TSTC holds Summer 2019 Commencement

(WACO, Texas) – More than 500 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Summer 2019 Commencement held Friday, Aug. 16, at the Waco Convention Center.

Adam Hutchison, provost of TSTC’s Waco campus, led a moment of silence at the start of the ceremony for Mary Williams, a TSTC faculty member who passed away earlier in the day. Williams taught several electronics and electrical classes and she was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Many of Friday’s graduates already have jobs.

Joshua Miller of Hewitt graduated with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cyber Security and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cyber Security – Digital Forensics Specialization. 

“It’s nice to have people who understand the terminology and that we went through this together,” Miller said.

He has been hired as a project engineer at JWS Enterprises in Carrollton. 

Jasmine Burkes of Killeen received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts. She said she will miss her classmates.

She will be working as a baker at Aramark at Baylor University.

“It is exciting,” Burkes said. “After I got the job, I got a new car and (was) approved for my apartment.”

One graduate will soon be going on a north-south adventure to celebrate his accomplishment.

Luis Reyes of McGregor received the Associate of Applied Science degree in Diesel Equipment Technology – Heavy Truck Specialization. He is working at Behlen Country in McGregor as a welder, but will search for a job in his field after riding his motorcycle on a trip to Washington state in September.

Reyes is the first member of his family to graduate from college.

“It’s finally done,” he said. “I’ve been going to school since I graduated from high school and working full time. I think it is an honor being the first in my family to graduate and setting the example for my siblings.”

For more information, log on to tstc.edu.