Students who graduate from TSTC sometimes have to overcome immense obstacles to reach their goals. Stanley Odell Davis Jr., who will graduate Friday with a Welding certificate, had to overcome one of the hardest difficulties. At age 13, Davis lost his mother.

He started welding as a way to cope.

“Freshman year, the agriculture teacher wanted us all to try it out, and I liked it,” Davis said. “I started welding, and that was what got my mind off of everything.”

Davis said his struggles made him stronger.

“I’ve had a pretty hard life, but I’m proud of the man I am today,” he said. “It made me who I am.”

And he’s right to be proud. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout his time at TSTC, Davis will walk the stage as a TSTC Board of Regents Honor Roll member.

Davis will speak, representing the Brownwood campus, at Friday’s ceremony, joining the 100 students who will walk the stage at TSTC’s Summer Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center.

Davis’ favorite part of welding is watching the arc.

“Whenever you strike the arc and see it light up, it’s beautiful,” he said. “It’s a masterpiece. It makes me feel like I’m at peace with myself.”

According to O*NET OnLine, Texas expects a 14 percent increase in jobs for welders over the next six years. Certificates of Completion in Structural Welding and Pipe Welding are offered at the Breckenridge, Brownwood and Sweetwater campuses.

TSTC provides training in specialized, hands-on instructional courses leading to Associate of Applied Science degrees and Certificates of Completion, in areas such as chemical dependency counseling, electromechanical technology and nursing.

TSTC has more than 1,000 candidates for commencement this summer across the state and is now enrolling for the fall semester. To apply, visit www.tstc.edu.