Senior Michael Unis spends his last year at Ithaca College answering not only to professors but also to a board of directors and executive officers as president of the national chapter of Do Anything Nice.

Inspired by a group of seniors at his New Jersey high school who started the first chapter of D.A.N. in 2001, Unis created the Ithaca College chapter of D.A.N. in September 2005. D.A.N. devotes its efforts to small, random acts of kindness throughout campus and the community.

Unis said D.A.N.’s method is effective because the organization focuses on extending little gestures of kindness to everyone.

He said humans need to find little ways to reconnect. Even if it means just taking a second out of the day to ask someone how they are or to give a hug.

“[We have to do] things that hone in on the positive things that happen in life more so than just trying to curb the negative,” he said.

The club organizes events throughout the year, ranging from monthly free-hug stations and Oak Hill Nursery Home visits to organizing the annual nonprofit benefit concert that raised more than $5,000 for Multiple Sclerosis last year.

But Unis’ main goal has always been to spread the concept. While studying abroad in Italy in the summer of 2005, Unis said he tried to extend the organization’s message overseas. After returning home, he put his efforts toward building a national chapter and became president later that year.

Dani Novak, associate professor of mathematics at the college, faculty adviser of D.A.N. and board member of the national chapter, said Unis is thought of highly by his peers and D.A.N. members because of his commitment.

“Michael is selfless, he’s different,” Novak said. “People change after [spending time with] Michael. They get influenced by him.”

He currently manages headquarter staff, handles finances, expands and develops new chapters, and provides a link between the board of directors and four executive officers from across the country.  

Holding this position in a national organization requires a large time commitment in addition to his college-related duties.

Unis said after putting in sometimes 12-hour days at school he has to go home to D.A.N.-related work such as the President’s blog he writes for the organization’s Web site.

“I still have two hours of D.A.N. work ahead of me before the night is over,” he said. “But, really, it’s worth it.”

Unis said his dream is to continue to expand the program’s mission so that it will eventually span from elementary school through college, allowing members to be exposed to D.A.N.’s teaching at a younger age.

Novak said it is important to involve students of all ages in this national movement.

“We need young people to join together,” he said.

Junior Julia Lyon, secretary of the college’s D.A.N. chapter, said the main purpose of the organization is to let students participate in a less structured form of community service.

“A big part of it is spontaneity, anything from opening doors, picking up books or holding umbrellas,” she said.

The club focuses on two main outlets for its ideals — schools and local communities. Each chapter takes on projects, both small and large, that will improve and enrich its school and community environment through random acts of kindness.

Unis said D.A.N. is working toward an even further expansion for the future. Unis is currently focusing on the newest chapter of D.A.N that started this year at Cornell University. The national organization has managed to spread the idea throughout the country, extending the D.A.N. message to the West Coast at schools in California. The organization is currently promoting D.A.N. Global in an attempt to reach more students.  

Unis said he has high hopes and expectations for the future of D.A.N.

“I see it becoming something that unifies the movement of kindness in our world,” he said “It truly is an opportunity for students to develop and grow with an organization that’s theirs, and I think that’s very unique.”