(WACO, Texas) – More than 500 graduates received certificates and associate degrees at Texas State Technical College’s Spring 2019 Commencement held Tuesday, May 7, at the Waco Convention Center.
Many of the graduates already have jobs.
David De La Hoya of Italy, Texas, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Biomedical Equipment Technology and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Imaging Systems Technology. He will start this month as a field service technician at CardioQuip in Bryan.
“It feels great because I am the first generation in my family to graduate college,” De La Hoya said.
De La Hoya said his motivation in graduating from college was being a good role model for his cousins and siblings.
De La Hoya said he would miss playing basketball at TSTC’s Murray Watson Jr. Student Recreation Center and being a resident advisor.
Kaylynn Lawson earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts. She will continue working as a cook at Kissing Tree Vineyards in Eddy.
She said her time at TSTC was challenging.
“It’s been tough, but if you push through it, you can do anything you put your mind to,” Lawson said.
Some of the graduates will continue job hunting.
Ethan Sessums of Whitney received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Environmental Technology Compliance and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety Compliance Technology.
“I am glad I picked the programs I did,” he said. “I liked the mock scenarios and incident prevention. I am ready to start my next journey.”
Sessums planned to celebrate with his relatives at a local restaurant after the ceremony.
TSTC has more than 1,000 students graduating this spring across the state.
For more information, go to www.tstc.edu.
