Chapter History

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.’s Colony at Texas Christian University emerged in the Fall of 2001. With the arrival of two transferring brothers on TCU’s campus: Jesse de la Paz from the Alpha Tau Chapter at The University of North Texas, and Chris Saenz from the Beta Tau Chapter at Texas Wesleyan University. These two men immediately noticed the need for a National Latino Fraternity to unite the Latino population that would also establish a strengthened brotherhood for other men like them. This vision was hard to attain since the university’s minority population merely totaled about14%, which included international students. Expansion was successful with the help of the brothers in the close vicinity: the Beta Beta Chapter at The University of Arlington, the Alpha Tau Chapter at The University of North Texas, and the Beta Tau Chapter at Texas Wesleyan University.

Brothers Jesse de la Paz and Chris Saenz soon began researching and meeting with TCU’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. University officials welcomed and supported the vision of these two men to establish the first National Latino Fraternity on campus. The next step was to recruit enough interest members that would soon make history. With the recruitment of six interests the advent of this Chapter was officially underway. Hector A. Muñoz, Mark Chavira, Jose Cisneros, Juan Martinez, Gabriel Ortiz, and David Resendez were the catalysts, which established Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc. On November 18, 2001, these six men successfully completed the induction process and became Founding Brothers. The process could not have succeeded without the helping hand of all the brothers, but especially with the support of Marco A. Benavides and Refugio Orozco, two line brothers from Texas State University.

It took less than a semester thereafter for the six Founding Brothers to get Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. officially recognized by the university. March 31, 2002 marks the official recognition day for the brotherhood at Texas Christian University.

Soon, in the Fall of 2002, the recruitment of the Beta line began. The Beta line recruitment would play a key role in the fraternity’s objective to be recognized as a member of TCU’s Interfraternity Council (IFC). The membership in IFC was short lived when the founders realized the direction this council was headed. Founding Brother Gabriel Ortiz then took it upon his self to gain interest from the other two Latin sororities on campus and presented the idea of creating a council which would better serve the organizations. The formation of the Multicultural Greek Council was a long and strenuous process, but until today it continues to serve the needs of the four member organizations.

If you would like more information on the Fraternity please feel free to write to betapi@originallambdas.com