Beta Chapter History 

 

                                                                                                     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beta Chapter: Rutgers University New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NJ

Founded: December 11, 1978

Founding Brothers:  Hector Belen Jr.                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                  Jose Gomez

                                  Jimmy Gonzalez

                                 Ramiro Matos Aviles, Jr.

                                 Edwin Melendez

                                 Juan Ramon Rivera

                                 Juan B. Sotomayor

                                 Eduardo Yngemo

Is chivalry dead? Not to a Lambda. Romance played a part in the course of events leading to the founding of Beta Chapter. It all began when a Brother of Alpha Chapter, Founding Father Wilfredo Ayes, went to the Rutgers University Campus to visit his girlfriend. The Brother proudly wore his Lambda jacket.


The young lady was a resident of Latin Images, a special-interest section. The Third Floor of the Frelinghuysen dormitory on the College Avenue campus, this floor was set aside for Latin students, male and female.

 Founding Father Ayes could never have imagined his romantic rendezvous would be the beginning of the growth of Lambda Theta Phi beyond Kean College. A would-be founder of Beta Chapter, Founding Brother Ramiro Matos Aviles, Jr., noticed the jacket bearing the shield and the words: "Lambda Theta Phi Fraternidad Latina, Inc." Inquires lead to answers, and the answers triggered the first step toward nationalization. The spark was lit. The domino-effect theory was put in motion.

The second chapter of the Fraternity was officially recognized by the Rutgers Fraternity Sorority Council on October 4, 1979. In their first year as the only Latin Fraternity at Rutgers, the Brothers followed the brotherhood's tradition of cultural awareness and community service.

The most prestigious and oldest Greek chapter at Rutgers University, Beta Chapter, has carried the torch high and set the standards high for countless organizations on campus.