Alumni Spotlights

Today's SouthernTech Alumni spotlight is Sara Kennedy. Sara completed the SouthernTech Pre-Engineering & Robotics programs in 2021-2022 and is now working as an Industrial Engineer at Goodyear Tire. Sara credits SouthernTech with helping shape her path toward engineering. The hands-on experience she gained in the program strengthened her interest, built her confidence, and prepared her to pursue engineering in college. She also credits her instructor, Jennifer Laird, for continually encouraging and challenging her along the way- and the two still stay in contact today. We're proud to see Sara putting her SouthernTech experience to work.

This Alumni Spotlight is former Cabinet Making Student Ryan Hicks. Ryan took an evening Cabinet Making Class with his father and brother. After completing the program, he owned his own cabinet-making shop. Now, as the Murray County Ag Agent, he still uses his skills to teach kids in the 4-H Project Club six times a year. His most recent project with them was building a shoehorn. Ryan said SouthernTech has a special place in his heart because he earned a scholarship to attend the program, and it helped him learn skills he later used to open his own cabinet shop. 

Shane Stepps graduated high school a year early to attend the HVAC program all day half way through the year. He began his work study where he worked a few years before obtaining his Journeyman's license. After that, Shane started working for another company for five years when he finally decided to get his contractors license and start his own company.

Keller Claxton completed his Construction training at SouthernTech in 2014. Since then, he has been working for the City of Ardmore as a Building Inspector. He also uses his skills when renovating his home. Keller said, “One of my fondest memories is finally beating Mr. Adams in the nail game. This is where we see who can drive the most nails in one hit of a hammer. Mr. Adams was always hard to beat. I won a framing hammer for my win, and I still use that hammer to this day.” Keller also said, “This school is a fantastic place, and there is a spot for everybody there, I would encourage everyone to pursue a skill at SouthernTech.”

Amber McCabe received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Oklahoma while attending the Dental Hygiene Program on the SouthernTech campus. As a student, she received the Tom's of Maine Community Service award and received $3000 and a paid trip to the ADHA conference. She is currently working as a Dental Hygienist while attending school at OU, where she will graduate with her doctorate in dental surgery in 2023. Amber said, "Mrs. McCuller's once told me, 'You learn something from everyone, sometimes it might not be what you set out to learn, but regardless, you learn.' I think about this often and share it with other people who I think may benefit from hearing it."

Jay Christian completed his welding training under the late Danny Ward. Jay said, "Danny taught us that honesty and integrity make us good working men. One of my greatest memories was getting my first welding job." Jay has worked at many different places welding, and the skills he learned at SouthernTech are still being used today.

Jay is proud that, because of the skills he learned at SouthernTech, he was able to teach his daughter, Jaci Gray, to weld.