Lambda Theta Nu

Lambda Theta Nu () is a Latina-based Greek letter intercollegiate sorority founded in 1986 at California State University, Chico.

History

Formation

Eighteen Latina students at California State University, Chico banded together during what they termed "a time of social struggles for Latinos, particularly those seeking higher education",As noted on th
website in a brief summary of formation
accessed 5 Jul 2021. forming a new sorority on which they named Lambda Theta Nu. The main archive URL i
The Baird's Manual Online Archive homepage

The sorority explains that the Founders surpassed the status quo for Latinas of the day by attending college; finding strength in numbers they realized that by coming together they could create a support system of helpful, friendly faces and hone a united voice to be heard, respected and recognized on its merits.

Founding Mothers

Early advocacy for the advancement of Latino and other minority communities remains a central part of the motivation of the sorority.

Purpose

The purpose of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. was set forth at its founding. ''"ur purposeshall be to open doors of opportunity to the Latinas in our community. The primary focus is academic excellence and meeting the needs of Latina women in higher education. Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. also promotes the advancement of Latinas through various campus activities and community services, and provides an environment for personal growth within a unit of sisterhood. Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc.'s priorities, however, will be placed on academic excellence and community service."''

Ongoing growth

Lambda Theta Nu has established 44 chapters since it began. Members are chosen on the basis of academic achievement (a 2.6 GPA is required to remain a member in good standing, and academic workshops are required by each chapter.) Along with academics, philanthropy and service are woven into its programming.

Perhaps surprising, and in a nod to the organizations' Hispanic roots, Lambda Theta Nu members regularly perform step dances with machetes to symbolize their culture and the strength of Latina Women. "Strolling" or "Party Walking is another widely enjoyed event, performed in unison to rhythmic beats; the sorority competes for the best step and stroll performances in nationally competition. The sorority explains it was first introduced to step dancing by Delta Sigma Theta, an historically African-American sorority, in 1987.Noted on th
National website's About Us page
accessed 5 Jul 2021.

The sorority maintains a national alumnae association, the National Association of Lambda Alumnae.

In 1998 the sorority was a founding member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).

Philanthropy

The sorority's Tijeras National Community Service Program has been a focus of philanthropy since Lambda Theta Nu was formed. Tijeras addresses the Latino communities educational needs by focusing in the areas of Latino leadership and Latino literacy. The National community service program has two components, academic excellence and community service represented by Latina Youth Leadership Conference and Latino Literacy Fund.Noted on th
sorority's website, community service section
accessed 5 Jul 2021.

Lambda Scholarship

One of the main goals of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. is to encourage and assist Latinas in the advancement of higher education, dedication to community service, and to provide an environment for personal growth within a unit of sisterhood. The organization does not only focus on its active members, but in the overall Latino community. In order to further their interest in helping out the Latino community, as a national organization Lambda Theta Nu Sorority Inc., has established a National Latina Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is designed with the goal of assisting young high school women pursue their own educational goals. Annually, every chapter awards a scholarship to applicants in their respective community.

In 2020 the sorority announced it was offering $40,000 in scholarship grants to support ten Latina applicants, regardless of membership status in the sorority.

Chapters

Chapters of Lambda Theta Nu include:See also th
National website's Chapter-finder
accessed 5 Jul 2021.
*Alpha - California State University, Chico March 11, 1986
*Beta - Colorado State University, Fort Collins October 27, 1990
*Gamma - California State University, Fresno December 9, 1990
*Delta - University of California, Berkeley April 6, 1991
*Epsilon - University of California, Davis December 5, 1992
*Zeta - California State University, Sacramento April 22, 1994
*Eta - Metropolitan State College, Denver October 22, 1994
*Theta - California State University, Northridge January 23, 1995
*Iota - University of California, Los Angeles September 22, 1996
*Kappa - University of Northern Colorado, Greeley April 19, 1997
*Lambda - Reserved for the deceased
*Mu - University of California, Riverside November 22, 1998
*Nu - University of California, Santa Barbara September 26, 1999
*Xi - University of California, San Diego September 23, 2000
*Omicron - University of Nebraska, Omaha November 18, 2000
*Pi - California State University, Los Angeles November 18, 2000
*Rho - Our Lady of the Lake University December 19, 2000
*Sigma - University of California, Irvine April 1, 2001
*Tau - University of Southern California November 10, 2001
*Upsilon - Sonoma State University November 3, 2002
*Phi - University of Texas, El Paso March 22, 2003
*Chi - Stanford University October 12, 2003
*Psi - Creighton University December 6, 2003
*Omega - California State University, Monterey Bay October 30, 2005
*Alpha Beta - University of Nebraska at Kearney October 15, 2005
*Alpha Gamma - University of Nebraska, Lincoln July 22, 2006
*Alpha Delta - Loyola Marymount University September 23, 2006
*Alpha Epsilon - Iowa State University April 14, 2007
*Alpha Zeta - University of San Francisco June 21, 2007
*Alpha Eta - San Francisco State University June 30, 2007
*Alpha Theta - San Jose State University November 13, 2007
*Alpha Iota - University of Nevada, Las Vegas March 14, 2008
*Alpha Kappa- California State University, San Bernardino November 2, 2008
*Alpha Lambda - Arizona State University March 28, 2009
*Alpha Mu - Western Illinois University July 11, 2009
*Alpha Nu - St. John's University, City College of New York July 11, 2009
*Alpha Xi - Kansas State University December 11, 2010
*Alpha Omicron - Colorado State University, Pueblo September 11, 2011
*Alpha Pi - University of California, Merced January 22, 2012
*Alpha Rho - California State University, Dominguez Hills April 7, 2012
*Alpha Sigma - University of Colorado, Boulder June 22, 2013
*Alpha Tau - California State University, East Bay July 29, 2014
*Alpha Upsilon - University of Iowa November 23, 2014
*Alpha Phi - California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo December 13, 2014
*Alpha Chi - Kent State University, Ohio January 11, 2015

References

{{National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations

Latino fraternities and sororities
1986 establishments in California
Student organizations established in 1986
National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
Student societies in the United States
Hispanic and Latino organizations
California State University, Chico