Find purpose, be honest with self, graduates told

TTC Dickson Director Mark Powers (above, left) congratulates Student of the Year Finalist Chad Ragan

They had done the work to earn their awards, but Tennessee Board of Regents Associate Vice Chancellor Dr. Raylean Henry knew December graduates from the Tennessee Technology Center at Dickson needed a boost as they entered or re-entered the workforce.

“Find purpose,” in your drive to happiness, she said. “Be honest with yourself.”

Henry, who oversees the strategic direction of the Regents online programs (Regents Online Campus Collaborative), said there needs to be give and take between the graduates and the folks they surround themselves with.

“Surround yourself with intelligent and compassionate individuals to challenge you to do your best,” Henry said. “Look for those opportunities to stretch yourself. Share what you learn along the way with others.”

TTC Dickson Director Mark Powers introduced Henry, praising her for the part she has played in the success of TBR’s online programs that are serving 14,000 per term.

In his welcome to students and their families, Powers challenged the graduates to continue learning in their career fields.

Student Services staff member Angela Davis accompanied practical nursing student Farah Tracy as she sang Whenever You Remember.

Emcee for graduation ceremonies, Student Services Coordinator Gary A. Fouts, recognized several students for their induction into the National Technical Honor Society:

Abigail Ferrell, Practical Nursing, Cumberland Furnace

Derek Gray, Machine Tool Technology, McEwen

Samantha Irwin, Practical Nursing, Clarksville

Michael C. Manners, Diesel Powered Equipment, Erin

Chad Ragan, Business Systems Technology, Dickson (Ragan was also recognized for being Student of the Year for the Business Systems Technology/Dickson campus and for being a finalist for the schoolwide Student of the Year.)

David Lee Rosson Jr., Diesel Powered Equipment, Nunnelly

Carrie D. Russell, Business Systems Technology, Chapmansboro

Betsy Winters, Business Systems Technology, New Johnsonville.

Following is the list of graduates who participated in the ceremony, their program and their hometown. Those with an asterisk by their names were honor graduates (those students with A averages).

Wes Paul Adcock*, MT/D, Cumberland Furnace

Brenda Bibby, RODP/BST, Dickson

Falin S. Campbell, HVAC/D, McEwen

MaLeaha Cochran, PN/AC, Dickson

Tracy Dowdy*, RODP/BST, Dickson

Abigail Ferrell*, PN/AC, Cumberland Furnace

Derek Gray*, MT/D, McEwen

Bret A. Hankes*, MECH, Clarksville

Scot A. Hankes*, MECH, Clarksville

John Horner, AT/F, Centerville (n/a)

Michael Hughes, AT/D, Charlotte

Samantha Irwin*, PN/AC, Clarksville

Ashley Jackson, COS, Dickson

Michael C. Manners*, DPE, Erin

Chris Merritt, AT/F, Fairview

Rory Michaels, AT/C, Clarksville

Tabitha Murphy, BST/C, Ashland City

Brandon Norvell, AT/C, Clarksville

Chad Ragan*, BST/D, Dickson

Anthony W. Robinson, CIT/C, Clarksville

David Lee Rosson Jr.*, DPE, Nunnelly

Carrie D. Russell*, BST/C, Cheatham

Jose Trinidad Soriano, HVAC/C, Clarksville

Mickey Stewart*, MT/D, Dickson

Stacey F. Tomlinson, BST/W, Houston County

Blake Webb Tyson, AT/C, Indian Mound

Kenzie Watts*, COS, Charlotte

Richard O’Neal Weaver, BST/C, Clarksville

Betsy Winters*, BST/W, New Johnsonville

Teresa Yabrough*, COS INST, Dickson

Photo identifications:

Cheatham County

Pictured (L to R) are Tabitha Murphy, Ashland City; Carrie Russell*, Chapmansboro

Montgomery County

Pictured (Front Row, L to R) are Bret Hankes*, Scot Hankes*, Rory Michaels, Richard O’Neal Weaver; (Back Row, L to R) Brandon Norvell, Samantha Irwin*, Anthony W. Robinson, Jose Trinidad Soriano. All students are residents of Clarksville.

Dickson County

Pictured (Front Row, L to R) are Brianna Rayburn, Old Hickory; MaLeaha Cochran, Dickson; Tracy Dowdy*, Dickson; Abigail Ferrell*, Cumberland Furnace; Teresa Yarbrough*, Dickson; Kenzie Watts*, Charlotte; (Back Row, L to R) Chad Ragan*, Dickson; Brenda Bibby, Dickson; Wes Paul Adcock*, Cumberland Furnace; Michael Hughes, Charlotte; Mickey Stewart*, Dickson; Ashley Jackson, Dickson.

Hickman County

Pictured (L to R) are David Lee Rosson Jr.*, Nunnelly, and John Horner, Centerville.

Humphreys County

Pictured (L to R) are Falin S. Campbell, McEwen; Derek Gray*, McEwen; and Betsy Winters*, New Johnsonville.

Stewart-Houston County

Pictured (L to R) are Michael C. Manners*, Erin; Blake Webb Tyson, Indian Mound; and Stacey F. Tomlinson, Erin.

Williamson County

Chris Merritt, Fairview