Celebrating the Newest Orleans Tech grads

By Tom Waring

Orleans Technical College last week honored 311 graduates in its building trades programs. The Nov. 29 ceremony took place at the Philadelphia Ballroom, 2014 Hornig Road, and recognized students who successfully completed programs in carpentry, residential and commercial electricity, plumbing, building maintenance and air conditioning, refrigeration and heating, including 34 property maintenance and repair graduates in the JEVS Human Services Project WOW program.

Longtime director of admissions and student services Debbie Bello read the names of graduates, who accepted their diplomas and posed for pictures with Cynthia Figueroa, JEVS president and CEO, and Orleans Tech campus president Rodney Brutton. Some graduates earned tradesperson awards, while others were recognized for perfect attendance or “outstanding” attendance.

Figueroa said she enjoys watching classes at Orleans, 2770 Red Lion Road.

“It’s usually the highlight of my day,” she said.

Shaquille McFadden, a graduate of the residential and commercial electricity program who was hired by SEPTA, addressed the crowd, saying, “After a long battle, we finally made it.”

Jamell Joyner, a 2021 graduate of the residential and commercial electricity program, encouraged new grads to follow the 3 H’s: be humble, honest and have a hunger for knowledge.

Waleska Maldonado, JEVS chief program officer, urged the grads to push the boundaries, dream big and work hard. “We celebrate not the end but the beginning of your new chapter,” Maldonado said.

Free Info Kit!

First Name*
Last Name*
Email*
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Email Address
Telephone*
How would you like us to contact you?*
- Email
- Phone / Text
This field is hidden when viewing the form
ZIP Code
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Optional: to receive a text message follow up, choose your mobile carrier:
A high school diploma is required to attend Orleans Tech. Do you have a high school diploma?*
- Yes
- No
Desired career*
By pressing the "Submit" button, I give Orleans Technical College consent to contact me using the above phone number and email address, and to use automated technology to call and text at the phone number above, including the wireless number if provided. Please note that you are not required to provide this consent to apply or enroll in one of our programs.
Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, and valid driver’s license—both of which are required by many of the employer partners who hire our graduates.
CAPTCHA