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Pg. 6 Slapstick Hit: ‘Moonlight and Magnolias’ worth seeing soon
Friday, August 29, 2008 :: Vol. 97, No. 3 :: 1 section, 10 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com
Inside This Issue:
Pg 3
Pg 5
Thirty new international students arrive at ACU
Pg 10
University launches plans for ACU Student Wellness and Recreation Center
Tuition continues rise
Ranked and Ready: ACU football team begins 2008 hunt
Hunter Center plans on schedule for year By Laura Acuff Opinion Page Editor
$600
Continuing to reshape the ACU skyline, the Hunter Welcome Center construction remains on schedule. Plans include faculty and staff moving into the building by early January, and official dedication should take place Sing Song weekend in February. Bob Nevill, director of Physical Resources, said interior walls are standing, internal rockwork is 80 to 90 percent complete and conference rooms are being outfitted with technology in this phase of the project. Flooring and parking lot pavement should come later in the year, and a coffee venue, similar to the Starbucks in the Library Commons, also marks the Welcome Center’s to-do list. Outside, between the Welcome Center and the pond,
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a labyrinth, based on one at a Parisian church, will grace the landscape, Nevill said. The feature, made of stone and inset into the ground 7 Nevill to 8 feet, boasts 11 concentric, asymmetrical rings leading to the center and will be visible from the university’s main entrance, Nevill said. “It has a lot of religious connotations about the twists and turns of life, so it’s really meant to be a place to kind of stroll and think about where you are, what the possibilities are, the challenges of life,” Nevill said. “It’s meant to be a contemplative area, not just See
Center page 7
*Dollar amount indicates the amount each student paid per semester hour
Range of factors increase students’ bills Drop in federal aid By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief
Students returning to ACU may have been surprised by several changes to their bill this semester. A 7 percent tuition increase approved by the Board of Trustees during the 2007-08 school year went into effect for 2008-09, and several other required fees were increased. The amount charged per semester hour increased from $557 to $596, the Technology and Academic Enrichment fee jumped from $215 to $300, the Health Services fee rose from $55 to $70, and a new $75 Public Safety fee was applied to the list of things students are required to pay each semester. Phil Schubert, executive vice president, said rising energy costs, faculty raises, increased costs to provide benefits to employees and other costs to run the university all factor into the Board’s decision to raise tuition. “All those things figure in
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We want to make sure we have competitive salaries for our faculty and staff to promote the kind of environment [students] deserve.
:: Phil Schubert, executive vice president to cost increases and end up ultimately pushing a tuition increase,” Schubert said. Although a $39 tuition increase may not seem like much to some returning students, the rise in tuition is far greater for upperclassmen who have been at the university four or more years. The Board of Trustees has consistently raised tuition 7 percent the last four years, and students who paid $487 per semester hour as freshmen in 2005 are now paying $109 more in 2008. But when compared to other universities in the U.S. News & World Report’s yearly publication “America’s Best Colleges,” Schubert said ACU is still a great deal.
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ACU recently tied with Chapman University (Calif.) as the No. 1 “Up-andComing School” in the USNWR’s western region and was ranked 12th in the Tier 1 Private Institutions Western Region’s “Great Schools, Great Prices” rankings. Although ACU is ranked in the top tier for its quality by the USNWR, it remains one of the least costly schools in its region. Schubert said the rankings recognize the university’s commitment to maintain the quality of an ACU education. And to continue that quality, Schubert said faculty and staff must receive raises and benefits. “We want to be sure we
have competitive salaries for our faculty and staff to promote the kind of environment [students] deserve,” Schubert said. Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson said the Health and Services fee increase was put in place to increase the level of service students receive at the clinic, so they do not have to wait in line to receive treatment. Thompson said with the new fee amount in place, the office of Student Life is able to bring in a full-time nursing practitioner and add to the services provided to students. “It will increase effectiveness of serving students faster and more comprehensively,” Thompson said. Jimmy Ellison, chief of ACU Police Department and director of Public Safety, said the Public Safety fee was part of a restructuring of the fee system. “In the past, only those students who purchased parking permits were actually paying See
Increase page 7
no reason for worry By Laura Acuff Opinion Page Editor
Reports of diminishing availability of loan money in conjunction with a recent increase in Stafford Federal Student Loans amounts seem to present conflicting information to money-conscious students. While Darrell Horn, associate director of Counselors for Student Financial Services, said acquiring loans may be more difficult nationally, ACU students have little reason to worry. “Nationally, we hear the news about that, and we know it’s happening,” Horn said, “But our students don’t appear to be seriously impacted by that.” Alternative private loans, “outside the federal realm,” that sell loans to loan servicing organizations make up the struggling lender branch. “There was a second-
ary market for loans where lenders used to be able to go out and auction these loans off, and investors would buy them, and they’d be gone, and they had capital. They could issue more loans,” Horn said. “[The investors] hold [the loans] and collect them. They were good investments. They were good investments until the mortgage crisis started ruining everything.” Recently, some lenders have raised required student credit scores for loan approvals, and some lenders exclude certain schools from their clientele because of high default rates, Horn said. The lenders’ increased precautions, however, affect ACU students less because of the university’s low default rate. “Our students pay their student loans back, and See
Drop page 7
Malagasy students return home for special commencement By Colter Hettich Features Editor
After spending the last four years separated by the Atlantic Ocean, family and friends of 24 Malagasy seniors watched the graduates receive their ACU diplomas in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Even after adding chairs, latecomers faced standing room only in the elegantly dressed Hotel Carlton Ballroom. Event planners had little idea how many people would show, but the 625 that
arrived, including Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana, his entire cabinet and Prime Minister Gen. Charles Rabemananjara, more than exceeded expectation. Ron Hadfield, ACU Today editor and graphic designer, traveled to the country’s capital to help oversee details of the commencement ceremony and kept a daily blog throughout his journey. “The challenge was to create an ACU commencement ceremony for friends, family, government officials
ACU WEATHER
and media that was as much like the one in Moody Coliseum as possible,” Hadfield said. “Any time you’re dealing with a head of state, you have security concerns and protocol issues that we had to make accommodations for at the last minute, but that’s to be expected.” The event on July 12 spawned a flood of local and national media coverage. Television, radio and print reporters persistently interviewed the returning students. Solofoarisina Randriana-
solo was one of the 24 graduates and said the eyes of the country were on the day’s ceremony, and for good reason; never in the country’s history had someone graduated from an outside university inside Malagasy borders. “You are like a rock star for a week,” Randrianasolo said. “People recognize you when you walk around; people are looking at you and expecting something. It was interesting.” See
Malagasy page 7
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Recent ACU graduates Herintsoa Davinet Rakotonarivo (’08) and Lydie Rakotoarivelo (’08) take part in the special commencement in Madagascar.
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Log on to www.youtube.com/acuvideo to see a short newscast from the JMC Network Newscast staff, and videos from Welcome Week and other events during the first week of school by the JMC Network videographers.
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a. No affect. b. Can you say, “More loans?” c. What tuition increase? d. Who cares? Mom and Dad pay.
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Campus Day Friday, August 29, 2008
Calendar and Events
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Friday
Last day to register for classes. Electronic check-in closes. Last day to withdraw from a class for 100 percent refund. ACU fall theatre comedy Moonlight and Magnolias is playing at 7:30 p.m. in Fulks Theatre. Dodge RAM-bunctious Friday Night Test & Tune Fun and Grudge at the Abilene Dragstrip. Call 673-7223 for more information.
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Chili Super Bowl at the Old Settlers Reunion Grounds in Buffalo Gap beginning at 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Chili Super Bowl at the Old Settlers Reunion Grounds in Buffalo Gap beginning at 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Labor Day holiday (Offices open and classes in session)
ACU football @ Northwestern Missouri at 6 p.m.
Women’s social club teas are in Hart Auditorium from 1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday attire is appropriate.
Abilene Annual Dove Hunters Bash. Contact Jerry Woods at 903564-4565.
Saturday
Sunday
ACU Student Printmaking Show Collaborative exhibition by Abilene Christian University students at 1133 N. 2nd. Call 674-2085 for more information.
Monday
Wildcat Preview Day
Children’s Performing Art Series presents Golden Dragon Acrobats at the Paramount Theatre at 2 p.m. Call 677-1161 for tickets.
Online Video
Webcast
See a video of Monday’s Opening Day Ceremonies and video about the newly renovated “World Famous Bean.”
Log on to: www.youtube.com/acuvideo to see a short newscast from the JMC Network Newscast Staff.
Announcements Pledge a social club this fall by registering at www.acu.edu/socialclubs by 5 p.m. Wednesday. Labor Day The holiday on Monday is not a day off for ACU. All offices are open and every class is in session. Wildcat Preview Day is scheduled for Monday. It is a chance to meet prospective students. Call 1-800-460-6228 for more information.
Free movie night in Cullen Auditorium at 8 p.m. The C.A.B.-sponsored event will feature Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls. Students can get in free with an ACU ID. Admission for those without an ID is $1. Cokes will be 50 cents, and candy will be 25 cents. Pledge a social club this fall by registering at www.acu.edu/ socialclubs by 5 p.m. Sept. 3.
Corrections/Clarifications n In the article titled “‘World Famous’ Renovation” that ran Wednesday, Aug. 27, incorrectly reported that a chef in the Bean was a graduate of the “Culinary School of America.” The chef is in fact a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. n In the Page 1 article titled “University amends drinking guidelines,” it incorrectly attributed a statement to Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president and dean of Student Life, that implied
H.E.R.O., Hendrick Equine Rehabilitation Opportunities, needs volunteers to assist children with physical challenges by walking alongside a horse as the client rides. The task requires one hour weekly commitment for eight weeks from Sept. 30 to Nov. 20, as well as a brief training session. Volunteers do NOT need to have experience with horses, just not be afraid of them. The Alzheimer’s Association is seeking volunteers to help with their annual Alzheimer’s Walk at Nelson Park. The walk takes place on Saturday, Sept. 20, and help is needed between the hours of 6 a.m. to noon. They also need help on Sept. 18 and 19 to haul tables to the park.
ACU fall theatre comedy Moonlight and Magnolias is playing at 7:30 p.m. in Fulks Theatre.
acuoptimist.com
The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor Molly Byrd at mab07d@acu.edu.
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To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.
Volunteer Opportunities
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ACU’s Lectureship Summit, Sept. 21–24, needs someone to answer phone call requests for shuttle pick-ups. 21-year-old drivers are needed to drive 15 passenger vans for the shuttle service. Male students are needed to serve communion on Sunday evening. Volunteers are needed to work the registration tables in Teague Center, and baby sitters are needed during the day and evening to assist with child care at the Hillcrest Church of Christ and the Gibson P.E. Center (on ACU campus). G.V. Daniels Recreation Center needs volunteers to help staff with games and to assist kids with homework. Help is needed any afternoon, Monday through Friday, between 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Abilene Hope Haven is looking for volunteers to help with child care for infants up through age 10, while their residents participate in meetings. Help is needed Monday through Thursdays from 6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Abilene Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. to help with general construction and cleanup. Meals on Wheels needs volunteer drivers to deliver meals to senior citizens and adults with disabilities. This takes approximately one to one and a half hours, and training is provided. A Chapel excuse will be given 1 day a week for students who need to deliver during Chapel time. An ESL teacher at Abilene High School needs volunteers to help in her class with one-on-one tutoring in core subject areas for non-native speakers of English. The students will be refugees and recent immigrants from Mexico, India and countries in French West Africa. This can be done Monday through Friday anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. For more information and additional volunteer opportunities, contact the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center located in the Bean Sprout or visit www.acu. edu/vslc and click on Volunteer Opportunities Registry.
Cookies and Cones
the university encourages the use of alcohol off campus. While the revised alcohol policy does not automatically penalize students 21 or older who consume alcohol off campus, the university continues to discourage students from drinking alcohol. Where appropriate, and as described in the full policy, sanctions may apply to those of age who decide to consume alcohol off campus.
Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Jeff Cawyer, freshman business finance major from Dallas, and Landrey Lemons, freshman engineering physics major from Holliday, sample cookies and sno-cones during the Welcome to Abilene! event in the Teague Special Events Center Thursday night.
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, August 29, 2008
University awards teachers with tenure By Kimberly Prather Assistant Broadcast Anchor
ACU awarded fifteen extraordinary faculty members with tenure this year, and in the process, secured their long-term employment. These professors earned this high esteem position by constantly providing evidence of good teaching, acclaimed scholarship and service to the community. In order to receive tenure, a committee of senior professors must review and approve profiles and portfolios candidates have complied during their years of teaching. Dr. Jennifer Shewmaker,
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You self-evaluate yourself, and the validation of the hard work comes with tenure. ::Dr. Jennifer Shewmaker, assistant professor of psychology
assistant professor of psychology, was relieved after securing tenure this year. “You spend years collecting data and studying student evaluations so that you can become a better teacher. You self-evaluate yourself, and the validation of the hard work comes with tenure,” Shewmaker said. “It shows you were able to do this and do it well.”
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Shewmaker, along with teaching, scholarship and staying current in research, served on the Board of Texas Associate School of Psychologist. Dr. Cole Bennett, associate professor of English and director of the University Writing Center, received tenure in his ninth year of teaching. “It is like you’re on probation before you
get tenure. When you finally get it, it is a great accomplishment, a rewarding feeling; it says you are valued as a teacher,” Bennett said. With tenure comes a little more academic freedom and stability for the beneficiary. Teachers are able to have a free voice and can think outside the box with their teaching methods. “Teachers can be a little more bold and challenging with classes and not feel stifled,” Shewmaker said. “And that will lead to more stimulating thinking from teachers and students.”
E-mail Prather at: kap04d@acu.edu
International students adjust to life in Abilene By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief
It was a long journey from Ghana to Abilene, but Kwame Twumasi-Ankrah is glad he is at ACU. Twumasi-Ankrah, freshman political science major from Ghana, is one of 30 new international students to attend ACU this year. “For the first time in my life, I’ve been able to make international friends, which I believe will last me a lifetime,” Twumasi-Ankrah said. The new international students hail from all over the world, and International Student Services coordinator Laura Blake said each student is adjusting to life in Abilene. Blake said she encouraged students to arrive the weekend before Welcome Week to move
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For the first time in my life, I’ve been able to make international friends, which I believe will last me a lifetime. ::Ankrah, freshman political science major from Ghana
in and begin the process of enrolling as an international student at ACU. In addition to registering for classes, getting a student ID and moving into the residence halls, international students have to go through many things at the beginning of their college careers that can be overwhelming, Blake said. This year, ACU’s new international students call China, Nigeria, Ghana, Argentina, Zimbabwe, Bahamas, Honduras, South Korea, Jamaica, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya,
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Canada, South Africa and Japan their homeland. Some of the students flew into Abilene during Welcome Week and participated in the Welcome Week activities before starting classes. Blake said all of the new international students attended an orientation Sunday to better prepare them for life as an ACU student. Included in the orientation was information about immigration policies and procedures, Chapel and student organizations like International Students Association in which
they can get involved. But despite the journey from one culture to another, Blake said most students she meets are amazed by the receptiveness and kindness of people in the ACU community. “Several people said to me people are so friendly and nice,” Blake said. Twumasi-Ankrah agreed and has taken the opportunity to meet people from around the world. “In my country I knew just a few people,” TwumasiAnkrah said. “Since I came here, I have been able to meet with a number of people from different cultures and different countries.”
E-mail Johnson-Kim at: djj04a@acu.edu
Page 3
Newly Tenured Faculty This year 15 members of the ACU faculty received tenure: n Dr. Brenda Bender, communication sciences and disorders n Dr. Cole Bennett, English n Dr. MaLesa Breeding, education and human services n Samuel Cook, music n Dr. Kyle Dickson, English n Dr. Darryl Jinkerson, management sciences n Dr. Dana McMichael, English n Dr. David Perkins, accounting and finance n Ronnie Rama, art and design n Dr. Brent Reeves, management sciences n Dr. Jennifer Shewmaker, psychology n Dr. Rusty Towell, physics n Dr. Phil Vardiman, management sciences n Dr. Steve Wages, family studies n Dr. Wendell Willis, Bible, missions and ministry
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, August 29, 2008
Page 4
While some faculty members retire, others begin fresh start By Lydia Melby Arts Editor
Changes characterized the faculty this year. Eight faculty members retired, but likely owing to the much larger number of new students enrolled, the university hired 18 new professors and instructors and gave tenure to 15 faculty members. Kari Hatfield, a recently hired assistant professor in the Theatre Department, graduated from Oklahoma Christian University with a degree in speech communication and theatre. Before coming to ACU, Hatfield spent five years in Williamsburg, Va., performing, teaching theatre and music at a private school and attending graduate school at the
University of Commonwealth. After receiving her master’s degree, Hatfield and her husband moved with their infant daughter back to Oklahoma. Shortly after moving, Hatfield was offered a position at ACU by Adam Hester, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre. “I wasn’t really sure if I wanted to go back to work that soon and didn’t know if we wanted to move far away from our families [in Oklahoma] again, but we came down here for the interview and we were just blown away,” Hatfield said. Dr. Lynette Austin, recently hired assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, attended ACU for her
Bachelor of Arts and master’s degree before receiving her doctorate from the University of Houston. Austin has a solid background in teaching and speech therapy; she spent seven years in Buenos Aires, Argentina, teaching and practicing bilingual speech pathology, and for the last five years, she has owned her own private practice as a speech and language pathologist. “It’s a special place,” Austin said of ACU. “When you start to think ‘hey, I’d love to share and work with others and prepare people to be a Christian in the marketplace,’ you think, ‘I’d like to go back to ACU.’” Another ACU graduate returning to teach is Dr. John Casada, associate professor of psychology and a psychiatrist
for Student Health. Casada, who spent the last 11 years at the Veterans Memorial Hospital of San Antonio and the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, conducting research, examining patients, teaching medical students and psychiatry residents, left the position of chairman of the research and development committee at the VA hospital to come to ACU. Teaching psychology at ACU always has been the plan even though no positions were available immediately after he finished his residency, Casada said. The medical field, however, wasn’t always the plan. Casada said he came to ACU and then continued on to medical school on a dare af-
New Faculty n Lynette Austin
n Sheila Delony
n Sherry Baisden
n Matthew Todd
n Derek Brown
n Stephanie Hamm
n Rob Byrd
n Kari Hatfield
n Jeffrey Campbell
n Awilda Hayes
n Rachel Carter
n Victor McCracken
n John Casada
n Doug Mendenhall
n Dena Counts
n Curt Niccum
n Michael Daugherity
n Michael Nicodemus
ter a friend told him the ACU pre-med program was too difficult for him. “It’s amazing what you can
do when someone says you can’t,” Casada said. E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu
Mosier, Headrick remembered for impact at ACU By Michael Freeman Managing Editor
ACU lost two distinguished and beloved former faculty members this summer. Martha Virginia Fike Mosier, associate professor emerita of management services, died July 22 in her home in Abilene at the age of 88, and Dr. Edwin Headrick, professor emeritus of psychology and former chair of the Psychology Department, died May 31 in Fort Worth at the age of 74. “It would be hard to quantify a legacy,” said Jozell Brister, associate professor of management sciences about Mosier. “Just one teacher can have such an influence on other people’s lives.” Mosier impacted many students’ lives during her 30 years time at ACU. She was
born in 1919 in Okemah, Okla., and attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1940, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education. Fifteen years later, she received her master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma. Following her time at Oklahoma, she began teaching at ACU with her husband, Bert Eugene Mosier. Martha Mosier taught business courses, served on committees, helped found the Texas Business Education Association and was elected as the first woman to serve on the ACU Faculty Senate. “She recognized how important teachers are,” Brister said. “She thought teaching was about as important a profession as any profession you could choose.” Mosier emphasized the importance of professional-
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She recognized how important teachers are ... She thought teaching was about as important a profession as any profession you could choose. :: Jozell Brister, associate professor of management sciences
ism to her students. She was a member of Delta Pi Epsilon, a national honors society of business professionals. She also was president of the Western Horizon Chapter of the Abilene Business Women’s Association. After her retirement in 1985, Mosier stayed active in the Abilene community by volunteering twice a week at the Christian Service Center. Mosier is survived by her husband Bert, brother Charlie Mosier, her two children and two grandchildren. “I can’t begin to tell you
all the practical things that she knew that she passed on to us,” Brister said. “She contributed so much to her students. What we learned from her was something you could use immediately.” Headrick was born in 1933 in Ellis County. He earned his bachelor’s degree from David Lipscomb College in 1955 and received his master’s and doctoral degrees from Mississippi State University. Headrick came to ACU in 1971 and was the face of the Department of Psychology for 17
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years as he served as the department’s chair. He retired in 2004. “He was very enthusiastic, very charismatic,” said Jennifer Shewmaker, assistant professor of psychology. “He really opened a lot of people’s minds up about psychology and about the interesting topics you could pursue.” Headrick was famous for interrupting class to tell jokes. He strived to build fun, supportive relationships between faculty and students, Shewmaker said. He also served as a
full-time minister for two churches in Tennessee, one in Mississippi and one in Abilene. While in Abilene, Headrick consulted for the Region 14 Educational Service Center and for the Abilene State School. He also served as director of the ACU Counseling Center. “He was really committed to helping people,” Shewmaker said. “He wanted to seek out the best in situations. That’s just who he was.” Headrick is survived by his wife Shirley, four children and six grandchildren.
E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, August 29, 2008
Preparations for recreation center soon underway By Kelline Linton Head Copy Editor
Construction has saturated the ACU campus lately from residence halls to the new Welcome Center, but the Gibson Health and P.E. Center has forever escaped the same fate, until now. Demolition begins for the ACU Student Wellness and Recreation Center roughly in the March/April timeframe, said Bob Nevill, director of physical resources. The Gibson Center will retain most of its structure, but the interior space will be demolished and repurposed. The supporting structure and roof of the building are the only major components that will not change, and the new recreation center will be in the same general shape as the Gibson Center, a “t” form with the long leg tying into Moody Coliseum. “But it will be larger, considerably; maybe 20,000 square feet larger,” Nevill said. “And it will be around 85,000 square feet when completed.” The two-story building will have an additional pool that will connect to the existing pool already in the Gibson Center. “It will be much more leisure-oriented pool with maybe a Jacuzzi and lazy river,” Nevill said. The building’s plans also include a climbing wall, basketball courts, free weight and aerobic areas, numerous gathering places and an indoor running track that encircles the second floor.
“You can look over the rail of the running track and see the basketball courts and the swimming pool down below,” Nevill said. “The idea is to have it much more open.” The building design picks up elements from existing buildings around campus, like the standard brick most of them incorporate. One of the architecture firms designing the recreation center, Title Luther, also worked on the Welcome Center. The university expects the building to be an inviting, open structure, Nevill said. “It should look like a state-of-the-art exercise facility,” he said. The building designs also are green in most of the concepts. “It’ll have a lot of ledes features about it,” Nevill said. Once construction begins, it will take 18 to 20 months to completely finish, and the estimated cost of the new center is $15 million to $20 million, he said. The building’s plans focus on student hangout places and building community on campus. “The more ways we have for students to gather on campus in a social way has real value, it builds community,” Nevill said. “It’s all part of having a facility that enhances that student living experience.”
E-mail Linton at: krl04b@acu.edu
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New cookout area installed at UP By Molly Byrd Page 2 Editor
University Park residents and staff will soon enjoy the aroma of sizzling burgers on their new outdoor kitchen and grilling area that will be completed by Sept. 15. Patricia Hall, director of University Park Apartments, said the facility always is looking for new ideas that will interest the students who live there. UP had a large area that was never used, so the facility agreed an
outdoor kitchen with a seating area would be beneficial for all, Hall said. UP will be installing two propane grills, two refrigerators, a sink with running water, counter tops for easy preparation and a fire pit grill, which will be regulated by the office. The new grills in the outdoor kitchen will be more userfriendly, so students will not need to buy charcoal or lighter fluid, so cooking will be more efficient. The facility plans to place
bistro tables and bar stools under the pavilion and additional seating on the granite and fire pit area. The grills already are available to students, but the rest of the amenities have yet to be completed. Hall said UP enjoys sponsoring different events and programs for the students and tries to cook for them once a month, and that the outdoor kitchen will benefit both user and company. “The new UP cookout area is nice, but I would like to see
improvements such as wireless for everyone, uncensored cable and bike racks,” said Ryan Jones, senior English and Christian ministry major from Tulsa, Okla. Jones said he has talked to many other people who also want to see the same changes. Hall said, “we are always looking to improve the facilities and keep the students interested.”
E-mail Byrd at: mab07d@acu.edu
Renewal leaves fund new faculty research By Kelline Linton Head Copy Editor
Each year professors pack their books, close their office doors and wave goodbye to their colleagues as they take off work to study or research on the university’s tab. These faculty members all receive salary for the semester even though they are not teaching at ACU because the university has awarded them faculty renewal leaves. The purpose of the renewal leave is “to provide a faculty member with a significant period of time to devote to enrichment, reflection, writing and retooling that ultimately leads to higher quality teaching and other forms of scholarship,” according to the ACU Adams Center. Faculty renewal leaves are contingent on merit and available funding, and no recipient can receive a leave twice in the span of six years. To be eligible, applicants must be tenured faculty members and have served ACU a minimum of six years. Dr. Jason Morris, director of
the Master’s Program of Higher Education and assistant professor of higher education, applied for and received leave this year after obtaining a Fulbright grant. A Fulbright grant allows faculty to do teaching and research in overseas settings, and Morris will use his grant to conduct research and lecture in Hungary for five months. Morris will leave early February and travel to the University of Debrecen, where he will give guest lectures and dialogue with students about systems of education. He then will move to Pecs, Hungary, to conduct research about a group of students known as Roma, a traditional minority group that has had difficulty integrating into society. Morris plans to analyze success stories about Roma students who have done well in school in the hopes of developing a resilience model that could duplicate such results, he said. “We’re challenged to change the world, and this task has that potential,” Morris said. Other faculty who took renewal leaves this fall includes Dr. Michael Sadler, professor
of physics; Dr. Jackie Halstead, chair of the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy and associate professor of marriage and family therapy; Dr. Allen Teel, associate professor of music, and Virginia Sadler, associate professor of art and design. More than five professors obtained renewal leaves last year and used the time for a variety of purposes. Joseph Cardot, professor and chair of the Department of Communication, used his renewal leave to research the differences between the conflict resolution systems between companies in the United States and companies in Great Britain. On the other side of the coin, Dr. Mark Hamilton, assistant professor of Old Testament in the Graduate School of Theology, worked on writing several books during his free time. Dr. Qiang Xu, assistant professor of Biology, focused on research during his time away from teaching. Xu and two ACU students, Alexandra Gosnell and Vibul Hun, collected mosquitoes around Abilene and performed experiments on them in the Biology Depart-
ment’s laboratory during the summer. They tested the insects for diseases and insecticide-resistance levels. Gosnell, senior biology major from Warsaw, Ill., collected data from health departments around Texas, investigating the different methods and programs used to prevent mosquito overpopulation. Hun, senior biology major from Sihanoukville, Cambodia, mainly worked in the laboratory as he identified different types of mosquitoes and tested a variety of insecticides and insecticide concentrations on them. Xu will use all the research results in collaboration with the Health Department of Abilene to develop mosquito control programs that work to limit mosquito outbreaks and overpopulation. “Mosquito diseases are very dangerous now days; malaria alone kills more than one million people each year,” Xu said. “Research can be very interesting but also very important when applied to the world.”
E-mail Linton at: krl04b@acu.edu
ArtsFriday
August 29, 2008
Page 6
BOX OFFICE stats
Manic ‘Magnolias’ triumphs
Top five movies this weekend with weekend gross (Aug. 28-31) n Tropic Thunder (R): $14.5 Million n The House Bunny (PG-13): $12.6 Million n Death Race (R): $16.2 Million n The Dark Knight (PG-13): $10.5 Million
By Lydia Melby Arts Editor
n Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG): $5.66 Million n Pineapple Express (R): $5.45 Million n Mirrors (R): $5 Million n Mamma Mia! (PG-13): $4.3 Million n The Mummy:Tomb of the Dragon Emporer (PG-13): $4.17 Million n The Longshots (PG): $4 Million
MUSIC SCENE Coming Soon in Abilene: n Friday, Aug. 29: Head out to Playfaire Park for a round of mini-golf and experience the classic-rock style of The Clashing Pink Flamingos. Go to www.playfairepark. com for more information. n Friday, Sept. 5: The Center for Contemporary Arts is featuring the opening of Symbolic Renditions by Ford Farr and a performance by the Hardin-Simmons Chamber Ensemble. n Tuesday, Sept. 9: ACU Music Department performs the music of Brahms, Chopin, Dvorak and others with guest violinist Andrew Sords.
Free local music venues Anyone looking for entertainment in Abilene can find free live music right down the street at Monks Coffee Shop and Tuscany’s Coffee House. Monks has small concerts with local and out-of-town bands from time to time; these concerts feature music styles like Indie, alternative and acoustics. One thing students always can count on at Monks is an open mic night every Thursday from 8 p.m. to midnight. This is a great opportunity for anybody wanting to showcase his or her musical talent or love for music. Monks also is a place where people can enjoy a cup of coffee, listen to great music, study and socialize with friends. Tuscany’s is a little different from Monks in that the style of music is more “sophisticated” with acoustics, vocals and piano. Live music starts at 8 p.m., and every other Tuesday Kert and Kerry Prater perform, every Wednesday Treg Hudson plays and every Thursday Andrew Dige performs. Tuscany’s offers unique coffee and tea drinks and has a bistro-type restaurant. If students are searching for an ear-pleasing night, Monks and Tuscany’s are the places to try. Adrianna Castaneda Student Writer
Emily Jorgenson :: staff photographer
Jeremy Varner, junior theatre major from Abilene, and Matt Worthington, senior theatre major from San Antonio, act out a scene from Gone With The Wind
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t’s February 1939, and legendary producer David O. Selznick has completely halted production of Gone With the Wind, fired its director and rejected the screenplay. This movie already has promised to be the most expensive of Selznick’s career, and he is banking everything on its success. Things look bleak until Selznick enlists the help of screenwriter Ben Hecht, who is known for his uncanny skill for banging out scripts in only a few days, and director Victor Fleming, who is right in the middle of directing The Wizard of Oz, to help him completely overhaul the entire project. Locked inside Selznick’s office, these three men spend a frustrating yet revealing five days writing a script that results in one of the biggest films ever created. This is the concept for the play Moonlight and Magnolias, a period farce written by Ron Hutchinson commemorating the Golden Era of Hollywood in the days when MGM and Louis B. Mayer ruled the lot. The play is based on real-life characters and events, and while it takes on a distinctly modern feel whenever the characters begin to argue politics or race, it still manages to capture a bit of that sepia-tinted wistful glory that we tend to associate with the Golden days. The script plays off the infamous eccentricities of these real-life characters, adding slapstick humor and madcap dialogue to a wacky scenario that would make any viewer cringe—three men locked in one room, eating only bananas and peanuts, with only five days to convert a 1,000-plus page novel into a working screen-
play. Oh, and did I mention the screenwriter hasn’t even read Gone with the Wind?
acuoptimist.com See scenes from ACU’s Moonlight and Magnolias production and interviews with the actors.
This kind of comedy is incredibly difficult to perform for a number of reasons. First, with a cast of only four people, and one of those rarely on stage, the actors have to work harder to keep the energy flowing and the dialogue moving quickly. In a play that runs roughly an hour and forty minutes, that becomes exhausting. Second, the lack of love interests or triangles or any of the sexual tension one usually finds in comedy puts even more stress on the actors to get their timing and delivery absolutely perfect to maintain the comedic atmosphere. Finally, the actors aren’t just creating characters, but are re-inventing historically famous
individuals known for their flamboyant personalities, and, well, you’ve got a pretty challenging show. The actors, however, are up to it. Despite the presented difficulties, each actor channels his or her character with surprising stamina. Matt Worthington, plays the slightly deranged O. Selznick with a manic energy that’s almost exhausting to watch. His over-the-top character pays homage to Selznick’s notorious lunacy, but he manages to reveal a little vulnerability when called for, notably when he defends film as a medium by asking, “Do you have any other way to live forever?” Worthington also showcases a surprising vocal range as he acts out every character from GWTW. Will Christoferson is solid as Hecht, the cynical former journalist committed to making America aware of its own decaying society. Hecht’s monologue comparing a screenplay to a beautiful woman is one to watch for— when Christoferson nails it, we see some of the sensitive depth we got from him two years ago in Streetcar.
Jeremy Varner, is Victor Fleming, the superciliously flippant director nursing a wound over the flop of his masterpiece and brings some much-needed levity when the atmosphere gets claustrophobic. Varner is hysterical when impersonating Butterfly McQueen’s Prissy and when trying to mimic a woman in labor. Katie Hahn, a junior theatre major from Abilene, plays her beleaguered Ms. Poppenghul with an air of bored exasperation and should be commended for actually acting her “Yes, Mr. O. Selznick” line every single time. The set for Moonlight and Magnolias is beautifully understated and, complete with a big oak desk and vintage movie posters, gives off that golden Hollywood era glow. The lighting is efficient and subtle, and once or twice when simulating a sunrise or the burning of Atlanta, it’s breathtaking. The sound effects (one in particular, though I won’t spoil the surprise) are usually first rate, although the
Emily Jorgenson :: staff photographer Worthington tries to calm Varner and Will Christoferson, senior theatre major from Abilene.
intercom device stretches believability a bit. The racial tension and class issues the three men run into during their scriptwriting exile provide serious subject matter and are a good reference to that time period, but the slapstick routines following these arguments can seem forced for the sole purpose of returning the heavy atmosphere to comedy. While the issues of class and race are essential to providing a realistic portrayal of this time period, especially in relation to O. Selznick and his career, the over-the-top antics paired with a philosophical despair over the state of the society doesn’t really work. Also, I think the audience could have done without the plodding last ten minutes and wonder why the director didn’t edit that down a bit. Moonlight and Magnolias is a unique show that confronts a good number of serious issues while still trying to make you laugh. The play truly shines as each man, worn down to bare nerves by lack of food, sleep and breathing space, comes to grips with their own insecurities and failings, eventually realizing that for all their idealism, they are still dependent on an imperfect society. As Selzick puts it, “We are down on our knees kissing the feet of the great unwashed… I have to give them what they want, even if it isn’t what’s good for them.” Though Selznick predicts the death of cinema as he knows it, Moonlight and Magnolias ends on a triumphant note, foreshadowing the transformation of a entertainment form into an artist’s medium for truth. E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu
Christian comedian to bring comedy, inspiration in show By Molly Byrd Page 2 Editor
After performing more than a dozen times on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn., Christian comedian Chonda Pierce will soon be appearing at Southern Hills Church of Christ on Buffalo Gap Road. On Friday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m., Pierce will tell her audience through laughter, tears and singing, what she did to handle the struggles
she encountered in her life. “The beautiful mystery about God is that each person in every city has their own personality, and the message I share is received in very individual ways,” Pierce Pierce said. She said the best part of her job is the fact she knows every
night her performances will be different. She travels often and said she leaves the house before each trip with a specific message in mind. Lois Perkins, a Southern Hills Church of Christ member, has attended Pierce’s performance once and said, “Anyone who hears her speak is affected by her positively because she can relate to everyone through the humor she finds in everyday life. She can make you laugh with her jokes,
tear up with her stories and then fill you with a sense of peace with her songs.” Perkins said Pierce lost her two sisters at a young age, one in a car accident and the other from leukemia. Soon after, Pierce’s father, who had manic depression, left her and her mother. She managed to make her way through life on her own by her faith and by finding her job’s encouraging, positive energy. More details about Pierce’s life
and mission statement can be found on her Web site at www.chonda.org. Tickets for the comedy and concert performance at Southern Hills are $24 per person or $20 per person in a group of 15 or more. Tickets can be purchased at any Lifeway Christian Store or at the Southern Hills’ office. Contact 692-2670 for more information. . E-mail Byrd at: mab07d@acu.edu
Chonda Pierce Comedian Chonda Pierce to perform in Abilene n Friday, Sept. 9 n 7:00 p.m. n Southern Hills Church n Admission: $24/ person, $20/ group member
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, August 29, 2008
Center: University plans to fill offices Continued from page 1 another piece of art.” Those scheduled to move into the Welcome Center include Admissions, Career Services and some offices currently located in Moody Coliseum, and Nevill said he’s only heard enthusiasm from those scheduled to use the building. “Everybody I’ve talked to is real tickled about it,” Nevill said. “It’s hard not to be. It’s going to be a magnificent space.” As for the offices left, while some details have yet to be finalized, empty is not an option, Nevill said. “We never end up with an empty space,” Nevill said. “People will move in there; it just never remains empty at all. Space is at a premium at ACU.” Hunter Welcome Center’s
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Taking a Load Off
namesake Bob Hunter, vice president emeritus and special assistant to the president, said he found having a building on the ACU campus that bore his name “heartwarming.” “Greatly pleased” with the center’s progress, Hunter said he and his wife especially anticipate the usefulness of the building for so many on campus and beyond. “It will have not only student and faculty and alumni and parents and friends coming by,” Hunter said, “but certainly our community facilities will reach out to our community for a lot of functions, especially in the big dining hall that’s in the facility as well as all the other offices.”
Kat Patton :: staff photographer E-mail Acuff at: lka06a@acu.edu
Justin Ordway, a Physical Resources worker, dumps dirt at the field house construction site near Edwards parking lot.
Increase: Loans not in danger Drop: New fee to bolster safety Continued from page 1 because of that, lenders love doing business with us. They court our business,” Horn said. “Our roots have a lot to do with our default rate. There’s no question, and we still attract a student body that has a Christian orientation because of who we are and what they know about us when they get here.” ACU Financial Services encourages students to seek government loans before private, alternative student loans, which helps students combat nationally declining loan numbers. Horn said government loans are preferable because of their capped interest rates. While private, alternative loans may raise interest rates as students use and, later, pay them off, Stafford loans and Parent Plus loans have interest rates that never raise above param-
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Continued from page 1
We’re not seeing a whole lot of panic or a whole lot of trouble getting any kind of student loans. :: Darrell Horn, associate director of Counselors for Financial Services.
eters set by the government at the time of the signing. “At ACU, we have always encouraged our students to use their Stafford eligibility first and go to these private, alternative student loans only as a last resort,” Horn said. “It’s because we’ve always trusted the Stafford loans more than the private because the government was regulating them.” At the worst, the situation seems only a “minor inconvenience” for ACU students who found their previous lender was no longer participating and had to sign a new master promissory note with a new lender,
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Horn said. “It is complicated the way everything is tied together, but bottom line for our students: they don’t have a whole lot to worry about this fall,” Horn said. “In our conversations with students last week, this week, we’re not seeing a whole lot of panic or a whole lot of trouble getting any kind of student loans. Some folks are [having trouble] in other places. I see it in the news, but it doesn’t seem to be happening here.”
E-mail Acuff at: lka06a@acu.edu
anything into the safety infrastructure, yet all students were getting the benefit of the public safety,” Ellison said. The fee decreased the amount students pay for park-
ing permits, and Ellison said the money collected is used to maintain the “high quality” police department that helps protect the university and the community surrounding it. “We’re not taking the money just to pay our salaries.,”
Ellison said. “We’re taking that fee and trying to use good strategies to figure out ways to implement things that are going to affect everyone and make everyone safer.” E-mail Johnson-Kim at: djj04a@acu.edu
Malagasy: Graduates relieved Continued from page 1 It had been two years since Randrianasolo had stepped foot on his home’s shores, and he was one of many whose family attended the ceremony. “[My family] was really happy,” Randrianasolo said.
“After two years of not seeing each other, it was kind of a relief.” The entire ceremony was performed in Malagasy and the English languages, and the programs also were printed in both languages. All academic regalia, such
as diplomas, cap and gowns, was delivered ahead of time via mail—all except the giant backdrop designed by Greg Golden, which was printed on location.
E-mail Hettich at: clh05d@acu.edu
ViewsFriday
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August 29, 2008
Residence Life fails to communicate hall costs “ T he Office of Residence Life Education and Housing recently made some commendable changes to residence hall features and function. Most halls received upgrades, including new computers and furniture for Edwards Hall, parking lot lights near the Smith and Adams Halls and new carpet, paint and vanities for McDonald Hall. Residence Life even extended visitation hours. However, it made one crucial misstep in the process of summer improvements in the form of equalized residence hall costs. While the goal of keeping cost from restricting students’ living arrangements is laudable, Residence Life shocked returning students with equalized prices this semester.
The first time students hear about changes to their bills should not be when they’re moving in...
Previously, Barret Hall was the most expensive sophomore hall, with off-campus Smith and Adams Halls listed with the cheapest prices. And online price listings only recently have been updated. As late as early July, last year’s hall prices were still on the ACU Web site. The only previous mention of equalized prices to which many students can point occurred at a Residence Life meeting for students last spring, during which John Delony, director of Residence Life Education and Housing, also made reference to plans to convert
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some residence halls into coed facilities and extend sophomore visitation from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. multiple days a week. Both changes he mentioned with more apparent certainty than equalized hall costs. It is possible that Residence Life made efforts to communicate differing hall costs to returning students; however, clearly, they did not try hard enough. The first time students hear about changes to their bills should not be when they’re moving in the day before classes start, and it shouldn’t be
from residence assistants or even residence hall directors. The news should have come via official Residence Life notification, either by mail or e-mail. As it is, the manner in which Residence Life chose or chose not to communicate defeats its advertised purpose for equalizing costs at all. According to Wednesday’s Optimist article about Residence Life changes, Deloney said he “didn’t want students picking a hall based on what they could or could not afford.” But because students were given no notification of policy changes until months after they requested hall room assignments, some students chose based on finances, only to return to ACU to find the prices they signed up for different from the prices they’ll pay.
Lebensgefahr
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hope ever hits you this election year, know this: it’s nothing new. The hope everything will be better once [insert candidate’s name] is in the White House has been with us long before the days of “fair and balanced” coverage and YouTube debates existed. If you don’t believe me, take Alexis de Tocqueville’s word for it. The French historian and political thinker visited the United States in the mid-19th century and, after observing the 1832 race between Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay, published “Democracy in America.” In his poignant sociological study of our budding nation and its new government, Tocqueville couldn’t help but notice the feelings of hope in-
Letter to the Editor International Justice Mission worthy cause
Dear students, Mimi and I just returned from a wonderful morning with the IJM Office here in Washington, D.C. It was a blessing to join the IJM staff for their prayer time and to add our prayers for the many
Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous
information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
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fecting the nation during an election year. “For a long while before the appointed time has come, the election becomes the important and, so to speak, the all-engrossing topic of discussion,” Tocqueville wrote. “… the whole nation glows with feverish excitement; the election is the daily theme of the press, the subject of every private conversation, the end of every thought and every action…” Sound familiar? It should. Even without three cable news channels reporting every move of the potential choices for the top job in 1832, the American people were driven, devoted and directly involved in the battle for the White House. Every four years, Ameri-
efforts of IJM worldwide to bring justice to women, men and children around the world who are oppressed, enslaved and abused. We then enjoyed lunch and fellowship with several IJM personnel as we discussed the many needs of campus chapters, and how the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities can partner with IJM to increase the number of cam-
cans’ lives are littered with political ads, debates and discussion about policies and personalities of our presidential candidates. We pay attention because we believe through democracy, hope can morph into real change. The hope we feel during an election keeps our democracy alive. The belief that one man or woman backed by millions of Americans can make our country better keeps the people in this Democratic experiment called the United States dreaming. Whether your hope is fulfilled or destroyed Nov. 4, or you think this election thing will never end, don’t worry. As Tocqueville observed, after Election Day “calm returns, and the river, which had nearly broken its banks, sinks to its usual level.” E-mail Johnson-Kim at: djj04a@acu.edu
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Residence Life should have adequately notified students of price changes before residence hall sign-ups last spring.
The solution:
Residence Life must communicate more effectively in the future and purposefully update its Web site information. And what’s worse, with everyone paying the same amount, they might have chosen to sign up for a different hall, one more suited to their personality or lifestyle, had they realized prices would change. Residence Life should have prepared adequately for the upcoming year and decided such crucial policy changes before students requested halls last spring. Either that, or it needed
joining IJM and learning how you can be involved in the mission and purpose of justice. You’ll learn that you have many opportunities to be involved, including service as IJM interns, either in Washington, DC or at several of the foreign field offices. These internships are available for the fall, spring or summer semesters, and you can find applications on the IJM Web site www.ijm.org.
pus chapters, as well as to support the mission and purpose of these student organizations as a new generation of student leaders rise up to carry the banner of seeking justice around the world. New students at ACU should know that ACU’s IJM student organization is the first IJM campus chapter to form. This group has a rich history, and I encourage you to consider
the
Our view:
I finally saw Pineapple Express this week, mainly because everybody needs a good mindless comedy now and then, but also because I’d heard the film gave a new look at ‘pot-politics.’ I’d heard actor and cowriter Seth Rogen more once Your (A)Typical than say this comCoffee Addict edy also was a political By Lydia argument Melby for the legalization of marijuana. I usually just sigh when celebrities make what they intend to be radical statements for world revolution (think Sharon Stone’s Chinese earthquake remark), but this time, I wondered if maybe it might work. Now, before I go any further: I belong to what apparently, and unfortunately, is a very small demographic, one that doesn’t smoke pot and doesn’t condone the use of it, but is pro-legalization for many reasons not related to recreational pleasure. I don’t have the space to get into all the different arguments for pro-legalization here, but I will say this— with the ongoing war in Iraq, mounting tensions in Russia, our ever-growing national debt and economic dependence on China, the roughly $14 billion in combined savings and revenues that a regulation and taxation system, similar to that in place for alcohol, is expected to produce would probably be a good thing. As comedies go, Pineapple Express is a success. Seth Rogen is solid, and James Franco is surprising in the role of the loveably oblivious stoner who only deals so he can afford a nice nursing home for his grandma. However, for a movie hyped for its fresh take on the marijuana legalization issue, I wasn’t too impressed.
Presidential elections revive national hopes ...we believe through democracy, hope can morph into real change.
Residence Life equalized residence hall prices without notifying students about the differences or updating the ACU Web site until late summer.
to inform students of changes as early as possible and offer the option of submitting a residence hall switch form. Although Residence Life’s new policy will benefit future students, in the meantime, current students suffer.
E-mail the Optimist at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
‘Pineapple Express’ flubs political cause
By Alex York
How’s that hope feeling? Maybe you got it after hearing Sen. Barack Obama speak at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and it remained with you until he became a presidential nominee. Perhaps the feeling hit you after In Case You Sen. John McWondered Cain sternly outlined his By Daniel Johnson-Kim devotion to “finish the job” in Iraq and assured conservatives he would follow in the footsteps of President Ronald Reagan. Or maybe it was when Paris Hilton posted a video online laying out her “Hot” policies in her phony run for the nation’s top job, then again, maybe not. Whenever, however or if
The issue:
The film gives a sarcastic scenario of what might, but probably couldn’t, happen if you indulge (i.e., drug lords try to kill you for getting caught in their toked up turf wars). It mocks the stock arguments of the anti-legalization camp (the main duo sell pot to preteen boys and then warn them not get addicted or let it become a gateway drug). It pokes fun at the impairment-under-the-influence issue as the two main characters ironically are more adept at survival when high. The main argument made comes in the form of the violent drug lords and dirty cops
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Remember, this is a movie; it’s got to sell...
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who, of course, are meant to highlight the fact that drugs wouldn’t be dealt illegally if they were legal and regulated. Obviously, this isn’t the most reasonable argument, and the cheeky ‘doesn’t-this-look-likefun’ theme doesn’t really help the case. And while the weak attempts to deflate the opposition fail miserably, Pineapple Express doesn’t make a single move to make its own claims. Remember, this is a movie; it’s got to sell, and national economics and comic-book violence don’t generally facilitate one another. However, I expected more from the likes of a Rogen-Apatow-Goldberg production. Why bother with all the political hype? Though it half-heartedly tries, Pineapple Express can’t give a sound argument when there’s a profit to be made. Like Stone and her moronic karma remark, Apatow should stick with raunchy, big-hearted fun and leave the politics out because, frankly, he’s not doing his side any good. E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu
I’m proud that ACU students led out in IJM in the early days of Gary Haugen’s dream and I hope and pray you will carry the mantle of leadership into a new generation. Blessings on your 2008-09 school year.
Dr. Wayne Barnard Former Dean of Spiritual Formation
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Sports Jumps
Friday, August 29, 2008
Page 9
Track: Men claim seventh straight Continued from page 10 10-point event remaining. “They came through like champions, and it was fun to watch,” Hood said. Three Wildcat women also brought home individual titles to contribute to their national title. Winrose Karunde, sophomore from Nyeri, Kenya, won both the 10,000-meter and 3,000-meter steeplechase. As a freshman in 2008, she won a total of three individual national titles, including her indoor title in the 5000-meter. Linda Brivule, junior from Riga, Latvia, won the javelin title, and Keva Wilkins, from Manchester, Jamaica,
claimed the 400-meter crown. Hood said the women’s team was not favored to win Hood yet battled through injuries to claim the title. “Jessica Withrow came off a knee surgery in the fall to place second in the heptathlon, and that was a big boost,” Hood said. “Keva Wilkins came back for her senior year and won the 400meter after finishing third in the 400-meter the previous two seasons. Winrose Karunde ran 16,000 meters
in two days and earned our team 20 points. That was a huge lift,” he said. Brivule’s performance in the javelin was a meet record and gave the Wildcats an insurmountable lead in the final day of competition. “There were a lot of heroes who did things for us,” Hood said. Looking forward to the 2009 season, the Wildcats should become even stronger with the return of four men’s individual title winners and all but one on the women’s side.
2008 Winners A total of five men and three women won their individual titles in 2008. Both the men and women won national championships. MEN n Billy Walker (110 hurdles) n Nick Jones (discuss) n Raymond Radway (400) n Daniel Maina (3,000 steeplechase) n Camille Vandendriessche (decathlon) WOMEN n Winrose Karunde (10,000 and 3,000 steeplechase) n Linda Brivule (javelin) n Keva Wilkins (400)
E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu
Summer: Support your local Wildcats
Football: Defense key for title run in 2008
Continued from page 10
Continued from page 10 defense after starting all 13 games last season and earning honorable mention all-LSC honors. Joining Harp will be linebacker Mike Kern, who also started all 13 games last season and was fourth on the team with 57 tackles. “We’ve brought in a lot of new players,” Adams said. “The defense is built on the strength of the players, and it seems like there’s a hunger to go out and prove that they are one of the bests in the nation.” Linebacker Fred Thompson, linebacker Bryson Lewis, safety Nick Fellows and defensive end Willis Hogan are back and will provide the leadership the Wildcats need on defense. The Wildcats will begin the season Saturday when they travel to Maryville, Mo., to take on Northwest Missouri State in a highly anticipated matchup. The Bearcats enter the season ranked No. 5 and have been to the national championship for the past three seasons; they won a national championship in 1998 and 1999. The Bearcats return 13 starters and will provide an early test for the Wildcats. “They are a great program and have a lot of experience,” Thomsen said. “It is a great challenge and starting point.”
Brian Schmidt :: file photo The WIldcats’ defense is key to this year’s success after switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4. The Wildcats will open their season in Missouri Saturday when they take on Northwest Missouri State. The Bearcats enter the season ranked No. 5, while the Wildcats are ranked No. 8.
2008 Football SCHEDULE ACU will begin its season Saturday when the team travels to Missouri to face Northwest MIssouri State. Their first home game will be Sept. 13 when they play Texas A&M Commerce. The Wildcats begin LSC play on Sept. 27. Homecoming will be Oct. 25 vs. Tarleton State.
OPPONENt Northwest Missouri State Texas A&M Commerce Southeast Oklahoma State Eastern New Mexico* East Central Angelo State* West Texas A&M* Tarleton State* Texas A&M Kingsville* Midwestern State*
DATE/TIME Sat. @ 6 p.m. Sept. 13 @ 6 p.m. Sept. 20 @ 6 p.m. Sept. 27 @ 7 p.m. Oct. 4 @ 6 p.m. Oct. 11 @ 7 p.m. Oct. 18 @ 6 p.m. Oct. 25 @ 2 p.m. Nov. 1 @ 7 p.m. Nov. 8 @ 2 p.m.
n Italics denote home games *Denote LSC South Division games E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu
Tik Sang Kwong :: file photo Chris Pounds, pictured here, and the rest of the ACU men won their seventh consecutive title, while the women claimed their first outdoor title since 1999.
doing something productive in Yankee Stadium. As we say goodbye to Yankee Stadium, Ranger fans must hold on to that performance; it’s the only thing we can take from there. NOT: The Rangers. For a while this summer, I actually sat down and watched their games on a nightly basis. Well, that time is gone and so are their playoff hopes. I should have known winning the wildcard race was a little far-fetched. Interesting side note: Justin Duchscherer (2008), Edison Volquez (2008) and Chris Young (2007) were all former Ranger pitchers and all-stars; there’s your problem. HOT: Hard Knocks. It helped that the Dallas Cowboys was the team being covered, but it is an excellent show that gives you a different perspective on training camp. My favorite line came when T.O. was asked what he had to weigh in at. “Two what?” asked another receiver. Owens’ response—“Too sexy.” This show is a must watch for not only Cowboys’ fans but football fans everywhere. NOT: Contracts. I could break this down into two categories. The first is athletes holding out of training camp because of contract disputes (Stephen Jackson, Chad Johnson, etc.) I understand players want to get paid if they perform well, but they are the ones who signed the contracts. Honor the contract, report to camp and make sure the contract you sign is going to please you even if you exceed expectations. The second category would be pointed at Kobe and LeBron. While I think their claims about playing in Europe are just talk, I don’t understand why they would even con-
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For a while this summer I sat down and watched [the Rangers] games on a nightly basis ...that time is gone and so are thier playoff hopes.
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sider it. Is playing against B- and C-grade players for $50 million worth putting an asterisk by their names in the history book? Then again, I forgot they only make about $30 million a year. HOT: The Olympics. I know about all the reported problems in China and the masking of certain issues by the country’s leaders. But if you focused on the U.S. involvement in the Olympics, you saw amazing performances. Phelps is a freak. The gymnasts were outstanding, and they were more than 16 years old. The volleyball stories were inspiring. We have a new ‘Dream Team’ and 110 medals. Many other performances happened over the summer, but I can only write for so long. While not always ‘hot or not,’ I saw some performances that were unforgettable. Finally, I do not want to hear that Abilene offers students nothing to do on the weekends. The Wildcat football team is ranked No. 8 in the nation and returns one of the top offenses in Division II. If your excuse is they play too early, they added three night games this season. Be there.
E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu
SportsFriday
August 29, 2008
SCOREBOARD Standings Football Team
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Tarleton St. MSU ENMU WTAMU ACU Angelo St. TAMU-K
Volleyball Team
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
WTAMU TAMU-K Tarleton St. ACU ENMU Angelo St.
ACU men, women enter season atop LSC By Chandler Harris
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The 2008 cross country season will begin on Sept. 6 when the Wildcats host the ACU Classic at Sherrod Park. ACU has invited college and high school teams to participate in two competitions, respectively. Both the men and women’s teams are favored to win the LSC title, according to the LSC preseason poll. The men are attempting to win their 18th consecutive LSC title, while the women go for their eighth straight. The men received all 18 first-place votes in the
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 East Central 0-0 ENMU 0-0 TAMU-C 0-0 NE St. 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 SW Okla. 0-0 Angelo St. MSU ACU WTAMU Central Okla.
Overall 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Upcoming Friday Women’s Soccer ACU vs. Missouri Southern State, 7 p.m.
Volleyball ACU vs. Fort Hays State, 10 a.m. ACU vs. Texas A&M International, 2 p.m.
Saturday Volleyball ACU vs. New Mexico Highlands, 2 p.m. ACU vs. Findlay, Ohio, 4 p.m.
Football ACU vs. Northwest Missouri State, 6 p.m.
Soccer ACU vs. Drury, Mo., 7 p.m. :: Home games listed in italics
Intramural Round-up Upcoming n The intramural schedule seen on the Optimist Scoreboard is not the final schedule and is subject to change. Any lastminute changes can be viewed on the intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum. Team Tennis Starts: Friday, Sept. 12 Sign-up Deadline: Thursday, Sept. 11 Cost: $40 per team Football Starts: Tuesday, Sept. 16 Sign-up Deadline: Thursday, Sept. 11 Cost: $275 per team
LSC preseason poll, totaling 162 points. The women also were named a unanimous No. 1, collecting all 26 firstplace votes for a total of 312 points. The expectations were raised even higher for the men Tuesday when the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association ranked the Wildcats No. 1 in the nation in its Division II preseason rankings. The men lost, arguably, the greatest cross country runner of all time in Nicodemus Naimadu to graduation, but they are returning
runners to graduation but are returning last year’s freshman phenomenon Winrose Karunde, sophomore from Nyeri, Kenya. “The women’s team is a little bit thin,” Hood said. “Winrose is back, and Loice Cheboi will be a huge boost to us. Hayley Garner is also returning for her senior year,” he said. Hood said they are really counting on some freshmen and sophomores to step up this year. “I think we have a chance to make nationals,” he said.
E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu
Brian Schmidt :: file photo The men’s cross country team will enter the season ranked No. 1 in the nation in Division II.
Dynamic trio leads ACU in hunt for national title By Grant Abston Sports Editor
The Wildcats enter the 2008 season ranked No. 8 and will return with one of the top offenses in the nation as well as five all-America selections from last year. After winning their first home playoff game in more than 30 years last season, the Wildcats know the expectations are high and are setting their sights on a national championship. This season, the Wildcats know a target is on their back after being the highest-ranked LSC team in two preseason polls: the American Football Coaches Association and at d2football.com. But while the Wildcats must first focus on winning the LSC championship, a national championship is in the back of their mind. “We hope to win the conference championship this year, but the last couple of years we have been knocking on the door to get to the national level and we hope to get there,” said senior placekicker Matt Adams, who earned all-America honors last season and is second all-time on ACU’s record for career field goals. To help take the next step, the Wildcats will return one of the top offenses in Division II. The offense led NCAA Division II in total offensive yards (7,082), total points (639), points per game (49.2) and fewest sacks allowed (8). ACU also was ranked third among college football teams and first in Division II with 87 touchdowns. Key to the Wild-
Football cats’ attack will be the return of one of the most dangerous trios in college football: running back Bernard Scott, quarterback Billy Malone and wide receiver Johnny Knox. Last season, this trio, along with former wide receiver Jerale Badon, helped ACU become the first program in NCAA football history to feature a 3,500-yard passer, a 2,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers on the same team. Malone led the attack becoming the LSC alltime leading passer in yards and passes completed and likely will break ACU’s alltime records in completions, attempts and touchdowns before the end of the season. “They are really good football players and are very productive,” said head coach Chris Thomsen, who is in his fourth year at ACU. “But they can’t do everything; everyone must step up and do their part.” The other two players Thomsen is talking about are all-America running back Bernard Scott and all-America wide receiver Johnny Knox. In his first year at ACU, Scott became one of the most decorated backs in school history on his way to being runner-up for the Harlon Hill, Division II’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Scott set the NCAA Division II single-season touchdown record with 39 and set the LSC single-season rushing record with 2,165 yards. Knox, entering his second season at ACU, set the
Brian Schmidt :: file photo Quarterback Billy Malone will guide one of the top offenses in the nation that boasts three preseason all-America candidates: Malone, wide receiver Johnny Knox and running back Bernard Scott.
LSC record with 17 receiving touchdowns last season and had 1,158 yards receiving. Scott, Malone and Knox all earned various all-America honors last season and are preseason all-America candidates. Also joining the trio are Adams, a four-year kicker; offensive lineman Sam Collins, a three-year starter, and offensive lineman Joseph Thompson, a two-year starter. All three are preseason all-America candidates, while
Adams and Collins earned all-America honors last season as well. Collins and Thompson will anchor an offensive line that added two key recruits during the offseason in Trevis Turner and Tony Washington. “We are very balanced on offense,” Thomsen said. “We have a great running game and we throw the ball very well.” Wide receiver Edmund Gates, offensive lineman Royland Tubbs, tight end Kendrick
Men, women claim national titles By Chandler Harris Assistant Sports Editor
4-on-4 Soccer Starts: Tuesday, Oct. 28 Sign-up Deadline: Thursday, Oct. 23 Cost: $125 per team
3-2 Softball Tournament
Starts: Saturday, Nov. 8 Sign-up Deadline: Thursday, Nov. 6 Cost: $80 per team
NOTES The women’s cross country team is inviting any interested runners to come out and run. If anyone is interested, please contact Coach Hood or go by his office in the Teague Special Events Center. Contact Coach Don Hood at 674-2711 or don.hood@acu.edu
acuoptimist.com Check online for intramural schedules throughout the year
six national-class runners, said Don Hood, track and field head coach. “We are pretty good,” Coach Hood said. “We will have to wait to see who emerges as the team leader.” Julius Nyango, senior from Aldai, Kenya, and Serge Gasore, senior from Kigali, Rwanda, both finished in the top six at nationals last year and will be running for the Wildcats again this season. “I think we are really strong,” Hood said. “We have never had six nationalclass runners on one team before, so it will be fun to see what happens.” The women lost three
Great Expectations
Women’s Soccer Team
Cross Country
Assistant Sports Editor
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Tik Sang Kwong :: file photo The men and women’s track teams won national championships in 2008. The teams had eight combined individual champions.
The ACU men and women’s track and field teams both won the NCAA Division II outdoor national championships. The meet was in Walnut, Calif., May 22-24. This is the seventh consecutive title for the men and the first outdoor title for the women since 1999. Head coach Don Hood was named Men’s National Coach of the Year. “Track and field is such a mixed bag,” Coach Hood said. “The neat thing is that when some people do bad, others can do well and carry the team. We had some athletes who were disappointed, but others who competed out of their minds,” he said. Five Wildcat men, all underclassmen, won their respective individual titles. Billy Walker, sophomore from Desoto, won the 110meter hurdles; Nick Jones, sophomore from Amarillo, placed first in the discus; Raymond Radway, senior from McKinney, won the
Track & Field 400-meter dash; Daniel Maina, senior from Nanyuki, Kenya, finished atop the field of the 3,000-meter steeplechase, and Camille Vandendriessche, senior from Antony, France, won the title in the decathlon. The Wildcats were favored to win, but that put a lot of pressure on their team, Hood said. They won by a slim margin of six and a half points. “The conditions were rainy and terrible,” Hood said. “Our decathletes Chris Pounds and Camille Vandendriessche started off the meet winning second and first in the decathlon, which gave us a 18-point lead from the beginning. Nick Jones really came through in the discus and had the best throw of his life,” Hood said. The Wildcats clinched the title after Amos Sang, sophomore from Eldoret, Kenya, earned two points in the 5,000-meter, giving the team an 11-point lead with only one See
Track page 9
Holloway and fullback Emery Dudensing also will contribute to ACU’s offensive attack. Defensively, it will be key for the Wildcats to improve early on in their transition to a 3-4. The Wildcats will return some key players from last season who were injured as well as gain several redshirt freshmen and transfers. Safety all-America candidate Tony Harp will lead the See
Football page 9
Summer thrills fade away I always seem to struggle to find things to fulfill my sports needs during the summer, but this year was different. I found plenty, whether it was watching Josh Hamilton mesmerize Yankee Stadium or trying to stay awake and catch the ‘Redeem’ team at a ridicuHot Sports lous hour in Opinions the morning. But while the By Grant good memoAbston ries jump to mind, not everything was enjoyable over the summer. HOT: As I mentioned above, Josh Hamilton lit up Yankee Stadium for a record 28 home runs. I don’t care if he lost; he easily stole the show and managed to accomplish something I have never seen: a Ranger See
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