TCC has always supported veterans and honored their sacrifices, but at this year’s Commencement Ceremony the College made an extra effort to recognize graduating veterans with a special honor cord to wear with their robes. The red-white-and-blue cords were distributed to more than 85 graduates and many faculty members who have served in the armed forces.
“It feels great that we’re being recognized and that our college is behind us,” said Sedrick Tyrone Robertson, who was graduating with an Associate of Arts degree. Robertson served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Kittyhawk and USS Dubuque.
Career Foreshadowing
Another veteran used his experience as a Navy cook as inspiration for his career after the military. Jesse De Leon earned degrees in both culinary arts and hospitality management. De Leon said he was proud to wear the cords for his commencement.
“It means the world to me,” he said. “It’s a great honor serving my country; so it’s good to be recognized by TCC. “
Inspired to Help Others
After serving in in the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq from 2003-2007, and then being called back in 2008, Lindsey Gribbin said she had a tough time adjusting to life back home. Her experience inspired her to help others, and she earned a degree as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor.
Gribbin graduated with a 4.0 grade point average, which has already helped her land a job as an intern in the counseling field. Although she values her service in Iraq, she said it was difficult to leave behind her one-year-old daughter.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done because I missed the whole period of her being little,” she said. “So it’s a huge honor to be recognized.”
Attend a Workshop
If you’re a veteran and you’d like to know how TCC can help you, please make plans to attend a Veterans Education Benefits Workshop later this month. TCC will host workshops on each campus May 29 through June 1 to provide information about the Veterans Education Benefits application process, TCC’s VetSuccess Counselors, and other resources available to TCC Veterans.
Register for one of the workshops at www.tccd.edu/veteransworkshop.