Giving Back to the Community: Meet Tom Seal

“After I started the automotive program at SPSCC, I got the opportunity to sell the house I had in Tenino. I bought a house down in Arkansas because it’s my calling. I’m originally from the Midwest, I like the slow pace of life, the weather, and I got to be closer to my family,” said Tom Seal. “I sold all my stuff and moved down there. I started looking for automotive programs and there was nothing of the sort like we have here. SPSCC is the only reason I came back to Washington State.”

Tom is a student in SPSCC’s Automotive Technology program. His interest in cars dates back to childhood. Not only were Hot Wheels his favorite toy, but he also had a lot of memories of his dad and the trucks he had around the house and farm. After retiring from the Army in 2018, Tom began working at an auto parts store where his interest was reignited.

“My understanding of vehicles was from the 1980s or older,” Tom laughed. “When I worked at the auto parts store, I was blown away by all the advancements in technology like the sensors and scanning codes. All these things made me realize that I could pop a hood on a car and have no idea what I’m looking at. That made me a lot more interested.”

In the summer of 2021, Tom enrolled in the Automotive Technology program at SPSCC. With the help of the Financial Aid office, Tom earned scholarships to help pay for his tuition and tools. He enjoys attending class and polishing up his skills in the shop. What impacted Tom the most were the instructors.

“One of the best things about this program is that your instructors are either working in the field or just recently stopped working in the field after 20 years of experience,” said Tom. “They’re working at dealerships where they’re looking directly at the new, advancing technologies and they’re teaching it in class. That’s, no doubt, one of the biggest selling points of the program.”

Tom has found different ways to connect with the campus community. He enjoys getting involved in events hosted by The Office of Student Life, like swing dancing classes, that push him out of his comfort zone. He has also found a community in the Veterans Club.

“We have club meetings, but also events. Just recently, we had dinner at a veteran-owned restaurant,” said Tom. “We went out there, had a great time, and met some new folks. We’re looking forward to planning the next event. It gives me the chance to reconnect with a life I thought I left behind.”

His experience as a veteran has also helped him connect with his younger classmates. After spending the last 25 years in the Army working alongside peers who had just finished high school, Tom felt comfortable engaging with his classmates and finding things they had in common.

“Don’t be that old geezer that thinks they know it all,” Tom joked. “You’d be surprised what you can learn from them and what they can learn from you. I was happy to be that person that younger students can ask for advice in class and in life.”

In the future, Tom looks forward to starting a career in the automotive industry by working at a car dealership. He also looks forward to sharing his skills with his community. One day, Tom hopes to organize a “rodeo” at his local church where the community can bring their cars and get basic maintenance done on them.

“It’d be a great opportunity to get the younger folks involved and show them the basics of how to change oil and complete a vehicle inspection. The older population, the folks who are just trying to keep their cars running, are taken care of,” said Tom. “I want to use what I’ve learned here at SPSCC and help my community.”