08/15/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/16/2024 12:21
(RED OAK, Texas) - More than 20 graduates from Texas State Technical College's North Texas campus received associate degrees or certificates of completion at TSTC's Summer 2024 Commencement held Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Waxahachie Civic Center.
"It is a relatively small group, but they have worked hard and persevered," said Marcus Balch, provost of TSTC's North Texas campus. "They have taken different paths to get here."
Several of the graduates already have jobs.
Jackson Usery, of Blooming Grove, received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Networking and Systems Administration. He was a TSTC Board of Regents honor graduate.
"I have always been fascinated with technology and how fast it goes and how useful it is," he said.
Usery is working at Riot Platforms in Corsicana as a data center technician. The company specializes in bitcoin mining.
One of the first people to congratulate Usery for earning his degree was his father, Jacob Usery, TSTC's statewide director of alignment for the Computer Networking and Systems Administration program.
"He worked so hard," Jacob Usery said about his son. "He has such huge potential and has capitalized on every opportunity that he has had."
Kameron Amos, of Ferris, graduated with a certificate of completion in Welding Technology. He said his parents encouraged him to pursue welding as a career.
"I just enjoy learning something new," he said.
Amos has worked for five months as a welder at Lippert Components Inc. in Waxahachie.
"It's convenient because I don't have to travel that far," he said.
Jahakia Cheatom, an Electrical Power and Controls graduate, received the Provost's Outstanding Achievement Award.
Registration for TSTC's fall semester is underway. For more information, go to tstc.edu.