Hello, audience, my name is Donald Kramer, though casually I am referred to by my middle name, Austin, or simply my surname, Kramer. I am a first-year, first-generation student here at The Ohio State University, and I am currently majoring in Evolution and Ecology. I was born in Hamilton Ohio, and raised by my maternal grandparents on a small farm North of Hamilton, in a village named Seven Mile. Living with perpetual reminder of the beauty and unique nature of the natural world, it is clear to see why I have developed such a deep passion and interest in ensuring life remains bountiful and diverse. I am proud in my involvement in my Scholars program, Environment and Natural Resources, which will surely help me to challenge assumptions, make educated decisions regarding my ecological impact, and develop vital skills relevant not only to my field, but as well as life as a whole.

While certainly inexperienced, including with respect to my peers,  I remain committed to a simple goal: help make the world a better place. Although my focus lies heavily in sustainability, rehabilitation, and maintenance, I am also disheartened at the general suffering of peoples, from a lack of basic necessities such as food, water, and medicine, to current trends of purposeful miseducation and apathy seen, particularly in Western society.

I am rather contemplative and conservative in my actions outdoors, as heretical as it may seem at this particular university, I hold a disdain for sports, particularly competitive ones. An odd mantra I tend to regard as a principal of mine is eloquently articulated by the late John Paul “Scatman” Larkin: “…Everyone’s born to compete how he chooses, but how can someone win if winning means someone loses” (Scatman’s World, 1995). Beyond sports, however, I am an adventurous spirit, despite my exceedingly reserved appearance. Barring the innately dangerous and reckless, I would be willing to try anything at least once, if given the opportunity. I would relish the chance to skydive, scuba dive, rock climb, backpack, or any other ‘rare’ outdoor activity. In the absence of any of those activities, simply hiking, going for a swim, identifying flora/fauna, or even laying in a field and watching the clouds roll by are all activities I regularly do while outdoors. As an aside, a common activity people tend to engage in outside, hunting, is one of the few things I refuse to partake in, violating my own ‘anything once’ philosophy. Additionally, transitioning from a heavy meat-eater to vegetarian, or even a vegan, is a goal of mine while in this new and exciting world of college. In my area, my friends and I (at my behest) explored every park, arboretum, garden, reserve, and sanctuary we could, I am ecstatic at he opportunity to begin this mission again in the Columbus area!

Currently, my campus involvement consists of naught but my Scholars program. However, it is my desire to join several organizations dedicated to leaving a positive impact. Joining a team of researchers while following my undergraduate course is also a major goal of mine, as well as successfully joining a field pertinent to my interests while still completing my degree. Personally, self-fulfillment and actualization of potential is a prime value I hold, while maintaining any employment on campus will be enough, I strive for more than enough. I believe contentment is hardly a feeling that should be realized while in university, especially one as ample in opportunity as Ohio State University.