Atlanta Christian College Awards Diplomas to 58 Students

Atlanta Christian College awarded diplomas to 58 students during its commencement exercises on May 9. Nearly half the students graduated with honors.

The commencement speaker was Cam Huxford, a 1978 graduate and College trustee, who is senior pastor of Savannah Christian Church in Savannah, Ga. After graduating from Atlanta Christian College, Huxford did graduate work at Emmanuel School of Religion. He later served as senior pastor of Betaw Christian Church and Rock Hill Christian Church. He was called to serve at Savannah Christian in 1984. Under his leadership, the church has grown from 260 members to more than 5,000.

Huxford currently serves on the Christian Standard Publishing Committee, the North American Christian Convention board of stewards, and the ACC board of trustees. His son, Garrett Huxford, was among Saturday’s graduates.

Huxford began his address by explaining to the graduates that exactly 31 years ago, he was sitting where they were sitting – facing the excitement and nervousness that comes with graduating from college.

“You’ve been stretched and shaped by a challenging environment that has prepared you to begin your adventure,” he said. “This is a Christian college, and you have a unique position. None of us knows what the future holds, but you have an opportunity to life your life in a way that makes a difference forever – for eternity.”

Huxford encouraged the graduates to follow Christ’s example and be intentional, bold and creative in reaching out to those who don’t know Him. “It doesn’t matter what you do for a living, this opportunity is before you,” he said. “You can give people a gift that’s greater than any gift they can get anywhere.”

“Thirty days before my graduation, I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do,” Huxford explained. “But I was certain God had called me into ministry, and I was certain I had been well prepared at Atlanta Christian College.”

Finally, he reminded the graduates, “Times are uncertain; God is not.”

Huxford’s commencement address was followed by the conferring of degrees and a farewell from the Class of 2009, presented by Miles Barnes, of LaGrange, Ga., president of the Student Government Association. Barnes reminded his fellow graudates that ACC had helped them grow up, shaping their lives and their faith in a significant way.

“Faculty, staff, trustees, and parents especially, your contributions to ACC and to us have done so much more than just give us an education,” Barnes said. “You have given us the opportunity to become men and women in Christ. And for that I am proud to say that I am graduating from Atlanta Christian College.”

The 2009 Hathcock Award winners were also announced during the ceremony. This award, named for Judge T. O. Hathcock, ACC’s founder, is the highest honor the College awards to a graduating senior. Seniors are nominated by the administrative cabinet and selected by the faculty. Not more than five percent of the graduating class may receive the award. It is given based on the qualities of scholarship, character and servant leadership. This year’s recipients were Stephanie Duttweiler, of Hampton, Ga., and Jeffrey Morgan, of Newnan, Ga.

This spring also marked the first graduates for one of ACC’s newest majors, child and youth development.

Atlanta Christian College’s mission is to educate students for Christ-centered service and leadership throughout the world. Founded in 1937, the College enrolls more than 600 students. The College’s board of trustees is currently in the process of selecting a new location for the main campus in order to accommodate further growth. Atlanta Christian College is affiliated with the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.

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