By Raina Burusnukul
Page Editor
Electrical Projects Engineering major, Jesus Marquez has been selected as Amarillo College’s fall 2024 graduation commencement speaker. Marquez said his academic journey has been one characterized by accomplishment, resilience and self-discovery.
“When I received the phone call telling me I had been selected, I felt like time stopped,” Marquez said. “It took me a minute to realize what was happening and another minute to breathe and fully process the news. It’s a big deal and a massive honor to be selected but the first thing that came to mind was now it’s my obligation to be the voice of the students.”
Driven by his desire to make his family proud, Marquez said he dedicates his unwavering drive for success to their sacrifices and support. Especially his older sister, who helped pave the way for his life and studies. Marquez said his choice to study at Amarillo College, her alma mater, was a no-brainer.
“My academic journey has been bittersweet,” he said. “Since high school, I have been very motivated to become something more. Coming from a first-generation immigrant family, my background and my family’s resilience drive me to become something more. Because of their sacrifices, I feel a duty to take advantage of the opportunities presented to me.”
With the help of a student STEM internship at Pantex and the resources provided by AC, Marquez was able to truly take advantage of his education, dip his toe into the world of engineering and realize his passion for electrical projects engineering.
“After graduating I had so many careers in mind that I wanted to pursue, but I gravitated toward engineering. Since the engineering field is so broad, I had more wiggle room to decide which type of engineering I wanted to go into,” Marquez said. “When I started at Amarillo College, I was taking classes for mechanical engineering, but thanks to a fortunate opportunity, I was one of the first four students to intern for Pantex. Without a doubt, the internship at Pantex is what persuaded me to change from mechanical engineering to electrical projects.”
Looking back at his accolades and extracurriculars, such as his involvement in the STEM scholars program and the time he represented the program at Employer Summit, Marquez said he has come a long way during his time at AC, growing immensely from the uncertain high schooler he once was.
“If my younger self saw me today, I don’t think he would recognize me,” he said. “School, family, friends and life experiences have changed me for the better. I was not always as ambitious and confident. Insecurities stacked on top of another when I was young, the turning point was the pandemic. I took advantage of being at home for months and began lifting weights and training my mind by reading and writing. I fell in love with the process of bettering myself,” Marquez said. “I remember being a kid and being insecure with my own identity. I had a name and but wasn’t sure who I was. I know who I am now: a hardworking student, a caring son and brother, an amazing friend, but most importantly, a confident man.”
Marquez’s devotion to his family, his commitment to a better future and himself have been constants throughout his academic career thus far and will continue to shape his path after he takes the stage and addresses his peers.
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