Becoming a Renaissance brother in SigEp was an unexpected, transformative experience. What started out with an innocent visit to the chapter house evolved into teaching a for-credit class in the house, then becoming a faculty fellow. Becoming a Renaissance brother just made sense.

I’ve benefitted greatly by being a Renaissance brother. It has added a new dimension to my life, allowing me to see the world through the lens of my undergraduate brothers, gaining a perspective I hadn’t seen before. It allows me the pleasure of interacting with our young men as they develop and grow during their college years. And it gives me a chance to mentor and guide my brothers through the challenges life brings them, while also growing personally through their experiences.

Through the Renaissance of Brotherhood program, chapters can benefit as well. Renaissance brothers can serve a variety of roles within the chapter, including:

• Serving as mentors to guide brothers as they grow and develop. 
• Providing real-world perspective on business and life. 
• Becoming volunteers to assist the AVC and chapter executive team. 
• Offering connections to the business community through networking.

Here are a few easy-to-follow steps if you’d like to make someone a Renaissance brother.

• Identify those men in the community — professors, professionals, fathers, friends and other family members — who didn’t have the opportunity to become a member of Greek life during their own college years.
• Bring them to the house to experience the brotherhood the chapter shares through member development and social gatherings with alumni. 
• Ask their advice through mentoring and guidance, and have them talk about their experiences. 
• Seek out shared values and gauge whether they align with those of SigEp. 
• Finally, tell them more about SigEp, what brotherhood means to you and, when appropriate, offer them the opportunity to become a Renaissance brother.

Everyone benefits by bringing a Renaissance brother into the chapter. It’s an opportunity for shared growth and everyone wins.

Learn more about the Renaissance of Brotherhood Program. https://www.sigep.org/resources/officer-positions/recruitment-old/renaissance-of-brotherhood.html

Ric Sweeney is an associate professor of marketing at the University of Cincinnati and a faculty fellow and Renaissance brother with the Ohio Theta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.