ACC Grads Get Inspirational Message

On Saturday Feb. 7, approximately 900 graduates of American Career College received inspirational messages and words of encouragement as they were awarded their diplomas at the 2015 Winter Commencement Ceremony at Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California.

American Career College offers over a dozen programs that lead to careers in the demanding health care field, including vocational nurses, medical and dental assistants, pharmacy and surgical technicians and respiratory therapists.

“During the academic year, this is the day we look forward to the most,” ACC President Tom McNamara told the graduates and the crowd of nearly 9,000 friends and family. “It’s the culmination of all your hard work. I want to say thank you and congratulate each and every one of you for staying on course and overcoming the many obstacles you’ve experienced.”

Keynote Speaker Dr. Harding Young inspired the crowd by sharing his life in song with some insightful lyrics, “You got to be ready so you don’t have to get ready” and “You got to dig deep to go soar far.”

“What’s most important is to look for people who inspire you,” said Dr. Young, who began the event by performing the National Anthem on a harmonica. “I think the faculty and staff have inspired every one of you who are sitting here today.”

Dr. Young is the medical director for the Palliative/Supportive Care program and the Skilled Nursing Facility at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, where one of ACC’s five Southern California campuses, American Career College at St. Francis is also located. During the speech, he welcomed the graduates into the health care field and emphasized how important their career choice was.

At the commencement event, the graduates were able to watch videos created by their fellow students who have already found jobs in the healthcare workforce.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, total employment in the occupation of health care from 2012 to 2022 is projected to increase 10.8 percent, or 15.6 million new jobs.

“We are so proud of all of our graduates today who are moving into the fast-growing field of healthcare,” said Susan Pailet, ACC’s vice president of student success. “It is such a joy for us to celebrate them and their accomplishments with their family, friends and instructors.”

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