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TCAT Dickson Announces SOAR Award Nominees
TCAT Dickson is proud to announce its outstanding nominees for the College System of Tennessee (TBR) Statewide Outstanding Achievement Awards (SOAR). Each year, one student, one faculty member, and one staff member are selected as nominees to represent all of TCAT Dickson's campuses for the statewide SOAR awards. Since 2019, SOAR has celebrated outstanding students, faculty, staff, colleges, advisors, benefactors, volunteers, and partners.
This year's student nominee from TCAT Dickson is Orion Gasparich. Gasparich is an Industrial Electrical Maintenance / Mechatronics student enrolled at our Clarksville campus. Gasparich has maintained a perfect attendance record, earned a 3.94 GPA, and has participated in campus activities. Orion's instructor, Carlos Felix said, "Orion isn’t just about grades. What really stands out about him is his willingness to go the extra mile for both the program and his classmates. Whether he’s organizing the workshop, keeping the classroom in shape, or offering to help other students get caught up, Orion always steps up without hesitation. He’s the kind of person who doesn’t just focus on his own success, he actively works to make sure others are doing well too, which speaks volumes about his character."
TCAT Dickson Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration instructor David Collins was selected as the faculty nominee. Collins is a distinguished alumnus, having graduated with an HVAC Technician Diploma in 2008. He began his career as an instructor in 2020 on the main campus in Dickson. "During David's employment, the Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration program has doubled its enrollment. He worked with Hickman County Schools to develop the HVAC program for their high school students as part of a GIVE grant, and he has grown the Early Technical College program with Dickson County Schools, teaching the evening ETC program as well as his regular class. Because of his dedication, local employers have a quality trained workforce to meet the needs of their workforce," TCAT Dickson President Laura Travis said.
The staff nominee from TCAT Dickson for 2024 is Ricky Talley. Talley serves as the Program Coordinator for the Turney Center Industrial Complex working with prison administration to manage the daily educational courses. President Laura Travis said, "At the time of his employment, TCAT offered two programs of study at the Turney Center. Ricky has since successfully implemented the Farming Operations Technology program, and he is currently in the final stages of implementation of the Automotive Technology and Welding Technology programs at the prison. Ricky actively seeks additional opportunities to make a difference in the lives of his students and faculty. He is respected and admired by his students, coworkers, employees of the TN Department of Corrections, and the community."
These three men will compete in regional-level competition where finalists will then move to statewide competition. State award winners will be announced at the SOAR awards dinner in spring 2025. Please join us in congratulating these men on their outstanding achievements and contributions to our campuses and college and in wishing them success in their respective competitions.
Orion Gasparich
David Collins
