ACU Today Spring-Summer 2014

ACU TODAY

Spring-Summer 2014

ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

Vision in Action Record-setting gifts for new initiative will fund three science buildings, two stadiums

Alumni Award Winners

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Gary McCaleb: Leading the Way

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For the Least of ese

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Homecoming Preview

This ISSUE 2 10 24 31 36 46 48 43 55 56 58 60 62 65 66 80

A Lunsford Foundation Trail runner is silhouetted by the early morning sun shining on Faubus Fountain Lake. Located on the east side of ACU’s campus, the pond serves an important role in water conservation at the university. (Photo by Jeremy Enlow)

Horizons Vision in Action: e Campaign for the Future of ACU Atchley Headlines Alumni Award Winners Leading the Way: 50 Years With Dr. Gary McCaleb High Hopes for H2O: Mayor Archibald Charts Abilene’s Future Q&A With California Congresswoman Janice Hahn For the Least of ese: Alumni Who Rescue Orphans Homecoming Preview e Bookcase Hilltop View Academic News Campus News Wildcat Sports Your Gifts at Work EXperiences Second Glance

OUR PROMISE

ACU is a vibrant, innovative, Christ-centered community that engages students in authentic spiritual and intellectual growth, equipping them to make a real difference in the world

ACU Today is published twice a year by the Office of University Marketing at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas.

S taff Editor and Graphic Designer: Ron Hadfield (’79) Associate Editor: Katie (Noah ’06) Gibson Sports Editor: Lance Fleming (’92) Contributing Writers This Issue: Paul A. Anthony (’04), Katie (Noah ’06) Gibson, Wendy (Waller ’01) Kilmer, Chris Macaluso, Caroline Adele Nikolaus (’14), Tamara (Kull ’77) Thompson Contributing Photographers This Issue: Sharon (Mitchell ’83) Arnold; Amber Augustin; Shawn Best; Carla Bourland; Steve Butman; California Institute of Technology; Lindsey (Hoskins ’03) Cotton; Jeremy Enlow; Gerald Ewing; Jacob Funk; Daniel Gomez (’12); Stina Granfors; Jason Groves (’00); Lisa Helfert; Julie (Karney ’88) Holland; Rachael Hubbard; Jamie Wood Katz, Carrie McCluskey, Caroline Adele Nikolaus (’14); Kenneth Pybus, J.D. (’89); Gary Rhodes (’07); Scott Suchman, The Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty; Dr. Steven Ward (’92); Paul White (’68); Kelsi Williamson (’11); Cathryn Wirth, Rick Yeatts Contributing Graphic Designers / Illustrators This Issue: Greg Golden (’87), Holly Harrell, Todd Mullins, Amy Willis, Mike Wiggins (’93) Proofreaders: Vicki Britten, Amber (Gilbert ’99) Bunton, Tanner Hadfield (’11), Rendi (Young ’83) Hahn, Scott Kilmer (’01), Robin (Ward ’82) Saylor, Bettye (McKinzie ’48) Shipp

ADVISORY COMMIT T EE Administration: Suzanne Allmon (’79), Dr. Allison Garrett, Dr. Gary D. McCaleb (’64), Dr. Robert Rhodes Advancement: Jim Orr, J.D. (’86); Billie Currey, J.D. (’70); Paul A. Anthony (’04) Alumni Relations: Craig Fisher (’92), Jama (Fry ’97) Cadle, Samantha (Bickett ’01) Adkins Alumni Association: Randy Pittenger (’80) Marketing: Jason Groves (’00), Grant Rampy (’87) Student Life: Chris Riley, J.D. (’00) Ex-officio: Dr. Phil Schubert (’91)

corre s pon denc e ACU Today : hadfieldr@acu.edu ACU Alumni Association: alumni@acu.edu Record Changes: ACU Box 29132, Abilene, Texas 79699-9132, 325-674-2620

ON THE WE B Abilene Christian University: acu.edu ACU Today Blog: acu.edu/acutoday Address changes: acu.edu/alumni /whatsnew/update.html ACU Advancement Office (Exceptional Fund, Gift Records): acu.edu/giveonline ACU Alumni Website: acu.edu/alumni Find Us on Facebook: facebook.com/abilenechristian facebook.com/acusports Follow Us on Twitter: twitter.com /acuedu twitter.com /acusports Follow Us on Instagram: instagram.com/acuedu

Fr om the President

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mong the great blessings we’ve realized in the record gifts to our exciting Vision in Action projects are the relationships defined by the families of

our generous donors. It’s clear that God has been at work in their lives for decades.

Sixty years ago, Dean Walling was dreaming of ways to make the Design for Development campaign a difference-maker for Abilene Christian. He and his wife, Thelma, modeled lives of philanthropic leadership, a characteristic his grandson, David Halbert, and his wife, Kathy, have renewed with their landmark gift to the Halbert-Walling Research Center.

The lives of Robert and Kay Onstead intertwined through the years with their young friends, Mark and April Anthony. A generation may separate their ages, but not their love for ACU. Kay’s recent generosity on Robert’s behalf and the Anthonys’ unprecedented new gifts will allow the Robert R. and Kay Onstead Science Center and two new stadiums to provide transformative growth for our science programs and invaluable opportunities to build campus community. Others like them are considering financial commitments to finish our fundraising goals.

These and other gifts we continue to receive are humbling and thrilling.

They make our 21st-Century Vision come to life and provide even more inspiring reasons to continue dreaming and asking God to bless our plans with success.

This issue of ACU Today reinforces that message with additional stories of people who reflect the mission and spirit of Abilene Christian: • Annual alumni awards recognizing the accomplishments of outstanding graduates from Denver to Thailand (pages 24-30); • A profile of Dr. Gary McCaleb, an inspiring leader on our campus for five decades (pages 31-35); • “High Hopes for H2O,” a look at how Dr. Norman Archibald is leading Abilene’s search for future water resources (pages 36-41); • A Q&A with U.S. Rep. Janice Hahn, who is unafraid to share her faith and build consensus in Congress (pages 46-47); and • “For the Least of These,” a look at how alumni of all ages are selflessly ministering to orphans around the world (pages 48-54).

As we go to press with this issue in early August, we are prayerfully following the health challenges of 2003 graduate Kent Brantly, M.D., the physician serving a fellowship with Samaritan’s Purse in Liberia. The eyes of the world have been on this brave man as he recovers from the Ebola virus he contracted while working among others on a medical missions assignment.

Among the daily news reports of the media was an interesting anecdote by columnist Ken Daly, a former Pulitzer Prize finalist and writer for New York Magazine, who described Brantly as an inspiring but endangered hero living his Christian beliefs for all to see. “Even atheists could find a guide to goodness in asking themselves What Would Kent Do?,” wrote Daly, who went on to say: “Brantly becomes the first person actually in America known to have Ebola.

He also returns to us as a reminder of how magnificently decent we can be by actually living in accordance to principles we are all supposed to share.

Brantly would dismiss any comparison between him and Christ. But, even if you do not believe in Jesus, you can ask yourself, WWKD?”

ON THE COVER The proposed new Halbert-Walling Research Center and Robert R. and Kay Onstead Science Center will transform the south side of campus and revolutionize ACU’s already respected academic programs in the sciences.

You’d have to look hard to find better testimony to the reason why students educated at ACU make such a real difference in the world. Thank you for supporting us, sending students our way and making our mission possible. 䊱

DR. PHIL SCHUBERT (’91), President The mission of ACU is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.

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Alan’s wife, Lisa Robertson, spoke about her faith and life experiences as described in a new book, The Women of Duck Commander.

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Faith Calls A large crowd was on hand April 13 in Moody Coliseum for “Faith Calls: An Evening With Duck Dynasty,” featuring Uncle Si, Alan and Lisa Robertson. The three appear on A&E’s hit TV show, Duck Dynasty. Proceeds from the event benefited Global Samaritan Resources and Abilene Christian Schools.

Alan Robertson listens as Si Robertson spins a “mostly true” tale of his backwoods experiences.

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Alan Robertson, the eldest of the Robertson brothers, was a longtime minister at White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ in West Monroe, La., where many in his family attend and his father, Phil Robertson, is an elder.

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Saturday Night at Sing Song JEREMY ENLOW

No event at ACU rivals Saturday night at Sing Song in Moody Coliseum, capped by the awards presentation upon the show’s conclusion. Trojans social club (see inset) flew away with the overall men’s title Feb. 15.

See Bonus Coverage at acu.edu/acutoday

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(From left) Hosts and hostesses Chelsea Emberlin, Caroline Nikolaus, Emily Dixon, Rodney Johnson, Chris Balsly and Trey Wrape belt out harmonies while singing Mumford and Son’s “I Will Wait.”

The theme for Sing Song 2014, "What About Love," was designed to reflect the event’s Feb. 13-14 show dates during the week of Valentine’s Day.

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Members of the freshman class prepare to go on stage in Moody Coliseum from their holding location in one of the recreation gyms in the Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

The freshman class posed as a typewriter for love letters that evolved into a modern-day computer for instant messaging. Their performance was judged best overall in the mixed-voices category.

Many Sing Song participants apply makeup to enhance their costumes.

Rosy red cheeks are achieved with a dollop of paint on a sponge stick.

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Dressed as girls scouting for boys, the women of GATA (foreground) warm up in the gyms while the women of Zeta Rho (background) practice choreography. The women of Zeta Rho dressed as ice cream pints and sang about being independent women in the realms of love. The GATA show was actually a reprise of a 1982 GATA Sing Song act written and directed by Lisa McVey (’84).

(Inset) Lydia Pinson, Addie Schmitz and Evan Bridges pose for a Sing Song photo memory backstage. Pinson and Bridges performed with the freshman class, and Schmitz performed with the women of Sigma Theta Chi as owls falling in love.

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After returning from performing on stage in Moody Coliseum, the men of Galaxy circle up and sing traditional club songs. Galaxy posed as heart surgeons in Sing Song 2014 under the moniker of Dr. Love.

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Hostess Caroline Nikolaus performs a soulful medley of Etta James hits including “Sunday Kind of Love” and “At Last.”

(Facing page) The women of Alpha Kai Omega playfully mock people’s love for gourmet coffee in their act “Go Venti or Go Home.” As they sang, the java in their cup costumes drained from view.

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Micah Reeves – dressed as Aladdin's monkey sidekick, Abu – directs the men of Gamma Sigma Phi as Aladdin characters looking for princesses in a spoof of the popular Disney movie from 1992. During the course of their show, the men transformed from peasants wearing mock red fezzes to princes decked out in gold and white.

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Hostess Chelsea Emberlin and host Rodney Johnson weave a story of love and marriage with a New Orleans flair, singing the 1964 Chuck Berry song “You Never Can Tell.” Younger generations are more familiar with the song through its feature in the 1994 movie Pulp Fiction.

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The sophomore class explored the different phases of love in their Sing Song class act.

In Sing Song tradition, groups competed in three categories: men's, women's and mixed voices. The mixed-voice category traditionally consists of class groups.

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All-Out Effort Many Wildcat teams played an ambitious schedule during the 2013-14 school year as ACU began competing in NCAA Division I, but few took on as many heavyweights as head coach Britt Bonneau’s baseball squad. They challenged Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Arizona State and Arizona in a schedule including five teams that qualified for the national tournament, two of them from the Southland Conference. Eighteen players from Southland teams were selected in the 2014 Major League Draft, including ACU catcher Seth Spivey, who was signed by the Texas Rangers. The signature win for the Wildcats in 2014 – and perhaps in its program history, was a 6-5 victory in Tucson over Arizona late in the season.

(See story on page 65.)

See Bonus Coverage at acu.edu/acutoday

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JACOB FUNK

Junior relief pitcher Ladgie Zotyka pitches in the eighth inning of a 6-5 win over the University of Arizona in Tucson on May 25. He and three others finished off UA after starter Garrett deMeyere gave his team 6 2/3 innings and a 4-1 lead.

A perennial powerhouse in the Pac 12 Conference, UA won the College World Series in 2012.

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Senior catcher Seth Spivey dives to catch a pop foul in ACU’s 5-4 loss to Lamar University on April 5 at Crutcher Scott Field. Spivey, who also plays in the infield, was voted second team all-Southland Conference after hitting .341 and ranking among conference leaders in batting average, hits and total bases. He was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft and assigned to its Class A Short-Season affiliate in Spokane, Wash. Spivey has excelled for the Spokane Indians, leading the Northwest League in hitting for most of the first half of the season and playing in its All-Star Game.

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No-No Null Freshman pitcher Hannah Null tossed the Wildcats’ first no-hitter in 15 years when she dominated the University of Rhode Island 9-1 on Feb. 28 in Lubbock at the Texas Tech Invitational. Null won 11 games in 2014, earning all-Southland Conference honorable mention recognition, ranking fourth in the league with 152 strikeouts and a 2.84 ERA. On March 25 she struck out an ACU-record 17 batters against Hardin-Simmons University.

In high school, Null threw nine no-hitters for Flower Mound-Marcus, including four perfect games.

See Bonus Coverage at acu.edu/acutoday

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A CU TODAY BONUS COVE RAGE

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ACU junior Kaylee Crozier awaits for time to be called by the umpire after sliding safely into third base in a game against Oklahoma Christian University.

(Facing page) Senior outfielder Madison Buckley (2) prepares to throw to the infield, backed up by Taylor Brown. A freshman outfielder, Brown led the Wildcats in hitting at .383 and was named honorable mention all-Southland Conference.

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The Wildcat baseball team played road games with major NCAA Division I powers around the Southwest, including Texas A&M University and (inset) Arizona State University. The Sun Devils of the Pac 12 Conference rallied May 20 with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to win 4-2 in the last game at historic Packard Stadium in Tempe.

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ACU’s Colton Hall slides safely into second base during a March 8 game with the University of Utah in a tournament at the University of Texas at Arlington. The Utes of the Pac 12 Conference scored a run in the seventh inning to nip the Wildcats 9-8.

(Facing page) Senior pitcher Brady Rodriguez throws during ACU’s April 16 game at Blue Bell Park with Texas A&M University.

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Freshman Nico Agritelley helped the Wildcats win the inaugural National Invitational Tennis Tournament in Nebraska with victories over Grand Canyon University, New Jersey Institute of Technology and the University of Nebraska Omaha. He was named second team all-Southland Conference in singles and in doubles (with teammate Jason Proctor).

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Juniors Guilherme Gesser and Borja Cortes formed ACU’s No. 1 doubles team and helped the Wildcats to a 17-10 record in 2014. The pair was named all-Southland Conference after leading ACU to a second-place finish in the Southland.

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ACU head tennis coach Hutton Jones (’81) instructs doubles partners and sisters Kaysie and Micah Hermsdorf during a break in their Feb. 15 match with the University of New Mexico.

Freshman Erin Walker helped her team to an 18-6 record and a fourth-place finish in the Southland Conference.

She later qualified for the prestigious ITA/USTA National Summer Championships in Bloomington, Ind. Her father is longtime ACU assistant tennis coach John Walker (’89).

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ACU junior Corbin Renner averaged just over 72 strokes per round for the 2014 season and was named second team all-Southland Conference. He finished third in the individual medalist race at the Southland championship tournament in late April.

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Freshman Kenzie Walker competed in the women’s pole vault for the Wildcats.

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ACU sophomore Johnathan Farquharson takes a handoff from freshman Maliek Golden in the 4x100 relay during the Texas Tech Open on April 5 in Lubbock.

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Junior ACU hurdler Lexus Williams races opponents from Texas Tech University and The University of Texas at El Paso in the Texas Tech Open in Lubbock.

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Freshman Diana Garcia Munoz, one of ACU’s top cross country runners last fall, also scored points for the Wildcats in 800- and 1500-meter events during the spring.

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Sophomore Jeremy Tatham helped ACU to a fourth-place finish at the Southland Conference championships.

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EXCEPTIONAL | ACU’s Vision to become the premier university for the education of Christ-centered global leaders means building upon areas of strength and distinctiveness, and delivering a unique, Christ-centered experience that draws students into community.

Building the The $75 million Vision in Action initiative will transform the ACU campus in ways not seen in nearly 50 years

BY PAUL A. ANTHONY

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O

ver four years at ACU, senior April Bullock had watched the new building rise from the top of the hill on the east edge of campus.

Workers had sheathed its imposing steel skeleton with limestone and glass; what would eventually be known as the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building was now just months away from opening.

But it was May 1989, and Bullock and her friends were about to graduate. So they did the natural college-student thing: The night before Commencement, they found a door ajar and snuck in, exploring a building that, 25 years later, remains among

the most striking on campus.

“We were all a little disappointed we didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy that building,” said April (Bullock ’89) Anthony, who with her husband, Mark (’86), has played a key role in ensuring that ACU students in the coming years will experience the same excitement of new buildings rising and opening across campus.

In December 2013, the Anthonys made the largest gift in ACU history – a $30 million cornerstone contribution kicking into gear a fundraising effort that, once completed, will transform the campus in ways not seen for nearly 50 years.

So far, three donor families

have given $55 million, of which $45 million will help fund five new facilities in the sciences and athletics.

Fundraising is ongoing, with the hopes of gaining commitments for all projects this fall.

Collectively labeled Vision in Action, the initiative will provide three much-needed facilities for ACU’s nationally renowned science programs, as well as an on-campus football stadium, which has been a desire of coaches, students and alumni for decades. Plans include a combined stadium for ACU’s legendary track and field program and its much newer, though already successful, women’s soccer team.

“It was a bit surreal,” said ACU’s president, Dr. Phil Schubert (’91), of the process that led to three of the biggest commitments in university history

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occurring within 12 months of each other.

“It’s an incredible honor to be blessed by this generosity.”

The Gifts It all started with a gift from one of ACU’s most prolific donors – Kay Onstead, whose philanthropy has benefited the Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building and the Onstead Scholars program that provides scholarships to ACU students who are ministers’ children.

Onstead and her late husband, Bob, never attended ACU, but came to love the university through connections with ACU alumni, sending three children as students. Bob Onstead was a member of the Board of Trustees for 26 years until his death in 2004.

Since then, she has looked for ways to honor her husband on campus, and in December 2012 she committed $10 million to help fund the Robert R. and Kay Onstead Science Center.

“It was an obvious thing for me because it was a need that ACU has, and Bob was a science major” at the University of North Texas, she said. “If Bob was here, he probably would be building that building, but he would not put his name on it. On the other hand, I do not mind doing that at all.”

With the commitment in hand, Schubert and other ACU fundraisers began looking in earnest for other gifts to make a new science building a reality.

The existing Foster Science Building opened in 1946 and was expanded 22 years later, with a final renovation of the initial construction in 1991. The success of ACU’s science programs has hastened the facility’s obsolescence; it no longer has the space to adequately serve the four academic departments it houses, the growing number of students from ACU’s new nursing program who take certain required classes there, and the agricultural and environmental sciences majors who take biology and biochemistry classes there.

“We couldn’t continue to grow,” Dr. Rusty Towell (’90), chair and professor of engineering and physics, told a President’s Circle Dinner audience in February, “without these [new] facilities.”

Schubert began meeting with David D. Halbert (’78) and his wife, Kathy (Gay ’78).

David, founder of prescription benefits coordinator Advance PCS, was initially

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reluctant, Schubert said, in part because he wasn’t sure a science building fit with their family’s philanthropic priorities, which centered on organizing medical missions to low-income locations around the world through the Caris Foundation, which Kathy runs.

On the other hand, a significant gift would provide the opportunity to further recognize the late Dean Walling (’30), Halbert’s grandfather and more than 40 years ago the leader of Design for Development fundraising campaigns that helped build Moody Coliseum, Brown Library, McGlothlin Campus Center and the Don H. Morris Center, among other facilities.

“People like David Halbert have standards of excellence and aspirations that are second to none,” Schubert said. “He felt like some of the qualities and directions we were establishing were truly significant,

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building a science facility in Bob and Kay’s honor. But they also wanted to make possible a project for which significant, cornerstone-level support might not otherwise be forthcoming.

During the 2013 Family Weekend, an annual September event for families of first-year students, the Anthonys visited campus to see their daughter Ashlyn, a freshman. Every event was on campus except one – the football game and corresponding tailgate party. Driving 10 minutes to Shotwell Stadium provided some inspiration, April Anthony said.

“I looked over at Mark and said, ‘We need to build a football stadium,’ ” she said. “I think it could change the culture of ACU to bring football to campus.”

Their feelings were reinforced during Homecoming a month later. After another drive to Shotwell, she and Mark – a former Wildcat golf letterman –

My grandfather was a great inspiration to me. I’m not sure I would ever have been able to accomplish the things that I’ve done had I not seen him do things before me. …

He was a great person, a great man and one of high integrity. He loved Abilene Christian, and he loved the sciences. So a science building in particular seemed like the right thing.”

– David D. Halbert (’78)

and he began to engage more.”

At the same time, April Anthony began negotiating the sale of Homecare Homebase, the business she and Mark founded to provide software for home health care companies like the one April has owned since 1993.

As a member of ACU’s Board of Trustees, she knew well the university’s needs, and the couple began alerting Schubert last fall that they might be able to make a significant gift.

“I remember Mark saying the progress looked good, and they intended to make a significant gift,” Schubert said. “I had absolutely no idea of the scope and significance they were thinking at that point.”

Schubert detailed Kay Onstead’s commitment, and the Anthonys – longtime family friends of the Onsteads – supported

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decided to fund an on-campus stadium.

“Homecoming was a second experience when we were like, ‘Yep. Definitely,’ ” she said. Playing the Homecoming game off campus “was like all the air had been let out of the balloon.”

April leaned over to Schubert during the game and dropped a hint: “Man,” he recalled her saying, “I sure am tired of driving down the street from campus to get to the football stadium.”

The comment was intriguing, Schubert said, but he didn’t press further.

“I did think a little bit about it in the back of my mind,” he said. “I thought it was an interesting comment.”

Soon after, with the sale of Homecare Homebase complete, April Anthony called Schubert to finalize the parameters of the gift. “We want to enable something that couldn’t happen otherwise,” she told

To give or learn more visit

acu.edu/vision-in-action

A three-story lobby in the Onstead Science Center will provide meeting and study space for students, faculty and visitors, and a dramatic view of campus.

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Historic Bennett Gymnasium, which opened in 1930 as one of the original buildings on the current campus, will find new life as laboratory, classroom, design and project space for the Department of Engineering and Physics.

It was built to honor the generosity of the late L.P. and Ruth Bennett.

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him. “The more Mark and I have talked about it, we’d like to make a cornerstone gift to the football stadium.”

Sitting in his office with Dr. Gary McCaleb (’64), vice president of the university, Schubert hung up the phone and said, “We’re going to have an on-campus football stadium.”

“It was just sort of a whirlwind of excitement,” McCaleb said of the moment.

“Suddenly, this conversation [about a stadium] that had no date of anticipation had become a reality. That moment has finally come.”

As the magnitude of the Anthonys’ gift – which included $5 million for the new Onstead Science Center and $7 million for the College of Business Administration – became clearer, Schubert turned back to the Halberts.

“It was that swell of momentum to say, ‘David, this train is going somewhere,’ ” Schubert said. “It was that kind of conversation, and the desire of David and Kathy to honor Dean Walling that convinced them to ultimately come on board.”

The Halberts made a $15 million commitment through the Caris Foundation, bringing the three families’ total commitment to new science facilities to $30 million.

“My grandfather was a great inspiration to me,” David Halbert said. “I’m not sure I would ever have been able to accomplish the things that I’ve done had I not seen him do things before me. … He was a great person, a great man and one of high integrity. He loved Abilene Christian, and he loved the sciences. So a science building in particular seemed like the right thing.”

The Facilities The gifts make possible five new facilities – the largest simultaneous addition to campus since Walling’s campaigns led to the construction of Moody Coliseum, Gibson Health and Physical Education Center, McGlothlin Campus Center and Brown Library, and the expansion of Foster Science Building, in 1968-69. The new facilities will include:

• Robert R. and Kay Onstead Science Center, a transformation of the

85,000-square-foot Foster Science

Building that will include classrooms,

labs and offices for the four ACU

science departments – biology,

chemistry and biochemistry,

engineering and physics, and

mathematics. Its construction will

include demolishing Walling Lecture

Hall and enclosing the open space

facing campus between the two

wings of Foster.

• Halbert-Walling Research Center, a 54,000-square-foot building for science labs, classrooms and offices located between Phillips Education Building and Nelson Hall, where Chambers Hall currently sits.

• Wildcat Stadium, an 8,500-seat football facility, with room for up to 12,000 total fans, the first on campus since 1942.

Its playing surface will be called Anthony Field.

Robert R. and Kay Onstead Science Center • 85,000 square feet • Projected groundbreaking (pending fundraising): Fall 2014 • Projected completion (pending fundraising): Fall 2017

• Engineering and Physics

Laboratories at Bennett Gymnasium, providing space

for a fast-growing department.

Halbert-Walling Research Center • 54,000 square feet • Projected groundbreaking (pending fundraising): Summer 2015

• A combined stadium for soccer and track and field, seating 1,000 fans.

• Projected completion (pending fundraising): Fall 2016

Upon completion of fundraising, construction crews will simultaneously remake two ends of campus – the far north, where Elmer Gray Stadium will be torn down and two stadia erected, and the far south, where Chambers Hall and a one-story structure housing WFF Facility Services will be demolished, Halbert-Walling constructed, and Foster transformed and renamed.

In the south, the demolition of Chambers will have far-reaching effects, as its present occupants move elsewhere – the Department of Psychology into McKinzie Hall and the Department of Language and Literature to the Hardin Administration Building.

To make way for psychology, the Office of Student Life will move to the lower level of the McGlothlin Campus Center.

Other changes on campus domino from there, including new homes for the Graduate School (Brown Library), WFF (Nichols House), Technology Support Services (Zellner Hall) and University Marketing (Vanderpool Building).

In all, seven buildings are affected.

“We’re talking much more creatively and sustainably about use of space,” said Dr. Greg Straughn (’94), dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

“It’s a lot of dominoes.”

Along with those moves, crews are finishing the conversion of Bennett into lab and project space for ACU’s engineering program, which has significantly outpaced its expected enrollment in its first two years, creating additional pressure on the already limited space in Foster.

The Bennett renovation and the preliminary moves across campus mark Phase 1 of the science project,

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Engineering and Physics Laboratories at Bennett Gymnasium • 24,000 square feet • Start date: January 2014 • Projected completion: October 2014

Wildcat Stadium • 8,500 seating capacity (12,000 total capacity) • Projected groundbreaking (pending fundraising): Spring 2015 • Projected completion (pending fundraising): Summer 2016

Track and Field / Soccer Stadium • 1,000 seating capacity • Start date: July 2014 • Projected completion: Spring 2015

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and is being funded with gifts already received, said Kevin Roberts (’88), vice president of planning and operations.

Phase 2 – the initial work on Foster to transform it into the Onstead Center, including tearing down Walling Lecture Hall and building the new atrium – will not commence until the rest of the $45 million science-project budget is raised, Roberts said.

Even after that phase begins, classes will continue in Foster, eliminating the cost required for temporary classrooms, offices and laboratories, he said.

“It’s a challenge,” Roberts said, “but hospitals do this all the time. We’ve talked with the folks at Hendrick Medical Center. It’s complex, but it’s certainly far from impossible.”

Phase 3, which may occur simultaneously with the Foster-to-Onstead conversion, will be the nearly brick-bybrick demolition of Chambers, which sits too close to the Phillips Education Building to simply implode it, Roberts said.

Once Chambers is gone, Phase 4, the construction of Halbert-Walling, will begin, followed by the fifth and final phase – finishing the interior renovations to the Onstead Science Center while its eventual occupants use the new facility.

In all, depending on the academic calendar, the project will take between three and four years, Roberts said.

On the north end of campus, the athletics project will have four phases, estimated to take about two years: building the new track and field/soccer stadium, tearing down Elmer Gray Stadium, building Wildcat Stadium, and landscaping the surrounding area.

Hoar Construction, which built the Money Center, has been hired as the contractor for both projects. Its crews will be working closely with a pair of architecture firms: Perkins + Will, a global company specializing in science and technology projects, and Parkhill, Smith and Cooper, which is designing the two stadiums.

For the first time, Roberts said, ACU is using a construction method known as integrated project delivery (IPD), in which architects and contractors work together on the design and construction.

IPD is a process that has become increasingly popular in recent years, Roberts said, because it provides greater flexibility and spreads risk more evenly among the partners than the traditional “design-bid-build” method which separates architects from builders.

“In the traditional process, the contractor has no motivation to make it better. It’s in their interest to get it done

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fast and according to plans,” he said, adding that cost, risk and profit all are shared evenly among the participants in an IPD project, which leads to greater cooperation among all parties. “We feel we’re going to get a much better building at a much better price.”

As with the science projects, a piece of the athletics project began this summer using funds already received.

Crews began work on the as-yet-unnamed track and field/soccer stadium in July, with an eye toward April 2015, when ACU is scheduled to host its first fully NCAA Division I track meet with several major universities, and Fall 2016, when Wildcat Stadium will open if fundraising and construction stay on schedule.

The Excitement For ACU athletics, an on-campus football stadium has long been a dream, more wish than probability.

In 2010, a pair of donors provided funds to develop a master plan and video to simulate what a stadium on the north side of campus could look like, in hopes of attracting more interest, said Jared Mosley (’00), director of athletics. But no one had stepped forward with the cornerstone commitment that would turn the stadium into a university priority until the Anthonys did in November.

“Internally, from a recruiting standpoint, it’s going to be a huge piece,” Mosley said. “Shotwell Stadium has been great to us over the years, but there are so many things we’re limited with on Game Day.” For track and field, the program Texas Monthly named in 1999 as Texas Sports Dynasty of the Century, a new stadium symbolizes rebirth – or, as assistant athletics director and former track star Sylvia (Dyer ’91) Barnier puts it, “bringing the glory back.”

“We don’t want to forget what Elmer Gray did for us,” said Barnier, who won a collegiate-record five national indoor championships for the Wildcats with Gray as her home stadium. “Elmer Gray Stadium was good to us. We laid a lot of foundation there for the ACU track and field dynasty. But boy, the stadium has fallen on hard times lately.”

Like Chambers on the south end of campus in the academic realm, Gray has outlived its ability to provide the needs of

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a 21st-century track and field program, Mosley said.

“We do have a major need with the age of Elmer Gray Stadium,” Mosley said. “We’ve about extended the box of Band-Aids as far as we can.”

The new stadium will sit south of Wells Field and north of Edwards Hall along Campus Court, covering an area now occupied by intramural and soccer fields. Along with track and field, it will provide a permanent home for the women’s soccer program, which has a .649 winning percentage and a conference title since its inception in 2007.

With that facility built, Wildcat Stadium will sit on the Gray Stadium footprint, south of Ambler Avenue between Wells Field and Crutcher Scott Field.

Moving home football games to campus promises to revolutionize the community experience at ACU, Mosley said, not just

“

I looked over at Mark and said, ‘We need to build a football stadium. I think it could change the culture of ACU to bring football to campus.’”

– April Anthony

for football players but for all students.

“That’s one of the things that sets ACU apart – the quality of the relationships here, the interest and the investment of alumni in the campus,” he said. “You don’t get that everywhere.

When you talk to colleges and peers, you realize that not just any place is like that.

“The more that we can create events that allow people to come back and draw into that community, it benefits everyone,” he said.

Across campus, the excitement is no less prevalent, as three obsolete facilities will make way for two state-of-the-art ones.

“I would hate to overstate this,” said Straughn, the arts and sciences dean, “but I think this is the most significant event for the sciences at ACU in the last 40 years.”

The ACU Department of Natural Sciences, founded in the early 1920s,

Wildcat Stadium (above) will be the new home of the ACU football program, positioned on the same footprint as Elmer Gray Stadium, just south of Ambler Avenue. A new stadium for soccer and track and field will be constructed along Campus Court, just north of Edwards Hall.

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A terrace on the second floor of the south end zone complex will provide a dramatic overview of Anthony Field. The fieldhouse will provide offices, locker rooms, restrooms and meeting space for teams and other groups.

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split into the biology and chemistry departments in 1959; the expansion of Foster allowed for the creation of the physics department out of the math department in 1971. Since then, the same four departments have been housed in the same facility, despite significant growth in the ensuing 43 years.

As early as 2009, a new science building had become a top university priority – before the addition of an engineering program to the Department of Physics in 2012, and before that new program exceeded its expected enrollment over its first two years. With the first students in the engineering program set to be juniors this fall, the need became critical for additional space large enough to handle the projects upperclassmen will be expected to undertake.

Likewise, the creation of an on-campus nursing program last year has led to an influx of students taking classes such as Anatomy and Physiology. About 10 percent of all ACU undergraduates now major in either engineering or nursing.

“We’ve done very strategic things with curricula and programs,” Straughn said, “but we haven’t done things to support them with infrastructure. When you

• Facilities that provide a recruiting advantage – rather than a disadvantage – for top students and faculty; and

• Display and controlled-storage space for the university’s extensive botany and mammal collections.

“We desperately need larger, more open shared lab space,” said Dr. Rebecca (Belcher ’01) Hunter, assistant professor of biology, at February’s President’s Circle Dinner. “It would be a place where our students could work right alongside their peers. … It will generate a lot of excitement for our undergraduate research programs.”

The Announcement When Schubert strode to the Chapel stage on Feb. 17 – the Friday of Sing Song weekend – the more than 4,000 students, faculty, staff and visitors in attendance knew an announcement was coming.

Very few knew how large it would be, and Schubert admitted to being anxious about the best way to reveal the big news.

“Of course I was hoping for a reaction from the crowd that would honor the donor families,” he said. “More than anything else, I wanted them to sense an excitement

Part of the Lunsford Foundation Trail will rise to provide a dramatic view of Anthony Field and Wildcat Stadium from underneath the large scoreboard in the north end zone.

look at the campus as a whole and see the investment in capital projects, you see biblical studies, business, and performing arts. It will be really exciting to see the sciences in parity with these visibly invested-in areas.”

Science faculty cite numerous expected benefits from the new facilities, including:

• The ability to better collaborate on research with students in labs and classrooms designed for that purpose;

• Labs that better conform to modern-day safety requirements;

among the students that would leave them with a feeling they wouldn’t forget about the moment. Everybody responded with such enthusiasm and energy; it was an amazing feeling I’ll always remember.”

The Anthony and Halbert families sat on the front row, as did Kay’s son – ACU trustee Charles Onstead (’89) – and his family, and the descendants of L.P. and Ruth Bennett, whose names remain etched on the brick of the former gymnasium.

Schubert described the gifts in ascending order of value. When he announced the $10 million Onstead gift,

students audibly gasped before cheering.

When he announced the Halberts’ $15 million gift toward a science research center and the crowd reacted with even more enthusiasm, he thought to himself, “They don’t know what’s coming next.”

As he went on to describe the Anthonys’ historic $30 million commitment to multiple projects, the cheers grew louder, and the audience rose for an extended standing ovation.

Collectively, the generosity represents the single largest, two of the top three and three of the six largest gifts in ACU history. The previous largest single gift to Abilene Chrsitian was $26.37 million in 1997-98 from the Grace L. Woodward Memorial Endowment.

“That was really fun,” April Anthony said. “It was very cool. Mark and I were awed by the support we felt from everyone in the coliseum. It was a neat moment.”

The moment has passed, and the fundraising has begun in earnest with the hope of completing it by early fall.

Yet even as he and other fundraisers have travelled the country seeking to build on the foundation laid by the Onstead, Halbert and Anthony families, Schubert said he is mindful of the sacrifices already made to bring ACU to the brink of an historic transformation.

“I feel amazingly blessed to be on this journey,” he said. “The exciting thing about this is not the gifts themselves. …

The really great thing is looking in the eyes of donors and hearing their stories about how ACU changed their lives and wanting to do the same for others.”

Indeed, it’s no coincidence that in reflecting on her ability to change the face of campus, Anthony recalled her nighttime tour of the Biblical Studies Building almost exactly 25 years earlier.

“Over the years, it certainly had an impact on me,” she said. “We hope 25 years from now, someone sitting in Chapel will say, ‘I want to be that person.’ Because other people sacrificed to make these facilities a reality, we want to do the same thing. We want to create an impression.” 

To give or learn more visit

acu.edu/vision-in-action

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toward the

The generosity of three legacy families begins a campus transformation

BY PAUL A. ANTHONY

April Anthony was looking for a short-term job, something she could set aside when the time came to have children and raise them at home.

Instead, she bought a failing company; turned it around; grew it into a national leader in the home healthcare industry; founded a second company with her husband, Mark, to provide software for that industry; then sold it for millions, allowing them to make the largest gift in ACU’s 108-year history.

Talk about a detour. “All of a sudden, I just felt very called, very compelled,” April Anthony said of her career-changing decision in 1992. “Twenty-two years later, I’ve never been a stay-at-home mom.”

At the time, Anthony was an accountant for Price Waterhouse, her first job after graduating from ACU. The hours during tax season were long, and she decided a more regular job would be better for the couple of years she’d be in the workforce before settling down to raise a family.

She took a job overseeing the account department of a home healthcare company with four subsidiary businesses, one of which was on track to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars. The owner told her to find a buyer; she couldn’t.

“A completely unexpected phrase came out of my mouth,” Anthony said. “I wasn’t

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Mark and April Anthony planning for it. I said, ‘What if I just bought it?’ He said, ‘Sold!’ I said, ‘Well, hold on a second. I could just take it. I can’t really pay you for it.’ And he said, ‘Sold!’ ” After consulting with Mark, April took control of Encompass Home Health, did all of the support staff work herself and began getting to know better the nurses who provided its services.

She rode along with them, falling in love with the mission of providing a measure of independence to seniors who otherwise likely would need care in a nursing home.

“I came to love home healthcare,” she said. “Without our services, they would not be able to stay at home.”

The nurses also needed care – many had been poorly treated by the healthcare

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KIM LEESON

Mark (’86) and April (Bullock ’89) Anthony

system and were close to giving up nursing altogether.

So Anthony began working to make Encompass profitable, to provide quality home-based healthcare and to create a positive work environment for the caregivers.

And it worked. By 2012, Encompass brought in more than $250 million in annual revenue, and Homecare Homebase, the software company she and Mark founded in 1999 to serve their industry, made about $50 million.

The 2013 sale of 85 percent of Homecare Homebase to Hearst Corp. provided the funds with which the Anthonys made their historic $30 million gift to ACU – $15 million for Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium, $7 million for the College of Business Administration, $5 million for the Robert R. and Kay Onstead Science Center and $3 million that remains undesignated.

Anthony remains the CEO of both her companies.

“I stumbled blindly into this opportunity,” she said. “It’s been neat to see how we’ve been able to impact the lives of our seniors.”

Kay Onstead When April Bullock was born in 1967, waiting outside the room with her father was Kay Onstead.

The Bullock and Onstead families were

David (’78) and Kathy (Gay ’78) Halbert David Halbert’s grandfather, Orville “Dean” Walling (’30), is perhaps best known on campus for the science lecture hall bearing his name – the place where four decades of students have taken classes.

But his effect on ACU is far more broad.

As the founding chair of the ambitious Design for Development campaign, Walling kicked off a 21-year, three-phase fundraising effort that provided ACU $75 million and led to the construction of numerous facilities in the 1960s and ’70s.

The campaign’s first gift was made

by Walling and his wife, Thelma (Bernard ’33): $250,000 in 1962 to help build Moody Coliseum. Walling was chair of Western Geophysical, one of the world’s largest oil exploration companies, and served from 1976-83 on the ACU Board of Trustees.

“Dean Walling was larger than life to me,” David Halbert said. “He was a powerful, confident, opinionated, strong-willed person that I looked up to very much, and always encouraged me to do more than I could imagine.”

Halbert has certainly done that. He began dabbling in business as an ACU student, turning a $10,000 profit on a

David and Kathy Halbert

JEREMY ENLOW

longtime friends in Houston, and years later, when Anthony joined ACU’s Board of Trustees, she served with Robert R. Onstead. “Bob was a leading member of the board,” she said, “really a force to be reckoned with.”

The co-founder of Randall’s Food Markets in 1966, Onstead became a leading businessman in Texas, growing the chain to 42 locations and earning revenues of more than $1 billion.

The Onsteads met in 1950, when Kay was 16 and Bob 18. Kay had just earned her driver’s license and drove to a friend’s house, where Bob and eight others were sitting on the front porch. The 10 of them went for sodas, and Kay treated them all to 10-cent bottles with the dollar bill Bob and Kay Onstead from her pocket.

Bob Onstead went home and told his mother he had met the girl he was going to marry.

“I think that dollar I paid for those Cokes was about the best investment I ever made,” Kay Onstead said, laughing.

The couple had heard little of Abilene Christian until they moved to Houston in the 1950s and began attending Southwest Church of Christ, where several recent ACU graduates also attended.

“We just thought they were wonderful,” Onstead said. “We found out that they had all gone to college together, and the college was ACU. And we said right then and there – and we were in our 20s then – that was where we wanted our kids to go to school.”

Indeed, three of their children did attend ACU, and the youngest, Charles (’89), has followed in his father’s footsteps as a member of the Board of Trustees.

The Onsteads began giving to ACU, and as Randall’s grew, so did their gifts. Over the past 25 years, they have

JEREMY ENLOW

Kay Onstead

provided significant support for the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, Teague Special Events Center, Hunter Welcome Center and Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center; and in 1989, they founded the Onstead Scholars program to provide scholarships for the children of ministers.

Each fall, Onstead comes to campus and has dinner with that year’s scholarship recipients, now numbering more than three dozen annually and about 200 overall.

“That has been my very favorite thing,” she said. “It’s uplifting to me. We sit around in a circle, and they tell me about themselves, and I come home and I’m walking on air for days after that.”

medical-device business his father, David Halbert, M.D. (’54), founded for him, then entering oil and banking work after graduation.

In the late 1980s, David and his brother, Jon (’82), began a mail-order pharmacy called Advance Paradigm, with future president George W. Bush as an investor.

It went public in 1996, with more than 1.5 million health plan participants, and in 2000, the brothers purchased the prescription benefits administrator PCS Health Systems from Rite-Aid for $1 billion and formed AdvancePCS. Just three years later, Caremark bought AdvancePCS for $5.3 billion.

“I never saw myself in the sciences,” Halbert said.

“It was just something that evolved, pursuing personalized medicine and the concept of trying to help as many people as we possibly can.

Dean Walling Quite surprisingly, I found myself very engaged in science and very passionate about it.”

In 2002, David and Kathy Halbert founded the Caris Foundation, using the Greek word for “grace.” Run by Kathy, it oversees medical missions in underserved areas across the globe.

They repurposed the name in 2005, when David purchased and expanded a medical lab and named it Caris Life Sciences, which focuses on cancer detection and treatment.

Over the years, the Halberts have provided endowed scholarships in the College of Business Administration and College of Biblical Studies, and funds to help build the Hunter Welcome Center.

David and Jon’s late mother, Jo Ann (Walling ’54) Halbert, is the namesake of ACU’s Halbert Institute for Missions.

With ACU’s stellar reputation in the sciences, Halbert said, especially its prehealth professions program and new oncampus nursing school, the fit was right for them to honor Walling – who considered himself a scientist at heart – and provide state-of-the-art science facilities through the Caris Foundation.

“I hope that when students see this building, and when they see the Halbert-Walling name, it would be an inspiration to them to go on and do great things and accomplish more,” David said.

“In the world of science, and medicine in particular, it creates a really unique opportunity to do great work that benefits people.” 

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on the

Remembering days gone by as several longstanding buildings make way for new ones

BY PAUL A. ANTHONY

Foster Science Building, 1948

A

lmost from the beginning, ACU’s facilities have experienced

their share of closures, demolitions, reimagining and reconstruction. Here are brief histories of four buildings with connections to the current Vision in Action projects – one long gone, two soon to be replaced, and one finding new life:

Chem Shack’s humble start ACU’s first dedicated science building was no permanent structure. Indeed, it was never intended to house the sciences at all.

When the Administration Building on Abilene Christian’s original campus on North First Street burned down in early 1929, administrators set up offices in a temporary white frame structure until they could move to the new hilltop campus – and the current Hardin Administration Building – later that year.

The new Administration Building was to include space for science classrooms and a chemistry lab, but the plans were scrapped at the last minute with no apparent replacement in mind.

Needing space for the sciences, the college split the temporary administration building in half and trucked it from the downtown campus to the Hill, depositing and reassembling the wooden structure east of McDonald Hall, where Nelson Hall now sits.

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The Chem Shack and Bennett Gymnasium, 1939

“Witt consented,” according to Optimist reporter A.C. Greene (’44), in a 1942 article, referring to sciences chair Dr. Paul Witt (’22), “with the qualification that a new lab would replace it in a year.”

The Great Depression and World War II intervened, however, and that year stretched to 15. The “Chem Shack” became notorious for leaks, drafts and general dilapidation.

When a fire broke out in the building in 1944, an anonymous Optimist editorial insinuated, tongue firmly in cheek, that Witt himself had set it and accused the Abilene Fire Department of arriving “too soon.”

“Thirteen long summers have passed over the old shack’s roof,” Greene wrote in 1942, “and much water has flowed under the feet of disgusted, qualitative students, but the building lives on.”

The situation, never particularly tenable,

ACU TODAY

only grew more urgent as the Department of Natural Sciences became one of the best in Texas. On June 12, 1945, Witt was among those who plunged shovels to break ground on a new science building.

The Science Building opened its doors to students Oct. 3, 1946, and the Chem Shack was dismantled in November 1947.

“All sentiment is now in our new Science Building,” Witt told the Optimist, “which, when fully equipped, will be one of the best in the Southwest.”

It was renamed Foster Science Building in April 1962.

Chambers Hall was versatile When the time came to shut down and demolish the Chem Shack in 1947, students in two chemistry classes took the afternoon off to help move books and equipment into their new Science Building.

That time is fast approaching now for Chambers Hall, which likely will see its final semester in the fall, said Kevin Roberts (’88), vice president for planning and operations.

After the final items are packed away, ACU maintenance and operations staff will move the boxes to McKinzie Hall or the Ad Building, and Chambers will sit vacant, awaiting its fate as the only permanent academic building to be torn down in the 85-year history of the current campus.

Like the Chem Shack before it,

Chambers has become well known on campus as a facility with problems – it is inaccessible to those with disabilities, adequate heating and cooling are a challenge, and in February a clogged sewage pipe led to flooding in the building’s basement offices.

It’s an ignominious end for a building that was literally central to campus when it was constructed in 1929.

Built as a dormitory and dining hall, and named for Julia Chambers, wife of pioneer rancher and former ACU board chair E.D. Chambers, for 26 years the facility served every Abilene Christian student who queued through “the beanery,” so named for the food they found served on their plates on a frequent basis.

In 1955, Catchings Cafeteria opened next door, in what is now the Phillips Education Building.

The move cleared the way for a significant expansion of the ACC library, which had moved into Chambers from the Ad Building in 1936, sharing space with the cafeteria and, at times, dorm rooms.

Cafeteria in Chambers Hall, 1952

For 15 years, all three floors of Chambers housed the college’s books, until the opening of Brown Library in 1970.

With the removal of the library, ACU renovated Chambers into an academic building; over more than 40 years, it has housed the education, English, psychology, sociology and social work programs – the list growing smaller as departments found better homes, until only psychology, and language and literature remained.

Elmer Gray hosted legends About the time crews were building Catchings Cafeteria and turning the rest of Chambers into the library, a new track and field stadium rose on the far north end of campus.

Built in 1954, the stadium was named in 1969 for one of Abilene Christian’s first track stars, Elmer Gray (’32), after he and his family funded the replacement of the original cinder track with an all-weather surface.

Gray, captain of the 1931 track and field team, was the first Wildcat to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials

Elmer Gray Stadium

and the first to break 50 seconds in the quarter-mile. He was inducted into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.

In the six decades since its construction, Gray Stadium has been the venue where Olympic gold medalists Bobby Morrow (’58) and Earl Young (’62) practiced and competed, as well as world-record-holders James Segrest (’59), Bill Woodhouse (’59) and Billy Olson (’81), and national champions Sylvia (Dyer ’91) Barnier, Delloreen Ennis-London (’99) and Mazel (Thomas ’90) Tatham, among many others.

The stadium has played host to such standout U.S. athletes as Wilma Rudolph, who competed there in the 1960 women’s Olympic Trials, and quartermiler Michael Johnson; it also hosted NAIA Division I and NCAA Division II national championship meets five times between 1978 and 2005.

Like Chambers, however, time has been unkind to Gray Stadium, which was renovated in 1978 and 1990. The restrooms and locker rooms are unusable, and it no longer provides an adequate setting for collegiate track meets.

“It has fallen on hard times lately,” Barnier said. “There’s only so much you can do to an old facility.”

New life for beloved old gym Bennett Gymnasium has been among the campus’ iconic structures for decades.

The last of the original eight buildings on the Hill, construction on the gymnasium actually was halted for months while administrators sought funds to complete it. Eventually, L.P. Bennett and his wife, Ruth, gave the college two sections of their ranch in far West Texas in exchange for free tuition for six of their eight children.

The value of the property was enough to fund completion of the gymnasium, and the mineral rights have provided millions to ACU’s endowment over the past 85 years.

In the decades following its 1930 completion, Bennett was home to men’s basketball teams, pep rallies, Lectureship sessions and meals, and numerous performances by various student groups.

By 1967, however, as plans coalesced for what would become Moody Coliseum, architects recommended to ACC administrators that the heavily used Bennett be torn down. The college demurred, hoping that lighter use in subsequent years would preserve the well-loved gymnasium. Students at Abilene Christian Schools became fond of Bennett as a hub of social activity before ACS built a campus of its own on North Judge Ely Boulevard in 1986.

For 45 years, Bennett’s use became increasingly infrequent, limited mostly to intramural contests and other gatherings.

When the Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center opened in 2011, Bennett – by then known more for its age and decline than its former role hosting boisterous basketball games with cross-town rivals Hardin-Simmons and McMurry – was without a purpose, used only as overflow when newer facilities had scheduling conflicts.

With its opening as an engineering and physics lab this fall, the fully refurbished

Badminton in Bennett Gymnasium, 1957

Bennett, built in the opening decades of the 20th century, will experience new life well into the 21st, trading in hardwood and basketball for stained concrete and the hum of robotic experiments.

“We are very proud of the work going on in Bennett,” Roberts said. “We are breathing new life into a building that holds a special place in the heart of the ACU community, and that is deeply satisfying. We are looking forward to another century in Bennett Gym.” 

See acu.edu/via/bennett for a drone’s-eye view of Bennett Gymnasium as it undergoes renovation.

The short video is narrated by Craig Fisher (’92), director of alumni relations and annual projects.

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ALUMNI AWARDS

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bilene Christian’s 108-year history is distinguished by the accomplishments of graduates who take to heart the university’s mission, using their God-given talents as servant-leaders around the world.

Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Provides timely recognition of the lifetime achievement of an individual who has brought honor to ACU through personal and professional excellence and service to the university, the church or the community.

“To me nothing is more important, more satisfying and, I think, more eternally significant than building a local church.”

Young Alumnus of the Year Recognizes professional achievement and/or distinguished service to the university. To be eligible, a recipient must not have reached 40 years of age at the time of nomination.

Distinguished Alumni Citation Recognizes distinctive personal or professional achievement that has merited the honor and praise of peers and colleagues.

JEREMY ENLOW

– RICK ATCHLEY

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AC U TO D AY

2014 OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

N

o one who knows Rick Atchley (’78) today can say he missed his calling.

As minister of the largest Church of Christ congregation in America,

Atchley is a sought-after speaker and preacher who is unafraid to address hot-button issues.

This year marks his 25th anniversary as minister at the The Hills – the surburban Fort Worth congregation with an average attendance of 5,000 each Sunday in North Richland Hills and Rick married Jamie (Lyda ’81) in 1981.

PAUL WHITE

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OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR

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two other campuses – only the second church he has ever served. The recipient of ACU’s 2014 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award formerly preached at Southern Hills in Abilene from 1978-89.

Early on, some – even Atchley himself – questioned whether he was cut out to be a preacher. At age 7, he announced his intention to be one, but the odds were stacked against him. Except for his grandmother, there had been no Christians in his life, and his family had just begun to attend church services.

“It wasn’t like I knew any preachers, or that I had had any male authority figure in my life who had been a particularly godly person,” Atchley recalled. “I cannot explain that except calling. For whatever reason, I think God put a call on my life.”

Born in Waco but growing up in the lower-income Oak Cliff neighborhood of southwest Dallas, Atchley found displeasure in the reaction of discontented whites to court-appointed school desegregation.

As a high schooler, he preached his first sermon on racism. He was not invited to speak again.

“I grew up at a time when I think churches were harsher on preachers than they are today,” Atchley said. “Preachers moved a lot, they were criticized a lot, and I saw all that.”

By the time he was enrolled at ACU, he had decided to major in communication, with a plan to attend law school or become a college professor and possibly preach on the side. As class valedictorian, he earned a bachelor’s degree and later a master’s in communication.

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“For whatever reason, I think God put a call on my life.”

– RICK ATCHLEY

“While I was at ACU, I felt the Lord really confirmed that, at least for me, to not preach as my career would have been total disobedience,” he said. “In many ways, it was sitting under the influence of the preaching of Dr. Lynn Anderson, who at the time was the preacher at Highland Church of Christ, and just watching how the power of preaching week to week was changing lives. God began to stir up in me that desire to do what I had told the world I was going to do when I was a young boy.”

Anderson recalled mentoring the young Atchley.

“He told me he wanted to be a preacher, but he was so bashful,” recalled Anderson (’90 D.Min.), now living in San Antonio. “He and Max Lucado (’77) both said they wanted to be preachers, and I didn’t think either one of them would ever be. One reason was because Rick was so bashful that I was afraid he just couldn’t get up before the public and assert himself.”

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Atchley participated in student groups Anderson met with regularly, following the Highland minister around, hanging out with him and talking about the nuances of preaching for a large congregation.

He and Lucado both took a ministry course taught by Anderson.

“The thing that struck me about Rick early on is, No. 1, he’s super smart, but he’s also about as disciplined as anybody I knew,” Anderson said. “To add to that, he had such a tender heart and such high integrity. …

When he first started he was not really a very good public speaker. But Rick applied himself so hard.”

During his junior year, Atchley roomed with Lucado and a couple other classmates.

Lucado, who agrees that Atchley was “quiet, bordering on shy” back then, recalled, “Rick was always a great student of the Word and speaker. His leadership skills became more evident after he graduated. I believe his potential as a preacher was more clearly seen in our ACU days than mine was.”

Atchley and Lucado, now a best-selling Christian author and minister of preaching at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, have remained good friends. “If you had known us in college, you’d have shaken your head and said, ‘God has got to have a sense of humor,’ because both of us were just a couple of goofballs,” Atchley said.

Lucado agreed. “To enter our apartment was to risk being attacked. Rick liked to hide behind the couch and pounce on his roomies,” he said. “We returned the favor.”

Besides being a goofball, Atchley acknowledges that he is an introvert and more comfortable behind the scenes.

PAUL WHITE

But that does not mean that he lacks boldness to speak what he believes is right.

“God put him on the scene with the right gifts, the right convictions, at the right time to make a difference in our fellowship,” Anderson said. “The main thing is he’s made it safe for preachers to explore and examine [these issues]. Before, people were afraid to do that.”

One of those issues concerns the unity of believers. While studying history of the American Restoration Movement in college, Atchley learned it was once a bold unity movement, but that “we got away from that,” he said. “In some ways, it was learning about our roots when I was at ACU that planted the seed in me to want to be part of a unity movement.” After many years of learning about and interacting with ministers from Independent Christian Churches, a branch of the same stream from which Churches of Christ had split in the early 20th century, Atchley decided it was time to come together again.

“Especially with my brothers and sisters in Christian Churches, I felt like there were bridges to repair, there was repentance to be made and apologies to be given,” he said.

In 2006, a century after the recognized division of the Restoration Movement, believers from both sides met “to publicly repent of the wickedness of the division that we had allowed to go on way too long.” Events were held across the nation throughout the year to promote unity.

Because both Churches of Christ and Independent Christian Churches are autonomous congregations by design, the success of the effort has been difficult to measure. The Hills has partnered with

Christian Churches in missions efforts here and in Africa, on church plants, and even in the opening of a Christian university in Uganda. Atchley has been encouraged by reports of unity efforts around the world.

“It was a success because it was right to do it. It’s right to unite. It was wrong to allow division among Christians,” he said.

Atchley and the leadership at The Hills have not been afraid “to challenge long-held esteemed traditions if we think they are in the way of the mission of reaching people for Christ. Historically, we have been willing to let some people leave the congregation who wanted to keep a tradition if we thought changing that tradition would cause new people to come to the congregation.”

With that mindset, The Hills offers both a cappella and instrumental services, has multiple sites with plans to plant 10 new churches by 2020, and allows women to serve as deacons and in some ministerial roles. It appears that such changes are bringing in new people. Since Atchley became minister for The Hills, attendance has doubled, and last year the congregation experienced the most baptisms in its history.

While these are not the only factors attracting new members, Atchley is quick to point out that “God gives growth,” and that growth has followed change.

Besides his congregation, Atchley ministers to another group.

“The thing about Rick that nobody knows is that he mentors dozens of young preachers, writes letters, makes phone calls, gets phone calls and answers them, and sets aside time to invest in the younger

generation,” said Jonathan Storment, (’12 M.A.), a former intern and associate minister at The Hills who now preaches at Highland. “He knows this job is hard, but he wants to help however he can.”

Storment said Atchley has taught him the value of putting time into writing a sermon, always being prepared in the pulpit, and not to preach when angry. However, the lessons haven’t been just about sermons.

“One of the best things he did for me was to teach me how to love a church and my family at the same time. He’s just as good a husband and dad as he is a preacher, and I think he’s a great preacher,” Storment said.

Storment, Anderson and Lucado all said one of Atchley’s best attributes is his wife, Jamie (Lyda ’81), whom he met at ACU. They have three children: Michael, who manages a local gym; Morgan, a nursing student at ACU; and Matthew, a business major at ACU. “He never, ever neglected his kids for ministry. Ever,” said Anderson.

Just as with family, Atchley is careful about commitments that take time away from his congregation. That’s why he needed reassurance when asked recently to join the ACU Board of Trustees.

“To me nothing is more important, more satisfying and, I think, more eternally significant than building a local church,” Atchley said. “So when they asked me, I made it very clear I would not let this get in the way of my job, and they assured me it wouldn’t.”

After all, Atchley said, “I am unapologetically a local church preacher.

That is my passion; that is my calling.”䊱

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– TAMARA THOMPSON

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YOUNG ALUMNI OF THE YEAR

Randy & Anda Brown

JEREMY ENLOW

E

veryone has a faith story. It takes a while to tell the one belonging to Randy (’94) and Anda (Adams ’94) Brown. Not that they are particularly slow at telling it, but in a house with seven children and an open-front-door policy, it can be hard to get a word in some days.

ACU’s 2014 Young Alumni of the Year have been down a few roads and around the world together. They have a fascinating life marked by times God has spoken and places He has intervened. To their credit, they have listened and followed.

High school sweethearts in Midland, Texas, the pair later rediscovered their relationship at ACU and married in December 1993, a semester before Randy’s graduation in May 1994 and Anda’s that August. As students, they participated in Spring Break Campaigns to New Haven, Conn., New York City and St. Louis. But a 1994 summer trip to work alongside the late Stanley Shipp (’46) with orphans in Romania provided Randy with the clarity he needed to choose between a career in missions or one in medicine.

He was so moved by the missions experience that he was ready to drop the medical school plans he had first made as a 5-year-old.

“When he talked about missions, I thought he was crazy,” Anda said.

“I really wanted the typical doctor lifestyle.

Thankfully, God had other plans.”

Randy eventually heeded the call to med 28

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Randy and Anda have seven children: McKenna (17), Josiah (15), Luke (13), Moriah (10), Issac (8), Malachi (6), and Piper Joy (4). Arlillian Murray, a 91-year-old neighbor, joined them for this portrait.

“When he talked about missions, I thought he was crazy.

I really wanted the typical doctor lifestyle.

Thankfully, God had other plans.”

– ANDA BROWN

school, wary of the faith challenges he had seen friends struggle with during years that are hard enough on an individual, much less a young married couple.

Twenty years later, it turns out the couple’s calling involved careers shaped by both medicine and missions.

He maintains a family practice nearby, and at home they lead lives of faith among their kids – ages 4-17 – and a community of grateful people in the Como neighborhood of western Fort Worth.

“She’s balanced me out and kept me grounded,” Randy said of his wife. “She’s kept us focused on what’s important. …

If neither of you has a sense of rhythm, you both end up running really fast and burning out.”

It’s more than a full-time job to mentor, tutor and love their seven kids in an economically challenged environment beset by gangs and drugs. But to take on other children and teens as well? at requires a special reservoir of patience, wisdom and

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energy the Browns possess in great supply.

It’s not easy many days, but with the help of others, they have organized various programs of ministry that are slowly transforming the lives and families around them.

In 2006, Randy and a friend, Van Gravitt, conducted the first Opportunity Camp for neighborhood kids in Como – an idea inspired by a similar one Randy and Anda had attended in high school. Fifty-two children attended, of which Randy picked 10 boys he identified as potential leaders to meet with him weekly for Bible study, football and community service. He called them Dr. Brown’s Mighty Men. Now known as B.U.R.N. (Building, Uniting and Restoring Neighborhoods) Ministries, it has grown into three groups for children ranging from third to 12th grade, each mentored by different groups of adults from local churches. It also runs an after-school excellence program, a summer tutoring program, and a summer work program for young men.

One of the original Mighty Men, Corey Boone, will be a freshman this fall at ACU. Randy deflects accolades about the ministry he has begun. “We’re just trying to listen to Jesus and obey,” he said. “Whatever good comes out of all this will be from God, and we’re just thankful to be a part of it.”䊱 – RON HADFIELD AND PAUL A. ANTHONY

2014 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI CITATIONS

Brent & Julie Pennington

CATHRYN WIRTH

T

“The future of Christian leadership in Thailand, Laos and Burma is really in these kids' hearts.”

– BRENT PENNINGTON

JAMIE WOOD KATZ

Mark Smith

“Before, people here had to go into Atlanta for professional theatre.

Now it's in their backyard.”

– MARK SMITH

he classrooms were ready as Chiang Rai International Christian School (CRICS) opened the doors of its new building in January 2012. Originally established as a homeschool co-op for children of missionaries, CRICS has grown into a K-12 school with 120 students in northern Thailand, drawing children from a variety of backgrounds. The new building has plenty of space for everyone with room to grow.

But on the first day, there was still work to be done. Funded by the family of a former teacher and a few students’ piggy banks, the CRICS playground was installed by volunteers as the school year in the new building got underway. On designated workdays, families came together to put sand around the new equipment, build up the play area and lay sod.

“It is one thing to have a new building, but you have to be quite a fuddy-duddy to be more excited about the building than the playground,” said CRICS principal administrator Brent Pennington (’93).

“Working on the playground and getting it open for the fourth week of school made everyone smile.”

Brent and his wife, Julie (Griggs ’94), lead the school with a team of staff members. Having grown by 40 students in the past two years, CRICS’ reputation has expanded, as well. Many missions organizations contact the school regularly about Christian workers they are sending to the area. Thai families constantly interview for open spots. Having earned a “Very Good” rating through the Thai

T

he “busy season” for The Legacy never ends. The theatre in Tyrone, Ga., a small community just south of Atlanta, offers five professional plays and musicals every year in the mainstage season; a children’s theatre program; a performing arts school with 300 students enrolled in singing, acting and dancing classes; and rental space in which the community can use the facility’s stunning 1940s art-deco facilities.

Not many towns of 7,000 get to enjoy such a high-quality hub of performing arts.

For Legacy co-founders Mark Smith (’98) and his wife, Bethany, opening the theatre in Tyrone has been a wild and rewarding ride.

“The Legacy has raised the bar of quality in theatrical opportunities in this area,” Mark said. “We bring in a high level of talent from across the country. Before, people here had to go into Atlanta for professional theatre.

Now it’s in their backyard.”

That concept of neighborhood professional theatre is at the

government’s accreditation process in 2013, Brent said CRICS is now on track to become accredited through the U.S.-based Association of Christian Schools International and Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

While the growth is exciting and important, it’s not the focus, he said.

“Rather, we want to offer the best education for our community,” he said. “Most importantly, we must provide excellence in education for missionary families and the Thai families that come to be a part of CRICS.” With an emphasis on providing a family-centered Christian education for Christian workers in the area, CRICS draws students from nearby Myanmar (also known as Burma) and Laos, and attracts children of missionaries from the U.S., Canada, South Korea, Netherlands, Taiwan and Australia. Brent, Julie and other administrators and staff – including ACU alumni Dr. Troy (’98) and Tanya (Morris ’97) Stuart and Eric and Rutha (Taylor ’93) Ebeling – recognize something special in their students.

“The future of Christian leadership in Thailand, Laos and Burma is really in these kids’ hearts,” Brent said. “We see our work as providing the Christian worldview necessary to help these children lead their communities for Christ. This is not a new vision, but God is making this vision work in ways that help us see the future of Christ impacting this area with hope.”䊱

– DEANA NALL

heart of what Mark and Bethany do.

People come to The Legacy not only for high-quality shows such as the current season’s Chicago and The Music Man, but also to get their children involved in the performing arts. The only full-time theatre in the south Atlanta metro area, The Legacy is either running productions, children’s classes, or both, all year long.

Starting The Legacy was a challenge for Mark and Bethany. After a string of construction delays and other setbacks, the theatre opened with a production of A Christmas Survival Guide on Nov. 24, 2006 – after the couple had to wait out the building’s Certificate of Occupancy, which came through just 48 hours before the curtain rose.

Creating and managing any kind of business is stressful, especially a high-caliber operation such as the Smiths’, which regularly features performers who move on to Broadway, including those from his alma mater.

Mark says one of the highlights of

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2014 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI CITATIONS “I love knowing that our students who are cast at The Legacy will have a fantastic experience and a professional credit to include on their resume.”

owning The Legacy is the opportunity to return to ACU every year and spend several days auditioning the current batch of theatre majors. He realizes they need summer work to be competitive once they leave college, and he likes to think of The Legacy as a great first step to making the move to a professional setting.

“I am consistently amazed at the talent coming from ACU. Their theatre majors always raise the bar for other students we may bring in from around the nation,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to extend the university family outside of Abilene and I’m proud to say The Legacy has been the jumping-off point for many of ACU Theatre’s young working professionals.”

Adam Hester (’77), professor and chair of theatre, admires the nurturing and challenging opportunities Mark and Bethany provide, and the valuable feedback Mark has offered while serving as chair of

– ADAM HESTER

Matt & Nikki Wallace

CARRIE McCLUSKEY

M

“It is our mission to reveal worth, value, potential, hope and new life.”

– MATT WALLACE

att (’00) and Nikki (Shweikhard ’98) Wallace feel most at home among Denver’s homeless. Dry Bones, the ministry with which they have been working for the past 13 years, seeks to meet spiritual and physical needs of homeless and street-connected youth and young adults.

In a city with more than 11,000 homeless, the Wallaces and other Dry Bones staff members have their work cut out for them. According to the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative, 921 of those homeless people in 2013 were between the ages of 12 and 30 – the demographic to which Dry Bones ministers. But Matt believes that in reality the number is much higher.

“The younger population is the most difficult to count,” Matt said. “They don’t want to be interviewed, they hide well, and they don’t always depend on the services that some of these counting agencies provide.”

Of Denver’s homeless youth population, about 250 stick with Dry Bones throughout any given year. Through gatherings, Bible studies and job-training programs such as the Purple Door Coffee shop – which employs homeless and formerly homeless Dry Bones youth while teaching transferrable job skills and building self-esteem – the ministry’s young people receive more than a paycheck and new skills.

They receive a place to belong.

“We hope to eradicate the experience of loneliness, lack of self-worth and kids’ not believing in the unsurpassable worth God sees in them,” Matt said. “We’re willing to join alongside seasons of hopelessness,

the department’s Visiting Committee.

“He has been a tremendous asset as an alumnus who has cultivated connections between his professional theatre in Atlanta and our program on campus,” Hester said.

“I love knowing that our students who are cast at The Legacy will have a fantastic experience and a professional credit to include on their resume.”

Mark – who, among other roles as a student, starred as Juan Peron in Evita, ACU’s Homecoming musical in 1996 – credits his experience at ACU with preparing him for the extreme ups and downs of theatre ownership and management.

“The faculty and staff of ACU’s Department of Theatre offered a safe environment in which students learned to explore, fail, take risks and try new things,” he said. 䊱

– DEANA NALL

despair, addiction and darkness. Among other things, our friends call themselves ‘throwaways,’ ‘gutter punks’ and ‘outcasts.’

We use titles like ‘friend’ and ‘brother’ and ‘sister.’ It is our mission to reveal worth, value, potential, hope and new life.”

The Wallaces’ history with Dry Bones goes back to 2001, when they were introduced to Jeff (’94) and Kama (Birdwell ’94) Medders, founders of Fortress Youth Development Center in Fort Worth. While vacationing in Denver in 2000, the Medders noticed then became overwhelmed by the size of Denver’s homeless youth population. The vacation turned into a research endeavor as Jeff and Kama interviewed area churches about the obvious need.

After returning home, the couple got to work planning a move to Denver to establish a ministry to this specific demographic. The Medders began praying for a couple to join them, and they soon met Matt and Nikki. The Wallaces shared the Medders’ calling to the streets of Denver, and the two couples moved there in November 2001 to establish Dry Bones.

The Medders left a few years later to carry on ministries in other states. Matt and Nikki, with other staff members and an army of volunteers, continue the work at Dry Bones, where thousands of young people have experienced belonging and know that they are loved.

“But, I promise you, we’re not doing anything extraordinary,” Matt said. “We’re simply working to take the blessings and power that God has given us and place it underneath others.”䊱 – DEANA NALL

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Leading Way THE

Dr. Gary McCaleb’s steady influence over his alma mater and its students is 50 years old and growing

ive decades on the job. Few staff, faculty and administrators at Abilene Christian University have done it: served on the Hill that long

Dr. Gary McCaleb introduces special guests at Opening Assembly on the first day of school each fall semester.

GERALD EWING

in full-time employment, a milestone ACU celebrated publicly April 21 when the career of Dr. Gary Day McCaleb (’64) was recognized with a fundraising luncheon before several hundred of his personal friends and admirers.

ACU was quick to remind people that his baseball-themed tribute event was not supposed to be a final at-bat nor a last trip around the bases, although one of his ceremonial gifts was home plate unearthed from Crutcher Scott Field, autographed by coaches and student-athletes of the Wildcats’ first baseball team to play as a member of NCAA Division I. The baseball analogies were everywhere, from table centerpieces to printed pieces to testimonial speeches. McCaleb is a former ACU baseball letterman who helped

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bring the sport out of mothballs in 1991, directing fundraising efforts to restore the program after a 12-year absence, construct Crutcher Scott Field, establish scholarship endowments and build relationships with people throughout Major League Baseball whose influence raised the visibility of the university.

He has taught leadership principles to two generations of students, some in his business classes and others when they weren’t particularly looking for them over dinner with his wife, Sylvia (Ravanelli ’67), in their home near campus. Both kinds of lessons, students claim, were memorable and influential.

As vice president of the university, McCaleb is a renaissance man with broad interests and broader influence, a respected public servant with deep experience on his vitae, and a nearly constant presence in the administration of a learning community he clearly loves. His is a four-generation ACU family.

The leader is a reader.

One look at Dr. Gary McCaleb’s personal library next to his office in the Hunter Welcome Center will tell you that. A quick count totaled more than 1,000 volumes reflecting his career and personal interests: business, organization, management, leadership, team building, faith, religion, community, history, innovation, travel and, of course, baseball.

Like a cook keeping a small army of pots simmering on the stovetop, he reads multiple books at a time, making notes on pages of the anecdotes and research he wants to recall. Later, a student transcribes and files them topically in a large binder for his reference.

On this day, more than two dozen new books are stacked on and behind the wooden desk in his office, pages bookmarked for more reading or flagged for review. Others in his libary, like multiple copies of Eric Metaxas’ Seven Men: And the Secret of Their Greatness, are autographed by the best-selling author and waiting for McCaleb to give to a fortunate friend or colleague.

In a publishing world increasingly ruled by e-books, McCaleb prefers the printed tome, preserving a methodical strategy that fits his uber-organizational eye while helping one of the university’s best-read administrators and professors to stay on top of his game in the classroom and boardroom.

The leader is a teacher.

McCaleb has taught classes in ACU’s College of Business Administration for years. Up to 100 students at a time took his Principles of Management class. Today, the 32

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associate professor of management sciences teaches Leadership in Organizations to junior and senior business majors.

When talking about the characteristics of leaders, he directs students in discussions that begin with Jesus.

“When Paul wrote in Philippians 2, ‘Have this mind among yourselves,’ he was saying, ‘Think like this … think like Jesus.’ ” McCaleb said. “So, the essence of leadership is to first realize you are not God, to empty yourself of self, and spend your focus and energy and talent on being a servant. That plan is scalable to every situation in life.”

But his students teach him as well.

“You can’t underestimate them,” he said.

“I am always struck by the amazing things they can do.”

Years later, they still seek his advice and ask him to officiate at their weddings. Now they tell him, “You remind me a lot of my dad.” Or uncle or grandfather. It makes him feel old some days, but it also makes him feel like the relationship-building work has been worth the time and effort.

YEARS OF SERVICE AT ACU 1964 Assistant director of alumni relations

1965

Director of alumni relations

1972

Director of college relations

1978

Assistant academic dean and director of Summester

1979

Assistant professor of business administration

1980

Vice president for public relations and development, and associate professor of business administration

1983

Vice president and dean of campus life

1991

Vice president of the university

1999

Executive director of the Center for Building Community

The leader is a relator.

This is the 15th year for McCaleb to direct the Lynay program at ACU. Initially an acronym – love your neighbor as yourself – its all-caps name has given way at his insistence to just a word begun with a capital L. But the purpose has not changed: to prepare students for service and leadership in their families, church, professions, and the larger communities in which they live and work.

McCaleb is vice president of the university but also executive director of ACU’s Center for Building Community, and Lynay is a component of its outreach.

“I invite 100 students each year to be involved and choose them with as much intentional diversity as possible. I consider race, income levels, where they come from … any way I can bring together students from different backgrounds in a human experiment of building community,” he said.

Students meet with him for two hours every Monday or Tuesday afternoon, commit to doing and documenting community service, help host events on campus, participate in discussion groups with distinguished guest speakers, and as McCaleb describes it, “discover the things that bring them together rather than those that pull them apart. We want to build unity out of disunity and community out of diversity.”

He said his first job is not just to get to know them, but to let them know that he knows them. It’s a time-intensive commitment to build relationships, but one that pays long-lasting dividends.

ACU TODAY

McCaleb got his administrative start at ACU in alumni and college relations work.

JEREMY ENLOW STEVE BUTMAN

Framed and illustrated maps of cities around the world line the walls of the Lynay Classroom in the Hunter Welcome Center.

Three generations of Wildcat student-athletes: Bryan McCaleb (’94), Earl McCaleb (’39) and Dr. Gary McCaleb (’64).

(Below) McCaleb’s Lynay groups each semester bring together some of the top students at ACU.

Sylvia is his partner in the ministry, attending activities on campus and inviting students into their home, eight to 10 at a time, for a meal. How do they know it works? “They stay,” he said of the 30-minute suppers that turn into an evening stretching to the 10 p.m. local TV newscast or ESPN’s SportsCenter.

In the Lynay Classroom on the second floor of the Hunter Welcome Center, students notice the framed illustrations of communities around the world. Santa Fe, N.M., in 1882; Quebec City in 1830; Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1757; Athens in the time of the apostle Paul; Charleston, S.C., in 1872; and Venice in 1501. From Wittenburg in Germany and Oxford in England, from Cooperstown in New York to New Orleans, Vienna, Kerrville and Jerusalem, students are reminded of the distinctive footprint of places where people and government learned to work together to stand the test of time.

Each represents an object lesson or two McCaleb can use when he studies and lectures around the world on the value of building community. He shares the things he learned while serving two terms on Abilene’s City Council and three as its mayor in the 1990s, and as president of the Texas Municipal League and the advisory board of the National League of Cities.

When he left public office in 1999, he decided to begin Lynay at ACU. “If there was anything I got from that experience in the mayor’s seat,” he said, “it was seeing how important it is for all those people who live in one town to work together. City and community are not synonymous. The role of a civic leader is not to build a city but a successful community of relationships built on trust, respect and compassion for others.

It’s a whole lot easier to fix potholes and construct bridges out of steel than to build relationships.”

STEVE BUTMAN

The leader is a learner.

For someone who devotes so much time to mentoring others, the question about who most influenced McCaleb at ACU leads quickly to a man whose footsteps he never aspired to fill in the Office of Student Life.

Gary’s late father, Earl (’39), was a quarterback and team captain at ACU, and the two of them listened to Wildcat football games on the radio from their home in Anson, 26 miles north of campus.

As a 9-year-old boy, Gary marveled at the 1950 team coached by Garvin Beauchamp (’41) that was undefeated (11-0) and played in the Refrigerator Bowl in Evansville, Ind. He admired the camaraderie that team of “Singing Christians” – who performed gospel songs on the radio – had and has

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Former dean of students Garvin Beauchamp (’41) modeled a can-do spirit and a commitment to building relationships.

The McCalebs celebrated 50 years of marriage on June 5.

McCaleb brings speakers to campus such as Bobby Richardson, 1960 World Series MVP for the New York Yankees, to campus through the Center for Building Community. Richardson, a devout Christian and former president of MLB’s Baseball Chapel, spoke April 29 at ACU. In his 2012 memoir, Impact Player, Richardson wrote, “When the accounts of my life are written, I hope two things will be said of me. First, that I played baseball in a way that made my team better.

Second, and more important, that I lived my life in a way that drew others to my Savior.”

STEVE BUTMAN

PAUL WHITE

celebrated at various reunions through the years since.

As a student-athlete at ACU, McCaleb noticed when Beauchamp would set his job as dean of student life aside to fill in as a substitute umpire during Wildcat baseball games, or befriend students with his casual, always-positive, butter-smooth approach to building relationships. “If you need anything, come by and let me know,” Beauchamp was fond of saying.

He recalls one of Beauchamp’s players describing his coach’s selfless actions during a story shared at a reunion. The player talked of looking behind the closed doors of the locker room on a Sunday afternoon following a rainy Saturday night to find his coach sitting on a chair, cleaning mud from his players’ cleats. The coach was serving others in a way and at a time he didn’t expect them to see, but the image spoke volumes.

McCaleb remembers an instance from his senior year – when he was student body president – when Beauchamp accompanied him to an event venue to settle a dispute in which union laborers were insisting on setting up chairs on their own schedule. “Boys, we’re here to take care of this for you,” Beauchamp said in a non-confrontational way, gently but confidently elbowing McCaleb and himself 34

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into position to prepare the room for the event. The union crew calmly dispersed without further argument.

“Years later, I was reading a book on management by Peter Drucker in which he wrote, ‘No leader is worth his salt who won’t set up the chairs,’ ” McCaleb said. “And I thought, ‘That was Garvin Beauchamp!’ The more I watched him, the more I started to see a style of leadership by example, a style of being the kind of person who earned and deserved the respect of students.”

McCaleb said he always thought he would hate to be the person to follow Beauchamp as dean of students. He never considered seeking that role at ACU until eighth president Dr. William J. Teague (’52) asked him to do just that.

“Many times I found myself thinking, ‘How would Garvin Beauchamp have handled that situation?’ ” McCaleb said of a role he filled from 1983-91, defined by many people as the chief disciplinarian of students, the fellow who kicks them out of school when they misbehave.

“That work does come with the job,” McCaleb said. “But like dean Beauchamp demonstrated, it’s also about being a friend and saying, ‘If you need anything, come by and let me know.’ He personified how ACU is different from other places.

His effectiveness came down to building

ACU TODAY

relationships. He was a football coach and carried what he learned to Student Life. In a sense, he never stopped coaching; he just had a different role with a different team.”

McCaleb cites the leadership philosophy of Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who in 2011 told reporters after becoming the winningest coach in Division I college basketball history that he spends more time working on relationships than any other part of his job.

“You have to take the time to develop a relationship that’s so strong with each individual player, and hopefully with the team, that they will trust you,” Krzyzewski explained. “They let you in, and if they let you in, you can teach. If they don’t let you in, you’re never going to get there.”

“Leadership is all about relationships,” McCaleb continued. “Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. If you get those two things right, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. You don’t get to decide if you’ll be a leader. The followers decide if they’ll accept you as a leader. Nobody is perfect, and leadership is totally voluntary in that it is dependent on others who decide to follow.”

The leader is intentional.

He is credited with helping initiate the successful revitalization of Abilene’s

“Leadership is all about relationships. Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. If you get those two things right, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.” – DR. GARY McCALEB The McCaleb family includes (front, from left) grandchildren Caleb Cranford, Lindsay Cranford (’15), Riley Cranford, Malia McCaleb, Colton McCaleb and Maggie McCaleb; and (back) Brad Cranford (’84), Cara Lee (McCaleb ’89) Cranford, Dr. Gary McCaleb (’64), Sylvia (Ravanelli ’64) McCaleb, Bryan McCaleb (’94), and Dana (Clack ’94) McCaleb.

McCaleb played baseball four years for the Wildcats.

PAUL WHITE

historic downtown, earning it status as an All-American City. An artist of reknown himself, he envisioned creating the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature and locating it here, and today, exhibits and sculptures from some of the world’s most talented and famous artists help enliven a museum gallery on the corner of Cypress and North First Street.

No one has brought more thought leaders to campus than McCaleb, and he makes every effort to ensure they also meet his students. Through the years – either through events sponsored by the Center for Building Community or guests on his TV talk shows On Campus and McCaleb & Co. – he has hosted a who’s who of fascinating people with words worth remembering at a Christian university.

That list includes Texas Gov. George W. Bush, coach Herman Boone from Remember the Titans, Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto, PGA golf legend Byron Nelson, UCLA basketball coaching guru John Wooden, Secretary of Education William Bennett, science fiction novelist and playwright Ray Bradbury, best-selling author James Michener, MLB pitcher and cancer survivor Dave Dravecky, Focus on the Family’s Dr. James Dobson, Navajo Nation president Dr. Joe Shirley (’73), Roots author Alex Haley, Madagascar president Marc Ravalomanana, Baseball

Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, former New York Yankees Bobby Murcer and Allie Reynolds, actor Charlton Heston, and special prosecutor Kenneth Starr.

From congressmen and congresswomen to governors and best-selling authors, McCaleb has used his influence to attract others to and enrich the living and learning environment of ACU. That’s not bad work for a fellow who never thought he’d ever work at Abilene Christian. He had interviewed with Southwestern Bell’s junior executive training program in 1964, but ACU alumni director Bill Johnson (’53) convinced him to do otherwise. “You could stay here in the alumni area for a year or two,” Johnson said. So he did.

“I always thought, ‘The day I think I find something better, I’ll consider it.’ But I never did,” McCaleb admitted. “I have learned I can be right here on this campus and be in touch with the rest of the world.”

He talks of ACU’s worldwide influence and of building friendships with students such as Lily Assaad (’13) of Egypt, a former Lynay student who is now in a top Ph.D. program at the University of Maryland.

Her parents have traveled from Cairo to Abilene and the inviting house on Hilliard Circle just east of campus to experience the kind of supper with the McCalebs that lingers deep into the night.

A personal note: My wife and I ended up at one such meal last summer with two other teammates totaling nine decades of PR work at ACU. We were invited without explanation but later learned of Gary and Sylvia’s plan to bring all of us together for a photo with them around their well-used dining room table. The image went into a scrapbook, they said, of their own 50 years of memories at the university. That scene, they said, was repeated dozens of times this past year.

Our conversation lasted into the night, with the women settling in the den and the men in a room of Gary’s sports memorabilia representing our collective years of service in varied roles but singular focus on advancing each other’s alma mater. It felt natural, but the intentionality shone through.

Nurturing the relationships defining McCaleb’s five decades at ACU can be hard, selfless work, often done outside the public eye. But leading the way is an intentional master builder who understands the complexities, values the outcomes, plans for success, and inspires others to do likewise.

“Somebody once asked me if I could start over again at ACU, what would I want to do,” he said. He thought for a minute and replied, “Can I just do the same thing?” 

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high hopes for H2O Dr. Norman Archibald is leading efforts to help his city secure enough water to power its bright future

BY RON HADFIELD

ich, black oil may still be

“Texas tea,” a nickname for

the accidental discovery of bubblin’ crude that made Jed Clampett and his country-fried clan instant millionaries on the 1960s hit TV show The Beverly Hillbillies. But the sweetest and most elusive liquid in Texas these days is water.

And in increasingly arid West Texas, water has become the new currency defining the future of communities as small as Megargel and as big as Houston.

In fact, the mayor of Abilene Christian University’s hometown has staked his political future and his city’s fortunes on it.

He’s Dr. Norman Archibald (’76 M.S.), a friendly fellow who is quick to joke with friends and strangers, punctuating conversation with a laugh that can be heard far down the corridors of City Hall, throughout hospitals and other places he visits each day.

He is a prototypical Texas mayor: nearly equal parts lay-preacher, administrator and politician. He is a son of the Rio Grande Valley town of San Benito who has grown even deeper in roots in Abilene, a thriving, friendly community of more than 118,000 people that has more than lived up to its All-American City distinction earned a few years ago, and its Forbes ranking as one of the best places to live in the U.S. But these days, nothing summons Archibald’s attention, narrows his focus and steels his resolve quicker than when the conversation turns to water.

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Water for children yet unborn There are numerous framed photographs of Hunter and Hudson Archibald, his 7- and 4-year-old grandsons, in their grandfather’s office in Abilene, where the former ACU associate dean of students goes about his mayoral business most days. He also is vice president of Hendrick Health System, the city’s largest hospital and medical complex.

The photographs are small images but huge reminders to him of the generation most affected by decisions made today about tomorrow’s most valuable natural resource.

“I’m working for them,” Archibald says of his grandchildren. “I want to be sure there’s water in Abilene for the future.

We’re making plans today for the next generation and the generation after that – for children not yet born.”

That can be a lot harder than it sounds, thanks to climate change, a growing population, shrinking aquifers, a new oil-drilling boom, legal and governmental red tape, and environmental issues beyond anyone’s control.

The mayor is leading not just Abilene but officials in the cities of Midland and San Angelo in a groundbreaking relationship called the West Texas Water Partnership to secure water for each city’s future. Archibald believes the synergy of all three cities, working toward a common goal, will bring success.

ACU TODAY

“We are in a drought that mirrors the 1950s,” says Archibald. “We’re not going to run out of water in the foreseeable future, but we are struggling to understand what we need to do to address short- and long-term water issues.”

He’s referring to the years of 1950-57, The Time It Never Rained, as chronicled in the late Elmer Kelton’s celebrated historical novel. According to the Texas Water Resources Institute, by the time that worst drought on record was over, all but 10 Texas counties were declared disaster areas.

Lessons learned by state leaders, however, caused the Texas Legislature to establish the Texas Water Development Board in 1957 to forecast water-supply needs, fund conservation efforts and water supply projects, and develop water plans.

More than 126 major reservoirs were built between 1957 and 1980. The Texas Water Commission oversees the state water plan, which was first published in 1961.

The U.S. is a land of weather extremes There are exceptions, of course, but most cowboy boots in Texas have dust on them. This is the Southwest, after all, closer to the Chihuahuan Desert on the U.S-Mexico border than the deep blue, fresh-water Great Lakes in the upper Midwest.

And it’s no secret that dry-by-nature West Texas – which includes the cities

JEREMY ENLOW

Dr. Norman Archibald (’76 M.S.) stands on dry ground under a dock on the east side of Lake Fort Phantom Hill, which has receded far from its shoreline since 2002, the last time the Abilene water-supply reservoir was full.

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of Abilene, Amarillo, El Paso, Lubbock, Midland, Odessa and San Angelo – has experienced severe drought since 2011. Climate forecasts point to some combination of global warming, La Niña weather cycles and a slow “desertification” process of the region.

The Lone Star State, however, is hardly alone in wrestling with the effects of less-than-normal rainfall.

Parts of California are mired in constant drought, complicated by strong winds at certain times of the year that send large wildfires racing through canyons, threatening expensive homes and scarring the landscape. Normally lush Colorado has been plagued by wildfires in recent years, notably the Waldo Canyon fire in June 2012 that destroyed 347 homes near Colorado Springs.

A three-year period (2010-13) saw most of the U.S. in drought, peaking in July 2012 when 81 percent of the nation was affected. Hotspots – literally – included the Great Plains region, where normally head-high corn withered in the heat, and the Southeast, where farmers in normally moist Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina were wringing their hands in desperation over shrinking reservoirs and parched farmland. Heavy rains in March 2013 eased conditions in the Southeast, but across the nation, drought has become a common occurence.

Texas is no stranger to weather extremes. Residents know a stalled low-pressure system or expiring hurricane can settle over an inland area far from the Gulf of Mexico and produce biblical rainfall amounts. For example, Abilene’s one-day rain record is nearly 8 inches, and such bounty does not always need a hurricane in October to feed it.

But the sun always returns, which makes the tourism industry happy but also causes surface water to evaporate and lakes to drain, sometimes dramatically.

The summer of 2011, for example, was a scorcher. The temperature in Abilene reached at least 100 degrees 54 times in the 61 days of June and July. Triple-digit highs were reached 81 times overall that year, eclipsing the previous record of 46 set in 1934. In 2011, San Angelo – just 90 miles to the southwest – reached the century mark in daily highs 100 times, smashing its previous record of 60.

Rainfall has been less than average since, compounding the damage done by that epic heat.

This summer, nearly 70 percent of Texas is experiencing drought. In early July, 51 communities had no more than a 180-day supply of water, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). While Wichita Falls – 150 miles north of Abilene – was the largest of 38

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those in a water crisis, most of the 51 have populations of less than 5,000.

With an average of only 23 percent of water remaining in lakes Kickapoo and Arrowhead, Wichita Falls is in Stage 5 of water conservation and is experimenting with cloud-seeding technology along with with nearby communities. Climatologists say the city of 105,000 people on the Texas-Oklahoma border could be facing a decade of difficult conditions.

preparing to lead Archibald has a unique background in ministry, higher education, fundraising and healthcare administration.

He earned a bachelor’s degree (1972) and M.Ed. in counseling psychology (1973) from Texas A&M University, a master’s in Bible from ACU in 1976 and an Ed.D. in educational administration from Texas Tech University in 1985. From 1971-81 he served in ministerial roles at churches in Caldwell, Garland and Abilene before beginning work at ACU. Archibald served 10 years as director of campus life (1981-82), associate dean of students (1982-88), director of volunteer development (1988-89), director of university development programs (1989-90) and assistant vice president for development (1990-91). As a public address announcer, he was the iconic “voice” of Wildcat men’s basketball in Moody Coliseum, especially during the halcyon days of 1984-88 when ACU won 44 straight home games and three Lone Star Conference championships.

In 1991 he was named vice president for development at West Texas Rehabilitation Center Foundation, became a planned giving consultant at Hendrick Medical Center Foundation in 1994, and was named vice president of Hendrick Health System in 1997.

Archibald acquired the bug for public service in the 1990s while serving on a United Way community assessment task force. He learned even more about the city while becoming involved with the YMCA, the Boy Scouts of America and a number of nonprofit agencies and governing boards.

He was elected to the Abilene City Council in 2000, and when Grady Barr retired a year short of his second term as mayor early in 2004, Archibald ran in and won a special election for the role.

Lake Fort Phantom Hill was full in 2005, when Archibald began his first three-year term as mayor, but with other nearby water-source lakes at low levels, West Texas was still considered to be in a drought.

Two years later, the mayor turned evangelist on behalf of water.

“I ask you to pray for rain,” said the mayor in a March 2007 meeting of

ACU TODAY

the Abilene City Council. “I ask you to conserve water.”

Water powers A Bright future Archibald has many priorities as mayor: job creation, economic development, public safety, lowering taxes, and being an advocate for higher education and Dyess Air Force Base.

The city has a lot going for it these days.

Unemployment is a little more than half the national average and the cost of living is about 17 percent below it. The price of homes has steadily increased in recent years, and in the last 18 months, builders have been on track to construct up to 450 new houses in the Wylie Independent School District in south Abilene. New restaurants debut regularly, and visitors are surprised and delighted at the array of hotels built in recent years. Abilene is considered the Cutting Horse Capital of the World, with shows and competitions nearly every weekend, and the annual Texas High School Rodeo Finals attracts thousands of visitors. Archibald envisions a need for a new convention and hotel complex downtown.

Its reputation as a center for higher education has grown exponentially, and no less than six colleges and universities have campuses in Abilene. Texas Tech University has built schools of health sciences and engineering on a growing footprint on Pine Street, just south of Hendrick. ACU started its own School of Nursing and an engineering program in 2013; enrollment for both has exceeded expectations. The university’s $75 million Vision in Action initiative (see pages 10-23), announced in February, features plans to construct three new science buildings and two on-campus stadiums.

Further west, a new energy exploration and production boom is projected to make waves. Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling techniques have helped identify the Cline Shale field, believed to be one of the largest in Texas. Oilfield booms have caused Odessa to be the second fastest-growing metropolitan area in the nation, with Midland third. Even smaller communities such as Snyder and Sweetwater – within 80 miles of Abilene – are carefully planning for the expected influx of business and people.

All that growth and development takes water, not just to meet today’s needs, but far into the foreseeable future.

It only takes Archibald a few keystrokes on the computer behind his desk to access data he follows as closely as the city’s budget: a daily report tracking area lake levels and how many millions of gallons of treated water Abilene has used, and another showing the amount of water

“We cannot believe that a big rain will answer all of our problems. We need to plan for additional resources because we do not know when a drought will reoccur in West Texas.”

Dr. NORMan ARCHIBALD

PAUL WHITE

Archibald was elected earlier in 2014 to his fourth term as mayor of Abilene.

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delivered from Hubbard Creek Reservoir, Lake Fort Phantom Hill and O.H. Ivie Reservoir.

Albany, Anson, Breckenridge and Abilene are allowed to access water from Hubbard Creek, but the sprawling reservoir near Breckenridge only fills 19.5 percent of its capacity today.

Abilene also draws water from Ivie (which sits at 18 percent of capacity) and Phantom (37.7 percent), and mixes the amount from each daily, depending on a variety of factors, in an effort to maximize its allocation from all three sources.

When full, Ivie is almost eight times the size of Phantom, but Archibald says Abilene gets the least amount of its water from the reservoir near Ballinger.

It shares Ivie water with five other cities.

“Abilene averages using about 21 million gallons of water a days from winter through spring,” Archibald says, “We use 28-29 million gallons a day during the hottest months of the year. One hot day in the 1990s, we used 48 million gallons.”

But the city has tamed its water demands in recent years, thanks in part to Archibald’s persistent reminders to save resources and a formal water plan stating the various stages of conservation guidelines.

“Our people have bought into the idea that watering their lawn once a week is enough,” he says.

At ACU, the university has used treated effluent water to keep its landscape green for years. A pond fronting the Hunter Welcome Center on Judge Ely Boulevard

serves both a cosmetic and strategically important purpose.

“Effluent water is the lifeblood of our landscape and probably the most sustainable thing we do at ACU,” says Scott Warren, the university’s director of landscape and grounds. “The campus is irrigated from Faubus Fountain Lake, which is filled with effluent water and groundwater pumped from the basements of several of our buildings, in addition to runoff from rain when it falls. The use of reclaimed water we get from the city excludes us from Abilene’s mandated water rationing, although we still are committed to being good stewards of the water we have.”

The Answer: A NEw Reservoir Building a reservoir in Texas – where most lakes are created by a water-retention dam of some kind – is not a process for the faint of heart. It took 18 years from the time Abilene bought into the Ivie project until water was pumped 52.5 miles north to the city’s new treatment facility.

Archibald was already talking about the need for a new water-source lake in 2008, when he won election to his second three-year term. While a new reservoir would not be a permanent fix, he said it could carry Abilene’s water needs for the next half-century and perhaps beyond.

Water conservation measures are here to stay in Abilene, where city leaders understand the ups and downs of the

environment. “There’s not a drop to waste,” says a local marketing campaign about it.

“We’re addressing short-term solutions with treated effluent water and water reuse projects while finding a new long-term solution,” says Archibald.

The latter involves tens of thousands of acres of ranchland 40 miles north of Abilene for the proposed $240 million Cedar Ridge Reservoir.

“Nothing, nothing trumps water, not health care, not education, not anything; we all know that,” declared Texas Rep. Susan King during The Hot Seat, a public forum held at ACU in March 2013 and hosted by The Texas Tribune.

“People do fight about the mechanisms and the reservoirs and whose water will be diverted,” King continued.

“There’s a lot of people who think the cities will come with a big straw and take our water. … It’s time we step up and do something.”

Something was a bill Texas Sen. Troy Fraser backed for a one-time, $2 billion withdrawal from the state’s $14 billion Rainy Day Fund for infrastructure to build reservoirs, conservation efforts, desalination efforts, and “gray water” technology. Fraser proposed that $200 million be used for water needs in rural areas, $200 million for water conservation and/or reuse, and the balance for bond-based bridge financing for Cedar Ridge Reservoir and other large plans like it. Voters across Texas approved it in November 2013.

How rare is a new reservoir in Texas?

STEVE BUTMAN

Faubus Fountain Lake on Judge Ely Boulevard is filled with conservation-friendly effluent water to irrigate the campus landscape and grounds.

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Consider that the 12,000-acre Ralph Hall Reservoir – planned for an area 80 miles northeast of Dallas that will help provide water for fast-growing Denton County – is the first new water-supply lake in Texas to make it through the state’s stringent approval system in 25 years, and it will be 2023 before it’s completed.

Abilene submitted its permit to the TCEQ to claim groundwater from the Cedar Ridge site in August 2011. Once the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issues a permit giving the city the right to build a dam, Archibald says the state will begin public hearings for all those who have “standing,” or a stake in the groundwater produced in or normally flowing through the proposed reservoir site.

Those with possible standing, Archibald estimates, include Abilene, the Brazos River Authority (the Brazos flows through the proposed watershed), downstream cities such as Waco and College Station, Dow Chemical Co., even rice farmers near Houston.

Environmentalists also can act to protect endangered species of wildlife, as they did with the Concho river snake that added $1 million to the cost and a year to the time it took to build Ivie in the late 1980s.

“We believe people will line up to oppose Cedar Ridge,” Archibald says.

“But if we don’t build our own reservoir, who will? Nobody. We have to shore up our need for it and make our case. Our future depends on it.”

Archibald says the state’s long-term

water plan includes construction for 19 more reservoirs, but only three are west of the Interstate 35 corridor connecting the booming population centers of Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio.

The $240 million price tag includes construction of a mile-long dam, a pipeline to Abilene, a new water treatment plant, and land. According to the mayor, Cedar Ridge would take three years to build and up to five years to fill with water, based on normal rainfall.

“We are a ‘surface lake’ community.

The best of all worlds for Abilene would be access to surface water, such as Phantom and others, and groundwater,” Archibald says. “We need options for groundwater and surface water, the latter of which we’ve been totally dependent on in the past.”

Archibald is no prophet, but it doesn’t take one to see the resource Abilene most needs to continue thriving as it has since its settling in 1881.

“We’re trying to do what the forward-thinking people who built Phantom and Hubbard Creek did decades ago,” he says. “When you see a big city in Texas, it’s because they have a water source to support it.”

Abilene has invested more than $12 million so far in Cedar Ridge. It also sees great possibilities in an $85 million water reuse project the City Council approved in September 2013. Archibald says the city will have its treated effluent water project ready by the end of this year.

“We will be able to place 7 million gallons a day on average from the Hamby

Treatment Plant back into Phantom,” he says. “That’s one-third of our average daily use.”

Once Cedar Ridge is full, it will be three times the size of Phantom and have nearly half of Ivie’s capacity. Archibald envisions a day when Abilene will send water back to Ivie from its own surplus.

The mayor may be his city’s biggest optimist, but he is convinced the days are over of simply hoping a drought is just another dry spell.

As West Texas agriculture writer Jerry Lackey said in an April 18 column, “Drought in this region of the Southwest is a constant, only to be broken by short periods of infrequent rainfall.”

“We cannot believe that a big rain will answer all of our problems,” Archibald says. “We need to plan for additional resources because we do not know when a drought will reoccur in West Texas.”

His recent election to a fourth term has not changed the mayor’s perspective.

“I have been resolved for several years to help Abilene determine its future with water supplies,” he says. “I am more determined than ever to move forward with our water future.”

The mayor implied as much in January when the West Texas Water Partnership was announced.

“All the jobs, all of the air bases in the world won’t do us any good if we don’t have water,” he said. “That’s how important it is.” 

“Effluent water is the lifeblood of our landscape and probably the most sustainable thing we do at ACU.” SCOTT WARREN

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R U O Y W O SH

E U R T

S R O L G* N I O P P C HI S E E R *F

Y ” at T OD A i n g U C “A ip p c o de e sh omo c e iv e f r e e r. r p r E nt e u t t o r e ne x t o r d ko ou r c he c on y

campusstore.acu.edu

October 9-12

2014

ine classes (1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2009) will gather for reunions Oct. 9-12 at ACU’s 2014 Homecoming, renewing friendships ACU TODAY

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was a silent reminder of how powerfully a common experience at ACU had bound us together for a lifetime.

Second, it was a time of remembrance. In one of our devotionals, Thayne McKnight read a list of names of people who were no longer with us. They were still a part of our class and while their presence was missed,

n April, the Class of 1964 gathered they forever will have a place with us. We

once again on campus – this time to celebrate a Golden Anniversary Reunion, remembered the love we share in common for Christ through our worship together.

our 50th anniversary since The reunion also was a time of

graduating from ACU. reconciliation. As the days unfolded, some As someone who has been around of our classmates told us of their hesitation ACU for a while, I had attended numerous about coming back to ACU because of 50th reunions, but never one like this. It a variety of events that had occurred in was mine! These were my classmates, or their lives. Some had answered the call of at least the 1964 pictures on the nametags hanging around their necks looked vaguely God in a different way from the one they understood when they were students. They familiar. I was in for a fabulous three days were in a different religious tradition than of laughter, stories, some tears, great food when they were at ACU, and they wondered and renewed friendships. if they would still be welcomed here. Some Reflections on those reunion moments lead to four impressions the occasion left on had divorce in their past, or some other me. It so happens that they all start with the type of family or personal tragedy, and they letter “R.” (The old preacher inside just pops wondered if they still belonged in the Class of 1964. It seemed to be a time to get things out every once in a while!) squared away, to say what should have been First, it was a time of reconnection for said long ago but was not. us. I had lost meaningful contact with Finally, it was a time of renewal. more than half the people present. It At our last event together at the reunion, was inspiring to hear their stories, their Dr. Gary McCaleb arranged a panel pilgrimages and even their tragedies. It and taking time to look back at their shared experiences while students at ACU. We asked chancellor Dr. Royce Money (’64) for a few reflections on the value of reunions. He writes:

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composed of several people. Each member of our class was paired with another from the graduating Class of 2014. Fifty years were between them, but the stories of transformation and friendships made were amazingly the same.

It is important for us to realize that ACU is not just a static moment in time. It is being constantly renewed. The mission goes on. The long purple line is growing.

And this October, I expect that members of the reunion classes will reconnect with old classmates, pause to remember those of their number who are no longer present, and reconcile relationships that need it.

And I hope they will be renewed by meeting members of the Classes of 2014 and beyond, getting to know talented young people with fresh enthusiasm and big dreams who are following their calling, ready to make a real difference in the world.

Why? Because Jesus Christ is so evidently present in events like our reunions, whether they be at Homecoming this October or these golden experiences each spring with the classmates of our youth.

He is the tie that binds our hearts together at ACU. Christian, after all, is our middle name. 

Schedule of Events THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

Gutenberg Dinner

Social Club Breakfasts

Hunter Welcome Center, 6:30 p.m.

Honoring distinguished career achievement in alumni from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Various locations, 6 a.m.

Parade

Beginning on East North 16th Street, 9:30 a.m.

Homecoming Chapel

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

Moody Coliseum, 10:45 a.m.

Vince Jarrett Homecoming Classic

Football Game

Shady Oaks Golf Course, 3542 County Road 268, Baird, Texas, 8:30 a.m.

Benefiting the Vince Jarrett Endowed Scholarship

(ACU vs. Ave Maria University) Shotwell Stadium, 2 p.m.

Chapel

Reunion Celebrations

Carnival

Musical: Big Fish

Jam Fest

Reunion Concert

Wildcat Sports Hall of Fame Celebration and Lettermen’s Reunion

Fireworks Show

Various locations, 6 p.m.

Moody Coliseum, 11 a.m.

Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th St., 8 p.m.

North lawn of the Williams Performing Arts Center, 5 p.m.

Hunter Welcome Center, 8-10:30 p.m.

East lawn of Hunter Welcome Center, 5 p.m.

East lawn of Hunter Welcome Center, 8:45 p.m.

Dinner and Induction: Hunter Welcome Center, 6:30 p.m.

Lettermen’s Reunion: Hunter Welcome Center, Atrium, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12 Musical: Big Fish

Musical: Big Fish

Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th St., 2 p.m.

Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th St., 8 p.m.

RELIVE THE MEMORIES

October 9-12

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CO N T I N UE THE LEGACY

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Q&A California congresswoman Janice Hahn One of two current ACU alums serving in Congress, Rep. Janice Hahn (’74) comes from a family of California public servants: her brother, James Hahn, was mayor of Los Angeles from 2001-05; her father, Kenneth Hahn, was L.A. County supervisor for 40 years and a member of the City Council; her uncle, Gordon Hahn, was a state assemblyman and an L.A. councilman; another uncle, John Hahn, was L.A. assistant county clerk; and a cousin, Dale Hahn, was a Superior Court judge in San Mateo County from 1987-2004. A three-term member of the L.A. City Council, she finished second in 2010 in a bid to become California’s lieutenant governor, then won a runoff election in 2011 to serve California’s Congressional District 36.

In November 2012, she won a special election to represent District 44, which includes voters in communities such as San Pedro, Wilmington, Watts, Compton South Gate, Long Beach and Carson.

U.S. Congress. The big difference is the commute to the office, which went from 26 miles to 3,000.

Certainly one doesn’t have to be a Christian to be a public servant, but what unique opportunities does your faith present in your role as a congresswoman?

I have the opportunity to join a weekly Bible study and prayer breakfast where I can find friends on the other side of the aisle with whom I share faith. In my district, I have a faith-based liaison on staff who works closely with our faith-based community.

Every year, I host a prayer breakfast for our faith-based leaders to come to together and pray for our communities and our nation.

Being co-chair of the 2014 National Prayer Breakfast allowed me to sit next to the president and first lady for two hours during that event. I also enjoy regularly attending churches on Sunday to fellowship with my brothers and sisters. My faith allows me to walk into any church and feel at home.

Was your decision to seek a life of public service an easy or hard one, in light of your family heritage, and why?

Public service was our family business. In many respects, my decision to seek a life of public service was easy because it was in my DNA, but, as a woman and a mother of three small children, it became a little difficult. I actually didn’t plan on a life of politics originally, but “My experiences at ACU because I had a passion for public service and broadened my horizons to meet helping people, I gave it a go, and it’s worked for people with a different worldview me. It’s a true honor and very gratifying to serve the people in my district. from mine. As a result,

What’s the secret to being successful in both partisan and bipartisan politics in Washington?

Forming relationships and friendships is the secret. In Congress, I work hard to reach across the aisle to the colleagues with whom I don’t always see eye to eye. For example, I joined a bipartisan What intentional things do you do each day some of my dear friends today Congressional softball team, requiring me to get up bright and early for practice with to remind yourself of the constituency you serve are from Texas. I was born and my colleagues before work. I also joined in California? raised in the Churches of Christ a bipartisan group called No Labels, a Well, I start by checking the app on my group fighting to make Congress work for iPhone to see what the weather is in Los Angeles! and faith has always been the American people. No Labels appealed I read the local papers every day, and I am in a strong part of my life, to my better nature to build consensus. contact with my district staff every day.

September 2012, Rep. Ted Poe but my time at ACU is where (’70) In How is being a member of the House of and I were hosted by ACU for I began to own my faith Representatives like being a member of the “A Forum on Civil Discourse and Los Angeles City Council?

Christian Faith,” a rich discussion and not just ‘borrow it’ with students, faculty and community Both roles are a lot alike. I believe all politics from my parents.” members from Abilene on civil discourse are local. Basically, I was elected to the L.A. City and politics.

We are Exhibit A of two Council to represent a community. That hasn’t – REP. JANICE HAHN people working together even with changed now that I am a congresswoman. very different political ideologies.

I represent that same community, but in a slightly My friendship with Ted, who represents Congressional District 2 different role as a member of Congress. I was one of 15 in the City in Texas, is proof we can find common ground in Washington and Council and now I am one of 435 in the House. In both situations, still remain true to the interests of our constituents and parties.

I am governing; in one role, I am representing a district and governing a city, and in the other, I am representing a district You are co-chair of the weekly Congressional Prayer Breakfast and governing a whole country. Governing is about working and recently were co-chair of the National Prayer Breakfast. together, finding compromise and making the hard choices. This is What have you learned from those experiences? how both roles are alike. Whether I am in downtown Los Angeles in Both have given me rare opportunities to build trust with City Hall or in the Capitol in Washington, D.C., I better make sure people of faith on the other side of the aisle. Every week, I join my I am spending time with my constituents, so that I am their voice. colleagues at the Congressional Prayer Breakfast – many of whom This is why I make an effort to fly home every weekend to I could not disagree more with politically – to pray and share our ensure I keep a pulse on the needs of the communities I represent. faith stories. I have found that after you hear another member ask Like my late father, L.A. county supervisor Kenny Hahn, I enjoy you to pray for their sick child or their ailing parent, it is hard to being with the people I serve – grabbing my morning coffee at dislike that person! You realize you have more in common with the local coffee shop and chatting with our local families, students them than you thought. and small-business owners about the issues impacting their Take Rep. Louie Gohmert Jr. of Texas, for instance. I could not lives and understanding where I can help. I embraced a similar have less in common with my Republican co-chair for the National approach when I was on the L.A. City Council. I governed the Prayer Breakfast. But this experience brought us together and I can second-largest city in the nation for 10 years, which has given me honestly say that, despite our differences, I consider him a friend. a unique perspective and strength to effectively govern in the

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“I particularly encourage young women to get involved in the political process and to consider running for office some day. While we are making good progress in gender equality, there is still much work to be done.”

We truly care about each other and I wish him the best. Prayer has an amazing way of building trust and overcoming differences.

– REP. JANICE HAHN

What's it like working across the aisle with a fellow ACU grad in U.S. Rep. Ted Poe? It was pretty amazing to come to Congress and find a fellow ACU grad walking the halls of the Capitol. Ted was one of the first people I met when I came here. Of course, there is a tie that binds in the Churches of Christ. And as representatives of port communities, he and I forged an immediate friendship as ACU alumni and through our shared commitment to raising greater awareness about the important role ports play in our nation’s economy.

Ted and I recognized that ports are essential to economic growth, job creation and national security, and so we teamed up to do something about it. We rolled up our sleeves and put aside our differences to come together and form the House bipartisan Ports Opportunity, Renewal, Trade and Security (PORTS) Caucus, which is 90 members strong.

Last year he and I were named Port Person of the Year by the American Association of Port Authorities. That Ted and I were given a joint award for our bipartisan work in a place like Washington, D.C., is a testament to what can be done when common goals trump partisan labels.

SCOTT SUCHMAN

You and Ted hosted an event or two last summer for ACU students and alumni working in Washington. What kind of advice do you give students who seek a career in government?

I particularly encourage young women to get involved in the political process and to consider running for office some day. While we are making good progress in gender equality, there is still much work to be done. Women comprise only 24 percent of our state legislatures, and just 19 percent of Congress. I am proud to be a part of this 19 percent.

Our young women must become engaged if meaningful change is going to happen. A career in government is a noble and rewarding profession. The next generation of young leaders will be our future champions of change.

You told The Optimist student newspaper in 2011 that Bible professor Dr. Tony Ash (’59 M.A.) was your favorite instructor at ACU. What did he say or do that resonated with you?

Dr. Ash treated us like we were his equals. He never talked down to us. He always respected and embraced our ideas and limited worldviews. While challenging our minds, he created a

respectful-but-fun learning atmosphere for us. I carried some of his teaching principles with me when I became a teacher. He also had an incredible sense of humor.

How did your ACU education change your life, and what difference does it continue to make?

My experiences at ACU broadened my horizons to meet people with a different worldview from mine. As a result, some of my dear friends today are from Texas. I was born and raised in the Churches of Christ, and faith has always been a strong part of my life, but my time at ACU is where I began to own my faith and not just “borrow it” from my parents. My teacher credentials were critically important – it was those Tuesday evening devos on the Administration Building steps that began to chart my path.

And let’s not forget the fried okra and the cherry lime vanilla cream sodas at Mack Eplen’s Drivateria. Those are the experiences on which you just can’t put a price! 䊱 AC U TO D AY

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FOR THE LEAST OF THESE Alumni whose hearts and hands rescue orphans around the world 48

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BY WENDY KILMER

track and field star lost friends and family in the Rwandan genocide, yet returned to seek and save other abandoned children. A preacher and his wife revisited the mission field they served and found a new calling for their retirement. A church community sought to rescue deaf orphans in Kenya through the generosity of the estate of a beloved member of their congregation. A family found healing from the loss of their newborn son through caring for parentless children across the world.

The common thread in their stories?

A dogged commitment in each kind-hearted person to care for the poorest of orphans, the children most in need of a Father who calls them His own.

Neema House Baby Home

Elliott, one of the children at Neema House Baby Home in Arusha, Tanzania, weighed only 1.65 pounds when abandoned by his family in a government hospital where he was born. Now 2 years old, he recently was adopted by an older couple whose first son was killed in an accident. “Elliott is their second chance and you can feel the love and pride they have for him,” said Dorris (West ’66) Fortson.

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STINA GRANFORS

In the Northern Tanzanian city of Arusha, tourists flock to lush African beauty, game parks and safaris.

Nearby Mount Kilamanjaro and the Serengeti National Park draw well-to-do visitors and entice adventure seekers. Yet on any particular day at Neema House Baby Home in Arusha, the better part of about 30 infants might be sick with a stomach bug, crying loudly with visibly runny noses, dirty and leaky diapers, and spit-up to share, says Dorris (West ’66) Fortson.

“After taking tours of Neema House on more than one loud and messy occasion, visitors have expressed the sentiment, ‘Oh my, how can you stand this?’ ” she said. “It seems quite reasonable to ask the question, ‘For the love of God, how can anyone do this?’ I want to tell them, ‘Yes, that is why! For the love of God.’ ” The love of God sent Michael (’65) and Dorris to Tanzania the first time, in 1965, fresh out of Abilene

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Christian College with a team of classmates and a heart for teaching and mission work.

Michael taught at Tanzania Bible School and worked with the physical plant, and Dorris taught women’s classes. Two of their four children were born during the six years they spent in Tanzania.

The family returned to the United States in 1971, and Michael served as a preacher for nearly 40 years, with occasional trips back to Tanzania. A new direction for their retirement years was set in 2008, when the couple took their children to the East Africa nation to see where they had been born.

“That is when we began to see the orphans and hear the stories of abandoned babies,” Dorris said. “One of our sons, Rob, began to say, ‘Mom, you have to do something about this when you retire.’ ” It wasn’t a hard sell for Dorris, who was raised in an orphanage herself. In 2011, the couple from Temple, Texas, researched the situation by touring 22 African orphanages and discovered that only three accepted children under the age of 3 because of the expense of formula and care for newborns. In June 2012, Neema House Arusha began taking babies, and now cares for 31 in the home, having helped more than 45 during the last two years.

The infants come from nearly every possible situation – abandoned in gravel pits on the side of the road, found in latrines and left alone in houses for days.

More often than not, a baby is orphaned when its mother dies during childbirth, leaving the family unable to afford the cost of formula.

At Neema, the babies are fed, clothed, cared for and loved by a staff of around-the-clock nannies as well as volunteers. Michael, Dorris and others regularly take babies to visit nearby churches and talk about the need for adoptive parents. Tanzanian laws require 50

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Michael (’65) and Dorris (West ’66) Fortson and some of the children for whom they care at Neema House Baby Home in Arusha, Tanzania.

them to have lived in Tanzania for three years, so international adoptions are impossible. At times the babies are reunited with family members once they are older.

Including nannies, cooks, housekeepers, guards, drivers and on-site directors, Neema employs 34 people in the Arusha home. Matt and Kelly Erdman of Temple, Texas, moved to Arusha in December 2013 to serve as on-site directors, but they work as volunteers, with their living expenses provided by donations from friends and family.

“Our formula bill alone runs about $1,500 per month,” Dorris said. “This is all just way out of our comfort zone.

Fortunately, it’s not out of God’s. It’s amazing to us that God is doing this.

We don’t always know month to month where the money comes from, but it’s there when we need it.”

Sam’s Place In a children’s home in Rongo, Kenya, the scene is much quieter, but no less remarkable in scope.

At Sam’s Place, 40 deaf and orphaned children are given renewed hope for the future through the vision of an Abilene church and a gift from a late ACU faculty member. The home’s name honors S.E. “Sam” McReynolds, professor of mathematics at ACU for 38 years.

McReynolds died in 2006 and left $80,000 to the missions ministry at South 11th and Willis Church of Christ,

ACU TODAY

“This is all just way out of our comfort zone.

Fortunately, it’s not out of God’s. It’s amazing to us that God is doing this. We don’t always know month to month where the money comes from, but it’s there when we need it.”

– DORRIS FORTSON

a fellowship with a long history of ministering to the deaf community in Abilene and throughout the world. McReynolds was a quiet but passionate supporter of the congregation’s missions program.

“When we thought about Sam’s gift and how to use it, we thought, ‘Who are the children most at risk, with no hope, no advocates?’” said ACU history professor Dr. Vernon Williams (’70), co-chair of the missions committee at the congregation.

“We realized it’s the deaf orphans in Africa, the AIDS orphans. For most children, when they are orphaned, their aunts and uncles are obligated to care for them. But the aunts and uncles won’t take blind or deaf children. Sometimes they are thrown in the trash pit. Once we heard of a child tied to a tree and left for wild animals.”

The congregation estimates that one of every 10 Kenyan children are orphans, and many of them are deaf. The country has some 15 million children.

Instead of spending the $80,000 from McReynolds’ estate, the church used it to start an endowment. Williams and missions committee co-chair Dr. Jerry Drennan (’59) began fundraising for their project by visiting Park Plaza Church of Christ in Tulsa, Okla. Drennan is ACU professor emeritus of industrial technology, a longtime deacon at South 11th and

JULIE HOLLAND

SHARON ARNOLD

JULIE HOLLAND

JULIE HOLLAND

At Sam’s Place in Kenya, Dr. Vernon Williams (’70), Kilion Nyabera Sagana and Preston Parker (’54) stand outside a well named in memory of Parker’s late wife, Frankie (Butlar ’54); teacher Shadrack Odari waits on the porch while teacher James Ondari addresses students following a morning flag-raising ceremony; audiologist Dr. Reg Holland (’86) adjusts hearing aids for Elizabeth Anyango; and Anyango works on her blackboard lesson in a classroom.

Willis, and one of the congregation’s most adept sign language teachers.

“They were so enthusiastic and wanted to help sponsor kids,” Williams said.

“But at this point, all we had was raw land. We showed a film, and afterward a homeless man who was visiting answered the invitation. Then he came up to us and gave us $1. That’s all the money we got that night. We drove home saying, ‘What are we going to do with this dollar? Buy a Coke?

No, it’s not even enough for a Coke!’ But later we received an email from a man at that church offering us a $50,000 matching grant. Three weeks later, we had the $50,000, bringing our total to $100,001.

It was a great example of both large and small gifts.”

Within three years, construction was complete on Sam’s Place, which now includes a computer lab, director’s family apartment, a family room, a library, a boys’ dormitory and a girls’ dormitory.

Kenyan preacher Simeon Ongiri and his wife, Naomi, live on site as directors of Sam’s Place. In the last four years, they’ve welcomed 40 children, all of whom are deaf.

“When these kids come to us, they have typically been kept away from other people all their lives,” Williams said. “They’ve been used as slaves, hidden under beds when people come to visit, not given much food; they’re scared, skinny and sometimes have been living from a cardboard box. They come to this huge, modern place with all these white people. But it doesn’t take long for them to figure out that here they get to eat every day and have clothing.”

Six teachers work at Sam’s Place as well, and the students are engaged in a curriculum infused with modern technology.

“The children get an education you can’t really get anywhere else in Kenya, so they can compete with all the hearing people in Nairobi when they graduate,” Williams said. “We have two vocational training programs – sewing and woodshop – and many will attend college in Nairobi. We hope they will come back to be teachers and administrators and open new schools all over Africa. We try to build a missionary spirit so they can make a good living and give back and become leaders of the deaf community. When most of them came to us, they couldn’t communicate at all, and now it’s just amazing.”

Many of the staff at Sam’s Place are deaf as well, including two widows who serve as dorm mothers at the facility. Six teachers, plus maintenance workers, security guards and cooks are employed by the organization in southwestern Kenya.

Already, Sam’s Place has to turn away children because capacity has been reached. But Williams says plans are in place to house more children, thanks to a ACU TODAY

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Keza Divine (left) and Niwemwungeri Francoise are two of the children who live in Maman Karen in Rwanda.

See Bonus Coverage at acu.edu/acutoday

In Bonus Coverage, May 2014 graduate Caroline Adele Nikolaus (below) reflects on her WorldWide Witness internship in Summer 2013 at Neema House Baby Home, featuring the photography of Stina Granfors.

Nikolaus spent three months caring for Neema House babies.

KELSI WILLIAMSON

The Gasore family (from left) includes Joel, Esperance, Serge Jr. and Serge (’09).

JEREMY ENLOW

The Gasores chose the name of their orphanage house – Maman Karen (Mom Karen) – in honor of Sweetwater physician Karen R. Vaughn, M.D., one of the board members for Rwanda Children.

They have plans to build five more houses.

KELSI WILLIAMSON CASSIE HENLEY

AMBER AUGUSTIN

Mark (’97) and Chelsea (Teague ’98) Jacobs with their son, Chase.

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ACU TODAY

The Jacobs family includes (from left) Gabriel, Mark, Abby Kate, Kendyll, Claver, Chelsea and Carlie.

hopeful formula to double their capacity through increased sponsorships and a growing endowment inspired by the thoughtful philanthropy of a shy, former mathematics professor.

“God had a plan to bring people and entities together,” Williams said.

“The homeless man who gave us $1, the wealthy couple who gave us $50,000, the foundations, the kids who give their change, the hardworking middle-class families providing what they can. It all works for good.”

Rwanda Children Serge Gasore (’09) recalls a childhood spent wishing someone would rescue him.

In the midst of horrific violence in the Rwandan genocide in 1994, 7-year-old Gasore watched as his friends and even his grandmother were killed before his eyes.

He narrowly escaped death himself more than once.

Although he survived – and eventually thrived as a runner for his national team, then later came to ACU to run track and cross country – his childhood experiences were never far from his heart.

“Because of living that life, when I came to the United States to run and get an education, I still looked back and saw kids suffering in the ways I once suffered,” Gasore said. “I needed to do something instead of sitting back. When I was young, I remember wishing someone would show up and save me. So I want to do that. It’s a way of paying it forward and showing up for them.”

In 2010, he and his wife, Esperance, began providing financial help to cover the medical costs for children in Rwanda. Their first $150 was enough to provide health care for 75 children. Soon friends and church members who knew the Gasores wanted to join them, and The Ejo Hazaza (“The Future of Tomorrow”) Foundation was established. But that wasn’t the end.

“We noticed great potential for serving children, and we said ‘Let’s see if we can start a children’s home,’” Serge said. “This had been in our hearts for a long time.”

The first summer, Rwanda Children started with four kids in a village near the capital city of Kigali.

“I was there with a mission to rescue two children,” Serge said. “I happened to visit this village which is very poor and has unsanitary conditions. Every trouble human beings can face is there. So when I got there looking for two children to rescue, but ran into four children who were literally dying, instead of taking two, I said ‘I’m going to take four.’ I didn’t know how I would do that because at that point I wasn’t even looking for people to contribute, it was just me and my wife.

So we said, ‘We don’t know how we will

take care of them, but God will provide.’”

In December 2013, Serge returned to Rwanda after being notified by leaders in the community of two children living on the street.

“They said, ‘We know you are caring for orphans. Can you rescue these kids who are in danger?’ ” Serge said. “So we left here with a goal of putting them in the home.”

And they did, bringing the home’s total to six children – two 4-year-olds, three 7-year olds and a 5-year-old. A children’s home mother lives on site as the guardian.

While at ACU, Serge earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degrees in global service and information technology. Perhaps more importantly, he received a renewed faith in God and in people.

“ACU helped me to grow in many ways to become a person who truly leads a life of Jesus, who really wants to do something,” Serge said. “Of course, I grew academically, but when I came here I don’t think my heart was as generous. Then, on a daily basis, I was with people who love each other and like to serve and professors who spend time with you to help you understand. ACU is an amazing place.”

Serge and Esperance hope to offer a similar environment for the children they have rescued.

“We provide them with tutoring and education to hopefully make them into men and women who can go out and take care of themselves and others,” Serge said. “At the end of the day, that’s what we wish. We want to inspire them as much as ACU inspired me so they can go back and make a difference.”

His Chase Chelsea (Teague ’98) and Mark Jacobs (’97) had a hard time envisioning themselves without their fourth child, Chase Allen. But the end of his brief life began an inspiring new chapter for his parents and their young family.

The couple, who live in the Dallas area, found out at 35 weeks of gestation that their son had died. Following his birth and burial, friends and family surrounded them and reached out in various ways to honor Chase’s life. One friend did so by sponsoring a child in Africa with the same birthdate as Chase.

“This was a significant moment for Mark and me,” Chelsea said. “My heart began to heal with the idea that a little boy somewhere across the world just received the hope of life and love because of our son. I knew then and there that this would be the key to my healing, but also recognized the call God would have us follow for the rest of our lives – not only providing a legacy for the life of Chase, but also following God’s ‘chase’ for the children

who don’t know how loved they are, who need new hope and new opportunity.”

Within a couple of months, dozens of sponsorships began in honor of Chase, as gifts from friends, and then, Chelsea said, they began to see doors open to other projects in Africa. Initially, His Chase was established as a simple tax-free fund allowing friends to contribute to charitable projects.

“We thought that was how we would always operate: helping orphans and vulnerable children, one project at a time, by coming alongside already existing organizations and supporting their work,” Chelsea said.

“First, we began in Ghana, working with the wonderful organization Touch a Life, building a home (now called Chase’s Place) in their rehabilitative care center for formerly trafficked child slaves,” she said. “Then, we began working with Global Health Innovations (GHI) in Kenya, Liberia and Malawi, filling needs for orphans as they arose.”

Through GHI – which is run by Brad (’91) and Monica (Willhite ’94) Gautney – the Jacobs family and friends assisted with water-well construction and provided clothes, shoes and financial assistance as needed. They also furnished a home in Zambia for high-needs orphans served by the people of Arise Africa. “Each time, our role was truly to support and supplement what these capable organizations were already doing so well for orphans and children in the countries they served,” Chelsea said.

Their support evolved from project-based service in several locations while meeting a variety of needs, to focusing on a group of kids through the Noel Orphanage in Rwanda, a home to 600 children for many years.

“I first visited the orphanage in early 2011, and I immediately knew it was the place God was calling us to work,” Chelsea said of a ministry that has become the focus of His Chase, where childrens’ physical, emotional and spiritual needs were deep enough to warrant their full and lasting commitment.

In 2012, the Jacobs family began an education sponsorship program for students who grew up at Noel Orphanage.

For $100 a month, individuals or groups of people provide the educational costs for a student who receives books and supplies, three meals a day, medical care, clothes and shoes, and a full-year scholarship at a Christian boarding school in Rwanda.

The children also are part of a pen pal program in which families in America or other countries write letters and send pictures to the students.

Their work with Rwandan children hasn’t been limited to the African continent, however. In 2013 they finalized

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their adoption of Gabriel Mugisha Jacobs, who overcame birth 10 weeks premature in a small Rwandan village, weighing only two pounds.

The Jacobs family expanded yet again when they met 27-year-old Claver on their first visit to Rwanda in 2011.

Like Gasore, Claver had lost his family to the Rwandan genocide in 1994, and he was taken to Noel Orphanage at the age of 6.

“When we met him, he was assistant to the director of the orphanage, and was one of the most responsible, hard-working, respectful and smart people I had ever met,” Chelsea said. “He began working with us on many projects, and was ultimately the entire reason these students were enrolled in boarding schools through His Chase in 2012. When asked what his dream was, he said he wished to get an education in America so he could eventually return to Rwanda and open

businesses to employ those who had grown up at Noel.”

Claver now lives with the Jacobs family and is studying graphic design and technology at a local community college.

“He is a wonderful big brother to our other four kids, and a vital part of our family,” Chelsea says. “We can’t imagine life without him here.” For more: tanzaniaorphanhelp.com www.samsplacekenya.org rwandachildren.org hischase.org

Chelsea Jacobs and Angelique, who lives at the Noel Orphanage in Rwanda.

CARLA BOURLAND

Christian Homes’ ministry started in Abilene, attracts alumni with hearts for children

or Sherri (Todd ’81) Statler, caring “for the least of these” involves babies, birthmothers and children, and providing loving Christian families on both a permanent and temporary basis, all right here in Texas, through Christian Homes and Family Services.

For more than 50 years, Christian Homes has been caring for young women with unplanned pregnancies, primarily through adoption. More than 1,852 babies have been placed into adoptive homes through the ministry since its inception in 1962 through Highland Church of Christ in Abilene. In 1999, Christian Homes of Abilene merged with Christian Services of East Texas, a foster care organization that began in 1975 through Glenwood Church of Christ in Tyler.

CHFS now has offices in Abilene, Tyler, Fort Worth and Chickasha, Okla.

Foster care for children, rather than infants, has long been a focus in the East Texas ministry, and transitional care – caring for infants until their adoptive parents can take them – a part of the adoption services offered at the Abilene location. Recently, however, the organization has expanded its opportunities to include young children in the foster care system in Abilene.

“In the last couple of months, we expanded our Abilene staff and services to offer young child foster care in West Texas,” Statler said. “The state of Texas is redesigning its foster care system, and the Abilene area was selected for the pilot program. Because CHFS already has an excellent foster care ministry in East Texas, we saw that redesign as an opportunity to expand that footprint and help more

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children benefit from having a Christian home, even for what might be a short time.

Our board believed we had the resources – experience, staff, standards, reputation – to make a difference, and that foster care fits our vision of a Christian home for every child.”

One of the challenges that came with the expansion was recruiting families to serve as foster parents.

“When you foster, you are inevitably setting yourself up for heartbreak,” Statler said. “The state’s first goal is to reunite every child with its biological family, not keep the child with its foster family. Families who provide foster care do so because they are committed to practicing ‘pure religion’ as described in James 1:27. They want to care for orphans in a very personal way. They make themselves vulnerable by loving a child that likely won’t be theirs for long. They trust God to heal their hearts.”

A number of Abilene-area ACU alumni have been some of the first involved in answering that call, including ACU general counsel Slade Sullivan, J.D. (’95), and his wife, Dava Lynn (Bridgwater ’98). Their family began fostering two years ago.

At the time, they were already parents to four boys.

“I thought our family was complete,” Slade said. “But the longing and love for children remained, and that passion was eventually connected with the need for foster parents by a friend at church who worked for Christian Homes.

“Our first placement was a 4-month-old baby boy. He lived with us for six months.

Our family quickly fell in love with him, and we still think of him and pray for him

ACU TODAY

often. Shortly after his placement ended, we welcomed two sisters who were 21 months old and 9 months old. As you can imagine, having two little ones at the same time – and our first girls! – was quite a challenge for our family. But it also was a blessing, as it helped us recognize that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness,” he said.

The Sullivans are taking a break from foster care after the birth of their fifth child and first daughter, Maren, in December 2013, but plan to continue serving as foster parents within the next year.

“We went into fostering thinking that we were giving out of our abundance,” Dava Lynn said, “but we quickly came to recognize that God was using our experience with fostering to remind us of our deep need for Him and dependence on Him to be our strength.”

Two ACU alumni also are involved in the staffing of Christian Homes and Family Services’ foster program, and both have a special connection to the ministry through their own backgrounds. Trisha (Newton ’13) Ashford, administrative assistant in the Abilene office, was fostered and then adopted. Angie (Lopez ’94) Robbins, a family services caseworker in the Abilene office, grew up at the Tipton Home for Children, a group foster home in Tipton, Okla.

“Let’s answer the call to care for orphans by starting with those who live around the corner from us – the children who are neglected, abused, abandoned and the innocent victims of their parent’s poor choices,” Statler says. “We’re not looking for perfect parents to become foster families.

We’re looking for available Christians who believe God will use them to change a child’s eternity.” 

– WENDY KILMER

For more: christianhomes.com

ACU TODAY BONUS COVERAGE

BABY LOVE

BY CAROLINE ADELE NIKOLAUS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STINA GRANFORS

STINA GRANFORS

Gloria, an abandoned and nearly starving baby when she first arrived at Neema House Baby Home, leads other toddlers, nannies, interns and volunteers on their daily walk around the neighborhood in Arusha, Tanzania.

She is followed by Deborah, a triplet who weighed two pounds when the hospital called the Fortsons to rescue her and her two sisters, who weighed three pounds each.

rowing up in a military family, Caroline Adele Nikolaus has traveled the world several times

over: North Carolina, New York, Missouri, Okinawa, Mississippi, Germany, Illinois and

Texas. She followed two siblings to ACU, majoring in psychology and minoring in music

(vocal jazz). With eight years of her childhood lived overseas, she developed a deep passion for travel, diversity, culture and people. She worked at three orphanages in Zimbabwe the summer following her sophomore year, and served an ACU WorldWide Witness internship at a baby home in Africa the summer after her junior year. The May 2014 graduate is now in Nashville, Tenn., pursuing a career in music as a singer/songwriter. We asked her to reflect on her experiences in Summer 2013 at Neema House Baby Home in Arusha, Tanzania.

eema House Baby Home receives children who have been abandoned on roads, on doorsteps, in the grass, in dumpsters and in toilets. For various reasons, their families cannot feed nor care for them, and without hope, leave these helpless babies to fend for

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Gilbert naps on his nanny’s shoulder. He and his father, a beggar, were living on the street until Gilbert was picked up by local police and brought to Neema House.

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themselves or be discovered by strangers.

It is heartbreaking.

These little ones know not what awaits them, and yet Neema House provides another future, another option, and always, hope. Above all, Neema provides unconditional love. Other orphanages receive and care for children of all ages, but Neema House focuses on caring for infants with Christian love. This creates an intentional environment allowing for their security and growth, but also ensures Jesus’ love will be shared with every child who passes through its doors.

I had no expectations when arriving in Arusha, Tanzania, for my Summer 2013 internship with ACU’s WorldWide Witness program. All I knew is that for three months I would be working with Neema House, a babyhome run by Michael (’65) and Dorris (’66) Fortson, which had opened only one year before. About 30 children live under Neema’s roof, divided into three age groups: toddlers, big babies and tiny babies. Neema provides three groups of nannies who work shifts throughout the week to care for them, and then volunteers like me come to help.

There is always, always something to be done, and each day is different when babies are involved. Some are sick, some are well, some cry one day, some laugh and laugh, and some quickly tire. A never-ending stream of visitors comes and goes. On certain days we went out for groceries, run errands or visit the hospitale for HIV testing. There is a rhythm to life at Neema House, and I soon learned its patterns and pace.

I wrote this prayer in my journal when I first arrived: “I pray I find inspiration here, that I learn how to serve completely, wholeheartedly and selflessly. That would be quite a lesson. If all I do is hold babies for three months, so be it.”

My prayer was answered in others ways as well. I learned how to love – unconditionally – those who cannot love in return but only take what I offer. Those few months taught me complete service, the tiring tempo of caring for others, setting my needs aside, and investing my whole self to a work. I was even humbled to have moments of amplified awareness when I realized I was actually in a baby home in Africa and witness to a completely different life than I had ever known before.

I witnessed the beauty of that life through the front window at Neema House one day. Zawadi, one of our precious orphans, was on a mat with her future parents, shyly interacting with them as they tentatively reached out to her. They had been visiting a while, and soon would take her home as their new daughter. It was a tender scene I will remember forever.

I saw a future in those moments, a future made possible because of Neema.

My heart carries love for each watoto at Neema House and the work in which Michael and Dorris passionately partake.

I did not realize my capacity to love and serve others until this experience, but now I challenge myself to continue finding ways to share and give what I have been blessed with in this life. Neema has imprinted on me the joy and need of helping the helpless, and I hope others can go through similar experiences to see how important it is to think beyond themselves.

“Babies, beautiful babies. What my heart will do when I leave. It will sing forever to you, sweet ones. I wish you could know that.”

My journal is a window to an amazing summer I will never forget. 

I ended up doing much more than that: becoming Neema’s photographer, social media manager, and its resident musician. Michael and Dorris allowed each volunteer to utilize every gift we had to offer, and I took advantage of this creative freedom in helping develop Neema as an NGO (non-governmental organization).

Caroline Nikolaus (’14) made fast friends with toddlers like Deborah during her summer-long WorldWide Witness internship at Neema House Baby Home, a rescue center for orphaned, abandoned and at-risk babies in Arusha, Tanzania.

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CORNELIA RUDMYR

native of Jonkoping, Stina Granfors now lives in Gothenburg,

the second largest city in Sweden. She is a talented freelance

photographer (www.stinagranfors.se) who loves music, movies

and sports, and although she specializes in shooting weddings and portraits, her images of children in Tanzania are especially compelling. She and a friend, Lovisa Svensson, traveled nearly 4,400 miles to Arusha to volunteer for three months in summer 2013 at two orphanages. One was Neema House Baby Home, where they helped care for its at-risk children rescued from life-threatening situations.

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STINA GRANFORS

Michael smiles while playing with Lovisa Svensson, a volunteer from Sweden. He was found abandoned on a porch and brought to Neema House, where the nannies named him after Dorris (West ’66) Fortson’s husband, Michael (’65).

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Beulah’s mother did not survive her daughter’s birth, leaving behind a fragile infant who almost died twice before rallying. Here she plays inside a large tube in the back yard playground at Neema House.

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Washtubs filled with water in the Neema House back yard offer toddlers such as Michael (standing), Bahati, Gloria, Ibrahim and others a treat on a hot summer day.

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Elizabeth, a Neema House nanny, rests with Baraka during the toddler’s daily walk around the neighborhood.

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Eighteen toddlers from Neema House pose for a Christmas photo in 2013: (below, from left) Zawadi, Esther, Joyce, Deborah, Ibrahim, Angel, Frankie, Anna, Riziki, Julius, Gian and Elliott, (above, from left) Baraka, Bahati, Michael, Beulah, Angelous and Gloria.

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Debora – who was abandoned in a nearby house before being placed at Neema – naps after her morning walk with Memusi, a Masai baby. For more about this ministry of Michael (’65) and Dorris (West ’66) Fortson, visit tanzaniaorphanhelp.com and facebook.com/neemahousearushababyhome.

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Selections of books written, edited, compiled or contributed to

by ACU alumni, faculty, staff and students

The BOOKCASE

Land of Enchantment Wildflowers

God Will Carry You Through

A GUIDE TO THE FLOWERS OF NEW MEXICO

By Max Lucado (’77) ISBN 978-1-40032-311-1 • 224 pages thomasnelson.com

By Willa F. Finley (’74) and LaShara J. (Shanks ’73) Nieland ISBN 978-0-89672-822-6 • 456 pages ttupress.org A companion to Lone Star Wildflowers by the same authors, this book provides extensive but easy-to-use information about 200 wildflowers that flourish in New Mexico’s diverse ecosystems.

The Slavery of Death

Whether experiencing the loss of a loved one, marriage issues, illness, job loss or the stress of everyday life, everyone needs the assurance of a loving God who watches, listens and acts in our best interests. Lucado looks at the biblical story of Joseph to give readers hope, peace and reassurance through tough times.

Fulfilled THE NIV DEVOTIONAL BIBLE FOR SINGLE WOMEN

By Dr. Richard Beck (’89) ISBN 978-1-62032-777-7 • 146 pages wipfandstock.com

Featuring Mary Hollingsworth (’59) and others ISBN 978-0-310-40713-3 • 392 pages zondervan.com

Beck blends Eastern Orthodox perspectives, biblical text, existential psychology and contemporary theology to describe our slavery to the fear of death, a slavery rooted in the basic anxieties of self-preservation, and the neurotic anxieties at the root of our self-esteem.

Zondervan’s NIV version of the Bible also features more than 100 devotions written by single women, including Luci Swindoll, Janine Turner, Lisa Harper, Cathy Lee Phillips and ACU grad Mary Hollingsworth (’59), and profiles of influential single women in scripture.

Light for Each Day

Leaving a Legacy

DAILY DEVOTIONS CONTAINING ONLY THE WORDS OF THE BIBLE

SUSTAINING FAMILY UNITY, FAITH AND WEALTH

By Lynn (Ralston ’84) Rutledge ISBN 978-098970686 • 194 pages redwoodgrovepublishing@gmail.com

By Dan T. Garrett (’73) and Tim Woodruff ISBN 978-0-89112-492-4 • 220 pages apa.org/pubs/books

In two volumes, Rutledge takes the reader through a year-long daily look at scripture, organized into themes such as “The Lord Saved Me,” “Be At Peace With Each Other,” “Promises for the Righteous,” and “Questions From Job, Answers From Jesus.”

Garrett, president of The ACU Foundation, and Woodruff, a longtime minister, help readers put family and faith before fortune as they plan for the future, learning how to communicate, listen to others, set family goals, develop family unity, reward individual achievement, and make money a tool for achieving family goals for themselves and the Kingdom.

My Day to Die

A Match Made in Texas

RUNNING FOR MY LIFE

By Serge Gasore (’09) ISBN 978-1-48080-581-1 • 172 pages archwaypublishing.com Gasore’s story chronicles a difficult life growing up in Rwanda: the murder of his mother and grandmother during genocidal conflict in his homeland, serving in the army at age 9, and running for his life. His skill as an athlete earned him a track and field scholarship at ACU and today, he is building a growing orphanage to save children in Africa. (See story on pages 52-53.)

Learning Mobile Application and Game Development with Corona SDK

By Dr. Brian G. Burton (’92) ISBN 978-1-937336-07-3 • PDF burtonsmediagroup.com Burton, assistant professor of information technology at ACU, is a leading authority in creating textbooks to teach programming concepts for mobile apps and gaming. This book meets all curriculum requirements proposed by the Texas Education Agency for use by high school or college students and others with little or no programming experience.

By Karen (Gaskin ’93) Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings and Carol Cox ISBN 978-0764211768 • 384 pages bethanyhouse.com This book features four novellas – “A Cowboy Unmatched,” “An Unforeseen Match,” “No Match for Love” and “Meeting Her Match,” each by an acclaimed writer of Christian romance novels, including Witemeyer, who has become one of the bright stars of this genre in the publishing world.

Prepare to Defend Yourself HOW TO NAVIGATE THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND ESCAPE WITH YOUR LIFE

By Matthew Minson, M.D. (’83) ISBN 978-1-62349-115-4 • 224 pages tamupress.com Minson’s book addresses issues and answers questions in a down-to-earth manner while empowering patients and their families to become proactive and knowledgeable users of medical services. He is senior advisor for health affairs at the Texas Engineering Extension Service, adjunct professor of health policy management at the Texas A&M Health Science Center and medical director for Texas Task Force One, a FEMA and Texas urban search and rescue team.

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Hilltop VIEW

For the latest, visit acu.edu/news facebook.com/abilenechristian twitter.com/acuedu instagram.com/acuedu

on campus recently for special events.

Metaxas spoke April 11 in Chapel, Silas “Uncle Si,” Alan and Lisa where he led the singing of Amazing Robertson dodged thunderstorms while Grace, and afterward at a luncheon flying from Louisiana to Abilene on sponsored by ACU’s Center for April 13 to talk about their personal and Building Community. family experiences and “The world is not meet with fans of their like this place,” he said in hit cable TV series. complimenting ACU and Proceeds from “Faith encouraging students to make Calls: An Evening sure they go through the trials With Duck Dynasty” of their lives after graduation benefited Global with Jesus alongside them.

Samaritan Resources “Jesus is alive and and Abilene overnight He Christian Schools. changed my life.”

An afternoon Metaxas is best session with ACU known for his students started books about heroes of the Si Robertson learned the late because the Christian faith: Amazing WC while on campus.

Robertsons’ flight Grace: William Wilberforce was delayed, but the and the Heroic Campaign to sold-out evening End Slavery, and Bonhoeffer: session in Moody Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, Coliseum went on as about the German-born scheduled. (See pages 2-3.) theologian who criticized Adolf Hitler Alan and Lisa also taped an interview in his homeland and died in a Nazi with chancellor Dr. Royce Money (’64), prison camp. executive director of the Siburt Institute Miller made a return trip to ACU for Church Ministry, about their more as a speaker at the Presidential Scholars than 20 years of evangelism experience.

Dinner, a Feb. 16 event welcoming Watch it at acu.edu/siburt-institute. top-performing prospective students to campus on Sing Song weekend. He first

arrived at ACU in September 2009 as a Featured Guest at the annual Summit New York Times best-selling authors in Moody Coliseum. His best-selling Eric Metaxas and Donald Miller were

Duck Dynasty stars land in Moody

JASON GROVES

PAUL WHITE

Metaxas, Miller speak about their faith

Miller

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TEDx ACU event scheduled for April 2015

Nominate a great speaker or submit a speaker application yourself at acu.edu/tedxacu for the university’s first-ever TEDx event, scheduled for April 17, 2015, in Cullen Auditorium.

TED (technology, entertainment, design) is “a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world,” according to its organizers. Since 1984, its annual conference has brought together people interested in learning and sharing ideas on various topics in many languages. TED events feature a series of short talks on topics from science to business to global issues.

TEDx events are independently organized, bringing TED-style programming to local communities.

The programs feature live presentations and videos from other TED Talks.

“The event theme is (re)think, a call to question the status quo and consider how a single individual’s idea might radically alter an entire community,” said event coordinator Lauren (Smith ’05) Lemley, assistant professor of communication and sociology, and director of the ACU Speaking Center.

ACU

On a Montevideo street in March, ACU students Lindsay Urban, Anna Beasley and Elise Brimberry ran into Uruguayan president Jose “Pepe” Mujica. A 2013 Nobel Peace Prize finalist and 2014 nominee, Mujica is known for giving away most of his $12,000-a-month salary to charity, driving a 1987 Volkswagen Beetle and living on a family farm, guarded by two policemen and his three-legged dog. Urban, Beasley and Brimberry were enrolled in the university’s Study Abroad program.

Metaxas

Q UOTABLE

books include Blue Like Jazz, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years and Searching for God Knows What.

“I look at life as a story. And many of us spend years living safe, predictable, boring stories, and expect our lives to be meaningful. The truth is, if what we choose to do with our lives won't make a story meaningful, it won’t make a life meaningful either.”

“This successful model is unique to this culture of caring where teachers and students have a real relationship. I’ve got to think more about what lessons I’ve learned here today, but I think this is a great model for Texas and for the rest of the country.”

– DONALD MILLER Best-selling author, speaking on campus Feb. 16 at the annual Presidential Scholars Dinner.

– SEN. JOHN CORNYN Texas senator, speaking at a press conference after touring ACU’s AT&T Learning Studio and Maker Lab on Feb. 20.

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Abilene Christian was recognized this year by the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Campus USA program, sponsored by Toyota, to honor colleges and universities for engaging faculty, staff and students in conservation goals.

ACU maintains 1,900 trees on its 250-acre main campus.

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Percent of the student body that will study in one of the three new science facilities planned for campus, or move to renovated office and classroom space as a result of upcoming construction.

The departments of biology, chemistry and biochemistry, engineering and physics, mathematics, language and literature (formerly English), and psychology are part of the upcoming moves. (See pages 10-23.)

4.27

Time, in seconds run by both wide receiver Taylor Gabriel and running back Charcandrick West in the 40-yard dash during ACU’s NFL Pro Day on March 8 at Wally Bullington Football Practice Facility.

Scouts from 11 National Football League teams were on campus to evaluate 10 former Wildcats in advance of the NFL Draft. Later, Gabriel signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns, while West signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. (See page 63.)

2

LISA HELFERT

Number of times Wildcat teams beat those from Big 12 Conference member Texas Tech in ACU’s first full season as a member of NCAA Division I. The first was a 3-1 win by the women’s volleyball team on Sept. 10 in Moody Coliseum and the second was a 58-57 win by the women’s basketball team Dec. 22 in Lubbock. Winning athletics contests against large state universities is especially noteworthy when considering the size difference between institutions in Division I. Abilene Christian’s Fall 2013 enrollment was 4,461 and Tech’s was 33,111.

The Bonners were on campus twice this spring and also attended the ACU vs. Maryland men’s basketball game in College Park, Md., on Nov. 13.

“If you don’t realize that what you have is a gift from Jesus, well, that gift may be taken away or slip away.

The religious freedom we have in this country is rare stuff.

But because we’ve had it for so long, most of us haven’t lived in ugly places where they don’t have religious freedom. It’s like the fish that doesn’t know what water is until he’s thrown in the bottom of a boat.”

– ERIC METAXAS Best-selling author, speaking on campus April 11.

$485,085

What it cost in 1929 to construct the eight original facilities on the ACU hilltop campus: Hardin Administration Building, Chambers Hall (dining and residence hall), Zellner Hall (for women), McDonald Hall (for men), Zona Luce Education Building, Sewell Auditorium, Bennett Gymnasium and the president’s home. Eighty-five years later, the price tag for three science buildings and two stadiums will be $75 million. (See pages 10-23 about the Vision in Action initiative.)

• Bryon Caldwell, whose credits include Disney’s A Christmas Carol, Green Lantern and the award-winning Gravity, taught Keyframes and Pixels, a summer session class for ACU’s School of Information Technology and Computing.

He is a senior 3D animator for Framestore Visual Effects and Animation Studio in Montreal, Canada.

• 10th annual FilmFest judges included Randy Brewer (’93), award-winning founder and executive producer of Revolution Pictures in Nashville, Tenn.; Christina Johnson (’11), associate producer, writer and researcher for AMS Pictures; Kari Hatfield, assistant professor of theatre at ACU; Brent McCorkle, feature filmmaker from Nashville, Tenn.; and Will Bakke, award-winning filmmaker from Austin. FilmFest awards were presented March 21 in Abilene’s historic Paramount Theatre.

• Jon S. (’82) and Linda (Ellis ’83) Halbert, executive producers of the award-winning documentary Rising from Ashes, spoke Jan. 29 in a Chapel Forum about the project. Jon is chair of health improvement company Phytel Inc. and fundraising agency Pursuant, and vice chair of CitySquare in Dallas.

• Dr. Brian Howell, professor of anthropology at Wheaton (Ill.) College, delivered “Be a Short-Term Mission Failure,” Feb. 26-27 in the Broom Missions Colloquium.

Exxon executive, Brewer and other filmmakers among campus guests

• ACU trustee April (Bullock ’89) Anthony was the featured speaker at Commencement on May 12.

• Hollywood production designer Jeff Knipp (’81) spoke Jan. 24 to theatre students in advanced lighting and acting classes in the Department of Theatre, and met with students working on FilmFest projects. Knipp’s resume includes Spiderman 2 and PAUL WHITE Friday Night Lights.

• Robert Rivard, author and former longtime editor/managing editor of the San Antonio Express-News and an editor for Newsweek, taught a workshop March 21-23 for journalism and mass communication majors.

The JMC Colloquy on Anthony Race and Media looked at how to better involve voices of Hispanics in the media as it shifts to the Internet.

• Exxon Mobil executive vice president Mark W. Albers was featured March 26 in the Distinguished Speaker Series, sponsored by the College of Business Administration.

Albers • On World Cancer PAUL WHITE Day (Feb. 4), Donna Bonner, longtime communications and publicity specialist for the National Cancer Institute in Washington, D.C., spoke to PR classes at ACU. Bonner was on campus with her husband, Larry (’64), one of the university’s racial-integration pioneers.

She and Larry also made presentations to the Lynay student group.

ACU BY THE NUMBERS

“I’ll always be grateful to ACU for a strong Christian education. … After I graduated and went on to a secular law school, I realized how much I missed studying our laws through the lens of a rich faith tradition. ACU is doing God’s work, and I’m blessed to be part of that community.”

– LORI (HALSTEAD ’01) WINDHAM, J.D. Senior counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Freedom, which successfully argued Hobby Lobby’s case before the U.S. Supreme Court. (See story on page 75.)

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Ac adem ic NEWS M.Div. students will save time, tuition with new, improved degree Starting this fall, students pursuing ACU’s Master of Divinity degree in the Graduate School of Theology will have 12 fewer hours of classes, saving up to $12,000 on its overall cost, but resulting in an advanced education with sharper focus.

“The new degree structure maintains its emphasis on practical theology, biblical studies, theology, and church history,” said GST associate dean Dr. Tim Sensing.

“While many schools that lower the number of hours for graduation do so at the loss of biblical languages, ACU did not.”

The new 72-hour M.Div. connects the classroom with real-world ministry for students, integrating theology in contemporary cultural contexts.

It prepares graduates for traditional congregational ministries, emerging ministries, global missions, social

For the latest, visit acu.edu/news facebook.com/abilenechristian twitter.com/acuedu instagram.com/acuedu

justice ministries, and teaching.

In other graduate program news, the new Master of Science degree in occupational therapy has been granted candidacy status by its accrediting body, the American Council of Occupational Therapy Education.The 69-hour residential degree can be completed in 29 months by a full-time student. Each new cohort class begins studies in the summer.

The dietetic internship program also has been granted candidacy status by its accrediting body. It began Aug. 25 at CitySquare in Dallas, and is one of the first in the nation to provide an emphasis on community and poverty.

For more: acu.edu/grad 䊱

spend the Fall 2014 semester studying in Israel at the W.F. Albright Institute for Archaeological Research (AIAR).

Hamilton, professor of Old Testament at ACU, has been named AIAR’s Seymour Gitin Distinguished Professor, an honor given to internationally recognized scholars of all nationalities who have made significant contributions to their fields of study.

Hamilton’s research interests include portrayals of God, practices of rhetoric, and ancient Israelite and Near Eastern culture and religion, especially kingship and religion. He said he enjoys relating ancient texts to the ongoing life of the church.

“The Albright Institute is a diverse community of scholars,” Hamilton said.

Dr. Mark Hamilton (’89 M.A.) “Its library and location are important to of the Graduate School of Theology will the research I’m doing and the book I’m writing about divine versus human kingship.

Being able to explore important archaeological sites, including royal palaces, will be Four current and former ACU physics a great benefit to my work. It’s professors were on hand in April at the a great opportunity for me Kimble Symposium at California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., honoring personally, and I look forward one of ACU’s top alumni. to sharing what I learn with Dr. J. Jeff Kimble (’71) is the William my colleagues and students.”

L. Valentine Professor of physics at CalTech, Located just north of old which hosted a gathering of the world’s Jerusalem, the AIAR is the top physicists interested in discussing oldest American research “The Quantum Optics Frontier.” Kimble is considered the top research scientist in center for ancient Near that field of study.

Eastern studies in the Middle Representing ACU were Dr. Rusty Towell East. Founded in 1900 as the (’90), professor and chair of physics and American School of Oriental engineering; Dr. Michael Daugherity (’02), Research (ASOR), it was assistant professor of physics; Dr. Gregory renamed in 1970 after its Straughn (’94), dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Dr. Charles Ivey (’65), most distinguished director, former professor and chair of physics who William Foxwell Albright. recruited Kimble as a student.

For more: aiar.org 䊱

Hamilton receives distinguished fellowship to study in Israel

Quantum optics symposium at CalTech honors Kimble

The research of Kimble (seated front and center) drew physicists from around the world to Caltech.

Faculty news Dr. Ken Cukrowski (’84), Dr. Mark Hamilton (’89 M.A.) and Dr. Samjung Kang-Hamilton (’88 M.R.E.) of ACU’s Graduate School of Theology attended the Jesus Conference Jan. 23-25 in Croatia, hosted by the University of Zagreb.

Dr. Carson Reed (’95 M.Div.) is among “100 Remarkable Professors & Scholars Theology Students Should Know About” in a listing by theologydegreesonline.com. Reed is assistant professor of practical theology and director of ACU’s Doctor of Ministry degree program.

Dr. Mikee Delony, assistant professor of language and literature, has been named the James W. Culp Distinguished Professor for 2014-15. In 1986, friends and former students established the endowed professorship to honor beloved English professor Dr. James Culp (’49), while honoring a distinguished language

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and literature faculty member. Culp was the first to hold the professorship, from 1986 until his retirement in 1992. Since then, recipients have included Dr. Darryl Tippens, Dr. Gay Barton (’68), Dr. Steve Weathers (’86), Al Haley and Dr. Chris Willerton. Culp died in 2007.

In April, Dr. Steve Wages received the Moore-Bowman Award from the Texas Council on Family Relations at the organization’s annual conference. The award is given to an individual providing outstanding service to Texas families and helping increase the quality of family life in the state. The TCFR board chooses each year’s recipient. Wages is ACU associate professor of marriage and family studies.

Student news Former undergraduate researchers Kayla Pyper (’10), Jade Jung (’12) and Brittney Newton (’10) and their mentor, professor of chemistry

UNDERGRADUATERESEARCH

New science facilities will revolutionize campus research Johnson named grad school dean

Oxford students get inside look at C.S. Lewis memorial in London ACU students in the Oxford Study Abroad program were among 1,000 special guests to gather from around the world in London, where a memorial was dedicated Nov. 22 to Christian author C.S. Lewis.

Dr. Michael Ward, author of Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis and co-editor of The Cambridge Companion, taught an ACU fall semester class on the life and works of Lewis, and organized the Lewis event at Poet’s Corner in Westminster Abbey. Poet’s Corner is the burial site for Geoffrey Chaucer, Lord Alfred Tennyson, Charles Dickens and Rudyard Kipling, among others. Memorials honor literary giants including John Milton, William Wordsworth, T.S. Eliot and John Keats. 䊱

Dr. Greg Powell (’80), were featured in the Journal of Organometallic Chemistry for their paper “Reactions of Os3(CO)12 with carboxylic acids in a microwave reactor; synthesis of Os2(benzoate)2(CO)6, a dinuclear osmium(I) compound with aromatic carboxylate ligands.”

Education major Katie Hathorn and her mentor, assistant professor of teacher education Dr. Sheila Delony, were featured in the Georgia Journal of Reading for their paper “Teacher Influence on Book Selection of Third-Grade Students.”

Former undergraduate researcher Alex Reed (’13) and his mentor, assistant professor of social work Dr. Stephen Baldridge, were featured in The Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work for their paper “Mobile Classrooms: Using Mobile Devices to Enhance BSW Education.”

Senior marketing major Ashley Truong and her mentor, professor of human

participate, and in most cases, they’ll all be from ACU,” he said. “With the three new buildings, we’ll have room to do things we’ve never been able to do before. For example, we can build parts of experiments on campus and Historic Bennett Gymnasium is being transformed this summer into workshop, teaching and laboratory space for engineering and physics majors.

JEREMY ENLOW

Dr. Stephen Johnson (’90) changed deanships this summer, moving to the Graduate School after three years of leading the university’s Honors College. He replaces Dr. Carley Dodd (’70), who is returning to teach in the Department of Communication.

Johnson has four degrees from Abilene Christian: a B.A., an M.S. (’94), an M.Div. (’96) and a D.Min. (’00). A fifth is a Doctor of Theology degree from the University of Toronto in 2007. He began teaching in the College of Biblical Studies in 2001 and is associate professor of ministry in the Graduate School of Theology.

He has been instrumental in launching ACU’s academic programs at CitySquare in Dallas. 䊱

Each summer, ACU physics and engineering majors join teams of researchers at prestigious labs across the country, such as Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, N.Y. (on Long Island) and Fermilab near Chicago. ACU’s $75 million Vision in Action initiative will give students an opportunity to expand their research on campus.

Bennett Gymnasium, one of the original buildings constructed in 1929 when ACU moved to its present campus, is in the process of being remodeled as a multi-use workshop, teaching and laboratory space. The renovation will provide space for students to build the projects they engineer in class, as well as providing additional space for faculty research.

(See pages 10-23.)

“The expanded space will allow more faculty members to conduct their research on campus, which will extend research opportunities for our students,” said professor and department chair Dr. Rusty Towell (’90).

“Those who participate in real-world, world-class research in a mentoring relationship with faculty are much better prepared for graduate school and advanced jobs,” he said.

Towell explained that research for physics and engineering students is like Game Day for student-athletes, and classrooms and labs are the places where they prepare for it.

“On our collaborative research at FermiLab and Brookhaven, our undergraduates work with graduate and post-graduate Ph.D.s from around the world. There are only a few undergraduates privileged to

bring them to Brookhaven and FermiLab, which are part of large international collaborations, instead of traveling to New York and Illinois to build them.”

This spring, Towell’s students had an opportunity to present research from their on-campus projects without leaving Abilene.

In March, the Department of Engineering and Physics hosted the Joint Spring 2014 Meeting of the Texas Sections of the APS (American Physical Society), AAPT (American Association of Physics Teachers), and Zone 13 of the SPS (Society of Physics Students).

Conference speakers included faculty members from UCLA, the University of California-Berkeley, California Institute of Technology, The University of Texas at Austin, and other large research institutions.

For more: acu.edu/engineering or acu.edu/physics 䊱

resource management Dr. Malcolm Coco, had their article, “Student and Company Reactions to a University Internship Program: Content Analysis” published in the International Journal of Education Research.

JMC to honor Brewer, Cantrell and Shields with Gutenberg awards The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication will honor three alumni with its annual Gutenberg Award at Homecoming this fall on campus: Randy Brewer (’93), founder and executive producer of Revolution Pictures in Nashville; Steve Cantrell (’81), director of client services and media specialist for the Balcom Agency in Fort Worth; and Cindy (Leeper ’89) Shields, director of human resources for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. in Nashville. The Oct. 9 event begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at acu.edu/gutenberg.

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Campus NEWS

For the latest, visit acu.edu/news facebook.com/abilenechristian twitter.com/acuedu instagram.com/acuedu

Ninety scholarship endowments created by donors to campaign

is available at acu.edu/journey. To donate, email Orr at jim.orr@acu.edu or give online at acu.edu/giveonline. 䊱

Even as ACU raises money for new science and athletics facilities, donors continue to make a college education more affordable for students, providing more than $28 million toward scholarships.

As of July 20, the Partnering in the Journey Campaign has raised $28.2 million – more than 56 percent of its $50 million goal – from nearly 1,500 donors. The campaign is the largest in ACU history dedicated solely to scholarship endowments.

“We’re grateful for the ongoing support and commitment of our alumni and friends to the students of ACU,” said Jim Orr, J.D. (’86), vice president for advancement.

“Every dollar given to the Partnering in the Journey Campaign makes an impact that lasts for generations.”

Overall, donors have created 90 new endowments through the campaign, and added at least $10,000 in gifts to 55 previously existing endowments.

Endowments are designed to grow over time, with the principal invested and a percentage of the annual return awarded

New advancement leader Orr has deep roots at Abilene Christian

to students. As the principal grows, so does the amount given in scholarships each year.

For a list of the most recently created endowments and a look at how many employers match their employees’ gifts to ACU, see page 65.

More information about the Partnering in the Journey Campaign – including videos, student spotlights and more –

James “Jim” Orr, J.D., (’86) began work June 1 as ACU’s new vice president for advancement, inheriting a key role in the development and funding of his alma mater’s growth strategies for its second century.

An experienced attorney who had served as an ACU trustee since 2002, Orr now leads a team of professionals in fundraising, alumni and university relations, university events, and The ACU Foundation.

He’s also from a four-generation ACU family. His uncle, Wilson C. “Dub” Orr (’50), was a trustee from 1970-98 and secretary of the board for years. Orr grew up in Vernon and his mother, Patsy (Etter ’54) Orr, and uncles Don (’55) and Frank (’58) Etter, were Abilene natives.

His father, Robert Orr (’52), is the younger brother of Dub Orr and an uncle of Roland Orr (’68).

“I feel deeply connected to ACU because of the university’s significant impact upon me and my family through multiple generations, and in that sense, it feels like I am coming home,” said Orr, who is married to Elaine (Rainwater '87). The couple has two children: Caleb, an ACU sophomore, and KayAnn, a senior at McKinney North High School.

He founded, along with Blair G. Francis (’75), the firm of Francis & Orr LLP in 1994, later known as Francis, Ridgell &

Minick, Atchley and Shedd added to Board of Trustees Three new trustees have been added to the ACU governing board: Bill Minick (’82) of Dallas, Rick Atchley (’78) of North Richland Hills and Marelyn Shedd of Abilene.

Minick is president of PartnerSource, a leading consulting firm on alternatives to workers’ compensation. He graduated summa cum laude from ACU in 1982 with a B.B.A. in finance, received his J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1985 and earned a Master of Laws degree in taxation at Southern Methodist University School of Law. Atchley has been the preaching minister for The Hills Church of Christ since 1989. He graduated from ACU as valedictorian in 1978 with a B.A. in communications and a minor in Bible. After interning at various congregations in

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Totusek LLP, with offices in Dallas and McKinney, Texas. He concentrated his practice in commercial and business litigation with an emphasis on healthcare, banking and creditor’s rights.

“My prayer is that our advancement team will build on the solid foundations developed by so many dedicated people to advance the cause of ACU,” said Orr. “The overwhelming generosity and expressions of goodwill are inspiring and a source of great momentum for us. Ultimately, my hope is that the team’s purpose and service will grow in proportion to the lives touched

by ACU, its alumni and friends.”䊱

ACU receives Distinguished School designation from Apple ACU has been named an Apple Distinguished School in recognition of its culture of innovation, its leadership in the area of mobility, and its overall educational excellence.

The designation is reserved for programs recognized as centers of educational excellence and leadership.

ACU has twice been awarded recognition

by Apple as a Distinguished Program.

Now in its sixth year of researching and applying the educational opportunities offered by mobile devices, ACU has found three emerging themes: increased independence for learners, enhanced communication and engagement, and a more tailored and contextual learning experience.

“We’re very pleased that Apple has again recognized ACU for its innovative and meaningful advances in student engagement and learning,” said Dr. John Weaver, dean of library services and educational technologies.

“Our faculty’s instruction and implementation of Apple technology supports deeper learning and digital skills

Dallas, Atchley became the preaching minister for Abilene’s Southern Hills Church of Christ in 1978. He continued his education at ACU, earning an M.A. in religious communications with a minor in Bible in 1982.

Shedd serves as regional president at First Financial Bank for Abilene, Odessa, Albany, Clyde and Moran, Texas. She graduated with a B.B.A. in finance and economics from Baylor University in 1983 and has worked for First Financial Bank since 1991.

Innovative program begins to save energy costs, protect environment ACU has contracted with Cenergistic, a leading energy conservation company, in an effort to potentially save millions of dollars in the years ahead and help protect the environment while managing energy consumption. An energy specialist began work for Cenergistic this spring to manage its program at the university.

INNOVATIVEACU

eConnections offers low-cost Bible courses online that give our graduates an advantage as they begin their careers,” Weaver said. 䊱

Riley named vice president of student life Dr. Chris Riley (’00), ACU’s associate general counsel and legal compliance coordinator since 2006, has been chosen to serve as vice president of student life.

“After attracting a number of highly qualified candidates, we found the right person to fill the position was already working right here among us. Chris is a talented, spiritually mature leader who will do great things working with our Student Life professionals and the student body,” said executive vice president Dr. Allison Garrett.

“This is truly an honor,” said Riley.

“My wife, Rachel (Smith ’99), and I love ACU and we believe its unique Christcentered community provides unlimited opportunities to strengthen faith-forming relationships both in and out of the classroom. I’m humbled by the opportunity to lead those in Student Life and simply want to be a good steward of the work God has given me to do.”

Riley earned his Juris Doctor from Texas Tech University School of Law in 2003 and in addition to his work with ACU Legal Services, has been an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Political Science and the Honors College since 2008. He is a member of the Student Life Behavior Intervention Team, has assisted with annual revision of the Student Handbook, and has represented the administration as its liaison to the Student Disciplinary Review Board. 䊱

For many years, ACU has provided continuing education for ministers, elders and other church leaders through conferences such as Summit, ElderLink, and other courses and workshops offered in a weekend or weeklong format.

Starting this winter, ACU’s Siburt Institute for Church Ministry began partnering with ElderLink and the College of Biblical Studies to introduce a new learning opportunity: online eConnections courses for $200 each on topics of interest to anyone in today’s churches.

“One of our ongoing conversations in the College of Biblical Studies is how we maintain connections with local (and not so local) congregations,” said Dr. Mindi Thompson, director of distance education in the Graduate School of Theology. “The connections fostered by eConnections are much broader than simply tying ACU to a local church.”

Designed for those who are unable to attend an in-person conference, or who want to extend their learning beyond a weekend workshop, eConnections courses focus on topics such as teaching the Bible, short-term missions and church leadership.

“Not everyone desires to be in a graduate program or to earn another degree. They just want some intellectual and spiritual stimulation about issues that mean a lot to churches,” said Dr. Royce Money (’64), ACU chancellor and executive director of the Siburt Institute.

The inaugural offerings earlier this year included a course on short-term missions taught by Dr. Chris Flanders (’89), associate professor of missions in

Johnson elected to lead Students’ Association Elected in April as officers of the ACU Students’ Association for the 2014-15 school year were president Rodney Johnson, senior marketing and pre-law major from Odessa; vice president Beau Carter, senior political science major from Farmers Branch; and treasurer Andrew Tate, senior biology major from Abilene.

PAUL WHITE

Johnson

University Marketing wins six regional CASE awards ACU’s Office of University Marketing won six regional awards in April from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education at the CASE District IV conference in Fort Worth. Four were related to marketing work on behalf of

the Graduate School of Theology and director of the Halbert Institute for Missions, and a reading group for ministers led by Randy Harris, ACU instructor of Bible, missions and ministry.

“I was so pleased with the diversity of congregations represented by these entrepreneurial students,” Thompson said. “Too often, we are isolated geographically or vocationally.

We have so much to learn from and share with the larger body of Christ.”

This fall, eConnections will offer three courses: Confessing Jesus Christ: Preaching the Faith with Dr. Danny Mercer (D.Min. ’13), preaching minister of Friendswood Church of Christ in Houston; What to Teach: Curriculum Choices for Children’s Ministry with Shannon (Clarkson ’98) Rains, children and family minister at Kingwood (Texas) Church of Christ; and Leading Churches Through Change, Transition and Conflict with Dr. Barry Stephens, senior minister of Lubbock’s Monterey Church of Christ.

Courses are open to anyone with Internet access. Classes this fall begin Oct. 13 with registration open until Sept. 29.

“We’re talking to folks who would be good class leaders for future topics, like elder training, youth ministry, spiritual formation, pastoral counseling and organizational leadership, to name only a few,” said Thompson. “Really, the sky’s the limit when it comes to eConnections topics. If it will help church leaders or church members, it’s on the list of potential classes.”䊱 To register: acu.edu/econnections

ACU’s new Wildcat logo and athletics identity. Two of the six were first-place winners in advertising campaigns and website design, including liveup.acu.edu, a special project for Admissions and Enrollment Marketing. CASE represents higher-ed professionals in fundraising, alumni relations, marketing and communication. District IV includes universities in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico. ACU has won 126 regional CASE awards since 1983.

Errata Ken Ferguson of Tucson, Ariz., was in the 1977 plane crash that killed Dr. Lowell Perry (’47), not Jim Ferguson, as reported in our profile of 2013 Outlive Your Life Award winner Earline Perry in the Spring-Summer 2013 issue.

Hal Frazier of West Monroe, La., was the other passenger who did not survive. The three were scouting locations for a radio tower for World Christian Broadcasting.

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Wildcat SPORTS Marquez perseveres to lead team through first year in Division I

instagram.com/acuedu

didn’t deter her from the commitment.

“I begged Renata to become our team’s vocal leader entering her senior year,” said second-year ACU head coach Julie Goodenough. “She didn’t quite feel comfortable in that role the season before, but once Renata stepped out of her comfort zone, she did a fantastic job. …

She played hard against, yet encouraged her teammates, and that created the competitive environment we were seeking.” “e leadership role was forced on me,” said Marquez. “I didn’t consider myself a natural leader, but I think what I had to say helped the team. A lot of times, I’d see it in their faces – that they were ready to give up – and I’d just pull them to the side and tell them ‘Pick it up’ or ‘It’s all in your head.’

And if they had some doubts, I’d say things to boost their confidence.”

Even with these challenging responsibilities placed on her shoulders,

Marquez dribbles past Texas Tech’s Amber Battle during ACU’s 58-57 upset of the Red Raiders on Dec. 22 in Lubbock.

ACU Sports Hall of Fame to add seven in October Tom D. Smith III (’64), the first ACU student-athlete to become a U.S. Olympian in a sport other than track and field, will be one of seven men and women to be inducted Oct. 10 to the ACU Sports Hall of Fame.

The class includes Charles Cleek (’66), Melanie Carter (’04), Don Harrison (’75), Jane (McNeill ’02) Clayton, Mark Witherspoon (’85), and lifetime achievement awards for Smith and Dr. David Merrell (’64). Tickets to the dinner event at the Hunter Welcome Center can be purchased by calling 325-674-2353.

Cleek led ACU to two straight Southland Conference championships in men’s basketball and the 1965-66 national tournament and remains one of the top scorers and rebounders in Wildcat history. Carter is the only first-team all-region honoree in ACU women’s basketball history and was the Texas winner of the

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SHAWN BEST

RICK YEATTS

Renata Marquez has never been one to quit. Her refusal to do so at a time when several of her peers decided last spring to leave the ACU women’s basketball team has proved to be one of the best decisions she’s ever made.

She understood the transition from NCAA Division II to Division I athletics was going to be physically and emotionally painful. e road trips were going to be more time consuming, the practices more demanding and the opposition more ruthless.

Equally daunting would be the challenge of leading a locker room in which she would be the lone senior surrounded by nine freshmen and two sophomores.

She knew what she was in for, and still it

For the latest, visit acusports.com facebook.com/acusports twitter.com/acusports

in addition to the demands of studying to prepare for a nursing career, Marquez refused to crumble. She instead carried the team fearlessly into new cities and hostile arenas – winning big games in Arlington, New Orleans and Lubbock – and emerged as the focal point of one of the most memorable teams in the 44-year history of Wildcat women’s basketball. e team won 18 games as a first-year Division I program, finishing among the upper tier of Southland Conference schools with an 8-6 league record.

Marquez’s final moment wearing a Wildcat uniform was her very own Senior Day on March 8 against University of the Incarnate Word. She scored the game’s opening basket 13 seconds after tip-off and assisted on two of the next three hoops as the Wildcats went on a 9-0 run. e home team never surrendered its lead, and she left to a standing ovation after sinking a pair of free throws that gave her 15 points.

It was difficult for Marquez to consider such a day would ever happen.

“I never thought about being a D-I player in high school,” said Marquez, who graduated from Conroe Willis High School in 2010. “I wasn’t heavily recruited. I did all the work sending videos to D-II schools, and of those, ACU was the only place that wanted me.

So to have a successful year as both an individual and with the team – it was just a great way to go out as a senior.”

“It was an absolute privilege to be her coach these last two years,” added Goodenough.

“I wish I could have coached her all four.

She’ll go into my book as a very special player. She was a phenomenal example of commitment and work ethic and a great role model for our 11 underclassmen.”䊱

NCAA Woman of the Year Award in 2004. Harrison was a member of ACU’s 1973 NAIA Division I national championship team and an all-Lone Star Conference lineman who three times was named academic all-LSC. Smith was a world record holder in pistol shooting who competed for the U.S. in the 1964 Games in Tokyo and won two gold medals at the 1963 Pan American Games. Merrell was the university’s registrar, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, professor and chair of English, and faculty athletics representative to the NCAA. Clayton won the first NCAA Division II women’s pole vault title and led a quartet of vaulters who starred in the sport at ACU. Witherspoon was a top sprinter for the Wildcats who made the 1992 U.S. Olympic team and is a member of the NCAA Division II Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Freshman catcher Connor Messman slides home safely under University of Arizona catcher Riley Moore during ACU’s 6-5 win in Tucson.

NCAA Division I experiences teach, inspire Wildcats

JACOB FUNK

Standing in foul territory at historic Packard Field in the moments after his team lost a 4-2 game to Arizona State in the final game ever at the Sun Devils’ stadium in Tempe, Ariz., all ACU head baseball coach Britt Bonneau thought was how proud he was of his team.

Sure, the Wildcats had lost to the Sun Devils, but it had come in perhaps the finest game the team has played in at least two seasons. Senior left-handed pitcher Brady Rodriguez pitched one of the best games of his career and five freshmen combined for most of the team’s seven hits, including two by second baseman Aaron Draper.

Arizona State would have to score two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 2-2 tie and then sweat out an ACU rally in the top of the ninth to pull out the surprisingly hard-fought win. at the Wildcats would hang in that closely on an emotional night for a team that would go on to play in an NCAA regional was proof of their growth throughout the season. e Wildcats rose to the occasion a few days later in Tucson when they lost the first game of a three-game series to Arizona, 4-3, before beating UA, 6-5, in the penultimate game of the season. Arizona won the 2012 College World Series title and started several players in the game against ACU who were on the field the night in June 2012 when it beat South Carolina for the national championship.

“I told our guys that they made ACU proud,” Bonneau said after the ASU loss. “ey really represented Abilene Christian University in a great way. I’m really proud of my team.” at kind of growth was evident throughout the spring as ACU completed the athletics program’s first year at the

NCAA Division I level. Although the baseball team finished 18-36, they rallied from a tough stretch in April to play a better brand of baseball in May. Aside from winning the game at Arizona, the Wildcats shut out Oral Roberts University and took a game from Houston Baptist. Of ACU’s final 15 losses of the season, 14 were by three runs or fewer as the freshmen on the team began to show signs of maturity.

He’ll get to see how much they’ve grown, and how his new group of players helps, in 2015. at’s when ACU plays two teams that qualified for this year’s College World Series (Texas Tech and TCU, including a home game against Tech), and four others that qualified for regional tournament play (Sam Houston State, Southeastern Louisiana, Dallas Baptist and Arizona State). e ACU softball team showed much of the same progress, finishing 21-28 overall but 10-10 in the Southland Conference, a mark that would have been good enough to qualify for the conference’s postseason tournament had the Wildcats been eligible. Lyndi Smith had one of the great power seasons in school history, leading the Southland in home runs (13) and RBI (50).

Freshman pitcher Hannah Null – despite battling a leg injury for much of the season – was 11-9 with a 2.84 ERA

Seven Wildcats voted Southland’s all-time performers in track and field Southland Conference all-time honor rolls in outdoor track and field, announced in December 2013, include ACU quartermiler Roger Colglazier (’72), half-miler Charles Christmas (’66), miler and steeplechaser John Lopez (’70), jumper and javelin thrower Jerry Dyes (’64), javelin thrower Max Harding (’71), pole vaulter Billy Pemelton (’64), and men’s coach Bill McClure (’48).

NFL training camps open with five former Wildcats Five former ACU football stars on are NFL rosters this summer: safety Danieal Manning (’07) of the Cincinnati Bengals, wide receiver Clyde Gates (’11) and running back Daryl Richardson (’12) of the New York Jets, wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (’14) of the Cleveland Browns, and running back Charcandrick West (’14) of the Kansas City Chiefs.

and 152 strikeouts in 150 1/3 innings of work. She set the ACU single-game record for strikeouts with 17 against Hardin-Simmons on March 25 and tossed a no-hitter against Rhode Island on Feb. 28. e men’s tennis team finished second in the Southland to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. ACU’s only loss in Southland play was to the Islanders, who were 6-0 in league play. e Wildcats’ 4-2 win over third-place Nicholls was described by 19th-year head coach Hutton Jones (’81) as “one of the best wins we’ve had since I’ve been at ACU.” e women were fourth in the league but stretched their streak of winning seasons to 34 straight, thanks in large part to all-conference performer and co-Paul Goad Award winner Micah Hermsdorf.

In track and field, the Wildcats – with little depth or experience in head coach Keith Barnier’s first season at the helm of the program – showed improvement throughout the season. e men were a surprising fourth at the conference outdoor championship meet, with Baptiste Kerjean winning the hammer throw and his teammates scoring 43 points on the final day. Barnier has lined up a deep recruiting class for the 2015 season, when ACU will once again compete in some of the nation’s premier meets, including the Texas Relays in Austin. 䊱

Former Vanderbilt and Tulane head coach to lead ACU golf program Tom Shaw, former Vanderbilt University men’s head golf coach, began work July 1 as ACU’s head golf coach. He succeeds Mike Campbell (’91), who directed the program for 11 years. Shaw has worked the past two years for College Golf Game Plan, a consulting service company he founded to help high school golfers and their families through the collegiate recruiting process.

He was head coach at Vanderbilt from 2006-12 and at Tulane University from 2001-06, following an assistant coaching role at the University of South Carolina. While at Tulane he was 2006 Conference USA and NCAA Division I Southeast Region Coach of the Year.

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Sports ROUNDUP Men’s Basketb all • The Wildcats won 11 games and knocked off Southland Conference opponents Central Arkansas and Houston Baptist during their first year of NCAA Division I competition.

• Sophomore Parker Wentz was named to the Capital One Academic All-District team and the Southland’s All-Academic Team. A Lubbock native and biology/pre-med major with a 3.90 GPA, Wentz finished as the league’s No. 14 scorer with 13.9 points per game and a .491 field goal percentage. He also ranked 17th in assists (2.8), second in free throw percentage (.870), fourth in steals (1.6) and sixth in minutes played (33.5).

Micah Hermsdorf

JEREMY ENLOW

B aseball • Sophomore righthander Garrett deMeyere became the first Wildcat baseball player to receive Southland Player of the Week honors since ACU’s return to the Spring-Summer 2014

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Wo me n’s Te nnis • Led by Paul Goad Award Winner and No. 1 singles player Micah Hermsdorf, the Wildcats won 18 of 24 dual matches and finished fourth in the highly competitive Southland at 9-3. Hermsdorf made the league’s first team in singles and second team in doubles with younger sister Kaysie Hermsdorf, with records of 18-7 and 20-6, respectively, at the top position.

Baptiste Kerjean

S oftb all • Taylor Brown, Hannah Null and Lyndi Smith were selected to the Southland Conference honorable mention list. The conference honors are firsts for freshmen Brown and Null and the third in as many years for Smith, who was second team all-Lone Star Conference in 2013 and third team all-LSC in 2012.

• On Feb. 28, Null tossed the seventh no-hitter in ACU softball history – and the first for the Wildcats in 14 years – while leading her team to a 9-1 victory over Rhode Island during a tournament in Lubbock. (See pages 8-9.)

• The team finished its season with 21 victories and was 10-10 against Southland opponents, good for seventh place.

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M e n’s Te nnis • The Wildcats finished their 2014 season as champions of the inaugural National Invitational Tennis Tournament.

They first defeated New Jersey Tech, 6-1, before avenging an early season loss to Grand Canyon, 4-3. The two wins not only gave ACU a trophy to take home, but an exceptional overall record of 17-10 (.630) during its first year of NCAA Division I competition.

• The Southland Conference voted five Wildcats to its first and second teams. Freshman Nico Agritelley made second-team singles with sophomore Marco Bensley and second-team doubles alongside sophomore Jason Proctor. Juniors Borja Cortes and Guilherme Gesser were one of three tandems to make first-team doubles.

JEREMY ENLOW

G olf • Junior Corbin Renner was voted second team all-Southland Conference after he posted an average scoring round of a little more than 72 strokes during the 2013-14 season. A native of Little Rock, Ark., Renner posted six top 10 finishes in ACU’s 10 tournaments during the season, including a third-place finish at the Southland Conference Championship.

• The Wildcats finished eighth at the Southland’s championship tournament, capping their first season in Division I with rounds of 299-313-316 for a 928 total.

Renner finished third at 2-under-par 214 after posting rounds of 71-71-72, four shots behind conference champion Zach Cabra of Sam Houston State, who had rounds of 69-69-72 for a total of 6-under-par 210. Senior Trey Sullivan capped his Wildcat career by finishing tied for 16th in the medalist standings with a three-round total of 227 (76-73-78).

RICK YEATTS

Women’s B asket ba ll • Head coach Julie Goodenough’s team of mostly freshman Wildcats finished the 2013-14 season with an overall record of 18-12, good for seventh in the Southland at 8-6.

• Freshman Suzzy Dimba made the Southland’s honorable mention list and was one of just five players selected to the league’s All-Defensive Team. In an extraordinary season that included 11 double-doubles, Dimba finished her first year ranked sixth in rebounding (9.1 per game), fifth in blocked shots (1.4) and tied for 13th in steals (1.5).

• In her final year as a collegiate player, senior Renata Marquez ranked among the Southland’s top 20 leaders in scoring (10th at 14.8 points per game), rebounding (19th at 5.9), assists (7th at 3.9) and steals (4th at 1.9).

She finished her Wildcat career with 1,285 career points, 598 rebounds and 298 assists. Her postseason honors included Southland honorable mention and a spot on its All-Academic Team. (See story on page 62.)

• The Wildcats recorded a signature win Dec. 22 at Texas Tech by beating the Red Raiders, 58-57. Lubbock natives Lizzy and Suzzy Dimba, both freshmen, combined to score 25 points and grab 19 rebounds in leading ACU to its first win over Tech since Nov. 13, 1978, when the Wildcats won, 85-67. Lizzy sealed the victory by sinking two free throws with 3.2 seconds remaining.

league. He was recognized for his performance against Stephen F. Austin State on April 19, when he limited the Lumberjacks to just four singles while striking out six hitters in a 3-0 win. His nine-inning complete-game shutout was ACU’s first in more than nine years.

• Senior Brady Rodriguez earned Southland Player of the Week honorable mention on May 12 after tossing a complete-game three-hit shutout at Oral Roberts.

The Wildcats won the game, 7-0, and benefitted from a two-run Seth Spivey home run. Spivey (.362 batting average) and freshman Brandon Grudzielanek (.356) were among the league’s top hitters all season.

• The Wildcats played a difficult schedule during their first year of Division I baseball. Their slate include a number of games against major-conference powers including Arizona, Arizona State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Utah.

Suzzy Dimba

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M e n’s Tra ck a nd F ie ld • The Wildcats finished fourth with 63 points at the Southland Outdoor Championships. Senior Baptiste Kerjean won his third consecutive conference hammer throw title and sophomore Luke Woods was runner-up in the decathlon, while runners Johnathan Farquharson, Jeremy Tatham and Daniel Block combined for four third-place showings. Farquharson also was third with the 4x100-meter relay team that recorded a time of 40.43.

• The Wildcats finished sixth at the Southland Indoor Championships with 46 points. Woods and Block were second in the heptathlon and 800-meter run, respectively, while Farquharson was third in the 60-meter dash.

Wo me n’s Tra ck a nd F ie ld • In her final meet as a Wildcat, senior Reyare Thomas of Trinidad and Tobago won the 60-meter and 200-meter dashes at the Southland Conference Indoor Championships with times of 7.45 and 23.73, respectively. Her mark in the 200m finals set a Southland meet record. In May, Thomas competed for Trinidad and Tobago in the IAAF World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas. In June, she qualified for this year’s Commonwealth, Central America and Caribbean Games with top performances at the NGC/Sagicor Open Championships, her homeland’s national championship meet.

• The Wildcats finished ninth at the Southland indoor championships with 25 points and tied for 12th at the outdoor championships with 22 points.

ACU’s leading performers at the meet were 1500-meter runner-up Diana Garcia Munoz, sprint hurdler Lexus Williams, and heptathletes Ramesheon Marine and Taylor Yantis. Munoz, Marine and Yantis were freshmen and Williams was a junior. 䊱

YOUR GIFTS AT WORK

A L L M ATC H I NG G I F TS BY F I S C A L Y E A R *

Matching gift value brought to life for Buchholtz Walt Buchholtz’s daughter graduated from ACU in May 2012, but he doesn’t see himself cutting ties with her alma mater anytime soon.

Buchholtz, planning and operations manager in public and government affairs for ExxonMobil Corp., five years ago began visiting ACU to deliver the foundation’s annual check, matching its employees’ donations to the university. ExxonMobil gives $3 for every $1 its employees donate to education.

“From a personal standpoint, I’ll remain very much involved,” he said after delivering a check worth more than $139,000 to ACU. “Kristen really enjoyed her time here. We’ve grown to love this university.”

Kristen, who graduated with a kinesiology degree and now teaches in the Wylie Independent School District, began looking

RACHAEL HUBBARD

Walt and Janet Buchholtz said a visit to campus, and Chapel, convinced their daughter that ACU was the place to enroll.

for colleges with high-quality education programs close to Washington, D.C., where her family lived at the time. But when Buchholtz was transferred to Houston, Kirsten decided to look at Texas colleges, as well.

“She knew she wanted to teach,” he said, “and we knew ACU had an excellent program to train teachers. We visited ACU on a Friday and went to Chapel, and she just really loved the feel of it.

After we visited, that was her choice.”

With a freshman at ACU, Buchholtz began delivering the ExxonMobil matching check in person.

“It’s more personal than putting it into the mail,” he said.

“I’m representing individuals within ExxonMobil who are putting their personal finances in, and I want to represent them because I understand why they’re donating.”

As Kristen moved through the university, her parents saw first-hand how she was shaped by it. “e thing we really loved about it, it felt very family-oriented, Christian-oriented,” Buchholtz said.

“She felt at home. She felt that environment of fellowship was here, and it didn’t disappoint.”

Indeed, the check he brings now includes dollars matched from his and his wife Janet’s own personal donations.

“We’re fortunate,” he said. “God has blessed me with a good job where I can afford to provide for my family and to help others.

I’ve seen ACU grow over the years, and it’s been tremendous to watch it grow. It’s an honor to be able to deliver the matching check. ExxonMobil commits a lot of money to education and higher learning. To represent ExxonMobil and the employees of ExxonMobil is quite an honor.”

To see whether your employer matches employees’ charitable giving, search online at acu.edu/matchinggifts or visit your human resources office.

2011 2012 2013 2014

$229,610 $237,376 $236,604 $232,434 ACU’S fiscal fiscal year year ends ends on on May May 31 31 of of the the year year listed. listed.

ACU’S

E X XO N M ATC H I N G G I F T S B Y F I S C A L Y E A R

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

$122,739 $142,345 $139,295 $135,499 $130,549

Recent scholarship endowments created • Alumni Advisory Board Scholarship Endowment • Compton Family Scholarship Endowment • Memorial Road Church of Christ Scholarship Endowment • Vince Jarrett Golf Scholarship Endowment • Dr. Perry Reeves Scholarship Endowment • Paul and Eve Rogers Memorial Scholarship Endowment • Al and Dottie Scott Memorial Baseball Scholarship Endowment • Charles (C.A.) and Millie Verett Family Scholarship Endowment • Jeffrey L. Wendling Criminal Justice Scholarship Endowment • Wright Family Scholarship Endowment • Brennen Family Scholarship Endowment • Holt and Kaye Dawn Lunsford Football Scholarship Endowment • Mike and Julie (Ward) Metscher Communications Scholarship Endowment • Billy and Joann McCormick Scholarship Endowment • Rachel Blasingame Memorial Scholarship Endowment • Walker Weathers Scholarship Endowment • Gary and Sylvia McCaleb “Complete the Dream” Scholarship Endowment To create your own endowed scholarship or contribute to an existing one, see acu.edu/giveonline or call 800-588-1514.

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EX PERIENCES Submit your news online at blogs.acu.edu/acutoday/experiences or use the EXperiences card in each issue of the magazine.

Deadlines: ACU Today is published two times a year (June and December). Because of printing deadlines, your news could be delayed by one issue.

Births and adoptions: Please indicate whether the addition to your family is a boy or girl.

Marriages: Remember to indicate the date and place of your marriage.

In Memoriam: A member of the deceased’s immediate family should submit this notification. Please include class year for all former ACU students in the family.

1954

1958

Dr. Jack Scott and his wife, Lacreta (Isbell ’56), have a new address. Jack is now a scholar-in-residence at Claremont Graduate University. 610 S. Orange Grove Blvd., Unit 5, Pasadena, CA 91105.

Jim and Margie Anderson are farming 775 acres of grapes with their family-owned company. He is president of York Family Farms LLC. They have three children. 7320 N. Prospect Ave., Fresno, CA 93711. jyorker7320@comcast.net

1956

MARRIED

Allen and Nan (Smith) Luker have a new address.

Allen is the chaplain at Lakewood Village Christian Care Center. 5100 Randol Mill Road, Fort Worth, TX 76112.

Jim Weldon and Maxine Poplin, Sept. 21, 2013.

20506 Wind Ridge Lane, Spring, TX 77379. poplin10@yahoo.com

The Class of 1965 will celebrate its Golden Anniversary Reunion on campus April 22-24, 2015.

1962 Hubert Hackler is retired after preaching for 45 years at churches in Kansas and Iowa. 900 N.W. School St., Leon, IA 50144.

1963 Tom and Jan (McKnight ’64) Bedichek celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary Aug. 2, 2013.

3905 Yarberry Court, Roanoke, TX 76262. tombedichek@aol.com

1967 Sue (Giallombardo) Walker has a new address.

She has been director for economic development at the Richardson Chamber of Commerce for 11 years.

777 Custer Road, #8-1, Richardson, TX 75080. sue@telecomcorridor.com John Lowry lost his wife, Judy, in July 2011.

P.O. Box 4208, Gypsum, CO 81637. jlowry001@aol.com Dr. R Gary Dale Smith is retired following 25 years in administration of hospital resident training programs.

He and his wife, Jeton, live in Salado. 1058 Doves Landing Court, Salado, TX 76571. nafir@sbcglobal.net

MARRIED James Ross and Joyce Hartwig, Dec. 30, 2013.

1714 Lewig Trail, Grand Prairie, TX 75052.

KENNETH PYBUS, J.D.

Kenneth Pybus, J.D. (’89), found an old photograph of his grandmother, Elizabeth (Stratton ’43) Thompson, and Allene (Schneider ’43) Howard as they posed in a field of bluebonnets south of Zellner Hall in Spring 1939. The Julia Chambers Building (known as Chambers Hall) can be seen in the background. He layered it onto an image of today’s Chambers Hall, which awaits demolition to make room for one of three new science buildings. Now age 93 and living in Lake Jackson, Texas, Elizabeth (left) married chemistry major Sanford Thompson (’41) when the two of them eloped following a GATA social that spring. The lovebirds – joined by another ACU couple – were married at midnight in the living room of a preacher in Ballinger, and returned to campus following a one-night honeymoon.

Pybus teaches journalism at ACU and is advisor of The Optimist student newspaper.

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ACU NEWSMAKERS Amy (O’Quinn ’95) Mullins, M.D., has been named medical director for quality improvement for the American Academy of Family Physicians in Leawood, Kan. e AAFP represents more than 110,000 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students nationwide.

Howard

PAUL WHITE

Ryan Boozer (’02) and Josh McArtor (’98) were among the top industrial real estate brokers featured in the March 28 - April 4 issue of Dallas Business Journal.

Dr. Rick Marrs (’73) was named provost of Pepperdine University, replacing Dr. Darryl Tippens, who is returning to ACU this fall as University Distinguished Scholar of Faith, Learning and Literature. Marrs has been dean of Pepperdine’s Seaver College since 2008 and a member of the university’s Religion Division faculty since 1987.

Lynette Howard (’80) received ACU’s G.C. Morlan Medal award at an annual dinner hosted April 10 by the Department of Teacher Education, which honors an outstanding education graduate each year.

She is principal of J.P. Starks Elementary School in Dallas and a former ACU Homecoming queen.

Jim Gash, J.D. (’89), professor of law at Pepperdine University and interim director of its global justice program, received the Warren Christopher Award as International Lawyer of the Year from the International Law Section of the State Bar of California for his work on behalf of imprisoned juveniles in Uganda. Christopher is a former U.S. Secretary of State and Deputy Attorney General.

Katie (Reasons ’98) Biggs was named 2014 Korea Teacher of the Year by the U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity, a civilian agency that manages all schools for military children and teenagers in the U.S. and at American military bases worldwide. She teaches kindergarten at Seoul American Elementary School.

Paul Bryan (’05) presented his “Believe it Anyway” show Jan. 11 at e McKinney Avenue Contemporary Museum in Uptown District of Dallas.

Dr. Jack Scott (’54) received the Presidential Medal in August 2013 from the University of California. e medal, which recognizes extraordinary contributions to the university or the community of learning, is the highest honor Cal’s president can bestow. “Your remarkable efforts and achievements as a lawmaker, educator and chancellor expanded opportunities for countless Californians to enhance their lives and pursue their dreams,” said Cal president Mark G. Yudof of Scott, who was chancellor of the California Community Colleges System from 2009-12.

JMC alum Elise (Smith ’83) Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell Communications Group and

STEVE BUTMAN

Dr. Shaun Casey (’79) was named special advisor to Secretary of State John Kerry for faith-based community initiatives. Casey is professor of ethics at Wesley eological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

In April minister and best-selling Christian author Max Lucado (’77) became the fourth ACU graduate to be named to the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s Hall of Lucado Fame, joining Dr. Charles Marler (’55), David Leeson (’78) and Jody Dean (’82). Other members of the TIPA Hall of Fame include veteran network news reporters and anchors Walter Cronkite, Dan Rather, Bob Schieffer, Jim Lehrer, Bill Moyers, Sam Donaldson and Scott Pelley; and President Lyndon B. Johnson and his wife, Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson. All attended Texas colleges and universities and had significant career achievements including journalism, journalism education and student media.

Dr. Stephen Baldridge, director of ACU’s Bachelor of Science in Social Work program, and three students – Amanda McAdams (’11), Alexandra Reed (’13) and Alex Moran (’12) – were recognized by the editorial board of the Journal of

DR. STEVEN WARD

the global Dentsu Public Relations Network, has been announced as co-chair of the Public Relations Society of America’s 2014 International Conference in Washington, D.C.

Five universities in the Southwest have ACU alumni at the helm of their collegiate bands program, and all were present in March at the Southwestern Division conference of the College Band Directors National Association in Fayetteville, Ark. Showing the WC were (FROM LEFT) Brian Youngblood (’86), associate director of bands at Texas Christian University; Dr. Steven Ward (’92), director of bands and orchestra at ACU; Fred J. Allen (’76), director of bands at Stephen F. Austin State University; Dr. J. Eric Wilson (’88), director of bands at Baylor University; and Dr. Christopher Anderson (’94), director of bands at Arkansas Tech University. Three of the seven universities invited to perform at the conference were from this same group: ACU (Wind Ensemble), Baylor and SFA.

Baccalaureate Social Work for a published study of mobile learning that was named Best JBSW Article for 2013.

Steven Albright (’98 M.S.) has been named director of the cardiology program for Plaza Medical Center of Fort Worth, one of 12 HCA hospitals in North Texas. One of his former roles was administrative director for the Tennessee Heart and Vascular Center.

Chris Martin (’01) has been named vice president for finance and business affairs at North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene.

Chad Allred (’95) was appointed to the King County Superior Court by Washington governor Jay Inslee. Allred is a King County Commissioner, an officer in the Coast Guard Reserve and a partner since 1998 in the law firm of Ellis, Li & McKinstry.

David M. Vanderpool, M.D. (’83), was honored April 25 with the Tennessee Medical Association’s 2014 Distinguished Service Award. e award is presented every year to those nominated by the TMA Board of Trustees in recognition of notable achievements. Vanderpool and his wife Laurie (Stallings ’82), run LiveBeyond, a medical missions relief organization based in Haiti, a nonprofit organization providing medical care, clean water and nutritional support in the region of omazeau, Haiti.

Dr. Doug Peters (’90 M.A.) was named the first Baugh Chair of Gospel Preaching in the College of Biblical Studies at Oklahoma Christian University. Peters had been minister of the North Davis Church of Christ in Arlington, Texas.

Texas Tech University head track and field coach Wes Kittley (’81) was named 2014 Big 12 Conference Men’s Coach of the Year after leading the Red Raiders to their second-ever league title in the sport.

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Jaxson Prentice, son of Lanny and Amber (’08 M.Ed.) Prentice of Tuscola, Texas.

FROM LEFT: Daniel Ramon Brown, son of Justin (’03) and Allison (Brackeen ’03) Brown of Rockwall, Texas; John Daniel Nichols, son of Seth (’03) and Beth (Wright ’03) Nichols of Hurst, Texas; Alice Lee Daulton, daughter of Eric and Laura (Rich ’03) Daulton of Garland, Texas; Brenner Xavier Hunt, son of Jeff and Nikki (Brenner ’03) Hunt of Richardson, Texas; and Luke Allen Huddleston, son of Chad (’03) and Laura (Zengerle ’03) Huddleston of Sachse, Texas.

Ezra Woodring Sanderson, son of Murray and Jaime (Bond ’98) Sanderson of Richardson, Texas.

Adalyn Grace Brennen, daughter of Adam (’04) and Jennifer (Blankinship ’04) Brennen of Houston, Texas.

Caroline Ruth Orr, daughter of Mason (’08) and Casey (Lewis ’08) Orr of North Richland Hills, Texas.

Luke Wyatt Rosenbaum, son of Lee and Catherine (Deming ’05) Rosenbaum of Abilene, Texas.

Erik Linden Steele, son of Greg ('08) and Tiffany (Thompson '09) Steele of Rowlett, Texas, and Gracen Claire Cavitt, daughter of Chessley ('08) and Megan (Gibbs '09) Cavitt of San Tan Valley, Ariz.

Norah Ciminello, daughter of David and Ginger (Morby ’04) Ciminello of Chandler, Ariz.

Dylan Duvall Carter, son of Adam (’07) and Melissa (McGlothlin ’05) Carter of Arlington, Texas.

Madelyn Paige Rich, daughter of Mark (’05) and Tara (Conder ’04) Rich of Fort Worth, Texas.

Eleanor Joy Lee, daughter of Lyndell (’05) and Sarah (Moore ’05) Lee of Abilene, Texas.

Jonathan Monroe Cates, son of Steve (’02) and Renae (Moore ’03) Cates of Lewisville, Texas.

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Lolo Myers, daughter of Ryan and Keren (’09 M.A.) Myers of Early, Texas.

William LaSeur, son of Matt and Jenny (Siebers ’01) LaSeur of Austin, Texas.

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Owen James Hughes, son of Brent (’01) and Erika (Treat ’01) Hughes of Frisco, Texas.

Addalyn Rae Williams, daughter of Jordan (’08) and Mallory (Knight ’09) Williams of Garland, Texas.

AC U TO D AY

BORN TO BE A WILDCAT

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

The Alumni Association will send a FREE Wildcat BabyWear T-shirt to the alumni parents of each newborn or adopted infant in your family!

LINDSEY COTTON

Complete the EXperiences news card and mail it to us, or complete the info online at blogs.acu.edu/acutoday/experiences.

In-focus, high-resolution digital images (minimum file size of 500kb; use your camera’s highest quality setting) of alumni children wearing their Wildcat BabyWear should be emailed to babywear@acu.edu.

Call 800-373-4220 for more information.

London Thomas May, son of Dallas (’06) and Sarah Henricksen May of Dallas, Texas.

Ava Grace Hutsell, daughter of Joel (’03) and April (Blackford ’03) Hutsell of Abilene, Texas.

Jayden Mariah Mark, daughter of Justin and Karena (Martinez ’05) Mark of Dickinson, Texas.

Colt Maverick Mendenhall, son of Andy and Melinda “Mindy” (Cecil ’01) Mendenhall of Eugene, Ore.

Myla Grace Lively, daughter of Josh (’06) and Audrey Easton Bradley, son of Jaso (Maxwell ’09) Lively of and Melissa (Mitchell ’04) Houston, Texas.

Bradley of Allen, Texas.

Drew Danielle Dries, daughter of Dan and Sara Dawn (Bills ’01) Dries of Missouri City, Texas.

Zander Isacc Lazcano, son of Ben (’05) and Gena (Robinson ’04) Lazcano of Maypearl, Texas.

Truman Hamilton O’Neil Garrett, son of Grant (’99) and Kendra Garrett of Roanoke, Texas.

Alyssa Nicole Rader, daughter of Aaron and Amber (Eakins ’03) Rader of Hurst, Texas.

Katherine and Kaden Williams, twin daughter and son of Karson (’04) and Sharon (Prude ’04) Williams of Frisco, Texas.

I love when I am reminded of the connection between ACU alumni.

I love to see deep relationships between friends that started at ACU. Those moments happen quite often, and sometimes I take them for granted.

Earlier this spring, we celebrated with the Class of 1964 their Golden Anniversary Reunion.

Watching them come back together was inspirational and an encouraging reminder of the ACU family. They laughed, cried, told stories on one another, played pranks, worshipped, challenged each other and blessed each member of their class.

They began to build relationships 54 years ago. They have walked hard roads together; celebrated children, marriages and grandchildren together; and been present when a friend was in need, praying for and loving each other.

It reminded me of what I have from my time at ACU and what I want all of us to hold on to. For me, it has been when I faced a tough situation in life and looked behind me to realize I was not alone. Time and time again, that is when my college roommates, friends, mentors and classmates from ACU are there with me, too.

When I married, when our children were born, when I had back surgery, when my mother died – each time I turned to look and see if there was someone with me, there was always a friend from ACU. I am thankful for the community and Christian family ACU has brought me. I am thankful for classes like the one from 1964 to celebrate and remind me of how special ACU is – and has been for generations of people. (See pages 43-44.)

Whatever is in my path, I know my ACU family will be with me.

This is a not-so-ordinary university.

Our legacy is important, and I look forward to seeing how it strengthens in the future.

I love when I am reminded of the connection between our alumni.

I hope you are reminded of someone who has played a big part in your life.

I hope you take a moment today and reflect on your ACU relationships in a way that blesses you. 䊱 – CRAIG FISHER (’92)

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Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Projects Director of University Relations 䊱

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SERVING YOU ADVANCING ACU Do you want to recommend a future student, volunteer, host an event or just learn more about how you can be involved with ACU where you live?

To help foster relationships with alumni and future students, ACU has assigned personnel from its Advancement and Admissions offices to major markets in Texas.

A university relations manager (URM) focuses on establishing relationships with churches, schools, alumni and other friends; an admissions counselor (AC) reaches out to future students and their parents; and an advancement officer (AO) assists prospective donors seeking an opportunity to contribute funds to ACU. Through this territory team approach, these dedicated professionals can provide exceptional service to those who contribute so graciously to ACU’s mission and 21st-Century Vision.

WEST TEXAS AREA Greg Oglesby • AC 325-674-2899, greg.oglesby@acu.edu Don Garrett • AO 325-674-2213, don.garrett@acu.edu Mark Rogers • AO 325-674-2669, mark.rogers@acu.edu

AUSTIN AREA Tunisia Singleton • URM – Austin / Central Texas 512-450-4329 • tunisia.singleton@acu.edu Lizzie Fleet • AC – Austin / Central Texas 325-674-2650 / 800-460-6228 lizzie.fleet@acu.edu

FORT WORTH AREA Brent Barrow • URM 817-946-5917, brent.barrow@acu.edu Will Beasley • AC – Erath, Hood, Johnson, Somervell, Tarrant 325-674-2650 / 800-460-6228 will.beasley@acu.edu Chris Ballard • AC – Collin, Denton, Palo Pinto, Parker, Wise 325-674-2650 / 800-460-6228 chris.ballard@acu.edu Lance Rieder • AO 325-674-6080, lance.rieder@acu.edu

DALLAS AREA Toni Young • URM 214-402-5183, toni.young@acu.edu Savannah Smith • AC – Dallas, Rockwall, Ellis, Kaufman 325-674-2650 / 800-460-6228 savannah.smith@acu.edu Chris Ballard • AC – Collin 325-674-2650 / 800-460-6228 chris.ballard@acu.edu Jacob Martin • AO 325-674-2064, jacob.martin@acu.edu

HOUSTON AREA Carri Hill • URM 713-582-2123, carri.hill@acu.edu Meredith Morgan • AC 325-674-2650 / 800-460-6228 meredithm@acu.edu Eric Fridge • AO 713-483-4004, eric.fridge@acu.edu

SAN ANTONIO AREA Kerry Stemen • URM 830-388-0615, kerry.stemen@acu.edu John Mark Moudy • AC – San Antonio, South Texas 325-674-2650 / 800-460-6228 johnmark.moudy@acu.edu Don Garrett • AO 325-674-2213, don.garrett@acu.edu

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A few of the Wildcats Serving Houston on March 29 at the Houston Food Bank included (back) Eric Fridge ('91), LuAnn (Madonna '91) Park, Paige (Henson '91) Cawyer, Camille Cawyer, Mark Cawyer ('91) and (Front) Maddie Fridge, Mei Lynn Fridge, Justin Park, Lauren Park and Bryce Cawyer.

AUSTIN AREA facebook.com/acuaustin • acu.edu/austin • Austin Alumni and Friends started the new year with a networking luncheon Jan. 31 featuring Randy Harris from ACU’s College of Biblical Studies faculty as speaker.

Those in attendance included Reid Bishop (’08), Don (’77) and Terra (Hardin ’82) Brimberry, Chris Coggin (’07), Cody Dishman (’04), Don and Kathy Fogle, Debra Hauser, Thomas “Doc” Hays (’75), Armando Hernandez (’92), Dr. Ira (’56) and June (Brown ’56) Hill, Alex Ketteman (’12), Patrick Leech (’06), Bill McClellan (’81), Liz McClellan (’11), Brantley Starr (’01), Jonathan Swinney (’08), Matt Tenbush (’01), Karl (’84) and Alison (Wilde ’85) Urban, and Jonathan (’04) and Lindsay (Hyne ’04) Wilkerson.

• ACU Moms of Austin enjoyed a time of prayer and fellowship in the homes of Terra (Hardin ’82) Brimberry on Feb. 20 and Alison (Wilde ’85) Urban on April 29. Moms joining in were Debra Hauser, Deana Reed, Roxanne Lindholm, Debbie (Crabtree ’81) Holman, Alga Solomon, Jan Swinney, Karen Barton, Pam Bush, Jeanette Davis, Doreen Kennedy, Tanya Kerns, Laura Mumme, Sandy Patterson, Carmen (Andrews ’85) Plunk, Dawn Richardson, Kay (Huff ’75) Taylor, Becky Terry, Margie Thurman, and Jean Wilson. At their April meeting, Moms assembled more than 40 care packages to help students survive finals.

Packages were delivered in person by Carmen Plunk.

• A Purple and White Party on March 29 in Austin at Westover Hills Church of Christ attracted prospective students and their parents. The party featured a special appearance by ACU’s Seekers of the Word, a student drama performance group.

• College of Business Administration assistant dean Tim Johnston (’80) joined Austin Alumni and Friends for lunch on April 10. In attendance were Joe Nanus (’90), Alex Ketteman (’12), Rebekah Singleton (’13), Grant Williams (’12), Casey Kelley (’03), Terra (Hardin ’82) Brimberry, Chris Coggin (’07), Albert (’71) and Vicki (Rushing ’74) Dennington, Jay Fleming (’97), John Freemire (’13), Tina Griego (’12), Ravanne Harris (’11), Robynne Harris (’13), Sarah Ratliff (’13), Mike Ryon, Carl Smittle (’89), and Lindsay Vandygriff (’12).

Judge Steve Smith (’74, second from right) visits with fellow Wildcat fans at a networking meal on April 16 prior to the Wildcats playing Texas A&M in baseball in College Station. Also pictured (from left) are Terry Childers ('74), Ed Bonneau, Tommy McDaniel ('73), Smith and Brady Nichols ('92).

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• On May 12, Central Texas Alumni hosted prospective students and their parents for a Purple and White Party at Belton Church of Christ. Hosts included Randy (’80) and LaGay (Vanderveer ’80) Pittenger, Ryan (’08) and Sylvia (Tucker ’10) Mack, Jeffrey (’08) and Lauren (Oglesby ’08) Edwards, Tim (’82) and Beverly (Buckley ’82) Stephens, and Scott (’84) and Jane Anne (Baisden ’84) Cox. Other alumni joining the festivities were Bob (’00) and Allison (Pool ’05) Booth, Geoff (’04) and Jamie (Pittenger ’05) Carroll, Melany Cox (’14), and Jordan Hubbard (’96).

DALLAS AREA facebook.com/acudallas • acu.edu/dallas • ACU Moms met Dec. 3, 2013, at the home of Val Turnbow to fellowship, pack finals packages and pray together for their children and other ACU students. Those in attendance were Valerie Brinkman, Susan Dailey, Mona Farrell, Lisa Full, Ellen Jenkins, Cindy Klapper (’83), Debra Kline, Debbie (Archer ’86) Lee, Melissa Litzkow, Maureen Marolf, Rachel (Rainwater ’84) McClure, Elaine (Rainwater ’87) Orr, Denise Roberts, Marlene Sanders, Beth Snider, Tina Steenburg, Audrey (Pope ’85) Stevens, Linda Thate, Val Turnbow, and Kellyann Vick.

• Alumni and Friends met Dec. 4, 2013, at Pappasito’s Cantina to hear Rob Thomas (’96) speak about his ACU experience and how God has blessed his work with Igniter Media Group. Those in attendance were Cindy Beasley; Garrett Beasley (’13); Phil Boone (’83); Daniel (’09) and Ashton (Lloyd ’09) Bynum; Chris Doggett (’92); Michael Donnell (’12); Matthew Dowell (’10); Jeff Duncum, D.D.S. (’86); Aaron Echols (’85); Leigh Foith (’13); Allye Foster (’13); Tiffany Touchstone (’97); Bob Jeanis (’54); Matt Lambro (’09); Jody Lee (’99); Tyler Lewis (’10); Patrick Louden (’13); Chris McClain; Jason O’Quinn (’99); David Phillips; John Scaggs (’90); Scott Schlegel (’99); Justin Smith (’09); Haley Thomas; and Debbie Williams (’80).

• Area youth ministers met Jan. 14 for lunch at Richardson East Church of Christ. Jeff Hubbard (’13), the congregation’s youth minister, and John

Hosts for a Central Texas Purple and White Party on May 12 included Tim (’82) and Beverly (Buckley ’82) Stephens, LaGay (Vanderveer ’80) Pittenger, Randy Pittenger (’80), Ryan Mack (’08), Sylvia Tucker Mack (’10) and Jane Anne (Baisden ’84) Cox. this fall. Guy (’79) and Julie (Grasham ’80) Blasingame’s daughter, Rachel, who died in a car accident in 2003, would have been an ACU student.

The Blasingame family has established an endowed scholarship to benefit students for many years.

HOUSTON AREA facebook.com/acuhouston • acu.edu/houston

FORT WORTH AREA facebook.com/acuftworth • acu.edu/fort-worth

Kimberlin, youth minister at Preston Road Church of Christ, hosted the event. Admissions counselor Chris Ballard (’08) provided an update on enrollment and thanked those in attendance for their support: Greg Pirtle (’98), Hillary Hoover (’07), Jennifer Lewis (11), Lantz Howard (’05), Bryan Borden (’99), Tom Kimmey, Betsy Stratton, Matthew Lee (’04), Crysty Kimberlin, Kera Hubbard, Adam Herndon, and Joey Wrape (’86).

• CitySquare and ACU’s Siburt Institute for Church Ministry held an Equipping for Ministry event, “Ministering to Marginalized,” for church leaders featuring Larry James on Feb. 28. CitySquare was the location for the one-day seminar with James, who is president and CEO of CitySquare.

• The ACU A Cappella Chorus tour of Dallas included audiences totaling about 1,800 alumni, parents, students and other friends at various venues Feb. 1-3.

Dede Duson, composer of two pieces performed, was in attendance at a Feb. 1 concert at St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church in Richardson, where DeWayne McCullough is music director. A service Feb. 2 at Highland Oaks Church of Christ, led by worship minister Chad Higgins (’96), wove the chorus into the service. Dr. Barry Packer (’78), ACU board chair and elder at HOCC, was among attendees, and the congregation provided lunch for students. The chorus performed Feb. 3 for the freshman treble and varsity mixed choir at Sachse High School in Garland, where Josh McGuire is the choral director. Later that day, the chorus visited Lovejoy High School in Allen, with Bethany Stuard directing the LHS choir and meeting with ACU music education majors. The chorus wrapped up its day with a performance at Highland Park High School, with HPHS director Natalie Walker and her varsity choral students in the audience.

• About 30 prospective Dallas-area students attended a Purple and White Party Feb. 10 at the home of Dr. Barry (’78) and Diane (Stephens ’77) Packer.

Barry is chair of ACU’s Board of Trustees.

• The Alumni and Friends Luncheon was held April 1 in Dallas at CitySquare, with more than 70 present to hear College of Business Administration dean Dr. Rick Lytle and assistant dean Tim Johnston (’80) present news about COBA and share information about student internships and job opportunities. That evening, young COBA grads had dinner together at Fireside Pies in Grapevine. Those in attendance were Lucas Alderete (’13), Shay Aldriedge (’10), Travis (’11) and Kristen (McBride ’12) Ball, Lauren Bennett (’14), Lene Botha (’13), Jordan Carter (’08), Bryan (’09) and Elizabeth (Carpenter ’12) Day, Courtney Gowin (’10), Andrew Greenberg (’06), Tim (’12) and Hannah (Barnes ’12) Johnston, Callie Massey (’12), Sean O’Donnell (’15), Trent Pickrell (’13), Sam Shelton (’13), Michael Stillwell (’12), Ryan (’11) and Mallory (Lucas ’10) Trumpfheller, and Sawyer Williams (’09).

• CitySquare and ACU’s Siburt Institute for Church Ministry held an Equipping for Ministry event, “Church – Making the Future Work,” for church leaders featuring author and consultant Dr. Peter L. Steinke on April 3. ACU at CitySquare was the location for the one-day seminar.

• About 100 alumni and friends of ACU participated June 2 in the 11th annual Rachel Blasingame Memorial Golf Tournament at Buffalo Creek Golf Club in Rockwall. The tournament will provide scholarships for another 10 ACU students

• A Purple and White Party was held Jan. 19 at the home of Mark (’83) and Angela (Isham ’84) Duncum, where 25 alumni and parents greeted 20 prospective students. Alumni present included Donny (’90) and Marcy (Beard ’92) Edwards; Jeff Duncum, D.D.S. (’86); Laurie (Yearwood ’86) Casey; Jeff Jones (’87); and Brent (86) and Starlyn (Thomas ’86) Barrow.

• Sixty-five alumni and friends gathered Jan. 29 at Blue Mesa Grill with The Hills minister Rick Atchley (’78) as guest speaker. Those present included Aaron Ballard (’09), James Bankes (’72), Mike Barnes (’72), Mike Barrow (’99), Starlyn (Thomas ’86) Barrow, Andra Bennett-House (’86), Matt Byars (’86), Daniel Bynum (’09), Andy Clark (’96), Kenneth Collins (’94), Jerry Connor (’75), Tyler Cosgrove (’06), Kyle Cotton (’81), Dr. Jack Cummings (’02), Beau Davis (’02), Phillip Garcia (’98), Craig Goodspeed (’84), Tara (Willbanks ’01) Goodwin, Don Hall, Bob (’75) and Belinda (Halbert ’75) Harmon, Stephanie Harrison (’02), Kason Hart (’10), Mary Hollingsworth (’70), Mike Hopkins (’84), Marissa Jackson, Chelsea Johnson (’10), Colt Johnson (’10), Randy Jordan (’88), Ricky Lewis (’01), Tyler Lewis (’10), Travis Lewis (’13), Todd Lollar (’01), Dustin Marshall (’07), Blaine Martin (’09), Randy Mayfield (’77), Casey McCollum (’03), Bryce Orr (’12), Doug Orr (’83), Mason Orr (’08), Chad Petros (’02), Joe Don Ridgell (’00), Jim Sager (’85), Tanner Schroeder (’13), Sherrill (Welborn ’03) Senter, James and Katie (Francis ’02) Shotts, Wade Strzinek (’98), Taylor Sturgis (’09), Jeff Thigpen (’06), Rusty Thompson (’98), Trey Thompson (’97), Rick Wessel (’81), Abe Williams (’12), Nick Williams (’03), Chris Windsor (’05), Karen (French ’91) Yarbrough, Paula Yoder, Bill Young (’78), and Kevin Ziehr (’98).

• Fifty alumni and friends of ACU’s College of Business Administration enjoyed breakfast with dean Dr. Rick Lytle and assistant dean Tim Johnston (’80) on April 2 at the Fort Worth Club. Lytle provided an update on COBA programs, internships and job opportunities for young graduates. The previous evening, young COBA alumni were invited to dinner at Fireside Pies in Grapevine to meet with Lytle and Johnston. Those in attendance were Lucas Alderete (’13), Shay Aldriedge (’10), Travis (’11) and Kristen (McBride ’12) Ball, Lauren Bennett (’14), Lene Botha (’13), Jordan Carter (’08), Bryan (’09) and Elizabeth (Carpenter ’12) Day, Courtney Gowin (’10), Andrew Greenberg (’06), Tim (’12) and Hannah (Barnes ’12) Johnston, Callie Massey (’12), Sean O’Donnell (’15), Trent Pickrell (’13), Sam Shelton (’13), Michael Stillwell (’12), Ryan (’11) and Mallory (Lucas ’10) Trumpfheller, and Sawyer Williams (’09).

• More than 700 alumni and friends gathered June 9 for ACU Night at the Ballpark, cheering on the Texas Rangers as they played the Cleveland Indians at Globe Life Park. Former ACU baseball great Bill Gillbreth (’69) was on the mound for the ceremonial first pitch.

• More than 120 prospective students and parents met Jan. 19 in northwest Houston for a Purple and White party at West Houston Church of Christ. Special thanks to current ACU parents Cary and Donette Simonds, and alumni Chris (’05) and Stephenie (Bullington ’05) Dowell for hosting, along with many other ACU alumni volunteers.

• ACU in Houston Alumni and Friends gathered Jan. 23 at Escalante’s Mexican Grille for dinner, networking

Austin ACU Moms meet

regularly in various hom

and to hear from Houston’s own Dr. Amy (Berry ’95) Fuller, founder of Fuller Life Family Therapy Institute.

Attendees included Bryce (’87) and Jennifer (Burton ’86) Baxter, Tim Beckett (’83), Kelsey Chrane (’12), David Crabtree (’85), Frans and Diana Floris, Dave Fuller (’98), Payton Giacomarro (’13), Russell Goldsmith, Tom Hagan, Carson (’12) and Sara (Shoultz ’12) Henley, Roberta Isenhower (’10), Bekki Kearns (’95), Gregory Kearns, Jon and Sara (Morris ’11) McPherson, Kaci Millay (’13), Corinne Morris (’13), Jay and Julie (Glover ’90) Parker, Steve (’70) and Jo (Butler ’70) Sandifer, Alec Schrader (’70), Regina Shadle (’97), Greg (’75) and Peggy (Fleming ’75) Stirman, and Tyler (’06) and Brooke (James ’07) Tallon.

• Thanks to Dr. Virgil Fry (’74), 28 local ministers and pastors met at Houston’s Lifeline Chaplaincy for an annual breakfast and time of worship and encouragement. Dr. Royce Money (’64) of the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry was the keynote speaker, and Andy Spell (’85) led a time of worship.

• About 50 ACU alumni, parents, families, future students and friends gathered for the first Wildcats Serving Houston event March 29 at the Houston Food Bank. Together with the other food bank volunteers, ACU in Houston volunteers helped prepare food for distribution to 14,000 people.

• ACU alumni, parents and friends in the Bryan/College Station area gathered April 16 for lunch and later to cheer on the Wildcat baseball team as it played Texas A&M University. Head baseball coach Britt Bonneau and senior Seth Spivey joined the lunch as well. Other attendees included Ed Bonneau, Ben Brockman (’05), Terry Childers (’74), Brian Cobb (’80), Albert (’71) and Vicki (Rushing ’74) Dennington, David Hailey, Ray (’53) and Nancy (Waters ’53) Hansen, Patrick and Carley (’13) Kelley, Monty (’98) and Heather (Teague ’99) McCulley, Tommy McDaniel (’73), Sherri Scott (’96), Judge Steve Smith (’74), and Marty and Shiela Spivey.

• Local ACU baseball fans gathered April 26 at Houston Baptist University for a tailgate party and baseball game as the Huskies hosted the Wildcats. Special thanks to Dean Bass (’73) for bringing the Spirit of Texas Bank “tailgate bus” to help host Wildcat fans.

• ACU Moms in Houston met at two different locations and times to even better accommodate moms

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es.

Abilene dentist Mark Tate, D.D.S. (’80), and C.J. Wilson, instructor from ACU’s School of Nursing, accompanied 30 nursing and pre-health professions students on a medical evangelism missions trip to Guatemala over Spring Break in March 2014, sponsored by Health Talents International. gathering to pray, fellowship and pack finals care packages for their students. Daphne Ciufo hosted an ACU Moms in Houston-North gathering at her home April 24, and Lee Anne (Moses ’80) Robbins hosted ACU Moms in Houston-South April 27.

SAN ANTONIO AREA facebook.com/acusanantonio • acu.edu/san-antonio

and the home of Ann Gonsalves in April. Those present included Carla Berryman, Nancy Brister, Gail (Fichtner ’79) Bryant, Dayna Cartwright, Patricia Cortez, Lorna Crane, Traci Frasier, Ann Gonsalvez, Jessica Gum, Teri McKenzie Angela Ramseur, Kerry (Smith ’89) Stemen, Joy Stewart, Laura Tahuahua, Susan Tomenendal, Kathy Budde, Shelly McNair, and Irene (Williams ’66) White. Moms packed care packages for students at the April meeting.

• A Purple and White Party for Boerne-area prospective students and their parents was hosted March 25 in the home of Jim (’83) and Debbie (Dorsey ’83) McKissick.

Co-hosts included Jon (’86) and Joanna (Gomez ’87) Anderson, Jared (’05) and Lauren (Lair ’05) Jones, Matt (’83) and Lisa (Young ’83) Lair, and Steve Mack (’82).

• A Purple and White Party for San Antonio students and their parents was held March 27 in the home of Ross and Valinda (McAlister ’81) Bacon. Co-hosts were Steve Mack (’82), Mark (’12) and Kelsey (Carroll ’12) Bailey, Julie Eichelberger (’10), and Preston Woolfolk (’10). 䊱 Former Wildcat and major league pitcher Bill Gilbreth (’69) gets a pat on the back from Rangers Captain as he heads to the mound to throw the ceremonial first pitch June 9 during ACU at the Ballpark, when Texas hosted Cleveland at Globe Life Park in Arlington.

JEREMY ENLOW

• Wildcat Wednesday networking lunches featured speakers Kenny Wilson (’74) in January, Dr. Royce Money (’64) in February, Larry Hobbs (’69) in March, David (’01) and Amy (Knox ’97) Morris in April, and Alan Rich (’86) in May. Alumni and friends joining in were Jordan Abshier (’13), Mark Abshier (’83), Dale Akers (’13), Jennifer (England ’85) Allen, Dr. Lynn Anderson (’90 D.Min.), Dan Antwine (’13), Valinda (McAlister ’81) Bacon, Brian Billingsley (’10), Randy Boggs (’80), Tom Brite (’80), Rob (’92) and Traci (O’Quinn ’93) Brown, Marvin (’78) and Gail (Fichtner ’79) Bryant, Kathy Budde, Eileen Campbell, Connie (Spain ’88) Carrington, Dayna Cartwright, Nick Cartwright (’16), Ron (’60) and Sheila (Smith ’60) Daniels, Adrian Dawson (’00), Peggy Day, Cathy and Jon Dossett, Lloyd Dunn (’80), Valerie Finch, Thomas Franckowiak (’94), Mary (Angle ’79) Frierson, Sherrie Frierson (’12), Steve (’77) and Cheryl (George ’77) Green, David Ingram (’82), Jim Jennings (’70), Jared (’05) and Lauren (Lair ’05) Jones, Matt Lair (’83), Greg Lammons (’13), Anna Kay (Kelso ’68) Lockridge, Steve Mack (’82), De Andra Martin, Kyree Matthews (’10), Doug and Teri McKenzie, Debbie (Dorsey ’83) McKissick, George (’52) and Pat (Hart ’56) McMillan, Barry (’69) and Gayle Morris, David Morris (’01), Daniel McQueen (’04), Dan Niederhofer (’83), Pamela (Hamm ’85) Nolan, Russell Noll (’79), Stephen Powell (’10), Joseph (’13) and Lauren (Mesaros ’13) Quigley, Alan (’86) and Janice (Harris ’88) Rich, John Rich (’74),

Kenneth Rich (’50), Geoffrey Richter (’90), Catherine Sansing, Krista Shannon, Greg (’74) and Karen (Young ’74) Sheppard, Marie (Milstead ’48) Shipp, Sunny (Courington ’65) Stephens, Darrell Stewart (’83), Byron (’93) and Angie (Stringer ’93) Stone, Gene Stout, Kevin Thompson (’99), Mark Tidwell (’85), David Treat (’60), Andrew Voiles (’09), Michael Weigand (’94), Irene (Williams ’66) White, Grant Williams (’14), Preston Woolfolk (’10), and Clint Zuber (’88).

• San Antonio’s ACU Moms gathered for fellowship and prayer in the home of LaDonna Mack in February

Kudos to our volunteers

e following volunteers have served ACU during the 2013-14 school year in each of these territories. If you are interested in volunteering, contact your URM and discover ways to get involved!

Austin / Central Texas area • Connor (’12) and Amanda (McVey ’12) Best • Jackie (Tubbs ’85) Boyd • Terra (Hardin ’82) Brimberry • Scott (’84) and Jane Anne (Baisden ’84) Cox

• Billy Don Curbo (’77) • Albert (’71) and Vicki (Rushing ’74) Dennington • Ty (’02) and Charis (Dillman ’02) Dishman • Jeffrey (’08) and Lauren (Oglesby ’08) Edwards

• Jared (’08) and Lauren (Stark ’09) Fields • Brent (’84) and Liz Fox • Jim Gulley (’84) • Debra Hauser • Debbie (Crabtree ’81) Holman • Lisa (Scott ’86) Johnson

• Dana (Hodde ’81) Jones • Emily Jones (’13) • Steve (’72) and Judy (Hale ’75) Jones • Joanna (Cole ’07) King • Caitlyn Kirby (’17) • Tanya Kirby

1968

1972

Larry and Carol Fayer have a new address. 3272 W. Rivulet Pass, Springfield, MO 65810. llfayer@yahoo.com

Mikki (Miller) Qaddoumi was a winner in the 2013 Christian Literary Awards for her book, Escape from Mecca, which received a Henry Award in the Testimonial category.

8014 Wayne Circle, Rowlett, TX 75088. doanie_q@yahoo.com

1970 Dr. Dennis Mellor sold his medical practice and retired after 40 years in the field. He is a consultant in forensic psychology with law enforcement. His wife, Catherine (Koehler ’74), retired in 2013 after 40 years in education, 20 of those years as a director in the Clark County ISD. 6821 Baile Road, Las Vegas, NV 89146.

Mary (Shrode) Hollingsworth is managing director of Creative Enterprises Studio. 1507 Shirley Way, Bedford, TX 76022.

1973 Cherilyn (Beard) Ziemer earned her Ed.D. in January 2014. She is director of K-12 teacher development for Connected Consulting. 5 Zorrito Court, Santa Fe, NM 87508. cz101@nova.edu

1976 Dan Smith is on the Board of Directors of the Texas Farm Bureau. He and his wife, Reeda, are in their 40th year of farming. They have two daughters and two

67 02

SS up m r imn eg r- S2u0 m1 1m e䊱r 2A 0C1U4 T䊱O DAACYU T O D A Y

• Roxanne Lindholm • Ryan (’08) and Sylvia (Tucker ’10) Mack • Bo (’07) and Marie (Nordman ’08) Mechinus • Sandy Patterson

granddaughters. 921 F.M. 2286, Lockney, TX 79241. dbsfarms@wildblue.net Paul and Melissa (Mullin) Lawson purchased The Last Resort RV Park and began operating it in April 2014.

2248 State Road 46 East, Nashville, IN 47448. camp@browncountycampgrounds.com

1977 Patti (Burks) Bonham retired in June 2013 from the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD after 23 years of teaching. She and her husband, Ron, have two grown children and four grandchildren. 1332 Fieldstone Drive, Bedford, TX 76022. pattiannbonham@yahoo.com Donna (Metcalf) Standley has retired after teaching high school English for 34 years. 1343 Haynes Road, Anahuac, TX 77514. dstan86137@aol.com

• Randy (’80) and LaGay (Vanderveer ’80) Pittenger • Carmen (Andrews ’85) Plunk • Deana Reed • Melinda Rowland (’07) • Rebekah Singleton (’13) • Lisa (Crumley ’87) Shake • Lori Anne (Cade ’05) Shaw • Steve (’84) and Becky (Bourland ’84) Sorrells • Brantley (’01) and Jana (Fulenwider ’02) Starr • Tim (’82) and Beverly (Buckley ’82) Stephens • Cynthia Stien • Samantha Stien (’14) • Jan Swinney • Kate Swinney (’17) • Becky Terry • Teresa Turner • Alison (Wilde ’85) Urban • Grant (’12) and Leah (Cameron ’13) Williams • Steve and Kay (Coffee ’81) Williams Dallas area • Jamie Adkins • Lucas Alderete (’13) • Mark (’86) and April (Bullock ’89) Anthony • Jim Barnett (’88) • Dylan Benec (’14) • Andrea Bills (’73) • Robin Blakeley (’78) • Katherine Bowen (’06) • Bryan Borden (’99) • Bryan Brokaw (’05) • Dave and Connie Clemans • Angela Coleman • Tim and Lindsey Davis • Kevin (’86) and Denell (Witt ’86) Dennis • Jenny Dennis (’17) • Rolando Diaz (’79) • Angie Drake • Edd Eason • Bryan Elrod (’11) • Scott and Mona Farrell • Ben Gonzalez (’09) • Jon (’82) and Linda (’83) Halbert • Hutch Haley (’82) • Chandler Harris (’10) • Jeff Hubbard (’13) • Matt (’04) and Jennifer Hurley • Eric Johnson (’07) • John Kimberlin • Matt (’09) and Jana (Atchley ’08) Lambro • Paige Locke • Narvia McDaniel • Joy McDonald (’85) • Jamie Milstead (’01) • Jason O’Quinn (’99)

• Rachel Ologi (’03) • Jim (’86) and Elaine (Rainwater ’87) Orr • Dr. Barry (’78) and Diane (Stephens ’77) Packer • Greg Pirtle (’98) • JP Ralston (’14) • Codie Robinson (’17) • Marlene Sanders • John (’63) and Jan (’65) Shewmaker • Chris Shim (’10) • Dr. John Siburt (’96) • Shanon Smith • Jimmy (’89) and Kelly (Logan ’90) Songer • Dave (80) and Audrey (Pope ’85) Stevens • Logan Stevens (’17) • Lauren Stevens (’11) • Whitney Stevens (’13) • Rafael Sustaita (’75) • Hailey Thompson (’13) • Valerie Turnbow • Kellyann Vick • David and Debbie (’80) Williams • Don (’63) and Ellen Williams • Sawyer Williams (’09) • Kelsey Wilson (’12) • Kendell Wilson (’10) • April Young (’17) • Todd Young Fort Worth area • Shay Aldriedge (’10) • Rick Atchley (’78) • Jeff and Kathleen (Stillwell ’09) Campbell • Kyle (’81) and Tammie (Minton ’83) Cotton • Jodie (Brecheen ’82) McClintock • Kasey Pipes (’95) • Mark (’83) and Angela (Isham ’84) Duncum • Nino (’92) and Alison (Money ’91) Elliott • Donny (’90) and Marcy (Beard ’92) Edwards • Menielle (Petty ’82) Donahoo • Nancy Morgan • Pete and Shera Valamides • Scott (’88) and Tonia (Shelton ’90) Beard • Mackenzie North ’(12) • Britton New (’08) • Bryce (’12) and Julieanne (Mack ’12) Orr • Doug (’83) and Jayne (Montgomery ’83) Orr • Beau Davis (’02) • Mason (’08) and Casey (Lewis ’08) Orr

• Jeremy (’12) and Megan (Haggerton ’10) Winkler • Dwight (’92) and Tara (Willbanks ’01) Goodwin • Trenton (’09) and Kylie (Jennings ’09) Pope • Debbie (Beebe ’83) Souder • Dub (’74) and Val Stocker • Cheryl (Renninger ’88) Vela • Sara (Sparks ’09) Brooks • Starlyn (Thomas ’86) Barrow • Jenny (Wessel ’04) Haskin • Sara (Martin ’01) Hejl Houston area • Gary (’79) Acuff • Laura Acuff (’11) • Mike (’98) and Melissa (Hall ’01) Avery • Chad Baker (’99) • Rand (’76) and Jane (Pinson ’76) Baker • Dean Bass (’73) • Jennifer (Burton ’86) Baxter • Hannah Baxter • Tim (’83) and Rhonda (Agee ’83) Beckett • Dylan Benac (’14) • Deanna Bennett (’95) • Craig Booker • Ron (’80) and Lee (Ligon ’80) Booker • Steven Booker (’11) • Leah Bouteller (’12) • Adam Brennen (’04) • Stephen (’96) and Elizabeth Carman • Ryan (’12) and Christine (Painter ’12) Cantrell • Mark (’91) and Paige (Henson ’91) Cawyer • Camille Cawyer • Bryce Cawyer • Kelsey Chrane (’12) • Dan and Daphne Ciufo • Austin Cunningham (’03) • Chris (’05) and Stephanie (Bullington ’05) Dowell • Frank and Sara (Offutt ’65) Eggleston • Jenny (Richards ’92) Fridge • Megan Fridge • Maddie Fridge • Mei Lynn Fridge • Dr. Dave (’98) and Dr. Amy (Berry ’95) Fuller • Pedro and Laura Garcia • Pete Garcia • Ashley (Downhour ’06) Gunter • Katie Hahn (’10) • Conner Halstead (’10) • Lauren Handley (’08) • Carson (’12) and Sara (Shoultz ’12) Henley • Chris Hill

• Bryce Hill • Sean Hill • Bobbie (Abston ’54) Huebner • Kelli (Waters ’86) John • Bekki Kearns (’95) • Colter Lewis (’95) • Amy (Fortenberry ’93) Lippincott • Cynthia (Walton ’70) Lewis • Katherine (Brown ’02) Mach • Danieal Manning (’07) • Rex and Mary Martin • Lily Martin • Rick McCall (’81) • Whitney McGaha (’11) • David (’95) and Jennifer (Prill ’96) Meredith • Austin Meredith • Katy Meredith • Mallory Mitchen (’09) • Dr. Michelle (Murphy ’87) Morris • Corinne Morris (’13) • Marisa Munoz (’09) • Cynthia (Michaud ’09) Ownby • Billy Obuchowski • John and LuAnn (Madonna ’91) Park • Justin Park • Jared Park • Lauren Park • Anna Peters (’09) • Warner Phelps (’01) • Sarah Pulis (’09) • Tim (’89) and Kim Polvado • Clayton Pope (’12) • Dylan Reid (’10) • Steve (’70) and Jo (Butler ’70) Sandifer • Justin (’06) and Amanda (Pierce ’06) Scott • Sherri Scott (’96) • Chris (’94) and Jacinda (Jackson ’95) Shanks • Steve Smith (’74) • Andy (’85) and Cheryl (Pennington ’92) Spell • Donna Stone (’85) • Matt Sanderson (’13) • Cary and Donette Simonds • Beverly Thetford (’67) • Gordon (’84) and Gretchen (Shaw ’85) Ware • James (’03) and Tiffany Wright • Dana (’74) and Sheila Wright • Joel Weckerly (’04) San Antonio area • Mark Abshier (’83) • Deanna (Goad ’83) • Jon (’86) and Joanna (Gomez ’87) Anderson • Doug and Teri McKenzie • Ross and Valinda (McAlister ’81) Bacon

• Randy Boggs (’80) • Ron (’80) and Lee (Ligon ’80) Booker • Dan Niederhofer (’83) • Travis Schuetze (’13) • Ray and Judy (Evans ’77) Gray • Stephen and Angela Ramseur • Cecil (’71) and Judi (Hines ’68 M.M.F.T.) Eager • Nancy Brister • Kyle (’03) and Melanie (Booker ’06) Fry • Cheryl (George ’77) Green • Heather Bushnell • Brian Hailey (’03) • Scott Bolton (’87) • Larry Hobbs (’69) • Jared (’05) and Lauren (Lair ’05) Jones • Jeff and Joy Stewart • Matt (’83) and Lisa (Ball ’83) Lair • Alice Ligon • Steve Mack (’82) • Ken Rich (’50) • Jim (’83) and Debbie (Dorsey ’83) McKissick • Leon McNeil (’92) • Berto Guerra • David Ingram (’82) • Alan (’86) and Janice (Harris ’88) Rich • Doris Schuetze • Julie Eichelberger (’10) • Kenny Wilson (’74) • Carla Berryman (’12) • Andrew Voiles (’09) • Brendan (’05) and Erin (Utley ’07) Voss • Ann Gonsalves • Mark Bailey (’12) and Kelsey (Carroll ’12) • David (’01) and Amy (Knox ’97) • Preston Woolfolk (’10) West Texas area • Collette (Kuykendall ’93) Barragan • Jason (’08) and Alyse (Ritchie ’11) Creed • Grant Davis (’11) • Darren Hodges (’81) • Emily (Hood ’11) Burgner • Joey Hopkins (’10) • Bill Jenkins (’92) • Stephanie (Wakely ’03) Lee • Jessica (Bills ’08) Neitsch • Julie (Goen ’04) Panger • Mark Speck (’80) • Jerry (’71) and Diane (Stevens ’70) Wilson • Marilyn (Murdaugh ’60) Wood

1979

1983

1987

Brenda (Blackwell) Beckloff is a senior care manager. 14300 N. May Ave., Apt. 2102, Oklahoma City, OK 73134. passagewasmile@yahoo.com

Dede (White) Jackson and her family have moved back to the Dallas area after three years in Qatar.

5510 Merrimac Ave., Dallas, TX 75206.

1980

1984

Troyce and Becky (Medford) Renfro have a new address. Becky teaches 7th grade mathematics and Troyce coaches girls’ basketball in Chico. P.O. Box 724, Chico, TX 76431. bjrenfro@sbcglobal.net

Dr. Richard Young is a full-time emergency room physician and VPMA for Hospital Physician Partners. He earned his M.B.A. in 2011. 1534 W.R. Stephens Drive, Cabot, AR 72023. rsyoungmd@yahoo.com

Dr. John Baldwin has coauthored a college textbook, Intercultural Communication for Everyday Life, with Wiley Publishers. He is a professor of communication at Illinois State University. 400 Orlando Ave, Normal, IL 61761. ixthusfour@gmail.com After teaching chemistry for 19 years and serving two years as interim dean, Dr. Charla Sue (McCaleb) Miertschin was appointed dean of the College of Science and Engineering at Winona State University. She is married to Carl and they have two children. 528 Eiken Drive, Rushford, MN 55971. charlamiertschin@gmail.com

1982 R. Anne Stephenson has a new job as elementary school music teacher in the Crowley ISD. 7468 Coachwood Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76133. Astephenson509@aol.com

1988 Col. Christopher A. Phillips and his family moved to Great Falls, Mont., in January 2014, where he took command of the 341st Medical Group at Malmstrom Air Force Base. He and his wife, Carol (Ebeling ’87), have a son, Daniel, who was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in 2013, and a daughter, Caitlin, graduated from ACU in May 2014. 702 Aspen St., Great Falls, MT 59405. cphillipsfamily@yahoo.com

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1994

2001

Donald Shelton is a regional sales engineer with Weatherford International. 14409 E.C.R. 1575, Lindsay, OK 73052. dklshel3@aol.com

BORN

1995 BORN To Robert and Lalla (Scott) Fowler, a girl, Taylor Elizabeth, Oct. 24, 2013. 9310 F.M. 126, Merkel, TX 79536.

ADOPTED

By Kurt and Michelle (Beauchamp) McMillan, a 2-year-old girl, Sirena Qingyan, from Jiangxi, China, Oct. 14, 2013. 3201 Edgemont Drive, Abilene, TX 79605. mjb95g@acu.edu

1996 ADOPTED

By Brad and Amy (Christy) Williams, a girl, Aubrey Kate, Oct. 10, 2013. She was born Nov. 11, 2011.

6 Bjorn Borg Court, Little Rock, AR 72210.

1997 Dr. Kenyon Williams, professor of percussion at Minnesota State University-Moorhead, has released a solo percussion album. 901 11th St. South, Moorhead, MN 56560. willdrum@mnstate.edu

ADOPTED

By Michael and Lareta (Bridges) Jeter, a boy, Eli Matthew, Nov. 19, 2012. 1201 Hidden Creek Drive, Mansfield, TX 76063. mljeter@yahoo.com

1998 Jenni Trietsch is the chief financial officer at MasterScapes Inc. 2325 Crestline Drive, Abilene, TX 79602. jennitrietsch@gmail.com

BORN To Johny and Lindsey Gardner, a boy, Ryan Brannan.

8904 Sirocka Drive, Benbrook, TX 76116.

1999 BORN To Martin and Robyn (Little) Baird, a girl, Reichley Morgan, Feb. 18, 2012. 13254 Veronica Road, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. robyn@robynlittle.com To Michael and Emily (Campbell) Robinson, a son, Micah Jase, July 25, 2013. They also have another son.

1526 S. Yegua River Circle, Sugar Land, TX 77478.

To Bryan and Cathy (Fryar) Spain, a girl, Abigail “Abbey” Joy, April 24, 2014. They have two other children.

6161 Border Trail, San Antonio, TX 78240. sassycath@hotmail.com

2000 Beau Bennett and Joni Barber-Bennett (’02) live in Harrison, Ark., where he is youth minister for Northside Church of Christ. The couple has three children.

1222 Ridgeway Ave., Harrison, AR 72601.

BORN To Jonathan and Bobbi Hardman, a girl, Caroline Olivia, April 22, 2013. 7413 Eagle Ridge Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76179. jonathan@jonathanhardman.com To Marc and Maria (Schwenker) Moore, a girl, Marley Grace, Dec. 28, 2013. 102 Aurora Circle, Rockwall, TX 75032. maria@prestonroad.org To Joshua and Holly Renee (Dyer) Davis, a girl, Ryleigh Paityn, Jan. 11, 2014. They have another daughter as well. Joshua is director of freight operations for Unishippers and Holly is owner and designer of HRD Design. 14415 Twisted Canyon Drive, Cypress, TX 77429.

To David and Kari (Hartin ’98) Hopfauf, a girl, Kate Lynn, May 13, 2013. 305 Cave River Drive, Murphy, TX 75094.

To Daniel and Heidi (Spoelhof) Hurley, a girl, Tabitha Jane, March 13, 2014. Daniel is employed by Northwood Children’s Services and Heidi works for Piedmont Dental Associates. 4020 Chambersburg Ave., Duluth, MN 55811. danhurley79@yahoo.com

ADOPTED

By Melissa Hobbs, a boy, Kezroy Alexander, April 23, 2013. 606 Kari Ann Lane, DeSoto, TX 75115. melissadhobbs@gmail.com

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To Andrew and Melinda (Cecil) Mendenhall, a boy, Colt Maverick, July 3, 2012. 1939 W. 17th Ave., Unit B, Eugene, OR 97402.

To Garcia and Natasha (Bering) Vazquez, a girl, Hadassah Beverly, Aug. 13, 2013. 33 McDermott St., Freehold, NJ 07728. love4g719@gmail.com To Adam and Kari (Bibb) Meyer, a boy, Samuel James, Nov. 11, 2013. 920 North James Ave., Tea, SD 57064. karimeyer@ymail.com To Christopher (’00) and Heidi (Toole) Chappotin, a girl, Ava Grace, Jan. 30, 2012. The family has a new address. 312 S.W. Harris St., Burleson, TX 76028. chappyhc@sbcglobal.net To Jonathan and Melissa (Fry) Dalzell, a boy, Lyle James, Dec. 1, 2013. madalzell@gmail.com To Kenneth and Jennifer Walker, a boy, Braylen Joe, July 18, 2013. 148 Wandering Drive, Forney, TX 75126. joenorthtexas@gmail.com To Daniel (’98) and Melissa (Visel) Goodner, a boy, Ryan Joseph, Feb. 23, 2011. 6024 Deck House Road, Fort Worth, TX 76179. melissavisel@yahoo.com

2002 MARRIED Dan Hamlin and Cara Cowan, December 2013.

1519 Emperor Court, Round Rock, TX 78664. cararcowan@gmail.com BORN To Dan and April (Baker) Griswold, a boy, Noah Cooper, April 2, 2013. 2711 Cove Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75054. lirpakb@yahoo.com To Brent and Alison (Thompson) Camp, a girl, Hadley Grace, Jan. 13, 2014. 1093 Cedar Crest, Abilene, TX 79601. alrcamp02@yahoo.com To Shaun and Adriane (Anz) Carpenter, a girl, Campbell Mae, June 19, 2012. 595 C.R. 3265, Clifton, TX 76634.

To Ben and Kristina (Watkins) Stephens, a girl, Finleigh Grace, May 22, 2013. 7105 North Point Drive, Rowlett, TX 75089. strinamarie@verizon.net To Nicholas and Ashley (Parks ’01) Belcher, a boy, Bradford Clark, Oct. 23, 2013. 6 Harper Drive, Allen, TX 75002. nicbelcher02@gmail.com To Tim and Erin (Prescott) Berg, a girl, Norah Kathleen, April 4, 2013. 7525 Oak Park Drive, North Richland Hills, TX 76182. erinpberg@gmail.com To Bill and Stephanie (Newton) Edevane, a girl, Elena Rae, May 3, 2014. 5899 Candlelight Lane, Grand Prairie, TX 75052.

To Charles and Audrey (Moore) Tehauno, a boy, August “Gus” Bear, Jan. 2, 2014. 3300 Cummins St., #2222, Houston, TX 77027. alm2004a@yahoo.com

2003 BORN To David Hill and Jennifer Brown-Hill, a boy, David Emmett, Oct. 1, 2013. 2747 Star Peak Drive, Houston, TX 77088. jaehope@yahoo.com To Eric and Laura (Rich) Daulton, a girl, Alice Lee, July 25, 2013. 2821 Holy Cross Lane, Garland, TX 75044.

To Nathan (’05) and Melissa (Travis) Jerkins, a boy, Silas Lee, Oct. 11, 2013. 1710A Coronado Hills Drive, Austin, TX 78752. melissa.jerkins@gmail.com To Joel and April (Blackford) Hutsell, a girl, Ava Grace, Sept. 12, 2013. 2418 Patriot Commons Road, Abilene, TX 79601. ajb99a@acu.edu To Toby and Amanda (Crawford) Williford, a girl, Alyssa Naomi, Oct. 8, 2013. 4818 Larkin Road, Fort Meade, MD 20755. amanda.k.williford@gmail.com To Zach and Melissa (Weaver) Nieland, a girl, Audrey Joy, April 18, 2013. 4945 Water Works Road, Belton, TX 76513. zachnieland@gmail.com To Kyle and Melanie (Booker ’06) Fry, a boy, Ethan James, Oct. 19, 2013. 108 Wellesley Blvd., San Antonio, TX 78209. fry.kyle@yahoo.com To Jason and Ashli (Hobbs) Myers, twins, Quaid Bennett (boy) and Kambrey Grayce (girl), Aug. 19, 2013.

1109 South 11th St., Merkel, TX 79536. aah99a@aol.com To Aaron and Amber (Eakins) Rader, a girl, Alyssa Nicole, Nov. 15, 2013. 3217 Clear Fork Drive, Hurst, TX 76054.

AC U TO D AY

To Bryan (’02) and Courtney (Bellomy) Stone, a boy, Mason David, June 5, 2012.

2930 Marsann Lane, Farmers Branch, TX 75234. courtneylynnstone@hotmail.com To Jase and Brittany (Scraggs) Conley, twins, Daniel Aiden and Hannah Rea, July 12, 2013.

11136 Cactus Lane, Dallas, TX 75238.

2004 Josh Parrott, a mid-major columnist/writer for Basketball Times, placed fifth in the 2013 United States Basketball Writers Association Best Writing Contest in the Enterprise category for his story “Of Doctors, Dunks and 1983 Extravaganza.” He also was listed in the Notable setion of the 2013 Best American Sports Writing book for his story “The Upset.” His wife, Courtney (McInnis) is an account manager for The Blue Book Building and Construction Network. 21615 Maggie Mist Drive, Richmond, TX 77046. parrott_joshua@yahoo.com BORN To Loren and Erin (Mathews) Crowe, a girl, Penelope Jane, Nov. 26, 2013. 9903 Heron Meadows Drive, Houston, TX 77095.

To Jared and Samantha (Baggett) Branch, a girl, Emma Ruth, Nov. 20, 2012. 15326 Meadow Village Drive, Houston, TX 77095. sammylynn82@yahoo.com To Adam and Jennifer (Blankinship) Brennen, a girl, Adalyn Grace, May 31, 2013. 7526 Ashton Drive, Houston, TX 77095.

To Brandon and Amy (Verett) Booker, a girl, Nora Kinsey, Dec. 11, 2013. 5424 Glen Canyon Road, Fort Worth, TX 76137. brambooker@gmail.com To Marc and Jaelle (Carson) Baldwin, a girl, Emmanuelle Helen, Dec. 2, 2013. The couple were married in August 2009. 550 Walnut St. Upper, Lockport, NY 14094. jbaldwin879@gmail.com To John and Tami (Smale) Ruch, a girl, Clara, June 27, 2013. They have two other children. 631 Baltic Place, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8z2b2. johnryanandtami@yahoo.ca To Joseph and Blair (Barkley) Baker, a boy, Blais Tate, April 19, 2014. 9308 Vista Circle, Irving, TX 75063.

To Josh and Taya (Owens ’01) Gibbs, a son, Lincoln James, April 9, 2011. They have two other children. tayagibbs@hotmail.com To Ben (’05) and Gena (Robinson) Lazcano, a boy, Zander Isaac, Nov. 24, 2013. P.O. Box 415, Maypearl, TX 76064. gena1982@yahoo.com To Emilio (’01) and Rebecca (Davis) Lerzundi, a boy, Ezra James, Nov. 6, 2013. 2401 Spanish Circle, #111, Arlington, TX 76016. rebecca.lerzundi@gmail.com

2005 BORN To Aaron and Allison (Humphries) Ellis, a boy, Henry Aaron, Sept. 23, 2013. 1602 Warrington Way, Forney, TX 75126. aellis1224@yahoo.com To Mark and Cassey (O’Connor) Gibson, a boy, Andrew Connor, Sept. 15, 2013. 1466 Park Garden Lane, Reston, VA 20194. cassey.gibson@gmail.com To Blake and Moriah (Steward) Farmer, a boy, Turner Steward, Nov. 23, 2013. 608 Manor View Circle, Brentwood, TN 37027.

To Austin and Cassie (Teague) Henley, a girl, Mara Ruth, Sept. 26, 2013. 10146 Shadyview Drive, Dallas, TX 75238.

To Tyson and Elizabeth (Canarsky) Schroeckenthaler, a girl, Daphne Marie, March 20, 2014. 4513 Tokay Blvd., Madison, WI 53711. ecanarsky@gmail.com To Justin and Melinda (Bailey) Carlile, a girl, Aria Bailey, March 24, 2014. 6411 Virginia Fields Drive, Katy, TX 77494. mjbailey6643@gmail.com To Derek (’04) and Mary (Foster) Riedel, a girl, Gwyneth Abigail, June 5, 2013. 5207 Stormy Breeze, San Antonio, TX 78247.

To Joshua and Melissa May (Lusk) Bell, a girl, Piper Maye, Jan. 21, 2014. She is their second child.

5801 Red Drum Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76179.

2006 BORN To Matthew and Kristy (Anderson) Taylor, a boy, Myles Reagan, Dec. 2, 2013. 3102 Buffalo Gap Road,

THE BECKET FUND FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Windham speaks to media on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court following the presentation of Hobby Lobby’s case on March 25.

Windham argues Hobby Lobby’s religious freedom case before U.S. Supreme Court Attorney Lori (Halstead ’01) Windham has represented Amish builders penalized for their traditional construction practices, a Santeria priest prohibited from conducting animal sacrifice, and public school districts sued for accommodating religious expression.

But one of her most significant, and certainly most publicized, cases won before the U.S. Supreme Court in June. Windham was a member of the legal team representing Hobby Lobby’s challenge of the Affordable Care Act contraception mandate.

In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled that closely held companies – including those owned by a family with religious convictions – cannot be required to cover some types of contraceptives for their employees.

“I’m thrilled by the decision,” Windham said shortly after the ruling was announced. “As a student at ACU, I hoped that one day I might be able to take a case to the Supreme Court. But it’s still hard to believe that it happened. I guess I will have to slow down a bit to let it sink in.”

Windham, who is senior counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C., says the case is important because it asks whether people give up their religious freedom when they open a family business.

Two other alumni, April (Ward ’06) Farris and Matthew Kacsmaryk (’00), filed friend-of-the-court briefs supporting Hobby Lobby, Windham said. “April is a fellow ACU and Harvard Law School alumna, and is now with the Texas Solicitor General’s office.

Matthew is with Liberty Institute, where he focuses on religious freedom work,” she said. “ACU does a great job of preparing students to think about the intersection between faith and the law, and to carry their beliefs into their professional lives.” is is the second U.S. Supreme Court case in which Windham has played a role, and she has written a number of friend-of-the-court briefs. ough her firm relies on well-known Supreme Court advocates for oral arguments, simply being in the courtroom when her case is being presented is a remarkable experience, she said. “e court has a sense of pomp and circumstance that’s different from other places, even here in Washington, D.C.,” she said. “ere’s excitement in the air when the buzzer rings and the justices start to file in. You’re reminded of how many important issues have been decided in this same room.”

Although the Hobby Lobby case has attracted national attention, she says her most controversial case to date involved a Santeria priest in the Texas town of Euless, who sacrificed goats in his garage as part of a religious ceremony. “e question was how far a city could go in restricting religious exercise in a person’s own home,” Windham said. “We relied on a Texas religious freedom law that had never been interpreted by the courts. We won, and since that time, the same law has been used to protect other religious groups, including a child wearing a religious symbol in public school and Christian ministries housing the homeless.”

Windham takes satisfaction in arguing precedent-setting law, but her favorite moments come when she enters into the everyday lives of her clients, hearing their stories firsthand.

In one instance, an Amish community in upstate New York ran into problems with a local building code that didn’t accommodate their way of life. “e Amish were actually facing jail time for following their religious practices,” Windham said. rough her efforts, the town eventually dismissed all charges.

“I spent a lot of time in lamplit farmhouses talking to Amish men and women about their way of life, how they understand the Bible, and the steps they take to protect their communities from modern society,” she said. “e first time I stepped into an Amish home, it was like stepping back in time. I’m grateful to be part of cases that allow me to meet and learn about communities so different from my own.”

Windham, who graduated from Abilene Christian with a B.A. degree in political science, earned her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 2005. She has served as a member of the political science Visiting Committee and was named 2009 Young Alumnus of the Year.

She is grateful for her time at ACU. “Christian education, especially higher education, is critically important because it wrestles with tough questions about faith and how it applies to and interacts with many different areas of study,” she said. “After I graduated and went on to a secular law school, I realized how much I missed studying our laws through the lens of a rich faith tradition. ACU is doing God’s work, and I’m blessed to be part of that community.”䊱 – ROBIN SAYLOR AC U TO D AY

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Abilene, TX 79605. kristayrose@gmail.com To Matt and Rachel (Williamson) Rowntree, a boy, Cooper Scott, Oct. 1, 2013. 513 Wade Court, Euless, TX 76039.

To Chris and Amanda (Steffins ’07) Lee, a boy, Brooks Christopher, Oct. 25, 2013.

6323 Scrub Jay, San Antonio, TX 78240. dr.christopher.thomas.lee@gmail.com To Randy and Erin (Shewmaker) Ridings, a girl, Alexis Sarah, April 16, 2014. 100 S.E. 160th Ave. Y-200, Vancouver, WA 98683. erinmridings@gmail.com To Randy and Erin (Shewmaker) Ridings, a girl, Alexis Sarah, April 16, 2014. 100 S.E. 160th Ave. Y-200, Vancouver, WA 98683. erinmridings@gmail.com

2007 BORN To Lance (’06) and Kayla (Freede) Agan, twin girls, Zoe and Nora, April 22, 2013. 1811 Stoneleigh Court, Sugar Land, TX 77479. kayla170@yahoo.com To Travis and Lindsey (Lankford) Roby, a girl, Claire Elizabeth, Nov. 4, 2013. 1304 Telluride Drive, Midland, TX 79705. lindseyroby@yahoo.com To Chris and Katie (DeAtley) Farr, a boy, Blake Kenneth, April 28, 2013. The family lives in Frisco, Texas.

To Jeremy and Katie (Rich ’10) Gudgel, a boy, James Wayne, Oct. 22, 2013. 3204 Seth Williams Blvd., Camp Lejeune, NC 28547. jkgudgel@gmail.com To Joe and Miranda (Griffith) Thompson, a boy, Logan John, May 9, 2013. 1018 Somerset Circle, Forney, TX 75126.

To Jason and Heather (Weems) Gallagher, a girl, Ashlyn Marie, June 16, 2013. 1714 Aspley Court, Houston, TX 77094. jrg02g@acu.edu To Preston and Shelbi (Watten) Rampy, a girl, Everly René, Dec. 5, 2013. 14822 Holly Leaf Drive, Frisco, TX 75035.

To Diania Sporisky, a boy, Noah Michael Wheeler, March 27, 2013. 701 Marlin St., Clyde, TX 79510. dms02g@clearwire.net To David and Keely (Trout ’06) Clark,

a boy, Western, May 6, 2013. 10425 Hideaway Trail, Fort Worth, TX 76131.

To Jason and Elizabeth (Newman) Ables, a boy, Jackson Wayne, Oct. 30, 2013. 710 Premier Place, Grapevine, TX 76051. ables.jason@gmail.com To Chad and Brittany (Groves) Henderson, a boy, Ford Conrad, March 25, 2014. 25925 Lariat Circle, Broken Arrow, OK 74014. thehendersonsba@gmail.com

2008 BORN To Jason and Laura Allen, a boy, Parker Jack, Nov. 9, 2013. 6308 Granite Creek Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76179.

To Lanny and Amber (Stewart) Prentice, a boy, Jaxson Dale, June 13, 2013. 218 Garza Avenue, Tuscola, TX 79562.

To Dr. Darby and Kayla (Anderson ’06) Hewitt, a boy, Jonas David, Dec. 19, 2013. 2443 Patriot Commons Road, Abilene, TX 79601. darby.hewitt@acu.edu To John and Lisa (Etchison) Culkin, a girl, Charlotte Brynn, Sept. 22, 2013. 2519 Meandering Trail, Kingwood, TX 77339. lisa.k.culkin@gmail.com To Tim and Jamie (Worflar) Rogers, a boy, Matthew Slaughter, Oct. 17, 2013. 3652 Asbury St., University Park, TX 75205.

To Steven and Sarah (Green) Lazarowitz, a girl, Hadley Jean, Nov. 6, 2013. 3626 Radcliff Road, Abilene, TX 79602. sarah.lazarowitz@gmail.com To Andrew and Ashlea (Allred) Adams, a boy, Luke Andrew Adams, Oct. 10, 2013. 2920 Ridgewood Drive, Hurst, TX 76054. adams.ashlea@gmail.com To Bret and Catherine (Cortez) Hines, a girl, Olivia Rose, May 21, 2014. 1318 Lewis & Clark Trail, Abilene, TX 79602. catherinerosehines@gmail.com

2009 Julien Carney is the director of career services at Everest College. 216 Branch Bend, Euless, TX 76039.

BORN To Josh (’06) and Audrey (Maxwell) Lively, a girl, Myla Grace, Nov. 24, 2013. 13607 Wild Lilac Court, Pearland, TX 77584. acm04a@acu.edu To Juan and Miranda Garcia, a boy, Joaquin, Aug. 19, 2009. 2302 Ivanhoe Lane, Abilene, TX 79605. mmg07e@acu.edu To Jordan (’08) and Mallory (Knight) Williams, a girl, Addalyn Rae, May 16, 2013. 5525 Dorchester Lane, Garland, TX 75040.

To Clay and Belinda (Floyd) Williams, a girl, Maybelin June, Aug. 2, 2013. 1220 Karla Drive, Hurst, TX 76053. bcf04a@gmail.com To Nicholas and Krystal (Swanson) Ramos, a girl, Isabella, Sept. 6, 2012. 2220 Cancun Drive, Mansfield, TX 76063. kls05b@acu.edu

2010 BORN To Levi (’12) and Kara (Hamm) Gates, a boy, Jude, Dec. 19, 2013. 12001A Charing Cross Road, Austin, TX 78759.

To Houston and Kara (Baccus) Hutchinson, a girl, Afton Shaley, Nov. 26, 2013. 1019 Napa Cove, Leander, TX 78641.

2011 Jonathan Kuiper has published a book, Running with Vince. His website is jfkwrites.com. 518 Villa Avenue, Front Royal, VA 22630. jfk10a@acu.edu Whitney McGaha received her white coat from the University of Houston College of Optometry, where she is a graduate student. 3015 Greenridge Drive, #21, Houston, TX 77057.

2012 Tina Griego is an HMIS (Homeless Management Information Systems) trainer with ECHO, the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition. 600 Kawnee Drive, Unit D, Austin, TX 78752. tmg08a@acu.edu

IN MEMORIAM 1934 Melvin Courtney, 102, died Dec. 28, 2013, in Gatesville. He was born in December 1911 near Lufkin and attended high school in Abilene. He married Lela Maude Hix Aug. 17, 1934. She preceded him in death in 2003.

Melvin taught math and business before working 31 years as a postal carrier. He is survived by a daughter, Laura White; two granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; and other relatives.

1940 James R. Burnett, 97, died April 24, 2014.

He was born Jan. 27, 1917, and graduated from Brownfield (Texas) High School in 1936. He met and married Virginia Roy (’42) while enrolled at ACU on a track and field scholarship. Following graduation, he was a coach and teacher at Burkburnett (Texas) High School and physical director of the YMCA in Palestine, Texas, before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He was a chief petty officer in the South Pacific during World War II. Following the war, he and Virginia operated the Brownfield Dairy. Burnett coached in the Brownfield ISD for 23 years before retiring to work for the U.S. Soil Conservation Service for another 15 years. He was an active member, Bible School teacher and Thursday School mentor at Brownfield Church of Christ. Burnett was preceded in death by his wife, six siblings and one greatgranddaughter. Among survivors are two sons, Horace Burnett and Gary Burnett; a daughter, Judy (Burnett) Edgar; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

1943 Frances Lorraine (Gentry) Patterson, 93, died Feb. 20, 2014. She was born Dec. 17, 1920, in El Paso, graduated from Austin High School in 1938, and married James Patterson (’43) on Jan. 3, 1942. She was a Civil

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Service employee during World War II and taught hundreds of students in World Bible School outreach. She worked for Monahans State Bank, Midland National Bank, North Park National Bank, and North Dallas Bank, and retired in 1982 as vice president of Capital Bank. Survivors include her husband of 72 years, James; two sons, Dr. James T. Patterson (’66) and Mickey Patterson (’70); three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and five step-great-grandchildren.

Wanda (May) Colson, 91, died Feb. 19, 2014.

She was born June 5, 1922, in Anson, and married Barney Colson on Feb. 12, 1946, in Gainesville, Fla. She remained in Florida until a move to Irving, Texas, in 2007. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1998. Survivors include a daughter, Bonnye (Colson ’73) Stare; and two sisters, Winona (May ’48) Pope and Sue Love.

Ira Lewis Ferguson, 92, died Mary 10, 2014, in San Angelo. He was born July 8, 1921, in Mason County, graduated from Junction High School in 1938, and attended The University of Texas at Austin before enrolling at Abilene Christian, where he was a cheerleader and senior class president. Later, he earned a master’s degree from Texas A&M University. Ferguson served as a World War II radar operator during the Battle of Okinawa aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Massey, earning a Bronze Star. He married June Blackwell in 1947 and the couple raised a family on a ranch in Kimble County. He taught at Junction High School from 1952-75 and served as a distributive education teacher in the Sonora ISD until his retirement in 1981. He also raised Angora goats and was an auctioneer.

He was preceded in death by his wife in 1987. Among survivors are his son, Scott L. Ferguson (’70); two daughters, Martha (Ferguson ’74) Thompson and Pat (Ferguson) King; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

AC U TO D AY

1944 James Luther Qualls, 90, died July 17, 2013.

He played football during his time at ACU. He served in World War II, including the Battle of Iwo Jima, and earned a Bronze Star with Valor. James is survived by his wife, Ruth (Rentz) Qualls; three daughters, Vicki (Qualls ’69) Norris, Donna (Qualls) Stone and Janis (Qualls) Di Paolo; and other relatives.

1947 Henry Jean Jones, 90, died April 9, 2014, in Abilene.

He was born Nov. 3, 1923, in Benjamin, Texas; graduated from Knox City High School in 1941; and married Margaret L. “Peggy” Ford in August 1948. Jones was attending ACU on a band scholarship when Pearl Harbor was attacked in 1941. He enlisted in the U.S. Marines and was a second lieutenant when wounded in combat at Okinawa, earning a Purple Heart. He became a captain in the Marine Corps Reserve and was called to active duty during the Korean War, serving as a training company commander at Parris Island, S.C. He finished pharmacy school “between wars” at The University of Texas at Austin and was a longtime pharmacist in Knox County. Jones served on boards for Knox City ISD, Knox County Hospital and Citizens State Bank. He was preceded in death by Peggy, his wife of 39 years; and a sister, Martha Jones (’47). Among survivors are six daughters, Emmy Jones, Beth Carlberg, Martha Jones, Sarah Roye, Adrian Cheek and Nancy Huber; and five grandchildren.

1950 Alice Ilene (Cheatham) Sheppard, 86, died May 27, 2014, in Austin. She was born Sept. 16, 1927, and married James E. Sheppard on Sept. 21, 1946.

A resident of Buda, Texas, she was a teacher, counselor, author and freelance writer who also earned a master’s

degree in education from Texas A&M University. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; her parents, Walter Carl Cheatham and Allie Cly Francis Cheatham; and two sisters. Among survivors are two daughters, Claudia Jean (Sheppard ’71) King and Phyllis Ilene (Sheppard ’74) Goncalves; a son, Randal Sheppard; seven grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; a sister; and a brother.

Conditioning, and served in numerous leadership roles.

He was a dedicated volunteer for Medical Care Mission and Meals on Wheels. Appleton was preceded in death

by Mary, his wife of 52 years. Among survivors are two daughters, Laura (Appleton ’75) Kute and Carla (Appleton) Rawls; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Edsel Burford; and his close companion, Barbara Sojourner.

1951

1954

Martha “Elizabeth” Echols Bradford, 83, died Jan. 19, 2014, in Abilene. She was born Aug. 27, 1930, in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ACU and married Dr. James Bradford May 31, 1951. Elizabeth worked for nearly 30 years in the Abilene ISD until her retirement in 1997. She is survived by her husband, Jim; a daughter, Susan (Bradford ’75) Vaughan; two sons, Chuck (’77) and Richard Bradford (’84); a sister, Virginia (Echols ’59) Schmittou; and eight grandchildren.

Jack M. Gillis, 84, died Dec. 20, 2013. He was the former mayor of Prescott, Ariz. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Patricia (Gillis ’73) Hall, and is survived by his wife, Frances (Smith) Gillis; daughters Susie (Gillis ’75) Vandiver, Judy (Gillis ’76) Booker and Jackie (Gillis ’78) Walker; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Kenneth L. Musgrave, 82, died Nov. 11, 2013, in Abilene. He was born Nov. 26, 1930, in Wichita Falls; graduated from Abilene High School in 1949; and married Etta Dean “Rusty” Johnson in 1961. Musgrave was a successful entrepreneur, generous benefactor and one of the most influential businessmen in Abilene’s history, specializing in real estate investment, development and construction. Among survivors are Rusty, his wife of 52 years; three sons, Bruce Musgrave (’73), Ken P. Musgrave Jr. and Gary Musgrave (’77); two daughters, Deborah Kay (Musgrave ’74) Bixby and Debi Labay; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Bill Musgrave (’68).

Frankie (Butlar) Parker, 80, died March 5, 2013, in Abilene. She was born Dec. 27, 1932, in Quanah, Texas, and graduated from Quanah High School in 1950. At ACU she was president of the “W” Club and participated in debate. She worked in the library, where she met William Preston Parker Jr. (’54); the couple married Oct. 23, 1953. She was a longtime Bible class teacher at South 11th and Willis Church of Christ; a Girl Scout leader; a PTA volunteer at local, district and state levels; a member of the Abilene Garden Club; and a hospice volunteer. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers J.L. Butlar, Bob Butlar and A.J. Butlar; a sister, May Delle (Butlar ’44) Jones; and a great-grandson.

Among survivors are Preston, her husband of 59 years; two daughters, Cindy (Parker ’77) Earles and Candy (Parker ’81) Henderson; a son, Bill Parker (’85); nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Oscar Butlar Jr. (’60).

1952 Lee Allen Sosebee, M.D., 83, died Dec. 25, 2013.

He was born Nov. 22, 1930, in Anson and married Jackie Lea Jones in 1950. He graduated from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1954, served in the U.S. Navy and then joined the Naval Reserves. He practiced general medicine and orthopedic surgery until his retirement. He is survived by his wife, Jackie; a son, Jack Sosebee (’74); a daughter, Leslie Sosebee (’80); a brother, James Sosebee (’59); and two grandchildren.

Mary Rogers Kelton, 91, died Jan. 23, 2013. She was born Aug. 14, 1921, in Caddo, Okla. She earned a nursing degree from Methodist Hospital in Dallas and served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II. She and her family served as missionaries in Nigeria from 1956-58; Mary later returned to Nigeria to teach at the Nigerian Christian Bible College in Ukpom. She is survived by two daughters, Celeste Fraga and Dr. Starr Kelton-Locke (’78), and a grandson.

1953 Claud Arion Parrish, 83, died Jan. 19, 2014, in Granbury. He was born May 28, 1930, in Crosby County and married Roberta Nunn (’52) Jan. 22, 1950. She preceded him in death in 2008. Claud preached at churches in Texas, Oklahoma, Rhode Island and Kansas; was an elder at Woodlawn Church of Christ in Abilene and at Granbury (Texas) Church of Christ; and served as a missionary in Norway and Scotland. He earned an M.Div. as well as other master’s degrees in Bible, sociology and gerontology. He is survived by three daughters, Claudia (Parrish ’74) Southern, Celia (Parrish ’77) Beamon and Karen (Parrish ’80) Fletcher; a son, D. Todd Parrish (’90); a brother, Percy Parrish; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Carlos Appleton, 83, died April 3, 2014, in Abilene.

He was born Feb. 23, 1931, and graduated from Abilene High School in 1949. He married Mary Virginia Burford Oct. 26, 1952. He owned Appleton Grocery and Superette stores for many years, and served as president of the Independent Grocers Association. He was active in the U.S. Air Force, worked as a salesman for Hall Heating and Air

1955 L. Haskell Sinclair, 79, died Jan. 9, 2014, in Abilene.

He was born Jan. 17, 1934, in Ravenna and graduated from Sherman High School. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ACU and married Yvonne Ragle (’56) Nov. 26, 1954. Haskell coached high school football and basketball in Olney and Abilene, then coached basketball and baseball at ACU and Oklahoma Christian University. He later served as a school principal. Among survivors are his wife, Yvonne; two sons, Jerry Sinclair (’79) and Jimmy Sinclair (’85); and two grandchildren.

James Arthur Armstrong, 80, died March 7, 2014, in Antelope, Calif. He was born Feb. 25, 1934. He served as a preacher in North Dakota and Wyoming, and as a schoolteacher in California and Wyoming. He was preceded in death by two sons, Mike Armstrong and Steve Armstrong. Among survivors are his wife, Jene (Kingsbury ’58); a son, Phil Armstrong; and a sister, Norma (Armstrong ’57) Benson.

1962 Kay (Allen) Taliaferro, 73, died Oct. 31, 2013, in Belton. She was born Sept. 11, 1940, in Rock Springs. She married Gary Taliaferro (’62) June 22, 1962. She taught second grade and later became a homemaker. She is survived by her husband, Gary; four sons, Anthony, Steven (’90) and Justin Taliaferro and Scott Fletcher (’98); a daughter, Karen (Fletcher ’04) Smith; a sister, Ann (Allen) Ritchie; and 11 grandchildren.

Gloria (Pace) Sitton, 82, died Nov. 24, 2013, in Abilene. She was born July 23, 1930, in Laurel, Miss., and grew up in Stamford, Texas. She married Ted Sitton (’54) July 15, 1951. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ACU and taught third grade for 29 years. Gloria was preceded in death by a son, Chuck Sitton (’78). Among survivors are her husband, Ted; a son, Gary Sitton (’76); two daughters, Cara Sitton (’81) and Jani (Sitton) Freeman; six grandchildren; and four great-granddaughters.

1963 Phillip Dean Bates, 73, died Feb. 17, 2014, in Lubbock. He was born Oct. 15, 1940, in Hereford and married Gretchwin Brown (’66) in 1964. He served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, working on the Minuteman missile program and the disaster preparedness program.

After retiring, he became a coach and math teacher in the Lubbock ISD. He is survived by his wife, Gretchwin; four sons; two daughters; a brother, Dr. Dwight Bates (’69); and 11 grandchildren.

Dr. Frances Ann (McBroom ’63) Thompson, 71, of Dallas died April 23, 2014. She was born Oct. 25, 1942, in Brownwood, graduating from Brownwood High School in 1960. She earned a master’s degree in mathematics

from the The University of Texas at Austin in 1967 and a doctorate in education from the University of Georgia in 1973. Thompson taught mathematics to students in junior high through graduate school, and authored numerous textbooks and teacher aid manuals for all grade levels.

Thompson received ACU’s Grover C. Morlan Medal award (2005) and Distinguished Alumni Citation (1998), as well as the Texas Woman’s University Distinguished Service Award and the Mary Mason Lyon Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Service. She was a professor at TWU for 26 years, retiring in 2009. Thompson also served as a mathematics education consultant with state education service agencies in Georgia and Texas (Dallas area Region 10). She served from 1994-2010 on the ACU Department of Mathematics’ Visiting Committee and was a founding member of the ACU Alumni Chorus. She was a lifelong Bible teacher who authored Bible study and teaching manuals, including the God’s Eternal Word series for junior high. She did missions work in Canada and Venezuela and was a trustee of the missions-focused White Rock Fund in Dallas. Among survivors are her husband of 47 years, Claude; two sons, Landon Thompson (’98) and Brooks Thompson; two grandchildren; and two sisters, Ethel Marie Gay and Martha Jane “Marty” Ketchersid.

1972 Judy Ann (Swift) Newton died Sept. 3, 2013. She taught school for 34 years in the Amarillo and Lubbock ISDs, and also taught at Lubbock Christian University. She is survived by her husband, Lanny Newton; a daughter, Aleisha Newton (’08); and a son, Zachary Newton.

Glen David Adams, 63, died Feb. 19, 2014, in McKinney. He was born July 20, 1950, in Yakima, Wash., and married Margaret Broom (’77) in 1976. Adams taught school in McKinney for 27 years. Among survivors are his wife of 38 years, Margaret; a daughter, Jennifer (Adams ’05) Waterhouse; and a son, Benjamin Adams (’06).

Larry Mack Condra, 65, died June 24, 2014. He was born April 20, 1949, in Lubbock. He earned a B.S. in accounting from ACU and did extensive graduate studies.

He married Tevyan Nunnally (’71) Dec. 20, 1969.

He taught social studies at Abilene High School until retirement in 2010. He was certified as a Master PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership program) teacher in Texas, founding that program at AHS. Condra was an active volunteer for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and its Fishing’s Future, and received special enjoyment from teaching kids how to fish. He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Condra. Among survivors are Tevyan, his wife of 44 years; five sons, Timber Condra (’99), Blake Condra (’97), Brazos Condra (’01) and Tryon Condra (’06); a daughter, Tahj (Condra ’02) Mayes; 11 grandchildren; his mother, Doris (Gill ’68) Kinder; a sister, Brenda (Condra) Kasey; and a brother, Mark Condra (’79).

1976 Billy R. Mathews died Oct. 28, 2013. He served in the U.S. Army for 29 years, retiring with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was an information technology specialist for the Defense Information Systems Agency. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl (Thompson) Mathews; sons Cary Mathews (’04), John Mathews and Ryan Mathews; and three grandchildren.

1978 Antony Alan “Tony” Hilligoss, 60, died Sept. 10, 2013, in Fort Worth. He was born Aug. 29, 1953, in Joliet, Ill. He helped start the Benbrook Chamber of Commerce and was a violinist in the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra for many years, also serving on its board. He is survived by his wife, Charla (Statum ’76) Hilligoss; a daughter, Christi (Hilligoss ’03) Stark; a son, Alan Hilligoss (’13); his mother, Coe Dell Hilligoss; a brother, Mike Hilligoss; and half-siblings Larry Hilligoss, Patricia Holt and Tom Hilligoss.

1986 Stephen Kelley LeSueur, 49, died July 28, 2013, in Lubbock. He was born Jan. 20, 1964, in Dallas.

Among survivors are his wife of 23 years, Janice Kay (Swaim ’87); and two daughters, Makenna and Addison.

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Nelson’s volunteerism inspired WACU STEVE BUTMAN

ACU volunteer extraordinare Betty (Brown) Nelson, 87, died Nov. 10, 2013.

She and her husband, renowned bassist Dr. Charles Nelson, moved to Abilene in 1984 so he could join ACU’s music deparment faculty as artist-in-residence. Betty turned her energy to helping others, largely through her celebrated cooking skills. She became a board member and major influence on behalf of the fundraising work of Women for Abilene Christian University.

Nelson also volunteered regularly at the Christian Service Center and Meals on Wheels Plus Inc., and was a member of the boards of Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra and e Grace Museum.

In 2007 she received Abilene’s Jefferson Award for Public Service, sponsored by the American Institute for Public Service. She was recognized for her volunteer work by the American Association of

University Women and with a Paul Harris Fellow award from Rotary International.

Nelson was born June 29, 1926, in Gainesville, Texas.

Survivors include her husband of 66 years; two sons, John Byron Nelson III and Charles David Nelson; a daughter, Bari Ann Nichols; and seven grandchildren. 䊱

Hilton managed the university’s finances for nearly six decades

GERALD EWING

L.D. “Bill” Hilton (’48), whose financial administration career encompassed work with four Abilene Christian presidents, died May 13, 2014, in Abilene at age 88.

“Bill will go down in ACU history as one of those few individuals who not only spanned several decades of distinguished service to the university, but more importantly as one of a handful of key people who is responsible for the current strength and reputation of ACU,” said chancellor Dr. Royce Money (’64). “He was behind the scenes most of the time, but his keen financial mind and deep sense of stewardship made all the difference.”

He was born Sept. 23, 1925, in Rocky, Okla.; served with the U.S. Army Air Force in the South Pacific from 1943-46; and married Alvah Jean Henderson (’47) on March 31, 1947. He graduated from ACU with a B.S. degree and earned a M.Ed. degree from Hardin-Simmons University in 1952. He received an honorary doctorate from Amber University in Dallas in 1990.

Hilton was a teacher and coach at Bayfield (Colo.) High School and worked in the business and sales departments of Meggs Company and Montgomery Ward before beginning a legendary 57-year career at his alma mater, where the Hilton Room (1991) and Hilton Food Court (2007) in the McGlothlin Campus

Center were later named in his and Alvah Jean’s honor.

He began work at Abilene Christian in 1950 as instructor of business administration and accounts payable clerk. He went on to become assistant bursar (1952), assistant professor of business administration (1956), assistant business manager, business manager (1969), vice president of finance (1970), vice president of finance and administration (1990), and vice president (1992). He was named vice president emeritus in 1992 and officially retired in 2007 as vice president emeritus for finance and administration.

Hilton created ACU’s first financial aid program for students; started a credit union and a retirement fund for faculty and staff; and made financial arrangements for landmark estate gifts to the university. Late in his career, he oversaw ACU’s investments in ranches and petroleum assets.

His civic roles spanned coaching Eastern Little League baseball, to election to the Abilene City Council (1980-83), to the boards of Abilene Christian Schools and the Taylor County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Hilton also served as a deacon at Graham Street Church of Christ, and a deacon and elder at Hillcrest Church of Christ, both in Abilene.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Vashti McColum; and a granddaughter, Morgan Elizabeth Hilton. Among survivors are Alvah Jean, his wife of 67 years; two daughters, Mary Alice (Hilton ’70) Horne and Lou Ann (Hilton ’94) Riley; two sons, Bobby Hilton (’74) and Don Hilton (’79); 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. 䊱

Woodhouse was one of world record-setting Wildcat sprinters in 1950s William Gale “Bill” Woodhouse (’59), one of the great sprinters in ACU and American track and field history, died Jan. 9, 2014, in Corpus Christi at age 77.

Woodhouse and Bobby Morrow (’58) were Abilene Christian pioneers in the 1950s, traveling far and wide to compete while putting their college on the map through exploits in track and field.

Woodhouse was part of seven world records in the sprints and relays. He tied the world record in the 100-yard dash in 1957 and 1959, and won a gold medal for the U.S. in the 1959 Pan American Games. He finished fifth in the 100 at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1960 to become an alternate member of the American team in Rome.

Woodhouse was born Dec. 11, 1936, in Mason City, Iowa.

He tied the national high school record of 9.4 seconds in the 78

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100-yard dash in 1955, a mark previously set by legendary U.S. sprinter Jesse Owens. After college, Woodhouse worked as a State Farm insurance agent for 50 years. Among his honors were induction to the Drake Relays Hall of Fame and the ACU Sports Hall of Fame.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Woodhouse.

Survivors include Mary Jo Woodhouse, his wife of 50 years; a son, Bill Woodhouse; a daughter, Melissa Woodhouse Martinez; a sister, Mary Beth Gilmore; a brother, Richard Woodhouse; and four grandchildren. 䊱

ACU Remembers: Kirk, Merrell, Williams, Brockman, Dunn, Davis, Austin, Gee, Johnston Edward Lee Kirk (’45), 90, died Jan. 9, 2014. He was born Aug. 9, 1923, in Benjamin, Texas. Kirk earned his B.S. and M.S. (1957) from ACU and worked as a principal, coach and teacher in Benjamin (1947-54) and as a teacher, coach and assistant director of Abilene Christian Schools (1954-59). He taught in ACU’s Department of Teacher Education from 1959 until his retirement in 1986 as associate professor emeritus of education.

He coordinated ACU’s American Studies Program (1960-75) and supervised more than 900 ACU student teachers. He is survived by a son, Oliver Kirk (’70); a daughter, Sandi (Kirk ’71) Hedges; two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

Martha Ann (Page ’61) Gaines Merrell, 76, died Jan. 9, 2014, in Abilene. She was born April 9, 1937, in Barbers Hill, Texas, and grew up in Baytown. She earned a bachelor’s degree from ACU and a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University. She taught in ACU’s health, physical education and recreation department from 1963-77, and began teaching reading and study skills at ACU in 1982. Martha is survived by her husband, Dr. David Merrell (’64); a son, Flynt Gaines (’80); three daughters, Dezarae Gaines (’83), Jocelyn (Merrell ’95) Furr and Phylliese (Merrell) Sawyer; a brother; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Dr. Kenneth Buck Williams (’50), 84, died May 8, 2014, in Abilene. He was born Jan. 18, 1930, in Petersburg, Texas, and graduated from high school in Durango, Colo. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from ACU, a master’s degree in botany from the The University of Texas at Austin in 1959, and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of Arizona in 1970. He married Norma Jean Tomlinson (’53) on June 6, 1952, in Canyon, and the couple lived in Waco while he served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Williams joined the ACU faculty as associate professor of biology in 1967, retiring officially in 1992 as professor emeritus of biology but continuing to teach part time until 2001. He was founding curator of the herbarium in ACU’s Foster Science Building, and also taught summer courses in biology, botany and pre-nursing for 19 years at the Navajo Nation’s Diné College in Tsaile, Ariz. He was preceded in death by twin infant brothers and a son, Brad Williams. Among survivors are Norma Jean, his wife of 61 years; a daughter, Sharol “Cherri” (Williams ’75) Goad and her husband, Jamie Dale Goad (’75), D.D.S.; a son, Mark Williams (’78); two brothers, Kevin Williams (’59) and former ACU art professor Dr. Arthur Williams; three sisters, Bennie Belle (Williams ’51) Price, Marquisette (Williams ’62) Strand and Priscilla Dick; and two grandchildren.

John Clarence “Jay” Brockman (’49), 86, of Angleton died May 22, 2014. J.C. was born Dec. 7, 1927, in Houston and graduated from Boling (Texas) High School in 1945. Brockman served as a master sergeant in 1946-48 during World War II. He left college in Abilene to come back to Brazoria County to help with the family clothing business in West Columbia.

Brockman married Roberta Gray Niblack (’49) in 1949 in Lubbock.

He was president of Brockman’s Stores from 1954 until becoming board chair in 1982.

Involved in the church and community his whole life, he was an elder, president of the Texas Retailers Association, a trustee on Angleton ISD school board, and a commissioner for the Port of Freeport. He served as president of the Angleton Chamber of Commerce, the Brazoria County United Way and the Angleton Rotary Club, where he never

missed a meeting in 56 years. He was a member of ACU’s Board of Trustees from 1977-92. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mary Louise (Brockman) Haggard and Eleanor (Brockman ’42) Barton; and a great-grandchild, Eli Case Bouse. Among survivors are his wife of 65 years, Roberta Gray “Perk” Brockman; two sons, John Brockman (’72) and Mac Brockman (’76); two daughters, Mollie (Brockman ’74) LeMoine and Sara (Brockman ’80) Bouse; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister, Billie (Brockman ’51) Arnold.

Dr. Floyd W. Dunn (’44), professor emeritus of chemistry and one of the first Graduate School deans at ACU, died May 26, 2014, in Abilene at age 93. He was born Dec. 15, 1920, in Dayton, Ark. He hitchhiked from Conway, Ark., to Abilene in 1941 to attend ACU, where his brother, Frank, was enrolled. Following a year as a business major, he took an interest in biology during a class taught by Dr. Paul Witt (’22), patriarch of the science program at Abilene Christian. Witt’s influence proved far-reaching in Dunn’s life: He later changed his major to chemistry and married Witt’s daughter, Pauline (’44) on Oct. 27, 1944. The Dunns moved to Boulder where he earned a M.S. degree from the University of Colorado in 1946 and a Ph.D. degree in biochemistry in 1950. He was the first ACU graduate to earn a bachelor’s degree and doctorate in chemistry. The couple returned to Abilene in 1946 so he could begin a more than three-decade-long career teaching chemistry at Abilene Christian. He began the university’s first research program in chemistry and was the first faculty member to receive research support from outside granting agencies.

He assisted Dr. Fred J. Barton (’37) in organizing ACU’s Science/Math Research Fund, served as dean of research and as chair of the ACU Research Council, and chair of the Health Professions Advisory Committee. While on academic leave from ACU, he began a decades-long relationship with institutions of higher education in Thailand. From 1958-59 he served as a consultant at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok with a team from The University of Texas at Austin. Many of the Thai institution’s lecturers studied with Dunn from 1963-65 when he was professor of biochemistry for the University of Tennessee Medical School. From 1965-68, the University of Illinois assigned Dunn to teach biochemistry in Chiang Mai, where Thailand’s first medical school outside of Bangkok was established. When Dunn returned to Abilene in 1968, he began to befriend and act as academic advisor to Thai graduate students who would eventually number more than 200 at ACU. He served as full-time dean of ACU’s Graduate School from 1972-84, succeeding Barton in the role, and retired in 1986. In 1996, Dunn was named Commander of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand, and received an honorary doctorate from Chiang Mai University in 2005. A library at that university bears his name, as does the Dunn Conference Room in ACU’s Foster Science Building. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Frank Dunn (’40) and Harold Dunn; and a sister, Anita Knowles. Among survivors are Pauline, his wife of 69 years; two daughters, Shirley Dunn (’70) and Nina (Dunn ’75) Dikin; a son, James Dunn, M.D. (’71); three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Dr. Alvie Lee Davis (’55), namesake of ACU’s biochemistry research lab, died March 20, 2014, at age 83 after a struggle with cancer. He was born Jan. 22, 1931, in Richardson, Texas, and married Jana Showalter (’64) in 1961. Classes taught at ACU by Dr. Floyd Dunn (’44) convinced Davis to change his major from agriculture to chemistry, and he went on to earn a doctorate in the subject in 1960 from The University of Texas at Austin. As an ACU faculty member, he taught all but one of the full-time professors on the faculty of today’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Davis joined the ACU faculty in 1959, retired after 42 years of full-time teaching in 2001 but taught classes part time until 2009 –

50 years in all. Teaming with the late Dr. Tommy McCord (’54), the two partnered for almost 30 years on research funded by the Robert A. Welch Foundation. Their work included efforts to synthesize new amino acids such as lysine and phenylalanine, two of the building blocks of human protein. Davis served on projects for the National Science Foundation, wrote and presented dozens of scholarly papers, and helped the department earn its first accreditation by the American Chemical Society in 1971.

Among survivors are his wife of 52 years, Jana; two sons, Jeffrey S. Davis (’90) and Jay Davis (’06); a daughter, Dr. Lisa (Davis ’94) Dudley; six grandchildren; and three brothers, John Caleb Davis Jr. (’54), John Wesley Davis (’56) and Oliver Leamon Davis.

Dr. Clyde Neal Austin (’53), the Robert and Mary Ann Hall Chair and professor emeritus of psychology at ACU, died March 7, 2014, at age 82 in Abilene. He was born Dec. 5, 1931, in Karnes City, Texas, and married Sheila Ann Hunter (’53) on July 20, 1951. Among survivors are his wife of 62 years, Sheila; a son, Steve Austin (’84); daughters Jan Austin-Scott (’76), Marcia (Austin ’78) Moore and Joanna (Austin ’82) Rose; and eight grandchildren. (See related story on page 80.)

Dr. Roger Don Gee (’53), died Jan. 26, 2014, at age 81 following two distinguished careers in education in public schools and at Abilene Christian University. He was born March 16, 1932, in Cromwell, Okla., and married Donna Huffman (’54) Sept. 5, 1962. He earned a degree in music from ACU and earned master’s (1957) and doctoral (1964) degrees in educational administration from George Peabody College for Teachers (now part of Vanderbilt University). He served in the U.S. Army from 1954-56, then began an education career that lasted half a century.

Gee retired after 30 years of public school teaching and administration in the Sinton ISD (1953-54), Snyder ISD (1957-63), Wharton ISD (1964-66) and Victoria ISD (1966-85). He was a deputy superintendent in Wharton and a superintendent in Victoria, and served in several leadership roles in the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Education Agency. In 1978, Gee was presented with ACU’s Grover C. Morlan Medal for outstanding teaching and leadership in education. He returned to ACU in 1985 as associate professor of teacher education. Before retiring from Abilene Christian, he was interim chair of the Department of Teacher Education, interim dean of the Graduate School, and graduate advisor for education. Gee served as an elder for three congregations. He is survived by his wife, Donna; two sons, Paul Gee (’82) and Greg Gee (’90); a daughter, Donna (Gee ’85) Petri; five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a brother, Frank Gee. Robert Lee ”Bob” Johnston Jr. (’53), longtime Bible professor at ACU, died June 24, 2014, at age 92.

He was born June 10, 1922, in Spearman, Texas. He was a signalman aboard the U.S.S. Caldwell during World War II, later serving in the U.S. Naval Reserve until retiring with the rank of Master Chief. He married Vivian Skillings April 27, 1946. He earned a master’s degree in Greek in 1955, began teaching English and Bible at ACU in 1956, and moved to begin work on a doctorate at The University of Texas at Austin, where he was director of the Bible Chair for University Avenue Church of Christ. He returned to Abilene in 1961 to resume teaching Greek, Latin and Hebrew at ACU. Following retirement in 1988, he taught Latin in the Abilene ISD. He volunteered in the Boy Scouts, taught water safety classes, and had a deep interest in missions. He was preceded in death by his parents; Vivian, his wife of 62 years; and a sister, Wilma Nell Saunders. Among survivors are three daughters, Nina Johnston (’69), Jeannie (Johnston ’71) Mayeux and Alison (Johnston ’76) Peden; two sons, Brian Johnston (’78) and Lowell Johnston (’07); 19 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Bill Johnston (’56).

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Second GLANCE

By Ron Hadfield

The Great Commission’s greatest friend If you are or have been a missionary from Churches of Christ in the last half century, you probably owe your ministry – if not your life – to the late Dr. Clyde N. Austin (’53). His influence was that wide, his research that deep and his understanding that thorough regarding the education, preparation, selection, care, feeding and repatriation of the rarest breed of Christian.

In his 1935 classic, The Emigrants, Norwegian author Johan Bojer described those called to leaving home for life abroad. Austin was fond of quoting it: “If you came back, you wanted to leave again. If you went away, you longed to come back. Wherever you were, you could hear the call of the herdsman's horn far away in the hills. You had one home out there and one over here and yet you were an alien in both places. Your true abiding place was the vision of something very far off, and your soul, like the waves, always restless and forever in motion.”

Austin understood more than most of us that each of those serving on the mission field was God’s right-hand man and woman. He saw them as evangelists in the most demanding front-line battles created by the Great Commission, as Jesus described it. You know, that hard part about making disciples in every last corner of our round planet.

On behalf of the rest of us, missionaries have been there, done that. They learn new languages, live in lesser quarters, risk personal safety when governments fall around them and sometimes their life savings when economies turn upside down. Above all, they go.

Congregations have traveled far the past couple of generations when it comes to their view of missions and what it means to be a sending church. Christian universities have offered academic degrees in missiology for decades, and some of the most effective evangelism teams in Churches of Christ history have launched from Abilene.

In 1961 for example, a team of 16 families began serving in Sao Paulo, and this year, each of the 12 Brazilian cities hosting World Cup soccer matches had at least one thriving congregation in it.

Later, those families helped establish Great Cities Missions (formerly Continent of Great Cities) to recruit, train and send teams to many of those same cities to strengthen churches and plant new ones.

Austin was a founder and shaper of that enterprise, as well as Missions Resource Network. He was a tireless ambassador for the study of missiology, calling everyone to a new respect for those who minister in far-flung places, yet admonishing all to not equate a missionary’s desire with his or her ability.

“Clyde was one of the first voices in Churches of Christ to call for thorough investigation of a targeted mission field and more complete training for those who would be sent,” said Bryan Gibbs (’77), director of Brazilian recruitment and church development for Great Cities Missions. “He was a pioneer in missionary assessment. At a time when it sounded heretical to tell someone they shouldn’t serve, Clyde had the courage to point out that not everyone who wanted to go was truly prepared to go.”

Today, missiology programs at Christian universities are flourishing, and non-ministry majors with servant hearts are increasingly drawn to the concept of careers as vocational missionaries. There is always room for more, but it’s common to see teams of young, ambitious, godly couples enter missionary careers, armed with quality academic degrees and skilled in team-building, languages, anthropology, apologetics and history. God works in many ways through 80

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individuals, but such teams powerfully advance the kingdom.

Austin saw missions not just as a noble calling but a serious profession, and helped build the science that defines it. He earned a Master of Personnel Service degree, a Ph.D. in industrial psychology, and did post-doctoral studies in family therapy and gerontology. He was a licensed psychologist and counselor, and certified marriage and family therapist. He held the first Robert and Mary Ann Hall Chair of Psychology and Intercultural Studies at ACU, founded to enhance understanding of the special psychological dimensions of foreign service.

With his wife, Sheila (Hunter ’53), as a supportive partner, he was a vocational missionary for nearly two years while working as director of guidance for the American Community School in Buenos Aires, scouting the land for a missions team that followed his own family. Later, he served as a consultant and conducted pre-field psychological assessments for more than 400 missionary candidates on six continents. Austin chaired the 1989 International Conference on Missionary Kids, a workshop in Nairobi, Kenya, with more than 800 delegates from 61 nations.

He defined reverse culture shock as cross-cultural re-entry, authoring two books on it, the latter a collection of readings mirroring his research. His books are found in every American embassy in the world.

He died March 7 of this year at age 82 following a struggle with cancer, leaving behind 30 boxes of books and personal research in Brown Library’s Special Collections. “In the age before Internet, Clyde’s files were world famous,” said Dr. Chris Flanders (’89), associate professor of missions in the Graduate School of Theology and director of ACU’s Halbert Institute for Missions.

“Clyde was especially helpful to me as I was doing my research on missions teams,” said Dr. Sonny Guild (’96 D.Min.), assistant professor of Bible, missions and ministry, and the Halbert Institute’s associate director. “He welcomed me for days as I sat in his office mining the gold out of his files.”

A look at the first of Austin’s 14 boxes of research on cross-cultural and missionary studies reveals meticulous organization, starting with a copy of a presentation titled “How to Organize Your Resources Into a Resource Center.”

He culled data gleaned from academic journals, newsletters and magazines; speeches, seminars and theses; and reports from consultants around the world about missions work in the Middle East, South Pacific, Canada, India and elsewhere.

“For the better part of four decades, Clyde may have been ACU’s best-known scholar,” said chancellor Dr. Royce Money (’64). “I stopped being amazed how many times I met people in my travels who knew of his work and influence.”

Dr. Dottie Schultz (’60), director for missionary care at Missions Resource Network, said all Austin really wanted was for the church to do missions better, and for missionaries to be cared for. “I think Churches of Christ would be crawling out of the dark ages concerning missionary care without Clyde’s influence, nudging and insistence that this work had to be done,” she said of the man who was generous with praise and encouragement of others in whom he saw promise.

Austin nudged and insisted as masterfully as he researched the academic disciplines that defined his life, and saved countless others. We are poorer at his leaving, but the kingdom is a far larger place. 䊱

Philanthropy LIKE LOVE, LIVES ON

teve Mack (’82) has a lot invested in ACU students.

An alumnus and member of the Board of Trustees, all four of Steve’s children have graduated from ACU. Steve and his wife, Sandy (Brown ’82), already had ACU in their estate plans prior to 2011, when Sandy lost her valiant fight with cancer.

When she died, Steve increased that investment, setting up the Sandy Brown Mack

Endowed Scholarship in her memory as part of ACU’s Partnering in the Journey Campaign.

In November 2013, Steve began a new chapter with his marriage to LaDonna Wilson. Steve and LaDonna remain firmly committed to securing Sandy’s legacy in perpetuity through their generosity – making sure students benefit now and for generations to come.

Contact e ACU Foundation for help finding ways you can invest in the lives of ACU students.

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Abilene Christian University

Abilene Christian University ACU Box 29132 Abilene, Texas 79699-9132 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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Wildcat Stadium will feature Anthony Field and provide seating for up to 12,000 fans.

Home field advantage Wildcat Stadium is designed to anchor athletics facilities along Ambler Avenue and signal the return of home football games to the campus for the first time since 1942.

Pending the completion of fundraising, the stadium could be ready for the 2016 season. See coverage on pages 10-23.