TSTC says farewell to summer graduates

(WACO, Texas) – More than 400 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Summer 2023 Commencement held Thursday, Aug. 31, at the BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco.

“This night is truly magical,” said Beth Wooten, provost of TSTC’s Waco campus. “A lot of our students are first-generation college graduates. This is a night for all of our graduates and their families.”

Several graduates already have jobs.

Daniel Herrera, of Waxahachie, was a Board of Regents honor graduate who received a certificate of completion in Electrical Construction.

“I’m just ready to get done and go back to work,” he said. “It’s just another step in my future. It is an accomplishment.”

He said he enjoyed the instructors and learning environment, along with the friendships he made with his classmates.

Herrera is already working as an electrical helper at Speedy Electric & A/C in Midlothian.

“I’m the happiest person right now,” he said.

Aidan Ramirez, of Waco, received a certificate of completion from the Auto Collision and Management Technology program. He said he will miss the hands-on work he did, especially painting in different colors.

Watching Ramirez graduate were his parents, sister and grandmother. He said they would go to a restaurant to celebrate after the ceremony.

Ramirez is working as a body technician at Caliber Collision in Waco.

Jose Reyes, of Temple, was a Board of Regents honor graduate who received a certificate of completion in Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology.

Reyes said he chose his program of study because of the need for plumbers. He said he worked for a year at a mobile home factory to save money to attend TSTC. He said he would miss his instructors and classmates.

Reyes is currently working as an apprentice at Rabroker Air Conditioning and Plumbing in Hewitt.

Atly Wright, who received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Pilot Training Technology, received the Provost’s Outstanding Achievement Award. He has been hired as a certified flight instructor at TSTC.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.