Students moved into their dorm rooms or apartments prior to the first day of school on Monday, Jan. 10, and quickly had a feeling of being a college student. With the Wellness and Recreation Center now open for workouts, basketball or pool games, or a walk around the track, students are able to relax and enjoy themselves.

During the fall semester, TSTC began to lift some of the safeguards in place due to COVID-19.

“We used to take a to-go container out and eat in our rooms. But now we can sit in the cafeteria with classmates and have a conversation,” said James Chung, a Wind Energy Technology student. “It is great that we can visit with our friends outside of the labs. We also had some limitations working out in our rooms, but now we get more motivation to work out by using the gym.”

Josh Leath, also a Wind Energy Technology student, said it is good to be able to use the workout equipment.

“Being able to get out and work out really keeps people in shape,” he said.

Joni Coons, intramural programs coordinator, said she has been excited to see students return to a normal college life. She is also excited about another opportunity.

“The fitness center is open back to both students and the public,” she said. “The public is welcome to join us.”

The Wellness and Recreation Center is currently open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For public membership fees, call Coons at 325-235-7418.

Coons said even with the center open, safety is always the top priority.

“We have purchased several new pieces of equipment in the past year and are working hard to keep things clean and safe during this COVID environment,” she said.

One of the biggest changes on the Sweetwater campus is that the Campus Store has moved into the Student Center. Tracy Calvin, a retail associate at the store, said students have adjusted to the new location.

“The students are happy we are here because this (the Student Center) is where they are when not in class,” she said.

Coons has planned several activities for students this semester, including laser tag, a pool tournament, and three-on-three basketball.

“We are really excited to see those kinds of activities going again,” she said.

To keep the activities available, Chung knows what students will have to do.

“We will have to be safe and enjoy the campus life,” he said. 

For more information on TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Tucker, of Westbrook, said having her entire family present when she received her nursing pin and diploma was important. She earned her vocational nursing certificate this month and plans to return to TSTC to begin the Associate Degree Nursing program in the near future.

“Today has been overwhelming for me,” she said of graduation day. “I would not have gotten this far without my family.”

Tucker admitted that she faced challenges during the program. Those challenges ranged from raising her three children to facing different situations during clinicals. There were also some humorous moments that she shared during the pinning ceremony.

“My funniest nursing school memory was that time I continued to wave my badge to open one of the hospital doors but forgot you still had to push the door open to open it,” she said.

She continues to laugh about that event, which happened at Cogdell Memorial Hospital in Snyder, adding, “Nursing school takes all of your common sense.”

Tucker’s mother and stepfather, Belinda and J.D. Rogers, drove from New Mexico to see their daughter honored during the ceremony, as well as being recognized as a Phi Theta Kappa honor society member and being named to the Scholastic Excellence honor roll.

“It is awesome to see her life come together, because she has been through a lot,” J.D. Rogers said. 

Belinda Rogers never doubted that her daughter would graduate – and with honors.

“She has been so driven to finish. I knew when she set her mind to it, she would be a success,” she said.

For Blake Tucker, Blaine Tucker’s father, it was a first for his side of the family.

“She is the first person in my immediate family to go to college and finish,” he said. “I am proud of her decision to become a nurse, and I cannot wait to see what happens during her next journey.”

Blaine Tucker’s decision to enter the nursing field was inspired during her pregnancies. She said each was difficult, but having “monumental nurses” watching her led to the career choice.

“I knew I needed to pay it forward and help people,” she said, adding that a career in a maternity ward could be in her future.

Instructor Joan Coldiron said Tucker will be successful no matter which direction she chooses.

“From the first time I met her, she made a great impression on me,” she said. “She is a very dedicated and hard-working person who will do a good job helping others.”

Tucker said graduation night ended one “whirlwind” experience and she is ready for the next.

“I am so very thankful to each and every person who believed in me and pushed me along the way,” she said. “The last 16 months have come with a whirlwind of emotions, trials, hardships and amazing experiences. I would not have made it through without all of the people God put in my corner.”

TSTC’s Vocational Nursing certificate program is available at the Breckenridge, Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses. Upon completion of the program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination, graduates are classified as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs).

According to onetonline.org, LVN jobs are forecast to increase 11% in Texas by 2028, with more than 82,000 nurses in the workforce. The median salary for LVNs in Texas is $47,760, the website showed.

TSTC also offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing at the Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Employees with five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 35 years of employment were honored during a West Texas virtual staff meeting hosted by Andy Weaver, interim provost of TSTC in West Texas.

Employees thanked their co-workers and reflected on their time at TSTC during the meeting.

“TSTC does great things for not only its students, but the employees as well,” said Shelby Bennett, a dual enrollment recruiting representative in Sweetwater who was honored for five years of service. “I am looking forward to the next five years with TSTC.”

Also honored for five years of service were Renee Blackshear, Computer Networking and Systems Administration instructor in Brownwood; Boyd Cates, construction project manager in Abilene; Annette Collins, veterans program officer in Abilene; Ricky Graham, maintenance worker in Sweetwater; Sarah Guelker, custodian in Sweetwater; Teresa Purcell, Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance instructor in Breckenridge; James Spivey, building maintenance supervisor in Sweetwater; Jonathan Westra, police sergeant in Sweetwater; and Nina York, enrollment coach in Brownwood.

Elizabeth Reyes, a graphic designer in Sweetwater, and Tim Rudloff, the safety, health and environmental affairs officer in Brownwood, were honored for their 10 years with TSTC.

Griselda Sanchez, the transition center administrator in Sweetwater, was honored for 15 years with TSTC. Sanchez said she has seen lives changed during her time with the college.

“During my time at TSTC, I have met some wonderful families and witnessed lives change positively,” she said. “I feel honored anytime someone thanks me for being a part of their college experience.”

Terra Alvarado, associate vice president of online learning in Abilene, and Ronnie Pitts, an Emergency Medical Services instructor in Abilene, were also honored for their 15 years of service.

Weaver and Carrie Bernal, executive director of solution management in Sweetwater, have worked for TSTC for the past 20 years.

“Some choose to love what they do, and others are blessed to do what they love,” Weaver said. “I am blessed and surrounded by amazing people.”

Lorie Dixon, accounting assistant in Brownwood, and Julie Rhoades, Web Design and Development instructor in Brownwood, have been employed by the college for 25 years.

Dixon said her fondest memories are of the students.

“When I think back on the past 25 years, it makes me proud to remember all the students I’ve been able to help achieve their goals,” Dixon said.

Rhoades said helping people change their lives has been her goal since joining TSTC.

“I love the challenging opportunities that TSTC provides,” Rhoades said. “I enjoy working with web technology, and I especially enjoy helping others learn new skills, acquire new careers and change their lives for the better.”

Lulu Morales, student learning operations manager in Sweetwater, was honored for her 35 years with TSTC. 

Weaver said Morales’ contribution to TSTC is immeasurable.

“Lulu is an amazing woman who has supported all of us at TSTC,” he said.

Morales said TSTC’s mission of placing more Texans in the workforce is one she values on a personal level.

“I personally know the impact (TSTC’s mission) has made in my immediate family with myself, my sisters, my children and family members to receive a technical education and advance in their career goals,” she said.

Registration for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

More than 100 fall 2021 graduates walked the stage to receive their diplomas during the first in-person TSTC commencement ceremony since fall 2019.

“Tonight means the completion of two years of hard work paying off,” said Chase Carey, who earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Powerplant Technology with honors. “Earning the honors means that all of my late nights of studying were worth the time and effort.”

Edward Deanda, who earned a certificate of completion in Aircraft Powerplant Technology, also graduated with honors.

“These honors accomplishments mean so much to me,” Deanda said. “But I am not through because I am coming back to work on a backup career in Digital Media Design. I want to have something to fall back on, and TSTC is the place to do that.”

For Omar Alvarez, it was the completion of a second degree program. After earning a degree in Automotive Technology, he returned to TSTC and earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Airframe Technology. He graduated as a TSTC Board of Regents Honor Roll member.

“It was a lot of work for me, and it was worth it because I maintained a 4.0 grade-point average during each semester,” he said. “The best part is I now have a job lined up and am ready to start my career.”

Alfred Rodriguez also added to his TSTC collection of TSTC degrees. After earning a certificate of completion in Diesel Equipment Technology, he added an Associate of Applied Science degree in Industrial Systems.

“This is a great day for me, and I am so excited because it has already paid off for me at work,” he said.

Kiana Abarintos said she can now pursue her passion in aviation with her Associate of Applied Science degree in Aircraft Powerplant Technology.

“My father was in aviation for 20 years, and it was always something I wanted to do,” she said. “When my husband was transferred to Dyess Air Force Base, I did my research and found TSTC had an aviation program. I am so proud of myself for achieving this goal in my life.”

Misty Burton, who earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing, also realized a dream.

“This was 16 years in the making,” she said. “I graduated in licensed vocational nursing when my baby was a baby. That was 16 years ago, and I have completed my goal of completing the program. This has been an amazing experience.”

Ken Becker, interim executive director of the Sweetwater Enterprise for Economic Development, said students were given a key during the ceremony.

“The key is your hard work. The key is the completion of your studies,” he said. “The key is the certificate or associate degree that you will walk across the stage tonight to receive. It’s the key that can take you places you want to go.”

Registration for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

Joseph Fredericks, Brady Kennemur, David Lopez-Cortez, Patrick Rodriguez and Tanner Tankersley agreed that their time in the lab taught them more than just skills they need to repair vehicles.

“I learned the value of teamwork, which is something I did not always practice before starting the program,” Kennemur said. “Working in the lab showed me that working together would be a good way to solve problems.”

That teamwork led to friendships that will last beyond graduation.

“I know that we will keep our friendship past graduation. We have formed a unique bond,” he said. “We have worked on all of the vehicles in the lab together and hang out after class talking about projects and what we have going on.”

Tankersley said they will continue to talk after school, especially when it comes to helping one another while they are working.

“We will always reach out to each other, especially if we need help on something we are working on,” he said.

Kennemur said they will benefit from one another’s expertise.

“I am more of a Ford guy, and Brady is a Chevy person,” he said. “I know when I am on the job, I can call any of them for their help, and they know they can call me.”

Rodriguez said he was hesitant to ask his classmates for help when he started. He quickly learned it would be the best way to succeed in the program.

“We went to lunch together one day, and it all kind of clicked,” he said. “We wanted to be successful together and made sure we worked to help each other.”

Rodriguez said watching his classmates work motivated him to do better.

“I wanted to work just as hard as them and show people I could finish our projects,” he said. “It was the motivation I needed to complete the program.”

Rodriguez said instructors William Parker and Gerod Strother helped him prepare for the workforce.

“They wanted to make sure everyone is on the same page and able to do the job,” he said.

Lopez-Cortez also has seen the value of teamwork and trusting classmates and instructors.

“We are always willing to help each other with projects,” he said. “Gerod makes you feel confident in your decisions, but he is also there when you have a problem. He wants you to succeed.”

The five students are candidates to receive certificates of completion in Automotive and Light Repair at TSTC’s Fall 2021 Commencement to be held December 13 at the Abilene Convention Center.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology and an Automotive Technician certificate of completion at the Harlingen, Sweetwater and Waco campuses. Several other certificates, including Chrysler Specialization, Tesla START Technician and Toyota T-TEN Specialization, and a Basic Automotive occupational skills award, are also available, depending on campus location.

The need for qualified automotive service technicians and mechanics is expected to grow in Texas over the next several years. According to onetonline.org, Texas has more than 60,000 technicians employed around the state, and that number is forecast to top 65,000 by 2028. The average annual salary for a technician in the state is $45,520.

Registration for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

During a recent industry spotlight at the college, Sullivan, who earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Wind Energy Technology at TSTC in 2019, discussed her educational journey and how it led to a career. She plans to return to TSTC each time Koenig & Bauer is invited to discuss its internship opportunities.

“This was sort of a deja vu moment for me, coming back to campus,” she said. “I was sitting (in the classroom) two years ago when Koenig & Bauer first discussed the internship program, and now I am talking about it to current students. My life has changed so much in two years.”

Sullivan is the first person to complete the international apprenticeship program, an 18-month program focusing on training technicians for the presses. The mechanical and electrical training that she received while earning her Wind Energy Technology degree transitioned well into her internship and current job.

“I was so proud and grateful for this life-changing opportunity,” Sullivan said.

During the recent spotlight, Sullivan discussed how the program works and how she had to adapt to life in Germany, where part of the program is conducted at the company’s Radebeul facility.

“The first phase of the program you will spend with a mentor learning the lifestyle of Germany,” she said. “You will also be introduced to the machines. They can be intimidating, but you will learn to work with them.”

When asked if apprentices would be required to learn German, Sullivan quickly said it would help with communication.

“You do not have to learn the language, but it will certainly help you everywhere you go in Germany,” she said. “You are going to have to ask for help at restaurants and grocery stores, so being able to talk to people is important.”

Throughout the 18 months that Sullivan was in the program, she learned more than just maintenance.

“A lot of your time will be networking with fellow technicians,” she said. “You will build a lot of rapport with a lot of different people.”

Chris Talbert, Koenig & Bauer’s senior vice president of service and operations, said TSTC provides the company with good apprentice applicants.

“It is good to be partnering with TSTC because the school is a good source of students with the skills needed to work on our presses,” he said. “Not many technical schools offer the type of training available at TSTC.”

Talbert said he hopes students look into the program after hearing Sullivan’s testimony.

“She did a great job of telling the story of our program,” he said. “We need younger people to come in and work for us, and this is where we will find them.”

Brittany Wilson, a TSTC Career Services associate who worked with Sullivan while she was a student, was pleased to see Sullivan share her success with current students.

“This was a great feeling for me because she was one of the first students I worked with when I came to TSTC,” she said. “We built a relationship, and we still keep up with each other. It is amazing to see how successful she became thanks to TSTC and our instructors.”

TSTC Automotive Technology, Electromechanical Technology and Wind Energy Technology students attended the spotlight and stayed after the program to learn more about the internship. One prerequisite for the internship is having at least a two-year degree in electrical or mechanical engineering.

“You will spend part of your time the first few months reviewing what you have learned here,” Sullivan said. “Having the degree will help you during those first few months.”

Registration for the spring semester at TSTC is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu.

Also sworn in were campus officers Ray Carnathan, Kody King and Jeffery Miller. 

Nolan County Court at Law Judge David Hall swore in and congratulated the officers during the ceremony, which included members of the TSTC police department, campus administration and the officers’ families.

“I am extremely happy with the direction of our police department,” Westra said. “The camaraderie with my fellow officers is extremely high because our leadership was here to show their support.”

Westra said his mission as sergeant will remain the same as it was as an officer.

“We are here to keep our students and teammates safe,” he said. “When you are a police officer, your mission does not change. We are here to protect and serve.”

TSTC Police Chief Eduardo Patino said Westra represents TSTC’s values and mission.

“He possesses the leadership qualities needed for this position. I know he will lead by example,” he said. “I know he will hold himself and others accountable.”

The TSTC police department recently reorganized from having separate departments at the Harlingen, Sweetwater and Waco campuses to a single department.

“We took the best practices from each department and became one,” Patino said. “We are going to continue to build a strong, cohesive and resilient team.”

TSTC Police and Safety Commissioner Aurelio Torres said honoring the officers during a ceremony was important. He said family members should be proud of their service to the college.

“Having officers working while you are at home is important. I know TSTC officers are doing their jobs to protect the campus and our students,” he said.

Patino also emphasized the importance of the officers’ families.

“In our profession, officers sacrifice their time away from the family,” he said. “Having that family support is crucial in performing the duties while on the job and to go back home safe.”

Leadership was the focus of the ceremony, and Patrick Brady, TSTC’s associate general counsel, offered several historical quotes on leadership, including one attributed to Aristotle.

“He who has never learned to obey cannot be a leader,” Brady quoted the philosopher.

Justin Price, associate provost of TSTC’s West Texas campuses, said the ceremony was a good day for TSTC and the Sweetwater campus.

“I am proud to stand beside you and call you my teammates,” he said.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

The students learned to have their vehicle prepared for an ice storm and a lengthy period of not driving it. 

Recently several of the students shared some of the vehicle winterization tips they have gleaned from their time at TSTC.

“One of the first things I learned was that if you do not have winter (tire) treads on your vehicle, make sure the treads are still good,” said Joseph Fredericks. “You need to make sure the treads are still in the right specifications, and you can find that information on the sidewall.”

Fredericks said one of the easiest ways to check a tire’s tread is the “penny test.” He said he still uses a penny on his tires and explained how it works.

“If you place the penny with Lincoln’s head down and can see the top of his head, you need new tires,” he said. “It is the classic way to check your tires, and it is very reliable.”

David Lopez-Cortez said he made sure his battery was still in good condition prior to winter weather arriving in the region.

“You cannot go anywhere if you have a bad battery,” he said. “Check the data on your battery, including when it was installed. It should be on top of the battery and easy to check.”

He also said taking a vehicle to a dealership or local automotive store to have the battery checked is a good idea.

“Taking your car to a local service center is always the best option,” he said. “They will be able to tell you after reading the battery the type of condition it is in.”

One tip that Lopez-Cortez said he used was keeping his car in the garage during the storm and starting it with the garage door open at least once or twice a day.

“This will help maintain the flow of fluids in your vehicle, and you will be able to start it when the storm passes without any issues,” he said.

Adding antifreeze to the vehicle is also a common occurrence during the winter. However, students said adding the right antifreeze is key to the life of the vehicle.

Brady Kennemur recommended reading the owner’s manual to add the correct antifreeze.

“Many (automobile) companies are making their own fluids for (their) vehicles, and that is the only thing you should put in the engine,” he said.

Lopez-Cortez said using a coolant tester will let motorists know if the vehicle is protected from cold weather.

“If you just add water to the reservoir, it could freeze quickly. That is why you should put in the correct fluids that are recommended by the manufacturer,” he said.

Kennemur said when the windshield is covered with ice, the best way to clear it is with a scraper or de-icing spray.

“You do not want to pour hot water on the windshield because that could lead to immediate cracking,” he said. “If the windshield is covered with snow, wipe it off to get to the ice and use a scraper to remove it.”

He also said that having reliable wipers will help during a winter storm.

“I always check my wipers before the winter season to make sure they are in good working condition,” he said. 

The need for qualified automotive service technicians and mechanics is expected to grow in Texas over the next several years. According to onetonline.org, Texas has more than 60,000 technicians employed around the state, and that number is forecast to top 65,000 by 2028. The average annual salary for a technician in the state is $45,520.

TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology and an Automotive Technician certificate of completion at the Harlingen, Sweetwater and Waco campuses. Several other certificates, including Chrysler Specialization, Tesla START Technician and Toyota T-TEN Specialization, and a Basic Automotive occupational skills award, are also available, depending on campus location.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

The new students are putting the finishing touches on the first semester of the program with thoughts of what the future holds.

“I cannot wait to get started working on the engines,” said John Mendez, who is studying for a certificate of completion. “That is when we know we are getting close to completing the program.”

But before working on engines, students have had to learn other parts of the truck.

“I think for me the hardest part was learning the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system,” said Logan Yancy, who is also studying for a certificate of completion. “Once I got in there and started working on it, it was easy to pick up. That is all thanks to our instructors.”

Kristopher Diaz, who is also working toward a certificate of completion, found another area tough to master.

“The brake system was complicated at first, but being able to work on it daily made it easier to understand,” he said.

Each of the students said having experienced instructors has helped them throughout the semester.

“The instructors are going to make sure you are not doing anything wrong,” said Tyler Shartle, who is studying for a certificate of completion.

Mendez said he likes the teaching style offered at TSTC.

“The instructors are going to show you how to take something apart and describe each piece,” he said. “By the time we are done, we will know all aspects of that engine part. That is what makes this a great place to learn.”

Yancy said having a fast-paced environment in the lab is also a positive aspect of the program.

“We are working hard to complete the projects so we can move on to the next lesson,” he said.

The students also said the lab sessions are more than a learning experience.

“It is like we are in the shop,” Shartle said. “Like they say, if you are doing something you enjoy, it is not work at all.”

Instructor Shannon Weir said when the students complete the program, they will be in high demand by shop owners.

“When our students graduate, there will be some place for them to go to work not just in our area in West Texas, but statewide,” he said.

According to onetonline.org, jobs for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists are expected to increase 14% in Texas by 2028. Diesel technicians employed in Texas can earn an annual average salary of $49,810, the website stated.

Diesel Equipment Technology is offered at the Fort Bend County, Marshall, North Texas, Sweetwater and Waco campuses. It is part of TSTC’s Money-Back Guarantee program. If a participating graduate does not find a job in their field within six months of graduating, TSTC will return their tuition in full.

TSTC offers Associate of Applied Science degrees with different specializations, as well as several certificates of completion, in Diesel Equipment Technology.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.

Klein hopes to be another success story when he completes the Electromechanical Technology program this year.

“A friend told me about the Wind Energy Technology program and how he was able to go to school and make good money right after school,” he said. “After hearing about his success, I looked at TSTC and found Electromechanical Technology interesting. I enrolled and am now close to graduating with my Associate of Applied Science degree.”

After touring the campus, Klein said being able to learn from experienced instructors and with the hands-on approach in the labs were all he needed to make the decision.

“This program has so many different job options for me and the other graduates,” he said. “What drew me here was the hands-on approach of learning. I did not want to work somewhere that I would be in the office all day. I like to fix things, and this is the best place for me to learn that trade.”

Instructor Russell Benson said Klein has grown as a person since his first semester.

“Reid has grown into a leader and reminds me a lot of myself at his age,” he said. “He reminds me of the person who if the crowd went one way, he would continue on his path because that is the confident path for him.”

Klein said having an associate degree will put him on track for a well-paying job. According to onetonline.org, the need in Texas for electromechanical and mechatronic technologists and technicians will increase by 13% by 2028. The website states that the median salary for a technician in Texas is $52,010.

“This will put my foot in the door, but I could return to school to further my education,” he said. “There are so many different fields of work I can choose in this career.”

During his time at TSTC, Klein has learned different aspects of electrical systems.

“There are a lot of things we learn in this program,” he said. “One of the most interesting things to me is the robotic vision. The instructors have made this a good environment to learn in for me.”

Klein also appreciates how the instructors put safety first.

“One of the first things we learned was to be safe around our equipment,” he said. “We know if we do something right, it is going to be fun to learn.”

In addition to the Associate of Applied Science degree in Electromechanical Technology, TSTC offers a certificate of completion in Electromechanical Technician. Both are available exclusively at the Sweetwater campus.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.