The Search
In the Fall of 1994, a young man was determined to find an organization that best represented the leaders of the Latino community. This gentleman was searching for an organization at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute that would represent the Latino community to its fullest capacity. He scoured the capital region and beyond, looking for a true brotherhood where he could best serve his people. His search was complete when he discovered La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. at State University of New York (SUNY) Albany (Eta Chapter). Confident that he found what he so arduously sought, he took the initiative to endure an invaluable journey that would change his life Para Siempre.
Along with Allan Fuentes, Ben Rodriguez, and Marlon Pavon, students from SUNY Albany, this young man pledged La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity Inc. in the Spring of 1995. He and his line brothers pledged not only to an organization but to themselves, their cultures and their community; a brotherhood in the truest sense of the word. After crossing the burning sands into brotherhood, Hermano Jason P. Torres brought La Unidad Latina to Rensselaer as a Colony.
Establishment of Alpha Gamma
Hermano Jason's determination and leadership paved the way for six other dedicated and loyal men to commit their lives to their community and culture in the years to follow at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Hermano Nicky M. Tovar, Spring 1996; Hmno Angelo Romero, Spring 1997; Hmno Elvin Miranda, Hmno Jose Nunez, and Hmno Raul Bayoan Cal; and Hmno Gil Valadez, Fall 1998; through their collective dedication became Founding Hermanos of the "Unconquerable" Alpha Gamma Chapter of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. on the 14th day of November 1998, when the National Council of La Fraternidad granted the colony their charter. In the Fall of 1999 Hermano Christopher Hernandez crossed as the Alpha Line of the Alpha Gamma Chapter.
The Movement
As leaders of the Latino Community, these Hermanos have worked diligently and intensely to put on high quality programming that educates, draws awareness, and represents to the fullest all the beautiful aspects of the Latino community. Programming such as the annual "Poetry Slam" and "Cultural Pride Night" put fellow students and faculty on the spotlight in cultural enlightenment. Over the years programs drawing attention and awareness to issues such as political prisoners, the Young Lords and Black Panthers, the truth behind the prison system, the Zapatista Indian uprising in Mexico, have helped to educate not only the Latino community, but the RPI community as a collective.
The community service hours logged by the Hermanos on and off campus is a true marker of their class as an organization. Their weekly volunteer work at the Albany's Children Museum is heart warming. The Hermanos ongoing Latino Book Fund is an example of LUL's "get it done and get it done right" attitude. More and more titles flow into Folsom Library, because these Hermanos did more than just talk about the lack of Latino volumes, they filled it.
The presence of these Hermanos is in every facet of the RPI community. Whether it be the school publication, Alianza Latina, SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers), NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers), BSA (Black Student Aliance), the Capoeira Club, student government, the Diversity Committee, anything and everything that impacts the community La Unidad Latina is committed to now and PARA SIEMPRE!
