TCAT Henry/Carroll Celebrates Summer Graduates with Call to Service and Problem-Solving

CARROLL COUNTY (August 27)  — The Carroll County Civic Center was filled to capacity on Thursday afternoon as the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Henry/Carroll honored its latest class of graduates during the summer commencement ceremony. Sixty-four students crossed the stage, marking the culmination of months of rigorous technical training, personal sacrifice, and academic perseverance.  

The ceremony, which celebrated the transition from students to skilled professionals, featured remarks from college leadership and a keynote address from Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler.  

Dr. Jan Latimer, Vice-President of TCAT-Henry/Carroll, opened the proceedings by welcoming the families, friends, and special guests in attendance. Addressing the graduates, Latimer highlighted the transformation she witnessed from their first day on campus to their final walk across the stage.  

"You have gained not only the technical skills but also the confidence in who you are and what you are capable of," Latimer said. "The diploma you will receive represents more than just technical knowledge; it represents confidence gained, obstacles overcome, and opportunities earned."  

Latimer also paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton, invoking her advice to "find out who you are and do that with purpose," a sentiment she encouraged the graduates to carry into their new careers.  

TCAT-Henry/Carroll President John Penn Ridgeway took the podium to emphasize the collective effort behind the graduates' success. "They would not have gotten to the finish line without everybody in this room," Ridgeway said, urging the graduates to acknowledge the support systems that sustained them throughout their studies.  

Ridgeway introduced Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler, who has served as mayor for eight years and was recently re-elected to a new term. Ridgeway praised Butler as a "servant leader" who has consistently invested in the community and the TCAT institution.  

In his keynote address, Mayor Butler challenged the graduates to look beyond their technical credentials and focus on three pillars: building a reputation, building a life, and building their community.  

"TCAT graduates are different," Butler noted. "You have not been simply trained to identify problems; you’ve been trained to solve them. When a system fails, a building needs work, or technology stops operating, they’re not looking for another opinion. They’re looking for someone like you."  

Butler urged the new graduates to prioritize character alongside their technical expertise. "A talented person will get noticed, but a dependable person keeps getting trusted," he said. He also reminded them to balance their professional ambitions with their personal lives, emphasizing the importance of being present for family and community.  

Following the keynote, Craig Lunn, Student Services Coordinator, announced each candidate's name. As the graduates crossed the stage, President Ridgeway presented them with their diplomas. 

The ceremony concluded with a final charge to the graduates to remain humble, continue learning, and use their skills to make a meaningful contribution to their workplaces and the communities they call home.