A recent graduate is going to Hollywood.

ACU graduate Collin Pittman from Wichita Falls traveled to Los Angeles in November to try out for American Idol season 12. The results of his audition aired Wednesday night at 8 p.m.

Even though the cameras didn’t show him singing on American Idol, Collin announced that he made the cut.

Three years ago Pittman received some shocking news. He was diagnosed with colon cancer. The doctors detected it early on and they were able to treat it. Pittman is cancer free today.

“The doctor wasn’t even going to give me a colonoscopy because he said I was too young for it, but he said he’d do it just to make sure,” Pittman said. “He said if we wouldn’t have found it I probably wouldn’t be alive in 4-6 years. So I am very thankful we found it early. And it made me appreciate life more and know that God has kept me here for a reason.”

Pittman graduated from ACU in May of 2012 with a major in marketing. During his time at ACU he invested himself in the Hillcrest Church of Christ college group. Pittman is still currently living in Abilene and has put his job search on hold to pursue his passions.

“God is easily my biggest passion,” Pittman said. “I have a big passion for mission work and just being a loving brother to my Christian family.”

Pittman also has a passion for football, and he has a passion for singing.

Collin has been singing his whole life. He started singing in choir when he was in elementary school, but was not a part of the ACU choir.

“I come from a family of singers,” Pittman said. “My parents were wedding singers, my aunt writes Broadway music and performs, and my uncle sang professionally with Keith Lancaster’s a cappella group in the 80s.”

Pittman didn’t decide to try out for American Idol. His parents, Dik and Angie Pittman said they secretly nominated him online. Pittman was surprised when he got a phone call from one of the producers of American Idol. During his audition he sang renditions of the songs “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” by Bonnie Raitt and “Sunday Morning,” by Maroon 5.

Pittman said,”My family wants me to follow my dream and my talents. They know that God gave me the gift of singing and they want me to share it with as many people as I can.”

Pittman shared one of the things he has enjoyed most about American Idol.

“One of my favorite moments from AI is all of the other contestants,” Pittman said. “I met a lot of great people, and it actually shocked me a bit. I expected to get there and have to deal with a bunch of self-centered hotheads, but I quickly found out that the majority of the people there were so kind and fun to be around. I can say I made some great friends from being there.”

Pittman said being a part of American Idol has already been an amazing experience, and he has learned a lot along the way.

“I hope to gain more understanding of who I am and where I want to go in life,” Pittman said. “I also hope to build my relationship with God even more, and to share the Gospel and be a shining light to anyone who hears me.”

Pittman will be singing the National Anthem at the ACU Relay for Life event April 26th.

To see the American Idol video interview, go to:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PVsjU5atliU

To see a picture of Pittman auditioning, go to: http://www.americanidol.com/photos/season_12/auditions/long-beach-auditions