Hermano Testimonials
Rick Quiles, Brown University, Zeta Chapter, Fall 1989 (Founding Chapter Hermano)
"I joined LUL back in 1989, because I shared a vision of brotherhood that believed in social responsibility and academic achievement. A fraternal order that instilled the principles of education, sacrifice, discipline, unity, culture and brotherhood. I had the unique opportunity of being pledged by our founders at Cornell University and much of what they taught me is still being taught today. In short, I pledged LUL for the promise of You, my fellow Hermanos of La Unidad Latina. This brotherhood has also helped me to become a better neighbor, physician, son, husband, and father. LA UNIDAD ES PARA SIEMPRE!"
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Athony Aldano, Johnson & Wales University, Zeta Chapter, Spring 1994
"Being a part of this organization has enriched my life incredibly. I have been exposed to so many intelligent Latino men, which has inspired me to be a better person. I have also learned so much from interacting with brothers. I can honestly say my life has been enriched & blessed. The organization has also developed my leadership skills and has made me a man of action."
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Moises Cascante, Brown University, Zeta Chapter, Spring 1998
"Entering Brown University as a freshman was a bit overwhelming. I know I was interested in building community with liked-mind individuals. I remember seeing how close the Hermanos of La Unidad Latina were; and how involved and committed they were to the Latino and general student body community. Aside from the interesting workshops to educate the community and each other and the community service projects involved, (coming from the South Bronx and recently a small rural and Quaker bordering school in Pennsylvania), I knew I wanted a family of socially conscious Latino men to bond with.
I pledged in the Spring of 1998 with two other amazing men, Cesar Alvarez and Joel Acevedo, both of whom I am in continuous contact with. I’ve since moved to Los Angeles from New York City and have connected with several other brothers in the West as well as the local chapter at the University of Southern California. The fraternity came in my time of need when family was unable to accept my sexual orientation and the Hermanos were able to work out their issues of homophobia to prioritize Brotherhood to be a true Familia and provide unconditional support and understanding. With this, I tell you it has been one of the best decisions I made and still find myself garnering the benefits of La Hermandad. These are the reasons I pledged La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity Incorporated."
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Raymond Gómez, Providence College, Zeta Chapter, Spring 2003
"Throughout high school, I was always involved in community service projects through my school and my church. Because I benefited greatly from those who have sacrificed a great deal for me, I’ve always felt the obligation to give back to others who may not have had the same opportunities afforded to me. So when I went to college, I immediately looked for groups that would allow me to serve my community. Although I managed to find a few groups on campus, I felt that they did not fully meet my needs and interests. The homogenous community at Providence College did not adequately provide me with opportunities to become involved with the Latino community or to share my culture with others.
After meeting the Hermanos, I quickly realized that membership in LUL would open up my college experience in ways that a traditional PC experience could not. The alumni network in Providence was very active and well-connected. The undergraduate Hermanos were always welcoming and involved in multiple projects and initiatives relevant to the Latino community in virtually every college campus in Rhode Island. It was hard to go anywhere and meet someone who didn’t know some of the Hermanos.
After I pledged LUL, I served as chapter President which allowed me to serve as a liaison for all of the Latino organizations at all four of the chapter’s schools. In addition to being an active member of Amigos Unidos, I also worked closely with the Rhode Island Latino Political Action Committee, Quisqueya En Acción’s College Awareness and Preparation Program, and the Center for Hispanic Policy and Advocacy, all organizations I was introduced to through LUL.
I cannot talk about my days at Providence College without talking about the support I received from my Hermanos. They helped me get through school and were always there to constantly push me past my preconceived limitations. Today, I continue to tap into my alumni network whenever I find myself in a new city, have questions about my next career move, or just need someone to talk to."
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Jose Batista, Bryant University , Zeta Chapter, Spring 2008
"I was born and raised on the South Side of Providence, Rhode Island to a Puerto Rican mother and a Dominican father. South Side, Providence is a community where at least 75% of the population is Latino. Since I had never been exposed to anything else I took my culture and people for granted by thinking that the rest of the world was just like my community.
But when I began college at Bryant University in the fall of 2006, I went from an environment that was over 75% Latino to one that was only 3% Latino. As I immersed myself in extra curricular activities as a Resident Assistant, member of Student Congress, Bryant Ambassadors, and an INROADS intern at PWC, I developed a fear of losing touch with my Latino community at home.
I was introduced La Unidad Latina in the fall of 2007 by my intern advisor. I had never been familiar with Latino Greek life and knew very little aside from the negative stereotypes that come along with the word 'Fraternity'. My advisor had worked with Hermanos in previous jobs and he told me to look into La Unidad Latina.
I pledged in the spring of 2008 and I say without hesitation that I learned more that semester than I could ever be put into words. I take pride in wearing the brown and the gold, and in the responsibility and reputation of being a Lambda Man!"
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Ray Sanchez, Wesleyan University, Sigma Chapter, Spring 1997
"My interest in La Fraternidad was sparked in a conversation with Hermanos from Wesleyan and Yale as they described not only what Lambda Upsilon Lambda was, but also what they hoped it would become, and the positive changes an organization of educated professional Latino men could achieve for our community. I decided to become an Hermano after getting to know the Hermanos on campus, and witnessing them work on campus as leaders and men of character. Although they each demonstrated tremendous amounts of love and pride in their organization, they were all strong individuals."
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Roberto C. Villanueva, Cornell University, Alpha Chapter, Spring 1990
"I never wanted to be part of a fraternity. The only images I had of fraternities were from Animal House and from stories of pledges being paddled or forced to consume alcohol. As a first generation Latino who was aspiring to become a future community leader, and Latino who had witness too many acts of violence against other Latinos, hazing was completely unacceptable. What drew me to La Unidad Latina was that it offered something completely different.
I must admit that as a first year student at Cornell University, I found myself a little lost and in need of academic as well as social support. I sought out people like me with similar backgrounds and similar interests. I joined the Latino student association and became a liaison for that organization. In this position I managed to interact with other Latino organizations. From this I noticed that many LUL Hermanos held officer positions in student organizations. Such leadership impressed me but it did not completely convinced me to join. Then it happened, I witnessed the true meaning of this organization. As I helped out a Latino student party, the Hermanos of LUL were collecting donations for Hurricane Hugo relief effort. This image was incredible. While others were partying, LUL was doing community service. I must have worn my feelings on my sleeves that night because an Hermano approached me and asked me if I wanted to help. In time this Hermano helped me understand the organization and how it did not follow the traditional fraternity model. Finally, I had found others, who were concerned about the Latino community, so I joined. After I joined, I learned that in addition to be leaders who wanted to help impoverished communities, Hermanos really cared about me and my well being. In my time with La Hermandad I have found academic and professional support, a true brotherhood and individuals committed to helping out our community."
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Maxi Arias, Boston College, Nu Chapter, Fall 2001
"I remember like it was just yesterday when I was first exposed to La Unidad Latina. It was the summer of 1999 and I was a camp counselor for the Boys’ Club of New York at Camp Cromwell, NJ. Every summer the camp hosted underprivileged New York City kids between the ages of 9-12 who have never experienced the joys of camp. It’s not just any camp though, it’s a summer school camp, where the kids stay overnight all week and go home on weekends. The kids study hard during the day and play hard in the afternoons for seven straight weeks.
Interestingly enough, four staff members said they were brothers of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc., which raised a question mark on my part. Before then I’ve always associated fraternities with excessive drinking, paddling, and performing meaningless antics for membership. The brothers reversed my thought and confirmed my positive first impressions of LUL. The brothers accepted me into this organization through unconditional Hermandad. They offered me the opportunity to undergo the leadership development process and become an Hermano of La Fraternidad. Within the fraternity, I can bond with young ambitious leaders with common goals and always have access to a dependable network of educated men."
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Walter Villela, Florida International University , Alpha Rho Chapter, Fall 2004
"My name is Walter Villela and I am Honduran. I was born in Miami, FL but lived my childhood years in Boston, MA and then moved back to Miami, FL where I graduated High School and attended Florida International University.
During my junior year in college, I started focusing on my career path and building my professional network. I’ve always known that if I want to succeed in life, I should surround myself with others who share the same goal. Being involved on campus was not new to me because I’ve always been a part of clubs or volunteered my time in the past, but I felt like I wanted to leave a larger mark on campus.
I searched for a fraternity to get involved with on campus, but none appealed to me. I soon realized I would have to search outside of the box. In Spring of 2004, my girlfriend (now wife) mentioned La Unidad Latina because her two cousins are fraternity brothers. Since they didn’t have a chapter in Florida I had to take the initiative to contact their headquarters and expansion team. After various discussions with Hermanos from the National Council, becoming part of a potential founding line of a new chapter for their fraternity in the whole state of Florida seemed very enticing.
The fraternity’s expansion team did a great job of pointing me in the right direction and in contact with other interested men. After many interest meetings and two trips to New York to meet Hermanos, the pledging process began in the Fall of 2004. I took two trips to New York to see exactly what I was getting myself into and all my encounters with Hermanos were great, they definitely showed genuine friendship and they were all happy of the possibility of having a chapter in Miami, FL. The LUL movement is definitely a powerful one and all the accomplishments our fraternity has throughout the nation is second to none. Through community service for minorities, professional workshops for college students, educational sessions for middle school and elementary school children, and the strong brotherhood we have, pledging and becoming an Hermano of La Unidad Latina has proven to be an excellent experience and well worth it."
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