Texas Border Business
By Joey Gomez
McALLEN, Texas – In an effort to improve campus life, students at South Texas College’s Technology Campus have designed and built custom picnic tables, creating new spaces for their peers to rest and recharge.
The project, led by the campus Student Government Association (SGA) as part of its Beautify Tech with SGA initiative reflects a hands-on approach to addressing student needs while strengthening a sense of community.
The tables, installed near the campus Welding labs, were created in direct response to student needs, according to SGA President Jose “JD” Medrano, who said he noticed many students in the area sitting in their vehicles or using truck tailgates as makeshift seating during breaks.
“We wanted to take initiative and give them somewhere to relax, especially in a space where there really wasn’t anything before,” said Medrano, who also relied on his own experience as a Welding student at STC. “Our priority is always listening to student feedback and finding ways to improve their experience.”
Each table features custom engravings representing the various programs offered at the Technology Campus, which serves both as functional seating and a tribute to the campus community.
Designed with durability in mind, the structures were crafted using a combination of woodworking and welding techniques.
SGA parliamentarian and Welding student Melvin Gloria said the team focused on quality and innovation throughout the build, even incorporating wheels to make the tables unique and mobile.
“We didn’t want to make something simple; we wanted to make something different,” Gloria said. “We took our time with every detail to make sure it would last.”
The project was a collaborative effort across multiple programs, including Construction Management as well as the Architecture Engineering and Design Technology (AEDT) program, which assisted with materials, tools and laser engravings.
The entire build took about a month, with students dedicating long hours to planning, designing and constructing the tables.
“The hard work, the long nights – I think it all paid off,” said SGA Advisor and Technology Campus Student Activities Coordinator Robert Alaniz. “These students are ambitious. This project really shows what they are capable of.”
Following construction of the tables, SGA hosted a campus-wide barbecue celebration, bringing together students, faculty and staff after more than a week of intensive work.
Beyond the physical improvements, Medrano said the project fostered a deeper sense of connection and belonging on campus.
“This is what we do here at Tech Campus. This is our community,” Medrano said. “This is not just dedicated to those who built this, it’s for everyone to use. I can think of no better way to represent our campus.”
Information source: STC
