Austin Community College honored hundreds of graduates at its spring commencement ceremony May 14 in the Frank Erwin Center.

“Let this be a starting point for greater things,” said Daniel Chitty, ACC graduate and Presidential Student Achievement award winner. “Your children and your loved ones look to you as an example for their own lives and will strive to accomplish greater things for themselves.”

Chitty is one of the more than 1,400 degree/certificate candidates for the spring semester. Final numbers will be released in late summer.

“The joy and pride at commencement from the students, their family, and friends is electric,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “This is where you see the hope and the promise of tomorrow.”

Dr. Walter Bumphus, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), and his wife Dr. Aileen Bumphus, executive director of the University of Texas at Austin’s Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence Gateway Scholars Program, served as commencement speakers.

“Our challenge to you is to capitalize on your success by continuing to serve as an example and source of inspiration for those who come after you,” Dr. Walter Bumphus told the audience of graduates and their supporters.

“We challenge you to think deeply about a promising career that continues to build a strong village,” continued Dr. Aileen Bumphus.

At the ceremony, ACC honored 13 high school seniors who are the first to earn associate of arts degrees through ACC’s early college high school program.

“In today’s world you need to be ahead. This gets us there,” says Omari Henry, ECHS graduate. “It wasn’t easy. People said what we’re doing now wasn’t possible, but this program gave us a strong foundation and the right motivation. We’re breaking boundaries for the next group of graduates.”

Check out photos from the spring commencement ceremony on Flickr.

Tags: Bumphus, Chitty, Early College High School, graduation, spring commencement