It shall also be the purpose of Lambda Theta Alpha to promote unity through charitable and educational programs, maintain a higher standard of learning and serve as a voice for all students.
Lambda Theta Phi honors two Kean faculty/administrators who played integral roles in the founding of the organization. These men, Cayetano J. Socarrás, Ph.D., and José A. Quiles, Ph.D., are the Fraternal Fathers who mentored and guided the 14 Founding Fathers.
Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc., provides “sisterhood and support while also promoting academic achievement, service to the community, leadership, and cultural enrichment.”
