Chatting with Spears Business’ Top Senior
By Mallory Thompson
Darcy Worth, a marketing and management major at Oklahoma State University from Tahlequah, Okla., who graduated in May, is the recipient of the 2018 Raymond D. Thomas Award, given annually to the top senior in the Spears School of Business. This award reflects high levels of achievement in scholarship and leadership. Each year, a Spears Business faculty committee determines the recipient of this award, which comes with a lifetime membership with the OSU Alumni Association.
Worth carried the Spears Business flag in the opening ceremony to commencement and was the first business student to receive her diploma. After graduation, she will pursue a law degree from Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law.
She has been involved with Business Student Council, President’s Leadership Council, a national sorority and as a Spears School of Business Ambassador. Ultimately, it was Worth’s expressive passion for Spears Business that led her to achieve this award.
We talked with Worth about the Raymond D. Thomas Award and how Spears Business has impacted her life the last four years.
In your own words, what does this award represent?
Thinking back to when I was a freshman and was seeing the individuals who wanted the award, they were people who were dedicated and put their heart and soul into the school and into what they were doing for the school. I think (the award) represents dedication spent in hopes to further the business school’s goals and to make the school better. It reminds me of what my mom would say: “Leave it better than you found it.” I think the award is meant for people who do that to the best of their ability.
What was it like when you heard your name announced as the 2018 Raymond D. Thomas Award recipient?
I was stunned, thrilled and excited. I was standing next to close friends because I’ve made some of my deepest relationships in the business school, and it was so cool to have such a strong group of individuals around me to cheer me on immediately after.
![Darcy Worth](/site-files/archive/images/engage-magazine/darcy-worth.jpg)
Thinking back to when you were a freshman, did you picture yourself where you are now, as a recipient of this award and a leader of the business school?
As a freshman, I looked at it as a reward for dedication and I really wanted this award. As a sophomore, I realized this idea was too encompassing of me and making me do things for the wrong reasons, like joining many clubs and organizations. I quit a bunch of things and only did what I was passionate about. So, this is really cool for me to receive because I started out going after this award for the wrong reasons, and I ended up still receiving it because I did the things I really cared about.
What is your favorite characteristic of the Spears School of Business?
“The Power of Personal” is massive to me. I think anything you do is going to be done because you have a good relationship with people. This has been the best thing I’ve gotten to learn. There’s a relational aspect to everything. Spears’ “Power of Personal” (to me) is the relationships you can build and how they are going to affect you for the rest of your life.
How have the Spears professors and faculty impacted you?
They’ve shown me what it can mean to do a good job, to go above and beyond for things. They do more than just their job. I asked a professor to critique my writing, and he spent an hour drafting a response on how I can improve. One of the sports marketing professors plays intramurals with his students. It’s the professors and advisers who stop on campus and talk to their students — they take the extra step.
What is your greatest piece of advice for future business students?
I find this is pushed very well within the Spears School of Business but find what gives you friends and purpose outside of the classroom. Find something that gives you an effort to strive for. Have something to be passionate about. Find something that gives you heart and empathy for something else. The business school does a great job of pushing this idea, but ultimately, it’s up to the students to pursue it. My passion has been showing people what the business school can do for them.