From his earliest memories, Tommy Keyes has been fascinated by mechanical parts.
“As a child, I would take apart ballpoint pens and my toy trains,” he said. “I wanted to know how things worked.”
Pursuing this path led Keyes to an interest in restoring old cars and mopeds. He purchased his first car, a Volkswagen Type 1 or “Beetle,” when he was 13 years old. Since then, Keyes has continued to work on multiple Volkswagens, including a 1964 “Bug” that he drives to his classes at Eastern Florida State College.
“It was really convenient for me to attend a school that offered great education and was close to home,” he explained.
Combining Personal & Professional Interests
At EFSC, Keyes is completing his Associate in Arts degree as a full-time student while also engaging extracurricular activities that align with his personal passions. After graduation, he plans to transfer to the University of Central Florida to pursue marketing.
“I’m interested in how investments in marketing return or fail,” he explained. “The analytical side of marketing is something that excites me, and I’m hoping to make that a big part of my career. I’d love to work for the business side of a motorcycle or car company while continuing to enjoy restoration as a hobby.”
Eastern Florida State College has been instrumental in helping Tommy develop these skills. Through his coursework, particularly a macroeconomics class he took, Keyes saw the broader picture of marketing and business strategy.
While Keyes’ academic focus is marketing, he is equally committed to car and moped restoration. He took part in EFSC’s Red, White, and Wheels Car Show, an annual event that invites students and community members to showcase their vehicles, while raising scholarship dollars for student veterans. Keyes displayed his 1964 Volkswagen Beetle, a car he has been restoring with his father for several years.
“It was an amazing experience to bring my car to the show,” said Keyes. “Seeing my car amongst other cars that people have put lots of effort into was very satisfying.”
Getting Involved with Community
In addition to the car show, Keyes found other avenues within the college to pursue his mechanical and creative interests. He is an active member of the 3D Printing Club, a student club that allows him to explore new ways to create parts for his car and moped restoration projects.
“I never expected to be so interested in digital design,” said Keyes, “but now it’s something I’m eager to pursue further.”
These hands-on opportunities have proven invaluable for Keyes, giving him a chance to apply classroom learning to real-world projects. This experience also serves Keyes well in his role leading the FloPeds Moped Club, a statewide organization with 50 members. There, Tommy fuels his love for vintage vehicles while fostering a sense of community among like-minded individuals.
“I’m really passionate about it,” said Keyes. “We’re looking into ways we can give back to the community as a future non-profit.”
Fueling the Future
Looking ahead, Tommy has big plans for both his academic and mechanical future.
“I’m currently working on restoring my first car, a 1959 Volkswagen Beetle,” he said. “I’m excited to add air suspension and custom features. It’s a work in progress, but it’s one of my biggest projects right now. I plan to enter it in next year’s Red, White, and Wheels car show.”
As Keyes continues his education at EFSC, he encourages his peers to reflect on their own passions and fervently follow them.
“You’ve got to be ambitious if you want get stuff done in life. For college, that’s very true,” said Keyes. “And you’ve got to find what motivates you. Seeing my friends pursue their own dreams and careers inspires me to do the same. Don’t let the world pass you by.”
