Five hundred sixty-one seniors will begin a new chapter of their lives as they walk across the stage in Moody Coliseum to receive their diplomas in one of two graduation ceremonies on Saturday.
The first ceremony, starting at 11 a.m., will honor 247 undergraduates and 43 graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences. The second ceremony, starting at 3 p.m., will honor 314 undergraduates and 81 graduate students from the College of Biblical Studies, College of Business Administration, College of Education and Human Services, and Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing.
Carleigh Wieder, senior youth and family ministries major from North Richland Hills, said being at ACU has strengthened her faith.
“I think the most important lesson I have learned during my time here is how to incorporate my faith into my career and every part of my life,” Wieder said.
Wieder said she would like to thank her professors for teaching her how to deepen her faith in preparation for the day she leaves the small town of Abilene.
“I now feel prepared to leave ACU and be a light to the world around me, wherever that may be,” Wieder said.
The featured speaker at both ceremonies will be April Anthony (’89), president and CEO of Encompass Home Health in Dallas and donor of $30 million to the Vision in Action construction fund.
A reception for students and their families will be hosted after each ceremony in the mall area south of Moody.
Amy Jeffers, senior family studies major from Sugarland, said although she is ready to graduate, she will miss the community at ACU.
“At ACU, I have built friendships like nothing I have ever known before,” Jeffers said. “For me to walk away from that type of love is probably the most difficult thing in the world.”
Jeffers said the friendships she acquired during her time here taught her things she would not have learned in the classroom.
“In the middle of all the learning and the education, the relationships that I have with people have taught me what it means to love Jesus the most,” Jeffers said.
There will be open seating except for those reserved for handicapped. The lower sections of U, A and B on the east side of Moody and sections J, K and M on the west side will be among those reserved for handicapped. The lower half of section L is reserved for guests requiring Sign Language interpretation.
Graduating students and escorts are instructed to arrive at their assigned locations 30 minutes before the ceremony starts.
Rehearsals for the ceremonies will take place Friday in Moody Coliseum. The 11 a.m. ceremony will be rehearsed at 3 p.m., and the 3 p.m. ceremony will be rehearsed at 4:15 p.m.
For more information, visit the registrar’s graduation website.
