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TCAT Dickson’s Clarksville Campus Graduation Held on Eclipse Day
By Janine Wine
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
TCAT Dickson
Clarksville, TN: April 8th will historically be remembered for the solar eclipse but for one group of graduates at TCAT Dickson’s Clarksville Campus it is also the day they entered the workforce with new skill sets ready to embark on a new chapter of life.
About sixty graduates from Clarksville, Montgomery County, and the surrounding areas participated in spring commencement earning technical certificates or diplomas in one of fifteen programs offered at the Clarksville campus.
Chris Self, Clarksville Montgomery County Director of Workforce Development served as the guest speaker. Self asked the graduates if they knew when the next solar eclipse would take place. The answer was 20 years. He then asked the graduates to take a moment and think about where they saw themselves in 20 years. “On the next solar eclipse, I want you to remember today. Have you met your goal? I think graduating on the solar eclipse is a good omen for this graduating class and I think you are going to go on to do some great things.”
“Tomorrow, you start planning. Tomorrow starts the next step in your dream. For some of you that’s going to be going directly into the workforce. For others it’s going to be continuing your education. Whatever your dream is, tomorrow, start working towards the future,” Self said. Those who go into the workforce may have abundant opportunities. Self told graduates Montgomery County is growing faster than any other county in the state of Tennessee. “You’re graduating at a really good time here in Clarksville Montgomery County,” he said.
Self encouraged the graduates to continue their education throughout their lifetimes. “Continue to hon your skills and your craft your whole life. You are never too old to continue your education. Plan and make sure you are making every effort to do more everyday to make yourself better.”
Graduates receiving third party certifications in addition to their diplomas or technical certificates were recognized. Those with third party certifications were Baileigh Bedell, Samantha Brower, Janae Grant, Gabrielle Mikesell, Michael Edwards, Michael Wigdor, McKay Crawley, Daniel Ritchie, Vicki Ardisana, Keith Bellamy, Michael Hummer, Brian Lawson, Andrew Merchant, Dalton Mullins, Samuel Postell, Samuel Turner, Jevonte Dantzler, Marty Patterson, Christopher Carson, Gary Chessman, Mabeth Cortijo, Devin Ethridge, William Herring, Sean Rabauliman, and Martin Rausch.
Graduates carrying banners during the processional were also recognized for having earned the highest grade point averages in their career clusters and student organizations. Banner carriers were Sam Postell – National Technical Honor Society, Andrew Merchant – SkillsUSA, Mollie Hagler – Construction, Marty Patterson – Health Science, Skylar Reno - Human Services, Keith Bellamy – Manufacturing, and Michael Wigdor – Transportation.
Graduates who had been inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) were also recognized. Those students must have an A average, attend at least 95 percent of their total school hours, and be nominated by their instructor. NTHS inductees included Mollie Hagler, Kelvin Solares Ramos, Nick Johnson, McKay Crawley, Vicki Ardisana, Keith Bellamy, Brian Lawson, Andrew Merchant, Dalton Mullins, Samuel Postell, Samuel Turner, and Michael Wigdor.
TCAT Dickson and Clarksville Campus President Laura Travis conferred degrees and certificates for Mollie Hagler and Kelvin Solares Ramos in Building Construction Technology; Mustafa Awad, Victor Luther Greene II, Rene James, Jr., Jaylen Jarboe, Tariq Outlaw, Kaitlyn Plemmons, Nathaniel Robeson, Javier Sanchez, and Julio Sanchez in Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration; Jevonte Dantzler and Marty Rhys Patterson in Pharmacy Technology; Baileigh Bedell, Nichea Bowman Samantha Brower, Bailey Clinard, Janae Grant, Gabby Mikesell, Skylar Reno, and Chynyfa Slayden in Cosmetology; Nick Johnson in Industrial Electrical Maintenance/ Mechatronics; McKay J. Crawley and Daniel Ritchie in Machine Tool Technology; Vicki Ardisana, Keith Bellamy, Michael Hummer, Brian Lawson, Andrew Merchant, Dalton Mullins, Samuel Postell, and Samuel Turner in Mechatronics; Christopher Carson, Gary Chessman, Mabeth Cortijo, Devin Ethridge, William Herring, Sean Mario B. Rabauliman, and Martin Rausch in Welding Technology; Lance Bench, Blake Cathey, Thomas Grant, and Mario Martinez-Martinez in Automotive Technology; Michael Edwards, and Michael Wigdor in Diesel-Powered Equipment Technology.
TCAT Dickson’s main campus is located in Dickson with extension campuses in Clarksville and Franklin.
TCAT Dickson is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, is accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and complies with non-discrimination laws: Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and ADA. Located on Highway 46 in Dickson, the technical training college also has extension campuses in Clarksville, and Franklin. Additional information about the school is located at www.TCATDickson.edu.
