Student Government, Greek Life and academics have all been important parts of University of Miami senior Vikesh Patel’s UM experience. He graduates this spring from the College of Engineering with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering, along with a minor in Business Law.
“Studying engineering has allowed me to think a different way, to understand how things work and look for ways to improve or fix them,” Patel said, noting that the University’s support of his minor in Business Law exposed him to even more ways of thinking. He put his intellectual curiosity and creativity to work as an undergraduate assistant in the College of Engineering’s Biomechanics Lab, looking for ways to detect damaged cartilage in knee joints and collaboratively working on patenting a machine design.
Patel’s extra-curricular life at the University of Miami has been as vibrant as his academic life. He was involved with Student Government for four years, and served as president during his senior year. Additionally, he was selected as one of the two UM representatives to Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida.
As a brother of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, he has served as the treasurer and president, and is currently the philanthropy chair for the chapter. Patel was also the vice chair of the Association of Greek Letter Organizations, the University’s umbrella organization for Greek Life. And, as co-chair of the University’s annual Greek Week, he helped the event raise more than $50,000 to support the United Cerebral Palsy foundation of South Florida.
Eager to ensure that his fellow ’Canes are able to become as connected to and involved with the University as he was, Patel co-founded the Transfer Student Association and served as its vice president. He provided tours and answered questions for prospective and new College of Engineering students as an Engineering Student Ambassador. And, he helped students and families transition from home to college as an Orientation Fellow with the University’s Department of Orientation and Commuter Involvement.
“Vikesh is a perfect example of the engineer of tomorrow – passionate about service and deeply committed to changing lives on a global scale,” said Jean-Pierre Bardet, dean of the UM College of Engineering. “His ability to manage a rigorous academic curriculum while growing as a leader clearly demonstrates his achievement of the goals we set for our leaning community at the College, and we take deep pride in Vikesh as a member of our CoE family.”
Patel ultimately plans to go to medical school to become a physician, with an eye towards one day managing a hospital and becoming a leader in the health care field. First, though, he will pursue a master’s degree in Finance starting this fall.
