My New Life Begins Today

Thousands leave ACC with fresh opportunities

Graduation season at Austin Community College is unlike any place else.

The college’s graduates walked the stage at the Frank Erwin Center on Thursday, May 14, to accept their degrees and certificates in a formal ceremony marked by “Pomp and Circumstance” and cheers from loved ones.

“As long as you live, you’ll be learning,” commencement speaker and former Texas legislator Wilhelmina Delco told graduates.

As long as you live, you’ll be learning.
-Texas legislator, Wilhelmina Delco

Of 1,800 students earning degrees and certificates in 2008-09, more than 500 participated in commencement exercises. Awards were presented to students David Dunkin and Julie Thomas along with Human Services Associate Professor Lisa Gelineau and Biology Adjunct Professor Charles Beaman.

Why is the material sometimes so hard? Because it’s hard.
-Adjunct Professor, Charles Beaman

“My students asked me, ‘Why is the material sometimes so hard?’ and I tell them, ‘Because it’s hard,’ ” Beaman joked when accepting his honor.

But graduation was only one piece of the college’s mission to provide the broad range of higher education and opportunity to Central Texans.

Earlier in the day, 197 brand-new registered nurses, vocational nurses, paramedics, pharmacy technicians, dental hygienists, and other health sciences graduates walked the stage in the Eastview Campus’ Multipurpose Room during spring semester completion ceremonies.

Twenty-five Fire Academy cadets enjoyed a final “burn” and sendoff following their semester-long training to become firefighters – bringing the total number of firefighter graduates to 49 for the year.

Also, more than 234 Adult Education students celebrated their new GED credentials, and 104 individuals were inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society.

Finally even though there was no ceremony, thousands of additional ACC students who came to learn a new skill and stay marketable in a tough job market, or find a quick career after the trauma of a layoff, or improve their academic skills in order to take college classes and earn a degree opened new doors to their futures.

ACC has changed my life and made me a better person
– Graduate, Latoya Satterhite

“ACC has changed my life and made me a better person,” said Latoya Satterhite, who earned a child development certificate and will continue her studies toward an associate degree.

It’s been an amazing experience, I can’t remember what my life was before ACC.
– Student Government Association president, Brad Burnett

“It’s been an amazing experience,” said Brad Burnett, outgoing Student Government Association president. He’s transferring to UT-Austin in fall but came to ACC as a former high school dropout.

“I can’t remember what my life was before ACC,” he says.

I am acc

Each ACC student has a story to tell, in their own words. Take a moment to read those posted here, and add yours.

Official graduation photographs:
Flash Photography | 214.443.9393

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