Midland College to Celebrate 30 Years of WRTTC in Fort StocktonSeptember 30, 2026

Midland College will celebrate 30 years of education and workforce training in Pecos County with a community event marking the 30th anniversary of the Williams Regional Technical Training Center (WRTTC) on Saturday, Oct. 17. The celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at WRTTC, 1309 I-10 West in Fort Stockton. The event is free and open to the community.

Throughout the day, guests can explore WRTTC and learn about the programs offered at the center. The celebration will also include live music by local favorite Marcos Mendoza, Jr. and a DJ, family-friendly games and attractions and giveaways. The first 500 guests to sign in will receive tickets for food and giveaways.

A special anniversary program will begin at 12:30 p.m. and will recognize Pecos County Judge Joe Shuster for his longstanding support of WRTTC and higher education in Pecos County. Midland College President Dr. Damon Kennedy will present Shuster with a plaque, followed by remarks from Shuster and an anniversary cake cutting.

Shuster’s connection to WRTTC stretches back to its beginning. As Fort Stockton mayor in the early 1990s, he was among the local leaders who worked with Midland College and community partners to bring higher education and workforce training to Fort Stockton. In the decades that followed, he helped champion scholarship opportunities for Pecos County students and later supported the branch maintenance tax that continues to provide local funding for WRTTC operations.

Thirty years after WRTTC opened its doors, the center continues to provide access to college courses and workforce training close to home for students throughout the region.

“WRTTC was built on the belief that where you live should not determine whether you have access to an education,” said Kennedy. “That belief continues to guide our work in Fort Stockton. Our commitment is to keep opening doors for Pecos County students and to ensure the education and training available here continue to meet the needs of this community. We are incredibly proud of what has been built together and even more excited about what comes next.”

The Williams Regional Technical Training Center was established through a partnership among Midland College and Pecos County community leaders to expand access to higher education and workforce development in the region. Today, WRTTC serves students through college credit courses, workforce programs, continuing education, and customized training.