top of page
HistoryBook_Purple.png

SIGMA LAMBDA BETA HISTORY

The Beginning

During the fall of 1985, Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal began to explore the idea of establishing a Latino-based fraternity at the University of Iowa.  Having seen the impact organizations like Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity had on their constituency, Mendoza-Madrigal knew something similar could be done for the Latino interest.  Without knowing the impact he would have over 30 years down the road, Baltazar starting doing research on this possibility.

After months of dedicated research, Mendoza-Madrigal called for a special meeting on March 7, 1986.  Held at the Chicano Indian American Cultural Center (now known as the Latino Native American Cultural Center), this meeting would bring together the Latino students to discuss the feasibility of creating a social fraternity that would focus on the Latino culture.

“The Latino community was divided among several social groups at the time,” said Mendoza-Madrigal.  The enthusiasm in favor of establishing a social fraternity that could help in unifying the community was so great that word started to spread quickly across the University of Iowa campus.  Everyone knew that something great was about to take place.  After much planning, the ideology and philosophy of this new organization were finalized on April 4th, 1986.  Henceforth, this day is recognized as the official founding date of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity at The University of Iowa.

​

Sigma Lambda Beta Today

After over 30 years, our Fraternity has grown to over 120 collegiate entities spanning over 30 states from Coast to Coast.  Sigma Lambda Beta entities can be found at some of the largest institutions in the Big Ten, PAC 12, and Big 12 or at some of the most prestigious small private schools across the country. Moreover, our membership has expanded beyond our Hispanic-Latino origins making us one of the most culturally diverse Greek-lettered organizations.  

History: About Us
Slb-founders.jpg

FOUNDING FATHERS

Eighteen men gathered at the University of Iowa and founded Sigma Lambda Beta. These men came from all sorts of backgrounds and exemplify what Sigma Lambda Beta stands for today. These men are:

  • Bro. Mario Buendia

  • Bro. Enrique Carbajal

  • Bro. Thomas Carrasquillo

  • Bro. Manuel Chavarria

  • Bro. Jose Fong

  • Bro. Rodolfo Garza

  • Bro. Luis Jimenez

  • Bro. Luis Marquez

  • Bro. Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal

  • Bro. Eric Montes

  • Bro. Kuy Ou

  • Bro. Olakunle Oyeyemi

  • Bro. Jaime Ramirez

  • Bro. Olivero Rivera

  • J.J.R.C.

  • Bro. Eugenio Soria

  • Bro. Juan Valdez

  • Bro. Ricardo Zamudio

History: Image

PAST FRATERNAL LEADERSHIP

1986

Board of Directors

  • Rusty Barcelo*

  • John Chadima*

  • Bro. Mary Peterson

  • Claudio Hidalgo*

  • Founding Father Luis Jimenez

  • Ester Materon-Arun*

  • Founding Father Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal

  • JJRC

  • Helen Ryan*

  • Arturo Sierra*

  • Luis Vasquez*
    * Denotes non-Brother.

1992-1994

International Board of Directors

  • International President - Juan Rodriguez, Beta

  • VP of Collegiate Operations - Mary Peterson, Alpha

  • VP of Expansion - Baltazer Mendoza-Madrigal, Alpha

  • VP of Alumni - Juan Valdez, Alpha

  • VP of Academics - Joel Rhea, Beta

  • VP of Finance - John Chadima*

  • VP of Program Development - Ricardo Zamudio, Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Rudy Lopez, Theta

  • Undergrad Rep - Edgar Reyes, Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Mike Ramirez, Alpha

1994-1996

International Board of Directors

  • International President - Ricardo Zamudio, Alpha

  • VP of Collegiate Operations - Joel Rhea, Beta

  • VP of Expansion - Manny Miranda, Pi
    Replaced by: Ian Bautista, Phi

  • VP of Alumni - Mike Heller, Alpha
    Replaced by: Ian Bautista, Phi

  • VP of Academics - John Davila, Gamma

  • VP of Finance - John Chadima*
    Replaced by: Octaviano Gonzalez, Sigma
    Replaced by: Ricardo Zamudio, Alpha

  • VP of Program Development - Juan Rodriguez, Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Raymundo Najera, Xi

  • Undergrad Rep - Omar Espinoza, Eta

  • Undergrad Rep - Juan David Alejo, Beta Alpha

1996-1998

International Board of Directors

  • International President - Joel Rhea, Beta

  • VP of Collegiate Operations - Juan David Alejo, Beta Alpha

  • VP of Expansion - Ian Bautista, Phi

  • VP of Alumni - Norvis Huezo, Pi

  • VP of Academics - Mark Slessinger, Aurora/Eta

  • VP of Finance - Mario Rueda, Eta

  • Undergrad Rep - James Reed Jr., Delta Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Ricardo Torres, Pi

  • Undergrad Rep - Angelo Cisneros, Zeta

1998-2000

International Board of Directors

  • International President - Norvis Huezo, Pi

  • VP of Collegiate Operations - Tony Pro, Psi

  • VP of Expansion - Ian Bautista, Phi

  • VP of Alumni - Anthony Ochoa, Kappa Alpha

  • VP of Program Development - Sergio Garcia, Sigma Alpha

  • VP of Academics - Enrique Vela, Alpha Alpha
    Replaced by: Steven Puentes, Pi
    Replaced by: Ammar Mufleh, Epsilon Alpha

  • VP of Finance - Ricardo Zamudio, Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Angel Avalos, Beta

  • Undergrad Rep - Cesar Barradas, Kappa

  • Undergrad Rep - Roberto Ceballos, Upsilon

2000-2002

International Board of Directors

  • International President - Norvis Huezo, Pi

  • VP of Collegiate Operations - Tony Pro, Psi
    Replaced by: Ammar Mufleh, Epsilon Alpha

  • VP of Expansion - Anthony Ochoa, Kappa Alpha

  • VP of Alumni - Jose Phillips, Phi Alpha
    Replaced by: Juan Gutierrez, Tau

  • VP of Program Development - Josh Flores, Epsilon Alpha

  • VP of Academics - Ammar Mufleh, Epsilon Alpha
    Replaced by: Cesar Barradas, Kappa

  • VP of Finance - Ricardo Zamudio, Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Miguel Ayala, Sigma Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Gil Duarte, Beta Beta

  • Undergrad Rep - Orlando Garcia, Upsilon
    Replaced by Joel Arias, Gamma Alpha

2002-2004

International Board of Directors

  • International President - Ammar Mufleh, Epsilon Alpha

  • VP of Collegiate Operations - Cesar Barradas, Kappa

  • VP of Expansion - Miguel Ayala, Sigma Alpha

  • VP of Alumni - Jose Martinez, Zeta

  • VP of Program Development - Gregory Rodriguez, Pi

  • VP of Academics - Roy Salcedo, Omicron

  • VP of Finance - Ricardo Zamudio, Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Gerardo Reyes, Tau/Kappa Beta

  • Undergrad Rep - Roger Montalban, Eta Beta

  • Undergrad Rep - Jason Garcia, Rho Beta

2004-2006

International Board of Directors

  • International President - Ammar Mufleh, Epsilon Alpha

  • VP of Collegiate Operations - Luis Jose Cruz Rivera, Epsilon Gamma

  • VP of Expansion - David Chavez, Tau

  • VP of Alumni - Alejandro Builes, Omicron Alpha

  • VP of Program Development - Josh Flores, Epsilon Alpha
    Replaced by: Gregory Rodriguez, Pi

  • VP of Academics - Roy Salcedo, Omicron

  • VP of Finance - John Dimas, Epsilon Gamma

  • Undergrad Rep - Nicolas Morales, Lambda Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Jason Smolka, Omicron

  • Undergrad Rep - Roberto Torres, Rho Alpha

2006-2008

International Board of Directors

  • International President - Gregory Rodriguez, Pi
    Replaced by: Samuel Centellas, Epsilon

  • VP of Collegiate Operations - Anthony Ochoa, Kappa Alpha

  • VP of Expansion - Roberto Torres, Rho Alpha
    Replaced by: Maximo Anguiano, Alpha Gamma

  • VP of Alumni - Alejandro Builes, Omicron Alpha

  • VP of Program Development - Samuel Centellas, Epsilon
    Replaced by: Omar Padilla, Lambda Gamma

  • VP of Academics - Roy Salcedo, Omicron

  • VP of Finance - John Dimas, Epsilon Gamma
    Replaced by: Benjamin Robles, Phi Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Salvador Hernandez, Phi Alpha

  • Undergrad Rep - Omar Padilla
    No Replacement

  • Undergrad Rep - Maximo Anguiano
    No Replacement

2008-2010

International Board of Directors

  • International President - Samuel Centellas, Epsilon

  • VP of Collegiate Operations - Juan Izaguirre, Phi Alpha

  • VP of Expansion - Derrick Lugo, Chi
    Replaced by: Eduardo Diaz, Kappa
    Replaced by: Trace Camacho, Lambda Gamma

  • VP of Alumni - Cesar Ramirez, Chi

  • VP of Finance - Benjamin Robles, Phi Alpha

  • VP of Communications - Carlos Frevert, Alpha Alpha

2010-2012

International Board of Directors

  • International President - Samuel Centellas, Epsilon

  • VP of Collegiate Operations - Shane Hornbeck, Beta

  • VP of Alumni - Jaden Felix, Zeta

  • VP of Finance - Luis Jose Cruz Rivera, Epsilon Gamma

  • VP of Communications - Antonio Quevedo, Chi Alpha

2012-2014

Executive Board of Directors

  • Chairman - Luis Jose Cruz Rivera, Epsilon Gamma

  • Diego Back, Beta Beta

  • John Dimas, Epsilon Gamma

  • Anthony Mejia, Psi

  • Rogelio Monzon, Chi Beta

  • Antonio Queveda, Chi Alpha

2015-2016

Executive Board of Directors

  • Chairman - Diego Back, Beta Beta

  • David Ayento, Kappa

  • Luis Jose Cruz Rivera, Epsilon Gamma

  • Rogelio Monzon, Chi Beta

  • Anthony Ybarra, Phi

  • Timothy Wightman, Alpha

2017-2018

Executive Board of Directors

  • Chairman - Diego Back, Beta Beta

  • Angel Arroyo, Upsilon Delta

  • David Ayento, Kappa

  • Brian Castro, Omicron

  • Jason Smolka, Omicron

  • Anthony Ybarra, Phi

2019-2020

Executive Board of Directors

  • Chairman - David Ayento, Kappa

  • Angel Arroyo, Upsilon Delta

  • Roberto Ceballos, Upsilon

  • Steve Galvan, Epsilon

  • Orlando Garcia, Upsilon

  • Jason Smolka, Omicron

2021-2022

Executive Board of Directors

  • Chairman - Roberto Ceballos, Upsilon

  • Mauricio Amaral-Vazquez, Tau

  • Christopher Cooley, Chi Delta

  • Victor Diaz, Chi Beta

  • Steve Galvan, Epsilon

  • Jorge Perez De Jesus, Beta

History: List
bottom of page