TSTC says farewell to fall graduates

(WACO, Texas) – Almost 400 graduates from Texas State Technical College’s Waco campus received associate degrees and certificates of completion at TSTC’s Fall 2023 Commencement held Wednesday, Dec. 13, at the BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco.

Jeffrey Williams, an instructor in the Industrial Systems program, said he was happy to have one of the program’s largest graduating classes in years.

“I enjoyed watching the hard work they put in,” he said. “I enjoyed watching them grow throughout the years to the point they are employable. It is an amazing thing.”

Carson Gallegos, of Fairfield, received a certificate of completion from the Plumbing and Pipefitting Technology program.

“I am ready to be out and accomplish something new,” he said.

Gallegos said he chose plumbing to study because something new happens daily and the field will not disappear.

Gallegos said his parents and grandparents watched him walk across the stage. He began work in August as an apprentice plumber at Lochridge-Priest in Waco.

Zachary Turner, of McGregor, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance.

“It is a long time coming, and it was all worth it,” he said.

Turner said he chose his program of study because he has a passion for keeping people safe in the workplace.

“I’m glad my time here is done,” he said. “But I will miss my peers, and I had great instructors.”

Turner will begin work next week at Frazier & Frazier Industries in Coolidge. He will oversee safety for the company, which specializes in casting metal parts.

For more information on TSTC, go to tstc.edu.