By Lindsey Hutson

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The Tennessee College of Applied Technology, or TCAT, hosted its 2019 graduation ceremony at the Ball Farm Event Center Thursday evening. With more than 475 people in attendance, 63 (VERY TOP PHOTO) of 160 graduating students walked across stage to receive their diploma from TCAT.   See all of Lindsey Huton’s photos HERE.

Lance Amburgey (only military service student)

The students received certificates from one of 10 different programs including machine and tool technology, pharmacy technology, practical nursing and welding technology.  Rex Welch, one of the graduates of welding technology, thanked TCAT and his instructors for helping him make his life better not only for him but for his kids.

TCAT President Debbie Petree is the third school president in its more than 50 year existence and is the first Campbell Countian to be named to the post.

TCAT has been in Jacksboro since 1967. According to the President Debbie Petree, there has been a definite increase in the school’s enrollment due to organizations such as Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect. These programs help students with tuition.  Petree said just this last year cosmetology has doubled and they have had to add a second instructor for the automotive technology class. TCAT continues to grow with plans for ground breaking for a new building that will feature two new classes. “We are a small school but a mighty school,” Petree said.

As guest speaker (PHOTO ABOVE) Danni Varlan, with Childrens Hospital, said, the students are “educated here but can go anywhere.” WLAF congratulates all the students and wishes them good luck! (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/23/2019-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S LINDSEY HUTSON)