Thaddeus Stevens College 107th Commencement Recap

    05.24.18 | TSCT News

    Delivering his address at the 107th Commencement of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, PA Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera told the graduates something said at few commencements across the country: “Probably all of you in this room have already secured jobs.”

    Four-hundred and one members of the College’s class of 2018 received technical degrees or certificates on May 12 and entered the workforce “at a time when you are in tremendous demand,” Rivera said.

    By graduation, nearly 1,300 employers had recruited Stevens students in 2017-2018 for more than 3,200 jobs.


    PA Department of Education Secretary Pedro Rivera addressees the Class of 2018

    “The future of our workforce and our state depends on people like you,” Rivera said. “You are already innovators, creators and craftsmen,” and the college instilled the values of teamwork, collaboration and respect for diversity.

    “Your success is our success,” he added.

    College President William Griscom said Thaddeus Stevens prepares students for jobs that require technical knowledge, an understanding of tools and machines, and a high degree of problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

    Thaddeus Stevens College president William Griscom addresses the Class of 2018 

    “I am aware of the hard work and sacrifices many of you made in order to walk across this stage today,” he told the graduates. “I have every confidence you are all up to the challenge and our future could not be in better hands.”

    So far, 2018 graduates have accepted full-time positions with companies including American Water, Arconic, Astro Machine Works, BAE Systems, GlaxoSmithKline, GSM Industrial, Landmark Homes, Pepperidge Farm, Triangle Rgeration and UGI.

    Griscom and Richard Watson, president of the Board of Trustees, awarded honorary doctorates to Sec. Rivera, along with Dr. Paul Carroll, head team physician for Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and state Rep. Stanley Saylor, chair of the House Appropriations Committee and longtime advocate for Thaddeus Stevens and technical education.

    Travis Rohrer, president and CEO of Rohrer’s, Inc., and Randolph Harris, executive director of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, received distinguished service awards.

    Walking across the stage “felt good, but it still hasn’t hit me,” said Rey Reyes, who earned a degree in architectural technology. “I loved the program and learned a lot. I came in not knowing much about architecture, now I could design a new house.”


    Ray Reyes '18 Architecture receives degree and shakes hand with Richard Watson

    Reyes said he knew he didn’t want to go to a large college, and was looking for a place with small class sizes and one-on-one attention.

    “Stevens was awesome. I loved it,” he said. “I felt like family, not like I was just a number.”

    For a relive the day with photos and video, visit: StevensCollege.edu/Commencement

    Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is consistently ranked as Pennsylvania’s top technical college and awards associate degrees in 22 high-demand, skilled occupations. A full listing of programs is available at www.StevensCollege.edu.

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