Colin Worden’s involvement in Class Officer Collective (COC) was the result of a collective movement among his housemates more than three years ago. As a first-year in Storrs House, Worden’s friends pushed him to run for first-year class president. With their help campaigning, he won the election and since has led his class in each of his four years.
“In high school I wasn’t too involved,” said Worden, an economics and philosophy double major. “I wanted to change that during my time at Case Western Reserve University, but I didn’t know how until my friends pushed me to run for COC.”
Now a senior, Worden is president of the senior class and executive president of COC. In his elected position, he tries to create a unifying identity for the senior class and encourages other class officers to do the same for their respective classes.
One way COC tries to build class identity is by creating new events, specific to each class.
“The events we hold are meant to bring each class together, creating new and lasting bonds between classmates,” Worden said.
Worden also stressed the importance of tradition, and the need to expand on these traditions.
“The biggest initiative we’ve implemented is refocusing resources on homecoming, specifically. Homecoming is the quintessential school spirit event and has so much potential for growth,” Worden said. “We also want to highlight Snowball and Hudson Relays, with the hope of building on our existing school spirit and class pride.”
Much like his housemates did for him more than three years ago, Worden, too, encourages his classmates to get involved and make the most out of their undergraduate college experience.
Class Officer Collective is “trying to be the bridge between different groups of students on campus,” he said. “So, if [the students] have any ideas or want to work with class officers to bring more school spirit to the community, we are always open to collaborating.
“We are here for the students,” he continued. “After all, we were elected by them, so we want to work for them.”
Any students with ideas, questions or concerns can email Worden at csw31@case.edu.
Learn more about Worden in this week’s five questions.
1.What is your preferred mode of transportation and why?
Walking. Even though the campus is in a city, it has so many beautiful locations. I like to take everything in when I’m walking through campus, specifically Mather Quad. I also use that time to reflect on a variety of things, and so I can get lost in my own world while I’m walking around campus. I often get complaints from my friends for accidentally walking past them without even noticing. I hope nobody has taken it personally!
2. What’s next on your reading list?
I don’t have much time for recreational reading. I’ve been reading about moral and eastern philosophy for some classes, so when I’m reading this semester, it is usually a book or excerpt on those topics.
3. What has been the most rewarding moment for you while at Case Western Reserve University?
I can definitely say that being a class officer has been the most rewarding experience. Every year I’ve learned more about what it means to be a student leader. I’m grateful for the experience, culminating in me being able to lead the organization. It’s exciting to see all the new people who have joined the organization and see how they plan to lead and shape it in the future.
4. If you had a day to do whatever you wanted, how would you spend it?
I would travel to a mountainous region and hang glide.
5. What is your favorite thing about Case Western Reserve?
The people that make Case Western Reserve University what it is—from the very top with President Snyder to the incoming first-years. The campus is inviting and the community is very supportive of each other.