OUR STORY
The primary roots of Lambda Sigma Upsilon began in 1978. At that time, Rutgers University was a hotbed of political and academic controversy. Minority students, particularly Latinos, felt that they were not getting the attention they needed to succeed in their academic endeavors.
This negligence was most prevalent on the Livingston College Campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. During that time, groups of students and protesters would conduct campus center sit-ins and take over university facilities such as the Kilmer Library to make the university administration aware of their negligence. It is during these events where our founders met.
In the spring of 1979, a group of Latino students began sharing ideas of forming a student organization that would represent and meet the needs of the Latino student population on campus, help students achieve their goals, and provide a sense of family to those away from home. They met regularly at the Livingston Student Center to further develop these ideas, and at each meeting, more Latino men that shared these common interest of change joined in on the conversation
After speaking for a number of weeks, it was suggested that the group form their own brotherhood–a Latino Social Fellowship– to better organize these ideas into action and to create that support system. The excitement of these gentlemen grew daily, and the regular meetings continued to formalize the Fellowship.
Finally, on April 5th 1979, in Tillett Hall at the Livingston Campus at Rutgers University, Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Social Fellowship was formally established. The official motto of the fellowship was “Latinos Siempre Unidos” (Latinos Always United), thus the acronym “LSU”.
THE TWENTY FOUNDERS
- Jorge Ball
- Felix Cabral
- Jose DeLeon
- Jorge Dutel
- Raphael Equavil
- Frankie Gonzalez
- Luis Gonzalez
- Nelson Gonzalez
- Cesar LeDuc
- Eleuterio "Junior" Maldonado
- Julio Maldonado
- Angel Melendez
- Nelson Molina
- Waldo Morin
- Roberto Muniz
- Alberto Rivera
- Miguel Rivera
- Osvaldo Rodriguez
- Jose Sabater
- Raúl Torres
Our Fraternity's roots can be traced back to Tillett Hall at Rutger's University in 1979, when 20 Latino men banded together to fight for the rights of minority students.
TIMELINE FOR HISTORICAL EVENTS
20 students create Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Social Fellowship at Rutgers New Brunswick's Livingston Campus thus creating its first chapter, the Taino Chapter
LSU expands to William Patterson University thus establishing its 2nd chapter, the Azteca Chapter.
LSU's 3rd Chapter, the Zulu Chapter, was established by 3 African American men. Reinforcing the idea that LSU is Latino based, NOT Latino exclusive.
LSU becomes a Greek-Letter Fraternity and is henceforth known as Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc.
Founding Father Alberto Rivera passes away due to complications caused by HIV/ AIDS virus. Soon after, HIV/AIDS research and awareness becomes LSU's national philanthropy.
The Tikal Chapter at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania becomes the first chapter founded outside of the state of New Jersey.
LSU becomes a National Fraternity through its induction to the North- American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).
LSU becomes a member of NALFO, the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.
LSU reaches its first Ivy League school, with the establishment of the Mexica chapter at Princeton Univeristy.
LSU expands to the University of Miami, Kogi Chapter, thus establishing the foundation of LSU's 3rd region.
LSU expands to the Le Moyne College, Cayuga Chapter, thus establishing the foundation of LSU's 4th region.
LSU adds its first chapter at a Historically Black College, the Tekesta Chapter at Florida Memorial University.
LSU expands to Stephen F. Austin State University, Aztlan Chapter, thus establishing the foundation of LSU's 5th Region.
LSU welcomes it's 50th chapter, the Onyota Chapter at Utica College in New York.
LSU becomes the first Latino fraternity to be invited to, and also win, Step Correct (a traditionally Divine 9-only step show) since the event's inception in 1984.
LSU opens its first National Headquarters in Elizabeth, NJ.
LSU welcomes it first graduate line, the Anasazi Line of the New Jersey Alumni Chapter.
LSU hires its first-ever full time executive staff.
LSU adds its first chapter in North Carolina, the Fukujin Chapter at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
LSU celebrates its 40th anniversary at its National Convention in New Jersey.
LSU welcome it's 75th chapter, the Sacbe Chapter at Appalachian State University in North Carolina.