Nikhil Verma ’07

As philanthropy chairman, I am responsible for setting up and coordinating all events within our chapter. I work with the ALS Association (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease) in Columbus to set things up as well. I am also responsible for setting up and running volunteer events.

I am from a town about an hour north of campus called Marion, Ohio. I was born and raised there with my parents and my older brother Rahul (22) who graduated from OSU in 2007. My parents are both from India. My dad is self-employed and my mom volunteers at our local hospital. My mom keeps our whole family close to our Indian background. I am very interested in sports, human interaction and learning new things.

I am a pre-med biology major. I went to high school at Marion Pleasant, where I was very involved in sports and was valedictorian. I plan on graduating in winter 2010, or maybe before that. I want to go any medical school after undergrad. I may take some time off to learn more about business as well. I work at the student ID center (Buck-ID center) on campus. I am also in Health Science Scholars program. I am applying for research positions as well.

As philanthropy chairman, I am responsible for setting up and coordinating all events within our chapter. I work with the ALS Association (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s disease) in Columbus to set things up as well. I am also responsible for setting up and running volunteer events. I am also responsible for letting the chapter know when events are occurring for the community and other Greek chapters. I balance it with my school work and my job by doing as much as I can do on certain days which I am not busy. I tend to get a lot accomplished.

Phi Delta Theta has not recently run any philanthropy events. However, we do participate in other Greek chapters’ events. Also we help Material Assistance Providers (MAP) with their furniture drive in the summer as part of volunteerism. MAP is a nonprofit organization that provides free furniture and appliances to Central Ohio families living in empty houses.

I really enjoy the feeling of having responsibility and helping out all these good causes. Since I have joined, we have been involved a lot more with getting a positive image to OSU. My advice to future members is to get involved in the improvement for everyone in and out of our Chapter.

I feel I have a great sense of power and respect for what I do and how I get involved. Other people often tell me “I wish I could get involved,” and I am the guy to go to get involved and help this world out.