ACC Salutes Fall 2013 Graduates

Graduates gather at the Frank Erwin Center before the fall commencement ceremony.

Kenneth Reeves always wanted to go to college. But between working as a machinist and carpenter, and serving in the Coast Guard, there was little time for school. Now that he has earned his degree from ACC, he will take the next step in his career and open a photography studio.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet that I finally have my degree,” says Reeves, who is the first in his family to graduate college. “I’ve wanted this for so long – this is a big deal for me.”

Reeves was one of hundreds of students who crossed the stage at the Frank Erwin Center during ACC’s fall commencement ceremony on Dec. 12. The ceremony recognized summer and fall graduates.

More than 1,100 students applied to graduate this fall, and 665 completed their degree in the summer, continuing ACC’s trend of increased graduation numbers. In fact, the number of graduates has grown 80 percent in the past six years.

“As a college president, graduation is one of my favorite times of the year,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “Our students have worked hard and made sacrifices to reach this point, and the college is proud of all of their accomplishments.”

As part of ACC’s 40th anniversary celebration, the commencement ceremony honored a few of ACC’s first graduates. The graduation speaker was Ben Barnes, former lieutenant governor of Texas.

“Though today marks the conclusion of a chapter in your lives, it more importantly signifies a new beginning,” Barnes told graduates. “How you move forward from this point will not only shape your individual futures, but the future of our country.”

Check out photos from the ceremony on Flickr or view the slideshow:

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