New Jersey Institute of Technology
Iota Gamma Chapter
During the Fall of 2000, many Latino students at the New Jersey Institute of Technology felt the need to increase cultural awareness regarding Latinos on the NJIT campus. It was discovered there had been an interest group at NJIT for Sigma Lambda Beta in 1998. Two members from that interest group renewed their commitment in bringing the organization to the campus. These individuals were Founding Brothers Cesar Serpa and Carlos Quispe. Both already had knowledge about what the organization stood for, and gave the new interest group the time to gather information regarding other Latino fraternities. They all finally came to the conclusion that Sigma Lambda Beta was the best choice. It would allow them to bring the cultural awareness they desired, as well as provide them with a support they could rely on. Now the task at hand was to look for other prospective interests to begin the foundation of the colony. At the next few meetings, interests like Founding Brother Edward Santos, Founding Brother James Bruno, and Founding Brother Arturo Chavez arose. Their commitment soon became solid, and together they formed five definite interests. Now all they would have to wait for was recognition from the Inter-Fraternity/Sorority Council of NJIT to commence with their education process. While awaiting a decision, in the Summer of 2001, Founding Brother Shaun Leydon expressed interest and eagerness to join the group in their quest to become Sigma Lambda Beta men. He became the sixth man to join the founding line.
In the Fall of 2001, on October 1st, a year's worth of hard work and perseverance at last began to bear fruit as the group received temporary recognition form the IFSC. With the guidance and dedication of their Dean of Pledges, Brother Enrique "Cantinflas" Velasquez, Jr. of Pace University-Chi Chapter and Assistant Dean of Pledges, Brother Danny "Fuerza" Barreto of S.U.N.Y. at Buffalo State-Upsilon Alpha Chapter, their process commenced on October 5, 2001 at 9:48 pm. Their long and much awaited journey concluded as they saw the Lambda Light on December 6, 2001 at 2:48 am. The Founding Brothers of U.N.I.D.O.S. are James Bruno, Cesar Serpa, Arturo Chavez, Carlos Quispe, Shaun Leydon, and Edward Santos. They are all well respected young men on their campus, and truly earned the right to be called Sigma Lambda Beta men.
On April 11, 2002 at 1:34am, the Alpha line, Etnan Espiritus un Naseeb, was initiated into the fraternity. With the addition of Brother Antonio "Chango" Gonzalez, Jr. and Brother Bilal "Mu'adhdhin" Khan, Sigma Lambda Beta became the largest Latin fraternity on campus with eight active brothers. The brothers’ focus now turned to programming and community service.
The colony enrolled in a program called "Adopt-A-Highway" where they were given a small strip on Route 3, which they clean and maintain on a yearly basis. In collaboration with Rutgers University (TA) and Kean University (DA), on March of 2003 Sigma Lambda Beta was recognized by the mayor of Garfield for helping in cleaning up the Passaic River. Every year the colony hosts an HIV awareness program for which they are praised and encouraged by the campus Health Center to keep throwing.
On April 11, 2004 the Beta Line, Nihil Obstat Aut Vincere Aut Mori, Brother Lionel "Indalo" Morata was initiated into the NJIT family after being an interest for three years. Two years later in the Spring of 2006, the Gamma Line, Canocum Natiao Dingane Chionesu joined the colony. With the addition of Brother Chason "Kamau" Anderson, Brother Moises "Macorix" Cordero and Brother JuanCarlos "Antioqueño" Alvarez, N.J.I.T. colony has grown to 12 members and is always looking for ways to expand and grow. Having Rutgers University as a neighboring school has motivated the colony to expand there. Our inspiring goal is to create the first ever metro chapter, consisting of Rutgers Newark and N.J.I.T., within Sigma Lambda Beta.
