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Ohio State third-year Micah Kamrass is no stranger to hard work.
Kamrass, pursuing degrees in both political science and economics, is involved in numerous organizations, participates in intramural sports, has worked at the Ohio Statehouse and is even the main character in a published book. He said he thinks the title of Undergraduate Student Government president would be a nice addition to this list.
A 2007 graduate of Sycamore High School in Cincinnati, Kamrass said he understands his heavy involvement can be challenging, but he manages to keep it all together.
"The busier I keep myself, the more focused I am," Kamrass said. "I keep up on my schoolwork and I don't forget that I'm a student first."
At first, there was a chance that Kamrass was not going to attend OSU.
"I wanted to study political science, so I looked in [Washington] D.C., but I'm an Ohio State football fan and I could save a lot of money going to Ohio State," Kamrass said.
Once at OSU, Kamrass immediately joined USG, where he is now the director of recruitment. In his first two years, he worked at the Statehouse writing speeches for Sen. Ray Miller of Ohio. He is also one of two undergraduate students that sit in on Athletic Council meetings.
His biggest involvement, however, is his affiliation with Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, Kamrass said.
"I just finished my term as president of AEPi, and sophomore year, I was the vice president of recruitment," Kamrass said. "It was time consuming but a lot of fun."
During his reign, Kamrass helped organize the world's largest barbecue, which raised money for his fraternity's national philanthropy, Chai Lifeline and Faith on 8th, he said. Chai Lifeline helps send terminally ill children to summer camps, and Faith on 8th, a local soup kitchen, is a charity that OSU's BBQ Club supports.
During spring break, Kamrass traveled to New Orleans to rebuild houses destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
But it's not all work and no play for Kamrass. Being a part of a fraternity has been a social tool, he said.
"I like hanging out with friends and living with 27 guys in a house," Kamrass said. "It is a good social opportunity."
Kamrass is also a self-proclaimed "big sports fan."
"I'm a Reds and Bengals fan and I play intramural flag football, basketball, softball and Frisbee," Kamrass said.
Despite all these extracurricular activities and the rigor of his class work, Kamrass manages to maintain a relationship with his girlfriend, Rachel, who he met during a youth group trip to Israel, he said.
Although she attends Miami University, Kamrass said she is understanding of his schedule. They have been dating for almost two years.
Kamrass also said that his family is a major support system in his life.
"My family wishes I came home a little more, but they have been so helpful with my [USG presidential] campaign," Kamrass said.
He said his brother, Jared, a first-year in journalism at OSU, has assisted him with the campaign, and his sister, Jenna, 25, calls often asking for updates while she is in New York working as a teacher.
Parents Lewis and Renee are "proud of me and very supportive," Kamrass said.
When asked his opinion on Kamrass, longtime friend and campaign manager Brett Chessin said he holds him in high regard.
"Micah is great. We've been best friends since seventh grade," said Chessin, a third-year in political science and international studies. "Micah is the man."
Bradley Pyle, a third-year in business and Kamrass' running mate, weighed in as well.
"We work on lots of things together and have a good working relationship," Pyle said.
Kamrass said his interests include government history, reading and country improvement. His plans after graduation include the possibility of law school and work in politics.
If nothing else, he has already found fame in a book by children's author Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, called "Celebrating Passover," where he is featured as the main character.
"It's pretty funny," Kamrass said about the pictures of his 9-year-old self featured in the book. "I had a bowl [hair] cut."
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12 comments
If you want to talk about attendance, maybe you should examine why it is that Jordan has failed to fulfill one of her only constitutional duties, attend all senate meetings. Jordan receives $20,000 to attend senate meetings, but she has failed to do that on several occasions, including because she wanted to go and campaign so that she could get another $20.000.