TIJT holds spring 2009 graduation ceremonies
Published or Revised May 08, 2009
The Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, a division of Paris Junior College, held spring graduation ceremonies Thursday in the Ray Karrer Theater on the PJC campus. TIJT Division Chair Ulla Raus welcomed the families and friends of the graduates and introduced the guest panel and TIJT instructors and staff members. Shannon Calloway, TIJT gemology instructor and student association advisor, presented highlights of the activities for the spring semester. Calloway narrated a slide presentation showing the entries in the student jewelry design contest categories and announced the winners. Gregory Prince won first place in Art Metals and Wax Carving and was named overall contest winner. Aryn Jolley won the Finished Jewelry category; David Mire won first place in CAD/CAM; Tyler Basinger won first place in Lapidary; and Janice Lalor won first place in Rendering. Yuichiro Omori won first place in the Computer-Aided Jewelry Design contest. Adam Graham, marketing manager for the American Gem Trade Association, was the keynote speaker. Graham told the graduates they "have made a great choice to enter the jewelry industry. Take time to participate in the business and become well rounded. Take advantage of industry associations to build a knowledge base of what's going on in the industry. Do things the right way as ethics is the basis of the jewelry industry. Treat clients, vendors, co-workers fairly. "And finally, enjoy the special moments that can be shared by remembering that each piece of jewelry may have special meaning to the wearer or recipient. Network in as many ways as possible with others throughout each phase of the industry." Dr. Pamela Anglin, Paris Junior College president, and Dean of Workforce Education Kevin Rose presented certificates to the graduates. Jewelry Technology graduates are Mitch Alexander, Texarkana; Emily Chao, Paris; David DeLoache, Irmo, S.C.; Jacoby Jarnagin, Chickasha, Okla.; Aryn Jolley, Alpharetta, Ga.; Mark Lee, Shreveport, La.; Jessica Lowe, Coppell; Valorie Meadows, Renton, Wash.; Gregory Prince, New Under Wood, S.D.; Sylvia Provence, Paris; Rebecca Simpson, Dallas; and Aubrey L. Taylor, Pineville, La. Gemology graduates include Tyler Basinger, Sumner; Deborah Bobb, Antlers, Okla.; Paige Elizabeth Duncan, New Boston; Dustin Floyd, Crossett, Ark.; Mark Hatley, Cave City, Ark.; Michael Lee, Paris; Tommy Nguyen, Katy; and Joe Shannon, Sumner. James Edwin Hall III, Amarillo; Oscar C.Y. Passalacqua II, Kailua Kona, Hawaii; Brandie N. Peters, Fort Worth; and Charles Tatum, Bonham, completed the Bench Technician program. Graduates of the Computer-Aided Design program are David R. Mire, Wolfforth; Yuichiro Omori, Tomakomai, Japan; Eugene Patrick Raus, Paris; Ellen A. Rehm, Dallas; Sean Rae Russell, Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Timothy Stoker, Dallas. Receiving Casting Certificates are Jason Crook, Mountain Home, Ark.; Janice Lalor, Dallas; Jessica Lowe, Coppell; Valorie Meadows, Renton, Wash.; Cristin Nelson, Telephone; Gregory Prince, New Under Wood, S.D.; and Aubrey L. Taylor, Pineville, La.