Assemblyman Julio Marenco welcomed members of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Incorporated to the State House today for a special reception and the formal presentation of a Joint Legislative Resolution celebrating the organization’s 50th anniversary and its historic contributions to New Jersey and the nation. Founded on December 1, 1975, at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, Lambda Theta Phi is recognized as the first nationally recognized Latino fraternity in the United States. Established by fourteen visionary Latino students and guided by two professors, the fraternity sought to create a space for brotherhood, academic excellence, leadership development, and cultural empowerment during a time when no similar organizations existed in higher education. Lambda Theta Phi was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature in honor of its 50th anniversary. (Submitted Photo) Lambda Theta Phi was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature in honor of its 50th anniversary. (Submitted Photo) Lambda Theta Phi was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature in honor of its 50th anniversary. (Submitted Photo) Lambda Theta Phi was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature in honor of its 50th anniversary. (Submitted Photo) Lambda Theta Phi was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature in honor of its 50th anniversary. (Submitted Photo) Lambda Theta Phi was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature in honor of its 50th anniversary. (Submitted Photo) Lambda Theta Phi was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature in honor of its 50th anniversary. (Submitted Photo) Lambda Theta Phi was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature in honor of its 50th anniversary. (Submitted Photo) Show Caption1 of 8Lambda Theta Phi was recognized by the New Jersey State Legislature in honor of its 50th anniversary. (Submitted Photo) Expand Over the last five decades, Lambda Theta Phi has expanded into a national network of 180 undergraduate and alumni chapters. Its members have gone on to serve as educators, public officials, attorneys, business leaders, and community advocates, while continuing to promote the fraternity’s values of scholarship, service, and cultural pride. Lambda also founded the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Educational Foundation to support scholarships and leadership development for Latino students across the country. Assemblyman Marenco praised the fraternity’s enduring legacy and its deep roots in New Jersey. “Lambda Theta Phi represents fifty years of leadership, service, and cultural pride that began right here in our state,” said Assemblyman Julio Marenco. “The fraternity’s founders broke barriers and created opportunities for generations of Latino students who needed a voice and a community. It is an honor for the Legislature to recognize this milestone and to celebrate an organization that continues to strengthen New Jersey and the nation.” Lambda Theta Phi Founding Father Rinaldo Lago expressed gratitude on behalf of the brotherhood. “When we founded Lambda Theta Phi fifty years ago, we simply wanted to create a space where Latino students could belong, succeed, and lead,” said Rinaldo Lago, Founding Father of Lambda Theta Phi. “Our culture is the heart of our strength. By celebrating our heritage and traditions, Lambda Theta Phi empowers our Brothers not only to achieve academically, but to become leaders who inspire and uplift our communities. To see our brotherhood honored today by the New Jersey Legislature — in the very state where our vision began — is profoundly meaningful. I am humbled and proud to witness this moment.” Lambda Theta Phi National President Jeffrey Chavez reflected on the significance of the fraternity’s milestone. “Our fraternity is humbled and grateful for this recognition from the New Jersey Legislature,” said Jeffrey Chavez, National President of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. “For fifty years, our mission has been to empower Latin men through scholarship, brotherhood, and service. To be honored in the very state where we were founded makes this milestone even more meaningful. We thank Assemblyman Marenco and the entire Legislature for celebrating our legacy and our future.” The morning reception brought together legislators, fraternity brothers, and staff, culminating in the formal presentation of the Joint Legislative Resolution during the Assembly voting session. Lambda Theta Phi’s 50th anniversary celebration highlights a half-century of contributions to higher education, civic engagement, and leadership development among Latino men — a legacy that began in New Jersey and now spans the nation. ...read more read less