History

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 the 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 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 younger members of our community, serve our community, and
educate others through cultural awareness.

In seventeen years of existence, Sigma Lambda Beta International
Fraternity, Inc. has expanded to the following sates: AZ, CA, CO,
FL, IL, IN, KS, MA, MI, MN, MS, 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.: