Lambda Theta Delta
Encyclopedia
Lambda Theta Delta, also known as LTDs, is an Asian-Interest Fraternity
established in 1983 at the University of California, Irvine
. Lambda Theta Delta is the first Asian-American
Interest Fraternity
to be founded at the University of California, Irvine
.
called LTD which held dances and parties on campus. LTD was created initially to fill a previously vacant niche at the University
, which at the time, had no organizations on campus to unite the rapidly growing, yet ethnically segregated Asian American
student community.
As the friendships grew stronger between the members of LTD, four men decided to set forth and charter the first Asian-interest fraternity on campus. On March 3, 1983, Lambda Theta Delta was founded by four founding fathers: Eddie Chang, Steve Chiu, Carson Hsieh, and Paul Woo. The organization is dedicated to the personal development of each individual member, fostering the ideals of friendship, leadership, scholarship, service, and cultural awareness.
Since its inception at the University of California, Irvine
over two decades ago, Lambda Theta Delta has initiated over 500 members and has become one of the most influential local student organizations in Southern California
. Lambda Theta Delta remains the largest Asian-interest fraternity on the UC Irvine campus and is one of two remaining Asian-interest fraternities officially recognized by the university.
hip-hop dance competition and musical showcase at the UC Irvine Bren Events Center
. VIBE
was originally envisioned in 1995 as a modest event to serve the burgeoning local dance community which then consisted of two local Orange County
dance troupes: Chinese Association Dance Team and Kaba Modern
.
Today, VIBE
has blossomed to become a cornerstone of the vast Southern California
dance community and one of the largest hip-hop dance competitions on the West Coast, with an annual attendance of 3,000 people from all over California. Some of the most talented street and collegiate dance teams participate in exhibition and competition each year including Kaba Modern
, featured on season one of MTV
's America's Best Dance Crew
. Previous VIBE
performances have been graced by the likes of Daz Dillinger
and L.B. All stars, Styles of Beyond
, West Coast Rockers, Freaks of Nature
, Jin
, and FM
, to name a few. Each year, Lambda Theta Delta donates a portion of the proceeds to charities including the American Heart Association
, Orange County Boys and Girls Club, and Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches.
, Lambda Theta Delta is an active member within the Asian Greeks of Irvine (AGI), and the Asian Pacific Student Association (APSA) of UCI. These groups are umbrella organizations that govern and their respective constituent organizations. As a founding member of AGI, Lambda Theta Delta collaborates with three other Asian American sororities at UCI in order to promote interaction within the groups. As a member of APSA, LTDs are able to interact with other Asian clubs on campus and participate in Asian American awareness activities throughout the UCI community.
LTD also has many other involvements on campus including: Greek Philanthropies, Songfest, Greek Week, Order of Omega
honor society, Student Parent Orientation Program, and the Associated Students of UCI.
Asian Greek Council (AGC), an umbrella organization that oversees nearly twenty close-knit local and national Asian-interest fraternities
and sororities in Southern California
. Within AGC, LTDs are able to socialize and perform philanthropic activities with Asian-interest fraternities and sororities throughout Southern California
.
Each year, members of Lambda Theta Delta and sorority Kappa Zeta Phi come together at USC
's Bovard Auditorium to showcase dance a routine at AGC's annual Groove Talent Show, a prestigious event that unites the community to celebrate the Asian American heritage.
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
established in 1983 at the University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
. Lambda Theta Delta is the first Asian-American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
Interest Fraternity
Cultural interest fraternities and sororities
Cultural interest fraternities and sororities, in the North American student fraternity and sorority system, refer to general or social organizations oriented to students having a special interest in a culture or cultural identity....
to be founded at the University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
.
History
On February 17, 1982, a group of close friends started a club at the University of California, IrvineUniversity of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
called LTD which held dances and parties on campus. LTD was created initially to fill a previously vacant niche at the University
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
, which at the time, had no organizations on campus to unite the rapidly growing, yet ethnically segregated Asian American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
student community.
As the friendships grew stronger between the members of LTD, four men decided to set forth and charter the first Asian-interest fraternity on campus. On March 3, 1983, Lambda Theta Delta was founded by four founding fathers: Eddie Chang, Steve Chiu, Carson Hsieh, and Paul Woo. The organization is dedicated to the personal development of each individual member, fostering the ideals of friendship, leadership, scholarship, service, and cultural awareness.
Since its inception at the University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
over two decades ago, Lambda Theta Delta has initiated over 500 members and has become one of the most influential local student organizations in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. Lambda Theta Delta remains the largest Asian-interest fraternity on the UC Irvine campus and is one of two remaining Asian-interest fraternities officially recognized by the university.
Philanthropy
Each January, Lambda Theta Delta holds its annual VIBEVibe Dance Competition
VIBE Dance Competition is one of the most anticipated and popular hip hop dance competitions in Southern California. It is organized and produced each January by Lambda Theta Delta Fraternity at the University of California, Irvine Bren Events Center...
hip-hop dance competition and musical showcase at the UC Irvine Bren Events Center
Bren Events Center
Donald Bren Events Center is a 4,984-seat, indoor multi-purpose stadium, on the campus of the University of Irvine, in California.-Construction and history:...
. VIBE
Vibe Dance Competition
VIBE Dance Competition is one of the most anticipated and popular hip hop dance competitions in Southern California. It is organized and produced each January by Lambda Theta Delta Fraternity at the University of California, Irvine Bren Events Center...
was originally envisioned in 1995 as a modest event to serve the burgeoning local dance community which then consisted of two local Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
dance troupes: Chinese Association Dance Team and Kaba Modern
Kaba Modern
Kaba Modern is a dance group originating from Irvine, California. Kaba Modern is a spin-off of the University of California, Irvine Filipino cultural club, Kababayan, which means "countrymen" in Tagalog. Created by Arnel Calvario in 1992, Kaba Modern began as dancers that performed the hip-hop...
.
Today, VIBE
Vibe Dance Competition
VIBE Dance Competition is one of the most anticipated and popular hip hop dance competitions in Southern California. It is organized and produced each January by Lambda Theta Delta Fraternity at the University of California, Irvine Bren Events Center...
has blossomed to become a cornerstone of the vast Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
dance community and one of the largest hip-hop dance competitions on the West Coast, with an annual attendance of 3,000 people from all over California. Some of the most talented street and collegiate dance teams participate in exhibition and competition each year including Kaba Modern
Kaba Modern
Kaba Modern is a dance group originating from Irvine, California. Kaba Modern is a spin-off of the University of California, Irvine Filipino cultural club, Kababayan, which means "countrymen" in Tagalog. Created by Arnel Calvario in 1992, Kaba Modern began as dancers that performed the hip-hop...
, featured on season one of MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
's America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew, often abbreviated as ABDC, is an American competitive dance reality television series that features street dance crews from the United States and around the world. It is produced by American Idol judge Randy Jackson and airs on MTV...
. Previous VIBE
Vibe Dance Competition
VIBE Dance Competition is one of the most anticipated and popular hip hop dance competitions in Southern California. It is organized and produced each January by Lambda Theta Delta Fraternity at the University of California, Irvine Bren Events Center...
performances have been graced by the likes of Daz Dillinger
Daz Dillinger
Delmar Drew Arnaud , better known by his stage name Daz Dillinger is an American hip hop producer and rapper mostly known for his membership in the rap duo Tha Dogg Pound, with Kurupt, and his work with Death Row Records.-The Chronic, Tha Dogg Pound and Dogg Food:Daz began his career on Death Row...
and L.B. All stars, Styles of Beyond
Styles of Beyond
Styles of Beyond is an underground rap group from the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California. The group consists of MCs Ryan Patrick Maginn and Takbir Bashir , Colton Raisin Fisher , and producer Jason Rabinowitz . They have released two LPs, one mixtape and were heavily featured on Mike...
, West Coast Rockers, Freaks of Nature
Freaks of Nature
Freaks of Nature is the 12th studio album, and 17th overall, by American rock band Kansas, released in 1995. While the band hoped that it would be a springboard to a strong comeback, the album received little attention beyond what was left of the fan base...
, Jin
Jin (rapper)
Jin Au-Yeung , who performs under the stage name MC Jin, is a Hong Kong hip hop rapper, songwriter, and actor. Growing up in the Miami, Florida area, and later living in New York City, he decided to reside permanently in his motherland, Hong Kong...
, and FM
Far east movement
Far East Movement is an Asian American electro hop quartet based in Los Angeles. The group formed in 2003 and consists of Kev Nish , Prohgress , J-Splif , and DJ Virman...
, to name a few. Each year, Lambda Theta Delta donates a portion of the proceeds to charities including the American Heart Association
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization in the United States that fosters appropriate cardiac care in an effort to reduce disability and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease and stroke. It is headquartered in Dallas, Texas...
, Orange County Boys and Girls Club, and Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches.
On-Campus
Recognized as one of the most involved cultural organizations at the University of California, IrvineUniversity of California, Irvine
The University of California, Irvine , founded in 1965, is one of the ten campuses of the University of California, located in Irvine, California, USA...
, Lambda Theta Delta is an active member within the Asian Greeks of Irvine (AGI), and the Asian Pacific Student Association (APSA) of UCI. These groups are umbrella organizations that govern and their respective constituent organizations. As a founding member of AGI, Lambda Theta Delta collaborates with three other Asian American sororities at UCI in order to promote interaction within the groups. As a member of APSA, LTDs are able to interact with other Asian clubs on campus and participate in Asian American awareness activities throughout the UCI community.
LTD also has many other involvements on campus including: Greek Philanthropies, Songfest, Greek Week, Order of Omega
Order of Omega
The Order of Omega is an undergraduate Greek society recognizing "fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in inter-fraternity activities." It functions as an adjunct to traditional fraternal organizations, rather than a social or professional group in se...
honor society, Student Parent Orientation Program, and the Associated Students of UCI.
Asian Greek Council
Lambda Theta Delta is also an active member of the Southern CaliforniaSouthern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
Asian Greek Council (AGC), an umbrella organization that oversees nearly twenty close-knit local and national Asian-interest fraternities
Fraternity
A fraternity is a brotherhood, though the term usually connotes a distinct or formal organization. An organization referred to as a fraternity may be a:*Secret society*Chivalric order*Benefit society*Friendly society*Social club*Trade union...
and sororities in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. Within AGC, LTDs are able to socialize and perform philanthropic activities with Asian-interest fraternities and sororities throughout Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
.
Each year, members of Lambda Theta Delta and sorority Kappa Zeta Phi come together at USC
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
's Bovard Auditorium to showcase dance a routine at AGC's annual Groove Talent Show, a prestigious event that unites the community to celebrate the Asian American heritage.