Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. (ΑΨΛ) is a co-educational, Latino-oriented fraternity which began in 1985 at Ohio State University. It is the first co-ed fraternity for Latino college students in the United States.[1][2] Today the Fraternity has more than 4,000 members, with 41 collegiate chapters and 8 Affiliate chapters; Its National headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois.
Alpha Psi Lambda | |
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ΑΨΛ | |
Founded | February 11, 1985 Ohio State University |
Type | Social |
Affiliation | NALFO |
Emphasis | Latino |
Scope | National |
Motto | Together We Shall Seek the Noblest |
Colors | Gold and White |
Symbol | Palm Tree |
Flower | Gold Rose |
Mascot | Jaguar |
Philanthropy | Boys and Girls Clubs of America |
Chapters | 41 Collegiate Chapters (plus 9 Affiliate Chapters) |
Members | 4,000 lifetime |
Headquarters | PO Box 804835 Chicago, IL 60680 USA |
Website | Official website |
Alpha Psi Lambda was founded in May 1984, when Josue Cruz, an assistant vice provost for the Office of Minority Affairs at Ohio State University, aided a group of students in researching existing Greek Letter Organizations with the idea of forming a Latino-affinity group. Rather than join an existing group, the students decided to establish a new on-campus organization, co-educational in nature and with a Latino affinity.[3][4] The thirteen founding members were as follows:[4]
The Fraternity's founding date is celebrated as February 11, 1985, but it can trace steps made towards its formation to the year prior.[4]
By 1991, it had emerged out of the Midwest region with the establishment of a chapter at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.[3] In 1998, the Fraternity became a founding member of NALFO, a trade association of Latino fraternities and sororities, and remains a member today.[5] Growth continued and 49 chapters have been established as of 2022.[3]
Josue Cruz was recognized in 2020 as an honorary founder of Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. for his contributions.
At its founding, the Fraternity identified its mission: "To promote continued personal and collective growth of our membership, success and unity through education, leadership, cultural awareness, and community service."
To support this mission, the Fraternity identified an eight-fold statement of purpose as the aim of both chapters and individual members:
Alpha Psi Lambda chapters note a "Founding Line" to recognize the initial class of chapter founders.[7] Collegiate chapters have been formed at the following schools. Active chapters are indicated in bold and inactive chapters are indicated in italic.
Club | Chartered | Chapter Affiliation | Location | Status | Reference |
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Rho Alumni Club | 2015 | Rho chapter | Chicago, Illinois | Active | [9] |
Iota Alumni Club | 2018 | Iota chapter | Chicago, Illinois | Active | [9] |
Alpha Epsilon Alumni Club | Alpha Epsilon chapter | Dearborn, Michigan | Active | [9] | |
Lambda Alumni Club | 2020 | Lambda chapter | Normal, Illinois | Active | [9] |
Texas Alumni Club | 2021 | Delta, Mu, Omicron, Pi, Sigma, Tau, Phi, and Alpha Beta chapters | Texas | Active | [9] |
Upsilon Alumni Club | 2021 | Upsilon chapter | Boca Raton, Florida | Active | [9] |
Alpha Kappa Alumni Club | 2022 | Alpha Kappa chapter | Joliet, Illinois | Active | [9] |