Eyes on Alumni

New Beginnings with Joseph Thornton

By Latoya Williams

From Saginaw to Chicago, Joseph Thornton has been taking actions one step at a time to change lives and make this world a better place. Whether it’s building portfolios or mentoring tomorrow’s youth there aren’t many lives he doesn’t touch.

For a guy that’s simple, you’d never know it. His life is filled with more than facts and figures, these days his life is still full of learning and filled with just as much wonder as the days when he was in school.

After graduating from Saginaw Arts and Science Academy in 2017 he decided to make Delta a turning point.

“Economics, as far as my career goes, was always the plan,”  said Thornton. “I knew this was what I wanted to do.”

It was that very plan that allowed Thornton to experience the many roles in leadership that do not fit the bill of a simple man. In 2018, he became the editor-in-chief of the Collegiate, working with a small number of students to ensure the paper stated facts and remained student run.

“As the editor and chief for those 9 months I believed in the value of making the voice of others heard,” said Thornton. “I love and valued the art of storytelling, and I developed a love for sharing history through word.”

When asked how he valued most from his team or who remains the most memorable from that team, Thornton knew exactly who his answer would be.

“I would have to say my friend Cody Wiedenbien,” said Thornton. “At that time I had not met a lot of people that were as tenacious, credible, determined as Cody Wiedenbien was.” 

Thornton also played major roles in the Black Student Union, Phi Theta Kappa, Men of Delta and Economics Club.  

Those days at Delta have long since passed, with stops at the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago came after. Nowadays, Thornton can be found at Cornerstone Partners focusing on creating custom portfolios and facilitating the proper usage of private investments.

Thornton was asked to impart final words of wisdom to the future and current students at Delta.

“It is okay to be uncertain, even the people who are sure on the path they want to take will change their mind.” 

Thornton would say that there is no need to make a rushed decision. You could always start out with basic classes, because depending on what you want to do, you might want to or need to go to college, college isn’t for everyone.

He would also like students to know that getting involved is equally important, his community involvement led him to the One Million Degrees Foundation that accelerates community college student’s progress on career pathways to economic mobility.

He felt most importantly, you need to do your research before you decide. Make sure you focus on employment, availability and expansion in whatever field you choose.