African-Americans belonging to greek organizations were urged to follow the ideals of their chapters Wednesday night by the author of the book “The Divine Nine.”

Author Lawrence C. Ross, Jr. addressed a culturally diverse audience of about 100 people in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union. He was the first to write the history of all nine fraternities and sororities included in the National Pan-Hellenic Council.

“This is a great achievement to have [Ross] come to Iowa State,” said Latasha Dennis-Pickett, a graduate student in educational leadership and policy studies. “It’s great that the campus is open to this kind of diversity.”

Ross, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. for 17 years, said he wrote his book after realizing he knew nothing about the history of the other African-American chapters.

“If I, as a member of the African-American greek community, didn’t know anything about other chapters, how could anyone else?” Ross said.

He said the first African-American organization was founded in 1906 and about 1.5 million members have been initiated worldwide. Notable leaders include Martin Luther King, Jr., Bill Cosby and Arthur Ashe. Ross also said one big difference between African-American greeks and Caucasian greeks is the life-long commitment African-Americans make to their organization and community.

“A white greek will say ‘I was a member of XYZ fraternity’ where an African-American greek will say ‘I am a member of XYZ fraternity’,” Ross said. “You retain that membership even into death.”

Phi Beta Sigma president DeAndre Stallworth, senior in industrial technology, said Ross’s visit was a good thing for the minority community at Iowa State.

“This allowed everyone to learn more about our history and African-American greek life,” he said.

Delta Sigma Theta member, Andraya Parrish, senior in electrical engineering, agreed.

“[Ross] can open eyes about our history in ways that can’t be done around campus,” she said.