Randolph-Macon College alumnus Ted Worth ’66 recently traveled from Greece, where he has lived for the past 42 years, to RMC, where he attended Commencement, caught up with old friends, and reacquainted himself with his alma mater. He quickly realized that a lot has changed since his last visit to campus—nearly 35 years ago.

“When I was a student here, I would walk out of our Kappa Sigma fraternity house, and then there would be a long stretch of grass, followed by the soccer field,” he recalls. “Over the past few years, the campus has undergone a huge transformation, and it has never looked more beautiful. It’s a great mix of the traditional and the modern. Being here for Commencement was a real homecoming for me.”

Soccer Player, English Major
Two days before he started classes at RMC, Worth’s father drove him to campus from the family’s home in Westchester, Pennsylvania. It was the first time Worth had ever seen Randolph-Macon, which he’d chosen in part because of its strong soccer program. Led by Coach Helmut Werner, he played for the Yellow Jackets soccer team.

Worth quickly settled into college life. He majored in English, and was a member of the Glee Club and Kappa Sigma fraternity. English Professor Richard Wood served as a mentor, encouraging Worth to pursue his passion for writing. “He told me to take advantage of my gift,” recalls Worth.

After graduating from RMC, Worth started a course of study in anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania.

“Professor Wood had suggested I continue on to grad school to study journalism, but I had my heart set on a degree in anthropology,” says Worth. Along the way, however, he switched his major to English—his lifelong passion. He taught in elementary schools in Pennsylvania and Delaware until 1974, when he moved to Greece.  “I had a yearning for that country from my childhood years,” he says. Worth and his wife, Fofo, have lived in the town of Itea, in Fokidos, Greece, since 1974.

From Teacher to Leader
Worth has been teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) ever since in conjunction with Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). TESOL is an international association of professionals advancing the quality of English-language teaching through professional development, research, standards, and advocacy. Worth teaches children and adults—anyone who is interested in learning the English language.

“This is my 48th year of teaching,” says Worth, who in 1997 earned a Master of Science in Teaching English from Aston University in England. He would like to pursue a Ph.D. in applied linguistics and translation from Greek biblical texts at Hellenic American University in Athens. But finding the time to do so will be challenging, as he also serves as president of the town of Itea.

“I consider my presidency an extension of my teaching,” says Worth, who has served since 2014. “I give advice and I take advice. The townspeople are my students and I’m their teacher, and vice versa.”

Proud Yellow Jacket
During his Commencement Weekend visit, Worth had lunch with Coach Werner, and he was inducted into the Boydton Society, RMC’s organization for alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. Boydton Society members attended a special luncheon in their honor, and they attended Commencement, cheering on the 310 members of the Class of 2016 and joining in the singing of the alma mater.

“I’m thrilled to be a member of the Society,” he says. “We are proud members of an ongoing financial support system for current students, and that feels great.”

When asked what advice he would give to new Yellow Jackets, Worth says, “You have the opportunity to work in small classes with fantastic faculty. Follow a path that brings you joy—by doing so, you will flourish.”