Alpha Psi Lambda
| Alpha Psi Lambda | |
|---|---|
| ΑΨΛ | |
 | |
| Founded | February 11, 1985 Ohio State University |
| Type | Social |
| Affiliation | NALFO |
| Status | Active |
| Emphasis | Latino |
| Scope | National |
| Motto | "Together We Shall Seek the Noblest" |
| Pillars | Familia, Culture, Academics, Service, Leadership |
| Colors | Gold and White |
| Symbol | Palm tree |
| Flower | Gold rose |
| Mascot | Jaguar |
| Chapters | 34 active |
| Colonies | 6 |
| Members | 4,800 lifetime |
| Nickname | A-Psi |
| Headquarters | 8745 West Higgins Road, Suite 110 Chicago, Illinois 60631 United States |
| Website | www |
Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. (ΑΨΛ) is an American co-educational, Latino-oriented fraternity. The fraternity was established in 1985 at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. It was the first co-ed fraternity for Latino college students in the United States. The fraternity has chartered fifty chapters and has more than 4,800 members. It is a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.
History
[edit]At an Hispanic leadership retreat in May 1984, a group of undergraduate students from Ohio State University identified a need for Latino organizations on campus.[1][2] The students worked with Josue Cruz, an assistant vice provost for the Office of Minority Affairs, to explore possible fraternities and sororities, ultimately deciding to create new new Latino fraternity.[1][2]
Alpha Psi Lambda was founded February 11,1985 at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio as a coeducational Latino fraternity.[3] It was the first co-ed fraternity for Latino college students in the United States.[4][5] At its founding, the fraternity identified its mission as "to promote continued personal and collective growth of our membership, success, and unity through education, leadership, cultural awareness, and community service."[6]
Three men and ten women became Alpha Psi Lambda first members on March 10, 1985: Diana Acevedo, Juan Casimiro, Carolyn Christian, James Cordero, Tammy Harris, Clara Isern, Marisol Lugo, Yolanda Natal, Saddy Rivera, Nancy Romo, Annette Saldivar, Annette Seda, and Juan Vera.[1][2] Acevedo was its founding president.[5]
In 1988, a second chapter of Alpha Psi Lambda was established at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.[3] This was followed by a chapter at Northern Illinois University in 1989.[3] In 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 the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO), a trade association of Latino fraternities and sororities, and remains a member today.[7][8] The fraternity's growth continued, with fifty chapters being chartered as of 2025.[3][9] It has initiated more than 4,800 members.[10]
Alpha Psi Lambda's national headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois.[3]
Symbols
[edit]The motto of Alpha Psi Lambda is "Together We Shall Seek the Noblest".[11][12] Its values or pillars are Familia, Culture, Academics, Service, and Leadership.[10][13]
Alpha Phi Lambda's colors are gold and white.[11][12] Its symbol is the palm tree.[12][13] Its flower is the gold rose.[12][11] Its mascot is the jaguar.[12][11] The fraternity's nickname is "A-Psi".[13][12]
Activities
[edit]Alpha Psi Lambda's national philanthropies are the Boys & Girls Club of America, Habitat for Humanity, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[14][15]
Chapters
[edit]Alpha Psi Lambda has chartered fifty chapters as of 2025, with 34 being active.[3][9] It also has six colonies, called affiliate chapters and two alumni clubs.[9][16]
Controversies and member misconduct
[edit]In November 1990, the Black Greek Council at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign denied full membership to the campus chapter of Alpha Psi Lambda.[17] The BGC decline to meet with the fraternity to discuss its vote.[18] The fraternity claimed discrimination was the cause, as it has been an associate member of the Black Greek Council since May 1988.[17] The fraternity withdrew its associate membership from BGC following the vote.[17][18]
In October 2014, a member of the Northern Illinois University chapter stabbed a man who was trying to enter a party at the house of several members of the fraternity, claiming that the victim has punched him and other fraternity members when turned away from the party.[19]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Alpha Psi Lambda History". Rho Chapter Alpha Psi Lambda. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ a b c "History". Alpha Psi Lambda. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g Lurding, Carroll and Becque, Fran. (July 11, 2025) "Alpha Psi Lambda". Almanac of Fraternities and Sororities. Urbana: University of Illinois. Accessed December 20, 2025.
- ^ Torbenson, Craig LaRon; Parks, Gregory (2009). Brothers and Sisters: Diversity in College Fraternities and Sororities. Associated University Presse. ISBN 978-0-8386-4194-1.
- ^ a b Fisher, Doug (January 12, 1985). "First Hispanic Fraternity Proposed". Portsmouth Daily Times. Retrieved April 21, 2011 – via Google News.
- ^ "Mission & Purposes". Alpha Psi Lambda. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ "NALFO History". National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations. Retrieved 2023-01-15.
- ^ "Member Organizations". National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b c "Chapters". Alpha Psi Lambda. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b "Home". Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b c d "Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. (coed) | Fraternity & Sorority Affairs". University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e f "Fraternity Facts". Alpha Psi Lambda. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b c "Alpha Psi Lambda National Inc. | Cats Connect". Ohio State University. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ "Alpha Psi Lambda". Florida Atlantic University. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ "Alpha Psi Lambda National Inc". Kent State Fraternity & Sorority Life. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ "Alumni Clubs". Alpha Psi Lambda. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b c "Latino House Will Discuss Vote with BGC". The Daily Illini. Urbana, Illinois. 1990-11-01. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-12-20 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Gillipsie, Catherine (1990-11-12). "BGC Declines to Meet Fraternity". The Daily Illini. Urbana, Illinois. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-12-20 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Azzo, Andrea (2014-10-15). "Police: Fight Outside Party in DeKalb Leads to Stabbing". The Daily Chronicle. De Kalb, Illinois. p. 3. Retrieved 2025-12-20 – via Newspapers.com.