The Delta Iota Colony of Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity was founded as a local fraternity under the name of Delta Iota Fraternity of Drexel Institute of Technology.

It was founded on March 22, 1962 as a non-sectarian fraternity based on these principles: To foster and promote brotherly love, to inaugurate a spirit of co-operation and helpfulness, to create a better understanding among our brother, to encourage vigorous participation in the Institute and general activities in our community, to the mutual advantage of all concerned.

The founders of the fraternity were Eric Bendix, Robert Goncharsky, Charles Harad, Gerson Kornteger, Harold Lustig and Harry Shayne. The fraternity grew and prospered until December 5, 1962 when charter membership was closed and we recognized as an official Drexel Organization by the Student Senate and the fraternity received a one year probationary membership to the Drexel Interfraternity Council.

During the winter term of 1963, Brothers Harad and Goncharsky rented an apartment on the first floor of 3612 Hamilton Avenue. This apartment was used for meetings and a few of our social functions. Rushing functions that term were held at the Drexel Activities Center and the fraternity won its first trophy in the winter sculpture contest.

On April 15, 1963 the Executive Committee signed the lease for our first house on 3503 Baring Street. Work on renovating the house began on Saturday, April 19, 1963. The house was completely renovated by the brothers in their spare time and completed on July 13, 1963 in time for a parent’s tea and open house on July 14, 1963. The fraternity house because the social center of the fraternity and all meetings, dinners, and social functions were held at the house. In the fall term of 1963 we began to play Interfraternity Sports (bowling and football) and we built our homecoming display.

On December 2, 1963, we received full active membership to the interfraternity council and approval from the Student Senate as a stable, functioning organization.
The fraternity functioned smoothly during the winter term of 1964 and early in the spring we began to investigate national fraternities. In May 1964, however, we were told by our landlord that we would be required to move since he wanted to sell the house. The summer of 1964 was spent investigating national fraternities and in searching for a new house. Late in the summer we found a house with Drexel Institute of Technology at 35th & Race (today it is the SmartHouse). Many of the renovations which were done to the house were done by private contractors. On September 15, 1964, the brothers began their renovating and decorating. This year was the first time we had freshmen living in the house and they helped the brothers with renovations and repairs.
Late in the Winter term of 1964, the brothers carefully analyzed over twenty national fraternities and chose Pi Lambda Phi National Fraternity because they are the only true non-sectarian fraternity which we were able to find and their principles very closely paralleled our founding precepts. Pi Lambda Phi is a medium size fraternity which is very active and keeps very close communications with the local chapters which is important to a fraternity such as ours.

On April 11, 1965, the brothers of Delta Iota were initiated as pledge brothers and Delta Iota became the Pennsylvania Delta Iota Pledge Chapter of the Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity of the United States and Canada Incorporated.

Following many successful years on Drexel's campus, the Delta Iota Chapter left in 2002. In 2016, thirty-eight young men from a diverse range of backgrounds joined together under the guiding wing of Pi Lambda Phi's headquarters to re-found the Delta Iota Colony. They accomplished the feat of Chartering their Colony as a full-fledged Chapter faster than any Colony in Pi Lam history.

Today, the brothers of Pi Lambda Phi, PA Delta Iota reside in the original PA Delta Zeta house at the University of Pennsylvania at 3914 Spruce Street. They host many impressive events for Brothers, their families, and their fellow students, including the Wall of Prejudice - which had been featured in the Philadelphia press for bringing awareness to the aggressions and prejudice all people face in their everyday lives.

Brotherhood cannot be described by the mere quoting of numbers, awards, or honors. A true fraternity experience can only be understood but those who have lived it; those who have worked, sweated and dedicated part of their lives to it. At Pi Lam, the bonds the develop during these years will last “Not five years, but a lifetime.”