{"id":61753,"date":"2024-09-12T08:21:47","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T12:21:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/?p=61753"},"modified":"2025-10-22T10:57:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:57:48","slug":"lambda-theta-phis-historic-debut-highlights-utc-hispanic-heritage-month-festivities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogarchive.utc.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/lambda-theta-phis-historic-debut-highlights-utc-hispanic-heritage-month-festivities\/","title":{"rendered":"Lambda Theta Phi’s historic debut highlights UTC Hispanic Heritage Month festivities"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Lambda

Lambda Theta Phi members (from left to right) Joseph Morales, Alex De La Cruz, Anthony Bracero, Mateo Jimenez and Christopher Bracero. Photo courtesy of Anthony Bracero.<\/p><\/div>\n

When Mateo Jimenez first toured the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as a high school student, he wasn\u2019t quite sure if he wanted to attend.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jimenez asked his tour guide if there was a Latino fraternity, and when the answer was no, <\/span>he decided we would take things into his own hands if he came to UTC.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And he has.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Years later, at the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Festival hosted by La Paz\u2014a Chattanooga advocacy group for the Latino community\u2014UTC\u2019s first Latino fraternity, Lambda Theta Phi, will be receiving a proclamation presented by the city of Chattanooga\u2019s Department of Equity & Community Engagement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The proclamation, which will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, comes during <\/span>Hispanic Heritage Month<\/span><\/b><\/a>, which is celebrated from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This year\u2019s theme is \u201cPioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,\u201d and UTC\u2019s festivities will include a lin<\/span>eup of events, activities and educational programs designed to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the range of cultures and backgrounds within Hispanic and Latino communities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Office of Multicultural Affairs, in collaboration with numerous campus and community partners, coordinates the UTC Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Chris Stokes, the Office of Multicultural Affairs assistant director, explained the impact that Lambda Theta Phi will have on the UTC community\u2014especially during Hispanic Heritage Month.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs founding brothers of a chapter, the legacy these young men build will be the cornerstone for all future chapter initiates,\u201d Stokes said. \u201cThis recognition, among others, will continue to inspire new and lasting traditions of achievement and distinction here at UTC, further adding to the rich and lasting heritage that we celebrate each year.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jimenez, a senior political science major and a first-generation college student, was born in a rural part of North Carolina\u2014where his parents initially emigrated from Guatemala.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Forming UTC\u2019s chapter of Lambda Theta Phi was a long process according to Jimenez\u20141,225 days to be exact.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When he joined an interest group in 2020, he was elated that the fraternity might become a reality.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was like, \u2018Oh my God. This is perfect. I always wanted there to be a Latin fraternity at UTC,\u2019\u201d Jimenez said. \u201cImmediately, I was on board.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With the chaos that the COVID-19 pandemic brought, the group broke apart. Two years later, though, Jimenez was determined to <\/span>bring the fraternity discussion back to life<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was able to find some interested students to start the process,\u201d he said. \u201cWe submitted paperwork and we went through the whole process. I saw it becoming a reality and I was really, really happy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn May of last year, I was like, \u2018Wow, this is actually going to happen.\u2019\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On Feb. 25, five UTC students, including Jimenez, officially became members of Lambda Theta Phi.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was such an amazing time,\u201d Jimenez said. \u201cI remember crying a lot and I felt very, very happy. I didn\u2019t think I was going to be a member during my undergrad <\/span>days<\/span>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anthony Bracero, a senior cybersecurity major from Clarksville, Tennessee, joined Lambda Theta Phi with his younger brother, Christopher Bracero.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExperiencing this with my younger brother and my friends, meeting the brothers, and learning about the organization and the impact that having this organization on campus for Latino students all motivated me to want to become a brother and establish this brotherhood at UTC,\u201d Anthony said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For him, celebrating the new fraternity during Hispanic Heritage Month feels especially meaningful.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot only is it celebrating and honoring Hispanic heritage, but it\u2019s honoring our community and showcasing our culture in Chattanooga,\u201d he said. \u201cPreparing for this event means notifying our brothers from across the U.S. about this accomplishment of receiving the proclamation from the <\/span>city\u2014and<\/span> planning events and budgets for brothers to attend and connect during the weekend.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Christopher, an exercise and health science junior, helps the fraternity with its recruitment, event planning and social media. He said the proclamation is a huge milestone in his personal journey.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt definitely means a lot to me because I love everything about my culture,\u201d he said. \u201cTo be recognized at an event like that makes me proud to be the person that I am.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jimenez was asked to reflect on his decision to attend UTC and how the presence of Lambda<\/span> Theta Phi now may make<\/span> the choice a little easier for some students.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI believe this will help future students decide whether or not they want to come to UTC, especially in the Latino community,\u201d he said. \u201cNow we have this new representation, this new opportunity for them that could ultimately get them to come to UTC. I\u2019m so happy to contribute to that effort.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stokes said that the fraternity\u2019s establishment is not only a milestone for the University but also a reflection of the dedication of its founding members.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe proclamation is a testament to the commitment and enthusiasm of the founding brothers of the Associate Chapter of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Incorporated, established here at UTC on Feb. 25, 2024,\u201d Stokes said. \u201cTheir efforts to engage with the UTC and the Chattanooga community are genuine and their recognition embodies that. Their impact on the community, such as their work with local agencies, is truly commendable. I am truly proud of the members individually and of their collective impact.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"2023

2023 Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff. Photo by Angela Foster.<\/p><\/div>\n

Here is a list of Hispanic Heritage Month campus events:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n