(HUTTO, Texas) – More than 60 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s East Williamson County location received associate degrees or certificates of completion at TSTC’s Spring 2024 Commencement held Monday, April 22, at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock.
“This is the most exciting graduation ceremony I have ever been part of in my education career,” said Kelly Coke, provost of TSTC’s East Williamson County location.
Cruz De Leon, of Georgetown, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Cybersecurity. He said he treated his studies like a job, often spending up to eight hours a day working toward his degree.
“I just pushed myself, and any issue that came up, I would ask an instructor,” De Leon said.
He is already working as a soldering technician at Flex, a multinational supply chain and manufacturing solutions provider, in Austin.
Watching De Leon graduate were relatives and friends. He said they would go out to a restaurant after the ceremony.
Brayton Buchanan, of Hutto, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology. He began his education before the COVID-19 pandemic and then took time off before returning this year to take night classes.
“It was definitely challenging, with a lot of time under the (welding) hood,” he said.
Buchanan said he was inspired to pursue welding after a friend broke a lawn mower blade when they were doing a landscaping job together. His friend had asked him if he could weld the blade back together, but Buchanan said he did not know how to.
Buchanan is a TIG (tungsten inert gas) welder at ShowTime Metal Works in Taylor.
Joseph Reyna, of Round Rock, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts. He said his favorite experiences were creating menu items that people enjoyed eating.
“Cooking can be chaotic, but you have to love it,” he said.
Reyna is a line cook at Peche, a French restaurant in downtown Austin. His goal is to move up to a sous-chef position later this year.
He said learning to cook French cuisine has been an experience.
“The way they cook the food and the overall preparation is challenging, but it has helped me find another passion for cooking,” Reyna said.
Lisbeth Carranza, of Round Rock, is also a graduate of the Culinary Arts program. She received the Provost’s Outstanding Achievement Award at the ceremony.
Registration for TSTC’s summer and fall semesters is underway.
For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.
