Brent Osborn, Ohio State ’09, has facilitated 25 EDGE programs in the last five years. He finds the time to serve as lieutenant district governor for Ohio, a chapter counselor, an AVC president and a mentor. He also supports EDGE financially as a Board of Governors donor to SigEp’s Educational Foundation. Below, he shares what keeps him coming to EDGE each year.

What impact does EDGE have on our new members?

Osborn: EDGE is all about preparing new members to make the most out of college, their SigEp experience and their lives. They get the chance to reflect on the big questions in their lives: Who am I? What’s my leadership style? What do I hope to get out of college? What do I have to do to make it happen?

What do you feel you get out of EDGE?

Osborn: I learn how to be a more effective chapter counselor and mentor, which makes volunteering more fun and fulfilling. EDGE keeps me feeling connected to the Fraternity.

Why do you support EDGE financially as a Board of Governors donor?

Osborn: Without donors, programs like EDGE simply can’t work. I’m happy to give to the organization that helped me get where I am today.

How do you measure your success as a volunteer with EDGE?

Osborn: After an EDGE last fall, I asked undergraduate Matt Davis, Ohio State ’17, about his experience. His thoughts reflected the program so well. He said: “I learned how to better articulate my values and my vision in order to stay oriented towards what I would now call my ‘True North.’ I learned that true, authentic leadership is uncommon in today’s world and that we have an opportunity, maybe even an obligation, to fill that leadership vacuum. I walked away having the chance to experience men talking about their failures and how they grew from them. Most importantly, I walked away having made connections with alumni.” When EDGE continues to produce results like that, it’s easy to see that we’re making a difference.