TJC officially launches Centennial celebration with five spring commencement ceremonies over two days
Tyler Junior College celebrated two firsts on Thursday, May 7, and Friday, May 8, holding five commencement ceremonies and officially launching its Centennial celebration.
TJC President Dr. Juan E. Mejia conferred the 1,378 degrees and certificates on the 1,158 graduates during the ceremonies in Wagstaff Gymnasium on the TJC Central Campus.
“Graduation is the day we look forward to all year,” Mejia said in his address. “Graduates, we love you and we already miss you. There is so much excitement and energy here because of you. You are our signature of authenticity for what we are all about.”
After a career setback, Tera Franklin had a choice: Stay stuck or start over. She chose growth at TJC. Franklin began work on the Bachelor of Applied Technology in Healthcare Administration degree, one of TJC’s standout bachelor’s degree completion programs. While working 10-hour days and studying on weekends, she succeeded in a two-year program designed for real life, at a cost she calls “financially friendly.
“It wasn’t always easy, but it was worth it,” Franklin added. “I highly recommend TJC to anyone!”
As the first in her family to graduate from college, TJC Criminal Justice major Samantha Velazquez knows what it means to carry responsibility. While completing her degree, she balanced full-time work with school and lived with the quiet pressure to succeed.
There were moments when continuing seemed overwhelming. She did it anyway.
“Earning this degree shows that all the late nights and challenges were worth it,” Velazquez said. “It’s a reminder that I’m capable of more than I ever imagined, not just for me but for my family, too.”
Anthony Warren paused his education for nearly 10 years to care for his family. A decade later, he chose TJC to continue his educational journey. Now that he has graduated with a degree in General Studies, Warren is already chasing his next goal: a bachelor’s degree and eventually a Ph.D.
“Ultimately, I told myself that I could not give up on my education,” Warren said. “As a single father of two, it wasn’t easy, but now I am finally living up to my true potential.”
About TJC
Tyler Junior College is a comprehensive public community college located in East Texas. It was founded in 1926 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary, offering a wide range of programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, certificates, and workforce or vocational training. TJC offers more than 135 programs of study in areas including arts, sciences, health professions, business, technology and trades, and it helps both traditional students and adult learners.
TJC serves almost 20,000 students annually across its credit and non-credit programs, with more than 16,000 in credit programs and nearly 4,000 in continuing studies. TJC strives to provide an outstanding educational experience that prepares students for success in their careers and communities.
Throughout its 145-acre central campus and multiple sites, TJC features rigorous academics, 70 national athletic championships, stellar fine and performing arts programs, modern residential facilities, along with organizations and clubs that promote student engagement and diversity.