By Lynda Lopez

Denzel Gore is a long way from home. The 24-year-old now lives in Dallas but is originally from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, a tiny little island paradise in the Caribbean Sea.

In 2010 he was one of 20 St. Croix students who got scholarships to Texas State Technical College as part of an industry partnership.

“I was pretty excited. It’s not often people get full scholarships to college,” explained Gore. “It was a little overwhelming coming to Waco. I came from a small island. My first impression was that everything was huge here.”

Gore says he was also surprised at how friendly people were on the college campus and in the community.

“Complete strangers said hi. Faculty and staff were so welcoming to us. They made us feel right at home,” said Gore.

Gore earned an associate degree in Instrumentation Controls and Robotics. He credits faculty for his academic success.

“Instructors were always there to help. They were there if you didn’t have transportation or if you were running behind in class,” said Gore. “TSTC faculty make sure you succeed. You get their full support, including one-on-one training and tutoring.”

And Gore says it was the faculty that helped him get a job with Koch Pipeline, which operates pipelines that transport crude oil and petroleum products. He worked in Corpus Christi right after graduation and recently transferred to Dallas.

In a few weeks he’ll be celebrating five years with Koch Pipeline.

“I still have connections with TSTC. Faculty will call and check up on me. They come to Dallas and call so we can do lunch. Maybe it’s a Texas thing. I just love it,” said Gore.

Last month he traveled back to Waco to recruit TSTC students for his company. He says he was honored to represent Koch Pipeline and delighted to see so many old friends.

“I’m glad Koch sent me back,” said Gore. “All these kids would come up to me. I can’t believe that just a few years ago I was in their shoes looking for my first job. Some of them were taking classes I had taken. We could really relate.”

Gore travels back to St. Croix once a year, but he says Texas is now home.  He says he has no regrets about moving to the Lone Star State. He wishes more students knew about TSTC.

“I would encourage students to do their research. Learn more about TSTC. You won’t just get an education and a career,” explained Gore. “You will get a family.”

For more information on TSTC programs and locations, visit us online at tstc.edu.