Austin Community College will host spring commencement Thursday, May 9, at 6 p.m. at the Frank Erwin Center (1701 Red River St.). This spring, there are more than 1,300 candidates for ACC graduation. The number of graduates has increased significantly in recent years, with more than 2,600 students graduating in 2011-12 – up almost 63 percent over five years ago.

“Everything we do at ACC is focused on success – from orientation to graduation,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “We work hard to provide a continuum of support, resources, and proven learning strategies that allow students to achieve their dreams – and graduation is the culmination of that. We’re so proud of all our students have accomplished.”

Many ACC students work full time while completing their degree and are the first in their family to go to college – students like Avy Gonzalez, a Presidential Student Achievement Award recipient who will accept his associate degree in government this spring. Gonzalez enrolled at ACC to set an example for his sons, who were in seventh and ninth grades at the time. Today, both boys are enrolled at ACC and Gonzalez’s wife will graduate this summer.

“ACC was a way for me to show my family how much I love them and how much they inspire me,” Gonzalez says. “I am grateful to ACC for allowing me to achieve our family’s goals.”

The commencement ceremony will include a special tribute to graduating veterans, who will receive medals in appreciation of their service and stand for acknowledgement during the ceremony.

The graduation speaker is Andres Alcantar, chairman and commissioner representing the public of the Texas Workforce Commission. The commission works closely with ACC to ensure students are being trained to fill the needs of the workforce.

For more information on the graduation ceremony, visit the commencement webpage. Note:Â ACC spring commencement coincides with President Obama’s visit to Austin. Graduates and guests are urged to plan ahead and allow sufficient time in case road closures affect travel to the Erwin Center. For details on planned road closures downtown, see the Austin American-Statesman.