They were once international flight attendants, employees at Operation Life, coaches at boarding schools, workers at local bookstores and high school teachers.
These are the men and women living inside the buildings many students call home. They are fraternity and sorority house directors, and each has his or her own reasons for going greek.
Rhonda Mayhew, house director for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, said she took the position after being involved in greek life herself, because she thought it looked like a fun thing to do. Mayhew added that her experiences taught her that sorority sisters are a constant source of support.
"Sorority sisters are life savers, especially when [you are] going through major life events," Mayhew said.
Before becoming a house director, Mayhew flew around the globe to exotic locales in Europe and Asia, and resided in seven different states.
Although Mayhew traveled far and wide during her career as an international fight attendant, she says her sorority sisters still remain her closest friends.
Pamela Peterson, the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house director and former high school and college educator, said she too has kept in touch with members of her college sorority. She explained that she has known her sisters for almost 45 years, but their bond continues to this day despite her busy schedule.
"They'll be in your life forever," Peterson said.
And Peterson isn't the only house director with a full plate.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity's house director, Connie Pierce, also has hectic days. But that doesn't stop her from completing daily responsibilities around the chapter house. The former Operation Life employee and two time breast cancer survivor said that in addition to fulfilling her role as the fraternity's house director, she also works part time.
Even before taking the position at SAE, Pierce was a baker and cake decorator at the Greencastle Kroger. Pierce added that although she is always busy, her job as a house director is extremely rewarding when she witnesses the boys' accomplishments.
"I just want to see the house and the boys succeed, that is [my] reward," Pierce explained. "When I get a good compliment [about the boys] I know we're going in the right direction."
As house director for Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Nick Stirrett has similar motivations for getting involved with greek life. Having spent a full year at an African Leadership boarding school teaching and coaching, Stirrett has plenty of experience advising upcoming leaders.
Stirrett enjoys mentoring and interacting with college students and said that witnessing their "successes, accomplishments and life lessons" makes the experience worthwhile. While he enjoys his job, he advises that not everyone is cut out for the time consuming commitment. Stirrett added that he would suggest someone who is "open minded, understanding and [possesses] integrity and a sense of humor."
Marie Smith, house director for Alpha Phi sorority, believes the job calls for "someone that is loyal, has respect for the property, love for the girls and someone who tries to run the house as a home."
Smith said the sorority should serve as a home away from home and believes it is her job to "treat daughters the way she would like her daughter to be treated."
While the house directors have many daily responsibilities (creating menus, buying groceries, mentoring and more) they still find time to create lasting memories.
Mayhew said her most memorable experience was unplanned and caused quite a bit of chaos. While hosting a lunch for other house directors, the ceiling caved in, water flooded the room and a raccoon had to be captured by animal control.
Stirrett agreed that life in greek housing can be crazy at times, especially on the weekends, noting that Friday and Saturday nights are the worst because of the noise levels.
No stranger to chaos, Pierce explained that before winter break, fraternity members decorate their houses in hundreds of hard-to-miss lights, causing quite a scene. Pierce added that she loves the decorations and the way they hang the lights, as they provide for funny and cherished experiences.
During the ice storm last winter, Peterson sad she and the girls had an unforgettable experience of their own. Not only did the power go out at the Alpha Chi Omega house, but also the gas leaked four days after the storm passed, causing a humorous whirlwind of events. One mishap after another allowed the girls to take the calamities in stride and see humor in the situation.
"Everything that could [have] happened did, it was just hilarious," Peterson said.
Smith was also able to recollect a memory she will treasure forever.
Years ago, a group of girls knocked on her door around 10 p.m. asking to speak with her about something. Smith was worried they were in trouble, but instead they told her they wanted her to become an Alpha Phi. As of 2004, Smith is a member.
When asked how to describe being a house director in five words or less, the responses included: humor, compassion, rewarding and courageous, along with Stirrett's advice of "uncommon patience and uncommon perspective."