MOLINE, Illinois (KWQC) – More than 500 students graduated from Augustana on Saturday. The ceremony was a full circle moment for Augustana\u2019s very first Academic All-American Ken Anderson who went on to become one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history for the Cincinnati Bengals. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou may leave Augustana but Augustana never leaves you\u201d said Anderson before delivering the commencement address for Augustana\u2019s ceremony at Vibrant Arena. <\/p>\n
\u201cVery nerve wracking\u201d said Anderson who was the NFL MVP in 1981. <\/p>\n
\u201cNormally when I talk it\u2019s telling stories trying to be entertaining and now all of a sudden trying to give a meaningful talk. I\u2019m a little bit nervous about this.\u201d <\/p>\n
Nearly 60 years after moving onto campus, Anderson can still relate to the college experience.<\/p>\n
\u201cI still have the letter that I wrote my mom and dad after the first night I was here how lonely that I was\u201d said Anderson who grew up in Batavia, Illinois before going to Augustana. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust I don\u2019t know if this is for me and then all of a sudden when people see that and then they come around you and help you and I think that\u2019s the great thing about Augustana is people are willing to help everybody.\u201d <\/p>\n
Anderson went on to rewrite the Augustana record book but when his remarkable talents opened up a path to the NFL, he didn\u2019t get to take part in commencement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI left college after the football season to do my basic training for the National Guard and get ready for a football season.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than five decades later, Anderson is finally getting to experience commencement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t be where I am today without Augustana without the people who helped shaped me.\u201d<\/p>\n
A good education never stops.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe things that you learn here stay with you your whole life. I think always be open and be willing to learn you know no matter how long you\u2019ve been around you don\u2019t know everything.\u201d <\/p>\n
One thing Anderson has known for more than half a century was his ending message to Augustana\u2019s class of 2026. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou may leave Augustana but Augustana never leaves you.\u201d <\/p>\n
Anderson is the all-time passing leader for the Cincinatti Bengals after spending all 16 seasons of his NFL career with the team from 1971-1986. <\/p>\n
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