Amid Much Jubilation and Fanfare, 1,062 TCI Students Graduate - Largest Graduation in TCI's History

NEW YORK, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In a ceremony filled with jubilation and fanfare, 1,062 Technical Career Institutes (TCI) students graduated on June 9, 2011 in an exciting ceremony that was held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center here. Over 3,000 people attended the ceremony that marked the largest graduation in TCI's 102-year history.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110616/NY21473 )

The crowd attentively listened to The Class of 2011 Valedictorian Veronica Trinidad.  "The recession brought me to TCI, I was downsized from a firm that I was with for over 9 years. Not only did I not have a degree, but, I am also a single parent. What was I going to do? My soul searching led me to TCI. TCI gave me the hope that I needed to know that I could be successful. I am thankful for having a wonderful family that encouraged me and was there when I needed them so that I could complete my studies," she said.

The keynote speaker was New York State Assembly member Hakeem Jeffries, a champion for working families and a fierce advocate for reform of state government in Albany. His remarks were enthusiastically received by the graduates, their family and friends and by TCI faculty. Mr. Jeffries was awarded the prestigious Marconi Medal – the highest honor granted by TCI - for distinguished service to the community and for leadership in government.

TCI's CEO Remarks.

Dr. John J. McGrath, TCI's Chief Executive Officer, delivered a moving speech entitled: "The Examined Life – In the Arena." "I want each of you to examine your life as you stand in the middle of the arena and battle to realize your dreams – important dreams that are intrinsic to you," he said.  "To examine one's life is important," McGrath added.  "What were our dreams? Did we achieve them? How have our lives been challenged?  How did we stand up to those challenges? When we stood in the middle of the arena in life - sometimes against all odds - did we stand tall? Did we refuse to bend the knee when we knew we were right? Were we true to our dreams? Our intrinsic self. Our inner core?"

He added that it is not how many times you get knocked down - sometimes over and over again.  The real test of character is how many times - despite the odds - did you get back up again?

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He asked the graduates to go home and reflect upon their own personal mission statement in life…"Reflect on it deeply and write it down," he said. Then he asked the class to look at it every five years and examine their life, comparing their dreams and inner soul with reality.  "Examine your life from time to time and reflect upon your life intellectually and spiritually.  "Don't worry about critics; there are always plenty of those.  Think about courage and passion as you reflect upon your dreams," he said. "Never give up. You are a success. You are a college graduate!. You are pure potential, and also remember, when you look back upon your life many years from now, that the most important goal is not physical possessions – but how many people did you help along the way," McGrath concluded.

TCI's President Remarks.

Bill Talbot, President of TCI, said: "You have accomplished something that you, your family and your friends should be incredibly proud of.  You have earned an Associate's Degree from a dually accredited college," Talbot said: "With an Associate's Degree from TCI, you leave today with a new life skill.  You have demonstrated over the last year that you have mastered the skill of learning."  He added that technology will change and businesses will change, but TCI graduates are prepared to embrace these changes.  "Don't stop today, but continue your quest for knowledge by earning industry specific certificates, by joining industry organizations or by expanding your academic achievements with a Baccalaureate Degree.  By continuing to build your knowledge you will be the most responsive to change, the most attractive to businesses and the most likely to prosper," Talbot concluded.  

TCI Background.

For more than 100 years, Technical Career Institutes has inspired students in college career paths to lead brighter and more fulfilling futures.  TCI's reputation for excellence in education is underscored by its dual accreditation from the New York State Board of Regents and by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  TCI's broad-based curricula offers diverse state-of-the-industry training at the Associate's Degree level taught by more than 247 highly qualified faculty.  

Founded in 1909, under the leadership of Nobel Prize recipient Guglielmo Marconi, TCI was a leading center for education and development in the communications industry. Later, the school was propelled forward by graduate David Sarnoff, pioneer of American commercial radio and television, and co-founder of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC).

Today, TCI averages over 4,000 students in a spring or fall semester with 19 academic degree programs and three certificate programs that focus on Engineering, Information Technology, Facilities Healthcare, Business, Paralegal, New Media Technologies and many other career paths.  

The College, located at 320 W. 31st Street in Mid-town Manhattan, offers flexible and convenient schedules for its students to attend class and achieve their goals while recognizing that today's students have busy, multi-faceted lifestyles.

TCI's student body is richly diverse and the highly trained staff of counselors offers students a wealth of experiences. Financial aid, which may be available from both state and federal sources, assist high school graduates, GED holders and those seeking higher education without a high school diploma or GED.

SOURCE Technical Career Institutes