DSC Quanta alumnus continues his academic pathway at Stetson University

Kenneth Brown is setting quite an example for his kids - all 13 of them.

The spring 2018 Daytona State College Quanta Honors alumnus is continuing his academic pathway at Stetson University’s honors program, where he is majoring in political science and hoping to one day be a college professor.

What’s more, he’s doing it all without incurring mountains of debt.

While at DSC, Brown was selected to receive a prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship, one of only 47 awarded from more than 2,500 applicants nationwide. The scholarship for up to $40,000 a year is awarded to outstanding community college graduates who intend to pursue bachelor’s degrees.

Kenneth Brown '18

Photo by Nicole Guthrie

Brown, a 35-year-old veteran and father of five biological and eight stepchildren, also was among over 16 DSC Quanta graduates who transferred into Stetson’s honors program this fall. The two institutions have an honors program articulation agreement that includes special financial packages to cover some or all of their tuition and fees.

“I’m really enjoying it here,” Brown said while on his way to a meeting about a two-week Stetson study abroad trip to the Dominican Republic slated for next summer. “The two schools put in a lot of common effort to make sure the transition was as smooth as possible for us. It all has been really seamless.”

Dr. Margaret Heridis, chair of DSC’s Quanta Honors program, said she’s not surprised by how Kenneth is thriving at Stetson. “He is the whole package,” she said. “He was actively involved in the college community at DSC, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Mu Rho Chapter. He is a non-traditional student, a veteran, a husband and father, and he will academically knock your socks off.”

Brown said that while he originally planned to pursue a law degree after earning his bachelor’s at Stetson, he now wants to continue his focus on political science, pursuing more advanced studies at either Georgetown University, American University or Howard University in Washington, D.C.

DSC President Tom LoBasso said wherever Brown’s path leads him, he will always represent the best of Daytona State. “Here, as a non-traditional student, Kenneth was able to explore his career interests, to grow and to test his leadership skills in ways that have prepared him to keep moving forward. We are proud that he chose to get his start at DSC and we wish him well.”

The Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is the largest private scholarship in the nation for students transferring from two-year community colleges to four-year institutions that award bachelor’s degrees.

Cooke Scholarships fund the costs of attending college not covered by other financial aid, plus academic advising, stipends for internships, study abroad and opportunities to network with other Cooke Scholars and alumni. In addition, after earning a bachelor’s degree, each Cooke scholar is eligible for a scholarship to attend graduate school worth up to $50,000 a year for up to four years.

DAYTONA STATE MAGAZINE • FALL/WINTER 2018