TIJT holds graduation ceremonies Thursday

Published or Revised May 11, 2007

The Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, a division of Paris Junior College, held graduation ceremonies Thursday, May 10, for students completing jewelry, gemology, horology, bench technician, casting and computer-aided jewelry design classes. Ulla Raus, TIJT director, introduced faculty and staff members, along with David McAnally, dean of workforce education, guest speaker Darrell Warren and Elizabeth Brehmer, both members of the TIJT advisory committee. Warren is business vice president for tools, packaging and fabricated metals for Stuller Inc. of Lafayette, La. Brehmer is business vice president for findings at Stuller. "You are entering what is truly a global business," Warren said. He told the graduates that the independent jeweler is still the backbone of the industry and that with their training and perseverance they can successfully compete with anyone. He shared some laws of daily living that will help them in their future endeavors. Michael Tallant of Blossom was the winner in the student design contest. The NAMANO Stone Setting Award winners were Paul Unger, first place; Heang Huoch, second place; and Kyle Offutt, Paris, third place. Stuller Award of Excellence winners included Keith Wallis, first place; Minh Nguyen, second place; and Jacob Smith, third place. Receiving the NAMANO Clay Minton Watch Award was George Hawkins. Jewelry Technology graduates were Kimberly Rushing, Paris; Gregory P. Griffin Jr., Pattonville; Paul Unger, Huntsville; Kathryn VanEmon, Avon, Ind.; and Keith Wallis, Mountain Home, Ark. Gemology Technology graduates included Sylvia Provence, Misti Easterwood and Jeanette Turner, all of Paris; Amanda McElduff, Tatum; Tim Stoker, Dallas; Jessica Lowe, Coppell; Olivia H. Madrid, Midland; Grant Mykicz, Montevallo, Ala.; Benton Thompson, Lewisburg, Tenn.; Monika M. Oberle, Claflin, Kan.; Laura Hayes, West Fork, Ark.; Stephen Thode, Enumclaw, Wash. George Hawkins of Paris and Aaron A. Jimison of Kilgore completed the Horology Technology program. Receiving Bench Technician designations were Kristin Katherine Tully, Paris; James Franklin, Midland; Minh Nguyen and Heang Kuock, Fort Worth; David Pena, Kingwood; Jacob Mykicz, Montevallo, Ala.; and Mary Melissa DeClement, Columbia, Miss. Graduates completing the Computer-Aided Jewelry Design program included Douglas W. Cox, Jacob R. Smith, Julia Taggart-Fowler, Kimberly Mae Rushing and Gove Dee Slate, all of Paris; Michael Tallant, Blossom; Scott Stancliff, Reno; Trish Rash, Quinlan; Lauren Leigh Richard, Opelousas, La.; Mark Smith, Park Hill, Okla.; and Laura Stocklin, Lancaster, Ohio. Jacob Smith, Trish Rash, Scott Stancliff and Laura Stocklin received casting certificates.