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Wlaf1450By Charlotte Underwood
CAMPBELL COUNTY, TN (WLAF)- Thursday evening marked a milestone for TCAT Jacksboro students as they donned cap and gown to walk across the graduation stage and start the next chapter of their lives.
TCAT Jacksboro has grown so much that this year, graduation ceremonies were split into three events, with the first set of grads walking on Tuesday, the next set on Thursday and finishing up with the nursing program Friday evening at 6pm. This year marks the largest class yet with approximately 200 students receiving diplomas and certificates.
Thursday’s graduates were from Automotive, Building Construction, Heating-Ventilation-Air Conditioning-Refrigeration, Machine Tool, Power Sports, Residential Commercial Industrial Electricity and Welding.
The LaFollette Church of God was packed with those in attendance to support members of the graduating class of 2026.
WLAF’s Charlie Hutson shares his photos from Thursday’s graduation.
This year was also special for 31 adult education students who earned their high school equivalency diplomas from Campbell and surrounding counties.
Thursday’s ceremony kicked off with TCAT Vice President Jada Stanley welcoming grads and their families to the event. The presentation of colors was then presented by BSA Scout Troop 311.
Dr. Debbie Petree, TCAT Jacksboro’s campus President, congratulated students on their achievements.
“We are here to recognize the accomplishments of the graduates of 2026,” Dr. Petree said.
President Petree said she had two favorite times of the year, “graduation and when new students get welcomed to campus on September 2nd.”
“I say this each graduation year; it’s exciting to see students on campus that first day of school and it’s even more exciting to see them on graduation day,” Dr. Petree said.
She also noted that Tennessee leads the nation in assisting its citizens to obtain higher education credentials and that many TCAT students were recipients of the Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect Programs. It was also noted that many students are dual enrollment students who are obtaining degrees while still in high school.
Accolades were also paid to the magnificent faculty and staff of TCAT Jacksboro.
Special note was taken to recognize Technology Foundations Instructor and Graduation Director Barbara Wallace for all she has done over the years. Wallace is retiring in November after 22 years at TCAT.
“This is this last graduation Barbara Wallace will direct. She has been with TCAT for 22 years and we appreciate her so much,” Dr. Petree said.
TCAT student Emma Franklin delivered the opening prayer for Thursday’s ceremony, while Melissa Chitwood Administrative Office Technology student was among the guest speakers for the event.
“Today isn’t just about earning a diploma, it’s about celebrating a promise…Every one of us came here for the same reason, to learn, to grow… No matter where we are in our educational journey, every milestone deserves to be celebrated. Along the way we learned more than technical skills. Inside these walls people from all walks of life came together for one shared goal- to make a better future,” Chitwood said.
Student Hannah Nelson also spoke.
“Today is a celebration of your hard work and commitment; hard work does pay off… I’m sad our journey is coming to an end, but even more excited where this is taking us. To my classmates and peers, thank you for your support and friendship along the way,” Nelson said. She also thanked the staff and faculty saying she was “truly grateful for all you have done for us.”
“This is the beginning of everything that comes next. Congratulations to the 2026 class – we made it,” Nelson said.
This year’s graduation was also momentous in that it is the last graduating class from the original TCAT building, with new students moving over to the newly built campus buildings in January of 2027.
President Petree thanked faculty and staff who “work tirelessly each day to help our students with the tools they need to enter the work force”, saying TCAT faculty and staff go above and beyond every day.”
She left students with the parting advice to “be kind.”
“Please remember, kindness costs nothing, but it can mean everything. You may never know how far your kindness travels, but it matters; always be kind.” (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/28/2026-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)