Editing Lambda Theta Phi (section)

===Formation and early years===
Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. was founded on December 1, 1975, at Kean College in Union, New Jersey, by a group of Latino men of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Ecuadorian descent. The fraternity was established to provide a space for Latino students to develop leadership skills, promote education, and foster cultural awareness. Prior to its founding, no Latin fraternities were actively operating at the undergraduate level in the mainland United States with multiple active chapters. Existing Greek-letter organizations primarily served Anglo and African American students, while Latino-oriented organizations had largely become inactive. Founding Father Agustin García, who was the first Latino elected to Kean College’s student government, proposed the idea of establishing a fraternity as a means to promote unity among Latino students. Following discussions throughout the fall of 1975, the founders selected the name Lambda Theta Phi, with the Greek letters chosen to reflect the fraternity’s mission and identity. The initial executive board included Agustin García as President, Juan Hernández as Vice President, and other founding members: Wilfredo Ayes, Hiram Cardona, Rafael Crespo, David Díaz, Enrique García, José Ginarte, Rinaldo Lago, Luis Miranda I, Henry Muñoz, Walter Pardo-Villa, Raul Roger, and Raymond Rosa.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/lambda-theta-phi-united-in-brotherhood-third-edition|first=Jesus A.|last=Pena|title=United in Brotherhood: A History of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. - Third Edition, Page 10}}</ref><ref>https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1034&context=ua_memorabilia_yearbooks</ref> 

During the fraternity’s formation, guidance was provided by two faculty members at Kean College, Dr. Cayetano J. Socarrás and Dr. José A. Quiles, who later became known within the fraternity as the Fraternal Fathers. Dr. Socarrás, who had expertise in heraldry, assisted in defining the fraternity’s identity and helped design its original shield in 1976. Dr. Quiles, who had extensive knowledge of the Greek system, provided structural and administrative support to ensure the fraternity’s sustainability. According to members, both individuals played a significant role in shaping the organization during its early years. Dr. Socarrás remained involved with the fraternity until his passing on January 24, 1994, while Dr. Quiles continues to be recognized for his contributions.<ref>https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1038&context=ua_memorabilia_yearbooks</ref><ref>https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1037&context=ua_memorabilia_yearbooks</ref>

The founders of Lambda Theta Phi also received support from members of existing Greek organizations at Kean College, particularly Sigma Theta Chi, the school’s oldest local social fraternity, and Alpha Sigma Mu, a veterans' fraternity. Ralph Splendorio, Vice President of Sigma Theta Chi, and Ronald Colucci, President of Alpha Sigma Mu, assisted in the drafting of Lambda Theta Phi’s constitution by providing copies of their organizations' governing documents. The fraternity incorporated structural elements from these sources while maintaining a distinct focus on Latino identity and culture.

The December 1, 1975, founding meeting of Lambda Theta Phi was also attended by a group of Latina students who would later establish [[Lambda Theta Alpha|Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated]]. As discussions about the fraternity progressed, conversations also emerged regarding the creation of a Latina sorority. While some initially suggested that the women interested in forming an organization be integrated as a “Little Sisters” auxiliary of Lambda Theta Phi, fraternity members ultimately supported the establishment of an independent Latina sorority. This parallel development resulted in the formal founding of Lambda Theta Alpha, making Kean College the birthplace of both organizations.

The establishment of Lambda Theta Phi contributed to the growth of Latino Greek organizations in the United States. Its formation, alongside Lambda Theta Alpha, marked the beginning of the post-1975 expansion of [[List of Latino fraternities and sororities|Latino fraternities and sororities]]. This development followed earlier efforts in Latino student activism dating back to 1898 during the "principio" (principle) phase of such organizations, which had led to the creation of fraternities such as [[Phi Iota Alpha]] and Phi Chi Delta. The founding of Lambda Theta Phi played a role in increasing the representation of Latino students within the Greek system and expanding the presence of Latino-oriented fraternal organizations nationwide.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=April 10, 2022|author=Oliver Fajardo|title=History of Latino Fraternal Movement and Why it Matters on Campus Today|url=https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.afa1976.org/resource/collection/ABDB5914-1754-4B8A-A477-DD4130EA781E/Farjardo_April_2015_-_Researcher.pdf|website=Cdn.ymaws.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/presente/2018/04/23/waves-of-latinx-greek-life-a-subculture-at-umich/|title=Waves of Latinx Greek Life: A Subculture at Umich – ¡PRESENTE!|first=Antonio Estevan|last=Gallegos|date=April 23, 2018|accessdate=January 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>https://digitalcommons.kean.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1027&context=ua_memorabilia_yearbooks</ref>