(SWEETWATER, Texas) – College graduates often carry memories of their time in school long after they leave the classroom.
For Toby Styron, an Electromechanical Technology instructor at Texas State Technical College’s Sweetwater campus, those memories deserved a place on the wall. Wanting his first graduating class to have a meaningful keepsake, he created personalized 3D plaques for the four students who were part of that inaugural group this fall.
“I created them to pair with their personality,” said Styron, a graduate of the same program. “This is just a small way we can honor our students. I plan to make this a tradition with each graduating class.”
The four students, all candidates for graduation with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electromechanical Technology, said the program and its instructors made a lasting impact on their lives.
Rachelle Arthur, of Robert Lee, said she has several interviews scheduled and feels confident as she begins her career search. She said TSTC helped her discover what she is capable of.
“I learned more practical skill sets than I ever have before,” she said. “I came in wanting to know how things worked.”
She added that the friendships she made are among her greatest takeaways.
“It was nice to grow as a person and watch everyone else grow,” she said. “What we learned in class is something we can apply in our everyday lives.”
Gerardo Carrillo, of Los Angeles, California, said the program challenged him in the best ways.
“We were faced with real-world experiences in class that prepared us for the future,” he said. “It wasn’t just book work — we got to train on actual equipment.”
Carrillo, who is in the process of applying to multiple companies, said the field is ideal for students attracted to both mechanical and electrical systems.
“This program combines both electrical and mechanical job fields into one,” he said. “Those two areas are becoming more interconnected in many industries.”
Shawn Couet, of Kerrville, who plans to continue working for a fire suppression company, summed up his TSTC experience in one word: “Challenging.”
“It was good to learn how different systems work,” he said.
Couet said Styron and fellow instructor Aaron Robinette pushed students to think critically.
“They would give us hurdles on each project to help us reach our limits,” he said.
Blain Waltz, of Garden City, said he plans to return to his family’s ranch while he waits to hear back from potential employers.
“I came in not knowing a lot about the systems,” he said. “I was able to learn how to program, which is something I did not know how to do.”
Waltz said the coursework was demanding, but he appreciated the support.
“The instructors made it easier by giving us examples and making sure we knew what to do,” he said.
The students will join more than 140 candidates for graduation at TSTC’s Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 19, at the Abilene Convention Center.
Registration for the spring semester is underway. To learn more, visit tstc.edu.