DELTA KAPPA EPSILON

Lambda Chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity is the oldest fraternity at Kenyon College, and the history of DKE at Kenyon can be traced back to the years before the Civil War. The chapter was first established as a secret society in 1852, by 14 charter members. While literary and academic societies were popular and becoming widespread in the colleges and universities of the East, Greek letter societies were still in their infancy in the American Midwest.

 While the appearance of Old Kenyon's West Wing Bull's Eye has certainly changed since the 1930s, the character and loyalty of today's brothers is just as strong as those of yesteryear.

Fraternities were banned on campus at the time of Lambda’s founding. The existence of DKE was kept secret for over a year. Meetings were held in either Old Kenyon, a deserted cabin by the Kokosing River, or at the house of a Mount Vernon farmer, who vacated his premises for the brothers. 

In 1854, graduating members wore their pins to commencement, and petitioned the College for recognition. The College removed the ban and provided land and timber for the construction of the DKE lodge. Later that year, the Lambda DKE's built a log cabin style meeting hall located in the woods near the Kenyon campus. This structure was a milestone in the history of fraternal organizations—the first fraternity lodge built in America.  

The chapter's current lodge in 1929 (left), members of Lambda's first pledge class, James Gamble '54, president of Proctor and Gamble, inventor of Ivory soap, and Civil War veteran, stands with fellow pledge brother, Will Elliot, at the site of the fraternity's first lodge in 1925 (right)

In 1877, Lambda's original lodge was dismantled by the fraternity, and the chapter's current lodge was resurrected in its place. While relatively unknown to campus at large, admission to the lodge is restricted to brothers, and is regularly used for fraternity meetings.

   

The DKE's were housed in the West Wing of Old Kenyon until the fire of 1949. After reconstruction, in 1951, the DKE's were moved back into their original quarters in division housing, where members of the active chapter still reside today. 

The Lambda DKE Lodge is used exclusively by the DKE's for official meetings. Non-members are not allowed to see the inside of the lodge, and it is never used for public events. On June 7, 1952, the Lambda DKE's celebrated their centennial in Peirce Hall. President Chalmers appeared to congratulate the DKE’s on their 100 continuous years at Kenyon. 

In the fall of 2002, active members and alumni held a reunion to celebrate the Chapter’s 150th Anniversary. 

Lambda DKE’s fought in two World Wars, served in elected office, and excelled in business and industry leadership. Much has changed since the Chapter’s founding. What remains the same is the enduring spirit of loyalty to Kenyon College and Delta Kappa Epsilon.