Who were the founding members of Delta Kappa Epsilon?

The founding members of Delta Kappa Epsilon were a group of 11 men who were dissatisfied with the fraternity bidding process at Yale University. This dissatisfaction led them to establish their own fraternity in 1844, aiming to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for students. The founders recognized the need for a brotherhood that not only fostered academic and social development but also emphasized loyalty and mutual support among its members.

While the other choices may reference different groups or contexts at Yale or within fraternity formation, they do not accurately capture the specific motivations and circumstances surrounding the establishment of Delta Kappa Epsilon. The focus on fraternity bidding reflects a crucial aspect of the early fraternity culture that influenced the creation of DKE, making the correct answer particularly significant in understanding the fraternity's origins.