Vol. 94, No. 27 1 section, 8 pages
WEDNESDAY
November 30, 2005
www.acuoptimist.com
Slow start
Midnight snack
Grand finale
Turnovers last week pushed the Wildcats’ record to 1-2, page 7
Midnight Breakfast will be Monday in the Bean beginning at 10:30 p.m., page 3
The volleyball team made it to the Regional finals but lost to the nation’s No. 1 team, page 7
Flu shots suggested for students n Students, who run a higher risk of infection because of close living spaces, faculty and staff can receive the vaccination for $15 from the Medical Clinic By MONICA SMITH Staff Writer
College students nationwide are encouraged to get
Sing Song tickets on sale
their flu vaccinations. Because of living in close quarters such as residence halls, apartments and eating in large cafeterias, students run a higher risk of infections, such as the flu, which spread easily. Also, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site, many college
students experience a drastic change in eating and sleeping habits when school begins, which could lead to a weakened immune system. Despite these risks, some students are not worried about being infected. Chad Carnes, senior business accounting finance major from Tracy Calif., doesn’t plan on
getting the flu vaccination. ““I don’t want to spend $15 on something I only might need,” Carnes said. The ACU Medical Clinic provides flu shots for students, faculty and staff. The flu shots cost $15, and no appointment is necessary; howSee
Flu symptoms According to the Medical Clinic Web site, flu symptoms include: • fever and chills • headache • aching muscles • fatigue • loss of appetite • dry, hacking cough • nasal congestion • drainage • sore throat.
FLU page 7
Here comes Santa Claus
Page 2 Editor
ACU Police officials attribute a sharp increase in bicycle thefts this year to students leaving bikes unlocked. Jimmy Ellison, chief of ACU Police, said 15 bikes have been stolen this year. Only eight bikes were reported stolen this time last year. Ellison said he hasn’t noticed a pattern to the bike thefts. “The fact that they are random in both time and location, it is probably what we call in the police world ‘a crime of opportunity,’” he said. “If it were premeditated, we would see bikes stolen in rashes rather than in random order”. Jeffery Navarro, sophomore accounting major from Dallas, said he has seen students take bikes that are not theirs, but they do not intend to steal the bikes. Instead, they Ellison borrow them. Navarro said he uses his younger brother’s bike on campus. To keep it from getting stolen, he uses a quality lock with a lifetime warranty. As bike transportation gains popularity with students who live too far from campus to walk and too close to drive, the campus becomes more vulnerable to bike theft. Bo Stevens, senior youth and family major from Atlanta, Ga, said he purchased a bike a couple months ago for that reason. Though it seemed like a good idea, Stevens said he has had a number of friends that have had bikes stolen. One friend reported it and the cops found it at one of the usual places. The police usually check pawnshops for stolen bikes and abandoned bikes. The average bike is usually abandoned on campus, however. “Sometimes students just take the bikes and ride them
By JACI SCHNEIDER Copy Editor
See
SING page 7
n ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said 80 percent of stolen bikes were not locked, and one student said he knows students who ride unlocked bikes across campus and leave them. By TAKISHA KNIGHT
n One-third of the tickets for the final show Feb. 18 have been sold for the 50th annual production, which is still more than two months away.
Although Sing Song is still more than two months away, organizers have sold more than 800 tickets for the final show. Kendall Massey, director of student productions, said more than one-third of the tickets have been sold for the Feb. 18 performance, not including the tickets that hosts and hostesses and co-chairs will request. “We’re going to be full pretty quick,” Massey said. However, Massey said people will enjoy any of the three 50th shows. The 50th show will have a nostalgic theme, he said, and will include more video than in the past. “ I t ’ s about the s h o w — I t ’ s about Sing Massey S o n g , ” Massey said. “It will be very different from what [audiences] are used to.” Sing Song will feature a few more differences this year. Sub T-16 will not be able to participate in the show because the club was suspended after hazing allegations earlier this semester. “A lot of people will miss them,” Massey said. “The show will miss them.” Massey and the co-chairs also are trying to involve the International Students Association and Hispanos Unidos in the show. Although Massey said he doesn’t think ISA will participate this year, Hispanos Unidos might be involved in an act like Shades Step Squad performed last year; the group performed while the hosts and hostesses sang. Massey said Shades should participate again this year. The themes for the class and club acts for this year’s show come from acts in Sing Song’s past. Directors have chosen their themes, and must turn in song lyrics before leaving for Christmas break, Massey said. Currently, Massey and his three co-chairs are making sure everything is organized for next semester, when rehearsals and preparations
Bicycle thefts double in fall
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Elementary students from Abilene Christian School perform their annual Christmas presentation during Chapel on Tuesday in Moody Coliseum.
See
BICYCLE page 7
Campus upgrades technological offerings n As students’ use of technology on campus grows, the university has responded to the trend with initiatives such as the Library Commons and smart classrooms. By EMERALD McGOWAN Student Reporter
Every morning, Eric Lemmons wakes up to the sound of his cell phone. He jiggles the mouse on his computer to see what time it is, then goes about the rest of his morning routine. Before leav-
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
ing his apartment, he checks his e-mail one final time, then heads to work. Lemmons, junior Christian ministry and communication major from Tucson, Ariz., works for Team 55, ACU’s student technology support service. After helping students solve their computer problems, Lemmons grabs his laptop and heads for class. “Just about everything I’m doing unless I’m eating, sleeping or with my girlfriend
is done on a computer,” Lemmons said. Like Lemmons, students across campus are increasingly using technology. In response to this trend, the university seems to be devoting Tucker more time and resources into increasing student accessibility to
technology. If looking only at student results, a list comparing the grade point averages of graduating seniors since 1960 shows only a slight positive increase in performance beginning in the mid 1980s, when current technology was introduced on campus. Despite these inconclusive findings, ACU continues to promote student use of technology. “The important thing to remember is, technology is
Abilene Christian University
nothing more than a tool,” said Gary Tucker, director of distance education. “Students use technology, therefore we teach with technology.” Tucker said the key to understanding how to use technology to improve student achievement lies in the way the human brain works. Humans learn holistically, Tucker said, drawing information from every experience they encounter and are incredibly See
TECHNOLOGY page 5
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
30
Calendar & Events Wednesday
SA meeting, 5 p.m., Bible Building Room 114. Campus Store book sale. Concert ticket sales, 10 a.m.1 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
01
Thursday
02
Friday
One day sale of Casting Crowns concert tickets, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Bean Sprout Room 20. Survival Kit sale, Campus Center ticket windows.
03
Saturday
Pops Concert with Philharmonic, 8 p.m., Civic Center. Recreation area closed.
Wind Ensemble and Concert Band concert, 8 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.
04
Lester Holt Speakers Series lecture, 7 p.m., Teague Special Events Center.
06
Tuesday
Dead Day.
Finals Week.
Midnight Breakfast, 10:30 p.m.midnight, Bean.
Recreation area closed.
Recreation area closed.
Survival Kit sale, Campus Center ticket windows.
Student Athletic Advisor Committee information booth, Campus Center tables.
Student Athletic Advisor Committee information booth, Campus Center tables.
Volunteer Opportunities Sunday
Collegiate Orchestra Concert, 8 p.m., Behrens Chapel Auditorium at Hardin-Simmons University Campus.
About This Page 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, ACU Box 27892, Abilene, TX 79699.
Monday
Survival Kit hand out, Campus Center ticket windows.
Slithy Tove, 7:30 p.m., Sewell Theater
Chris Powell artist Lecture, 6:30 p.m., The Grace Museum.
05
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.
The Neighborhoods In Progress group needs volunteers to help with installing a sprinkler system in some neighborhood housing Saturday mornings from 8:30 a.m. to noon until the project is complete. No experience is necessary, and all equipment is provided. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout. On December 6, H-E-B and about 500 volunteers will host more than 5,000 Abilene guests at Feast of Sharing sponsored by H-E-B at the Civic Center from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. This community gathering will also have live entertainment, children’s activity area, and social services info. All are invited. For more information call Ext. 0211. On December 25, Christmas lunch will be
provided by Salvation Army at noon at 1726 Butternut St. Call 677-1408 for more information. The Boys & Girls Club of Abilene needs volunteers 57 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays to assist with homework and some teaching. For additional information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. Mothers of PreSchoolers (MOPS) group need child care workers from 8:45 - 11:45 a.m. Monday mornings at the Highland Church of Christ For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. The Moms & Tots Program at HSU`s Friendship House needs a volunteer babysitter from 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Wednesdays. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.
Credited Chapels remaining:
68 02
Police Log (edited for space) Nov. 21 5:10 a.m. Refueled vehicle 7 a.m. Briefing at the station 9 a.m. Follow up on Case 05-215 2:30 p.m. Vehicle accident at Teague lot, no report 4:45 p.m. Assisted visitor with directions 5:41 p.m. Unlocked Zona Luce 8:50 p.m. Gave access to WPAC for student to retrieve item. Nov. 22 12:21 a.m. Locked Powell Fitness 7:10 a.m. Follow up on cases 05216, 05-218 9 a.m. Theft of construction material at library, Case 05-219 1:59 p.m. Gibson Gym, report of juveniles playing in hallways. Advised to leave. 4:10 p.m. Report of subject on the fire escape at Sikes Hall, unable to locate 2:27 p.m. Report of harassing phone call at Zellner. Advised, no offense. No report. 3 p.m. Theft of money at WPAC, Case 05-220 5:35 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at WPAC lot 5:40 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at Big Purple lot 9:10 p.m. Checked Powell Fitness Center 10:45 p.m. Briefing at the station Nov. 23 7 a.m. Briefing at the Station 8 a.m. Refueled vehicle 10 a.m. Report of suspicious subject walking near Don Morris wearing a blanket, unable to locate 1 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at Teague lot 1:08 p.m. Assisted student looking for laptop at the library, unable to locate 4 p.m. Unlocked Sherrod Don
Morris Nov. 24 noon Assisted Mall of Abilene with locating owner of vehicle 10 p.m. Locked Sherrod Don Morris 10:30 p.m. Parking violation at Smith/Adams lot Nov. 25 7:30 a.m. Monitored University Church lot 8:15 a.m. Walk through of Campus Center Nov. 26 8:45 a.m. Unlocked Bible building 8:45 a.m. Unlocked Administration building 1:23 p.m. Unlocked Business building 2:18 p.m. Unlocked Abilene Educational Supply warehouse for employees 7 p.m. Briefing at the station 7 p.m. Refueled vehicle 8:25 p.m. Student reporting broken window at 1500 Westheimer. Checked residence and then and turned over to Abilene Police Department 8:50 p.m. Gave access to Central Plant Nov. 27 12:40 a.m. Report of alarm sounding near Gardner Hall. Alarm was coming from Rosa’s, stood by until Abilene PD arrived 6:11 a.m. Unlocked Campus Center 6:45 a.m. Briefing at the station 12:50 p.m. Unlocked warehouse at Abilene Educational Supply employees 1:26 p.m. Unlocked Campus Center 7 p.m. Briefing at the station
Announcements Lester Holt Centennial Speaker Series is rescheduled for Thursday. The Students’ Association wants spirited students to be Moody Maniacs—rally leaders at home basketball and volleyball games. For more information, visit the SA office or call Paul Harshman at 738-4561. Four spaces remain to study abroad in Latin America next semester. There will be help available to work with student schedules and financial aid. E-mail Lauren Graham for more information, at Lauren. Graham@acu.edu. The Medical Clinic has a limited supply of flu vaccine available. Persons with asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic or long-term medical conditions are at high risk of flu complications and should be vaccinated to prevent those complications. About two weeks after vaccination, antibodies develop that protect against influenza virus infection. No appointment is necessary and the cost of the vaccine is $15. Vaccine will be given on a first-come, firstserve basis. The Medical Clinic is located in the east end of McKinzie Hall. Various alumni artists will give
artist talks during the Fall Lecture Series at The Grace Museum’s: Art Talk and Starbucks Coffee. Juniors can apply now for a financial scholarship that has been set up, and that is available to juniors only. Juniors can apply for this scholarship and receive it for their senior year. This endowed scholarship was the Class of 2000’s gift to the university. Applications are available in the CAB office. All students who are hourly employees paid through the ACU Payroll Office must be sure to enter and submit time on the Banner Employee Web time sheets before leaving for the holidays. This is critical to student employees being paid on time and correctly. All students interested in learning how to conduct a meaningful and discussionoriented study of how scripture applies to various life topics can come to Bible Room 128, at 9-10 p.m. every Tuesday. The group welcomes newcomers. For more information, e-mail Mark Lewis at mark.lewis@acu.edu or Todd Ormsby todd.ormsby@acu.edu. Students can get Casting Crowns concert tickets before anyone else at the CAB office in Bean Sprout Room 20 from 10 a.m.-
5 p.m. Friday. The concert will be on April 24, 2006 in Moody. Students can take a study break at Midnight Breakfast Monday from 10:30 p.m. until midnight in the Bean. Students can use meal plans or pay $5. There will be karaoke, prizes and a $100-giveaway at midnight sponsored by the Wildcat Parents. HEB will sponsor the Feast of Sharing Holiday Dinner, an occasion to enjoy a delicious meal in a warm family setting, visit with Abilene residents and enjoy live entertainment at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th St. from 3-7 p.m. The Slithy Tove poetry reading will be Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Sewell Theatre. Students can enjoy free pie, hot chocolate, coffee, live music and poetry. CrossCampus.org is a web community for students from Abilene, Harding, Faulkner, FreedHardeman, Lipscomb and other Christian universities. Students can join online at CrossCampus.org. All students are invited to the SA meeting Wednesday at 5 p.m. to observe a discussion regarding the proposed increase in the student activity fee. The meeting will be held in the Bible Building, Room 114.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Breakfast offers dead day study break n The Midnight Breakfast provides an opportunity for students to relax with their friends before finals week, as well as win a few prizes. By SHELBY COATES Student R eporter
As dead day approaches, students will form study groups and grab their highlighters, study guides and textbooks to prepare for finals week; however, students might want to leave time for breakfast. On dead day, students can take a break from their studies to relax at the Bean for Midnight Breakfast on Monday beginning at 10:30 p.m. For one meal plan, or $5, students can stop by the Bean to eat breakfast, play games, sing karaoke and win door prizes. Midnight Breakfast is sponsored by Wildcat
Parents, an organization composed of parents and guardians of current students and graduates. Midnight Breakfast is a chance for parents to give back to the students, said Samantha Adkins, coordinator of Alumni Programs and a liaison for Wildcat Parents. “Midnight Breakfast is a time for students to unwind
Adkins said. “The breakfast is a lot of fun,” Adkins said. “Karaoke is always interesting. This campus has wonderful singers and horrible singers. It brings them all out.” Along with karaoke, door prizes will be given away every 15 minutes. Prizes include ACU merchandise, board games and gift cer-
“Karaoke is always interesting. This campus has wonderful singers and horrible singers.” Samantha Adkins, coordinator of Alumni Programs
before a stressful week of testing” Adkins said. The Bean will be open until midnight for students to eat breakfast with friends during Midnight Breakfast. Freshmen who attend the event will have extended curfew until 12:15 a.m.,
tificates to restaurants and stores like Target and Starbucks. A $100 cash prize drawing will be at midnight, Adkins said. Adkins, who has helped with Midnight Breakfast for the past two years, said she enjoys seeing the students
By LAUREN HART Student Reporter
The Boys and Girls Club needs students to serve as mentors to children, as students have done in the past. Several students have enjoyed serving children in the after-school program that cares for about 700 children each weekday at one of the four Boys and Girls Club locations in Abilene. Bonnie Valdez, Nelson Boys and Girls Club director, said of her 13 staff, three are ACU students. She has seven regular volunteers from Abilene colleges and five to seven Smith Hall residents who spend their Friday afternoons volunteering at her club location on East North 10th Street. Valdez said that it “would be great” to have more volunteers, especially from the colleges. Valdez says that the after school program is from
3:15-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The after-school program consists of time for homework, reading, choices of pool, ping-pong, art or games like kickball or dodge ball, computer lab, snack and TV. “It is a great volunteer opportunity,” said Josh Dennis, sophomore journalism major from Granbury and staff member at the Nelson club. “It is re-
gone to the Nelson club every day for the past four years, said the Boys and Girls Club “makes me feel really good because I always know that I have someone to talk to when I am bored or someone that I can play games with and someone that can help me with my homework. “My friends are here, and that is why I keep coming back,” she said.
“It’s a great volunteer opportunity. It is really fun, and you get to be friends with the kids.” Josh Dennis, sophomore journalism major from Granbury
ally fun, and you get to be friends with the kids.” Dennis said he found out about the Boys and Girls Club by looking online, so he interviewed, cleared the background check and got the job. Dennis said that “it is fulfilling” and he “would suggest this for anybody” that is interested in serving or working. Being with the kids is what this job is all about, Dennis said. A sixth-grader at Clack Middle School, who has
Mark Young officially became the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club in Abilene on July 25. “I’ve worked in non-profits the last eight years, and I’ve loved working with kids,” Young said. This job is a “good opportunity to progress in my career and at the same time to help children, many of which are disadvantaged children.” Eighty-five to 90 percent of club member children live in single-parent families or in low-income
I love that little mouse
who dress up in their pajamas and facial masks. Adkins uses about 20 parent volunteers at Midnight Breakfast to help serve food and sign-up students for door prizes. Nikki Ballard, senior psychology major from Garland, said she has been to Midnight Breakfast three or four times. “It is a good time to spend with friends and win door prizes,” Ballard said. While Ballard has never won a Midnight Breakfast door prize, she has seen Super Soaker water guns and lots of board games given away, she said. “There is good food, and it’s a relaxing time,” Ballard said. “You have no other place to go on a Monday night.”
E-mail Coates at: optimist@acu.edu
Boys and Girls Club needs volunteers n About 700 children are cared for in the after-school program throughout the four Abilene locations and more students are needed to serve as mentors.
Page 3
CAMPUS NEWS
households, Young said. The four locations of the Abilene Boys and Girls Club bring in about 700 children each day. The Boys and Girls club is fundamentally an after-school program during the school year; however, it also provides a summer program and Teen Night four nights week. Boys and Girls Club members pay $30 per month, which includes a $20 transportation fee for children who are picked up by Abilene’s CityLink bus system at one of the four designated schools and a $10 club membership fee that every child pays regardless of transportation. Rita Harrell, administrative coordinator of the Volunteer Service-Learning Center, said students who are interested in volunteering can visit the VSLC and take copies of various service opportunities, including requests by the Boys and Girls Club to begin volunteering.
E-mail Hart at: optimist@acu.edu
brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
Josh Stevens, freshman marketing major from Dallas, and Natalie Fredrick, freshman communication major from Crandle, look through books at the book fair in the Campus Center on Monday.
Textbook buy-back begins Monday n The Campus Store will buy back most usable, good condition textbooks from students beginning 8:30 a.m. Monday and ending 4:30 p.m. Dec. 9. By NATHAN STRAUS Student Reporter
Students looking to make some money off their textbook investment must act quickly. Beginning Monday at 8:30 a.m. and ending Dec. 9 at 4:30 p.m., The Campus Store will pay students cash for textbooks. Scott Harsh, assistant store director, said books ACU plans on using next semester will fetch the student half of the book’s original price. This can be a very rewarding for students. However, there is a limit to the amount of books ACU can use. “The sooner you come in, the better,” Harsh said. “If ACU reaches a book limit on a certain book then our wholesaler buys it for a variable amount, depending on demand.” Harsh said ACU’s wholesaler, Missouri Book Wholesalers, buy books for an extremely small fraction of the book’s original cost. Some books might only earn students 50 cents Brandi Jo McGee, a worker at The Campus Store, said it’s hard to predict the student turnout and the size of
the line to hand in books. “Sometimes we’ll have a line curling all the way to the back, and sometimes we won’t have a line at all,” McGee said. ACU can reach its quota on a certain book early in the week. Because of this, students who want to make money should come in as early as possible Harsh said all books students return to The Campus Store must be in usable condition to be worth money. If the books are in poor condition, then they may only be worth a fraction of the possible 50 percent. They may not be worth any money at all. Harsh also said the books the university needs depend on the semester. “One thing that students don’t realize is some books are only used in fall or spring,” Harsh said. Harsh also said ACU currently needs sociology textbooks. Students who bring sociology textbooks to The Campus Store on Monday have a better chance at receiving half the money they paid for it than students who bring a math book to the Campus Store on Dec. 9. But by the time Dec. 9 comes many books may only be worth pennies. E-mail Straus at: optimist@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
Friday, November 30, 2005
Christmas a time for service
n Students staying in Abilene during Christmas can volunteer at The Salvation Army by sponsoring a child, taking time to man the mall table and handing out gifts.
unteers are needed to work two-hour shifts at one of the kettle stations by ringing the bell and thanking donors. The stations will be open every day of the week, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., By AARON BALLARD except Sundays. Staff Reporter Finally, students interested in volunteering durSeveral service opporing Christmas break can tunities are available for help serve Christmas lunch students who want to volat the Salvation Army gymunteer during the long nasium from noon to 1:30 Christmas break. p.m. on Dec. 24. About 250The Salvation Army, in 300 people usually attend, conjunction with the VolBarahona said. unteer-Service Learning “It’s been a tradition for Center, is seeking volunyears and years for the Salteers for a number of provation Army to serve a tragrams taking place during ditional Christmas meal,” the five-week vacation. she said. “The “The holimeal is free and day season is open to the puba great time of year to be a “We want to make sure that these children, lic, but it’s usually the people part of the miswho might not otherwise get anything, who don’t have sion of God,” have a good Christmas.” anyone to share said Jordan Christmas with Wesley, stuCecilia Barahona, volunteer coordinator at the Salvation Army that attend, such dent worker in as the homeless. the VSLC and We just try to junior social from the tree. Assistance is make them feel special.” work major from Amarillo. Those interested in any Until Dec.18, the Salva- needed Mondays through tion Army will have its An- Saturdays from 10 a.m. un- of these opportunities can gel Tree set up inside the til 8 p.m. and Sundays from sign up by contacting CeciMall of Abilene. Families noon until 6 p.m. Instruc- lia Barahona at 677-1408. Students can find out who need assistance apply tions will be provided, and for their child to become those interested can sign about more ways to serve during the holidays by visitan “angel.” If chosen, the up in two-hour shifts. Also, students who want ing the VSLC, Wesley said. child’s gender and wishes “During this time of the are posted on an angel that to aid in the Angel Tree hangs on the tree. Those process can sign up to year, with the holiday spirit who choose to sponsor an help sort and distribute and all, more people are underprivileged child buy the gifts from 9 a.m. until aware of service opportutheir child Christmas pres- 4 p.m. in the Civic Center nities,” Wesley said. “It’s a wonderful time to show ents and bring them back to on Dec. 16-23. “It’s an awesome experi- that college kids really care the tree. On the final week, about the community. “ beginning on Dec. 15, vol- ence,” Barahona said. In addition, the Salvation unteers sort, add to and distribute the presents inside Army will have its famous the Civic Center are sorted, red kettle stations at more added to, and distributed than twenty locations all Abilene until Dec. 24. VolE-mail Ballard at: agb04bd@acu.edu inside the Civic Center.
Will sing for fries
“We want to make sure that these children, who might not otherwise get anything, have a good Christmas,” said Cecilia Barahona, volunteer coordinator at the Salvation Army. Students can help in this process in three ways. First, they can choose to sponsor a needy child by picking up an angel and buying presents. However, for those who cannot afford to sponsor a child, volunteers are needed to help man the Angel Tree booth inside the mall by collecting gifts, recording information and assisting patrons in selecting angels
ANNA CARROLL/Staff Photographer
Luke Brawner, Randy Fuller and Andy Brannon of Poor Rich Folk perform in the Bean Sprout on Friday.
Skiing class to hit Red River slopes n Beginner and seasoned skiers will receive professional lessons at the Red River ski slopes, as part of an exercise science class trip open to all interested students. By RACHEL LAU Student Reporter
More than 140 people will hit the slopes at Red River, N.M., for the 31st annual ski trip. The trip, which is sponsored by the Exercise Science and Health Department, will be Jan. 9-14. Although most of the people going are students receiving credit for their snow skiing class, friends, family and faculty and staff members are welcome to come, said Dr. Lynn Luttrell, associate professor of exercise science and health and class instructor Luttrell will lead the group with sponsors from the department. The cost for the ski trip is $350 per person and includes a five-night stay at the lodge and four days of skiing. The cost will also cover four to five professional ski lessons during
the week, which Luttrell said is one of the advantages of taking this trip. “This is your best chance to get to like skiing,” he said. He said beginner skiers will leave as good skiers, compared to people who don’t get professional lessons. About 25 to 30 beginners usually take the trip. Luttrell also said the ski resort at Red River is small enough that the group can stick together. The trip is always planned after peak periods at the lodge, so participants don’t have to crowd and wait in lines at ski lifts. The group will meet in the lodge’s common room around a fireplace every night for announcements and a devotional. “To spend one week in the mountains and hold devotionals around snow-covered hills is very spiritually enriching and is a great bonding experience,” Luttrell said. He said the family atmosphere with faculty members, students and their families is one of his favorite aspects
about the trip. Chase Cawyer, sophomore management and biochemistry major from Colleyville, said that he can’t wait for the trip. “To get class credit and get to ski at the same time with some of your favorite people is going to be a blast,” he said. Luis Rietti, senior management major from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, went on the ski trip last year and encourages more students to go. “Skiing is so fun. It’s addicting,” he said. “It’s totally worth it, especially if this is your first experience.” Anyone who is interested in joining the ski trip can talk to Luttrell. Members of the group will find their own rides up to Red River and will meet together on Jan. 9. The exercise science department plans an advanced ski trip every spring semester for students to have another chance on the steep slopes. E-mail Lau at: optimist@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Seekers performs for churches n Seekers of the Word, a studentled acting troupe, performs skits they write for churches and a prison unit, and is booking additional shows. By JOHNNY BAUTISTA Student Reporter
During fall break, Seekers of the Word traveled to Albuquerque, N. M., where it performed at two different venues. Seekers of the Word is a student-based program that performs God-focused skits for youth groups in Abilene and some surrounding cities and states. John Leedy, senior youth and family ministry major from the Woodlands, said the group has several shows coming up at the Middleton Prison Unit and a performance at Park Hill Church of Christ in Fort Worth. When the group is not trav-
Page 5
Does anyone actually read these?
“We are a community of Christians who share our pains, joys, struggles and crazies with each other.” John Leedy, senior youth and family ministry major from the Woodlands
eling, it books shows for the upcoming semester, plans new skits and polishes older skits. Seekers of the Word began 25 years ago and was originally named “The Son Kissed Players.” Rodney Ashlock, assistant professor in the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry, said members of Seekers write their own skits, which are mainly influenced by personal experiences or Biblical accounts. “If you ask any Seeker what the best part of the group is, they will simply reply ‘family,’” Leedy said. “Seekers is more than a ministry, social club
and an acting troupe ... we are a community of Christians who share our pains, our joys, our struggles and our crazies with each other.” Seekers is usually made up of 12 students, and theatre majors are not allowed to try out. Try outs are usually in the fall, but the group might plan one more in the spring. “The students that are in Seekers have very good hearts, and they really do what they do for the glory of the Lord,” Ashlock said.
EMERALD mcGowan/Staff Photographer
Marie Shinsky, senior elementary education major from Farmington, N.M., shelves books in the Brown Library juvenile fiction section Monday afternoon.
E-mail Bautista at: optimist@acu.edu
University Park tries to rid apartments of mice this fall n University Park residents try to rid apartment building of bold and reproducing mice this fall by using poison and glue boards without much progress. By BLYTHE THOMPSON Student Reporter
Four University Park residents caught eight mice in their apartment and are still fighting. The four female students are becoming frustrated with the rodent problem. The problem began when UP resident Angela Meyer heard rustling coming from the kitchen and found a mouse
had opened a chip bag and was eating a chip, said Meyer, senior psychology major from Memphis, Tenn. Then the mouse ducked out of sight. The tenants went promptly to the UP office to report the potential hazard. The problem began in the kitchen, but eventually the mice spread to the rest of the apartment, including their bedrooms and bathrooms. UP administration then put poison in their apartment and around the building in case other apartments in the same complex had a similar prob-
lem, and the women received glue traps to catch their unwanted guests. Many mice later, the residents of apartment 211 had to buy more traps with their own money. Also, to keep the mice from dying in the walls and other inappropriate places, the roommates decided to clean up the poison put out by UP. “We started taking the mice and the glue traps and placing them on the steps of the UP clubhouse,” said Andrea Schweikhard, senior communication major from Tulsa, Okla. UP called pest control to
help alleviate the problem. UP was very helpful and offered to move the women into a different apartment and remained very polite throughout the continuing ordeal, both Meyer and Schweikhard said. Meyer said that some of the mice are becoming defiant. They run out in front of the residents and no longer run and hide. “The third one was a devil mouse,” Schweikhard said. She said she found the glue trap with the bait gone and fur left in its place. Reasons for UP 211’s trou-
bles stem from many sources. First, a tenant close to apartment 211 was putting out cereal, bread and other food to feed animals, which UP administration quickly stopped. Also, whenever ground is broken, mice are uncovered causing them to scatter and look for new homes. Apartment 211 was close to a recent ground breaking, said Patricia Hail-Jackson, University Park Apartments director. If other tenants have similar rodent troubles, they are to contact the UP office immediately.
“We will give glue boards to every tenant who has this problem, and pest control will be called every time,” HailJackson said. Even after all this trouble, the residents of apartment 211 said they will not be moving out in December or even next semester because they graduate in May. Although they’ve gone a couple of weeks since Homecoming without seeing a mouse, they found another two weeks ago. E-mail Thompson at: optimist@acu.edu
Technology: Learning Commons to improve campus Continued from page 1 adaptable in their learning. “With increased understanding of how complex a system our brains really are, we are on the verge of really being able to understand new and more productive ways of learning,” Berryhill Tucker said. “Technology will play a vital role in this, but student learning is not dependant upon technology.” The university’s goal is to treat learning as a system, Tucker said. Not only does ACU want students to learn through lectures, smart classrooms and textbooks, but they also want students to learn collaboratively. Having access to workspaces where students can share information and work on projects in groups is one goal of the ACU Library Commons, said Carisse Berryhill, a member of the Library Commons research group. Students still read and study by themselves in the library, but they do a lot of thinking, reading and talking in groups, Berryhill said. Professors are increasingly assigning group projects, and students will certainly need these skills in the workplace, where collaboration on documents with colleagues across the country is not uncommon.
“Neat educational rows of 30 to 40 computers side by side does not encourage this kind of work—there is hardly space to put a book next to your computer, much less space for a group of students to effectively integrate electronic and paper sources,” Berryhill said.
“I just told my students today that we were in a smart classroom for a nonsmart professor,” said Dr. Tony Ash, professor of Bible, Missions and Ministry. Ash has been a professor at ACU on and off since 1962, and said he has noticed a definite increase in emphasis on
He also noticed an increase in group projects, but said he does not plan to use this teaching tool either. “Some of us believe that group projects at the freshman and sophomore level share more ignorance than information and would prefer to lecture what we’ve
table projectors or laptops, allowing them to introduce technology into a traditional studio space.
The dark side of technology While Jones likes the advantages technology can give him as an artist and his students in the classroom,
Heading in a new direction That’s where the Learning Commons, a combination of a variety of services at ACU including a coffee shop, Team 55, the Writing Center and a large amount of computers and group workspaces, comes in. “We wanted to create a space that is inviting, socially pleasant and technology rich, with support resources surrounding students and encouraging a service atmosphere,” Berryhill said. “Our goal at the library is to serve the students and meet their educational needs.” Berryhill said in planning the Library Commons, the research group thought not about a classroom style of learning, but about co-curricular space, where learning is extended beyond individual learning, and students can interact with each other and with faculty.
Faculty support Faculty interaction is one key necessity for technology to improve student achievement. The more professors use technology, the more effect it will have on students.
“Some of us believe that group projects at the freshman and sophomore level share more ignorance than information, and would prefer to lecture what we’ve learned over the past 20 to 30 years.” Dr. Tony Ash, professor of Bible, Missions and Ministry
technology within the past few years. Ash said there is little pressure from administration to force professors to use technology in the classroom. “If we’re doing a good job, they tend to let us do our own thing,” Ash said. Ash said he doubts very many professors will impleAsh ment large amounts of technology into their lesson plans because they are not sure the amount of extra work is justified by the increase in student learning. He said most Bible professors use Powerpoint or show video clips, but above that not much is done.
learned over the past 20 to 30 years,” Ash said. “In that situation, I like students to take notes, which is hard to do with the lights out.” Dr. Kenny Jones, professor of art, includes more technology in his lesson plans. “What I appreciate about technology is that it allows my students to make 10 to 50 times the number of experimentations they would normally complete to solve a problem—the outcome isn’t limited by time or supplies.” Jones said the Art and Design Department, like the Bible Department, supports those professors who want to implement technology in their classrooms but gives them the freedom to choose not to. The department makes tools available to professors, such as por-
he also said technology can have negative effects. Students who rely on technology loose a sense of touch with their artwork; the cookie-cutter aspect of the computer detracts from the richness of possibilities. “There are good outcomes and bad outcomes of every invention of man, it’s been that way since Adam and Eve internalized the knowledge of good and evil,” he said. “Technology is no different,
except that maybe it’s more humbling than most. Every time we think we have complete control, it breaks.” Breaking technology is one experience Hannah Anderson, freshman elementary education major from Waco, has trouble adjusting to. “I know enough about technology to get by in my classes, but nothing about the technical stuff,” Anderson said. “When my computer breaks, I have bring it to Team 55 myself, instead of letting my parents handle it for me.” Knowing the mechanical side of technology is not necessary, Lemmons said, as services such as Team 55 are in place for people like Anderson. “People know more about computers than they are willing to believe,” Lemmons said. “We live in a world of technology — people use it everywhere. The important thing is that they can operate in it. Knowing the nuts and bolts, while helpful, is not a requirement of life.” E-mail McGowan at: optimist@acu.edu
Page 6
November 30, 2005
FaithWorks provides hope, not just coins The issue:
Giving is often as easy as tossing a few coins to a beggar, but it is much more than that. Non-profit organizations in town are often looking for volunteers to provide more than just a few bucks here and there.
Our view:
FaithWorks provides a future for its participants. The job, life and faith skills taught in its classes prepares once troubled individuals for the world.
The solution:
Students should consider volunteering at this organization or ones like it. You can spare just 30 minutes to an hour a week to make a difference.
Poverty is not an issue of trying hard or being lazy; much of the time, it is simply inherited. The inheritance of a bleak future provokes an attitude and status that can’t be cured by handing small amounts of money to a family each month. It must be confronted with the nurturing of these people. An organization does this here in Abilene. FaithWorks helps the poverty-stricken, down-andout and isolated individuals of Abilene; it brings hope to the hopeless. This is done not just by giving away food and clothes, but is accomplished in many more ways. This non-profit organization, started a few years ago, provides career training, life skills and spiritual nurturing to the chronically unemployed and the indi-
Musical Christmas brings Grandma joy Christmas with my grand- away the cars and the bars mother was never a warm and the wars, and I’d make and fuzzy experience. My sweet love to you,” with mom and her two sisters had your grandma. a strained But Grandma actually relationship seemed to enjoy herself. with Grand- And amazingly, so did we. ma growing For once, we weren’t countup, and even ing the minutes until we as adults the could get out of her house. pain hadn’t We kept singing, everything subsided. from Bob Marley’s “No WomThe ten- an No Cry” to Eric Clapton’s sion in their “Tears in Heaven.” Guest relationship As a finale, Robert played Column was ever- a song he recently had writpresent at ten. It had no lyrics or title, Kayla family gath- but it served its purpose Anderson erings. Con- that day. My grandma’s eyes versation was strained at slowly closed as she moved best, and we never spent the her head to the music. Her night at grandma’s house. eyes did not open for several As soon as we unwrapped seconds after Rob stopped the presents and ate pie, we playing. bolted. “That was beautiful,” she But last Christmas was said. “I felt the rhythm indifferent. Grandma was di- side me. It reminded me of agnosed with lung cancer something sweet and sour. in November You should and given six name it lemmonths or on-lime or teless to live. quila or someEveryone knew that Everyone thing.” 2004 might be her knew that She went last Christmas, so we on and on de2004 might be her last tried to put past hurts scribing how Christmas, wonderful aside and have a so we tried the song had good holiday. to put past made her feel. hurts aside I’m sure her and have a emotions were good holicaused by the day. All of my cousins came morphine, but she did seem to visit, even the ones from genuinely touched by the Colorado. The night after song. I had never seen her Christmas, all of the cous- so carefree. ins decided to go to my When we finally stood to grandparents’ house with- leave, each of us hugged her out our parents. gently, afraid to squeeze her We drove out to their mo- 80-pound frame too tightly. bile home about 15 miles She gave us all a kiss on the outside of Waco. Grandma cheek and said, “I love you, came out of her bedroom sugar.” She always said that, wearing her nightdress, her and we always said, “I love tiny legs no wider than my you, too, Grandma.” But I arm, poking out from her think for the first time in gown. My grandpa helped such a long time, we actualher onto the couch, where ly completely and sincerely she sat with her oxygen loved her. tank, ready to visit. My grandma died 16 days My sister sat beside her. later. Of all 20 Christmases Grandma’s beloved dog, An- we spent together, my fagel, nuzzled up between the vorite was the last. two. Since she died, I’ve never My cousins John and thought of her without reRobert pulled out their membering how content she guitars and began playing looked as she sang, “Joy to various songs we all knew. the world, all the boys and We all started to sing “Joy girls. Joy to the fishes in the to the World.” But not the deep blue sea. Joy to you traditional Christmas car- and me.” ol. We sang the Three Dog Night version, sometimes known as “Jeremiah Was a Bullfrog.” You haven’t lived E-mail Anderson at: until you’ve sung, “I’d throw kxa02b@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
viduals of our Non-profit organizations around Abilene are vides those who city who want were not handed always looking for volunteers. A few dollars the better things to start over. is always appreciated, but it’s just too easy. in life an opportuIt is modeled after Hopenity to overcome Works, its the odds, an opsister program in Memphis, boosting the overall num- portunity to gain an underTenn. ber to more than 34 million, standing of the world and FaithWorks is funded according to BBCNews.com. how to live effectively while solely by churches Abilene The number of those in pov- learning about God. and individual donators erty increased by more than This organization puts from around the city and 12 percent from 2004. hope and trust into people country. Organizations like The economy, in spite who have never before been this exist across the coun- of the increasing number trusted with anything, and try and constantly make a of poverty-stricken people, the results are priceless. It dent in the growing issues is gaining strength, which isn’t simply handing food of poverty and crime. means more people are and money to poor people; However, non-profit or- gaining wealth while others it is handing something ganizations such as this fall into poverty. much more valuable—skills can’t continue carrying the The welfare system has to function in the world and, bulk of the problem alone. been a great asset to the more importantly, knowlThese noble groups always poor of our country for edge about the creator. In need volunteers, resources many years. However, it turn, FaithWorks graduates and money. can’t always fix the problem are able to get a job in a About 1.1 million Ameri- at hand—hopelessness. chosen trade and make honcans dropped below the This is where FaithWorks est money. poverty line this past year, comes in. FaithWorks proFaithWorks shows its
Cole Williams
Let Loose
Christmas Eve tradition skips year My mom rushes out of the candlelight service at church as soon as the congregation finishes the last hymn every Christmas Eve. She hurries home to light the candles in the Bunsen burner unMuch Ado derneath About the Swedish meatballs, Something mix the Jaci cran-rasSchneider berry juice with the 7Up to make punch, spread the shrimp cocktail sauce on the cream cheese, and plug in the Christmas tree lights. My favorite part of the Christmas holiday, the part I’ll miss the most this year, is my family’s Christmas Eve open house. The same group from church floods the house
Kids run in circles throughout the house, their hands sticky with frosting and candy cane residue. every year, and every year, we eat cheesecake, fudge, seven-layer bean dip and meatballs among other odd assortments of food. We always eat meatballs, smothered in a sweet, but slightly spicy sauce—some years a little too spicy. My pastor always asks us to save some shrimp and meatballs for him; he talks so much, he can’t get out of the church fast enough for first dibs on food. Kids run in circles throughout the house, their hands sticky with frosting and candy cane residue. Teenagers try to prevent little boys from interfering with their pool game; and the women chat in the crowded and warm living room, watching the babies
play on the carpet near the Christmas tree. At some point , the mothers will insist the girls pose for a picture in their festive Christmas dresses. We own pictures of ourselves as little kids, with red icing smeared on our teeth and napkins draped over our laps, protecting our velveteen dresses. Now, the pictures look more sophisticated, or so we like to think. One day, however, we’ll see them with the same amusement with which we see our childish photos. When we were younger, we would try to entertain the adults by giving them a concert of Christmas carols, but now we join the conversation, entertain the little kids, and play games like Catch Phrase.
I know that I may be a bit biased since I am his brother. However, I was wondering why there was no article done on the outcome of FilmFest and the winner, Brady Rector. I remember last year there was a front-page article on the
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: optimist@acu.edu
The same two families always leave last. We all sit and gaze at the bright tree, relaxing after the long day of preparation. Finally, the house seems to cool down, and the smell of meatballs mingled with chocolate begins to fade. Eventually, we hug our guests good-bye before they venture into the cold, foggy night, then we turn to clean up the kitchen as quickly as possible, so my sister and I can open our allotted one Christmas Eve gift—pajamas. This year, I’ll do Christmas in another country, but I know that at home, the tradition lives. Maybe, if I’m lucky, I’ll still find someone who knows how to cook great meatballs. And maybe, luck will bring me a present to open—a new pair of pajamas.
E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
Former student concerned about FilmFest coverage Your Voice Former student wonders why a story wasn’t printed about the winner of FilmFest. winner and this year, just a mention of it in a story
about what it takes to put on FilmFest. There was also an article about Matt Maxwell. I just think that a story about a freshman who beat out many experienced upperclassmen is a worthwhile story. Again, like I said, I am biased. However
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
students that middle-class people are not the only ones who can succeed, and success comes through hard work and diligence. Many non-profit organizations around Abilene are looking for volunteers. Giving $5-10 here and there is always appreciated, but it’s too easy. Throwing your money to a cause doesn’t effectively contribute to ending poverty and crime the way giving your time, energy and knowledge does. Hopelessness is the driving force behind poverty. Sharing your knowledge, education and faith through volunteering at an organization like FaithWorks chips away at the ever-present barrier of hopelessness.
I was very disappointed that the follow-up to FilmFest was barely mentioned, when the Optimist had run at least two articles leading up to it. Aaron Rector Los Angeles, Calif.
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JUMPS
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Page 7
Bicycle: Student negligence responsible for theft Continued from page 1 across campus and then just leave them there,” Stevens said. He said he doubts that bike thieves resell the bikes, since it is not a profitable effort. “I think [the] cause is just lazy people trying to get a ride,” he said. There are some things that the police department can do to help decrease the number of bike thefts, but it is up to the owner to do their part as well, Ellison said. One way to
prevent bike theft is to secure bikes on bike racks. Eighty percent of bikes that get stolen on campus are not locked up, he said. Though there are enough bike racks and areas designed for securing bicycles, students are not putting them to use. “Most students are just in a hurry,” Ellison said. “Sometimes they think that they are just going to be inside for a few minutes and then back out.” Also, he said, students
should learn the brand name and serial numbers to their bikes. “Recovering stolen bikes is
brand of the bike,” he said. Many times, students can only offer the police general descriptions of stolen bikes,
“Recovering stolen bikes is difficult because few students know their serial numbers or brand of the bike.” Jimmy Ellison, chief of ACU Police
difficult because few students know their serial numbers or
which, Ellison said, are virtually useless.
“If we can’t track the bike, then we may never recover it,” he said. He recommends that students have their personal property engraved with a personal ID number as a preemptive measure. Finally, Ellison said, peers can help prevent bike thefts by always reporting suspicious activity as it occurs. It is difficult to catch people in the act of stealing a bicycle, but it is helpful for police to know when and where the perpetrator was last seen,
Continued from page 8 In the second half, Gamma Sigma Phi led by one, or the score was tied in a close race to beat the clock. When time in the second half expired with the teams tied, the game was sent to overtime. After a fierce fight Frater Sodalis won by an only one-point margin. This is just one of many big games this week packed into the short tournament. The waterball season this year has been condensed into a double elimination tournament. Doing this threw a lot of games into a short time frame and posted problems and frustrations with
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Amanda Slate, Lindsey Martin and Nicole Killebrew celebrate their win Saturday against Metropolitan State at the regional tournament in Kearney, Neb.
Nationals: Men place eighth, women eleventh Continued from page 8 in 136th (36:27.3). “I’m disappointed with the eighth-place finish, but we had four freshmen on the team, plus the injury bug you put those things together, and we were bound to finish the way we did,” Hood said. The ACU women placed 11th in a race, which Adams State won and Grand Valley State finished second. An injury affected the women’s team as well, as region champion Trina Cox passed out mid-way through the race, unable to finish the remainder of the six kilometers. Cox’s teammates Olha Kryv’yak and Adeh Mwamba picked
Hood said Cox simply succumbed to a combination of warm temperatures, dry conditions, and the mental burden of falling behind the leaders early in the race. “She probably pressed a little too hard and panicked,” Hood said. “That was a big disappointment for her as an individual and obviously for us as a team.” Even still, the team’s performance was an improvement over its last showing at nationals, a 16th-place finish at the 1997 National Championships in Kenosha, Wis. Next season is guaranteed to be a rebuilding year for Hood in terms of his
women’s team. Hood will loose three of his top-five runners from this season and one more experienced runner: Cox, Mwamba, Stanford, and Waters. “I’m going to have to do some recruiting on the women’s side,” Hood said. “We’re losing some real talent there.” Next up for Hood will be off-season conditioning for his middle- and longdistance runners in preparation for the indoor track and field season, which will kick off Jan. 20 at Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
ever, the Medical Clinic only has a limited supply available. Methods of flu prevention include: • Avoid close contact with those who are sick • Avoid drinking after anyone else • If you are sick, stay
home from school, work and running errands. This will limit others from catching your illness. • When coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose. • Wash your hands often to protect you from germs. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. In addition, studies show
stress lowers resistance to disease, so students are encouraged to eat a well-balanced diet, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep and exercise regularly. People with asthma, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic or long-term medical conditions are at high risk of flu complications and should be vacci-
Continued from page 8 other teams, we play up a level.” Slate and teammates played on a higher level as the Wildcats hit .341 on the way to a three game sweep over Metro State. However, ACU could not find that level against the Lopers. Kearney’s defense held ACU to a .094 hitting percentage. The Wildcats made 27 attack errors, and the Lopers took advantage
E-mail Smith at: mxs02a@acu.edu
E-mail Hilton at: optimist@acu.edu
of Wildcat mistakes. “It was a lack of consistency, unforced errors,” Horn said about the team’s offense against Kearney. Despite the Wildcats shortcomings against the No. 1 team in the nation, Michelle Bernhardt said it best, “We had a great year; there’s a lot of good things to hold our heads up about.” E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
Sing: Students to work during break
E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu
nated to prevent those complications. After being exposed, the incubation period is usually very short, ranging from one to four days before people actually experience sickness.
many of the players. These problems include having to play two or three games possibly back to back on Thursday to get to the championship game. “If it were something like baseball that would be reasonable, but something that demands so much of a person, playing back to back games is ludicrous,” Spencer said. “I like team competition in having the best team winning, not the team with the freshest legs and that’s how it’s going to end up. I just don’t like those odds”
Regionals: Wildcats lose in final match
Continued from page 1
Flu: Clinic gives advice for avoiding sickness Continued from page 1
E-mail Knight at: tnk03a@acu.edu
Waterball: Teams prepare for finals
Celebrating a victory
up the slack, however, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively, with times of 21:15.2 and 21:25.1. Freshman Mary Mwangi was next for ACU in 108th (24:38.1), followed by senior Mollye Stanford in 109th (24:38.3). Senior Abbie Waters rounded out the top-five for ACU, finishing 118th in 24:58.1. The race was the last for seniors Waters and Stanford, and Hood said he was impressed by their contributions to the team’s finish. “To finish 11th while having your top runner not finish is impressive,” Hood said. “If you take Trina out of the equation, it was a great performance by everybody.”
he said. People caught in the act are subject to arrest and prosecution. Penalties for stealing bikes vary on the expense of the bike. The school abides by the property laws of the state of Texas. Claims less than $600 classify as a type C misdemeanor but anything above has more severe consequences. Such legal action has yet to be taken on campus.
will be in full swing. Because of the long Christmas break, Massey said several hosts and hostesses will return to Abilene before school begins. “We really don’t have any other choice, but it isn’t a bad thing,” Massey said. “They won’t have classes, so then their lives will be a whole lot easier when classes do start.” Holly Whited, co-chair and senior vocal performance major from Richardson, said she is looking forward to seeing the show come together from a behind-the-scenes perspective.
Last year, Whited performed as a hostess and decided to participate in a new way this year. “We’re getting things organized, so they’ll be ready,” Whited said. “There’s a lot more responsibility in getting stuff together.” Whited said organizers are excited to plan the 50th show, but the event isn’t adding more stress. “There have been some stressful moments, but it’s not bad at all,” Whited said. “I just enjoy being a part of Sing Song and working with Kendall.” E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu
Page 8
November 30, 2005 Standings
Men’s Basketball Team Conf. Overall WTAMU 0-0 5-0 TAMU-K 0-0 2-0 Angelo St. 0-0 4-1 ENMU 0-0 3-1 Tarleton St. 0-0 3-1 ACU 0-0 1-2
women’s Basketball Team Div. Angelo St. 0-0 ENMU 0-0 WTAMU 0-0 Tarleton St. 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 0-0 1-2
Overall 4-0 4-0 4-0 3-0 2-0
Scores Wednesday
woMen’s Basketball Northwest Missouri State 79, ACU 78 (OT)
Upcoming Schedule Wednesday
Men’s basketball ACU at St. Edward’s, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Women’s basketball ACU at Texas A&M-Commerce, 2 p.m. Men’s Basketball ACU at Texas A&M-Commerce, 4 p.m.
• Home games listed in italics
Briefs Softball team signs junior college transfer pitcher for 2007 season. Head softball coach Chantiel Wilson signed Ashley Bailey from Bakersfield Junior College for the 2007 season. Bailey will redshirt this season after being a two-time first team all-American selection.
Lopers end Wildcats’ record season n The Wildcats advanced past two rounds in the NCAA Division II Tournament, but fell to the No. 1 seed in the Regional final match. By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor
After winning a team-record 31 matches in a row, the Wildcats consecutive streak came to a halt in the regional final Nov. 20 against the No. 1 team in the region and nation, Nebraska-Kearney. The Lopers won in three games, 30-24, 30-19, and 30-22, to improve to an overall record of 36-1 and advance to the Elite Eight, which will be in Kearney beginning Thursday through Saturday. The Wildcats finish the year with a 31-4 record. Four Wildcats were named to the all-tournament team after the final match in Kearney: seniors Amanda Slate, Michelle Bernhardt and Lindsey Martin and sophomore Liz Snoddy. The three seniors also earned first-team all-Southwest Region by the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association. It is the second year in a row Slate has earned the honor, and the first time for Bernhardt and Martin. With the talent that ACU had, the Lopers were still too much for the Wildcats to overcome. “It’s a good step for our program, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of,” head coach Brek Horn said after her team’s loss. “They have the experience that we don’t have at the national tournament, and that showed today.” That experience comes from advancing to the Elite Eight for the third year in a row after beating the Wildcats. The Lopers also boast a squad full of players at or near the 6-foot-tall mark. That size is something Horn hasn’t faced all year. “We haven’t played a squad this year that has the size that they have,” Horn said. “It makes it hard to get it by that block. They’re a good team, and they’re going to do well at the
brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
The Wildcats greet each other on the court after their victory against Metropolitan State in the second round game in Kearney, Neb.
Volleyball national championship.” Bernhardt also pointed out the level of play shown by the Lopers. “Every single point we had to play our best,” Bernhardt said. “That’s something that we didn’t have to do a lot in conference.” To get to the match against Kearney, the Wildcats had to win two matches. ACU had not won a game, or a match, in the NCAA post-season tournament until its 3-0 win against Central Oklahoma in the first round. The match against Central Oklahoma was the second meeting in a row of the two teams; ACU beat the Bronchos a week earlier in the LSC Tournament championship match in Moody Coliseum. In the second round match, the Wildcats faced Metropolitan State in
an attempt to avenge an early season loss in the Tampa Classic. The loss to kept the Wildcats at No. 3 in the regional rankings throughout the year. “We’ve been wanting to play them here; there was a hunger,” middle blocker Amanda Slate said after the Metro State match. “We wanted revenge, and that’s what we got.” The Wildcats got their revenge against Metro State in the form of a 30-23, 30-24, 30-25 win. “I thought we were ready to play, and we had Metro nailed,” Horn said after the 3-0 victory. Slate said that before the match, the coaches told them to think back to the Premier Challenge, which they won. “That’s the level that we were stepping up to,” Slate said. “When we play teams like Metro or these See
REGIONALS page 7
brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
Seniors Amanda Slate and Michelle Bernhardt go for the block against a Loper player with sophomore Jessica Reyna in the background.
Naimadu wins second consecutive individual title n The men’s cross country team placed eighth at the national meet, the first time they have been outside of the top five since 1998 the women placed eleventh. By STEVE HOLT Sports Writer
Two national titles down, two to go. Sophomore Nicodemus Naimadu won his second straight NCAA Division II National Cross Country Cham-
Cross Country pionship on Nov. 19 in Pomona, Calif., becoming the first Wildcat to accomplish that feat and the first to win titles as both a freshman and a sophomore. Naimadu finished the 10kilometer course with a Prado Park course-record time of 30 minutes, 13.8 seconds, which was almost a minute ahead of runner-up finisher Kelly Christensen of Western State.
The Kenyan controlled the race from beginning to end, and Naimadu said he never once doubted that he would retain his title. “No one challenged me at all,” Naimadu Naimadu said. “I was running by myself. I reached a point of having a break, and
I took a cup of water.” Naimadu’s win was the only good news for the men’s team, however, which had finished in the top-5 at every national meet since 1998. However, this year ACU finished eighth in a team race dominated by champion Western State, the Wildcats’ lowest team finish since 1996. Injuries plagued the Wildcat team, however, before and during the race, as two of the top five runners either
dropped out of the race early or did not start. About three miles into the ten-kilometer race, freshman Alberic Nkurunziza pulled up lame with an ankle injury after stepping in a hole on the course. Senior Lucky Hadebe, who injured his Achilles tendon during the Lone Star Conference Championships on Oct. 22, was unable to run Saturday after testing his injury in a workout on the course Friday.
Turnovers prove costly in early season losses n Turnovers and foul trouble are early season issues for the Wildcats after tough losses and with conference play beginning this weekend. By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor
After all of the preseason hype and expectations to win the Lone Star Conference South Division, the women’s basketball team began the first three games of the year with a 1-2 record. The Wildcats got off to a good start by winning their first game, a 73-51 victory over Incarnate Word in Austin. The next day the Wildcats blew a 12-point lead to
Women’s Basketball St. Edward’s to lose 66-54. The Wildcats lost another game Wednesday in overtime against Northwest Missouri State, 79-78. “In both games what’s cost us are the turnovers,” head coach Shawna Lavender said. “Right now, in everything else we’re doing a pretty good job.” In the overtime loss, the Wildcats committed 37 turnovers, but shot well from the field and free throw line. Junior Lacey Blau made a layup with 12 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 68 and force overtime. In the overtime period, the Wildcats led 78-77 with just
longer than one minute left in the game. With four seconds left, Northwest Missouri State inbounded the ball and missed a jump shot, but Kelli Nelson grabbed the rebound and put up a layup that went in with less than one second remaining to beat the Wildcats. Lavender said if her team can take better care of the ball then everything else should be fine. “We scored 77 points the other night with 37 turnovers,” Lavender said. “So that’s the key right now - turnovers.” Another problem for the Wildcats in the first three games has been the lack of playing time by senior
Jamie Boles-Lord. The 6 foot 1 inch center has been plagued with foul trouble in games, and hasn’t had more than 20 minutes of playing time in any of the first three games this season. “We’ve got to figure out a way to keep her in the game longer and give us another scoring threat down there,” Lavender said. “I’m not worried about her foul trouble; I think she’ll figure it out, and we’ll figure it out, and it’ll help out a lot when she’s in the game a little bit more.” The Wildcats next game is against Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday at 2 p.m. E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
By BRADY HILTON Student Reporter
The air is humid, almost wet in the small confines of the stands above the battle. Spectators wedge themselves in among each other shoulder-to-shoulder and stand on chairs to do whatever it takes to catch a glimpse of
Intramurals the structured clash of the teams below. Waterball is already deep in the tournament for the semester with games almost every night this week and the championship taking place Thursday at 9:30 p.m. Waterball is a rough and unique intramural sport played between two teams of seven players in a swimming pool. “Quite frankly waterball is my favorite intramural
sport,” said Shane Spencer, rover for Gamma Sigma Phi. Waterball has few rules,
“My favorite part of waterball is putting other players in locks and just holding
“My favorite part of waterball is putting other players in locks and just holding them under water.” Jeremy Gudgel, junior communication major from Andrews
and the play of the game reflects it. The game requires knowledge, speed in the water, strength and a desire to do what it takes to win.
them under water; it’s just a good rough sport,” said Jeremy Gudgel, junior communication major from Andrews. “I also like how competitive
See
NATIONALS page 7
Men’s year under way, conference games near STAFF REPORT
Gary Rhodes/Contributing Photographer
Sophomore point guard Alex Guiton goes to the basket against Northwest Missouri State.
Waterball championships will be this week n Intramural waterball championships will be Thursday as the season comes to an end. Many students enjoy the game during the season.
“We knew early on that we were in trouble,” said head coach Derek Hood. “When [Alberic] dropped out, that was the nail in the coffin. Freshman Philip Birgen was the second Wildcat that crossed the line, finishing 22nd in the race in 32:38.1. Senior Martin O’Kello was 43rd in the race with a time of 33:27.8, followed by freshman Serge Gasore in 51st (33:41.0)
the games are. It gives us a chance to compete for club pride against the other clubs in a more physical way.” On Monday night, the defending champions, Gamma Sigma Phi, took on Frater Sodalis in a game for the books. Once during the first half, Gamma Sigma Phi led by three points, but this was the largest lead either team would see the rest of the game. See
WATERBALL page 7
The men’s basketball team suffered two losses during the Thanksgiving break, falling to a 1-2 record. The Wildcats first loss came against Northeastern State in game that came down to the end, losing 67-65. In the first game of the twoday tournament, ACU shot almost 41 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc, but failed to keep four Redmen out of double figures. Joshua Bigby, junior forward, was the leading scorer with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Tiago Souza, junior guard, finished second in scoring with 14 points and four assists. The Wildcats then faced Oauchita Baptist University but once again came up short, losing 81-64. The Tigers significantly out shot the Wildcats in every statistical category: 42.9 percent to 25 percent (3-point shooting perc.); and 71.4 percent to 45 percent (free-throw perc.) and allowed all of the Tigers’ 11 players to score. The Wildcats now look ahead to another road game on Wednesday when they play St. Edwards in Austin.