Austin Community College District (ACC) celebrated a record-breaking number of candidates at its Fall 2024 Commencement ceremony. More than 3,940 graduates were invited to participate and 618 attended the official ceremony.

Over the past decade, graduation rates have been trending up. This fall marks a 5% increase from last year.  

A graduation welcome squad greeted graduates as they walked into the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. ACC mascot R.B. the Riverbat and representatives from Student Affairs, Student Life, Recruitment, the Office of College Relations & Marketing, and more congratulated graduates with signs, cheers, and dancing. 

ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart missed the occasion to attend his own son’s graduation, and he pre-recorded a message for graduates that was shared during the ceremony. ACC Provost Dr. Monique Umphrey filled in for the Chancellor and shared an inspiring message:

“You are here because of your perseverance, your grit, and your hard work. I know the path wasn’t always easy, but you rose to the challenge with the spirit of a true Riverbat,” she said. “Wherever your next chapter takes you, remember you are forever part of the Riverbat community. We are so proud of what you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see all the good you will do.”

Dr. Umphrey recognized this year’s Chancellor’s Student Achievement Award winner, Kristan Hennessy, who graduated from the College’s Nursing program with a 4.0 GPA and was actively involved in numerous student organizations at the College, including ACC’s parenting student steering committee and ACC Nursing Student Association’s Mentor Program.

“ACC has connected me to so many wonderful people who have profoundly shaped my life, whether they realize it or not. That same power to inspire change exists within each of us. Every choice you make…every act of kindness or effort to uplift someone, has the potential to create ripples far beyond what you can see.”

The ceremony ended with Mariachi Espuelas closing out the evening. 

As they filed out of the building, graduates and their families paused to take photos to commemorate the night. 

View a slideshow of photos from the day in the slideshow below.

Meet three of our ACC graduates. Watch the video below.

ACC faculty shared some advice with the class of 2024. Watch the video below.

Watch the full ceremony below.