Gamma Beta Brother Selected for Prestigious CDC Fellowship

TUCSON, AZ - Gamma Beta Brother Omar Contreras (Fall 2008) was recently selected for a prestigious fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control and Presentation (CDC) in Atlanta, GA. Brother Contreras will be working with other public health professionals in the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Prevention. He will be working specifically with epidemiologists on identifying demographic characteristics of individuals who have multiple behavioral risk factors for obesity and overweight. The fellowship can last for up to two years and is in conjunction with the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH). Brother Contreras will be one of only 20 individuals in the country selected for CDC fellowships this year.

Omar Contreras is a graduate student in the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and will complete his studies in May with a Master's in Public Health (MPH) with an emphasis in epidemiology. In addition to his new fellowship, Brother Contreras is also the recipient of the 2008 Centennial Award, a recognition given to only one minority student at each level of study per year. He is also the recipient of the Russell H. Swanson Public Health Scholarship, the Andrew J. Nichols Scholarship and was selected as an EXPORT Fellow in 2007. Prior to his graduate work, Brother Contreras had the opportunity to serve as a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fellow at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.

In his spare time, Brother Contreras serves as president of the Public Health Student Alliance, co-chaired the 2008 MPH Internship Conference and the 2008 Diversity Celebration and was co-captain of the Diabetes Walk. He currently works as a research associate in the UA College of Nursing, investigating the exercise program adherence in diabetic adolescents.

Brother Contreras is a true example of a Lambda man, and an amazing role model for young Latino men. We are proud of his accomplishments and wish him much success in Atlanta this summer!

Alpha Upsilon Sweeps UNM Greek Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Timoteo de la Serna, Public Relations Officer
timoteo@unm.edu
(505) 263-5438

LAMBDA THETA PHI LATIN FRATERNITY, INC. – ALPHA UPSILON CHAPTER RECEIVES CHAPTER OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The Gentlemen of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. Alpha Upsilon Chapter at The University of New Mexico had a very successful year in 2008. The chapter was recognized during an awards banquet in 8 out of a possible 9 categories that include: campus involvement, chapter management, community service, membership education and development, recruitment, risk management, outreach, and public relations. The chapter was also one of only four Greek-letter organizations to be awarded the 5 Star Chapter of Excellence award, and was the only fraternity to do so.

Over the course of 2008, the Brothers of Alpha Upsilon Chapter completed over 1,200 community service hours (more than 10 percent of the total number of community service hours completed by all UNM Greeks), with an average of over 100 hours per brother, all while maintaining an average GPA of 3.13, the highest among fraternities.

Individual brothers have also had great success. Brother Chris Chaves was awarded the Greek Advancing the Community Award, the Clauve Outstanding Student Award, and was inducted into Who’s Who Among College Students in American Universities and Colleges along with Brothers Gian Chavez and Timoteo de la Serna. De la Serna was also recently accepted into UNM’s Research Opportunity Program and will be conducting undergraduate research with a faculty mentor.

The Brothers of Alpha Upsilon will continue to strive for excellence in 2009 by serving our community and our university in every way that we can.

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Alpha Sigma Wins ASU Greek Awards

Alpha Sigma Chapter (Arizona State University) received several awards recently at the university's annual Greek Awards presentation. The chapter was recognized for:

Excellence in Chapter Management
Excellence in Campus, Community, & Interfraternity Affairs

The chapter also was awarded the Arizona State University Gold Pillar Award. The Gold Pillar Award is given to chapters that achieve at least 90% of the Greek Awards application points.

Additionally brother Marcos Valdez (Fall 2005), was recognized as Fraternity Man of the Year.

Alpha Sigma Chapter was founded on March 22, 1998 at Arizona State University. With over 67,000 students, Arizona State University is the largest university in the United States. Alpha Sigma Chapter is the oldest entity of Lambda Theta Phi in the state of Arizona, and has contributed much to the Phoenix community in its 11 year history through service, activism and fostering Greek and Latino unity.

2008 AZNM Awards Banquet a Success!

AZNM Sector Brothers

Dr. Cayetano Socarrás Legacy Award winner Gian Chaves (Alpha Upsilon) with wife Diana

ALBUQUERQUE, NM -- Brothers from across the states of Arizona and New Mexico gathered in Albuquerque November 22 to celebrate the national anniversary of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc. (nationally celebrated on December 1). The Banquet was held at La Placita Dining Rooms in the Conquistador Banquet Room, with attendance from Gamma Beta and Alpha Upsilon. In keeping with the sector tradition, awards for the year were presented to following brothers and entities:

ACADEMIC BROTHER OF THE YEAR

Adam Grijalva

Gamma Beta Chapter - "Empire of the Eternal Eclipse"

The University of Arizona

COLLABORATIVE EVENT OF THE YEAR

Alpha Upsilon's 10th Anniversary Banquet

Alpha Upsilon Chapter & Lambda Delta Alumni Chapter

The University of New Mexico

SERVICE EVENT OF THE YEAR

24-Hour Toy Drive

Gamma Beta Chapter - "Empire of the Eternal Eclipse"

The University of Arizona

CHAPTER OF THE YEAR

Gamma Beta Chapter - "Empire of the Eternal Eclipse"

The University of Arizona

DR. CAYETANO SOCARRÁS LEGACY AWARD

Gian A. Chaves

Alpha Upsilon Chapter - "La Fuerza Del Sol"

University of New Mexico

Alpha Upsilon, Alpha Sigma Bring Home National Awards

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc. held its 32nd Anniversary Banquet, concluding the National Convention in San Francisco and bestowing two AZNM chapters with awards.

Chapter of the Year, the highest honor given to a chapter, was awarded to Alpha Upsilon Chapter of the University of New Mexico, the third time in the chapter's ten year history. Among the many events the chapter posted in the last year, highlights included raising $1,200 for the Peruvian Relief Effort, and their extensive mentorship program.

Undergraduate Brother of the Year, an award recognizing one undergraduate brother's contribution in the areas of leadership, scholarship and brotherhood, went to Arizona State University's Alpha Sigma Chapter President, James Randall. In addition to his leadership within the fraternity, Brother Randall was also recognized for his significant contributions to S.T.E.P. through leadership and service.

Congratulations to all AZNM brothers for a successful inaugural year as a unified Arizona and New Mexico sector. These awards are surely just the beginning of a bright future.

Conqueror: Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, NM - On Saturday, January 19, the Arizona New Mexico Sector of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. hosted its second brotherhood retreat in Albuquerque, NM. Aptly named "Conqueror," the retreat required brothers to employ their knowledge of the city of Albuquerque, the fraternity and themselves to win. Five teams of three competed in various challenges, culminating in a salute competition outside the Student Union Building (SUB) at the University of New Mexico.

First place winners were awarded $50 gift certificates to CollegiateGreek.com, and included brothers Jose Rodriguez and Andrew Provencio from Gamma Beta and Adan Gonzales from Alpha Upsilon. Second place was awarded a free dinner at El Pinto Restaurant in Albuquerque, with the prize going to brothers Jesus Arenas and Art Gonzalez from Gamma Beta and Chris Chaves from Alpha Upsilon.

The sector also bestowed the honor of salute champion of the year to Alpha Upsilon Chapter. The award, formerly given to chapters in the Arizona 1 Sector, will be altered to include the name of the past winner, Alpha Sigma, and the new title of Arizona New Mexico Sector Salute Champion of the Year.

The next brotherhood retreat will occur next January at The University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc originated at Kean University in Union, New Jersey in 1975, and has extended from New York to California and many states in between. Their purpose is to embody the foundations of Unity, Respect, Brotherhood, Culture, and Pride, all the while excelling in the classroom and becoming a leaders of great impact to their organization, their family, and their community.

AZNM Sector Hosts First Annual Anniversary Dinner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TUCSON, AZ - On December 1, 2007 Arizona Sector One of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc. successfully held its first ever Anniversary Dinner at Dragon's View Restaurant to commemorate the December 1 national founding date for the fraternity. The event was the first event to bring together a large number brothers from the three chapters, spanning two states.

Tucson was selected for the first dinner due to the sector board's location and the large number of fraternity members in Southern Arizona. The event is planned to continue next year in Albuquerque, New Mexico, home to the sector's next largest concentration of members.

With 50 people in attendance, awards were given to individual members and chapter entities for success and achievement. Award winners included:

Collaborative Event of the Year
Catalina Magnet High School Restoration Project with the O.W.L.S. in C.U.S.
GAMMA BETA - THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

Academic Award
James Randal - Managing a high GPA while also tirelessly furthering his chapter
ALPHA SIGMA - ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

Service Event of the Year
Peruvian Relief Effort (Salsa in the SUB and WalMart BBQ - contributing $1,200)
ALPHA UPSILON - UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

Chapter of the Year
ALPHA UPSILON - UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

The Dr. Cayetano Socarrás Legacy Award
David Fernando Machado
GAMMA BETA - THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

Special guests to the event included brother Roque De Leon from Alpha Theta Chapter at Texas A&M and three alumni sisters of Chi Upsilon Sigma's Alpha Zeta Chapter at Texas Christian University.

Founded in 1975 at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. is the first national recognized Greek-letter organization founded as a Latin Fraternity. The membership of Lambda Theta Phi is open to all college men who support its values of scholarship, respect for all culture, community service, and the advancement and fair treatment of Latinos. Lambda Theta Phi was the first Latin Fraternity to be recognized by the North-American Inter-Fraternity Conference (NIC) and today, has over 90 Chapters and Colonies in: Arizona, Atlanta, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. More information about Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. can be found on www.Lambda1975.org.

The Arizona New Mexico Sector of Lambda Theta Phi is the regional body governing chapters at Arizona State University, University of New Mexico, The University of Arizona and Eastern New Mexico University.