More than 1,800 graduates received degrees, certificates, and diplomas from Renton Technical College this year. More than 800 -- the largest number in recent memory -- participated in the Commencement ceremony June 21 at the ShoWare Center in Kent.

The graduates selected as Commencement speakers showed how students succeed at RTC. All three secured full-time jobs or internships before graduation. They are:

Lindsey Biell, a student leader who graduates with her bachelor’s of applied science in application development. She previously earned her associate’s degree in computer science at RTC. A member of the RTC Associated Student Government (ASG) and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, she served as a peer tutor and an intern with the RTC Information Technology Department and helped create the RTC Association for Computing and Machinery. She works as a web developer at Eventcore in Seattle.

Barry Green, who graduates from the Engineering Design Technology program and is an engineering assistant at Puget Sound Energy. A United States Marine Corps veteran, he was a founding member of the RTC Men of Merit, a program created to foster brotherhood and connection between men of color on campus. He also was a member of ASG, Phi Theta Kappa, and the Student Veterans Club.

Devin Woods, who graduates with his applied associate’s degree in computer science with a 4.0 GPA. He plans to earn his bachelor’s degree and secured an internship as a software engineer.  He first joined RTC as a Running Start student enrolled in both high school and college. He worked in the Student Success Center, welcoming and assisting students, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and a peer mentor.

RTC’s completion rate of 63 percent is the highest among the state’s community and technical colleges, and 85 percent of RTC graduates are employed nine months after graduation.

Watch the commencement highlight video here: https://rtc.edu/2018-commencement-highlights