Two years ago, Yvonne Gentzler, associate professor of family and consumer sciences education and studies, was proposed with a unique idea. Sigma Phi Epsilon was interested in instituting a faculty fellowship program and needed a professor to fill the volunteer position.

The idea came through encouragement from Sigma Phi Epsilon’s national organization to emphasize an academic environment in their chapter house, said Ross Roti, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, 228 Gray Ave.

Gentzler was asked to apply for the position.

“I had several years of experience on another university campus as a house director and faculty advisor,” Gentzler said. “I shared that [information] with the greek adviser on campus.”

After being awarded the position, Gentzler began working with the fraternity members.

During the first year of the program, Gentzler interviewed men in the fraternity to find out what it meant to be a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon 100 years after it was founded. Afterward, the men developed presentations, which were given at regional conferences and at their national conclave for Sigma Phi Epsilon, Gentzler said.

Administrators and faculty members were invited by Gentlzer to join the fraternity on Monday evenings for their formal dinners, which permitted faculty and administration to see life in the fraternity. She also invited several members of the fraternity on a regular basis to serve as teaching assistants in her classes, she said.

Gentzler has provided workshops and sessions for strategic planning for the fraternity. She has worked individually on helping them develop resumes and cover letters for jobs and internships and also writes letters of recommendation for the members for internships, scholarships, jobs and graduate schools. She has also had office hours in the house and eats meals with the men several times a week.

This year Gentzler has done similar things, although it has included more individual work with the men in the house. Gentzler gives individual sessions in her office to help them stay on track if their grades begin to fall, she said.

The program has offered a unique opportunity for herself as well as the men, Gentzler said.

“It provides a unique glimpse at campus life through the eyes of young men,” Gentzler said. “It helps me to understand the reality of a student’s life.”

The program also has a positive effect on the fraternity members, she said.

“[The program provides] daily interaction and access to a faculty member who cares about them as individuals,” Gentzler said.

Many of the fraternity members have become good friends with Gentzler, said Roti, sophomore in business.

“One of the best things is Yvonne is a social person and she’s been able to help the guys in our house become better men,” Roti said. “The program has been a real asset to our house.”

The fraternity members strive to excel in their lives, Gentzler said.

“The main goal of Sigma Phi Epsilon members is to be a step above and go a step beyond what would normally be expected,” she said. “Their educational foundation wants to provide opportunities to help them take advantage of the resources that are right there for them to become the best, which coincides with Iowa State University’s whole theme to be the best they can be.”