(ABILENE, Texas) – Texas State Technical College honored 128 graduates during the Summer 2024 Commencement at the Abilene Convention Center on Wednesday, Aug. 14.
Graduates from the Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater campuses were awarded Associate of Applied Science degrees or certificates of completion by Andy Weaver, provost of the West Texas campuses.
“Each of you chose TSTC for different reasons but had one goal: to get a great-paying job,” Weaver told the graduates. “You now have the skills you need to be a productive member of the Texas workforce. We congratulate you on your accomplishments and look forward to seeing you prosper in your career field.”
Students were able to visit with classmates one last time before walking the commencement stage.
Matthew Johnson, a graduate of both the Aircraft Airframe Technology and Aircraft Powerplant Technology programs, said his girlfriend had planned something special for him prior to commencement.
“I really wasn’t excited until my girlfriend called my friends and family about it,” Johnson, who is originally from Chicago, said. “I had a lot of people fly in to see me because this is a life-achieving moment for me and them.”
Benjamin Bailey, a Welding Technology graduate, is part of the first Metallica Scholars Initiative program at the Sweetwater campus to receive a certificate of completion.
“I am excited to get my foot in the door for a job,” he said. “Having my certificate will open many opportunities for me.”
Jerick Goodwin, a Diesel Equipment Technology graduate, said he is ready to celebrate his accomplishments.
“This is a great moment for me because I put in a lot of effort and time to earn my certificate,” he said. “TSTC prepared me for a great career.”
Prior to the commencement ceremony, TSTC held pinning ceremonies for graduates of its nursing programs.
Vocational Nursing graduates honored were Angel Amaechi, Kayla Duran, Paige Gaynor, David Ledbetter, Kimberly Lozano-Ryman, Immaculate Musonera, Allysa Sandoval, Jamila Skrhak, Syerra Taylor, Gabrielle Valero, Ashley Vicars, Manna Walton, Nicole Whealy and Abigail Whiteley.
LVN to RN Transition Nursing Program graduates honored were Cassandra Baez, Brandi Brito, Victoria Campos, Sara Chamberlain, Anita Eaker, Curtis McDonald, Nakita Moore, Linda Nettles, Solange Sincop and Sonnia Talavera.
Talavera addressed her classmates during the ceremony, thanking family and friends for their support.
“It’s hard to believe that we are at the end of this chapter, even though we dreamed about this day since the first day of class,” she said. “The immense feeling of accomplishment is so overwhelming.”
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is underway. Learn more at tstc.edu.
