KTECH Celebrates Class 24 Graduates, Workforce Success Stories

KTECH celebrated its Spring 2026 graduation ceremony by honoring students from its Mechatronics and VR Academy programs, recognizing not only their technical accomplishments, but the perseverance and determination that brought them to this milestone.

During the ceremony, KTECH President and Founder Lee Marshall reflected on the organization’s mission to prepare students for more than just employment.

“We prepare students not only for jobs but for life,” Marshall said. “Our graduates leave KTECH equipped with technical skills, professional confidence and personal resilience, a combination that sets them apart as they enter the workforce.”

Click here for photos from graduation.

Marshall also highlighted the organization’s strong industry partnerships and the growing number of students moving directly from graduation into careers across North Alabama’s advanced manufacturing and technology sectors.

One of the most powerful moments of the ceremony came from KTECH Class 20 alumnus Chase Hester, who returned to speak to graduates about how the program changed the trajectory of his life.

Introduced by Stuart Brown, Division Director at Element Materials Technology and Hester’s employer, Hester shared how he went from uncertainty to working on projects connected to NASA’s Artemis missions.

“What started as a job became something much more,” Hester said. “It became a place where I feel at home and where my coworkers feel like family.”

Hester now works as a test technician and seismic table operator at Element, helping qualify equipment for aerospace and nuclear applications around the world.

“Three or four years ago, I never would have imagined that I would one day be testing components that are a part of manned spaceflight, including Artemis II and Artemis III,” he said.

Brown praised KTECH graduates for the attitude and work ethic they bring into the workforce.

“The differentiator is attitude and enthusiasm,” Brown said. “We’ve employed five KTECH graduates already, with more on the way, and they’ve all worked out exceptionally well.”

The ceremony also recognized several students for exceptional achievement and perseverance throughout the program.

The James Palmer Lindberg, Jr. Trajectory Award, presented to the students with the highest grade point average in KTECH Class 24, was awarded to Kevin Bradshaw and David Stokes. During the presentation, KTECH leaders described both graduates as students who demonstrated “excellence, commitment and the kind of forward momentum this award was created to honor.” Both also received scholarships to Calhoun Community College.

The Lawrence Haney Work Ethic Award, which recognizes hard work, perseverance and determination, was presented to Donal (Tony) Willis. Marshall praised Willis for the positivity and consistency he brought to the classroom each day, saying he “approached each subject with determination” while encouraging those around him.

Melania Harris also received recognition during the ceremony for being accepted into Alabama’s FAME program. Harris will be able to continue her education while simultaneously beginning her career with a job at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing.

The ceremony also highlighted the continued growth of the KTECH VR Academy, which equips students with skills in immersive technology, digital design and virtual reality development. During the program presentation, instructors emphasized that this year’s class represented one of the most diverse groups in the academy’s history, bringing together students from multiple schools and backgrounds.

“I want everyone because I want them to experience that diversity,” said VR instructor Karl Liggin. “It allows you to get an understanding of what the real workforce is like.”

In addition to celebrating this graduating class, KTECH leaders also recognized the successful completion of the first year of the organization’s VR pilot program at Madison County High School. The initiative expanded access to advanced technology education for students on the eastern side of Madison County, providing opportunities many students previously would not have had access to.