Paris, Tenn. — A historic milestone was celebrated Wednesday, December 17, as the newly merged Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) held its first combined commencement ceremony at the Carroll County Civic Center in Huntingdon.
The commencement exercises marked the first time graduates from the recently merged technical college (formerly TCATs Paris and McKenzie) were recognized together in a single ceremony. The event celebrated not only student achievement, but also the beginning of a new chapter for technical education serving the region.
The keynote address was delivered by 24TH District Circuit Court Judge Bruce Griffey of Paris, who encouraged graduates to carry forward the work ethic, discipline, and skills they developed through technical training. Judge Griffey was introduced by Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture and Tennessee Board of Regents member Andy Holt of Dresden, who congratulated graduates and emphasized the role of technical education in strengthening Tennessee’s workforce and economy. The ceremony also featured special musical selections performed by members of the TCAT faculty and staff.
Family members, faculty, staff, and community leaders gathered to recognize students who completed rigorous training programs and earned diplomas and certificates in their chosen fields.
Graduates receiving diplomas and certificates include:
Automotive Technology
Justin Brown Eric Rogers
Collision Repair
Ricky Martin, Jr. Christopher Trudeau
Cosmetology
Laken Fisher Bailey French
Laney Hargis Sarah Hollingsworth
Haylee Locke Abigail Mills
Zaykia Newbill Isabella Salazar
Lara Totty Ginny Hoit
Health Information Management Technology
Ezriah Arroyo Christa Mitchell
Kimberly Smith Emogene Harris
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration
Cole Ballard Ayden McAlister
Industrial Maintenance/Integrated Automation
McKenzie Campus
Nathan Johnson Barkley Biggs
Joshua Cochran Christopher Eason
Devin King Christopher Peebles
Michael Watson Shaffer Williams
Paris Campus
Christopher Cherry Sebastian Claxton
David Dillon Atley Pafford
Information Technology Systems Management
McKenzie Campus
Riley Rogers Christopher Bailey
Paris Campus
Andrew Benson
Machine Tool Technology
McKenzie Campus
Robert Colson Charles Smothers
Paris Campus
Carson Goodman Chase Hisey
Practical Nursing
Paris Campus
Sharie Kalis Cassandra Kosloske
Tiffany Volner Danielle McGowan
Kristin Osborn Amber Owens
Johandra Robbins Ashlyn Schmitt
Alexis Stewart Tavey Tatom
Alexandra Vanderyt Destiny Wallett
Shelley Wright
Paris Campus-Evening
Mary Turner Sidney Louden
Christa Maynard Traci Shepherd
Kayla Thomas Dayjha Trice
Residential Building Maintenance
Mary Alison Griffey Christopher McDonald
Kelson Moore Nicholas Schuiling
Ethan Tucker Evan Conklin
Piersen Hilby
Welding Technology
Dresden Campus
Bradley Lamb Austin Wright
McKenzie Campus
Dakota Craig Preston Howell
Thadius Mason Dalton Moody
Tyler Morgan Chelsea Sanford
Paris Campus
William Bell Angelo Ellison
Izak Freeman Gabriel Kendall
Joshua Noble Michael Pease
Ethan Ray Sarah Reese
Jacob Shepperd Braiden Warner
College President John Penn Ridgeway noted that the combined commencement reflects the strength of collaboration, expanded opportunities for students, and a shared commitment to workforce development following the merger.
The TCAT offers 14 full-time technical programs with locations in Paris, McKenzie, Dresden and Camden and serves students mainly from Henry, Benton, Carroll, and Weakley counties, preparing graduates for high-demand careers across the region. For more information about programs and enrollment opportunities, visit www.tcathenrycarroll.edu.
Photo: From left, Andy Holt, Judge Griffey and John Penn Ridgeway. (TCAT photo).