TCAT Hosts Summer Graduation

McKENZIE (August 26) — Thirty-one students from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) received their certificates of completion during a graduation ceremony held on Tuesday, August 26, at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

During the summer graduation ceremony, John Penn Ridgeway, president of TCAT Henry-Carroll, welcomed the graduates and the audience. He highlighted the accomplishments of this graduating class.

Ryan Griffin, the mayor of McKenzie, served as the keynote speaker. Griffin recently joined the Tennessee Board of Regents on September 1 as a full-time workforce development strategist, transitioning from his role at Bethel University, where he worked until August 31. He continues to serve as the elected mayor of McKenzie.

In his speech, Griffin emphasized the value of education and shared how his parents encouraged him to pursue further studies. He reflected on their educational backgrounds—his mother obtained a GED, and his father had an eighth-grade education. Griffin underscored the importance of education and a supportive network, advising graduates to find supportive individuals and create their own personal “board of directors.”

The graduates included:

Administrative Office Technology: Grayson Bennett, Felicia Glidwell, Pamela Holt, Kalyn Wall.

Automotive Technology: Clayton Buechler, Zacary Totty.

HVAC and Refrigeration: Hatcher Mercer, Caden Moore, Daniel Walcott, Parker Williams.

Industrial Maintenance: Baker Atkins, Paisley Coffman, Jacob Davis, Mack Lawrence.

Information Technology Systems Management: Joshua Hage, Dylan Richardson.

Machine Tool Technology: Sergio Campos, William Parker, Mason Stout.

Welding Technology: Easton Adams, Dirk Jacob Coyoca, Steven Downey, Jayden Fowler, Ross Jackson, David Kirksey, Robert McCaig, Hunter Reed, Joseph Rowlett, Brycen White, Ezra Williams.

Following the ceremony, graduates and their guests enjoyed refreshments.

A History of TCAT-McKenzie

Construction of the McKenzie campus began in the spring of 1964 and was completed in 1965. It opened under the local direction of Guy R. Kirk, who was appointed as the superintendent by the then Assistant Commissioner of Vocational Education in Tennessee, Charlie Dunn. The school enrolled its first students in July 1965, offering programs in Automotive Mechanics, Drafting, and Office Occupations. The first graduating class from the center completed their studies in 1966.

In 1999, the center underwent a two-million-dollar renovation, which included new shop classrooms, an updated heating and air conditioning system, and improvements to the electrical system in the industrial building. The administrative building was also renovated, and two new classrooms were added to connect the shop buildings to the administrative building.

Currently, a new administration building is under construction on the 60-year-old campus. This new complex is located in front of and to the right of the existing administrative building, which will be demolished once construction is complete. The instructional wing at the back of the campus, where classes for welding, automotive technology, HVAC, industrial maintenance, and information systems technology are held, will remain. A walkway will connect the current classrooms to the new administrative and classroom building.