This weekend, we will be hosting our annual commencement ceremony, capping off nearly two weeks of events celebrating the nearly 3,000 students who have earned the right to call themselves a college graduate this year.

This is the favorite part of my job – getting to shake the hand of every one of our new graduates and commend them on their hard work and achievement always brings me back to why we’re here.

Each year, TCC welcomes thousands of students to our campus. They come from not just our service district of Leon, Gadsden and Wakulla Counties, but from all across the state, the nation and even around the world. Many of them are the first in their family to attend college, some of them have families of their own, and most have jobs in addition to their studies. Regardless of their path here, all our students are taught in an environment that prizes not just academics, but also the principles of service, civic duty and leadership.

That’s because we aren’t just granting degrees and credentials, as our faculty and staff have heard me repeatedly say, we’re producing citizens.

If I had to offer our graduates one piece of advice, it would be to remember that your degree from TCC is just the start of your journey. It will open many doors for you, whether to continue your education or get a great job (or both), and then it’s up to you. The principles we taught you, however, will stay with you the rest of your life.

Do not forget that education is a life-long journey, that it goes beyond the textbook, and true success is more than a job or a degree, it’s living a life with purpose. Leave here knowing that each of you can make a difference. Give back, remember your responsibilities, and find your purpose.

Thank you for choosing TCC and sharing your time with us. We are truly proud to have played a small part in your journey.

Congratulations and best of luck, Class of 2019!