TCAT Henry/Carroll Holds First-Ever Combined Winter Commencement

HUNTINGDON (December 17) — The Tennessee College of Applied Technology Henry/Carroll marked a milestone by holding its first-ever combined graduation ceremony, bringing together winter graduates from both the McKenzie and Paris campuses.

Candidates, donned in cap and gown, marched into a capacity auditorium to the sound of Pomp and Circumstance. TCAT President John Penn Ridgeway noted the venue was chosen as one of the few in the area large enough to accommodate the students and their families and friends. Dr. Lorie Goodgine, Vice-President of TCAT, welcomed the audience to the celebration.

The ceremony featured Bruce Griffey, District 24 Circuit Court Judge, as the commencement speaker. Judge Griffey was introduced by Andy Holt, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Both Holt, who resides in Dresden, and Griffey, a Henry County resident, are former representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.

Dr. Jan Latimer, Vice-President of the McKenzie campus, announced the names of the graduates as they crossed the stage to receive their diplomas.

A highlight of the ceremony was Cosmetology graduate Abigail Mills, who crossed the stage alongside her dog, Cooper. Both wore a cap and gown for the occasion.

Graduates were recognized in the following programs:

Automotive Technology: Justin Brown and Eric Rogers.

Collision Repair: Ricky Martin, Jr. and Christopher Trudeau.

Cosmetology: Laken Fisher, Bailey French, Laney Hargis, Sarah Hollingsworth, Haylee Locke, Abigail Mills, Zaykia Newbill, Isabella Salazar, Lara Totty, and Ginny Hoit.

Health Information Management Technology: Ezriah Arroyo, Christa Mitchell, Kimberly Smith, and Emogene Harris.

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration: Cole Ballard and Ayden McAlister.

Industrial Maintenance/Integrated Automation: McKenzie Campus – Nathan Johnson, Barkley Biggs, Joshua Cochran, Christopher Eason, Devin King, Christopher Peebles, Michael Watson, and Shaffer Williams. Paris Campus – Christopher Cherry, Sebastian Claxton, David Dillon, and Atley Pafford.

Information Technology Systems Management: McKenzie Campus – Riley Rogers and Christopher Bailey. Paris Campus – Andrew Benson.

Machine Tool Technology: McKenzie Campus – Robert Colson and Charles Smothers. Paris Campus – Carson Goodman and Chase Hisey.

Practical Nursing: Paris Campus - Sharie Kalis, Cassandra Kosloske, Tiffany Volner, Danielle McGowan, Kristin Osborn, Amber Owens, Johandra Robbins, Ashlyn Schmitt, Alexis Stewart, Tavey Tatom, Alexandra Vanderyt, Destiny Wallett, and Shelley Wright. Paris Campus-Evening - Mary Turner, Sidney Louden, Christa Maynard, Traci Shepherd, Kayla Thomas, and Dayjha Trice.

Residential Building Maintenance: Mary Alison Griffey, Christopher McDonald, Kelson Moore, Nicholas Schuiling, Ethan Tucker, Evan Conklin, and Piersen Hilby.

Welding Technology: Dresden Campus - Bradley Lamb and Austin Wright. McKenzie Campus - Dakota Craig, Preston Howell, Thadius Mason, Dalton Moody, Tyler Morgan, and Chelsea Sanford. Paris Campus - William Bell, Angelo Ellison, Izak Freeman, Gabriel Kendall, Joshua Noble, Michael Pease, Ethan Ray, Sarah Reese, Jacob Shepperd, and Braiden Warner.

No graduates were listed for Administrative Office Technology, Criminal Justice: Correctional Officer, or Telecommunications.