Since April 4th, 1986
Beta "Death" Chapter
Western Illinois University
Since December 6th, 1986
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Since April 4th, 1986 Beta "Death" Chapter Western Illinois University Since December 6th, 1986
Home Contents Search
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October 16, 1986, Brother Juan Rodriguez received an invitation from Brothers Baltazar Mendoza-Madrigal and Juan José Rojas-Cardona, founders of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated. The invitation was to the Sigma Lambda Beta Fall Rush Extravaganza, which was to be held on November 1, 1986 at the University of Iowa. On November 8, 1986, Brothers Juan Rodriguez, Luis Moreno, and Alberto Sacramento went to the University of Iowa where they were joined by Brother Elliot Veléz from Illinois State University. Together, these four men became the first pledge class of Sigma Lambda Beta, Calling themselves Los Conquistadores. On December 6, 1986 Los Conquistadores were initiated at Western Illinois University in the Casa Latina Cultural Center. Thus, December 6, 1986 is the founding date of Sigma Lambda Beta, Beta Chapter at Western Illinois University and Gamma Chapter at Illinois State University. These were the second and third chapters established in the fraternity, respectively. On December 12, 1986, the first executive board for Beta Chapter was established: Luis Moreno - President, Alberto Sacramento - Vice President, and Juan Rodriguez - Secretary / Treasurer. On February 3, 1987, the first pledge class of Sigma Lambda Beta at Western Illinois University was formed. This line of five consisted of Brothers José Norena, Steve García, Eliades Pérez, Jesus Montano, and George Bright III. This first line from Beta Chapter pledged themselves with the name of Los Colonizadores. March 19, 1987, Sigma Lambda Beta was unanimously voted into WIU's Greek Inter-Fraternity Council. On March 21, 1987, Los Colonizadores along with Los Primeros from Illinois State University, Gamma Chapter were initiated at WIU by Brothers from Alpha Chapter (University of Iowa), Beta Chapter (Western Illinois University), and Gamma Chapter (Illinois State University). Sigma Lambda Beta was approved by the Council on Student Welfare soon after on April 13, 1987. Fall of 1987 would show hard times for Beta Chapter. Two of the three Founding Fathers had graduated, and two members of Los Colonizadores did not return to WIU for the fall semester. Two men pledged Sigma Lambda Beta that fall: Brothers Gabe Cerda and Joel Rhea. They called themselves Los Reformistas, and on December 5, 1987, the second pledge class of Beta Chapter was initiated. The spring of 1988 would provide no new blood for the young fraternity; instead, the men of Sigma Lambda Beta would reorganize and strengthen the fraternity for the fall. In the summer of 1988, three men from the Quad Cities Campus of WIU, pledged Sigma Lambda Beta, Beta Chapter. They named themselves Los Tres Mosqueteros. Only two of them completed the journey to Brotherhood, and on June 28, 1988, Brothers Carlos Jiménez and Victor Hugo Jiménez became the first line ever to cross in the summer. Fall of 1988 provided a good strong rush. Brothers Mike DeValdivielso, Ruben Orta, Graciano Flores, Arturo Pinzón, and Fred Pryor, under the name of Los Reguladores, crossed over on October 22, 1988. They became the only line from Beta Chapter to have crossed at the University of Iowa, Alpha Chapter. Los Reguladores brought the number of active Brothers at WIU up to ten. In the spring of 1989, three new men were recruited to become Sigma Lambda Beta Men. Brothers Brian West, Nicasio Gómez, and Rhastady Rhamadhany named their line Los Guerreros, and on March 31, 1989, they entered the Brotherhood. The 1989 fall semester once again saw six Brothers leave WIU. Fortunately, four men took the chance on becoming Sigma Lambda Beta Men. They were Brothers Javier Sánchez, Bob Berrones, Marc Anthony Aviles, and Fernando Mireles: Los Sobrevivientes. These four men crossed over on October 31, 1989. The spring of 1990 produced two separate lines for Sigma Lambda Beta, Beta Chapter. The first line was Los Reveldes, and it consisted of Brothers Machito Santiago and Shane Hornbeck. The second line was comprised of Brothers Mike Spaulding and Douglas (now Oso) García. They chose as their name Los Caballeros. Los Reveldes crossed on April 5, 1990 and Los Caballeros completed their journey on May 5, 1990 to be the first Beta Brothers of the 90's. As the struggle continued, the numbers remained small for Beta Chapter; seeing only eleven Brothers cross over since Los Caballeros in the spring of 1990 to the fall of 1993. Two years had passed, and unfortunately no new blood had entered the fraternity. If not for Brothers Lorenzo Nevárez and Juan Alvarado, Beta Chapter would sadly have come to an end. However, through their hard work and dedication, they held an informational in the fall of 1995 that attracted nineteen prospective members. Soon after, on September 25, 1995, twelve associate members embarked upon their journey toward the Brotherhood. Unfortunately, only seven of the twelve reached that goal. On December 5, 1995, the line known as Los Galanes gave new blood to the Chapter. Los Galanes became the largest line ever to cross at Beta Chapter. The line of seven consisted of Brothers Oscar Reyes, Miguel Hernandez, Javier Maldonado, Angel Avalos, Jesse Estrada, Catarino Garza, and Louie Delgado. Our annual Founder's Day Ball had always been held at the University of Iowa, Alpha Chapter. On April 7, 1990 it was held for the first time at WIU, Beta Chapter. April 7 is also the founding date of the Alumni Chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta. During the summer of 1990, Beta Chapter Brother Joel Rhea designed the fraternity pin. Sigma Lambda Beta, Beta Chapter at Western Illinois University is committed to the goals of our Founding Fathers: To better educate a misinformed society about the Latino population, and to better meet the needs and wants of our people so as to take future generations of Latinos toward achieving success in American society. The men of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Incorporated are fully committed to these ideas and we graciously accept this challenge.
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