Austin, TX – May 5, 2006 – A record 1,700 Austin Community College students are eligible to participate in commencement exercises Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. at a new location: Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs Road.

The May 2006 graduation ceremony will include graduates from summer and fall 2005 semesters, as well as students from spring 2006.

In his keynote address, former St. Petersburg College student and Austin American-Statesman Editor Rich Oppel is expected to share his community college experiences with ACC graduates and offer advice about continuing their education and embarking on future careers.