Delta Chi

On October 13, 1890 at Cornell University, eleven law students banded together to form a professional fraternity in which other students of the law could enjoy the support and fellowship of like-minded individuals. Though its beginnings were successful, the Brothers decided that they would like to extend membership to all worthy young men, not just those looking to join the legal profession, and on April 29, 1922, the doors were opened to Delta Chi.

From its early days as a legal society, Delta Chi has become a fraternity of firsts, being both a charter member of the North-American Interfraternity Council and the first fraternity to abolish the hazing practices associated with “hell week.” The appeal of such a group has proved itself with over 105,000 lifetime initiates and 125 chapters and colonies within the United States and Canada. Though all Delta Chis are high achievers, based upon the example of their founders, many have truly excelled in their chosen fields, such as Robert Todd Lincoln (son of President Abraham Lincoln), Kevin Costner (actor, director, producer), Jon Daniels (GM for the Texas Rangers and youngest GM in baseball history), and Benjamin Harrison (23rd President of the United States). With Brothers like these, it is easy to see why so many men want to wear the Delta Chi red and buff!

All members of Delta Chi, whether undergraduate or alumnus, are committed to making the world a better place through their philanthropic partnership with The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The V Foundation, named in honor of former basketball coach and cancer victim Jim Valvano, was chosen because of its unwavering dedication to finding a cure for cancer and helping to save lives. From 1998 – 2006, Delta Chis had contributed over 223,000 man-hours to community service, and had raised more than $1 million for charitable causes, and since focusing on their partnership with The V Foundation, between 2006 – 2011, they have been able to raise over $330,000 towards cancer research.

Since its founding as a law fraternity, through its evolution into the Delta Chi of today, striving to do what is right has been on the mind of every member. In honor of the eleven founders, every Brother is guided by the Eleven Basic Expectations of Delta Chi, instructions to live an honorable life through academic achievement, treating others with dignity and compassion, clean and moral living, and remaining honest and forthright in all dealings, ideal values to take from the college campus into the world.