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Pg. 8 Wildcats remain undefeated, dominate home opener
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 :: Vol. 97, No. 7 :: 1 section, 8 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com
Inside This Issue:
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Dining Services open to swapping Starbucks in Learning Commons
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Popular Campus Conversation offers forum for political debate
Olympic Experience: Read one student’s journey in Beijing
Probe continues for SA noose incident
Revving its search engine
By Michael Freeman Managing Editor
A noose can evoke feelings of anger, bitterness or shock for some people. But for Daniel Paul Watkins, senior political science major from Fredericksburg, Va., and Students’ Association president, finding a hangman’s noose in the chair of his office Sept. 3, merely added to a Watkins long list of incidents he said he has experienced in his time at ACU. “This situation has been weird for me,” Watkins said. “This isn’t the only racially motivated thing that’s happened to me at ACU. By some accounts, you could say that it’s not even the most egre-
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This isn’t the only racially motivated thing that’s happened to me at ACU...
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:: Daniel Paul Watkins, SA President
gious one; it happens everyday to me.” The incident still is under investigation as of Tuesday afternoon, Watkins said he has been called the n-word, been told he does not talk or dress as a black person supposedly should and has received negative comments about dating his girlfriend, who is white. See
Noose page 7
Freshmen connect, Google group makes stop on campus prepare for Follies Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Google employee Miriam Schneider explains to Dominick Pollastro, freshman political science and finance major from Austin, why the Google bus came to ACU.
By Colter Hettich
acuoptimist.com
Features Editor
A 1978 bus, plastered with the colorful letters G-OO-G-L-E, parked between the GATA fountain and the Campus Center Monday morning. Google’s “App to School” campaign brought much more than Frisbees and free T-shirts to ACU’s campus — it brought recognition. Google, one of the most relevant and recognized dot-com companies in the nation, chose 10 universities that have implemented Google Apps in an efficient and impressive fashion. Those 10 schools are the stops in a cross-country road trip that promotes Google Apps on the technologically advanced campuses. Other selected campuses include University of Indiana, Notre Dame University, University of Southern California and Vanderbilt. Jamie Casap, Google business and development manag-
See students explore the Google bus and an explanation of why ACU was on the bus’ route.
er, said ACU stood out to the “App to School” team because of the breadth with which ACU has integrated Google Apps. “ACU is one of the first to use Google Apps … and one unique thing about ACU is they launched Google Apps for everyone,” Casap said. “[ACU] is on the cutting edge of technology and already have a technological infrastructure set up. We like that kind of thing.” Google released Google Apps for Education in October 2006. The company did extensive trial and error testing at Arizona State University before making it available to all institutions.
James Langford, ACU director of Web integration and programming, said ACU reserved a domain with Google Apps almost immediately after its release. With the previous system, Sun Microsystems, ACU had to program everything but the e-mail client. “Part of the reason we went with it was because there was no way [we] could do things as well as Google,” Langford said. “We had more than one all-nighter when systems would crash or fail; nobody was really excited about the system we had.” After months of deliberation and testing, ACU joined the Google Apps team in April 2007. Kevin Roberts, ACU chief information officer, said although many of the current Google Apps tools were not available at the time, the switch changed everything. “It made a significant difference for us,” Roberts said.
“In one instance we were able to move a full-time email administrator to a full-time developer position. A lot of the applications we have developed were designed by him and probably never would have happened otherwise.” Casap said the number of students they encountered who already had working knowledge of many of the applications and tools pleasantly surprised the Google crew. Casap also commended the university on the success so far of the iPhone initiative. Although Roberts received ACU’s “App to School” invitation a month ago, his eye is still on the future. “I hope that everyone recognizes they’re going to continue to see things like this from ACU,” Roberts said. “We’re going to continue to push the envelope.”
E-mail Hettich at: clh05d@acu.edu
By Zak Zeinert Chief Photographer
Follies Showtimes
For the men of McKinzie Hall, Friday and Saturday night will be evenings to remember as they perform McKinzie McMen: Men in Tights at the Freshman Follies. PJ Herb, freshman biology major from Houston, said he is not nervous to sing in such a performance. “I’m excited,” Herb said. “It’s a funny act, and we’ll be wearing tights.” Since 1972, Freshman Follies has been a highlight of the beginning of the fall semester as freshmen work together to produce a show for the ACU community. “It’s been fun because you get to meet new people and do fun stuff with other people you don’t know,” Herb said. Auditions, as well as interviews for co-chairs, began during the first week of school.
Freshman Follies has been an ACU tradition since 1972. Tickets may be bought in the Campus Center, at the door one hour prior to showtime or online at www.acu.edu/follies. n Friday — 8 p.m. n Saturday — 1 p.m. n Saturday — 3:30 p.m. n Saturday — 8 p.m. Tickets: $10
Tom Craig, director of Student Productions, said rehearsals have been good so far. “We have a great number of students involved this year, and they’re really pulling their acts together; it’s been funny and entertaining,” Craig said. Craig said at least 500 See
Follies page 7
Ike hits home for some students By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief
While Trae Crockett stood on the sideline during the ACU football team’s home opener against Texas A&M-Kingsville Saturday, his family’s well-being was in the back of his mind. Although Crockett said he was focused on beating the Lions, he could not help but think about his family who is now spread out across the state after evacuating Galveston in anticipation of Hurricane Ike. “My first thought is take care
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There is no power, no gas, no water; it’s pretty impossible for anyone to live down there... :: Trae Crockett, junior management major from Galveston
of business,” said Crockett, junior management major from Galveston. “I thought, ‘Let’s just win this game, and after the game I’m going to go home if I can.’” Hurricane Ike pummeled the Texas Gulf Coast Thursday and Friday, leveling houses, cutting off power, water and gas to numerous
ACU WeAtheR
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residents and causing, according to early estimates, more than $22 billion of damage to cities in the Gulf and Houston areas. Several ACU students from the Houston and Gulf Coast have been in close contact with their families See
Ike page 7
More from the
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
High: 81 Low: 56
High: 82 Low: 59
High: 81 Low: 65
JMC
network:
Photo courtesy of Paige Zeinert
A tree blocks a house’s driveway in Houston after winds from Hurricane Ike uprooted the tree when the storm blew through the area Thursday and Friday.
Online Poll :
Webcast Log on to www.youtube.com/acuvideo to see Wednesday’s newscast from the JMC Network Newscast staff. This week’s newscast features the Google bus’ trip to ACU, and a review of Summit and Freshman Follies.
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication ::
Abilene Christian University
How should the ACU community help the Hurricane Ike victims?
a. Hold more prayer vigils. b. Take a collection in Chapel. c. Send a care package. d. Send people to the Gulf to help.
acuoptimist.com ::
Serving the ACU community since 1912
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Campus Day Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Calendar and Events
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Wednesday
5 p.m. Constitution Day presentation by Neal Coates of the Political Science Department and Darrell Jordan of the Social Work Department, in the Biblical Studies Building in Room 114. A brief overview of the Constitution’s adoption and information about social justice policy advocacy will be presented.
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Thursday
7:30 p.m. Michael Martin Murphey in concert at the Paramount Theatre. Call 695-8870 for tickets.
8 p.m. Arsenic and Old Lace at the Abilene Community Theatre. Call 673-6271 for tickets.
acuoptimist.com
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Credited Chapels remaining:
Students can join other students and faculty for a time of unified intercession on Mondays at 7 a.m. at Jacob’s Dream. For more information e-mail kdl04a@acu.edu.
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Annual KEAN Cruise Night in the Sears parking lot of the Mall of Abilene. Contact Staci Owens at 6767711 for more information.
Webcast
Catch a news brief on the authors of Same Kind of Different as Me and the ACU football game that was Saturday.
Log on to www.youtube.com/acuvideo to see a preview of Freshmen Follies and Lectureship.
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Announcements New Collegiate Cards have arrived in the Students’ Association office. Collegiate Cards are available free to every ACU student.
8 p.m. Freshman Follies in Cullen Auditorium. Call 674-4864 for tickets.
1 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 8 p.m. Freshman Follies in Cullen Auditorium.
Online Newscast
ChapelCheckup Credited Chapels to date:
Saturday
Friday
6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Sterling Volkswagen Street Eliminator at the Abilene Drag Strip. Call 673-7223 for more information.
Hispanic Heritage Month at the Abilene Public Library will be celebrated Sept. 16 through Oct. 16. The theme for this year is Getting Involved: Our Families, Our Community, Our Nation. Christian singer/songwriter Shawn McDonald will present a live acoustic concert at the Paramount Theatre Saturday at 7 p.m.
Volunteer Opportunities The H.E.R.O. Program (Hendrick Equine Rehabilitation Opportunities) needs volunteers to walk or jog alongside a horse on which a child with physical limitations will be riding. This is an eight-week program beginning Sept. 30 and requires one hour per week. Volunteers can help Tuesday or Thursday afternoons between the hours of 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Key City Kiwanis annual fish fry needs volunteers Oct. 3 and 4 at the Abilene Civic Center. Help is needed Oct. 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with cooking, serving, cleaning tables and trash pickup. Volunteers receive a meal ticket to eat meals while working. ACU’s Summit (Lectureship), Sept. 21 to Sept. 24, needs
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 jmcnetwork@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at mab07d@acu.edu.
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.
ACU Police Tip of the Week
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About This Page
volunteers for a variety of jobs. Drivers are needed to drive 15 passenger vans for the shuttle service (training required through ACU Physical Resources). The Alzheimer’s Association is seeking volunteers to help with their annual Alzheimer’s Walk at Nelson Park. The walk is Saturday from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. Contact Libby Connaly at 672-2907. Find out volunteer opportunities by visiting the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center’s Web site at www.acu.edu/vslc and clicking on Volunteer Opportunities. For more information or to sign up to help, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.
Please help the ACU Police solve the recent noose incident. Anyone with information can call the ACU Police at 674-2305.
Police Log Edited for space
Monday, Sept. 8 11:40 a.m. Criminal mischief at Crutcher Scott Field. 3:35 p.m. Assisted employee with flat tire. 8:05 p.m. Fire alarm at Mabee Hall; activated by steam from the showers. 8:23 p.m. Report of a noise violation at 2600 Campus Court; pledging activities; advised subjects to lower volume. 10:31 p.m. Report of loud music at 600 E.N. 20th St.; contacted residents, and they agreed to turn down the music. 11:15 p.m. Resident reported a dead cat and was referred to Animal Control. Wednesday, Sept. 10 12:05 p.m. Assisted student with a flat tire at Edwards Hall parking lot. 4:02 p.m. Jump-started a vehicle on East North 16th Street.
found a knife stuck in a tree; disposed of it. 4:15 p.m. Report of a suspicious subject in the Campus Center; calling party called back and said to disregard before arrival. 4:17 p.m. Report of a reckless driver in the area of Washington Boulevard; occurred last week also. Saturday, Sept. 13 12:15 a.m. Noise violation at 600 E.N. 16th St.; contacted resident and spoke with a neighbor. 10:21 a.m. Medical emergency at the laundry room of University Park apartments; student having seizure; refused medical treatment.
Thursday, Sept. 11 1:00 a.m. Report of a suspicious male walking in the area of 1300 Washington St.; spoke to resident; advised. 7:39 a.m. Report of a contractor’s pickup that was stolen at the Hunter Welcome Center construction site. 4:30 p.m. Parking violation at the Big Purple parking lot
Sunday , Sept. 14 12:30 a.m. Report of a noise violation and subject in the yard at 2300 Campus Court; checked, but unable to locate. 2:54 a.m. Assisted a subject who was locked out of an apartment at 800 E.N. 16th Street. 5:20 a.m. Assisted Abilene police with a fire at The Grove; lawn furniture was on fire. 5:50 a.m. Assisted Abilene police with an injured subject at the entrance to The Grove; subject hit her head, but refused transport. 10:51 p.m. Report of a broken sprinkler head at Wells Field.
Friday, Sept. 12 9:05 a.m. Report of suspicious activity on Washington Boulevard;
Always report suspicious activity to ACUPD at 674-2305 or 674-2911.
CAMPUS NEWS
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Page 3
Belly dancing offered on campus Bean business leaves Bean Sprout lagging
By Elizabeth Coffee
By Ruth Ramsey
Student Reporter
Student Writer
Jessica White, assistant director of Barret Hall, shook things up when she presented the proposal for a women’s belly dancing class before ResLife. After approval, the class started its first session Saturday with nine students. From 5:30-6:30 p.m., girls learned basic dance moves and a short routine. White sought unique programs for ResLife’s theme of health and wellness for the month of September. She said she did not want a onedimensional program focused just on eating apples. “I want to encourage positive body image,” White said. “My motivation is not to push ACU limits.” She found belly dance instructor Jami Chance through Highland Church of Christ. The church hired Chance for a lecture, lesson and demodance for their program, Mothers of Preschoolers. Saturday’s class took place in the classroom attached to the Den; sounds of tribal drums and the jingle of coin scarves filled the small room. At first the girls were a bit ungainly as they moved their hips, but as the class proceeded they developed more fluid motions. “It was good girl bonding,” said Tiffany Kemp, sophomore biology major from Houston. “I didn’t realize it was so much about hips.” The next class will meet Sept. 27. White plans to continue the class for a few more weeks, based on student evaluations. She hopes for a bigger turn out and is looking for a more appropriate venue.
Emily Jorgenson :: staff photographer
Students learn some basic moves in the art of belly dancing Saturday in Barret Hall. “Belly dancing is not exactly how it’s portrayed in the movies,” Chance said. “It’s a lot harder than it looks.” Chance was inspired to teach Arabic dance after she searched the Abilene area for an instructor and found nothing; people from the community asked her to start her own studio. Last April, Chance opened the Magic Lamp Dance Studio. The classes in Barret Hall only are offered to female residents, but dropin classes are offered at Chance’s studio for anyone Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. More information about Chance’s classes can be found at magiclampdancestudio.com.
Student Writer
Students may soon trade in a hot cup of Starbucks’ coffee for a Dutch apple bagel as plans to convert the Brown Library’s Starbucks into an Einstein Bros. Bagels remain under consideration, although ACU Dining Services has yet to take any strides toward renovations. “We really want to be very methodical,” said Anthony Williams, director of retail and campus store manager. “We want to get this thing right.” Plans to convert the Learning Commons’ coffee venue into a fully licensed Einstein Bros. Bagels remain undeveloped from last spring; however, Williams said he believed
By Lizzy Spano Student Reporter
Emily Jorgenson :: staff photographer Calee Varner, graduate student in education from Amarillo, participates in dance lessons as part of health and wellness month.
E-mail Coffee at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
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Einstein [Bros. Bagels] would provide variety at a price point below Starbucks, but students have to endorse it. :: Anthony Williams, director of retail
the change could be good for the campus. Because he is aware of only one Einstein in Texas west of Interstate Highway 35, Williams said the bagel company’s presence at ACU would provide a unique dining experience for the community. “Einstein would provide variety at a price point below Starbucks, but students have to endorse it,” he said. Einstein includes 22 bagel
E-mail Ramsey at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Collegiate Cards offer discounts to students
Commons may swap coffee for bagels By Kelsi Williamson
The new “World Famous Bean” has one noticeable downside since its opening—the Bean Sprout and the Hilton Food Court have shown a marked decrease in revenue. Managers at both the Bean Sprout and the Hilton Food Court said the decline began with the new school year. “The numbers have been lower, but we are continuing to offer the same quality and making sure to have complete meals available if students don’t make it to the Bean in time,” said Johnna Fleniod, retail manager of the Hilton Food Court. “We haven’t had to lessen the staff’s hours or cut down on anything else because students still use their Bean Bucks here.” The Hilton Food Court has places like Pizza Hut, Quiznos and Chick-Fil-A, which are open and available to students from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Bean Sprout is open two hours later than the Bean Monday through Thursday and an hour later Friday. The new Bean continues to draw a large student crowd with more menu options and an inviting layout. During the summer, ACU spent just under $3.6 million to complete the improved Bean that has food stations such as the international grill, home cooking, pizza, produce and sandwiches. Travis Stevens, freshman exercise and science major from Springs, Colo., said he usually picks the Bean over other food options on campus. “The food at the Bean is excellent, and I can use my meal plan easily,” Stevens said. “Even though I have eaten at the Bean Sprout, I like the Bean’s food, and from what I have heard from students who ate here last year, it’s improved.”
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flavors, numerous specialty breakfast and lunch sandwiches and several coffeebased cold and hot drinks. Jessica Williams, sophomore undeclared major from Atlanta, said she used to frequent an Einstein in her hometown. She currently visits Starbucks about two times a week but said she would make a special trip to the library for breakfast if the location was to become
an Einstein bagel shop. “I would go more because I’m a huge fan of bagels, and they [Starbucks] don’t usually have a good selection,” Jessica Williams said. Both Anthony Williams and Tom Morris, food services director, said they realize student opinion is key to successful renovations. “We are always playing with ideas about what students want, but there’s also a price point,” Morris said. In order for renovation plans to progress, Williams said additional information must be gathered through student surveys. The two encourage any student input and suggest sending an e-mail to umatter@acu.edu. E-mail Williamson at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
When ACU students and faculty want to save money at local restaurants and businesses around Abilene, they pull out their plastic card— the Collegiate Card. The Collegiate Card program was created in 1999 by ACU students and has grown to include local partners throughout the nation. The cards, which are purchased by Students’ Association as a free gift to students, can be used to receive discounts on food, services and merchandise at participating restaurants and businesses. “The Collegiate Cards are a really good opportunity that a lot of students don’t know about,” said Daniel Paul Watkins, SA president. “This year we’re trying to get the word spread throughout campus to save money and provide discounts on purchases that we make on a regular basis.” Numerous restaurants and merchants in Abilene offer Collegiate Card discounts, including fast food and dine-in establishments close to campus. Some participating busi-
nesses include Rosa’s Tortilla Factory, Sonic Drive-In, Taco Bueno, Chicken Express, Cold Stone Creamery, Little Panda, Dominos, Box Office Video and many others. Incentives range from free drinks and combo deals to discounts up to 20 percent off meals and other purchases. Larger corporate stores such as Old Navy, Office Depot, Gap, Target, Wal-Mart and Barnes and Noble also offer discounts that can be applied online through the Collegiate Card Web site. “The Collegiate Card is a great way of SA giving us something for our money,” said Kyle Pickens, SA senior senator. “Something we can use time after time.” To receive a Collegiate Card, students can visit the SA office located next to the Bean Sprout. The cards are valid through 2009 and are limited to one use per visit per customer. Details, a list of specific local discount prices and promotional codes for online shopping can be found at www.thecollegiatecard.com.
E-mail Spano at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
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Recycling programs hard to maintain By Heather Leiphart Student Reporter
As more of today’s world goes green, students might be concerned with properly disposing their glass, plastic and paper products; but the ACU campus and University Park apartments have few recycling options. Both UP and the Students’ Association are currently working on solutions to solve this environmentally unfriendly situation. UP tried to add itself to Abilene’s recycling pick-up route last year, said Tenell Zahodnik, UP resident director, but the city did not have enough money to pay for the recycling bins. Now, UP staff is taking initiative, Zahodnik said, and is focusing on finding a solution. The staff must work without the city to provide recycling options for the apartments. “We have to look at how
much money it will cost us and how many bins we’ll need because the city backed out,” Zahodnik said. “We definitely want to start recycling; my goal is for us to have some kind of system by next month.” The Students’ Association also has recognized the need for an on-campus recycling center, but this is not a new issue, said SA President Daniel Paul Watkins. “The biggest challenge that a student-led recycling program faces is continuity,” Watkins said. “Usually there is one student in charge of the program, but when that student graduates, the program doesn’t stick.” Watkins and the rest of SA want to partner with Physical Resources to create a plan that will become a staple of the university regardless of who heads it. SA has placed the issue of on-
campus recycling on the agenda for the first regularly scheduled Students’ Association Congress meeting Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. in Hart Auditorium. Any students who are interested in heading the program are encouraged to attend or to stop by the SA office. In the meantime, students can recycle off-campus. Zahodnik and Watkins both recommend Wal-Mart as the best option. The large, labeled dumpsters outside of the store are open for public use and close to campus. “I think it’s our responsibility as a Christian University to protect and be good stewards of God’s creation by recycling,” said Daniel Connell, sophomore psychology major from Abilene.
E-mail Leiphart at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Political debates grow in popularity By Brandon Tripp Videographer
Campus Conversations never left campus, but they were downsized last semester to four groups rather than the eight groups from the 2007 fall semester. Mark Lewis, director of Spiritual Life, said he thinks people get more out of a small gathering than a large group. One of the eight conversations in particular has become quite a hit with students, Lewis said. God, Politics and the 2008 Elections is a conversation in which students have the opportunity to voice their opinions on recent political events in a civil and Christian manner, Lewis said. “It was obvious to me that we needed to do something
given that we are in the midst of an election year,” Lewis said. For its first meeting more than 235 students attended the political conversation in Walling Lecture Hall. Several students had to sit on the floor or stand in the back. One of the conversation’s leaders, Dr. Neal Coates, professor of political science, said he and fellow leaders are four persons trying to demonstrate Christian civil discourse. His fellow leaders are Kristina Campos-Wallace, instructor of communication. Jordan Hancock, president of the Young Republicans, and Donovan Plummer, president of the Young Democrats. The Chapel will be based on the past weeks’ political events, and both presidents will give their point of views to help jump-start the conversations.
Even though the aim is to have a civil conversation with one another, the Chapel may have heated debates. Hancock said the leaders of the Chapel will do their best to cut people off if they get too heated or if one person is dominating the conversation, in order to ensure fairness to all sides. Another way to ensure all sides are represented is the make-up of the leadership. Both of the student leaders are representatives of opposing parties as are the two faculty members. Lewis said he hopes this conversation can be a great way to show Christians can disagree and still have love and respect for one another.
E-mail Tripp at: bjt07a@acu.edu
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Students afflicted with illness before flu season By Laura Acuff Opinion Page Editor
With the start of flu season looming more than a month away, many students are reporting sick; surprising the ACU Medical Clinic staff. “We’re seeing the numbers of students that we would see during flu season,” said Kathy Stokes, medical clinic office manager. “We haven’t seen the flu, but a lot of it that’s going around is the common cold, bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, and there’s been a huge influx just in the students coming in sick and calling in sick needing appointments.” While the cooler months between November and March constitute the traditional flu season, Stokes said the clinic also faces an increase in student traffic after Welcome Week. Stokes said freshmen recovering from the week’s activities combine exhaustion with the general stress of starting college, ultimately weakening their immune systems and increasing the possibility of falling ill the first few weeks of school. This year’s influx, however, occurred too late to be attributed to Welcome Week, Stokes said. However, despite unusual numbers,Stokessaidthenurses and three physicians staffing the Medical Clinic have kept waits to a minimum. Still, she said she recommends calling ahead for an appointment when possible. “We’re trying to move the students in quicker,” Stokes said. “The walk-ins, we try to fit them in between the regular appointments, and they may have to wait a little bit, but if they’re really not feeling well, they need to try to get in as soon as possible. They need to come in as soon as they’re not
feeling well, so we can try to catch it early.” Tori Valadez, sophomore elementary education major from El Paso, recently visited the clinic after catching a cold. As a first-time visitor, Valadez filled out a few customary forms before her evaluation with a nurse, but she said the paperwork was quick and she felt satisfied with the service. “I was OK, and the nurse did a good job,” Valadez said. “I felt like she was very helpful.” Although Valadez needed no prescription, she said over-the-counter medications, taking vitamins and drinking fluids aided her recovery. Stokes also said washing hands, drinking liquids to stay hydrated, relaxation, plenty of sleep and regular meals assist in preventing illness. According to the medical Web site WebMD at www. webmd.com, some ailments become contagious before symptoms even surface, so staying up-to-date with immunizations and vaccines may prove vital in preventing illness. Other disease-prevention strategies include avoiding touching the mouth, eyes or nose without first washing hands; covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and avoiding sharing personal items and toiletries, according to WebMD. When that fails, however, Stokes said students should visit the Medical Clinic as soon as they begin to feel ill. “We’re having some that are waiting until they’re really, really, really sick,” Stokes said. “It’s just dragging out and takes that much longer for them to get better, so they’re missing more class, which causes more stress for them.” Students may visit the clinic anytime Monday
How to stay healthy during flu season Ways to avoid spreading illness: n Wash hands n Avoid touching nose, mouth, eyes before washing hands n Get plenty of rest n Have scheduled breaks throughout the day n Avoid sharing personal items and toiletries n Eat regularly, consume fluids, take vitamins Source: www.WebMD.com
through Friday to seek nurses’ attention, which is free-of-charge, Valadez said. Physicians, who may prescribe medicine, work Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Medical charges are issued to students’ ACU accounts. While physicians usually only excuse students from class for time spent in an appointment, those suffering from contagious ailments may be excused for past and future absences from classes, depending on circumstances and the doctor’s prerogative, Stokes said. The ACU Medical Clinic is located on the east end of McKinzie Hall, main level, and is open Monday through Friday from 8a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, students can call 674-2625.
E-mail Acuff at: lka06a@acu.edu
FocusWednesday
September 17, 2008
Page 5
Rising above
After disappointments at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, Wanda Hutson has learned to rise above her struggles — not succumb to them.
By Kelline Linton Head Copy Editor
Wanda Hutson flew from China to London, London to Miami and Miami to Trinidad in 22 hours and only remained in her hometown with her brother and nephews for one day before flying back to Abilene on Aug. 30. She returned to ACU not only as a tired, 23-year-old junior information systems major from Port of Spain, but also as an Olympic athlete who ran for her country’s glory in Beijing. Hutson ran the first leg of the 4-by-100 meter relay for the Trinidad and Tobago team in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. During the semifinals, her team befell the same fate as the United States, Great Britain and France when it did not finish the relay because the third and fourth leg did not connect with the baton. The day of the race was a blur. Hutson remembers she might have eaten eggs and toast for breakfast and perhaps pasta for lunch, but she cannot remember all the teams who ran in the heat that rainy night. She knows Jamaica ran in front of her and the Chinese were right behind, but does not recall France dropping the baton or Ukraine disqualifying. When Hutson stepped onto the track, she said she hoped for the best. “I was excited and nervous at the same time because the relay is not an individual event; it’s not just you, it’s a team,” she said. “I have a responsibility, but everybody has a responsibility.” Hutson was the first runner for her four-person team because of her great starts. When the gun fired, her short, muscular body took off like an airplane, pushing off the block and driving out onto the track with head straight back, arms slicing through the air and legs churning so fast they blurred together. She did not see the crowd or the other teams; her nervousness disappeared. Her complete focus was on successfully passing the hollow
cylinder gripped tightly in her hand. She finished the first leg and handed the baton smoothly to the next runner, Kelly-Ann Baptiste, who made the pass off to Semoy Hackett. Her team was behind the No. 1 Jamaican team by two or three yards when Hackett dropped the baton as she tried to pass it to Ayanna Hutchinson. “They had an opportunity to win a medal; when the Jamaicans and the Americans went out, they were very close to a medal time,” said head track coach Don Hood. Hackett cried after the race; her teammates comforted her. “We still had to support her even when she dropped the baton; I told her it was OK and we did our best,” Hutson said. “It was sad, but we couldn’t do anything about it.” The Jamaican team that placed first in the heat but dropped the baton in the finals, congratulated the Trinidad and Tobago team after the race for its efforts.
pics],” Hutson said. “But, it was disappointing; I waited four years, and the baton dropped,” she said. Marvin Essor, ’07, was at the Olympics for the Jamaican team’s 4-by-400 meter relay but did not run because of a knee injury; he watched Hutson sprint in her event. “She was phenomenal; she did a great job,” Essor said. “When you go to the Olympics, you see the best athletes in the world; just to be there with the best athletes in the world says a lot about how serious you take your sport and the hard work and dedication it takes to get there.” To have the chance to run in the Olympics, the women’s 400-meter relay team needed a time that would make it one of the top 16 teams in the world. Two days before the Olympic cutoff date, Hutson and her teammates ran in Greece and qualified for the Olympics as the 14th fastest team; their time was 43.73. They ran without
Photo courtesy of Wanda Hutson
Above: Hutson sprints the first leg of Trinidad and Tobago’s women’s 4-by-100 meter relay. Below: Hutson warms up before the race.
“I think my team did its very best [at the Olym-
Baptiste, the best runner on theirPhoto team. courtesy of Wanda Hutson
“I think we had to prove we could qualify without her, and we did,” Hutson said. The team’s fastest time this year was 43.28, which it recorded in the Caribbean Games in July. Hutson made the relay team after placing sixth in Trinidad’s summer trials because the six fastest runners were chosen to form the team. She did not qualify for the 100-meter or 200-meter. After making the relay team, she began her training in July and as the season progressed, Hutson improved her time and moved up to the top four runners. “She was good enough that they actually let her run at the Olympics,” Hood said. In China, she had to wait through two weeks of Olympics before competing. She spent most of her time preparing and watching other events like the men’s 100 and 200. “I didn’t do anything until after I competed,” Hutson said. She and her teammates could not sightsee because it would have worn them out, Hood said. The team stayed in the Games Village, a place where all the athletes lived. It had walkways, gardens and ponds and was constantly patrolled by security. “It was very pretty, really beautiful,” Hutson said. “I don’t think anybody else can top China. The Chinese people were really supportive and always filled the stands.” Hutson also was on the relay team for the 2004 Athens Olympics but did not run. The team dropped the baton in the semifinals when the first and second runners failed to connect, while Huston, the third runner, waited for her turn. “To actually run in the Olympics this year was a great experience,” she said. She wants to compete in the 2012 Olympics for the relay and a single event like the 100 or 200. “She is young enough to be able to go to the next Olympics since she had success so early,” Hood said. “Physically, it’s doable if
she stays healthy and keeps from burning out.” She and Essor also want to run in the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) World Championships in Berlin next August. When Hutson attended Bishop Anstey High School in Trinidad, she ranked fourth in the 100 and 4-by100 meter relay and eighth in the 100 in the finals at the IAAF World Junior Championships in 2004 and 2002, repectively. Her best time was 11.38. She began running at the age of nine and focused on sprints in the 100 and 200 after a professor encouraged her in elementary school but she did not start to train seriously until she was 14 years old. Upon graduating from high school, she enrolled at Southern Union State Community College in Auburn, Ala. She wanted to eventually attend Auburn University, a Division I school, but did not have enough credits after junior college. The NCAA changed its percentage requirements, while Hutson was looking at Auburn; the new policy stated athletes must graduate junior college with at least 40 percent of their degrees completed. “If the junior college doesn’t put you in the right classes, you’re just stuck, and that’s basically what happened [to Wanda],” Hood said. Hutson heard about ACU through Nick Alexander, a friend, fellow Trinidad Olympic runner and ACU alumnus, who thought it would be a good fit; she decided to enroll in August 2007 and said she was glad she did. Hutson was ineligible to run for ACU last year because the NCAA determined she could not compete as a university student for one year because too much time had passed after she finished high school and before she started college; Hutson did run for some events but not as an ACU athlete. She placed first in the 100 at the Abilene Christian Open in March.
She is eligible this year and plans to run the 100, 200 and 4-by-100 meter relay for the women’s track team; her season best time so far is 11.54 for the 100, which she ran in the Trinidad and Tobago semifinals for the Olympic trials. “Wanda works really hard; I think she’ll step in to be a leader instantly,” Hood said. “Football has Bernard Scott; we got Wanda Hutson.” Hood wants to win the Division II National Championship as a team this year and hopes Hutson can be national champion in the 100 and 200 events. “It’s having that one person you know can get it done; she understands what it takes to be good,” Hood said. She begins her 15 to 18 hours of track training a week in October and wants to improve her form before the season starts in January. “I have a lot of core stuff to work on like hips and back,” she said. “My form is not the best for a short person and is really horrible at the end of my races.” Five-foot two-inch Hutson brings her work ethic to the women’s track team along with a willingness to run with her teammates. “A lot of people would come in with Olympic experience and go ‘y’all can’t do what I do,’ but she is very encouraging and very much a part of the team,” Hood said. “She is the whole package.” Hutson wants to run her personal best this year and hopes to run professionally after graduation. She is ready for the season to begin and said she does not want her Olympic experiences to be the highlights of her track career; she wants to win a few personal titles and add to the legacy of the ACU track and field team along the way.
E-mail Linton at: krl04b@acu.edu
ViewsWednesday
Page 6
September 17, 2008
Celebrity opinions add superficial dimension to elections
I
n a recent interview with the Associated Press, Academy Award-winning actor Matt Damon foolishly chose to use his celebrity status to let the world know what he thinks about vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin. In his pontification, which has garnered more than two million views on YouTube.com since being posted Sept. 10, Damon viciously attacked Palin, saying that the chance of her becoming the second in command of the country is “like a really bad Disney movie,” and “a really scary thing.” The real scare is that Damon and other celebrities’ views may influence the presidential race. Regardless of which ticket a celebrity supports, endorses or attacks, celebrities should
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...candidates’ policies, not celebrity opinions, should be what Americans focus on when choosing whom to vote for in November.
not abuse their status with the media to influence the race or sway voters toward one side or another. The candidates’ policies, not celebrity opinions, should be what Americans focus on when choosing whom to vote for in November. Sadly, the spot for celebrities’ opinions of the election in media coverage of the race seems secure. Former Baywatch star Pamela Anderson gave her views on Palin at a recent speaking event in Toronto. When asked about Palin, she said, “I can’t stand
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her. She can suck it.” Lindsay Lohan wrote in her MySpace. com blog that Palin was “a narrow minded, media obsessed homophobe.” Diddy—the rapper and producer formerly known as talented—was even more blunt and childish about his views of the Republican candidates. In an online attack of John McCain and Palin, he repeatedly screamed, “John McCain is bugging the [expletive] out,” in a video he posted to his YouTube account. From the looks of the video, Diddy was the real one bugging out.
These examples seem to be only attacks on the right side of the ballot, but celebrity support on either side is just as dangerous. Oprah Winfrey publicly endorsed Sen. Barack Obama, Chuck Norris supported Mike Huckabee during the Primary season and Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling has publicly endorsed McCain. The list goes on, perpetuating the dangerous chance that the photo opportunities instead of candidates’ plans for the country will drive voters’ selections. Celebrities, like every American, have the right to free speech and are entitled to their opinions. But in addition to worrying about the launch of their clothing lines, celebrities should be conscious of the fact
Lebensgefahr
Paralympics recognize legitimate competition
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the “blade runner,” Pistorius runs with carbon prosthesis on both legs. Born without fibulas, Pistorius had both of his legs amputated halfway between his ankle and knee when he was 11 months old. Yet at school he played rugby, water polo, tennis and wrestling. After a severe rugby injury, Pistorius started to run in January 2004 as part of his rehabilitation. Nine months later, he won the 200-meter and placed third in the 100-meter at the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. In 2007 and 2008, Pistorius competed on the professional circuit in Europe against world-class sprinters, including 400-meter world
In Your Words
“Everybody has their own opinion. They’re Americans too.”
What do you think about celebrities getting involved in politics? acuoptimist.com View videos of student responses for the “In Your Words” questions online at a later date at www.acuoptimist.com
Jade Lane
Finance major from Dallas.
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
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champion and Olympic runner-up Jeremy Wariner. This summer Pistorius attempted to qualify for the Olympics in the 400-meter but fell short by less than a second—46.25 to 45.55. Yet he stayed in shape to compete at the Paralympics, where he was crowned in the 100, 200 and the 400. Pistorius’ motto—“you’re not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are abled by the abilities you have” —says how much of a competitor he is. Despite his failure to make the South African Olympic team, Pistorius said he plans to try again in four years. Like the “blade runner”, Paralympians and handicapped athletes deserve
recognition from the public and media. At my home track and field club, I’ve trained with several Paralympic champions for a couple of years; they have never asked for special treatment. I remember one of my teammates, a multi-eventer with visiondeficiency, who was finishing his running workout by himself at night. As he was completing his last set of sprints, he did not see the wall at the end of the backstretch and hit it with his whole body and face; fortunately he already had slowed down and did not really hurt himself. That’s how hard he trained! Able-bodied and handicapped athletes train for the same reason: winning. Handicapped athletes don’t want people’s mercy or compassion for their conditions; they seek respect and admiration for their athletic performances. E-mail Vandendriessche at: cxv06a@acu.edu
“I don’t have a problem with it. I think that they’re welcome to their own opinions.”
“I think that celebrities do have a voice, as well as everyone else, to express their opinions.”
Garrett Gunchick
Demetria Butler
Psychology major from Amarillo.
Accounting major from Colleyville.
Optimist the
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Our view:
Celebrities should not abuse their well-known status to spread political views backed by little expertise.
The solution:
Celebrities may exercise their right to free speech just like all Americans. However, they should not abuse their influence by trying to sway elections.
that what they say may have more influence than what the average person says. They can express their views, contribute to a campaign or even make an appearance, but what they say, like Diddy’s albums, must come with a warning label. In Damon’s attack he railed about how he much he cared about Palin not becoming vice president saying, “She’s going
In not so recent, but still relevant news, on July 25, 2008, the Spanish Parliament passed a resolution that, if made a law, will extend three fundamental human rights— the right to life, the protection of individual libYour (A)Typical erty and the prohibition Coffee Addict of torture to non-human By Lydia entities, Melby specifically, chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas and bonobos. If this law passes, it will ban any sort of experimentation or containment for use in circuses, films or television of these four breeds of great apes. Although the law would allow Spanish zoos to keep the estimated 315 apes already exhibited, it is expected 70 percent of current enclosures would need renovations in order to comply with the law. This act follows only a few years after Germany added animals to the basic law that protects the dignity and freedom of humans (2002). Similarly, in 1992 Switzerland amended its constitution to include animals as ‘beings,’ instead of ‘things.’ So while this resolution represents a growing worldwide trend, it also is the biggest step seen in animal rights in a long time. This act, while not completely unprecedented, reflects poorly on many different levels of priorities. I have done a little research on the Great Ape Project (GAP), and although I agree in some cases that current treatment of great apes in circuses and entertainment is horrendous, the extension of human rights to animals is questionable. Peter Singer, a philosopher who, along with Paola Cavalieri, is credited with founding the GAP, has written several comprehensive and well-planned works on the subjects of animal liberation, speciesism and the human ethics that should apply. Although I may not necessarily agree with everything Singer claims about the weight and innateness of a being’s soul, I absolutely agree the capacity to experience something (i.e. pain) is a fundamental trait shared by humans and animals alike. I also applaud Singer’s call (and personal example) to live simply and give excesses to those in the world
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Like the “blade runner,” Paralympians and handicapped athletes deserve recognition from the public and media.
Celebrities utilize their fan base to promote political agendas.
to have the nuclear codes… we can’t have that.” Unfortunately Mr. Damon, we can have that, and it is up to all of the American people to decide, not just celebrities.
E-mail the Optimist at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Animal rights resolution diverts focus from issues
By Alex York
Wednesday is the final day of the Paralympic Games in Beijing. Every four years, the Paralympics—a two-week competition similar to the Olympics but reserved for handic a p p e d athletes Pardon Y’all’s —g e n e r a t e French worldwide attention on the By Camille condition of the handicapped population; the Paralympics highlight the capacity of human beings to overcome major handicaps such as blindness, amputation and motor and cerebral disabilities. This year the incontestable star of the Beijing’s Paralympics is 21-year-old sprinter Oscar Pistorius from South Africa. Known as
The issue:
that have much less in the way of resources. I am all for the protection of any species from illegal experimentation and inhumane containment, but I’m still processing the degree of Spain’s recent movement because frankly, in context, the push to extend human rights to non-humans is a bit superfluous. In a country that famously still allows bullfighting, this proposal to include ‘non-human hominids’ in legal human rights seems a little ahead of itself. Spain also has been noted for a rising trend in housing costs and homelessness with the Spanish Institute of Statistics offering a conservative estimation of Spanish homelessness as approximately 22,000 homeless persons in a population of 40 million (other organiza-
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In a country that still famously allows bullfighting, this proposal to include ‘non-human hominids’ in legal human rights seems a little ahead of itself.
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tions have estimated a homeless population of more than 27,000 persons). So why apes? Why not spend the money that will likely be spent on providing better housing for apes on providing housing for humans? What are we, not as Christians or Americans, but as simple, compassionate human beings, to do with this sort of change? While I hope the United States is not completely left in the dust in this movement, I do think weightier issues should be addressed before we give human rights to those who might not comprehend them. With human slavery, sex trafficking and homelessness still prevalent in the world today, I wish the efforts and talents of those like Singer were spent first on the cause of human rights for humans. Then, we might actually be getting somewhere.
E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu
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FROM THE FRONT/SPORTS JUMPS
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Page 7
Football: Scott scores three TDs in Wildcats’ rout Continued from page 8 a comeback. On first down and 10 from the 34-yard line, linebacker Bryson Lewis blitzed off the left end after quarterback Terry Mayo dropped back for a pass. Lewis blindsided Mayo, forcing a fumble that was scooped up by defensive lineman Aston Whiteside. Whiteside returned the fumble 29 yards for a touchdown with five seconds
remaining in the first half. “[The turnovers] were huge and the first one was big,” Thomsen said. “We went for it on fourth and four and didn’t get it and the defense turns around and gets a big one and picks up the slack; and right before the half it was 28-0 and to make it 35-0 for all practical purposes put it away.” The Wildcats scored again just two minutes into the third quarter on a 14-yard run from
Bernard Scott to make it 42-0. After the score, the Wildcats coasted, taking out most of the starters, and finished off the Lions 45-14 Scott finished with 121 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns and also led all receivers with six catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. Scott earned LSC co-South Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance. Wide receivers Johnny Knox and Jonathan
Ferguson each finished with 80 yards while Morris finished with 56 yards and a touchdown. Malone finished with 390 yards and two touchdowns on 24-39 passing with two interceptions, breaking the ACU and LSC all-time touchdown record for passing, eclipsing the previous mark of 84. Defensively, safety Nick Fellows led the Wildcats with seven tackles, one interception and one pass breakup. Defensive
back Richard Havins added six tackles while safety Tony harp had three. Defensive back Alex Harbison and linebacker Eric Edwards each added a half sack while Lewis added one sack and a forced fumble. “Nick Fellows had his best game and Tony Harp also played well,” Thomsen said. “I’m proud of the way those two guys played at safety.” The Wildcats (2-0) will travel to play Southeastern Okla-
homa State (1-2) Saturday in Durant, Okla. “We won and we will watch films and look at the good and bad plays we did and clean up the mistakes,” Scott said. “We’ll learn because we are going to face a better team and we will not be able to afford to make those mistakes.”
E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu
Soccer: Hometown rival HSU next for Cats Volleyball: Mock sees Continued from page 8 first half to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Alyson Thomas scored her first goal of the season later in the second half to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead. Katie miller concluded the scoring, heading the ball into the net for the Wildcats on a setup from Kaleigh Johnson. The Wildcats won 3-0 with goalies Crissy Lawson and Elliot London combing for the third shutout of the season. In their second game, the Wildcats won 1-0 against Our
Lady of the Lake. It was their fourth shutout of the season, with goalie Crissy Lawson playing another great game. “The defense played great this weekend; again they have played solid all year,” head coach Casey Wilson said. “Crissy played solid as well; her position seems always right, and she comes out and seems to make the right choice so far.” The sole goal of the game came from Alyson Thomas, who scored as time was running out in the first half. It was Thomas’ second goal of
the year, which was setup by co-captain Jordan Reese. Thomas, who was a defender last year, played forward this weekend and it paid off as she notched two goals. The Wildcats improved their record to 3-2-1 with a pair of victories this past weekend. Coach Wilson was impressed by the play of Thomas this weekend. “Last year she played sweeper and stopper; this year she is playing centermid with the ability to shoot, but we changed our formation and put her up at center
forward in order to give her shots in and around the 18. She is also someone we depend on to take our long direct kicks as well.” The Wildcats will play McMurry University on Monday at McMurry. This will be the Wildcats’ final game before the opening conference play at home against Angelo State on Sept. 26th.
E-mail Cantrell at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
benefit in first loss Continued from page 8 going to lose,” Mock said. “Rarely does a team go an entire season undefeated. Even the Patriots weren’t able to do that last year. Honestly, that is not something a coach expects out of their team. It is unfortunate that we lost and we are not happy about it, but there are some things that we can take from this loss, that if we fix them, can make us a better team,” she said.
Mock said junior outside hitter Michelle Bacon was a standout for the Wildcats by blocking well and doing a great job on offense. Tuesday, the Wildcats improved their record to 10-1 after beating Texas-Permian Basin 3-0 on their first home game. The Wildcats will travel to play Tarleton State on Thursday and Texas A&MKingsville on Saturday. E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu
Ike: Students’ houses damaged, destroyed Cross: all-Americans Continued from page 1 and friends back home, most of who are without power and are dealing with the damage caused by the hurricane. “There is no power, no gas, no water,” Crockett said of Galveston. “It’s pretty impossible for anybody to live down there at this point.” Crockett hopped into his 1998 Mitsubishi Galant Sunday afternoon and sped to Forth Worth where his mother, stepfather, grandparents, pregnant sister and her boyfriend were staying in a hotel. He was with them Monday evening and said school and football were probably the last things on his mind. A Galveston police officer who is a family friend drove by Crockett’s house and confirmed that unlike several of his neighbors, his family’s house was still standing, Crockett said. Although he is optimistic, he said the roof was caved in and he does not know if his family’s
house is flooded or when his family can return home. “We haven’t lost everything; we have our lives and we have each other,” Crockett said. Daniel Winn, senior political science major from Houston, discovered his family’s beach house on the Bolivare Peninsula was reduced to a pile of rubble after Ike moved through the area Thursday. “It was like five houses down from the beach, so we figured it was going to be gone; I saw aerial photos of our neighborhood, and it’s not there anymore,” Winn said. The house his father and grandfather built about 35 years ago was the setting for several childhood memories, he said, and his family probably would not be able to travel to the Gulf and assess the damage for at least a month. “It’s weird to think that last time I was there will be the last time I’m going to be there,” Winn said. “It probably won’t
really kick in until I get down there and check it out.” Like several other residents in the Houston area, Winn said his family decided to wait out the hurricane and are now without power. That was the story for the families of David Schlottman, senior political science major from Spring, and Cody Rollins, senior management major from Houston; both of them said their families’ houses received minor damage. Schlottman said his father, a pilot for the Houstonbased Continental Airlines, helped evacuate the planes at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and his mother was home alone while the storm trekked through the area Friday afternoon. Rollins said Ike’s highpowered winds, which reportedly had gusts of more than 100 mph, uprooted several trees around his mother and stepfather’s house in the Woodlands, and one
pine tree blew over, broke through the roof and landed in the master bathroom. “It was a little scary because I saw all the pictures, and I didn’t know if their house was still standing or what,” Rollins said. ACU alumnus Cayce Garrison, a fifth-grade teacher in Baytown, evacuated to her aunt’s house in Fort Worth and said she does not know if her apartment was damaged. While Ike was headed toward the Houston area, she said her school cancelled classes midThursday and it was “a mess” to get in touch with the students’ parents and ensure everyone got home safely. “They’re saying it could be anywhere from a week to a month until school is re-opened and life is back to normal,” Garrison said.
ment, said until a culprit is found, people should not jump to conclusions. “I think what Daniel, as well as any other person, has to be careful of is that they don’t allow the negative things in their life taint how they perceive the world,” Pendergrass said. The noose could have been left in Watkins’ office for any number of reasons, he said. “I never saw this as a hate crime,” Pendergrass said. “I don’t know who did it. But I do know that everybody needs to be investigated to make sure we find out the truth.” Watkins said he remains optimistic and unafraid about what will happen as the ACU Police Department continues its investigation. “Traditionally, the noose has been used as a terrorist tactic for intimidation, for fear,” Watkins said. “But, I haven’t been afraid that someone is going to kill me. My parents said that they raised me to be prepared for situations like this. They trusted and knew that I would handle myself in the most positive way not only for my family, but for my faith.” Watkins, Jackson and Pendergrass said they all agree that the incident should be a call to action among the ACU student body to dis-
cuss race relations. “Not everybody is going to see eye-to-eye,” Jackson said. “Some people are fearful of other people because they grew up in a town where they didn’t see too many black people or see too many white people. That’s not to say they’re racist, but that it’s something that they’re not used to. I think that until we can come together and be honest and express what is really in our hearts and minds, then we’re never going to get anywhere.” So far, the administration, faculty, staff and students have been supportive, Watkins said. He has received numerous gifts, letters, messages and e-mails of encouragement since the noose was left in his office. “It has been a really positive reaction,” Watkins said. “I can really feel that tangible support system in the ACU community. That’s been good knowing that people do care about me.” Tolerance and support among the ACU student body, about 20 percent of which are minorities, are strong characteristics to have, Pendergrass said. “I believe that our school is a lot more tolerant; we’re a lot more of a place of acceptance, and to couple all of that with Christianity, I think that we have some of the finest Chris-
tians that you’d ever want to see,” Pendergrass said. Watkins said the Students’ Association Cabinet also has rallied around him. “We really are a team,” Watkins said. “I’ve been in SA for three years, and there’s an energy that I’ve never really felt before. It’s good to know they have my back, and that I have theirs.” Although the noose incident already has received national attention from media outlets such as ABCNews.com, the Associated Press and newspapers across the country, Watkins said he hopes the university will stay focused on learning and moving forward in the areas of forgiveness, love and race relations. “It’s important to me to communicate to everyone where I’m coming from, how I feel about it in a non-sensationalist way,” Watkins said. “I have no intention to be famous. I think if this situation becomes too sensationalized, then we as a community don’t benefit from it as much as we could; I think that what happened can be taken as a learning moment for us. The Bible says, ‘all things will work together for good for those who love the Lord.’”
will run in Lubbock Continued from page 8 The women’s team will run with both of its allAmericans, Loice Cheboi and Winrose Karunde. Coach Burroughs said he’d like to see a good, conservative effort out of his women’s team as well as they begin their quest for an eighth straight conference title. Burroughs is looking forward to this weekend’s race and getting to know his new runners better. He feels the transition won’t be too hard. “Athletes are athletes; the big transition is getting to know them,” he said. Burroughs won’t have too hard of a time getting to know ACU’s nationally acclaimed athletes. As an as-
sistant at Iona College near New York City, he helped coach a team that finished in the top four every year in the NCAA Division I rankings. He enjoyed his time as an assistant, but now looks forward to the chance to coach his own team in Abilene. “I thought it was a great opportunity to coach my own athletes and take on more responsibility,” Burroughs said. “New York City is fun, but after four years it wears on you.” The Wildcats will compete at the Texas Tech Red Raider Invitational Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Lubbock.
E-mail Craig at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Follies: Theme Noose: Race relations still issue at ACU plays off iPhones Continued from page 1
Watkins said what occurred in his office more than a week ago almost does not compare to what he already has experienced. “The conglomeration of all the other things that have happened has had such a direct impact on who I am as a person, how I react to things, the way I think of myself, how I relate to other people, that I view the body of acts that has taken place as a bigger deal than this,” Watkins said. “This is more of an isolated event, and it didn’t really get to me the same way other things have because it was faceless.” But not everyone on campus views the act as hateful. Joshua Jackson, senior youth and family ministry major from Wichita, Kan., and president of the Student African American Brotherhood, said that although he has heard stereotypical comments about black students while at ACU, he does not believe every comment is malicious. “In some cases, it’s racism. But I think it’s more of just the ignorance of people who don’t know any better,” Jackson said. “Now with the times changing, some people just haven’t changed with the times.” George Pendergrass, director of multicultural enrich-
E-mail Johnson-Kim at: djj04a@acu.edu
E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
Continued from page 1 freshmen are participating. The performances will range from large group acts to solo routines. The theme of this year’s production is “iFollies: ACU Freshmen Get Connected,” referring to the iPhones and iPod touches that were distributed to all freshmen at the beginning of the semester. “It’s a common theme that runs throughout the whole show,” Craig said. “The show is centered around how students are connecting to ACU through technology.” Four co-chairs will act as the hosts for the show: Amy Archer, freshman nursing major from Pflugerville; Hailey Clinton, freshman public relations and advertising major from Keller; Jeremy Moore, freshman musical theatre major from Mesquite; and Lezli Parrish, freshman math education major from Levelland. Each co-chair applied and went through an interview process at the beginning of the semester. “We had several students apply, but going through the interview process, we were able to pick four people that we thought would work well
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The show is centered around how students are connecting to ACU through technology. :: Tom Craig, director of Student Productions
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together and make things happen in a quick and organized fashion,” Craig said. For PJ Herb and the rest of the participating freshman class, Freshman Follies will provide them with memories that might last a lifetime. The show will take place in Cullen Auditorium, and performances are scheduled for Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets cost $10. For more information, students can visit www.acu.edu/ follies or contact Tom Craig, director of Student Productions, at 674-4864.
E-mail Zeinert at: zaz05a@acu.edu
SportsWednesday
September 17, 2008
Opening Defense
SCOREBOARD Standings Football Team Tarleton St. WTAMU ACU MSU TAMU-K ENMU Angelo St.
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Overall 3-0 3-0 2-0 2-0 2-1 1-2 0-2
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
MSU ACU WTAMU SE Okla Angelo St.
Tarleton St. * 6 of 14 LSC Teams
Assistant Sports Editor
Overall 13-0 9-1 10-2 9-4 8-5 7-5
Women’s Soccer Team
Div. Overall
WTAMU 1-0 4-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 3-1 TAMU-C 0-0 3-1-1
0-0 0-0 Angelo St. 0-0 East Central 0-0 MSU 0-0 NE St. 0-0 SW Okla. 0-0 ENMU 0-0 ACU
Cent. Okla.
3-2-1 3-2-1 4-3 2-2 2-3 1-2-1 2-4 3-4
Scores Thursday Volleyball ACU 3, St. Mary’s 0
Friday Soccer ACU 3, John Brown 0
Volleyball ACU 1, Incarnate Word 3
Saturday Football ACU 45, Texas A&M-Commerce 14
Soccer ACU 1, Our Lady of the Lake 0
Upcoming Thursday Volleyball ACU vs. Tarleton State, 7 p.m.
Friday Cross Country Red Raider Invitational, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday Volleyball ACU vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, 2 p.m.
Football ACU vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State, 6 p.m. :: Home games listed in italics
Emily Jorgenson :: staff photographer Linebacker Mike Kern scoops up a fumble in the first quarter and returns it 35 yards for a touchdown. The Wildcat defense scored two touchdowns in ACU’s 45-14 win against Texas A&M-Commerce. The Wildcats will travel to play Southeastern Oklahoma State on Saturday.
acuoptimist.com: Log on to see highlights from ACU’s home opening 45-14 win over the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions at Shotwell Stadium on Saturday.
ACU wins home opener, remains undefeated By Grant Abston
n Running back Bernard Scott earned LSC co-South Offensive Player of the Week honors Scott after he led ACU to a 45-14 victory over TAMU-Commerce. Scott rushed for 121 yards and had 131 yards receiving with three total touchdowns.
Intramural Round-up Fall sports Football Starts: Thursday, Sept. 16 Sign-up Deadline: Thursday, Sept. 11 Cost: $275 per team
Football
Sports Editor
The Wildcats jumped out to a 21-point lead in the first quarter Saturday against Texas A&M-Commerce and never looked back, led by running back Bernard Scott’s 252 all-purpose yards and a much-improved defense. After giving up 14 points on the first two drives and 21 total first quarter points against Northwest Missouri State, the Wildcat defense shut down the Lions, giving up only 14 second-half points after the game was all but over. The defense also returned two fumbles for
touchdowns in the first half to help the Wildcats jump out to a 35-0 lead at halftime. “I like the way our guys came out and were really focused early, and I thought they had a real aggressive approach to the game,” said head coach Chris Thomsen. “It’s a sign of a team that’s hungry, focused and ready to play, and the coaches did a good job of getting them ready to do that.” Scott got the offense rolling for the Wildcats only four minutes in after taking a pass from quarterback Billy Malone for a 34-yard touch-
down to cap a six-play, 56yard drive. On the next possession, Scott scored again on a 45-yard run that gave the Wildcats a 14-0 lead. The Wildcat defense then made its first big play of the game, forcing a fumble after hitting the Lions’ running back. Wildcat linebacker Mike Kern picked up the fumble and returned it 35 yards for ACU’s first defensive touchdown of the year. “I think the defense came out ready to play and made a lot of big plays, from the defensive line to the secondary,” Scott said. “They were ready for their offense and came out making plays.”
Wide receiver Chris Morris put the Wildcats up 28-0 after scoring his first touchdown of the season midway through the second quarter. Malone found Morris for a 35-yard touchdown for Malone’s second touchdown pass of the game. After marching down the field right before the half, the Wildcats turned the ball over on the 29-yard line with only 15 seconds remaining. But the Wildcat defense stepped up again, making the biggest play of the game and all but putting an end to the Lions’ chances of making See
Football page 7
Season of change starts with intramural football By Chandler Harris Assistant Sports Editor
The intramural football season began on Tuesday night with students playing 20 games at the Larry “Satch” Sanders Intramural Fields. This season has been highly anticipated due to changes in the format of game plays and the introduction of a co-ed league. This season 1100 students and 58 total teams are playing in the five leagues: two men’s, two women’s and one co-ed. Compared to last season, this season has one more team participating. Games will be played
Intramurals on Tuesday and Thursday nights with an occasional Monday night game due to the amount of teams participating, Kimberly Svien, intramural public relations director, said. The games will begin at 6 p.m. each night and every hour, on the hour, ending with games at 10 p.m. The games will be played on four separate fields as opposed to only two in the past years. With the formation of the co-ed league, students are now allowed to play in two leagues, one that is gender specific and the co-ed league.
Houston Runyan, junior accounting and finance major from Houston, is looking forward to playing in the newly formed co-ed league. “I feel like it is going to be interesting,” Runyan said. “I think the matchups will be more even because I feel like it will be less of an individual game and more of a team effort. I am also excited about being able to play more games because I am allowed to be in two separate leagues. It will be good times for all.” Joel Bezinque, junior electronic media major from Midland, is playing cornerback for Galaxy’s champ team.
“This is my first champ league football experience and I am pretty excited about it,” Bezinque said. “Our team in drawing up plays and stuff as opposed to my teams freshman and sophomore years, when we just played school-yard ball.” Bezinque said he thinks champ league will be faster and more intense because more is at stake. “In the end, it’s mainly just for fun, but there is a bigger sense of pride if you win champ league,” Bezinque said.
Sports Writer
The Wildcat cross country team will participate in its second race this year at the annual Red Raider Invitational Friday evening at Texas Tech. The men will look to win their second race of the season while the women will look to improve off a second-place finish in the ACU Classic. The event will feature the debut of ACU’s new cross country head coach, Sam Burroughs. Burroughs, a former assistant coach for Iona College, said he is looking for a good, conservative effort out of the team this weekend, wanting to see his teams run at about 90% in an attempt to prevent injury and fatigue. “We are going into this race with the understanding that the competition is good, not crazy,” Burroughs said. “We are going to be controlled; our goal is preparing for a national championship. Our
See
Cross page 7
See
Volleyball page 7
Wildcats post two shutouts By Ryan Cantrell Sports Writer
Cross Country goal for this weekend is to have a good experience, having the kids operate the game plan successfully with no injuries or weaknesses,” he said. The men’s team will run this weekend without three of its five all-Americans. Amos Sang and Cleophas Tanui will miss the event with minor injuries, and Serge Gasore will miss the race for NCAA technicalities. Burroughs said that Sang and Tanui’s injuries were minor, and that both runners will return soon. However, all-Americans Daniel Maina and Julius Nyango will both compete for the team Friday. Coach Burroughs said this event provides a stage for runners like freshman Charles White to step up, emphasizing White’s importance to this teams’ goal for a third straight national championship and its 18th consecutive conference title.
The ACU volleyball team traveled to San Antonio on Thursday for the Texas MedClinic Regional Crossover. The Wildcats played only two of three scheduled games due to Hurricane Ike, which struck the Gulf Coast region over the weekend. The team continued its great start on Thursday, winning its ninth consecutive game by defeating St. Mary’s 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-21). The 9-0 start is the second best in school history behind the 1991 team, which began 12-0. Mock Sophomore middle blocker Jordan Schilling led the Wildcat offense with 11 kills on 24 attacks. Freshman outside hitter Jennie Hutt added eight kills to aid in the victory. Sophomore setter Ijeoma Moronu contributed with 35 assists and three kills. Coach Kellen Mock was impressed with how well her team played against St. Mary’s. “We got straight off a bus and played well and that is not an easy thing to do,” Mock said. “We did a good job of taking care of that match and winning it in three.” In its second game of the tournament, the team suffered its first loss of the season, 3-1 (19-25, 25-22, 26-24, 27-25), against Incarnate Word. The Wildcats came out strong in the first set, hitting .593 with 16 kills and no errors. Despite the set one victory, the Wildcats hit a combined .152 for the final three sets. The stat lines for each team were virtually even in the end, but the Cardinals came out with the win. Ijeoma Moronu led the Wildcats with a double-double, consisting of 44 assists and 11 digs. “At some point you are
E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu
Cross country teams travel to Texas Tech By Jeff Craig
NEWS
Volleyball team loses first match By Chandler Harris
Volleyball Team
Page 8
Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer The men and women’s cross country teams finished first and second last weekend. The teams travel to Lubbock for the Red Raider Invitational.
The Wildcat soccer team won both games in Cedar Hill this weekend, posting their third and fourth shutout of the season after defeating John Brown University 3-0 on Friday and Our Lady of the Lake 1-0 on Saturday. Friday night’s game turned into a wild one after Courtney Wilson was ejected just 15 minutes into the game; while Wilson was going for a header in the box, a JBU player went down. The referee quickly ejected Wilson, leaving the Wildcats to play the rest of the game one player down. However, Wilson’s teammates rallied behind their absent co-captain and started playing with more intensity. Defensive captain Micah Merrill-Johnson said, “This weekend was a good step forward for our team. When Courtney got ejected, our whole team stepped up the intensity and worked harder so we could win it for Courtney. We disagreed with the call and that was our way of showing our support for Courtney.” That intensity resulted in Jackie Gentile scoring in the See
Soccer page 7