In late October of 1986, Vernon L. Strickland met three older gay gentlemen during the course of a large Washington D.C. party. Conversation drifted from topic to topic and the issue of social groups and gathering was discussed. These gentlemen expressed regret that alternative social organizations had not been available during their formative years. Vernon quickly noted that the current situation was not much improved. While many clubs existed, most were primarily motivated toward political or service goals. The few social groups that did exist seemed to suffer from internal division, deviant activities, or lax membership standards.
     Of these four men, only Strickland had been a fraternity member. Some weeks later, one of the gentlemen contacted Strickland and and proposed that they create a progressive social fraternity based on the collegiate model.
     During December of 1986, the crest design, the selection of the centaur as mascot, and the generation of the ritual were completed. On February 20, 1987, 150 people came to the first rush party. Strickland gave reccomendations for 75 individuals, of which 35 were selected, and 29 ultimately pledged. On April 10, 1987, 24 men were inducted into full brotherhood. The Alpha Chapter of Delta Lambda Phi was born.

     Early in the spring of 1999 Todd Mashlan, first president of Kent DLP, announced his intention to form a chapter of the Delta Lambda Phi fraternity. Over the next two semesters, an interest group formed, and began meeting. Over winter break of the 99-00 academic year, We gained recognition as a Student Organization by the University. On February 20, 2000 at 7:30 PM, the seven founding fathers were inducted as pledges into the Alpha class of the Fraternity.
     In april of that same year, only five of the founding fathers remained. They were inducted as neophytes in two separate ceremonies held on April , 2000.