Commencement Speaker Delights in College Life at AC

Samantha Wilhelm knew Amarillo College would be a good place to start but only intended to stay a year. Two years later, Wilhelm earned her associate’s degree and will join Amarillo College’s Class of 2025 graduates at Commencement Friday, May 9 at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum.

"Since I was homeschooled, I thought the size and atmosphere at AC would make it a good place to start,” she said. “I have loved the environment here.”

Wilhelm, who is a member of the Presidential Scholars, spoke at the Honors Convocation earlier this month and will be the commencement speaker at the 7 p.m. graduation ceremony with the business, computer information systems, creative arts, education, liberal arts, and STEM program graduates.

“I fell in love with AC when I came here and not only with the opportunities I had here, but with the people,” she said. “Every professor I’ve had was so knowledgeable and, in every class, I learned so much — I was upset when a class was over.”

Her Scholars’ adviser, Lesley Ingham, heard her at the honors event, and asked Wilhelm if she could nominate her to be a commencement speaker.

Wilhelm initially declined the interview to be a commencement speaker since she was taking six classes and didn’t think there was enough time to prepare adequately.

“And I knew other people nominated and they are amazing individuals,” she said.

After talking to Ingham and her mother, both suggested this was an opportunity she would not want to miss.

“The interview was honestly a great opportunity to talk Jenna (Bedell), coordinator of AC student life, and Bob (Austin), vice president of enrollment management, and talk about two years here,” she said. “It’s been such an ideal experience.”

When she was in high school, Wilhelm was not the biggest fan of biology. But it was one of her favorite classes at AC.

“I loved the way the professor wanted you to walk away with something, even if it was not your major,” she said. “I loved that class.”

Wilhelm plans to transfer to West Texas A&M University in the fall and major in media communication with an emphasis in journalism.

The first ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, May 9 will include graduates in the health sciences, industry, and public service. Both graduations will be live-streamed.