TSTC honors West Texas graduates during Spring Commencement

(ABILENE, Texas) – Ninety-eight graduates are ready to enter the workforce after earning Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates of completion from Texas State Technical College on Thursday, April 27.

TSTC honored graduates from the Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater campuses during the Spring Commencement at the Abilene Convention Center. 

Andy Weaver, provost of the West Texas campuses, congratulated the graduates.

“Each of you chose TSTC for different reasons, but had one goal: to get a great-paying job,” he said. “You now have the skills you need to be a productive member of the Texas workforce. As you move into the next chapter in your life, remember that you will always be part of the TSTC family.”

The graduates are looking forward to beginning their careers. 

Jennifer Cable, of Rotan, will begin working for CSI Compressco next month. She earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology.

“I am proud to be part of a program that gets its graduates a job in order to expand on what we have learned here,” she said. “The instructors are the best because they will answer all of our questions to make sure we are ready to begin our career.”

Jake Franklin, of Snyder, received a certificate of completion in Diesel Equipment Technology with a specialization in heavy trucks. He said he was proud to be part of the TSTC family.

“It was good to have the hands-on approach of learning,” he said. “By earning my certificate, I was able to get the basic overall knowledge of everything I will be working on during my career.”

Dakota Lyon, of Brownwood, said earning a certificate of completion in the Emergency Medical Services program was exciting. Earlier in the day she had participated in an Extrication Day event, which allowed EMS students to apply their knowledge and skills in a training exercise that simulated treating victims of a staged motor vehicle accident.

“It was a very different experience for me because I am a hands-on learner,” she said. “Being able to come here (to the Extrication Day event) and put to use what I have learned was great. It showed me how well I could put two and two together to help save someone’s life.”

Brian Holder, of Whitesboro, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology. He said graduation night made him feel confident about his decision to attend TSTC.

“Tonight begins my quest for financial freedom,” he said. “I have several job offers that I am considering and know TSTC has prepared me for a career. The past two years have been a growing process for me.”

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.