TSTC wants former employees and alumni to “come back home.” It’s all part of a statewide effort to reach out to retirees and former students who are part of TSTC history, and as administrators point out, important to its future.
“Retirees and graduates of TSTC are best suited to tell our story. They were part of the TSTC family and know what we mean to industry and the state of Texas. We want these folks to reconnect with the college and help support our growth in this state,” said Harlingen Provost Stella Garcia.
TSTC statewide has graduated over 100,000 people into the workforce in its 50-year history.
According to Human Resources there are well over a hundred Harlingen TSTC retirees, many of them may still be living in the Valley.
“We recently had a Retirees Luncheon and afterwards people called us and said, ’You didn’t invite me,’” said Garcia. “We want to make sure we get these folks on our database. They are a valuable resource for our college and especially our students and we want them to reconnect.”
The Retirees Luncheon was hosted by the TSTC Staff Senate at the suggestion of the Harlingen Make A Texas-Sized Difference Campaign Committee which is helping The TSTC Foundation raise scholarship funds for deserving college students committed to a technical education.
Former TSTC Provost Al Guillen is chairing that committee.
“TSTC gave us and our families so much when we were employed here and now it’s time for us to give back. Every little bit counts. In fact, the college is matching every donation dollar per dollar. Whatever you give will be doubled,” said Guillen. “We are challenging all retirees and alumni to make a donation to this cause and make a difference in the life of a deserving student.”
Rio Grande alumni who attended or graduated from either Texas State Technical Institute or Texas State Technical College at any campus statewide are also encouraged to reconnect by simply making a phone call.
“We are planning an alumnus networking event this summer. We are hoping for large turnout,” said Garcia. “There are so many TSTC graduates out there and we want to bring them together to celebrate their career success and bring them up to date on TSTC growth and opportunities.”
TSTC is also looking for alumni volunteers to help organize the networking event.
All TSTC retirees and alumni are encouraged to be counted by calling the Provost’s office at 956-364-4022 or emailing [email protected].
