ustin, TX – Retiring Austin Community College Trustee Della May Moore will address more than 1,200 eligible graduates at ACC’s commencement ceremony

Thursday, May 9, 2002, at 7 p.m. at the Frank Erwin Center 1711 Red River.

“I urge all of our graduates to face the challenges that may enter their lives, boldly, armed with the spirit of optimism and hope, and strengthened by the skills and knowledge they have learned while at Austin Community College,” Moore said. “What matters most is not where someone comes from, but where they are heading.”

Six students who have overcome barriers to their education will be walking across the stage as recipients of the Presidential Student Achievement Award: Michele Haram, Judy Arriaga, Cynthia Surles-Hall, Juliana Cumbo, Antoinette Durham Elliott, and Kathy Judge. These students have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to obtaining their degree from ACC, while maintaining a 3.0 GPA.

Arriaga began her journey toward her higher education goal in 1999 when she enrolled in ACC’s business administration associate’s degree program while working

full-time. Arriaga, who earned her GED in 1989, intends on earning her bachelor’s

degree from Southwest Texas State in business administration, as well as her MBA.

“Winning this award came as a surprise to me, ” said Arriaga, chapter president of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two-year colleges. “This recognition is really icing on the cake. I’ve worked really hard not to receive it, but because I enjoyed what I was doing. Without this community college, I don’t think I’d have had the opportunity to continue my education or to attend SWT.”