Mickele Mentz is a senior economics major. He was the president and founder of the Billiards Club. He is the public relations chair for the Society of Anime, Games and Entertainment, a senator for the Undergraduate Student Government Association, the president of the Interfraternity Council and the vice president of Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
Some may know me as a brother in Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the president of the Interfraternity Council, campus entertainment director or someone who works at the Flight Deck. Many people are familiar with what I do as a leader here at NSU.
However, not many know what I do as a student. I entered college just like any other freshman. However, not every other freshman has a learning disability. As much as I would like to think that I am just like everyone else, deep inside I know I am not.
I have leadership skills and the keen ability to motivate others. However, being a leader at NSU comes with a hefty price. That price is a time commitment to my studies. To be a leader in a Greek organization you have to maintain a GPA above a 2.75.
Not that hard, some may think but when someone has to study twice as hard for the same results, a 40-hour study week turns to 80. With those 65 to 80 hours a week dedicated to study, I also dedicate nine hours a week to student government, 15 hours to the Interfraternity Council, 15 hours to my job at the Flight Deck, and 25 hours to my fraternity. And I still find time to socialize with my friends and hang out with my girlfriend.
I have always been recognized for everything I have done at NSU. My brothers have always thanked me for helping out with the events, the community service and the countless other projects I have been involved with. But the defining moment, and one of my best memories here at NSU, was winning Greek Man of the Year.
Out of all the student leaders I had won one of the most prestigious awards at the Greek awards banquet. It goes to show you that even with a learning disability I still managed to succeed at the highest level.
Some may think there is not enough time in a day to do what I do. I have something to tell everyone: You can do anything you set your mind to. I was told I should drop out of high school and pursue a career as a janitor or garbage man.
Then I came to college where a group of guys told me the ideals of Kappa Sigma Fraternity: Scholarship, fellowship, leadership and service. They told me that Kappa Sigma strives to make you a better man. Then they told me a quotation, “Diligence should be your watchword. Whatever you do, do well and may success attend your efforts.”
This stuck with me and from that day forward I put forth a 100 percent in everything I do and success has attended my efforts.
If you take anything away from this I hope it would be to never give up.
