# Lambda Tau Omega

Lambda Tau Omega Sorority, Inc. (ΛΤΩ) is a multicultural sorority founded in 1988 at Montclair State College (now Montclair State University), in Montclair, New Jersey. It is a founding member of the National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC).

## History

Lambda Tau Omega Sorority was founded in 1988 by sixteen women who felt the need for a multicultural sorority at Montclair State College. Its purpose is to "uplift womyn of all social structures while striving towards excellence through their ideals and accomplishments" and dedication to noble service with a primary focus on the welfare of children.
In 1989, Beta and Gamma chapters were established at William Paterson University and New Jersey Institute of Technology, respectively. Other chapters followed in the 1990s across New Jersey. In 2000, the sorority chartered its first chapter outside of New Jersey, the Lambda chapter at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Lambda Tau Omega is a founding member of the National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC). Its headquarters is located in Upper Montclair, New Jersey.

## Symbols

The sorority's colors are royal blue and light grey. Its mascot is the Enchanting Mermaid. Its motto is "Excellence through Unity, Knowledge, and Dedication". Its members are called Mermaids, Merms, and LTOs.

## Activities

Lambda Tau Omega's main philanthropy is the welfare of children, including Pinwheels for Prevention (formerly called the Blue Ribbon Campaign), a child abuse awareness campaign each April. The sorority also raised funds to support Prevent Child Abuse America.
Lambda Tau Omega has a national performance or step team called Tidal Wave. It originally formed in 2001 as the National Stroll Team. The team participates in yard shows and step and stroll competitions.

## Chapters

Following is a list of Lambda Tau Omega chapters. Active chapters are indicated in bold. Inactive chapters are indicated in italics.
| Chapter | Charter date and range | Institution | Location | Status |
| Alpha | October 9, 1988 | Montclair State University | Montclair, New Jersey | Active |
| Beta | 1989 | William Paterson University | Wayne, New Jersey | Active |
| Gamma | 1989 | New Jersey Institute of Technology | Newark, New Jersey | Active |
| Quanyx | 1990 | Kean University | Union Township, New Jersey | Active |
| Epsilon | 1990 | Saint Peter's University | Jersey City, New Jersey | Inactive |
| Zeta | 1993 | Ramapo College | Mahwah, New Jersey | Active |
| Eta | 1993 | Seton Hall University | South Orange, New Jersey | Active |
| Theta | 1994 | Rutgers University | | Active |
| Iota | 1996 | New Jersey City University | Jersey City, New Jersey | Active |
| Kappa | 1998 | The College of New Jersey | Ewing Township, New Jersey | Inactive |
| Lambda | 2000 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | | Inactive |
| Mu | 2003 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, Florida | Inactive |
| Nu | 2004 | Rider University | Lawrence Township, New Jersey | Inactive |
| Xi | 2005 | Fairleigh Dickinson University | Madison, New Jersey | Inactive |
| Omicron | 2005 | State University of New York at New Paltz | New Paltz, New York | Inactive |
| Pi | 2008 | Francis Marion University | Florence, South Carolina | Inactive |
| Rho | 2008 | Temple University | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Inactive |
| Sigma | 2008 | Stockton University | Galloway Township, New Jersey | Inactive |
| Tau Establishment | | | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Inactive |
| Upsilon | 2013 | American International College | Springfield, Massachusetts | Inactive |
| Phi | 2012 | Rutgers University–Newark | Newark, New Jersey | Inactive |
| Chi | 2012 | Rutgers University–Camden | Camden, New Jersey | Active |
| Psi | 2012 | Rowan University | Glassboro, New Jersey | Active |
| Omega | | | | Unassigned |
| Alpha Alpha | 2012 | Bloomfield College | Bloomfield, New Jersey | Active |
| Alpha Beta | 2019 | Caldwell University | Caldwell, New Jersey | Active |
| Stevens Establishment | | Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, New Jersey | Colony |
| Trinity Establishment | | Trinity College | Hartford, Connecticut | Colony |