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Our Roots, Our Journey: The Story of Lambda Sigma Upsilon
Lambda Sigma Upsilon's history is a journey of resilience, brotherhood, and cultural pride, from humble beginnings during a struggle to becoming a powerful force for unity and change.
Explore our origins, the milestones that shaped us, and the legacy we continue to build for future generations.
The Struggles of the
Late 1970s.
The late 1970s marked a time of profound change and struggle for Latin American students in the United States.
Latino students in universities across the country found themselves navigating the intersections of social, political, and cultural movements.
As the civil rights era gave rise to new awareness around race, identity, and equality, revolutionary movements in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S. inspired Latino youth to fight for representation and voice in academic spaces that often marginalized them.
The need for solidarity and community support became increasingly urgent.
Planting the Seeds of Lambda Sigma Upsilon.
In 1978, the seeds of Lambda Sigma Upsilon were planted amid this climate. Rutgers University became the backdrop for these conversations.
Latino students, particularly at Livingston College, felt overlooked and underserved by the institution.
Protests and sit-ins became commonplace, with students occupying spaces like the Kilmer Library to force the administration to recognize their needs.
It was during these tense but hopeful times that our founders met and connected over shared frustrations and a vision for change.
A New Vision for Brotherhood.
Lambda Sigma Upsilon was born not just as a fraternity but as a social fellowship.
While traditional Greek-letter organizations offered networks and opportunities, they did not address the unique cultural experiences of Latinos.
Black Greek-letter organizations served as an example with their brotherhood and cultural pride traditions.
LSU was inspired by this model but envisioned something distinct—an organization that embraced not only brotherhood but also the rich heritage of Latin American culture rooted in Indigenous and Afro-Latino traditions.
Bringing the Brotherhood to Life.
In the spring of 1979, a group of Latino students came together to create a space representing the Latino student population at Rutgers.
They shared ideas of forming an organization to help students succeed academically, provide a sense of family, and represent their cultural identity.
These meetings occurred regularly, and more students joined the conversation as excitement grew.
Eventually, the group decided to formalize their efforts by creating their own brotherhood—a Latino Social Fellowship—designed to unify and empower the Latino community on campus.
The Official Establishment of Lambda Sigma Upsilon.
On April 5, 1979, in Tillett Hall at Rutgers University’s Livingston Campus, Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Social Fellowship was officially established.
The motto “Latinos Siempre Unidos” (Latinos Always United) was adopted, reflecting the unity and solidarity that was at the heart of the fellowship.
This was not just about creating another student organization—it was about building a movement that would amplify the voices of minority students, find brotherhood, celebrate their heritage, and thrive in environments that were not always inclusive.
Our Twenty Founding Fathers
★ Jorge Ball
★ Felix Cabral
★ Jose DeLeon
★ Jorge Duthil
★ Raphael Equavil
★ Frankie Gonzalez
★ Luis Gonzalez
★ Nelson Gonzalez
★ Cesar LeDuc
★ Eleuterio “Junior” Maldonado
★ Julio Maldonado
★ Angel Melendez
★ Nelson Molina
★ Waldo Morin
★ Roberto Muñiz
★ Alberto Rivera
★ Miguel Rivera
★ Osvaldo Rodriguez
★ Jose Sabater
★ Raúl Torres
The Transition to a Fraternity.
In 1987, Lambda Sigma Upsilon transitioned from a social fellowship to a fraternity, a change that allowed us to grow and extend our influence.
LSU was founded to carry forward the legacies of our ancestors.
We believe that the stories, struggles, and contributions of indigenous and Afro-Latino peoples are central to our identity.
Lambda Sigma Upsilon Today - A Legacy of Brotherhood and Service.
Today, as we continue to grow, Lambda Sigma Upsilon is more than just a collegiate organization—it is a lifelong brotherhood.
We are dedicated to serving both on and off campus, committed to community uplift, cultural preservation, and lifetime personal growth.
We honor the past, embrace our roots, and continue building a legacy for future generations of Upsilon men and leaders.
1978
Spring of
1979
APRIL 5th
1979
December 11th
1987