MTEC graduation ceremonies planned for Wednesday

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. About 165 students from the Monongalia County Technical Education Center (MTEC) will be recognized during a ceremony on Wednesday. Principal Greg Dausch said the Industrial Arts ceremony is planned for 8:15 a.m., Human Services at 10:45 a.m., and at 1 p.m. the students in the Health Sciences will be recognized.

“We’re fortunate to have the opportunity to have three separate ceremonies so we can spend time and focus on each student individually and recognize them for all they’ve done here, and we’re really proud of this group,” Dausch said.

Many of the students that come to MTEC are pursuing a trade or vocation in order to enter the workforce, while others gain entry-level certificates that allow them to continue that career path after graduation.

“We’ve got students in our automotive program that are leaving with ASC certifications; we have students from our welding program that are leaving with certain welding certifications. and we have students that are eligible to sit for their journeyman’s license,” Dausch said.

According to Dausch, each student completes a card detailing what their future plans are, and that is used as part of the recognition of each student on Wednesday. Dausch said a priority of the three ceremonies is to recognize the group but emphasize individual achievements.

“It’s really nice that we get the opportunity to spend some time with each student, announce them, read about their accomplishments, and honor everything they’ve done with us,” Dausch said.

“Some of them are going on to school to further their education, and some are going right out to work, but all of them have a bright future ahead of them,” Dausch said.