Vol. 94, No. 33 1 section, 10 pages
FRIDAY
February 3, 2006
www.acuoptimist.com
Season opener
Seek and find
Galactica empire
The Wildcats enter the season second in conference, page 10
Seekers of the Word added seven new actors, page 4
Sci-Fi Channel’s Battlestar Galactica offers escapism, entertainment, page 7
Candidates take to campaign trail n Dr. Mel Hailey and Kevin Christian are looking to students for support in the upcoming primary and general elections for the Texas House of Representatives. By DENTON JOSEY Student Reporter
Two of the candidates running for the 71st House District seat in the Texas House of Representatives are look-
Group to show ‘Invisible Children’
ing to ACU students for support. Republican candidate Kevin Christian, class of 2000, said voters from the university will be influential in the election. “By motivating the student body at ACU, the students can affect the outcome of the election,” Christian said. Dr. Mel Hailey, chair of the Political Science Department,
is the only Democratic representative running in the election. While he said he hopes to have support from voters at the university, Hailey said he is hesitant to use his position at the university as a platform. “I’d love to have every student on the ACU campus helping me, but I can’t get up and ask for that in my classes because that would be inap-
propriate,” Hailey said. Christian, who is a sponsor for Gamma Sigma Phi, has been in the Campus Center, contacted the social clubs at ACU and addressed Student Congress about the election. He has also passed out bumper stickers, T-shirts, signs and even created a group on facebook.com. Both candidates have traveled around Taylor and Nolan
See
Senior brick road
University to focus on neighbors n The Students’ Association is partnering with the Office of Neighborhood Relations to stress the need for cleaning up the areas around campus. By JACI SCHNEIDER Copy Editor
Beer bottles litter gutters, dingy couches occupy porches, and cars park in the front lawns of rundown houses in parts of the Cedar Creek Neighborhood surrounding campus. Although parts of the neighborhood remain clean and well-kept, one office on campus is working to ensure that the neighborhood around campus does not degenerate into a ghetto in the next few years. The Office of Neighborhood Relations is raising awareness among students that they do not need to leave ACU to make a difference in the world; they can start in their own neighborhood.
Staff Writer
INVISIBLE page 8
Primary elections will be in March, and the winners will face in November’s general election.
ELECTION page 8
By MITCH HOLT
See
Two candidates in the race for District 71’s seat in the Texas House have university ties: • Democrat Dr. Mel Hailey, chair of the Department of Political Science • Republican Kevin Christian, class of 2000
counties, meeting constituents and door-knocking. “There’s no audience too small for me to visit,” Hailey said. Being a professor in the midst of campaigning, Hailey said he tries to make clear that he is not using the classroom for campaigning. Though some students have
n The documentary, which will be shown on campus Feb. 12-15, details the lives and struggles of children growing up in poverty and fear in Uganda, Africa.
A documentary about a Ugandan tragedy will hit campus Feb. 12-15. Invisible Children is the documentary brainchild of three young Californians who set out to film a trip to Africa but discovered a larger issue along the way. During their travels, the three young adults uncovered children being kidnapped by a rebel group called the Lord’s Resistance Army and forced to fight as child soldiers. This discovery ins t a n t l y changed the nature of their film, McVey according to the IC Web site. Dan McVey, professor and Africa missions coordinator, first saw the film about a year ago. “The film is a very accurate portrayal of the existing problems in northern Uganda and southern Sudan,” McVey said. “It also evokes strong emotions because it deals with children; I’ve seen how true the whole scenario is.” McVey spent 22 years as a missionary to northern Africa, mostly in Ghana, but he said he witnessed similar situations in his travels to Uganda. He said although he has already seen the film, he is looking forward to the expanded version. The documentary reveals the horrors of this previously untold story — the horror of the kidnapped children becoming desensitized to fighting and, in turn, eventually become vicious fighters themselves, according to the Web site. Other children escape and hide in fear for their lives. These children, as young as 8 years old, face a lose-lose situation because they are either kidnapped and forced to fight or dodge the guerilla fighters and live in poverty and fear. Representatives for the cause will visit Abilene as part of a nationwide effort to spread this film to universities and churches all across the country. During February,
Road to Austin
See
NEIGHBORHOOD page 8
Professors reflect on sabbaticals n Faculty members can apply for a semester- or year-long break from teaching to pursue other academic endeavors, such as writing a book. By SHERRI SNYDER Student Reporter
Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer
Tim Savage from Physical Resources adds bricks to the Senior Walk between the Campus Center and the Beauchamp Amphitheater on Thursday. Bricks commemorate graduated students and can be purchased by seniors for $100.
The decision about which professors will be awarded a sabbatical next year is still weeks away; candidates await an application and review process before they are informed of the Provosts’ choice. Sabbaticals, handled through the Faculty Renewal Leave program, are a semester- or year-long paid break from teaching. The objective of a sabbatical is to provide faculty members with a notable period of time to devote enrichment and reflection that might See
SABBATICAL page 8
KACU to sponsor two-week trip to Italy n Listeners and KACU supporters can join the trip with a $3,495 fee, which includes airfare, ground transportation, two meals a day and a guided tour. By DENTON JOSEY Student Reporter
This spring Abilene Public Radio KACU will travel to Europe for an eight-day tour of southern Italy. For two weeks, KACU has promoted the trip on the air and has received many calls from interested listeners, KACU develop-
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
ment direcguided tour “It’s our attempt to touch the world and other tor Loree with a bilincultures and to inform the Abilene community.” Houghton gual guide. said. “With a Loree Houghton, KACU development director “It’s our guide, you attempt to get so much touch the world and other conference in Los Angeles. more out of it when you uncultures and to inform the The travel company KACU derstand what you are seeAbilene community,” Hough- is using, Cross-Cultural Jour- ing,” Houghton said. ton said. neys, introduced KACU to The trip is designed to Houghton, along with the idea of travel tours as give the tourists time on Terri Peterson, membership fundraisers, so a portion of their own as well, so the director and business man- each traveler’s fee will go to schedule is not too crowded ager, and John Burt, general KACU. with things to do. manager and program direcIncluded in the $3,495 cost “Each day something is tor, got the idea for the trip is airfare, ground transporta- planned, but you don’t have from a National Public Radio tion, two meals a day and a to do it,” Peterson said. “DeAbilene Christian University
pending on what it is, you’re finished by 2 or 3 p.m. and then you have the rest of the day off.” The trip, which is planned for May 22-30, takes participants on a guided tour that will include visits to Naples, the Isle of Capri, Pompei, Herculaneum and several cities along the Amalfi Coast. Peterson, the trip coordinator, said the price for the trip is comparable to one that could be found with a See
KACU page 8
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
Friday, February 3, 2006
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Calendar & Events Friday
Purple Friday, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Campus Center Living Room. Abilene Opera Association presents Peter Pan, 8 p.m., Paramount Theatre.
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Saturday
Service Saturday. Computer auction, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Campus Center Hilton Room.
Sunday
Abilene Opera Association presents Peter Pan, 2 p.m., Paramount Theatre.
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Monday
SoulFood Festival, 7:30 p.m., Campus Center Hilton Room.
Volunteer Opportunities
Announcements The Office of Student Multicultural Enrichment will host the First Annual SoulFood Festival at 7 p.m. Monday in the Hilton Room. All food is homemade and is free to all students. Dennis and Emily Lowe, nationally known marriage and relationship specialists from Pepperdine University, will share their insight and strategies that to strengthen marriages with married ACU students Saturday evening at the Oakwood Trails. The evening includes a candlelit dinner for $5 per couple. For reservations contact Kurt Boyland at boylandk@acu.edu or the Counseling Center at 674-2626. Third Day and the David Crowder Band will be in concert March 5 at Taylor County Coliseum. Special student rate tickets are available in the Campus Activities Board office from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact 674-2772 with questions. The deadline for submissions to the Shinnery Review, ACU`s student-produced literary and art magazine has been extended to Wednesday. Go to www.acu.edu/ shinnery to submit your poetry, short fiction, photography and art. Applications are available for the 2006 ACU Leadership Camps Staff. Students can serve as a camp
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counselor and lead young people ages 7 to 18 to be more like Jesus. Applications are in the Leadership Camps office in the Bean Sprout. There will be a summer camp job fair in the Campus Center from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Monday. Summer camp representatives from 20 different summer camps will be accepting applications and interviewing for summer staff positions. Two Figure Drawing classes are looking for several male and female models to work Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9-11 a.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-11 a.m. For more information, contact the Design Department in the Don Morris Building Room 142 or call 674-2085. World Wide Witness has enrolled 50 students for international internships but has many openings still available. For information and online applications go to www. WorldWideWitness.org. Law school scholarship applications are available to any graduating senior interested in attending law school at Pepperdine, Texas Tech or Baylor in the fall of 2006, and has already taken the LSAT exam. Scholarship application packets are in the Harding Administration Building Room 220.
Sign up for Service Saturday at the ticket windows. The H.E.R.O. Program needs volunteers to help by walking along side a horse and helping support and interact with a client. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. ACU Lectureship needs volunteers to work four-hour shifts for childcare. It also needs ushers for the theme lecture each night of lectureship. Male students are needed to serve communion in Moody following the 7 p.m. theme lecture. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. WTC Council of Governments needs artists to paint in drawings on classroom walls.
Meals on Wheels needs drivers to deliver hot, noon meals to 12-16 seniors and adults with disabilities. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. The Alzheimer’s Association needs volunteers to distribute brochures and visit with attendees at a health fair in the Abilene Civic Center from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 16 in Abilene. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. The American Red Cross needs six to eight student to organize closets and the garage and to wash/wax Red Cross vehicles from 1-3 p.m. on weekdays. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.
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.
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.
Credited Chapels remaining:
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Friday, February 3, 2006
CAMPUS NEWS
One of 12 distinguished alumni a Texas librarian n Sandra Johnson Morrow is one of 12 alumni recognized with the Distinguished Alumni Citation, which has been awarded by the Alumni Association since 1969. By DANI LINTHICUM Opinion Editor
Sandra Johnson Morrow, librarian for 22 years at Brentwood Christian Schools in Austin, received a Distinguished Alumni Citation on Jan. 22 at her home church in Austin. According to the Alumni Association Web site, the ci-
tation “recognizes distinctive personal and professional achievement that has merited the honor and praise of peers and colleagues.” This award has been issued since 1969 and usually honors six alumni each year. However, because of the Centennial Celebration this year, a total of 12 Distinguished Alumni Citations will be presented. According the ACU Web site, Morrow was chosen for this honor because of her career as an educator, and many years of Christian service to
the community. She helped to charter the National Christian Librarian’s Association as well. In an interview on www.acu. edu, Morrow said that her love of books and reading grew at a young age. “When I was 6, my parents took me to the county library and checked out George Washington Carver, Boy Scientist, by Augusta Stevenson,” she said. “When the overdue notice came, I hid the book because I assumed it was the only copy in the world, and I had
Students seek God through drama n Seekers of the Word, which performs dramatic skits as a form of ministry, conducted auditions for members and added five men and two women to its ranks.
never heard of a bookstore. Of course I had to return the book, and after the nickel fine was paid, I was allowed to check it out again and again. I believe that God-given experience helped shape my career as a future champion for quality children’s literature.” Morrow has earned other awards for her performance as a librarian and educator. In 2001, she received the Teacher of the Year Award for Outstanding Contribution to Christian Education from the Texas Christian Schools
Association and the Vaughn D. Luster, Jr., Educator of the Year award from the National Christian School Association. According to the ACU Web site, she created and pioneered the Children’s Crown Awards in 1992 to encourage elementary and junior high students to read outstanding books by providing lists of high-quality literature. Each year the award still recognizes 20 such children’s books. From there, Brentwood’s junior high librarian asked Morrow to create an award for
the junior high level. In 1994, the Lamplighter Awards came onto the scene. In 2000, she created the Children’s Crown Gallery, a similar award for picture books for even younger children. In 1966, Morrow graduated from ACU with a degree in education and received her library certification from the University of Texas in 1973. She is married to Troy and has two sons, Paul and Kile.
E-mail Linthicum at: del01a@acu.edu
Working ‘til the cows come home
“We get to reach out to others, but we also help each other grow. I always turn to this group in rough times.” Abby Loe, junior psychology major from Canyon
By KELLINE LINTON Staff Writer
The spiritual drama group Seekers of the Word staged an extra audition this school year in search for male actors. The organization usually has try-outs only during the fall semester, but they recently had another audition in hopes of increasing shrinking ranks, especially in the male category. The troupe had only three male actors in the 11-student group by the end of last semester. “It did not seem appropriate to have a girl dress as Jesus,” said two-year director Krystal Krieg, senior youth and family ministry major from Plano. Twelve students attended spring auditions, and seven were accepted, including five men. “Auditions were really good,” said assistant director Erica Sindley, freshman art major from Bakersfield, Calif. The try-outs involved an informational form, creative scene acting and a personal interview session. The interview was a major point of the audition, as judges questioned
spiritual growth and ministry involvement. The group now has eighteen actors from a variety of majors; incidentally, none of the students are theatre majors. Seekers practice several Saturdays each semester and almost every Wednesday. This drama group has very distinct practice methods. The actors do not read scripts but are shown the scenes by others. They learn by example as they watch the performances, and then gradually substitute themselves into the skits. “This method allows for more creativity. We don’t change the theology, but become our own characters,” Sindley said. “This builds more community and trust, which is a part of any ministry.” Abby Loe, president and junior psychology major from Canyon, said the group is like a family. “We get to reach out to others, but we also help each other grow,” Loe said. “I always turn to this group in rough times.” Seekers of the Word writes
the majority of the skits its members perform. Some are dramatic, others comical, but all are based on biblical teachings. The group brainstorms as a whole during most Saturday practices. “We spend time getting an idea for scripture,” Krieg said. “We want to outreach to smaller congregations that don’t see a lot of drama; we want to be uplifting.” The group will attend a retreat this weekend in Glenrose and perform skits for younger children. “We want to let them see Christian college students,” Krieg said. They also are scheduled to help with Disciple Now curriculum in Fort Worth later this semester and will visit two churches in Amarillo this April. Seekers of the Word will perform in Moody Chapel this semester. “Students should come out and see,” Sindley said.
E-mail Linton at: krl04b@acu.edu
gary rhodes/Contributing Photographer
Workers from Bontke Brothers Construction clean up their supplies at the end of the day Tuesday after working on the new jogging track around the perimeter of campus.
Grad school scholarships available n Law school scholarships for Baylor, Pepperdine and Texas Tech are available to students who took the LSAT before the December test date. By BLYTHE THOMPSON Student Reporter
Students interested in attending graduate school can apply to several scholarships. For the pre-law department in particular, three scholarships for Baylor, Pepperdine and Texas Tech universities are available for those vying to be future lawyers. Graduates first must decide which school they wish to attend for continued higher learning, and then they must pick up the proper application package from the political science office, Administration Building Room 220. Student must have com-
pleted the LSAT, a law school admissions test, before the December test date. This year, the applications must be either mailed to Dr. Mel Hailey, chair of the Department of Political Science, at ACU Box 29143 or delivered to AD 220 for the Scholarship Committee to review before Feb. 10, but as soon as the LSAT score is available, students can turn in the information. Paula Smith, administrative coordinator for the Political Science Department, said each applicant is judged not only on the LSAT score, but also potential success at law school according to the scholarship committee. “The award of the scholarship will be made without regard to race, color, sex, handicap, age or religion of the student,” Smith said.
Each applicant must be currently enrolled or graduated from ACU. Last year’s recipients include Brad Benham, secondary education major from Abilene, and Jonathan Wilkerson, 2004 graduate with an agribusiness degree from Nashville. Both men both received scholarships for Pepperdine University. Also, Lindsay Eplay, marketing major from Midland, received one to Texas Tech University. Each separate school has individual requirements that accompany its application, such as references. To acquire all information, interested students can go by AD 220 in the and pick up a packet for each school and ask Paula Smith any questions they have about the whole scholarship process.
E-mail Thompson at: optimist@acu.edu
Friday, February 3, 2006
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CAMPUS NEWS
Bible major organizes a future Russian church plant n A senior Bible major from Russia and his wife are organizing a team from the Abilene area to plant churches in Yekaterinburg, Russia in 2009. By TAKISHA KNIGHT Page 2 Editor
Dennis Podryachikov wants to return home to Yekaterinburg, Russia, with more than a master’s degree in divinity. He wants to form a dedicated team that will plant a church. The senior Christian ministry and missions major from Russia and his wife, Na-
tasha, began recruiting team members at a Russia interest meeting last week, where three students decided to join the effort. They plan to have more meetings in the future to draw potential team members. Podryachikov said he wants to encourage people to embrace their callings. “I know Russia is not an easy country,” he said. Yekaterinburg is a city of about 1.5 million and is the fourth largest city in Russia. Located in northern Russia and marked by the Ural
Mountains, the city contains eight to 10 unique districts so distinct that they appear to be different countries all together, Podryachikov said. The area he wants to minister in does not have a church. “I encourage people to find what God is calling them to do,” he said. Podryachikov said he felt called to ministry when he was in Russia. He came to the university resolved to become trained in ministry, so he could go home and make progress there. He said he was not always this devoted
Students can serve Abilene n Students, faculty and staff can participate in Service Saturday this weekend and visit nursing homes, work at Helping Hands or visit neighborhoods near campus. By KENNY McENTIRE Student Reporter
Like a good neighbor, ACU is there — that’s the message the Service Action Leadership Team would like to relay to the surrounding communities through the work done on Service Saturday. Students can join members of SALT in servicing neighborhoods surrounding the campus. Students and faculty can participate in traditional service opportunities such as visiting nursing homes, working for Helping Hands and many more. In addition to those projects, the officers and advisers are shifting more of the focus to the area close to campus.
“I’ve taken more involvement in the neighborhood,” said Blake Bond, senior biology major from St. Louis. Bond has been working with SALT since he came to ACU. Erin Snyder, class of 2005, participated in Service Saturday while she attended ACU. “I really enjoyed it,” Snyder said. When she participated in the event, she helped pick up trash around the Carver neighborhood. While Snyder only went to the neighborhood once, Bond likes to visit the same place several times. “I keep going back to the same neighborhood,” Bond said. “It’s great just loving on them and them loving you back.” As a peer leader during Welcome Week, Bond said he had a great experience seeing freshmen jumping in and becoming involved with service.
By DANNY GAMBERO Student Reporter
Five Abilene area bands will perform at a benefit concert for the Cross Plains fire victims at Southern Hills Church of Christ on Saturday. Mark Perkins, an insurance agent from Abilene, is organizing the benefit concert. His band, The Brazos Boys, is one of the five bands playing the show. The other bands set to appear are Alabanza, Cornerstone, Southern Grace and Greg Young. This concert will be a chance for the Abilene community to
come together and learn about the fire that consumed many homes in Cross Plains in December, he said. In addition to music, Bob Pipes, minister at the Church of Christ in Cross Plains, plans to speak about the disaster and how God has helped since then. The presentation will also include a slide show portraying the effects of the fire and instructions about how people can help, Perkins said. The fire burned more than 7,700 acres, destroyed nearly 120 homes, damaged about 36 homes and killed two people. The population of the town is about 1,000 people. Christian radio station KAGT is sponsoring the concert. The station has already sent out fliers to about 1,800 homes to promote the show.
the church. “They invited me to Bible school where I decided to devote my life to service,” he said. Now, he said he wants to help and support others with their callings, particularly those who feel called to Russia. He said that he and his wife will support them in any way they can. “We hope that everyone will find his or her place,” he said. Podryachikov said he doesn’t want to be the leader of the group.
“I think the main goal would be to give the opportunity to each team member to discover his or her talents and apply them to God’s work without having direct leadership,” he said. The trip is still in the works. At this point, it is scheduled for 2009. For more information about the Russia Team, contact Yann Opsitch, missions coordinator at 674-3767 or Dennis Podryachikov via email at dap04b@acu.edu. E-mail Knight at: tnk03a@acu.edu
Breakfast on the go
In the past, members of SALT have walked from house to house knocking on doors, asking if their help was needed. The usual jobs range from mowing, painting and cleaning, but sometimes SALT helps the people in their spiritual life as well. “Sometimes we just pray with the people instead of doing labor,” Bond said. “We just want to let the people know they can call ACU anytime, if they are in need.” The next Service Saturday is scheduled for this Saturday. Students can get involved by signing up at the Campus Center ticket windows for the one of the service projects. After selecting a task, the site leader will contact students with details of where to meet. The ticket window is open from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
E-mail McEntire at: optimist@acu.edu
Bands to perform at benefit concert n Five Abilene bands will perform Saturday at Southern Hills Church of Christ at a benefit concert for Cross Plains residents affected by the wildfires in December.
to ministry, however. He said when he and his friends would hang out, they would often joke about “religious people.” He said they once went to a Church of Christ in his native town where they would ask “silly questions” such as whether Adam had a belly button or not, but the answers Podryachivok received changed his life. The church members responded in a way he did not expect. “I liked the attitude of the people,” Podryachikov said. So he decided to join
During the show, organizers will take an offering for the fire victims. Members said they are eager to play the show. “We love to sing and spread the word of God,” said Judy Hicks, of the band Southern Grace. The Brazos Boys invited Southern Grace to play and in turn, Southern Grace was able to get their church, Potosi Baptist, involved with the concert, too. About eight churches are involved in the benefit concert. “I’m very excited for this show,” Perkins said. “We are expecting a great turn-out.” The concert begins at 6 p.m. Saturday and should run about two and a half hours. E-mail Gambero at: optimist@acu.edu
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Eric Powers, junior communication disorders major from Houston, browses through the complimentary breakfast items provided by the University Park Apartments for its residents Thursday morning.
Page 6
February 3, 2006
Super Bowl Sunday is a cultural experience The issue:
Super Bowl XL is this weekend: Seattle Seahawks vs. Pittsburgh Steelers.
Our view:
The Super Bowl is an American cultural experience. Take time to enjoy it.
The solution:
Here are a few facts those lessthan avid fans out there. Build up your football knowledge.
Millions of people will gather in living rooms around the world Sunday to watch Super Bowl XL. The XL refers to the fact that this is the 40th Super Bowl; XL has nothing to do with the size of jersey those 300-pound linemen will be wearing. In reality, there is nothing extra large about this year’s Super Bowl — a game that features the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unless you are an avid football fan or happen to be from Pittsburgh or the Pacific Northwest, this matchup likely will not excite you. Neither team boasts many true superstars. Neither carries much more
than a regional der, who rushed for Fans and non-fans alike will get together following of Sunday to watch the game, or at least be in more touchdowns fans. this season than any the room while the television is on. But fans and player in NFL hisnon-fans alike tory. will get togethyour football knowledge. • This match-up er Sunday to watch the game In case you want a few bits pits the league’s highest-scoror at least be in the room while of trivia to connect with the ing offense (Seattle) against the television is on. Especially more avid fans at your Super one of the best defenses (Pittsif you are not a football fan or Bowl party, commit these basic burgh). care little about this match-up, facts to memory: If your goal simply is to you can take steps to enhance • The Steelers are going for be able to join a conversation your Super Bowl experience. their fifth Super Bowl victory about the biggest moments of Regardless of how little you in franchise history. Doing so the Super Bowl the next day, know about football or these would tie them with the Dal- but you do not care about the two teams, given the apparent las Cowboys and San Francisco actual game, pay special attenapathy with this match-up, you 49ers for most Super Bowl vic- tion during commercial breaks. likely won’t know much less tories. With a game few are excited than the mild football fan at • The Seahawks boast the about, some of the most talked any given Super Bowl party. So NFL’s Most Valuable Player, about Super Bowl moments don’t worry about the state of running back Shawn Alexan- could be the commercials.
Time to re-focus our efforts
Cole Williams
Let Loose
I appreciate the administration’s willingness to engage SoulForce in dialogue. I can imagine many lesser administrations that would turn an embarrassed or spiteful shoulder to our guests. However I cannot help but wonder if we have missed the mark. In Dr Money’s e-mail we are encouraged to maintain “… a willingness to discuss our guiding beliefs.” But are our core values really news to the gay community? Are they all that uninformed about our stance? In fact, isn’t this exactly what SoulForce is challenging: the belligerent defense of our ‘core values’? At times our approach seems to border on absurdity — something like the People’s Liberation Army firing into student protestors at Tiananmen Square in the name of self-defense. Must we continue to focus on our defense, rather than engage a community that we have repeatedly wounded? It seems that we are more concerned with protecting our boundaries than reaching out to heal injuries that we have dealt.
Be careful of United States Empire For the time being, the United States is the most powerful nation in the world. Economically, militarily, and culturally, America’s power and influence in 2006 reaches across o c e a n s , mountains, Column Like I c u l t u r e s and people See ‘Em groups. Steve Holt Some even go so far as to say that the United States boasts many of the characteristics of an empire, defined loosely as “political control exercised by one organized political unit over another unit separate from and alien to it.” Though the United States does not overtly participate in colonization in the world today, it does exercise control over many nations of the world through economic and political means. Currently, United States military women and men are patrolling the streets of a Middle East nation the size of Texas, attempting to restore peace and democracy to a tortured people. The United States serves as a heavy-handed trade watchdog throughout the world, while at the same time maintaining as its highest priority the expansion of “access
Great Britain’s methods of spreading its empire ... hold an uncanny resemblance to characteristics of current U.S. policy around the world. for American exporters to overseas markets.” Culturally, Western influence has seeped into crevices of the world one never would have expected to see even 50 years ago, as evident in the availability of Coca-Cola in even the most rural villages of Africa and India. Not one of these characteristics of America’s influence is inherently wrong or immoral, but the frame of mind behind these characteristics are reminiscent of the mindset that drove the rise and spread of empires of the past, empires that eventually met their demise. British scholar and theologian N.T. Wright, in a speech to a group of Americans titled, “St. Paul and Empire,” sternly addressed as a “friendly foreigner” what he calls “a de facto empire,” the United States. He draws from the experience of his own country, which he said was an “empire, on which the sun never set,” as well as that of the Romans in the first century. At the height of the British Empire in the early 20th century, Great Britain’s control spanned about 14.3 million square miles and included a quarter of the world’s population (from 470-570
million people). Its influence spanned even further, and though Great Britain eventually lost its empire status over the course of the 20th century, its economic practice, legal and government systems, recreation and athletics, along with the English language are still visible throughout the world. Wright purports that Great Britain’s methods in spreading its empire — by “ruling the waves ... proclaiming loudly the freedom that we enjoyed and which it was our duty, privilege and indeed burden to bring into other parts of the world” — hold an uncanny resemblance to characteristics of current U.S. policy around the world. Wright predicts that if it does not reconsider and re-envision its position as a “world power,” the United States will join the rubble of fallen empires like Rome and Britain, the latter of which he says has now spent a century “counting the cost” of empire. Indeed, America’s “rhetoric of empire, the assumption of automatic moral superiority, of being the bringer of justice and freedom and peace to the world,” as Wright points out, sets this
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
Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
Your Voice Student challenges current way of thinking in response to gay and lesbian issues. What if we were to stop barricading our core beliefs and start listening to those of our guests? What if we were to welcome the gay and lesbian community in order to hear their story of oppression? What if we were to apologize for our complicity in their pain? Ah, but we would look weak were we to invite SoulForce to lead a Moody Chapel, or if we invited the participants into our homes. We would look like fools were we to replace the old picketing signs with new ones that say “I have let fear guide me,” or “I have kept silent as my brothers and sisters have raised banners of hate.” How weak we would seem. How foolish. Brett Deaton senior physics major from Staunton, Virginia
In Your Words
What are your plans for Super Bowl Sunday?
nation on course to experience the same demise as its predecessors. This rhetoric has manifested itself most clearly in foreign policy of the Bush administration, in which the United States has taken a resolute “this is what we’re doing, with or without you” stance toward its allies in the world. While, granted, the United States is not an empire by the most technical definition, many, if not most, Americans believe this nation is invincible. Many, if not most, Americans believe this nation’s political and economic policies ought to be imitated and spread into the rest of the world at any cost, a mentality demonstrated in books like Francis Fukuyama’s The End of History, which audaciously states that the United States has finally found in the liberal democracy the perfect system of government. N.T. Wright reminds us that this pattern of thought is both false and played out in foreign policy, extremely self-serving, and that America need only look to the fallen empires of the past to see that the “privileged” position in which this nation finds itself is anything but safe. Pride, after all, comes before the — well, you know the rest.
“I don’t think I have any. I don’t like football.”
Kathryn Short
sophomore English and psychology major from Ojai, Calif. “Nothing special, but I might watch the game.”
Austin Miller
senior biology major from Abilene “My friend’s parents are having a party. The Seahawks are going to win.”
Daniel Gray
senior social work major from Collierville, Tenn. “Get together with friends and party hard.”
Allen Min
junior biochemistry major from South Korea “I don’t even know who is playing.”
Kristin Wood
sophomore English major from Bakersfield, Calif.
E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
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Advertisers risk millions of dollars for a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl, so the potential for creative genius should run high. Whether you remember a single play of a Super Bowl you have ever watched, most people can think of at least one commercial for Coca Cola, Pepsi or other beverages not allowed on this campus that aired during the Super Bowl. With a little effort, you can make your Super Bowl experience enjoyable. If nothing else, simply use Sunday evening as a chance to gather with friends, eat too much snack foods and take part in an American cultural experience.
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February 3, 2006 Box Office Figures for the weekend of January 27-29, in millions. Total grosses in parenthesis. 1. Big Momma’s House 2 — $27.7 (new) 2. Nanny McPhee — $14.5 (new) 3. Underworld: Evolution — $11.4 ($44.6) 4. Annapolis — $7.7 (new) 5. Hoodwinked — $7.5 ($37.8) 6. Brokeback Mountain — $6.5 ($51) 7. Glory Road — $5.3 ($34.9) 8. Last Holiday — $4.8 ($32.6) 9. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe— $4.5 ($277.9) 10. The Matador— $3.6 ($5.3)
Today’s Movies Something New (PG13) — starring Sanaa Lathan, Simon Baker; directed by Sanaa Hamri. A black careerwoman dates her white landscape architect. When a Stranger Calls (PG-13) — starring Camilla Belle, Brian Geraghty; directed by Simon West. A high school student’s babysitting gig turns deadly when she receives a threatening phone call.
‘New York Times’ BestSeller List, Fiction Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the list. 1/1/148 The Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown 2/2/3 The Hostage, by W.E.B. Griffin 3/5/10 Mary, Mary, by James Patterson 4/-/1 Death Dance, by Linda Fairstein 5/6/4 Every Breath You Take, by Judith McNaught 6/4/7 S is for Silence, by Sue Grafton 7/3/2 The Cat Who Dropped a Bombshell, by Lilian Jackson Braun 8/7/14 At First Sight, by Nicholas Sparks 9/8/4 Turning Angel, by Greg Iles 10/-/1 The Last Templar, by Raymond Khoury
Page 7
‘Battlestar’ plotlines hit close to home, inspire By COLE WILLIAMS Staff Cartoonist
‘Battlestar Galactica’
A surprise attack from an unexpected enemy. Buildings decimated. Countless people killed. Does it sound like the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001? Well, it should. That’s what the creators behind the provocative TV show Battlestar Galactica are aiming for. A remake of the 1978 cult classic science-fiction series, the new Battlestar Galactica, which began as a miniseries and has spun into one of the best-reviewed shows on the Sci Fi Channel, tells the story of how people deal with incredible loss and change. Set in a section of space far from our own, the story starts when the Cylons, robots who revolted against their human makers, return 40 years after having been defeated and launch a surprise attack that leaves the human planets, the 12 Colonies of Kobol, devastated. Out of 12 planets full of countless billions of people, less than 50,000 survive. The survivors form a motley fleet, led by the Battlestar class warship the Galactica, an older, outdated ship up to be decommissioned, but whose lack of networked computers kept it safe from Cylon reprogramming. Now, with their home planets and
Fridays, 9 p.m. SciFi Channel families dead, the survivors turn to an ancient myth for hope, the story of a rumored 13th colony named “Earth.” This may sound somewhat like your average scifi epic synopsis, but several things set Battlestar Galactica apart. One is the timeliness. The story of a surprise attack and a shocked populace, an enemy that looks just like us and can infiltrate us, and the varying, often conflicting responses of the populace to their situation is an intended analogy for Americans and the world post Sept. 11. The Cylons are fanatical worshippers of who they claim is the one true god, and are on a crusade to wipe out the rest of humanity, who they see as immoral and unworthy of life. The survivors among the fleet often argue about how to handle their dire situation, and often bash their leaders who don’t always make perfect decisions. Questions of how to respond to the enemy, if people are worthy of survival, and even just how human the enemy really is are brought up in poignant,
engaging stories meant to reflect on our current crisis. Yet the episodes are rarely heavy handed and are never politically sided to the left or the right, but rather act as an analogy, made to inspire thought among those watching. Of course, none of this would mean anything if the show wasn’t entertaining. And in that regard, it surpasses just about everything else on television. Every episode is great, with high quality special effects (though not to the point of Armageddon director Michael Bay’s typical bombardment) and terrific, engaging performances from the likes of Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Jamie Bamber, Katee Sachoff and James Callis. Along with the rest of a well-acted cast, the eclectic characters that populate the Battlestar universe will keep you involved and enthralled. Another thing that keeps the show great and down to earth is its sense of realism. There are no cute robot pets, goofy aliens or magic powers in this show. The Galactica itself is stocked with things like antiquated phones on cords, and the weapons used aren’t phasers or blasters, just bullets and missiles. The Cylons initial attack isn’t made with some
Photo courtesy of www.countingdown.com
Lt. Sharon Valerii (Grace Park), left, is comforted by CPO Galen Tyrol (Aaron Douglas), right, on the SciFi Channel’s Battlestar Galactica. radical fantastic weapon but nuclear warheads, mushroom clouds sprinkling over the planets they attack. And President Roslin (Mary McDonnell) suffers not from a made-up disease but something countless women face here in the real world: breast cancer. However, with all this realism, the show in turn pulls no punches. Characters make mistakes, have sex, and die. The show, with its stories of very human people with personal, violent and political problems, make it more along the lines of The West Wing or even Saving Private Ryan than the fantastical Star Wars, and is definitely not for kids or people looking for an hour of pure ac-
tion. It is, however, a show for people looking for something new, intelligent and important. Battlestar Galactica is escapism that gives you something to take back with you when you re-enter the real world. And as rare as that is to find in any art form, be it television, film, music or video games, it deserves wholehearted recommendation. If you want something challenging, dealing with real world problems, if you never thought you’d like science-fiction, and most of all if you want to be entertained, turn to the crew of Galactica.
E-mail Williams at: cww02b@acu.edu
Operatic ‘Peter Pan’ flies into Paramount Theatre n The Abilene Opera Association’s latest production of Peter Pan, starring several university students, opens at 8 p.m. Friday and runs on Sunday and Tuesday. By KENNY McENTIRE Student Reporter
While it has probably been years since college students have seen the Disney version of J.M. Barrie’s classic Peter Pan, the childhood favorite is now being brought back to life, this time in the form of a musical production. Beginning Friday, the Abilene Opera Association begins a series of three 8 p.m. showings of their latest production, Peter Pan. Performances will be at the Paramount Theatre on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday and will feature a handful of students from ACU, all portraying the timeless characters. “We’ve got a great cast,” said Holly Whited, senior vocal performance major from Richardson, who is playing
the role of Wendy. Whited has performed in an Abilene Opera before in Madame Butterfly, and she said she is very excited to perform after the hard work they have all put into the production. The Abilene Opera Association was formed in 1980 to bring opera appreciation to Abilene and West Texas by producing professional-grade operas, as well as to help local talent grow by utilizing them in the productions. For 26 years, that’s exactly what it has done, giving students the opportunity to work under professionally noted artists and great conductors. “Things are going really well,” said Travis McGuire, senior biblical text and music major from Amarillo, “especially working with Ron [Segond] and Denis [Luchsinger].” Segond is the show’s conductor and Luchsinger is the stage director. McGuire plays Smee, Captain Hook’s first mate. The group singing in the
play has had chorale practice since late November, and both students described it as “great.” Whited says practices with the group is fun because everyone is nice and friendly. Other Music Department students are involved in the production as well. Zach
Tabers, junior vocal performance major from Abilene, and Kyle Orr, class of 2005, will play pirates, while Minda Ciardi, freshman exercise science major from Hampden, Maine, and Jessica Lemmons, freshman vocal performance major from Abilene, will play
lost boys. “On a scale of one to 10 in terms of excitement, I’m an eight,” says McGuire. “I’m ready to perform.” For tickets, call 676-7372.
E-mail McEntire at: optimist@acu.edu
Friday, April 21, 2006
Page 7
FROM THE FRONT
Cajun Cones: Stand attracts variety of customers Continued from page 1 Generally, business has been pretty consistent from year to year, Luttrell said. “Business is good and very much a blessing,” Luttrell said. “The Mockingbird location is about the same as last year, and as the weather has warmed and people have found the new location, business at the Judge Ely location has picked up recently to about like last year.” The stands are open dai-
ly from 2-10 p.m., and because the city only allows businesses with temporary buildings to be open for six months, they usually close down in the middle of September. The stands attract a wide variety of customers, ranging all demographics, Luttrell said. “The Judge Ely location has a lot of students from ACU and Hardin Simmons, and the Mockingbird location customers are mainly
families and neighborhood folks,” He said. “However, it is interesting what a crosssection of the community we have as customers.” Little has changed in the way of flavors and prices this year. Regular flavors cost $1.25, $1.50, and $1.75, while sno-creams cost $1.50, $1.75, and $2. Luttrell said the most popular regular flavors include cherry, coconut, “I don’t know, but it’s good,” pickle juice, pina colada, straw-
Council: Three run for Place 2 Continued from page 1 Anderson from Rowlett. She has worked for the university since 1994, beginning as the executive assistant to the executive vice president. Her experience with the university and the Abilene community gives her an advantage for the council position, she said. Of the six council seats, three positions are for members who live on the north side of the city, and three are for south side residents. The city’s railroad tracks mark the split. “Because I am the director of Neighborhood Relations here at ACU and because I live on the south side of town,” Anderson said, “I have a unique understanding of both parts of the community.” Working with neighborhoods around campus inspired her to run for a position where she could serve as a voice for the more disadvantaged citizens of the city, she said. The city has grant funds available for
low-income families who need repairs on their homes, Anderson said, but nobody knows about them. “The city needs to be more aggressive in reaching out to the neighborhoods,” she said. “Normal people in the neighborhoods are afraid of approaching the city council.” Other candidates for council positions are Ron Konstantin, class of 2005, and incumbent Sam Chase, an attorney, for Place 1; and Paul Johnson, who owns a real estate company, and Celia Davis, a consultant and civic volunteer, for councilman John Hill’s Place 4 seat. Anthony Williams’s Place 3 seat, Stormy Higgins’s Place 5 seat, and Laura Moore’s Place 6 seat are uncontested. Despite the three-person race for Place 2, Anderson remains optimistic. “I’m excited about running for office,” she said, “about the opportunity to speak for and to work for citizens of Abilene.” E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu
Commute: March to end at church Continued from page 1 Hardin-Simmons University signed up to participate in Abilene’s commute. Meredith Isenberg, freshman social work major from Garland, signed up for the Global Night Commute after watching the Invisible Children documentary at Highland Church of Christ on Feb. 12. “I want to experience just a little bit of what those kids in Uganda go through every night,” Isenberg said. “They have to walk miles and miles every night just for protection. I really think it will give us a new appreciation for what we have and a new perspective on life.” The march will begin at 7 p.m. April 29, with students from both schools congre-
On the Web www.invisiblechildren.com
gating on their respective campuses. The two groups will meet at Treadaway Boulevard and make their way to the parking lot at the First Baptist Church of Abilene, where they will spend the night outside. “I think this will give college students a broader understanding of the evil and tragedy going on in the world,” Lamb said. “For a lot of these students, this walk will be their first taste of that. “But just as Christ suffered for us, we can also partake in sufferings for other people,” he said. “That is being part of the kingdom.” E-mail Gentry at: optimist@acu.edu
berry, strawberry daiquiri and wild cherry. The most popular sno-cream flavors include fudgesicle, old fashioned ice cream and strawberries and cream. “We make all of our own flavors, we don’t charge extra for mixed flavors, and we try to use lots of juice,” Luttrell said. Although Abilene is now the home of several snow cone companies, Luttrell said Cajun Cones is set apart. “We were the first ones in
Abilene to have sno-creams,” he said. “We were the first in Abilene to have sourhead juice, which makes the flavor extra sour. And we were the first shaved-ice stand in Abilene to have real pickle juice snowcones.” The name of the stands comes from Luttrells roots. “I was born in New Orleans and we lived in Houma, Louisiana,” Luttrell said. “One of my early memories is when I would go with my Dad to get a snowball, which
is what they call snowcones in southern Louisiana. When we decided to go into business, we wanted to serve ‘New Orleans-style snowcones.’ All of our flavoring extracts and our machines come from New Orleans. So we just came up with the name Cajun Cones to identify with my roots and the kind of snowcones we were trying to make.” E-mail Ballard at: agb04b@acu.edu
Would I look good in purple?
Emerald McGowan/Staff Photographer
Meredith Isenberg, freshman social work major from Garland makes masks in Gardner’s West Lobby on Thursday for herself and her date for the freshman formal, which will be Friday at the Civic Center and have a Mardi Gras Masquerade theme.
Apply: Admissions numbers jump Continued from page 1 across the nation have begun to consider ACU as a possibility, Heil said. Even if this trend continues, Heil said, ACU’s admissions process is not likely to change. Applicants who are not accepted usually have not met admissions requirements or have not finished
their applications; prospective students are not rejected if they meet all requirements, which is not the case at all universities. However, not all students who apply to ACU are necessarily planning on attending the university. “We see that it is more common for a student to apply to seven to eight colleges,” Heil said.
While this trend has hurt applicants at some universities, according to the Post, this is not the case at ACU. While the ACU AdmisHeil sions Office considers how applicants
will benefit the community, it also seeks to demonstrate to applicants how the ACU community will assist them. “Our admission counselors continue to work with each student and their family to see how ACU can help them reach their life goals,” Heil said. E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Jogging: Concrete track complete Continued from page 1 ging early in the morning and late at night. Families also seem to be using it during the day and on the weekends. The smooth concrete allows people to ride
bikes, rollerblade and push strollers. “We’re glad to see the community around the university is also enjoying it,” Watson said. The track was named the Lunsford Foundation Trail
after the family that donated the funds. Watson said Scot Colley, associate director of the Physical Plant, has been overseeing the work on the track on behalf of the university.
“He’s done a great job of keeping this project moving and in budget,” Watson said. “My hat is off to him.”
E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu
Page 8
Friday, February 3, 2006
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Take me out to the ball game
KACU: Station travels to Italy Continued from page 1 travel agency. “It’s actually really close,” Peterson said. “We’ve had several people tell us that it is really close. We are getting a group rate.” Entertainment will include visits to an Italian opera, a mozzarella cheese farm and the ruins left by Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. Houghton said that the opera is not included in the price of the trip, nor is it a mandatory stop. “Opera is optional because some people have really strong opinions, both positively and negatively,” Houghton said. One of the experiences Peterson said he is most excited about is the opportunity to eat a meal with an Italian family in their home. “It’d be unusual in Abilene, for an Italian family to just come over and eat,” Peterson said. “But it’s not unusual in Italy.” Travelers also have the option of extending the trip three days to include a visit to Rome for a tour of the Vatican and an audience with Pope Benedict XVI. The cost for the additional travel is $595. What makes the trip unique to regular travel agency packages is the group that is going. “The difference is you are going with people from Abilene and NPR listeners,” Houghton said. “So you maybe have a common demographic.” Twenty spaces are currently available. At least 10 people are needed for the trip to take place, but 16 is the ideal amount, Houghton said. A discounted pre-registration period ends Feb. 28, but people are still encouraged to sign up after that. Houghton said based on the success of this year’s trip, KACU might like to take more trips in the future.
KACU Italy trip • Discounted pre-registration ends Feb. 28 • Entertainment includes: visits to an Italian opera, a mozzarella cheese farm and the ruins left by Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. • Cost is $3,495
E-mail Josey at: optimist@acu.edu
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Freshmen Angela Darden, accounting major from Midland; Jennifer Rasco, elementary education major from Abilene, and Taylor Sturgis, business finance major from Plano, cheer on the Wildcat baseball team during the season opener Thursday at Crutcher Scott Field.
Sabbatical: Professors pursue other interests Continued from page 1 ultimately lead to a higher quality of teaching. Dr. Dickie Hill, professor of health education in the Department of Exercise Science and Health, is currently on his sabbatical in Abilene. He will focus his time researching the epidemic of obesity in children. By the time his sabbatical ends in May, he said he hopes to have articles and publications of his research in professional journals. He is also working on a book he expects to complete by the end of this summer. Hill said he enjoys hav-
ing time to concentrate on things he might not normally have while teaching during the semester. “It’s always relaxing, part of it is the ability to get up to do things you want to do without having a schedule to meet,” he said. Because of the nature of the sabbatical, professors are encouraged not to work anywhere else, so they can devote the same amount of time to their chosen project, as they would to a semester of classroom teaching. “It’s an opportunity for the faculty member to be refreshed and retooled in dis-
cipline; to get a break from what they typically do and do something that is more self fulfilling,” Dr. Thomas Winter, vice provost of the university, said. The faculty members must complete a project of their choice during the duration of their sabbatical. Dr. Jim Cooke, professor of environmental science, left the United States to complete his sabbatical. While living with a family in San Marcos de Colon for 12 weeks, he improved his Spanish and worked with missionary Jarrod Brown to establish a carpentry school
for underprivileged children in Honduras. “I came back excited about what I’d done,” Cooke said. “I want to do more and involve the students. Cooke decided to involve his students by creating a study abroad opportunity during the Maymester. Dr. Mel Hailey, chair of the Department of Political Science, chose to write a chapter in the book called Pulpit and Politics by Corwin E. Smidt. Hailey actually finished the book before he even began his sabbatical and was able to dedicate his time elsewhere. He pre-
Invisible: Volunteers will show film Continued from page 1 March and April, volunteers for the cause will travel all over the country in RVs to conduct screenings of an updated and expanded version of Invisible Children. During the visit to Abilene, several events about the issue will take place: • Feb. 12, the Invisible Children visitors and anyone interested will meet at Highland Church of Christ at 6
p.m. for an evening of facts, discussion and a screening of the film. • Feb. 13, the film will be shown in an assembly at Hardin-Simmons University. • Feb. 14, the Invisible Children-themed ACU Chapel assembly and an evening forum that will feature a screening of the film is open to the public in Cullen Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. • Feb. 15, an art show composed of 15 pieces inspired
by the events in Uganda is being put together. Kelly Shearon, active Abilene participant and planner of the IC representatives’ visit, said this project has the potential to open many eyes. “These screenings provide ACU students with an opportunity to become more aware of things taking place outside of Abilene,” Shearon said. “Passion stems from what we know; the more we learn, the more we become
inspired to do something.” McVey said the film is an educational window into another part of the world and realities that people in other parts of the world face every day. “We need to realize what life is like for a lot of people,” he said. “There are things that can be done; we need to get engaged and help stop this problem.”
sented lectures at a Pepperdine University lectureship on human rights and was a keynote speaker in Austin for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Though he was busy traveling and speaking, Hailey said he missed certain aspects of teaching. “I came back reminded once again of why I love teaching,” Hailey said. “I really missed students in the classroom.”
E-mail Snyder at: optimist@acu.edu
Invisible Children • Feb. 12: Screening of the film with Invisible Children volunteers at Highland Church of Christ • Feb. 13: Screening of the film at Hardin-Simmons University • Feb. 14: Screening of the film on campus at an evening forum • Feb. 15: An art show inspired from the events in Uganda
E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu
Election: Candidates campaign on campus Continued from page 1 volunteered to help him, he does not solicit help in class. He said students did not sign up for his classes to have the pressure to campaign for him. “I’m trying to maintain a critical distance between
what is appropriate with my colleagues and what falls into the area of what I find inappropriate,” Hailey said. Since the campus is private property, candidates need permission to display campaign paraphernalia. Neither candidate has re-
quested permission to campaign on campus, though Christian did have permission to be in the Campus Center. Another part of campaigning is e-mail, a medium that is easy to use and that has far-reaching capabilities, but Hailey said he does not want
to be intrusive. “I have not used the ACU e-mail to blanket e-mail ACU,” Hailey said. “I’m not going to spam my friends.” Whatever outlets the candidates use, the student vote is not one they are discounting. “I think it is important
to involve students,” Christian said. “I want to encourage students to register to vote regardless of whether they are Republican or Democrat.”
E-mail Josey at: optimist@acu.edu
Neighborhood: Campus offices reach out to Abilene Continued from page 1 Vicky Anderson, director of the Office of Neighborhood Relations, has been researching the relationship between the university, its neighbors and the city of Abilene for more than six years. “As a citizen of Abilene, ACU must accept the responsibility of working with our neighbors and the city to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood,” she said in an e-mail. Anderson said the problem of a declining neighborhood near a university is not a problem unique to ACU. “The need for universities to address the blight and declining quality of life of the neighborhoods in close proximity is a problem with most universities in this country,” Anderson said. “Some have begun addressing the problem and some are just now realizing there is a problem, but all
will be affected in some way.” The Students’ Association began brainstorming ways to rectify the deteriorating neighborhood last spring, and the solution, thought up by former SA president Layne Rouse, class of 2005, was Project Abilene. SA hasn’t forgotten the idea, which has been renamed “Neighbor for Neighbor,” but after meeting with several different campus offices, executive officers decided SA didn’t have enough resources to carry out the project on its own. The Volunteer ServiceLearning Center and Service Action Leadership Team have taken over parts of the idea and incorporated neighborhood service into their offices, said Justin Scott, SA president and senior political science major from Whitehouse. Students can participate in neighborhood service this Saturday by participating in Service Saturday, said Rita
Harrell, administrative coordinator of the VSLC. Groups will help with yard work, fence repair and clean-up for several houses in the Cedar Creek neighborhood. Last semester, students passed out fliers letting neighbors know about Service Saturdays. People who wanted help called a phone number, and the VSLC set up the site for groups to visit. Anderson said she is hoping to make a significant difference in the neighborhood by encouraging those students who go work at the homes to get to know the people they work with. “When that person becomes real, with feelings and hurts and needs, just like the rest of us, that person becomes a neighbor, not just someone who lives at that house,” Anderson said. “We feel that through their changed perspectives, students will come to understand that service is
not just a project, but a lifetime commitment.” The office plans to further facilitate relationships by offering short seminars to sophomore students preparing to move off campus to educate them about off-campus housing. They will learn about renter’s rights, lease agreements and landlord responsibilities, among other things, Anderson said. “We understand that learning to live on their own is part of the holistic education of our students,” she said. “We want to make the resources available to them, so they can rent off-campus housing feeling well-prepared.” Anderson said she also wants to come up with a system where students can grade the property they rented as a resource to future renters. SA will also work on student awareness by planning a neighborhood awareness week or day this semester,
Scott said. “The main thin is to bring people together,” Scott said. When neighbors get to know each other, they will become less suspicious of each other’s actions, he said, and residents might not be so apprehensive when students move in nearby. Dr. Mimi Barnard, director of Residence Life Education and Housing, has also placed bulletin boards in freshman residence halls to make them aware of good citizenship while they live in halls and when they move off campus. Anderson is also working with the Cedar Creek Neighborhood Association, which serves people living in the community bound by Ambler Boulevard, Judge Ely Boulevard, North 10th Street and Treadaway Boulevard. “By becoming more involved with the neighborhood association, we have been able to assist in growing that as-
sociation and increasing the awareness of the assets and challenges facing the neighborhood,” Anderson said. “It has been through the neighborhood association that we have become aware of families within just a few blocks of our campus that need assistance.” One way the office has become active this semester is by distributing surveys to houses in the neighborhood. Anderson said she hopes the surveys will give her an idea of what residents want their neighborhood to be. “The Neighborhood Relations office is doing this not because it’s the right thing to do, but because we want to do it,” Anderson said. “ACU’s mission statement ‘educating students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world’ must begin in our own backyard before we can truly change the world.” E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu
SPORTS JUMPS
Friday, February 3, 2006
Page 9
Lavender: Next game against Mustangs Continued from page 10
brian schmidt/File Photo
Sophomore Jessica Johnson makes contact with a pitch during a game March 22 against Incarnate Word. Johnson will provide power to the Wildcats offense after a strong freshman year.
Softball: First home game Tuesday Continued from page 10 about pushing and encouraging one another in a positive way. This is a unique team because they are all self-motivated. They want to play not only for themselves, but for their teammates as well; they don’t want to let each other down.” The Wildcats have a busy schedule ahead with a lot of away games. They must work on playing when it becomes difficult to keep pushing because of exhaustion or lack of energy.
“We are playing most of our games on the road this season, and getting off the bus to play is always a struggle,” said sophomore right fielder Haley Morris. “Playing in front of your home crowd is nice, and when you don’t have that support it’s a lot harder.” Whether the team pulls out a victory or not, it is working on overcoming the mental block to bounce back after tough games. “It’s not going to be a smooth ride for us this year. We can’t control the outcome
of every game and the calls that the officials make, so we’re learning to take care of ourselves and our team,” Wilson said. A couple of the big games that the Wildcats must prepare for include San Angelo, which is ranked No. 1, and St. Mary’s, which won the Regional tournament last year. “San Angelo is always a big series for us. St. Mary’s has a tough team, too,” sophomore pitcher Melanie Smith said. “We have to work hard in every game all year, so that we can get the ranking needed to go to
the regional tournament.” The main goal of the team is straightforward – to make it to the national tournament. Last season, the team was one game away from becoming the conference champions, which is the best record in the history of women’s softball at ACU; so this year the team is aiming even higher. The Wildcats will plan in St. Mary’s tournament this weekend in San Antonio. The first home games are at 3 and 5 p.m. Tuesday against Cameron. Morris said the team’s
dedication to one another and to the sport itself is always apparent on and off the field. As long as the Wildcats keep working hard the way they have been all year, she doesn’t think they’ll have any problems getting to the National tournament in May. “We all have a lot of fun together, and we know that if we work as a team, we can go as far as we want to,” Smith said. “We’re excited about the season and can’t wait to see how it ends.” E-mail Moore at: aem03e@acu.edu
Indoor: Teams will face Division I competition Continued from page 10 we can compete very well at the Division II level.” The indoor facility, the Bob Devaney Sports Center, contains a 200-meter track that banks up on both ends, identi-
cal to the track that the Wildcats will run on at the national meet in Boston. “We have to drive 10 hours to find a banked track, but we’re going to do that just so our kids will have more experience,” Hood said.
The meet will kick off on Friday at noon with the women’s pentathlon and men’s heptathlon, followed by two field events and five running events in the evening. On Saturday, the multi-events will conclude in the morning, followed by the
remainder of the field events and the final running events. Following the Frank Sevigne Classic, the ACU men and women will compete at the New Mexico Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M, followed by the George Mason Last Chance
meet in Fairfax, Va. The NCAA Division II Indoor National Championship meet will be held at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston, Mass., March 10-11.
E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu
Soccer: ACU announces addition of women’s team Continued from page 10
Division I Central Michigan University and then transferred to ACU to play two years of baseball for the Wildcats. “After my five years of playing college sports and coaching softball at this level, I know the college athlete and how to recruit talent,” Wilson said. “Getting back into soccer will not be difficult because it is a game I know very well and love. I see a bright future for this program.” The NCAA allows each women’s soccer team in Division II, 9.9 scholarships each year and with that ACU will provide three scholarships
for the new soccer season. “Hopefully, if things go right, we’ll receive more scholarship money every year,” Wilson said. Since the program will not officially begin until the fall of 2007, women recruited from high school and junior colleges will have an entire year to prepare themselves for the upcoming season. “The expectations for the players who will join the soccer program in the fall will be to get mentally prepared for the following year,” Wilson said. “It is nice to have a year to get things developed. But, I know it will be hard for some players to take a year away
from competition if they are coming here from a high school or junior college.” The idea to establish a women’s soccer team at ACU was one of great popularity and a decision that took detailed planning and research. A big part of the head coach’s job especially one in charge of a first year program is to create excitement and spark interest in his upcoming program. “The first thing I have done is talk with anyone on campus who has a soccer background,” Wilson said, “A date is yet to be determined, but we will have an open tryout before the end of the spring semester for those in-
terested in played already on campus. “Then, most likely in June, we will hold another tryout for an interested transfers or high school seniors,” he said. Even though the newly founded women’s soccer team hasn’t played a game or had a practice the interest level among future possible recruits are high. “I have been getting quite a response from high school players all over Texas and beyond. This is going to be a steady process of gathering players all the way through the ’06-’07 school year,” Wilson said. Wilson said he is excited
about the numerous positive responses he has received and the potential his team could have very early in its history. “Many of the players who are looking to join the team who are currently ACU students are excited despite there still being another year to wait to play,” he said. “The [high school recruits] I have talked to are so relieved ACU added soccer because that was a major deterrent for not coming here,” Wilson said. “As a result, ACU got moved to the top of their list when we added the sport.” E-mail Harris at: jhh03c@acu.edu
was “too little, too late.” King and Guiton led the team in scoring: King finished with 16 and Guiton with 15 points. Senior center Jamie Boles-Lord scored nine points, and five other players contributed seven or fewer points. At 6 p.m. Saturday the Wildcats play Midwestern State. The Mustangs hold a 2-4 conference record and are 8-11 overall, but Lavender said the game will still be a challenge. “It’s always hard to play at Midwestern; I don’t remember the last time we won there,” Lavender said. “Like all of the conference, you never get a game that is going to be easy.” E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
Wildcats: Close to matching last year’s win total Continued from page 10 might have gotten a taste of Stephenville Tuesday night with much of the east floor section in Moody being occupied by irate, purple-clad Texans fans. ACU cheerleaders were drowned out by choreographed cheers by Tarleton fans led by Tarleton cheerleaders. Wildcat fans seemed content, aside from the last two minutes, to sit by and watch the game unfold from the their seats. ACU also won seven home games this season, only one win shy of its total wins last season, and the team has two home games remaining. At 33, the team has one of its best starts in conference play in recent memory and has taken the conference leader down to the wire. E-mail Holland at: beh03e@acu.edu
Page 10
February 3, 2006 Standings
Men’s Basketball Team Tarleton St. WTAMU TAMU-K ACU ENMU MSU
Conf. Overall 5-0 16-4 4-1 15-5 3-1 13-6 3-2 8-12 2-3 8-12 0-5 11-9
women’s Basketball Team Div. Tarleton St. 6-0 Angelo St. 5-1 WTAMU 4-1 ACU 3-3 TX Woman’s 3-3 2-4 MSU
Overall 14-5 14-5 15-3 9-10 10-8 8-11
Scores Thursday
Baseball ACU 5, Alabama-Huntsville 4
Tuesday
Men’s Basketball Tarleton State 67, ACU 61 Women’s Basketball Tarleton State 70, ACU 64
Season opens with close victory n Baseball season opened Thursday for the Wildcats with a 5-4 win against AlabamaHuntsville at Crutcher Scott Field. The Wildcats play Friday at 4 p.m. By PATRICK LOVELESS Sports Writer
Wildcat baseball started their season with a win, a 5-4 decision over AlabamaHuntsville on Thursday. “Some things didn’t happen the way we wanted them to,” head coach Britt Bonneau said after the game. “We had some great pitching at the end, and our
Women’s Basketball ACU 84, Texas Woman’s 79 (OT)
Upcoming Schedule
By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor
Friday
Softball ACU at St. Mary’s Tournament, 10 a.m. Baseball ACU vs. Henderson State, 4 p.m. Indoor track ACU at Frank Sevigne Classic, 2 p.m. Women’s tennis ACU Indoor Classic, noon
freshmen guys stepped it up a level tonight.” Freshman Minor Alexander started in center field, along with freshman Trey Watten who took the field at shortstop. Freshman catcher Jordan Schmitt helped fuel the Wildcats offense. Schmitt hit two booming doubles and was driven in on both by teammates. He also stole a base on offense. On the defensive side he was just as exciting to watch. He picked a lazy run-
ner off at first base to end the first inning. Starting pitcher Stephen Miller held the Chargers to five hits and three runs in six innings. His replacements, Jason Kennedy, Andrew Dillman and sophomore Chris Wiman only gave up one run in the closing three innings of the game. “We had a good game tonight,” said Bonneau. “We still had some things happen tonight that we hope we can improve upon the rest of the weekend.” E-mail Loveless at: spl05a@acu.edu
brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
Freshman Jordan Schmitt attempts to tag out Blake Heym on a play at home in the eighth inning. However, Heym was called safe, and moved the score to 5-4.
Slow start hampers Wildcats in loss n The Wildcats struggled offensively in their 70-64 loss to division leader Tarleton State on Tuesday. The team’s next game is Saturday at Midwestern State.
Saturday
Baseball
The Wildcats fought hard against LSC South Division leader Tarleton State on Tuesday, but the team could not overcome poor shooting.
Women’s Basketball The Wildcats shot just 31 percent from the field and allowed 19 offensive rebounds by the TexAnns in the 70-64 loss in Moody Coliseum. The loss drops the team’s record to 3-4 in the LSC South and into fifth place. According to head coach Shawna Lavender, the key to the six-point loss was the 19 offensive rebounds given up
by the Wildcats. “That’s just letting another team out-work you,” Lavender said. “When you’re not shooting the ball well, you can’t afford to give the other team that many second chances.” The Wildcats began the game shooting just 2-18 from the floor and were down by as much as 17 points. However, senior Ashley King made two 3-pointers, and sophomore Alex Guiton had six points in
the final minutes of the half which cut the deficit to only six points at halftime. “We came out flat and weren’t doing fundamental things we needed to stay in the game,” guard Ashley King said. “We would go on runs but wouldn’t stop them on defense.” The second half was much of the same for the Wildcats. Inconsistent shooting kept the team from maintaining a
Women’s basketball ACU at Midwestern State, 6 p.m. Men’s basketball ACU at Midwestern State, 8 p.m. Indoor track ACU at Frank Sevigne Classic, 2 p.m. Softball ACU at St. Mary’s Tournament, Baseball ACU vs. Henderson St., noon (DH) Women’s tennis ACU Indoor Classic, noon Men’s tennis ACU at Texas Tech, 2 p.m.
Softball ACU vs. Cameron, 3 p.m. (DH) Baseball ACU at St. Mary’s, 4 p.m.
By HUTTON HARRIS Sports Writer
• Home games listed in italics
Brian schmidt/File Photo
By STEVE HOLT Sports Writer
The Wildcats will face their first significant Division I track and field competition Friday and Saturday as they compete in the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational on the campus of the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Schools already declared for the two-day meet include North Carolina, Minnesota, New Mexico, Stanford, TexasEl Paso, Kansas, Kansas State, Drake and of course, the host school, the Nebraska Huskers. Nebraska is ranked in the “Trackwire 25” in both the men’s and the women’s, and the Huskers are joined by Kansas in the men’s rankings and Stanford in the women’s. Head coach Don Hood said competition against talented athletes is one of the components of a successful team and season. “As hard as these guys are training, they need to compete against some good people,” Hood said. “If we can compete well in the Big 12 or against the Big 10, then See
INDOOR page 9
LAVENDER page 9
n The addition of women’s soccer was announced in December by ACU President Dr. Royce Money and will begin play in the fall of 2007 with head coach Casey Wilson.
Tuesday
n The Wildcats track and field teams travel to the University of Nebraska for the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational this weekend to compete against Division I teams.
See
Women’s soccer to kick off fall of ’07
Saturday
Wildcats to battle tough D-I talent
steady run. Instead, the team scored only in spurts along with scoreless droughts. Early in the second half, sophomore Ashlee Barr pulled the Wildcats within three points of the lead with a pair of free throw shots, but Tarleton State quickly stretched the lead to 12. Again, the Wildcats made a run late in the half but, as coach Lavender said, it
Junior Daisy Barcena blocks second base as she scoops the ball in the Lone Star Conference Post season Tournament in Irving on April 22. The Wildcats lost to Midwestern State 4-3 but still advanced to the South Central Regional Tournament.
Depth of pitchers key to this season n After advancing to the regional tournament for the first time in school history, the Wildcats have expectations to repeat last year’s success. By Ashley Moore Sports Writer
The softball team begins conference play this weekend at a tournament in San Antonio and will be back in Abilene for its first home games Tuesday.
Softball The team is ranked No. 2 in the conference for the 2006 season, following San Angelo. The main difference this year, head softball Coach Chantiel Wilson said, is the pitching depth this team has. Four main pitchers will rotate in the starting line-up in each game. Allison Krauss will pitch and play second base. Two freshman and five
transfers were also added to the roster. “We definitely have a more consistent line-up for this season compared to the years before,” Wilson said. “We are able to execute the plays better and follow through with what needs to be done.” Since the success of last year, the team knows a little more about how the conference works and what to expect from the different teams.
Wilson said she is looking forward to the seniors stepping up this year, since they are the core players who have had the most experience. They realize that every single game is important and are willing to do whatever it takes, Wilson said. “The whole team comes to practice daily, ready to work hard,” Wilson said. “The girls are really good about See
SOFTBALL page 9
In December the university announced the creation of its 14th athletic program — a women’s soccer team. Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, announced the soccer team would kick off its inaugural season in the fall of 2007 led by current ACU assistant softball coach Casey Wilson. Wilson will assume the helm on June 1, after the completion of the Wildcat softball season this spring. The decision to bring a women’s soccer team to the university levels the playing field with men and women now having seven sports teams each. Coach Casey Wilson was a three-sport athlete in high school playing baseball, football and soccer. He eventually went on to become a two-time All-American place-kicker at See
SOCCER page 9
Wildcats upset bid comes up short n The Wildcats came close to pulling off an upset against No. 15 Tarleton State on Tuesday but fell to the Texans, 67-61. By BRIAN HOLLAND Sports Writer
Silence. This is the most descriptive word to describe the scene in Moody Coliseum on Tuesday night when the men’s basketball team led early in the second half to the 15th-ranked team in Division II, the Tarleton State Texans. Only the murmurs of quiet fan conversations sounded as the Texans went on to take the second half and the game, 67-61. The Wildcats have not beaten the Texans in their last 10 meetings, but came close to ending that streak. Tarleton State outscored the Wildcats 40-34 after coming back to tie the score at 27 just before the halftime break. Tiago Souza, junior guard, dropped 19 points to lead the Wild-
Men’s Basketball cats in scoring, while senior forward, Demarcquez Rembert, followed with 14 points, and Mauro Matai, a senior center, scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the losing effort. The Wildcats got off to a good start after the half with a Souza 3-pointer, but they saw their run smothered by an early second-half 10-0 run that included back-to-back 3-pointers by Tarleton forward John Davis. “I just wanted to win so bad,” Souza said. “It was hard,” Rembert said. “I feel like we could have beat those guys; it’s just hard, it was so close to a team so good.” The game saw 10 lead changes between the Wildcats, who were picked at the beginning of the season to finish last in the conference, and the undefeated conference leaders, Tarleton State. The Texans also converted 21
points off turnovers and had 26 points in the paint, which was 12 more than the Wildcats. “They hit their shots when it counted,” assistant head coach Brian Thrift said. “They have a lot of seniors on their team; they’re battletested.” With only 10 days separating the meeting in Abilene between these two teams and the re-match in Stephenville, this close loss will certainly still be fresh on the Wildcats’ minds. “That’s what I got on my mind,” Matai said. “[Going to their place] and take one from them.” Matai and the rest of the Wildcats will have to deal with a far-more intense and hostile environment when they go to visit the Texans on Feb. 9th. Tarleton State has averaged just fewer than 500 more fans per game in conference play than ACU has in Moody; however, the home team See
WILDCATS page 9
brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
Junior Tiago Souza shoots a 3-pointer in Tuesday’s 67-61 loss to Tarleton State. Souza finished the game with 19 points.