By Jacob Martin:

The University of Louisville will embrace the first Latin fraternity on campus in Spring 2015. Kentucky’s first historical Latin fraternity, Lambda Theta Phi, will be established in Spring 2015. The Louisville chapter will be founded by Luis Arduz, a senior social work major.

“Coming to college I’ve always wanted to see a student body that was diverse and at least for me, being a Latino-American, growing up I didn’t see many Latinos. When I choose to come to University of Louisville it was kind of difficult to see that Latin culture because a lot of students would either stay off campus or really were not involved.”

It was only after being exposed to a Latin0 Fraternity in Indiana that Arduz saw how influential the brotherhood and culture meant to those involved.

“The fraternity is called Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc., and what I really wanted to do with this is have an increase and a growth of the Latin culture, the Latin population, the love for Latin food, language and dances. Everything you can imagine,” said Arduz.

Lambda Theta Phi was founded in 1975 as a the first Latin fraternity or society associated with the Greek movement.

According to their website, “Lambda Theta Phi originated the concept of embracing the ideals of brotherhood, Latino unity, cultural awareness and community service within the Greek-letter fraternity, all for the progress and empowerment of our people.”

“For me, it was an opportunity to bring the Latin population and people who are not Latinos but who love the Latin culture out in the university,” said Arduz.

Although Lambda Theta Phi is a historical Latin fraternity it will not be exclusive to Latinos only.

“It’s not like you have to be specifically apart of this culture to be accepted or apart of it,” he said.

“It’s another incentive to use for high school students to want to come to college to know there is a growth in the Latin community, the Latin population,” said Adruz. “I really want to bring that awareness because UofL is the most diverse university in the state of Kentucky. Lets keep it going.”

For those interested, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc., meets every Tuesday in Ekstrom Library, 117A from 6:45-8:00.