STUDENT KUDOS: Joey Brock chosen to represent Phi Theta Kappa International

Southwest honor student and Phi Theta Kappa member Joey Brock was one of only four students in the world to be selected to serve as a social media ambassador for Phi Theta Kappa International’s Catalyst Conference April 18-21 in Kansas City, Missouri.  Brock currently serves as Southwest’s PTK Upsilon Delta chapter’s co-vice president of public relations.  He says he is honored to have such a rare opportunity to serve. “It shows that my social media work for our chapter is good enough to translate to an international level,” Brock said. “I was elated when I found out that I had been selected.”

Catalyst is PTK’s annual international convention that draws thousands of honor students from across the globe each year to learn about scholarship, leadership and more. This year’s convention is particularly special as PTK celebrates its centennial.

 

Brock will chronicle the historic convention sessions and activities with photos and videos that will be broadcast on PTK’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Additionally, he will prepare a summary of each photograph or video.  “This experience will help me grow in today’s technological society,” Brock said. He adds that the experience will come in handy when he is a teacher and head coach someday.  “Being knowledgeable of the social media world will help me relate to the teenagers that I will be interacting with daily,” he said. “Social media will be an important tool to help me boost the profiles of students and athletes in the years to come.”

Faculty member and PTK Advisor Dr. Joan McGrory couldn’t be prouder of Brock.  “This is an amazing accomplishment,” she said.  “Thanks to Joey and his fellow honor students, our PTK chapter has a chance to shine on an international stage.”

Brock says his honors experience at Southwest has been enriching and will serve as a springboard for his future.  “My involvement with Upsilon Delta has meant more than I could express,” he said. “It has been an eye-opening journey.” A first-generation, non-traditional student, Brock says getting involved was a natural fit for him.  Besides his PTK membership, he is a member of Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society and the All-Tennessee Academic Team.

“Academically, being in an honor society shows that you are the best among your fellow students and I feel that those who have academic prowess should be recognized,” Brock added.  He says PTK plugs him into campus life and makes him feel connected. “I cannot be just a student who comes to class and goes home and never gets involved. That has never worked for me.”

Congratulations, Joey!