About the Lambda Gamma Chapter
In the Spring of 2002, Dr. M. Gregory Martin (honorary, Eta Omicron - James Madison University), Director of the Athletic Bands at Florida International University (FIU) approach a group of students, mainly those who had already expressed an interested in the soon-to-be formed Golden Panther Band and/or where members of the FIU’s basketball pep-band, the Courtside Players about establishing a chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at FIU. Nineteen individuals expressed an interest in forming an interest group to start the process of colonization at FIU; on March 26, 2002, they met for the first time as a group and started the process of planning activities that would allow the group to progress through the requirements of colonization into the Fraternity. A few months later, on June 6, 2002, the Fraternity officially recognized the interest group at FIU and accepted it as the Florida International University Colony, assigning the Alpha Eta chapter at the University of Florida as its Big Brother Chapter.
In the months that followed, the FIU Colony would go through its share of successes, trials and tribulations; in between the many support activities that the Colony went through, those who decided to continue the colonization process became closer. Within a few months, the Golden Panther Band began its inaugural season and the Colony was there to assist the band’s leadership in operating its first band camp. Throughout the entire season, the Colony proved itself invaluable to the success of the band as it performed many support roles, including the set-up and tear down of rehearsal, ensuring that the band had refreshment at games, and countless other tasks. After the end of the first marching season, the Colony continued progressing toward its colonization; it also attended its first district activity in late January 2003, when the entire Colony attended the 2003 Southeast District Leadership Conference.
The Colony finalized its colonization requirements in early May 2003, when it submitted its final paperwork, including petition for installation, constitution, and draft of its first membership education program. Once National Headquarters approved the documents, the Colony’s installation was scheduled. On May 31, 2003 - fourteen months after beginning their journey into acceptance into the Fraternity - the Lambda Gamma Chapter was installed as the 267th chapter of the Fraternity. The Chapter’s founding class was composed by remaining seven colonist and two honorary brothers. A few months later, Lambda Gamma accepted its first group of membership candidates: its Alpha Class. Since then, the Chapter has progressed by leaps and bounds, both in its role as the Golden Panther Band’s primary support organization, as well as in its bond of fraternal brotherhood.
The Brothers of the Lambda Gamma Chapter
The Founding Class - the Founding Fathers (FF)
- Daniel Servando Alvarez
- Jessica Nicole Brush
- Jason Peter Cochrac
- Gregory Thomas Lewis
- Ian Alexis Merkel
- Luis Armando Quintanilla
- Steven Patrick Williams
The Alpha Class - ALF (A)
- Jonatan Joseph Alvernaz
- Gustavo Alejandro Chacon
- Andres Antonio Gonzalez
- Michelle Rebecca Perez
- Joseph Phillip Ronselli III
- Daniel Sanchez
- Alexander Trujillo
- Tanya Kristina Venegas
The Beta Class - BBB (?)
- Alisa Jo Feliciano
- Judith Maria Garcia
- Jessica Marie Manatou
- W. David Mercado
- Raul Perez
- William Pope Sewell
- Fernando Jose Zevallos
The Gamma Class - the Untouchables (?)
- Daniel Alejandro Aparicio
- Gina Marie Lopez
- Fray Antonio Peralta
- Elie Obed Philippe
- Allison Renee Deshadon Rutkowski
- Joseph Anthony Saenz
The Delta Class - The Triangles (?)
- Giovanni Alfonso
- Cristina Teresa del Busto
- Micheal Edward Bialor
- Adalena Teresa Gato
- Lissette Barbara Medina
- Sarah Sarraine Tomlin
- Gisselle Carolina Villanueva
The Epsilon Class - The Early Epsilons (?)
- Brandy Abascal
- Nicholas Bermudez
- Jose Chavez
- Francesca Constantini
- Janelle De la Osa
- Emilio Espinosa
- Ernesto Fernandez
- Alejandro Jimenez
Honorary Brothers of the Chapter
- Dr. Roby G. George (FF) - Director of Wind Studies, School of Music at Florida International University
- Dr. M. Gregory Martin (FF) - Director of Atheltic Bands, School of Music at Florida International University, Colony and Chapter Sponsor (2002 -2007)
- Fredrick Kaufman (?) - Director, School of Music at Florida International University (1995 - 2004) and Compose in Residence (2004 - Present)
- Kathelyn K. Williams (?) - Benefactor to the Golden Panther Band and the Lambda Gamma Chapter
- Raul Vidal (?) - Benefactor to the Lambda Gamma Chapter
- Mary Alice Manella (?) - Business Manager, School of Music at Florida International University, Benefactor to the Golden Panther Band and the Lambda Gamma Chapter
- Adela de Navea - Lopez (?) - Benefactor to the Golden Panther Band
- Dr. Joseph Rohm (?) - Interim Director, School of Music at Florida International University (2005 - present), Benefactor to the Golden Panther Band