Graduation

Soon it will be graduation time here at ACC. There is actually a light at the end of the whirlwind tunnel of exams, homework and long lectures. Come the end of the semester, many students will possess an associate degree or a technical certificate. Yet, some will choose not to walk across the stage at the Frank Erwin Center come May 14.

According to ACC's Newsroom Blog Archive, there were 1,800 graduates in the class of 2008. Only about 370 students attended the ceremony.

Really? Only about 370 out of 1,800? Granted, some people probably couldn't attend because of personal or work conflicts with the day and time. However, I am sure that does not explain why all of the over 1,300 missing graduates did not walk the stage.

Personally, I am more inclined to believe that most people did not walk the stage for two reasons: 1.) a lack of interest in spending an hour or so sitting down and watching a lot of people they don't know walk across the stage or 2.) the belief that an associate / technical degree / certificate is not worth walking across the stage for.

I strongly and sincerely encourage people to walk across the stage. Yes, you may be bored while you are sitting there waiting for your turn to go up, but almost everything that is fun, interesting or of importance in life is counteracted with the boredom of waiting.

You want to ride The Rattler at Fiesta Texas? Have fun waiting in line. Need to get your driver license? Have fun sitting for hours waiting for your number to be called. Your wife, sister, or aunt is going into labor? Have fun in the waiting room for countless hours.

The point is, if you're not going to your graduation ceremony because you think you will be bored or have better things to do with your time, think again. Aside from getting a diploma, the act of walking across the stage is a tangible way to show your achievement. It is similar to a class ring or the diploma you hang on the wall.

For those who think getting an associate degree, or a technical degree or certificate is not worth walking the stage, think again. Many, many students have struggled with higher education. They have started, quit, restarted, or had to go part-time because of financial situations. They are raising children, working full-time, and basically suffer a lot of real life problems that prevent getting an associate degree, being merely two years of their lives. You are successful because of what you have gone through and how you came out of your situation.

You deserve and are worth the recognition of having your name called out just as much as anyone getting any other degree. So, walk across the stage and be proud.