line number

[FuzzieAlum]

Hi, I was hoping someone could answer a question for me, an NPC member who only knows a little about NPHC groups.

I just read "The Divine Nine," and there's a section in there, "The Achievers Talk." Each interview includes where they went to school, the year they pledged or joined, the name of their line, and their line number. I think understand the idea of a line - it's the group of people that join at the same time - but what is the significance or meaning of the line number?

Thanks! And if this is something that's none of a non-member's business, that's OK too.