Members of Omega Psi Phi gathered around Parks Library Tuesday night after their probate show to celebrate the acceptance of new members into their fraternity. 

Omega Psi Phi was the third [corrected from: first] African-American fraternity to be established in the United States. Its first chapter was founded in 1911 at Howard University in Washington D.C.

“We came here at Iowa State in February 1970,” said Marvin DeJear, community service chairman for the fraternity and state representative of Iowa. “We are a community-based organization. Our cardinal principles are manhood, scholarship, perseverence and uplift. Our motto is, ‘Friendship is essential to the soul.'”

The celebration took place on Tuesday because the fraternity members needed time to prepare for a trip to Washington D.C . The members will leave for Washington D.C. on July 27. Once there, they will take part in a celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of their fraternity’s establishment.

The fraternity members had a reason for choosing Parks Library as the site of their celebration. 

“This is a historical spot,” said Jerrome Mosley, graduate student in microbiology and genetics. “If you don’t touch this place once, you are not going to have a lot of scholarships. This is where you gain the knowledge to gain those scholarships.”

Mosley said he believes that as a student he has a mission to pursue knowledge during his time at Iowa State.

“I have a lifelong journey to pursue knowledge that previous brothers have laid down,” Mosley said.