Thursday, February 27, 1997

Computers are the key, says business college director

By BOB BRUCE

Senior Staff Writer

The key to getting a job in today's workplace is "extensive computer training," says Michael J. Otto, director of American Commercial College, 402 Butternut.

Not surprisingly, the word "computer" pops up frequently in American Commercial's curriculum catalog.

And the most popular course is computer office specialist, followed by medical office specialist, Otto said.

American Commercial offers 13 programs of study.

"But it's all clerical-related," Otto said. "We train people for office positions - and we do it well. Good office help is hard to find."

Otto said nearly 100 students per year find employment after completing courses at American Commercial.

The business college opened in Abilene in 1961 and has been at its current location since 1962. Originally known as Commercial College of Abilene, its name was changed to American Commercial College in 1977.

Abilene is one of six campuses - five in West Texas and one in Shreveport, La. The others are in San Angelo, Wichita Falls, Odessa and Lubbock.

Current enrollment systemwide is nearly 1,000 students, according to Otto.

On Friday the Abilene college will hold open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., marking completion of a $50,000 remodeling project to meet requirements for the handicapped.

Improvements for the disabled in the two-story building include an elevator, restroom facilities and a drinking fountain.

American Commercial, founded in 1958 by W.D. Sheets of Carthage, is the oldest continuously owned business college in Texas and the fifth-oldest in the United States. Sheets continues to serve as president while his son, Brent Sheets of Lubbock, is chief operating officer.

Ninety-eight percent of the students are women, with the median age about 28, according to Otto.

Many are divorcees with children, women who've decided, "Hey, I've got to do something," Otto said. "They've been to the school of hard knocks. They've been exposed to life and reality."

Otto said a typical program takes about seven months for graduation, enrolled full time in day classes. New classes begin monthly.

About two-thirds of the students graduate.

"We lose about one third," he said.

The No. 1 source of new students is the Reporter-News classified advertising section, Otto said.

Otto, 43, has been director here since April 15, 1985. A native of Michigan, he graduated from high school in Terrell, Texas and received a bachelor's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.

He identified three elements as the key to operating a successful business college: courses, faculty and modern equipment.

"We run it right, we have a good product and we offer a good curriculum, he said.

And the fact that students keep graduating is proof of that success, Otto said.

"If people didn't want to graduate and get jobs, we wouldn't be here," he said.

But in a sense, the college is somewhat overlooked.

"It still fascinates me that Abilene doesn't know who we are or what we do," Otto said.

"But our employers know," he added, referring to the companies which hire ACC graduates.

American Commercial College operates from 8:30 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 6-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The four-day schedule permits students an extra day for homework and family, he said.