TSTC honors Fallas family with naming of robotics lab

(WACO, Texas) - Texas State Technical College honored longtime supporters David and Valerie Fallas with the naming of a Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology lab in their honor at a ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Dr. Roy Dugger Center at the Waco campus.

"Every student who walks through these doors will see the Fallas name," Beth Wooten, provost of TSTC's Waco campus, told the couple during the ceremony. "They will know that you believed in them. I can't think of a greater impact."

The Fallas family founded Fallas Automation in 1979 in Waco. The company specializes in producing automation support equipment and compact case packers. The company has hired several TSTC graduates.

"They have always been supporters of the community," Curtis Cleveland, a member of TSTC's Board of Regents, said of the couple.

David Fallas said he and his wife appreciated the honor. He told the attendees that robotics is an exciting branch of automation to pursue.

"You should continue working hard to achieve realistic goals," Fallas told the students in attendance.

The TSTC Foundation, the support arm of TSTC, announced in November 2023 a significant $1 million cash gift from the Fallas family to create the David and Valerie Fallas Scholarship. The scholarship benefits TSTC students in the Industrial Systems program and Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology program at the Waco campus.

Before the plaque unveiling, a luncheon was held at the John B. Connally Visitor Center, where names of the first group of students to receive the scholarship were announced.

The Industrial Systems students are Kaiden McQuitty, of Fort Worth; Jasmine Olivar, of Gatesville; and Tavaris Sullivan, of Temple.

The Robotics and Industrial Controls Technology students are Damon Brock, of Waco; Richard Harned, of Fort Worth; Tyler Harrison, of Waco; Sean Higgins, of Plano; and Paden Lunday of Waco.

All of the students are in their first semesters at TSTC.

Harrison said he chose his field of study because automation is becoming more common worldwide.

"If (the scholarship) gives me the opportunity to do this without worrying as much about the finances of going to college," he said.

Olivar said receiving the scholarship is life-changing.

"I had only planned to go as far as what FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) would pay for," she said. "Because of the scholarship, I can go for an associate degree."

The scholarship will give $10,000 each to a select number of students annually. The TSTC Foundation has estimated that the scholarship will assist at least 100 students in the years to come. Scholarship recipients must be Texas residents and attend TSTC's Waco campus to be eligible.

"This partnership not only empowers students to reach their educational goals, but also inspires the next generation of leaders," said Nelda Martinez, senior executive director of The TSTC Foundation.

For more information on The TSTC Foundation, go to tstc.edu/give.

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