Phi Theta Kappa paves road to success

Brandon Worden, Delta College student and current President of Phi Theta Kappa, has recently been named one of the 2014 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Bronze Scholars.

This national scholarly honor identifies 150 applicants—50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze scholars. The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society manages the annual convention and recognizes the chosen applicants in 38 different states. Worden was recognized in the Team Bronze Scholars section, which granted him the award of a $1,000 scholarship.

Worden described how he was an active student in high school and how he eventually earned a full-ride scholarship at Delta College. He then explained how at first, he was a student that blended in.

“Initially, I was just coming to school, day in, day out from classes,” Worden said. “And I knew something was missing because I was so active beforehand in high school. That’s when I began to build relationships with my instructors.”

Jeff Sorrels, Assistant Professor of Communications and Phi Theta Kappa club advisor, was one of the various influences in Worden’s academic life.

“I first met Brandon when he took my public speaking class a year and a half ago,” Sorrels said. “I quickly realized how intelligent he was and also that he was a natural leader. When he was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, I encouraged him to get involved and to run for an officer position, which he did. He was elected President and has done an amazing job.”

Jean Goodnow, President of Delta College, explained that she deeply appreciates that one of Delta’s students has earned this rare honor.

“This is really a big deal,” she said. “(The Coca-Cola Scholars award) is a national award that Phi Theta Kappa Honor’s Society has been involved with. I am very excited that Brandon has won the Coca-Cola bronze level scholarship; I’m extremely proud to see one of our Delta students win this award.”

Worden was one of the three bronze scholars who followed two silver level scholars chosen in the Lansing recognition ceremony. He described how it felt to be one of the few nominated scholars.

“It was very humbling to be one of the five chosen people out of 66 different scholars,” he said. “It was a remarkable feeling to be recognized in front of my family and friends, and to represent Delta College.”12