Fall 2020 \ ACCESS ACM 4
During that time, he began offering
wholesale food and seafood direct
from Baltimore.
Seeing an opportunity to adapt
his business, he scaled down
the store and opened a seafood
restaurant, Bible’s Seafood
Specialties. After a fire destroyed
that business in August of 1991,
Bible and his wife, Kim, decided
to change direction.
“We had a lot of faith to get us
through,” remarks Bible.
They moved into the automotive
industry and started selling cars
through a new business, Bible’s
Auto Sales, and managing rental
apartments. After more than two
decades in car sales, he “quasiretired”
to become the manager
of Quality Automotive in LaVale.
He continues to own and manage
15 apartments in the area.
Throughout it all, he and Kim,
ensured that education would be
a priority for their two children,
Dan Jr. and Kristi.
Dan Jr., ’12 General Studies
and a Frostburg State University
alumnus, works in IT while Kristi
is currently enrolled at Eastern
Washington University in
Washington State. A Biology
major and Chemistry minor, she’ll
graduate in December.
It was Kristi that first suggested
that her dad finish his degree.
According to Kristi, it was time and
Bible quietly agreed.
At an age when most are
counting down their years until
retirement, Bible reviewed his
college transcript with ACM
advisors and returned to a college
classroom after a 36-year break.
Over the course of a year, he took
three courses to complete his
degree. Throughout it all, he kept
his classes a secret from Kristi.
On Father’s Day, Bible,
surrounded by a small gathering
of family members, finally broke
the news to his daughter that he
was an official college graduate.
When Kristi FaceTimed with her
dad, he surprised her by wearing
a graduate’s cap and gown. Bible
explained that because education
was important to her, it was also
important to him.
“Kristi motivated me to go back
to get my degree. It’s not often you
get to pull off a surprise like this.”
With his AAS in Applied Technical
Studies in hand, Bible has short-
and long-term plans in the works.
At the age of 64, he’s planning
to eventually earn his BS in
Psychology. His ultimate goal is
to work as a counselor.
“It my time at ACM was a great
experience. I enjoyed my classes
and my instructors – John Bone,
Dr. Bill Rocks, and Dr. Ron Jenkins.
For anyone considering a return to
college, do it. Chase your dreams
and don’t quit.”
Richard “Dan” Bible, Sr. holds a gift from his family in honor
of his graduation: a framed quote from John Wayne’s character
Captain Jake Cutter from The Comancheros (1961).
ACM FOUNDATION
COVID-19 STUDENT
RELIEF FUND
Through the generosity of community
members, the ACM Foundation
awarded $25,999 in ACM Cares
COVID-19 Student Relief Fund to 47
students. The mini-grants, which
ranged from $25 to $1,300, helped
to offset unexpected experiences due
to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students in need of assistance were
referred by faculty and staff members,
and all submitted requests were
honored by the Foundation. These
small acts of generosity had a big
impact, as evidenced by these quotes
from several of our Spring ‘20 semester
recipients:
�� Thank you so much for
your help! I am beyond
grateful for this!
�� I can’t thank you enough
for your financial support
in this time.
�� Thank you so much. I could
cry. You have no idea how
much of a weight has been
lifted off my chest.
�� I am beyond grateful.
Thank you for your time
and helping me figure all
this out!
�� Thank you so much! This
really relieves so much stress.
You just made my birthday.
There were plenty of times I’d come from
work exhausted, but Kim was my rock.
She encouraged me to do what I said I’d finish.
Throughout it all, she was incredibly supportive
and inspired me to keep going.”
“
To make a gift to the ACM Cares
COVID-19 Student Relief Fund,
contact Sandi Foreman
at 301-784-5200
or sforeman@allegany.edu.
link
