Johnson C. Smith University First HBCU to Admit Latino Frat, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity

L-R are JCSU students and founders of the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.: Omar Cossio, Yerisson Cardenas,  Francisco Cerrillo, Sergio Montesdeoca, Luis Bryan Dominguez, Juan Carlos Hernandez Campillo

Charlotte, N.C. – April 28, 2014 — The National Executive Board of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. recently welcomed Johnson C. Smith University as the newest institution to offer membership to its brotherhood. It is the first Latino fraternity at Johnson C. Smith University and at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).

Johnson C. Smith University Colony is the 127th undergraduate entity of Lambda Theta Phi and the fourth in North Carolina. The six founding brothers at JCSU include: Omar Cossio, Yerrison Cardenas, Francisco Cerrillo, Sergio Montesdeoca, Luis Bryan Dominguez and Juan Carlos Hernandez Campillo.

The students began the process of starting the fraternity three years ago when the university began recruiting undocumented Latino students. “Because of the blooming Latino community, we felt we needed an organization that could connect us under a common bond of culture and pride in our Latino heritage,” said Cerrillo, an information systems engineering major. “Although we are a new and relatively small Greek organization on this campus, we are dedicated to making positive change on the campus of JCSU and passionate about helping the surrounding Charlotte community. We hope to continue paving the way for future members to break down negative stereotypes about Latinos and minorities as a whole.”

Founded on Dec. 1, 1975, at Kean University in Union, N.J., Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. is the first nationally recognized Greek-letter organization founded as a Latin fraternity. The membership of Lambda Theta Phi is open to all college men who support its values of scholarship, respect for all cultures, community service, and the advancement and fair treatment of Latinos in the United States. Lambda Theta Phi was the first Latin fraternity to be recognized by the North-American Inter-Fraternity Conference (NIC), a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO), and has over 140 chapters and colonies across the United States.

 “This is by no means an exclusionary organization,” added Cerillo. “Anyone is welcome to join if they meet the GPA and program requirements for the interest group and maintain strength and resolve during the subsequent induction process. Within the North Carolina Sector of Lambda Theta Phi, we have members of Jamaican, Pakistani, French and mixed-race origin, just to name a few.”