Lambda Facts

General Facts

Official Name: La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Incorporated
Founding Institution: Cornell University – Ithaca, NY
Founding Date: February 19, 1982
Founding Fathers: 13 (11 Undergraduates, 1 Faculty, 1 Administrator)
Fraternal Colors: Brown, Gold, Red and White
Fraternal Motto: “La Unidad Para Siempre”
Nickname: Lambdas
Fraternal Crest:
lul_crest_official_web

Fraternal Symbol:
lul_symbol_official_web

  • Those who undergo our New Membership Education are referred to as Caballeros
  • A Caballero signifies a gentlemen and/or knight in the Spanish language. As the title indicates, Caballeros are expected to conduct themselves with respect and chivalry at all times, especially upon receiving the privilege of becoming an Hermano de La Fraternidad. All of our esteemed members carry this trait with them in all aspects of life, beyond the membership intake process.

Interesting Facts

  • 1st Latino Fraternity to be chartered at an Ivy League Institution
  • La Unidad Latina is a Latino-based, multi-ethnic, non profit community service organization with an extremely diverse and rich membership
  • Only Latino Fraternity to be chartered at all Ivy League Universities
  • La Unidad Latina is a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).
  • According to U.S. News and World Report’s 2019 Best Colleges and Universities Edition, La Unidad Latina alumni network extends to:
    • 9 of the United States’ 10 Best Colleges (Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, MIT, University of Chicago, Yale, Duke, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins)
    • 19 of the United States’ 30 Best Colleges (Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, MIT, University of Chicago, Yale, Duke, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Dartmouth, Brown, Cornell, Georgetown, UC Berkeley, University of Southern California, University of Virginia, Tufts, New York University)
  • La Unidad Latina is a nationally insured organization.
  • Recognized nationally by former First Lady, Senator Hillary Clinton and the former White House administration for our continual leadership and community service efforts.
  • Hermano Rubén Jose King-Shaw Jr.(Alpha ’83) has the ILR Building at Cornell University named after him and his wife and has been appointed to the Board of Trustees for Cornell University.
  • Hermano Eduardo Penalver is the 1st Latino Law Professor at Cornell

Honorary Hermanos

  • Hermano Dr. Jaime Martinez-Tolentino – Dr. Jaime Martinez-Tolentino holds a BA & MA in French from New York University, a Ph.D from the University of Madrid, a Ph. D from the University of Massachusetts, and a Ph. D from Purdue University in Spanish Literature and History. An expert on Latin American Literature, he is the author of fourteen books, ten of which are devoted to literary criticism or research in linguistics. He is also a creative writer with two books of published short stories and a play. He teaches courses on Latin American literature and culture and is fluent in five languages: Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, and German
  • Hermano Piri Thomas – Reknown poet and author, among his works is Down These Mean Streets, a novel which is a critically aclaimed best-seller.
  • Hermano Luis Miranda – Former head of the Hispanic Federation also served as Special Advisor and the Director of the Mayor’s Office for Hispanic Affairs during the Koch administration. During his distinguished career, Mr. Miranda has served as a consultant to the Ford Foundation, Teachers College at Columbia University and Boricua College, among other institutions.
  • Hermano Roberto Ramirez (Bronx Democratic County Chairman and New York State Assemblyman 78th A.D.) – Assemblyman Ramirez has represented the Fordham/Tremont section of the northwest Bronx since 1990. Assemblyman Ramirez has distinguished himself as a legislative leader in the areas of health care, taxation, economic development, education and welfare reform. He is also Chairman of the NY State Assemby Social Services Committee and Chairman of the New York State Puerto Rican Hispanic Task force.
  • Hermano Juan Figueroa – Chairman of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund
    Juan A. Figueroa has been a long-time champion of the Latino community tackling such issues as affirmative action and language rights. Mr. Figueroa served on the Connecticut General Assembly and was the first Puerto Rican State Representative from the Third District in Hartford.
  • Hermano Guillermo Linares – New York City Council Member, 10th District
    Hermano Linares was first elected to the New York City Council in a special election in 1991, and was subsequently reelected, in 1993 to a full 4-year term. In January of 1995, Linares was appointed to the White House Commission for educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans.
  • Hermano Kaleil D. Isaza Tuzman (CEO and Co-founder of govWorks, Inc.) – KaleiI D. Isaza Tuzman is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of govWorks. He is responsible for the development and execution of the strategic business plan and for managing the focus and direction of the company.