(WACO, Texas) – Brendon Mercer has been attending the Come and Take It Celebration in his hometown of Gonzales for as long as he can remember. His favorite part of the fall festival is the car show.
And for the last several years, Mercer has known his future career would involve vehicles.
“I knew I didn’t want to sit behind a desk,” he said.
Mercer is a candidate for graduation for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Refinishing Specialization at Texas State Technical College’s Fall 2025 Commencement scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 17, in Waco. He already finished requirements for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology – Repair Specialization.
“I’m going to miss the discount on painting materials,” Mercer said.
Mercer said his favorite classes focused on metal fabrication and airbrushing because he had opportunities to be creative. The class that challenged him the most was Structural Analysis and Damage Repair because of the precise process working with automotive frames.
The Auto Collision and Management program is taught in a hybrid format, with recorded lectures available online and hands-on work done in labs. Mercer said his favorite places to do online work are in his apartment at the on-campus Village Oaks student apartments or in his bedroom in Gonzales.
Mark Cureton, an instructor in TSTC’s Auto Collision and Management program, said Mercer was one of his first students when he began teaching two years ago.
“It has to be his work ethic,” Cureton said about what makes Mercer stand out. “He works hard. If he doesn’t know it, he will figure it out.”
Zackery Mitchell, of Mesquite, has worked with Mercer on projects involving bedliners and a truck roof. The two are currently working on rehabilitating a Honda Civic.
“For him, he wants to get stuff done,” Mitchell said. “He wants to get things done efficiently.”
Mercer plans for now to return to Gonzales to start work at a local body shop early next year.
“I am from a small town,” he said. “I don’t like big towns.”
Registration continues for the spring semester. For more information, go to tstc.edu.