Eduardo Jay Gonzalez Launching LUL: Making a Space For Brotherhood
Eduardo Jay Gonzalez | he/him | SEAS ‘01
Computer Engineering
Eduardo Jay Gonzalez did not particularly envision himself attending the University of Virginia. In fact, he only applied to a few different schools and UVA was not at the top of his list. However, he was pleasantly surprised to end up attending the University and find his place on Grounds.
Academically, Gonzalez dove into school with a challenging major: Computer Engineering. Eduardo shared that he had to adjust his mindset when he got to UVA and began his classes. It was more challenging than he expected, and the first semester made him realize the kind of studying that would be required from his major. Like many other engineering students, Gonzalez had to learn new study strategies and make up for his first semester GPA.
Despite his rigorous course load, Gonzalez also prioritized his time outside of class building community in clubs like La Sociedad Latina. Additionally, in December of 1999, Gonzalez and five other students founded the Alpha line of LUL Lambda Upsilon Lambda at the University of Virginia. The idea originally came from Gonzalez’s good friend Cameron Deberry, who mentioned the possibility of starting a UVA chapter. To Gonzalez, the community LUL gave him was not only social, but also professional in nature.
Starting LUL at the University gave Gonzalez the opportunity to connect with a meaningful community. Being on line with people meant having intimate, familial relationships. Not only did this exist for Gonzalez with his brothers at UVA, but also with chapters across the country at schools like the University of Maryland, George Mason University, and American University. Members of LUL from other university chapters helped Gonzalez and his line brothers as they navigated how to charter LUL at UVA.
“[We] had that family type of relationship. Starting the chapter [meant] having intimate relationships.”
When asked about the campus climate during his time at the University, Eduardo shared that he found himself having in depth conversations and connecting with students outside of the classroom. However, Gonzalez also shared aspects of the University he felt like could have been improved, especially when it came to supporting minority students. Predominantly white fraternities seemed to receive much more needed support from administration, despite being more purely social organizations. Gonzalez reflected that fraternities like LUL were not receiving the same support. Despite the need for more support, Gonzalez also found community in his identity in organizations like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. However, he still found himself asking questions about his own identity and where he fit in best.
Gonzalez also shares advice for future students to keep working hard, even when it’s hard to see the end of an assignment or class. Eventually, you will make it to the other side and be looking back on it. In line with the community he made in his time at the University, Gonzalez also emphasized the importance of keeping in touch with friends after graduation, and being intentional about it.