The Honorable Jim Worton is a former student of Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC). He is a graduate of Columbus North High School, a graduate of Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University, and has a doctorate of jurisprudence from the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis. Later, in 2016, he completed the Indiana Graduate Program for Judges through the Indiana Office of Court Services.

Today, Worton is not only as an elected Bartholomew County Superior Court Judge, but he also serves as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at IUPUC. His excellence in service to others was acknowledged when he received the 2014 IUPUC Distinguished Alumnus award.

In brief, Worton shares his experience as a life-long learner:

I had an excellent experience at IUPUC. I started college in 1989 when the campus was still called IUPUI Columbus. I was impressed the very first day when I showed up for orientation. I was greeted and given a tour of the campus by the former IUPUI Columbus Dean, Dr. Paul Bippen. I know of no other college that would provide that level of service!

I attended IUPUC my freshman year of college and then transferred to IU Bloomington. This point of comparison clearly demonstrated the value of the IUPUC experience. The ability to know your professors and the smaller class size were big advantages for me.

I returned to IUPUC later in life to finish my degree. This time I had the opportunity to experience college life as a non-traditional student. What I found most beneficial was that the professors and staff of IUPUC were so understanding and accommodating for the challenges that non-traditional students have; such as work, family situations with or without children that may arise.

IUPUC is more than a college; it is a community of support for its students, no matter their individual background or life circumstances.

As an attorney and now an elected Judge, my IUPUC education has been extremely valuable. I certainly would not be in the position I am in now had I not completed my education. I attribute the small class sizes and individual attention by professors as an attribute that enabled me to focus, work hard, and maintain the GPA I needed to get into law school.

In addition to the above, as an adjunct faculty member at IUPUC, I have the chance to give back and teach other students. Having gone through it myself at IUPUC, I have a profound respect and admiration for our student body and consider it a privilege to contribute to the future of students.

The IUPUC Alumni Association is dedicated to connecting alumni, building lifelong relationships, and serving IUPUC. The alumni association links alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the community. Their vision is to improve the lives of students and alumni through education, personal development, and camaraderie. The Association is a dynamic group that facilitates communication and networking by sponsoring programming that actively engages alumni in the success, growth, and development of IUPUC.

For more information on the IUPUC Alumni Association contact Cindy Felsten e-mail cfelsten@iupuc.edu or call 812.375.7531.