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Class of 2009
College of Arts and Science
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Believing in Mark Mathabane’s idea that “Education will open doors where none seemed to exist,” throughout high school, Vishruth spent his afternoons at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Chattanooga tutoring children living in the inner-city area. After researching and documenting a grant proposal during his sophomore year and receiving funding, he designed a course focused on improving reading skills and worked with a group of children at the Club. Later, Vishruth became involved in the grant-writing process and worked with other students from his school who wanted to request funding to start their own programs. Along with his daily service, Vishruth participated in a number of service trips. In the fall break of his senior year, he spent his time volunteering and staying at a homeless shelter in Asheville, North Carolina, and in the spring traveled to Kingston, Jamaica, where he worked at an orphanage, a home for the elderly, and a small community.
While he continues tutoring in the Nashville community through organizations such as Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science, Vishruth’s service work at Vanderbilt has expanded to include work with global health issues and healthcare disparities. He currently leads the Vanderbilt Chapter of the Global Health Council, an organization devoted to promoting equity in global health. In addition, he has been working with Unite For Sight, an organization that is involved in providing free vision screenings and education for medically underserved populations.
For one of his summers, Vishruth traveled to Hyderabad, India, to work with two nonprofit organizations that provide outreach services and medical care to residents of rural areas surrounding Hyderabad. In addition, while volunteering at a government maternity hospital, he worked with HIV/AIDS testing and support services and began studying the Indian healthcare system. Vishruth plans to attend medical school after graduating and continue work with global health issues.
Vishruth’s academic interests include research in biochemistry as well as studying international development. He describes service as an enriching part of his life that has allowed him to reconsider his place in the world. Vishruth is honored to be a part of the Ingram Scholars Program and grateful for the opportunities it will offer. |
