Alpha Psi Lambda
Alpha Psi Lambda | |
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ΑΨΛ | |
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Founded | February 11, 1985 Ohio State University |
Type | Social |
Affiliation | NALFO |
Status | Active |
Emphasis | Latino |
Scope | National |
Motto | Together We Shall Seek the Noblest |
Colors | Gold and White |
Symbol | Palm Tree |
Flower | Gold Rose |
Mascot | Jaguar |
Philanthropy | chapter by chapter basis; main focus of serving minority children |
Chapters | 41 |
Colonies | 9 |
Members | 4,000 lifetime |
Headquarters | PO Box 804835 Chicago, Illinois 60680 United States |
Website | www |
Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. (ΑΨΛ) is a co-educational, Latino-oriented fraternity which began in 1985 at Ohio State University. It is the first co-ed fraternity for Latino college students in the United States.[1][2] Today the Fraternity has more than 4,000 members, with 41 collegiate chapters and 8 Affiliate chapters; Its National headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois.
History
[edit]Alpha Psi Lambda was founded in May 1984, when Josue Cruz, an assistant vice provost for the Office of Minority Affairs at Ohio State University, aided a group of students in researching existing Greek Letter Organizations with the idea of forming a Latino-affinity group. Rather than join an existing group, the students decided to establish a new on-campus organization, co-educational in nature and with a Latino affinity.[3][4] The thirteen founding members were as follows:[4]
- Diana Acevedo
- Juan Casimiro
- Carolyn Christian
- James Cordero
- Tammy Harris
- Clara Isern
- Marisol Lugo
- Yolanda Natal
- Saddy Rivera
- Nancy Romo
- Annette Saldivar
- Annette Seda
- Juan Vera
The Fraternity's founding date is celebrated as February 11, 1985, but it can trace steps made towards its formation to the year prior.[4]
By 1991, it had emerged out of the Midwest region with the establishment of a chapter at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.[3] In 1998, the Fraternity became a founding member of NALFO, a trade association of Latino fraternities and sororities, and remains a member today.[5] Growth continued and 49 chapters have been established as of 2022.[3]
Josue Cruz was recognized in 2020 as an honorary founder of Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. for his contributions.
Mission and purpose
[edit]At its founding, the Fraternity identified its mission: "To promote continued personal and collective growth of our membership, success and unity through education, leadership, cultural awareness, and community service."
To support this mission, the Fraternity identified an eight-fold statement of purpose as the aim of both chapters and individual members:
- Serve the university campus and community.
- Bring forth on a scholastic level, Hispanics/Latinos, and others at the university based on friendship.
- Provide a supplementary educational, social, and cultural experience for the mutual cultivation of its members.
- Advocate for the needs and concerns of 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/College Administration, and the outside community."[6]
Chapters
[edit]Alpha Psi Lambda chapters note a "Founding Line" to recognize the initial class of chapter founders.[7] Collegiate chapters have been formed at the following schools. Active chapters are indicated in bold and inactive chapters are indicated in italic.
Notes
[edit]Alumni clubs
[edit]Club | Chartered | Chapter Affiliation | Location | Status | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rho Alumni Club | 2015 | Rho chapter | Chicago, Illinois | Active | [9] |
Iota Alumni Club | 2018 | Iota chapter | Chicago, Illinois | Active | [9] |
Alpha Epsilon Alumni Club | Alpha Epsilon chapter | Dearborn, Michigan | Active | [9] | |
Lambda Alumni Club | 2020 | Lambda chapter | Normal, Illinois | Active | [9] |
Texas Alumni Club | 2021 | Delta, Mu, Omicron, Pi, Sigma, Tau, Phi, and Alpha Beta chapters | Texas | Active | [9] |
Upsilon Alumni Club | 2021 | Upsilon chapter | Boca Raton, Florida | Active | [9] |
Alpha Kappa Alumni Club | 2022 | Alpha Kappa chapter | Joliet, Illinois | Active | [9] |
References
[edit]- ^ Torbenson, Craig LaRon; Parks, Gregory (2009). Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. Associated University Presse. ISBN 978-0-8386-4194-1.
- ^ "First Hispanic Fraternity Proposed". Portsmouth Daily Times. January 12, 1985. Retrieved April 21, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az William Raimond Baird; Carroll Lurding (eds.). "Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities (Baird's Manual Online Archive), page showing active co-ed groups". Student Life and Culture Archives. University of Illinois: University of Illinois Archives. Retrieved 4 July 2021. The main archive URL is The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage.
- ^ a b c "Alpha Psi Lambda History - APL-Rho". sites.google.com. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ "NALFO History – National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations". nalfo.org. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ "Mission & Purposes". www.alphapsilambda.net. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Chapters". www.alphapsilambda.net. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ "Omega Chapter". www.alphapsilambda.net. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Alumni Clubs". www.alphapsilambda.net. Retrieved 2023-01-15.