Jake Thorn ‘14: DTD played an integral role into making me who I am today

Jake Thorn ‘14 ([email protected] ) and his friends Michael Marting ‘14 and Pete Heck ‘14 rushed together in the spring of ‘11. “The three of us collectively decided to pledge Delt because we liked the brothers we met,” he said. “It also did not hurt that the DTD shelter was recently remodeled and looked incredible.” 

He says that DTD stood out on campus for its well-rounded emphasis on academics, social life, community service, and career mentorship. “I remember, even as a pledge, getting outstanding advice — on all facets of life — from brothers 10, 20, and 30 years out of Kenyon. They were extremely welcoming, and I learned a lot from them.” 

He says that his favorite memories are of “Any gorgeous fall afternoon on “the porch” in front of DTD division in Leonard, belting 80’s classics from the fireplace at the shelter, and remembering Michael Marting ‘14 decking the halls at the lodge for an epic Christmas formal.   

He says that DTD has impacted his life long after his time at Kenyon. “When I arrived at Kenyon, I knew next to nothing about what I wanted to do after graduation. But, under the Byron Horn Mentorship Program, I learned how to cultivate meaningful career relationships from Jeff Moritz ‘86, Charles “Cully” Stimson ‘86, Don Gest ‘86, my fellow actives, and many Chi alumni. Hint: it’s very similar to being a good friend.” 

Since he graduated in 2014, he’s worked in Washington, D.C., graduated from law school, clerked for a trial court judge and served as an Assistant Attorney General at the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Today, he is an associate attorney at the Columbus office of Littler Mendelson. He and his wife Ingrid welcomed a daughter, Sofia in 2021. This May, they are adding a second child, a boy, to their family.  

Thorn says that giving back to the chapter is very important to him. “Delta Tau Delta helped me forge my identity and played an integral role in making me the man I am today. I am now and remain grateful for that experience and that gratitude fuels my openness to mentor any actives who reach out with questions.” 

And if more brothers gave back? “More alumni making themselves available to actives means that actives can tap our experiences as resources to make sense of a turbulent time in a chaotic world. Access to alumni spread across various industries can do wonders for an active who doesn’t know his path just yet or how to navigate it.”  

Without Delta Tau Delta, I wouldn’t have met some of my closest, lifelong friends. Nor would I have seen Dave Matthew’s band live so many times.