Graduation represents one of the most important times of the year here at TCC. It also happens to be one of my personal favorites.

This is when we gather together and celebrate the successes of our wonderful graduates, the class of 2015. It is also an opportunity to reflect on individual accomplishments. Students, as well as the instructors who teach them and the staff who support them, have spent the last several months and years working steadily toward this moment. I know there’s been a lot of homework, a lot of late nights studying for tests, a lot of hours spent commuting to and from class.

Trust me, it was well worth the effort.

That’s because graduation is not a last stop on the road, it is just the first. With the skills and credentials TCC has given our graduates, they will be able to take advantage of a multitude of different opportunities after their time here. They will go on to a four-year institution or enter the workforce to become nurses, police officers, software developers, and business owners. And they will earn more. For every dollar students invest in themselves at TCC, their future income is increased by about $6.50. It was for this reason, our College was recently ranked among the top ten two-year schools in the nation.

Of course, graduation is also a little bittersweet as we say goodbye. I’ve met quite a few extraordinary individuals in the past year that I know I will miss. I always hope that the students we send off will not become strangers. With the launch of our new Alumni and Friends Association, our graduates will now have more opportunities than ever to stay in touch. Please sign-up to become a member here [LINK].

We also have our 50^th anniversary in 2016 during which I hope all of our campus family, including alumni and friends, will take part in a very special year-long celebration of our College.

But in the meantime, I look forward to shaking each of our graduates’ hands and give them a heartfelt ‘congratulations.’ I know I speak for all of my colleagues when I say that we wish them the very best in all their future endeavors.

Congratulations to TCC’s class of 2015!