TSTC’s Brownwood Campus held a celebration and reception honoring the college’s 50th anniversary on Wednesday.

In a video message, Chancellor Michael Reeser stated that TSTC has been able to “stay relevant” for 50 years, keeping true to the school’s mission to supply the workforce needs of Texas, and that constant dialogue with industry has made this possible.  He announced that a 50th anniversary archive in the form of a commemorative book is being compiled and each graduate of TSTC during the 50th Anniversary, all employees of TSTC, the Texas state legislature, and the Bob Bullock Museum of Texas History will all receive a copy of this book to mark the school’s milestone anniversary.

Jennie Alcantar from TSTC Abilene and representing the President’s cabinet gave a summary of TSTC’s history.  The school began in Waco, as James Connally Technical Institute (JCTI) of the Texas A&M University system to meet the state’s evolving workforce needs.  In 1967, JCTI opened a campus in Harlingen.  JCTI separated from Texas A&M to become an independent state system, with the name Texas State Technical College (TSTC).  Several new campuses were opened in the coming years:  Amarillo and Sweetwater in 1970, Abilene in 1983, Breckenridge in 1985, Brownwood in 1989, and Marshall in 1991.  In 2012, a campus in Hutto opened, followed by TSTC North Texas opening in Red Oak in 2013.

TSTC is celebrating their success in many areas, such as conferring the most associate degrees in engineering related fields, computer & information, science & support services and precision production.  Another success celebrated included an increase of 60% in first year earnings for graduates from 2010 to 2012, according to Alcantar.

TSTC Brownwood’s Interim Associate Vice President Jeff Looper stated that TSTC has plans of continuing their expansion and that the school is working to align programs at each campus, not just for the specific locale needs, but to have similar programs of various study consistent throughout the state.

A celebration at each campus was being held in honor of the 50th anniversary.

Pictured above is the anniversary cake.  Below are more photos from the event.

Attendees watch a video presentation featuring TSTC Chancellor Michael Reeser.

A scrap book on display of the Brownwood campus history.