During the fall of 1986, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal began to explore the idea of establishing a Latino-based Fraternity at the University of Iowa. After months of intensive research, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal called a special meeting on Monday, March 7, 1986 with some of the Latino students at the Chicano Indian American Cultural Center in the University of Iowa. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the need and feasibility of creating a new social Fraternity with an emphasis on Latino Culture.

At that point in time, the student body at the University of Iowa was predominantly Caucasian. In addition, the Latino community on campus was divided into different social groups. As a result, the students who attended the first meeting wanted to solidify and unify the Latino community. Furthermore, the students wanted to promote a positive image of Latinos in the University.

After the first meeting, the enthusiasm in favor of the Fraternity was so encouraging that the word spread throughout the University of Iowa. Everyone knew that something special was about to take place. On Friday, April 4, 1986, the members finalized the philosophy and ideology of the Organization. Hence, April 4, 1986, is the official founding date of the Fraternity.

The Eighteen Founding Fathers established Sigma Lambda Beta with the following principles in mind: Brotherhood, Scholarship, Cultural Awareness and Community Service. Our Founding Fathers had a dream and VISION that our Honorable Fraternity could promote a positive image of the Latino Community in the University of Iowa and other Universities located throughout the nation by scholastic achievements, eternal Brotherhood, the dissemination of our unique and rich culture, and service to our community. Furthermore, as our Honorable Fraternity expanded and grew in the late eighties, the new and younger Brothers worked hard by trying their best to carry out the founding principles of our Organization. Hence, those Brothers tried to carry the torch and VISION of our Founding Fathers. The Brothers who were initiated in the early nineties, mid nineties, late nineties, and early millennium are keeping the light shining and working hard to promote a positive image of our people and our community throughout the nation. The Brothers have the VISION that members of our community will graduate from college, pursue a graduate degree, join the professional work force, help the younger members of our community, serve our community, and educate others though cultural awareness.

Since 1986, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. has expanded to the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MI, MN, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, TX, WA, and WI. Expansion of our organization has also reached Puerto Rico. The Fraternity can be found in over seventy Universities. Furthermore, the Fraternity has eleven strong Alumni Associations. The following men are the Founding Fathers of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc.:

Mario Buendia
Enrique Carbajal
Thomas Carrasquillo
Manuel Chavarria
Jose Fong
Rudolfo Garza
Luis Jimenez
Luis Marquez
Baltazar Mendoza Madrigal
Eric Montes
Kuy Ou
Olakunle Oyeyemi
Jaime Ramirez
Olivero Rivera
Juan Jose Rojas Cardona
Eugenio Soria
Juan Valdez
Ricardo Zamudio

Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated is committed to developing individuals to their fullest potentials in order to help serve the needs and wants of our people. As members, Brothers learn to "open their eyes" to see the possibilities that are open to all students, to share thoughts and ideas, and to recognize the potential that we as a united front can and will illustrate which will keep our shared values alive and working. Each Brother has the responsibility to develop and utilize his own skills and assets in anyway that may contribute to the overall success of the Fraternity, and more importantly help improve our community, country and the world. Throughout the past seventeen years, the Lambda Betas have spread the message of positive change in the Latino Community by setting an example of pride and wisdom in our culture. There is still a lot of work that needs to be performed, but together we can make a positive difference in society and our community. As the Latin Phrase in our Fraternity Shield reads, "CONGRESSI SUPERAMUS DIVISI CADIMUS," united we stand, divided we fall.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign during the Fall of 1990 a group of young men who wanted an organization that served their needs and wants, looked into establishing a fraternity.  

On October 20, 1990, this group met with Brothers from the Gamma Chapter at Illinois State University and Founding Father Ricardo Zamudio at Papa Del's Pizza in Champaign, IL.  There they learned about a great fraternity. Working with Brothers of Illinois State University, Western Illinois University, and Northern Illinois University, this group of men became a Registered Student Organization at UIUC.  

By the start of the Spring '91 semester, the pieces were in place to start a chapter at UIUC.  On April 14, 1991 through much hard work and dedication Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. was founded at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.  The seven men that founded Kappa Chapter were...

Marcos Sanchez
William Garay Jr.
Vernas T. Sanchez
Juan Lopez
Jaime Tello
Gustavo Lostaunau
Rolando S. Sablon

In almost 20 years of existence Kappa Chapter has grown to over 100 Brothers and continues to grow stronger each passing semester! Like the Founding Fathers of our beloved fraternity our Brothers share a deep passion for a diversified chapter. The chapter has boasted brothers from most countries in Central and South America, African-American decent, the Philippines, Middle East, and even Australia. A Latino based fraternity with a multicultural membership we are.

Throughout the years Sigma Lambda Beta has become a long standing fraternity at UIUC.  Sigma Lambda Beta is one of the oldest Latino based fraternities on campus.  Brothers have participated in the infamous 1992 Latino Student Protests, have helped create the annual Latino/a Fashion Show, Fiesta, and other Latino events on campus. We have raised thousands of dollars for charities both on the local and national level.

Sigma Lambda Beta has NEVER died out on campus due strongly to their dedicated and passionate alumni network.  Many of our members have heard the calling of continued fraternal support by volunteering on local and National levels for the fraternity including serving on the International Board of Directors. Our chapter alumni have become community leaders and successful professionals in a wide variety of professions including accounting, business, engineering, medical, educational, journalism, and non-profits.

However our history is never finished. We continue to add to our legacy with each passing year. We are continually striving to succeed and better ourselves for the benefit of our community, our country, and the world.