ACC's 35th birthday celebrates education, progress

After 35 years of providing educational opportunities to Austin's residents, ACC celebrated with ALL ACCESS: An Education Celebration and ACC's 35th Birthday Bash with Hip Hop Into College on Saturday, March 28, at the Eastview Campus.

The event was open to the public and every participant received a VIP Pass with information on the various events at the celebration.

The climax of the event was the noon "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ACC!"ceremony on the Birthday Stage.

Sims Elementary Silvertones provided entertainment as a prelude to the ceremony singing renditions of popular songs including "Lean on Me."

Dr. Barbara Mink, a board of trustees member, described the differences between the first year ACC opened and today. In 1973, ACC had one rented campus with 1, 700 students and about 30 programs. Currently, an eighth campus is being built and the student population is about 36,000 with about 200 programs to choose from.

"[ACC is] an open door college with programs for everybody," Mink said.

Wilhelmina Delco, the first black official elected to public office in Austin, described how in 1972 there were no community colleges within 30 miles of the area, although there were five universities.

"Community Colleges provide access. [They do this by] providing GED's, vocational certificates, coursework that can be transferred to a baccalaureate degree and busy work for bored housewives. Take advantage of [ACC]. It's here for you, and we are proud to make it possible."

Brad Burnett, Student Government President, spoke of how ACC has helped him achieve his goals. A former high school dropout, he now plans to graduate from ACC this semester with honors and aspires to go to law school. "Student Life has taught me how to be a leader. I have had four internships since I have been going to ACC, one with Congressman Lloyd Doggett. ACC is truly a place where dreams come true. I speak from experience," Burnett said.

"We need to meet basic needs. We need to meet workforce needs. We need to meet the needs of graduating high school students." Raul Alvarez, board of trustee member , said.

Congressman Lloyd Doggett, President of ACC Stephen Kinslow and D.J. Bobby Bones rounded up the speakers.

Starting or reentering higher education was made available through ACC organizations like Continuing Education, Early College Start, Distance Learning, Adult Education and ACC's Youth Program.

"ACC is trying to create a college-going atmosphere for a younger audience and we also have parenting workshops for the parents of the students in our program. We want to show that college is accessible and is not just a four year degree," Katharine Bennett, Youth Programs Coordinator for the Student Recruitment Office said.

Refreshments, activities, and vendors were at the event as well.

Activities included face painting, I AM ACC photos, chair massages, mock surgeries, Pet CPR, robot demonstrations and photos with cutouts of The Rock, Barack Obama, and Beyonce. Various Radio Stations including KAZI 88.7, KOOP 91.7 and KXXS 104.9 were there along with several other non-ACC vendors like GOARMY.COM, Longhorn Landing, and Padee's Fine Gifts.

Information on different ACC programs and majors were available for those who were interested in pursing or learning about specific careers; like mechanics, firefighting or Real Estate.

An education in real estate can prove to be helpful, especially in light of the recent housing crisis, and lack of knowledge that leads many home-owners to get in over their heads.

"The More real estate knowledge you have, the more you go into the transaction informed, this is usually the biggest investment people go into, and to go into blind would obviously not be as beneficial as going into with a foundation about the industry," Phylis Molina, Professor of Real Estate said.

ACC students also played an active role in the event through Student Life, the nursing program, and the supplemental life program. Supplemental life is designed for students who have experience and excel in a subject to be able to offer guidance to other students who may be struggling in that particular subject as well.

"[I choose] to get involved with supplemental instruction because of the fact that I am involved with other students, and I did it for the money. It helps you interact with other students. It stimulates confidence and interaction with students." Jared Atkins, Engineering Major said.