TCAT-Henry/Carroll Hosts Spring Graduation

HUNTINGDON, Tenn. — For the Class of 2026, the tassels have been turned and the diplomas are in hand, but according to the keynote speaker at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) graduation ceremony on Thursday, the most important work is just beginning.

Graduates, family members, and faculty and staff of the TCAT campuses in McKenzie, Camden, Dresden and Paris gathered for commencement exercises at the Carroll County Civic Center to see approximately 80 students graduate from Administrative Office Technology, Automotive Technology, Collision Repair, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice-Corrections Officer, Health Information Management, HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, Information Technology Systems Management, Machine Tool, Practical Nursing, Residential Building Maintenance, and Welding. The graduates were dressed in the traditional cap and gown and participated in the traditional turning of the tassels to signify the completion of their course of study.

Bart Herbison, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), delivered the commencement address. He was introduced by John Penn Ridgeway, president of TCAT Henry/Carroll. Herbison grew up in Henry County, worked in Nashville in state government and later the federal government, before then working for and promoting the songwriters through their association.

Herbison’s address served as both a roadmap for professional success and a candid look at the grit required to build a meaningful career. Speaking to a crowd of graduates, Herbison challenged the new alumni to look past the glamour of a dream job and embrace the “grunt work” required to get there.

“Get your foot in the door in an occupation you love, even if the role isn’t glamorous,” Herbison told the graduates. “Be around something larger than you. If you are in an environment that inspires you, you can sustain the motivation needed for those early, challenging roles.”

Herbison, whose career has spanned from a teenager working in a family painting business to a key advocate in the halls of Congress, framed his own rise through a lens of relentless preparation. He recounted his early days in radio, where he went from an inexperienced teenager with a self-described “kitten-meowing” voice to the host of the prized morning drive slot. The secret, he revealed, was simple: he was the one willing to work the graveyard shifts, holidays, and weekends that no one else wanted.

“Volunteer for the tasks no one else wants,” Herbison advised. “That is how you differentiate yourself. When you take on assignments outside your job description, you develop skills and gain visibility.”

The speech was peppered with anecdotes that underscored the unpredictability of a successful career. He shared stories of his time in state government and his eventual move to Washington, D.C., where he discovered his life’s passion: advocating for the songwriters behind the music. He noted that even his current, long-standing leadership role wasn’t immediate; he was initially rejected for the position, spent a year studying the intricacies of songwriter compensation, and reapplied when the role reopened.

“Do your homework continuously,” he urged. “If someone else gets the position you want, challenge yourself for the next time. There will be a next time.”

The atmosphere in the room was celebratory, buoyed by an introduction that highlighted Herbison’s unique experiences—from watching superstars like Taylor Swift rise to fame to an unexpected moment in the White House where a U.S. President once took an interest in his cowboy boots.

Yet, beneath the colorful stories was a sobering between 12 and 18 jobs throughout their lifetime. Herbison argued that in such a fluid market, a reputation for integrity—where “your word is your bond”—is the only currency that truly lasts.

“Earning a certificate marks the beginning of the real work,” Herbison said, offering his final congratulations. “You are ready. Now, go be indispensable.”

Graduates included:

Machine Tool Technology

McKenzie Campus: Jonathan Fuentes, Brantley Nanney, Nathan Owens and Ethan Peevyhouse.

Paris Campus: Nathan Ose.

Practical Nursing

Camden Campus: Crystal Coleman, Sara Hooten, Megan Nichols, Madalyn Seate, Linzy Standing Rock and Morgan Todd.

Residential Building Maintenance

Dakota Ables, Landon Brown, Cameron Clark, Kenneth Howard, Benjamin Scott and Miles Travis.

Welding Technology

Dresden Campus: Hayden Burris, Kenneth Camacho, Christopher Gasca, Tabitha Maddox and Charlie McDaniel.

McKenzie Campus: Robert Brotherton, Camron Castleman, Hogan Harris, Kobe Robinson and Braxton Williams.

Paris Campus: Lorenzo Cano, Nathan Merrell and Brylee Rushing.

Administrative Office Technology

Melisa Finch and Kaitlin Turner.

Automotive Technology

Colin Harcleroad, Maddox Hunt, Bryson Lawson, Gavin Lindsey, Dawson Luhellier and Richard Zar.

Collision Repair Technology

Tanner Ashlock, Samantha Corbitt, Jacob Hollingsworth and Alex Kessler.

Cosmetology

McKinley Boyd, Anna Daigle, Arianna Evans, Samantha Hannan, Karlee Hedin, Isaiah Hutcherson, Chloe Oatsvall, Destiny Parker, Keara Robbins, Lillian Ruesken, Rylie Small and Allie Smith.

Criminal Justice: Correctional Officer

Jordyn Hawks and Jordan Shepherd.

Health Information Management Technology

Mandy Fry and Megan Judd.

Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning/Refrigeration

Trace Jones, Nicholas Sackaris, Joshua Shannon, Braxton Trimmer and Caden Tucker.

Industrial Maintenance/Integrated Automation

McKenzie Campus: Christopher Carter and Silas Hazlewood Zayveon Johnson.

Paris Campus: Christopher Cherry, Scott Lutz, Rex Nanney and John Rogers.

Information Technology Systems Management

McKenzie Campus: James Dolan.