More Than an Education

TSTC community rallies behind student in need

Wade Rutledge witnesses’ lives changing daily in Abilene — including his own.

The California native moved to Texas to be closer to family, including a cousin who retired from the U.S. Air Force. Wade, who relocated to the Big Country alongside his father, initially took a job delivering equipment and supplies to a local construction site.

His daily visits to the worksite piqued his interest in what was being built: Texas State Technical College’s Power and Mechanical Center.

“During my breaks, I was able to talk to some of the instructors,” Wade said. “I got a tour of the Industrial Technology Center, and I was blown away.”

Finding the Right Path

Wade initially looked into TSTC’s aviation maintenance program, but after reviewing the course schedule, he searched for another option. TSTC offered plenty of choices, but one program stood out because of its welcoming faculty.

“I met the instructors of the Advanced Manufacturing–Industrial Maintenance program,” Wade said. “They seemed to have a great relationship with everyone in the class.”

After speaking with instructors and admissions advisors, Wade knew he had found his place.

“I was pretty sure this was the program for me,” Wade said.

When Wade began classes earlier this year, he had zero background in the field.

“I had an email address, and that was all I knew about computers and programming,” Wade said. “I never thought that almost a year later I could work on programming equipment and computers. Now I am much more fluent and loving what I do.”

Unseen Hurdles

But the momentum Wade built in the classroom was nearly cut short. Daniel Diaz, one of Wade’s instructors, makes a habit of looking out for his students — even when they do not ask for help.

Whenever a student is late for class, Daniel sends a text to check in. When Wade messaged back one morning saying he would be late, Daniel jumped into action.

“I asked him where he was at, and he responded that he was at a local gas station,” Daniel said.

Daniel offered to pick him up. The ride to campus brought the reality of Wade’s situation into focus.

“Wade opened up to me that he was living behind the gas station for a week,” Daniel said. “When we got to campus, I knew it was time to get Kati Bewley involved.”

A Campus Surrounds a Student

Kati, who leads the Advocacy and Resource Center for TSTC in West Texas, shared that same dedication to student success.

Kati worked with TSTC’s housing department in Sweetwater to secure a place for Wade to live, along with a meal plan for the third-semester student.

“The entire college, from the staff to his fellow students, helped someone they did not know without hesitation,” Kati said. “That is what we are here to do – we wanted to make sure Wade was taken care of.”

Kati and Daniel also coordinated transportation so Wade could travel between campuses. City and Rural Rides now picks Wade up every day he has class in Abilene and brings him back to Sweetwater.

Zach Carlile, a work study student for Kati, said he still hangs out with Wade after first meeting him in June.

“I took him that first day to Walmart to get some socks,” Zach said. “He was so depressed that day, but has made a big jump in his life.”

“It is good that TSTC is able to do these kinds of things,” Daniel said.

‘Changing His Stars’

Despite every obstacle in his path, Wade focuses on gratitude and the road ahead.

“I am blessed with everything TSTC has done for me,” Wade said. “I am beyond words for how grateful I am. TSTC’s staff and faculty will do whatever it takes to see students succeed.”

Larry Brickner, another of Wade’s instructors, has watched him transform inside and outside the classroom.

“He is becoming a leader,” Larry said. “I have seen him step out of his shell, especially when he talks to employers at job fairs and industry spotlights.”

For Daniel, watching Wade overcome hardship is proof of what the college stands for.

“He has come in here and changed his stars. We are giving him a fresh start,” Daniel said. “That is what TSTC is all about.”