SAN ANGELO, Texas — Angelo State University is continuing to give its students the best education possible.
Sept. 2 was another demonstration when the school held a special ceremony to celebrate its Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering degree program, earning an accreditation by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
The ceremony brought back alumni to celebrate because even though they’ve graduated, they now have an accredited degree.
"It is less of a relief and more a feeling of a fulfilled expectation," ASU alum Caleb Miller said. "In 2015, when I started, there was never any doubt in my mind that the program would be to become accredited."
The ABET accreditation includes multiple benefits for college graduates. Verification that their educational experience meets the global standard for technical education and enhancement of employment opportunities as ABET accreditation is recognized worldwide.
It will also establish eligibility for federal student loans, grants and scholarships.
ASU President Ronnie Hawkins Jr. said the day was a big win for the college.
"It's about the opportunities for the students to graduate with an engineering degree and particularly in the area of STEM," Hawkins said. "So it's great, it's absolutely fantastic, and can't say enough and put enough positive adjectives with it."
Even though he has been out of school for some time, Miller had to come back to celebrate the milestone his college just achieved. He said he is proud of the program and he knows with new accreditation the students of tomorrow will be ready for the real world.
"Dr. Kitchin, the faculty here, did an incredible job, trying to narrow that gap and really make sure that we were prepared when we graduated," Miller said.
Hawkins wants to continue to build ASU up and wants to make sure every student has a chance to succeed, and the accreditation is one of many positives coming to ASU.