Delta Chi was founded at Cornell University on October 13th, 1890.  Since 1929, Delta Chi has recognized the following 11 Cornell Law students as founders: Albert Sullard Barnes, Myron McKee Crandall, John Milton Gorham, Peter Schermerhorn Johnson, Edward Richard O'Malley, Owen Lincoln Potter, Alphonse Derwin Stillman, Thomas A. J. Sullivan, Monroe Marsh Sweetland, Thomas David Watkins, Frederick Moore Whitney.

Delta Chi did not become a single member fraternity until 1909 when membership in the Fraternity precluded membership in any other college social fraternity.  After WWI, many Delta Chi chapters began to stretch recruiting restrictions by initiating men with no intention of studying law, contrary to the fraternity's roots in legal scholarship.

Following an important nationwide vote in 1922, Delta Chi became a general fraternity open to undergraduate students  “pursuing studies in, law, liberal arts, journalism, commerce, or finance, or by whatever such name courses may be known.”  Delta Chi continued to progress and took the lead among Greek letter fraternities by voting to abolish “Hell Week” in 1929.

The Cornell Alpha chapter began living on The Knoll  (a NY State Historic Site) in 1918.  Since then, hundreds of Delta Chi's have called The Knoll home. In 2005, our home was completely renovated thanks to generous support from Roy Payne '52, and was re-opened in 2007 to the delight of active brothers and alumni alike.  While much has changed since the house was built, it maintains its historic feel and impressive views of the Clocktower, downtown Ithaca, and Cayuga Lake. We take pride in our rich history and strive to uphold traditions of our past while looking forward to another century of success in the future.