On September 17, 1973, Austin Community College opened its doors with one campus and 1,700 students. Forty years later, ACC has grown to 43,000 students and nine campuses, serving as the primary career trainer for the region. In honor of ACC’s 40^th anniversary, the college will host a special communitywide celebration at ACC Highland (Highland Mall, 6001 Airport Blvd.). “ACC: It’s a Family Affair” will showcase programs, resources, and area employment opportunities.

“We like to say there is one degree of separation in Central Texas when it comes to ACC – either you’ve been a student or you know one of our graduates,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO. “The ACC family invites you and yours to join us as we connect people to careers and celebrate four decades of serving the community.”

The 40^th anniversary event will include a career and resource fair and an exhibit of ACC’s history. The celebration is free and open to the public. Events include:

3-6 p.m.

• Career and Resource Fair – Meet employers, explore community resource organizations, learn about job/internship openings, and visit one-on-one with experts who can help polish your resume.
• Program Showcase – Check out hands-on demonstrations of ACC training programs in high-demand fields such as nursing, computer information technology, automotive technology, welding, culinary arts, and more.
• “Then and Now” History Exhibit – See an exhibit of ACC history from 1973 to present.
• Alumni Networking – Network with fellow former students and contribute ideas toward the launch of the college’s new Alumni Network.
• Activities and Refreshments – Events and entertainment for the whole family.

6 p.m.

• 40^th Birthday Celebration – The college marks 40 years of serving Central Texas. Includes a performance by the ACC Jazz Choir.

6:30-8 p.m.

• Alumni Mixer – An opportunity for students from the past four decades to mix and mingle.

For more information on the 40^th anniversary celebration, visit austincc.edu/40years.

Special thanks to event sponsors, including the Austin Community College Foundation, SureScore, Flintco, Barnes Gromatzky Kosarek Architects, A+ Federal Credit Union, ACC Career Services, QLess, Concordia University, WGU Texas, CanWeNetwork, the ACC Alumni Network, SOS Leadership Institute, the ACC Student Government Association, Aaaron’s, Personal Learning & Development, National American University, and T-Mobile.