Nick Miller dropped out of Otterbein without a degree, but has chosen to remain active as an alumni adviser of his former fraternity. Miller was a broadcasting major during his time at Otterbein. He hosted a show on the Otterbein radio station WOBN, which was then 101.5, The Rock. He pledged a fraternity as well. He completed the new member education process for the Sigma Delta Phi Fraternity with one other pledge brother in the spring of 2003. After leaving Otterbein, Miller, who is now referred to by most as Dibs, became an alumni adviser of Sphinx, and has been a prominent figure ever since.
It seems almost taboo these days to not complete some sort of higher education after high school. Although this is the perception, according to the American Community Survey, “more than a tenth of the Ohio population has no higher than a high school diploma.” And even those who do go to college do not always finish. The same survey says that “more than 20 percent of the Ohio population has attended college but has no degree.” All these statistics aside, it is difficult to explain why a college dropout would continue to spend time at their former institution.
“I was here from ’03 to somewhere in between ’06 and ’07. I didn’t graduate; I was a junior when I actually dropped out of school.” Miller said. He dropped out to start a landscaping company with his brother. “My older brother wanted to start a landscaping company.” It was his brother’s dream and he couldn’t do it on his own. “‘You know, I’m having some trouble in school anyway. Yeah screw it, let’s do it.’ So I dropped out of school and we started a landscaping company the very next month.”
Miller explained that he went through a lot of changes after he graduated. He described his Otterbein self as someone who spent most of the weekdays studying and doing homework, and the weekends hanging out with the other Sphinxmen. But that changed when he left school. His time became consumed with his new business and his new wife. His wife, however, was not as content with the landscaping company as Miller. They divorced in 2010 and Miller sites the business as a major reason for the split.
After the divorce, Miller was not sure who to turn to. “My family at home is a very old-fashioned United Methodist family, everything’s pretty traditional.” Miller said. He explained that his family didn’t really know what to say when he got divorced other than “It will be ok.” Looking for comfort and support, Miller turned to his former chapter of Sigma Delta Phi.
Miller rekindled his sense of brotherhood with the current Sphinxmen and became one of the most active members of the alumni association. He became the president of the Sigma Delta Phi Alumni Association and began attending nearly every event that Sphinx held. “I leaned on those guys so much that I have no way to pay them back other than my time and my service, because I don’t know where I would be without Sigma Delta Phi.” Miller said. Miller says that where he is now is due only to the young men who have held him up for all these years. However, Miller’s journey through Otterbein Greek Life has not been a one-way street.
Miller is not only an alumni adviser, but also a friend to dozens of Sphinxmen. Miller recognizes the continued support that he receives from the chapter and does his best to support each member in return. Miller is still also very involved with the landscaping company. Miller Landscaping of Westerville was recently named the number two landscaping company in Central Ohio. Miller also does tree work for the Westerville Tree Service and he works as a bounty hunter for Vigilant Fugitive Recovery. Through all of this, Miller continues to devote as much time as possible to the fraternity and its members.
“I never thought that leaning on a group of young men, between the ages of 18 to 22, would be that influential in my life, being somebody who is 25. But it was the best decision of my life, becoming an advisr and helping out the men of Sigma Delta Phi in their endeavors, whatever they may be, because they have changed my life in such a way, that I can never repay.”
