(HARLINGEN, Texas) – Some enthusiastic Texas State Technical College summer 2020 graduates recently made their way back to campus to celebrate their achievement with a Grad Swag Pickup. They drove up to a designated area to receive a diploma cover, as well as a TSTC-branded face mask and yard sign.
“We are proud of our students and wanted to recognize this accomplishment beyond our virtual graduation,” said Larissa Moreno, a coordinator of new student orientation and activities. “We gifted them with a yard sign that says, ‘I’m a Proud TSTC Grad!’ and a ‘TSTC Strong’ face mask because that is what they are — strong.”
The event exemplified how TSTC cares about its students’ success even after they receive their diplomas or certificates.
“Our students should be proud of their accomplishments,” Moreno said. “For some, graduation was the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. We were there to encourage them and cheer them on.”
Enrollment management senior staff assistant Lisa Garza reiterated that students appreciated the effort from TSTC staff.
“I truly believe our students appreciated that we put the time and effort into making this experience memorable for them,” she said. “I honestly was not sure what the attendance would look like, but I was amazed with the 100-student turnout.”
Moreno said that it was not just students who showed up at the event to celebrate.
“We saw mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and best friends in the cars that came through with their phones ready to capture this moment,” she said. “(Some had) tears in their eyes, excited conversations with our provost about their new jobs, and just genuine appreciation for TSTC.”
Garza echoed the statement.
“It was such a fun and rewarding experience to see graduates come by with their loved ones,” she said. “Families were even recording their graduates receiving their goodies. It was two hours of cheering, laughing, clapping and happy tears.”
To learn more about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
