2006 03 29

Vol. 94, No. 45 1 section, 10 pages

WEDNESDAY March 29, 2006

www.acuoptimist.com

Double the success

Open for debate

Sweeping victory

The softball team doubles their winning streak to eight, page 10

The debate team places sixth in a national tournament during spring break, page 3

The tennis teams sweep their tournament matches, page 10

Activist group concludes visit Students respond to Equality Riders

Soulforce realizes difference at ACU

n Feedback about Monday’s events ranged from appreciation for the discussion that took place to criticisms of the logic behind some opinions expressed.

n After six previous stops of not being allowed on campuses or facing severe restrictions, group members express appreciation for the university’s cooperation.

By DANI LINTHICUM Opinion Editor

By JONATHAN SMITH Editor in Chief

Members of Soulforce said they knew something was different about their stop at ACU minutes after setting foot on campus. They said even being given name tags to wear made them feel like their visit to Abilene was official — something they did not feel during their previous six stops.

The university welcomed the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender activist group to campus Monday for a day of forums and Herrin conversations about the topic of homosexuality.

Events, attended by hundreds of students, faculty and administrators throughout the day, focused on various aspects of homosexuality, such as violence, discrimination, portrayal in the media and stereotypes, and people on all sides of the conversations say they were encouraged by the discussion that took place.

“It is a testament to academic freedom, democracy and Christianity that ACU was willing to engage in this dialogue with us,” said Haven Herrin, 24-year-old co-director of the Soulforce Equality Ride.

Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said the group’s visit allowed all sides to move past stereotypes about Christians and homosexuals.

“In society and around the world, one of our greatest struggles is painting See

SOULFORCE page 8

Emerald McGowan/Staff Photographer

Jake Reitan, co-director of the Soulforce Equality Ride, speaks to a group of ACU students at an informal dialogue in the Hilton Room on Monday.

Members of Equality Ride participated in discussions and forums throughout the day regarding homosexuality and the Christian response.

Rider gives personal story of violence n Pam Disel said the experience of the 51-day Equality Ride tour has given her a new perspective on Christians once she was able to look past some stereotypes.

By JACI SCHNEIDER and SARAH CARLSON Staff Writers

Less than two years ago, Pam Disel, 26, was walking across town with two newfound friends in Waikiki, Hawaii, when she sensed two men following her.

The men approached from behind, taunting her, asking questions and trying to get her to admit she was homosexual.

Although Pam tried to avoid

the men and find somewhere to escape, before she knew what happened, something struck her along the right side of her face, knocking her out.

She woke up in a hospital with a swollen face, broken jaw, numerous fractures, damaged teeth and a long recovery ahead of her.

Her two friends, however, were fine.

“They left them alone,” Pam said. “They weren’t gay, I was.”

Pam told her story to a captivated audience at a forum addressing hate crimes against homosexuals Monday morning in the Hilton Room See

RIDER page 8

By MITCH HOLT Staff Writer

Cody Veteto freshman journalism major from Tulsa, Okla., is recovering and responsive in St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver but had been in an incommunicable state at for more than a month with his parents waiting and praying by his side.

He was snowboarding on Feb. 25 with Scott Morrison, freshman electronic media major from Universal City, during the advanced skiing class trip in Winter Park, Colo. Wearing the helmet

See

VIEWPOINTS page 8

Evening forum evokes mixed student reactions n Panelists discussed the portrayal of sexuality in the media, particularly in the film ‘Brokeback Mountain,’ but some wished the topic could have been broader.

By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor

Students and faculty left the final event of Soulforce’s Equality Ride visit with mixed feelings.

The open forum discussed

sexuality and the media with most of the focus on Brokeback Mountain, a three-time Academy Award-winning film that told the story of two gay cowboys in Wyoming during the 1960s.

Although the panelists articulated their points regarding specific questions, many students were disappointed at the lack of dialogue.

“The whole night was basically a movie review,” said

Student recovers in Denver n Freshman Cody Veteto has been more responsive but remains in a Colorado hospital while he heals from injuries he sustained Feb. 25 on his class skiing trip.

Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer

Pam Disel, member of the Soulforce Equality Ride, tells students during the morning forum Monday of how she was abused for being gay.

Many students said they think the Soulforce Equality Ride visit was positive for the campus.

Alumnus Zach HerringtonShaner, class of 2004, said he thinks this is one of the best things that could happen at the university.

“It will end the bubble and open up discussion on this topic,” Herrington-Shaner said.

Several students who attended the open discussion times said they were glad Soulforce came, but a few also expressed apprehension about the discussions taking place.

Some students said they were nervous about interaction with Soulforce members but were willing to try talking anyway.

Some students, including Rolando Gutierrez, sophomore electronic media major from Torreon, Mexico, spent a majority of Monday attending forums and conversing with the riders.

“I’ve been talking to several people,” Gutierrez said.

“They’re very open, and there’s a lot of diversity within the group itself.”

Some students expressed frustration with a lack of per-

and protective gear that saved his life, Veteto ran into a tree.

“At first I thought he had just slid into the tree,” Morrison said. “But as I got closer I saw blood around the tree and I knew it was serious. I pulled his face back from the tree and it was covered in blood.”

Morrison said he knew not to lay the injured student on his back because it would have kept him from breathing properly, so he maneuvered Veteto to his side and screamed to a passing skier for help.

The skier happened to spot a paramedic at the top of the hill and brought him to the accident scene. From there, the unconscious Veteto was brought to the local

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

emergency clinic where he was placed on a ventilator, and his parents were called; shortly after, he was flown to the hospital in Denver.

A month and three days later, Veteto now reacts to his name, occasionally turns his head and makes eye contact.

Ken Veteto, Cody’s father, said last weekend was a turning point for his son.

He had successful emergency surgery Sunday to fix a leak from the incision where his feeding tube goes, and he’s been more alert since then.

“Many people have ministered to us in so many ways,” Ken Veteto said. “People are anticipating our needs, and I don’t know what we would See

VETETO page 9

Adam Dittemore, freshman psychology major from Everett, Wash. “They didn’t talk about the issues that people wanted to hear.

“We live in reality here, and many people wanted to hear how homosexuality works in a Christian life and environment.

Too much was focused on TV and movies instead of issues people deal with every day.”

The forum began with panelists discussing broad questions

Residence hall sign-ups schedule Students can go online to www.acu.edu/reslifesignup to register for the residence hall lottery.

Sign-ups for Morris and Edwards halls suites began Tuesday and closes Wednesday at 1 p.m.

Students can sign up for Sikes and Edwards halls doubles at 8 p.m.

Wednesday until 1 p.m.

Thursday.

Sign-ups for Adams and Smith halls doubles begins at 8 p.m. Thursday and ends 1 p.m. Monday.

Students will be notified of their selection to a hall by 8 p.m. on the day of each hall’s deadline.

about how sexuality is portrayed positively or negatively in the media in the context of Christianity.

Seven panelists spoke, including three representing the university: Dr. Richard Beck, chair of the Psychology Department; Dr. Ken Cukrowski, associate dean of the College of Biblical Studies; and Sarah Carlson, senior print journalism major from San Antonio.

The other four were members

of Soulforce and included: Jacob Reitan from Eden Prairie, Minn., and Haven Herrin from Dallas, co-directors of Equality Ride; Jessie Sullivan from San Antonio and Alexey Bulokhov from Russia.

The panelists also discussed how TV shows often portray sexuality, whether it is homosexual or heterosexual, in a negative way.

See

FORUM page 8

Residence hall sign-ups begin n Freshmen could register for the lottery system used to determine residence hall placement beginning Tuesday, and the final deadline for signing up is Monday.

By TAKISHA KNIGHT Page 2 Editor

As of Tuesday, students can register online for residence halls, but they don’t need to rush. Instead of placing students in residence halls based on the first-comefirst-serve principle, students will be assigned according to random selection, Rebecca Cates, assistant director of Residence Life, said.

Abilene Christian University

“This is a lottery process,” Cates said. “Room assignments are random.”

Residence Life coordinators agree that the process is effective. The same method has been used in previous years.

Cates said the lottery process allows students to show preference without penalizing those who might not have had opportunity to sign up for their hall immediately.

Students can sign up for residence halls online at www. acu.edu/reslifesignup. No alternative way to sign up exSee HOUSING SIGN-UPS page 9

Serving the ACU community since 1912

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Wednesday, March 29, 2006

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Calendar & Events Wednesday

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Thursday

Camp Lone Hollow information, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center.

Visions of Grace, 7-9 p.m., Living Room.

Cody Veteto prayer chain sign-up, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Weekend Campaigns sign-up, 11:30 a.m.-noon, Campus Center ticket windows.

Shades show ticket sale, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Shades show ticket sale, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Weekend Campaigns sign-up, 11:30 a.m.-noon, Campus Center ticket windows.

Cody Veteto prayer chain sign-up, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Announcements Robin Roberts, co-host for ABC’s Good Morning America and former sportscaster for ESPN, will speak at 7 p.m. on April 8 at a dinner in Teague Special Events Center. The event is part of ACU’s Centennial Speaker Series. For more details or to buy tickets call 674-2622.

Study Abroad is offering a free iPod drawing for students that turn in an application for the fall semester of the Latin

America Study Abroad Program.

There are still spots available in both locations. The deadline is March 31. E-mail study_abroad@ acu.edu for more information.

Abilene State School need volunteers to help with food preparation for staff appreciation day sponsored by Family Association of Abilene State School from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., May 1.

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.

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Friday

Cody Veteto prayer chain sign-up, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Shades show ticket sale, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Film auditions, 5-8 p.m., Hilton Room.

01

Saturday

Battle of the Bands, 7 p.m.-11p.m., Bean Sprout.

02

Sunday

Nothing scheduled.

Battle of the Bands, 7 p.m.-11p.m., Bean Sprout.

Volunteer Opportunities

Students can sign up to carry a flag in The Parade of Flags during Opening Assembly on Aug. 28. The Opening Assembly of 2006 marks the 101st official opening of another fall semester at ACU. Current students and/or employees for the Fall 2006 semester who want to participate can contact the office of University Events at 674-2632 or send a message to UniversityEvents@acu.edu. Applicants must include name, e-mail address and which flag they prefer. Flags are assigned on first-come basis.

The City of Abilene Emergency Management needs 20 volunteers to act as victims in a simulated airport crash for a city/county wide exercise 8 a.m.-noon April 5. A professional will add injuries to the volunteers with makeup, the fire departments will rescue them and transport them to the hospital and then back to ACU. Contact the director of emergency management

by Wednesday to volunteer. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

Day Nursery of Abilene needs volunteers to set up, prepare, serve and clean during its 14th annual

Mexican Dinner fundraising event from noon until 1 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center.

Taste of Abilene 2006 needs volunteers from 4:30-9:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Taylor County Expo Center. Volunteers will help with the set up at 4:30 p.m., assist participants during the event and help clean up afterwards. Volunteers will be able to sample food from 20 booths of participating restaurants. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.

Fannin Elementary School needs volunteers to read a book to a class on April 7 anytime between 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information contact the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center.

The Volunteer Center has received a request for drivers and baby sitters for a family from Burundi currently living in Abilene.

Students who can periodically help in either of these areas can contact Susan Moellinger at abileneed@ capitalsenior.com or call at (325) 7931144.

Credited Chapels remaining:

41 27

Police Log (edited for space) March 20 5:40 a.m. Broken water line on Campus Center Road, advised Physical Resources 10 a.m. Parking violation at West Campus Center lot 1:30 p.m. Monitored Baseball game at Crutcher Scott Field 3:45 p.m. Fingerprinted student at the station March 21 12:56 a.m. Fire alarm at Zona Luce, floor buffer set alarm off, all OK 1:03 a.m. Report of loud music at University Park apartment 533, no music audible 1:22 a.m. Second report of loud music at University Park apartment 533, contacted resident and they turned the music off 3:10 a.m. Placed barricades at West Campus South lot 4:10 a.m. Secured doors at Sing Song Warehouse 4:50 p.m. Contacted skateboarders at Bible building, were asked to leave ACU property 5:10 p.m. Monitored baseball game at Crutcher Scott Field March 22 9 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with burglary of motor vehicle on E.N. 12th Street 9:57 a.m. Disturbance in Zellner lot, two students arguing over a bicycle. Advised.

2:25 p.m. Booted vehicle in Bennet lot, unpaid citations/ unable to identify owner March 23 6:12 p.m. Medical emergency at Bible building.

7:45 p.m. Report of white male in 50s on bike asking for money at 1300 Washington Blvd., checked area and unable to locate 8:50 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at

Mabee/Edwards lot 9:05 p.m. Report of white male in 50s on bike in yard of residence. Checked area and subject was gone upon arrival March 24 12:41 a.m. Citizen observed dark colored Ford pickup removing stop sign from ACU Drive and East North 16th Street 1:05 a.m. Checked Zoe property on East North 10th Street, students were inside sculpting 9:20 a.m. Assisted student out of gas at East North 16th Street & Campus Court Road 9:27 a.m. Checked pickup in Mabee lot with dead animal carcass in the back 12:41 p.m. Medical emergency at Campus Center, possible seizure, no transport 9:45 p.m. Report of subjects on top of the library, unable to locate.

10:01 p.m. Report of suspicious subject knocking on car windows in University Park lot, checked area unable to locate 11:00 p.m. Report of subjects in gray Ford pickup throwing water balloons in Will Hair Park on Ambler Avenue, subjects were gone upon arrival March 25 12:14 a.m. Report of suspicious vehicle in Sherrod lot 2:30 a.m. Foot patrol of main campus 4:30 a.m. Assisted vehicle with flat tire at 1300 Cedar Crest Road.

5:25 a.m. Contacted subject asleep in vehicle at north gate of Allen Farm, subject was advised to move from property 10:15 p.m. Traffic stop at 1100 Judge Ely Blvd. for exhibition of acceleration that occurred on campus

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Debate team places sixth in tournament n The debate team, directed

by Dr. Sally Gary, contributes its success to team support, Christian community influence and the family the group forms.

By CAMILLE PAINTER Student Reporter

During spring break, the debate team traveled to Tennessee and won sixth place out of 48 schools in a debate tournament.

To prepare for the Pi Kappa National Honors Society Debate Tournament, the team researched for at least two hours in weekly labs as well as during personal time, collecting relevant magazine and newspaper articles and weeding out old information.

Michael Johnson, a debate team member, said the team prepared with research and motivation.

“You may work so hard and never place, that when you do, that gets you motivated,” Johnson said. “But it’s really the people that

Page 3

CAMPUS NEWS

keep you motivated,” said Johnson, sophomore history major from Cisco.

He also said ACU’s method of support is unique, and it contributes to the winning spirit of the team.

“On other speeches and debate teams you have to try out for the team, but at ACU we were told that it’s great to win … but we just love you no matter what,” Johnson said.

At the tournament, Brandon Smith, sophomore international relations major from Overland Park, Kan., placed second in the Lincoln Douglas debate, a debate about international human rights policies.

Smith also cited the Christian community as a helpful influence in the debate team’s success.

“Other schools will steal briefs from each other and steal research from each other,” Smith said. “But we all work together, and so life becomes a lot easier.”

Smoothing the way

“Together we’re like a small family of people that are supportive of each other.”

Brandon Smith, sophomore international relations major from Overland Park, Kan.

ACU debate team members are more focused on teamwork and helping one another rather than winning at all costs, Smith said.

The team’s adviser, Dr. Sally Gary, also said some of the best moments together are not even debate-related.

“One of the sweetest moments in this tournament was not when Brandon went up on stage and got that trophy, but when we were in the hotel room having communion together; that was a really sweet time,” Gary said.

Smith agreed.

“Together we’re like a small family of people that are supportive of each other,” he said. “So our favorite part of tournaments is the time we get to spend together and the community

we have with each other.”

Other notable placers in the competition were Seth Copeland, sophomore political science major from Van, who placed third in novice Parliamentary debate, a debate done with a partner where the two contestants must argue a case for a topic announced 15 minutes before the round starts; and Corey Gillespie, freshman history major from Roscoe, who placed second in the Parliamentary debate.

“ACU has a long, long history of very competitive debate teams in it’s years; it’s not me, it’s this place and the heritage that’s behind here,” Gary said.

Gary rhodes/Contributing Photographer

E-mail Painter at: optimist@acu.edu

Leo Seymour, Bontke Brothers employee works on the jogging track smoothing out the wet concrete in front of Foster Science Building Tuesday.

Registrar’s Office stops printing spring schedule bulletins n Students can now check class schedules, course catalogs and degree plans online after changes have been made to the Registrar’s Office Web site and Banner Web.

By LISA SRIOBCHOEY Student Reporter

The Registrar’s Office has stopped printing schedule bulletins this semester in an effort to make registration more convenient for students.

Class schedules, course catalogs and a web-based tool that helps students map their degree plans are now available online.

Some students said the new process makes planning classes faster.

Brittany Payne, junior accounting major from Lubbock, said she likes having the class schedule in Excel format.

“I can arrange all the classes that I want in the same page instead of having to flip back and forth between pages,” Payne said.

Students can download the course listings in Excel format from the Registrar’s Web site or use an online search tool on the same site to search for courses based on semester, subject, course number, or title or by time.

Other students do not find this change as convenient.

“I don’t have a computer, so having the schedules online is not really convenient

for me,” said Jonathan Shepherd, sophomore political science major from Tulsa, Okla. “Before, the only thing I have to do is to pick up a free copy of the schedules from the Campus Center; then I can look at the schedules anywhere, anytime. Now I have to find a computer to be able to look at the schedules, and I have to print them out by myself.”

In addition to viewing the class schedules online, students also can download the course catalog in PDF format from the Registrar’s Web site.

If students don’t want to use the online catalog, they can use an online search tool called the Dynamic Course Catalog, located on Banner

Web, to search for detailed information about each course.

Another online service the Registrar’s Office offers that is available through Banner Web is a tool called the degree evaluation.

The degree evaluation shows students all the courses they have taken and Herridge those they will need to take in order to fulfill the graduation requirements for their major.

Advisers across campus have been using the degree evaluation for more than a

year now. The Registrar’s office made the degree evaluation available for students in September to help students track their progress toward graduation and understand their degree plans better, said Bart Herridge, an assistant registrar for technology.

Students who want to change their majors can also use the degree evaluation to determine how the courses they have taken so far fit into other degree plans. This function is called What-If. It can be used an unlimited number of times for various majors, minors and concentrations.

E-mail Sriobchoey at: optimist@acu.edu

Registration Changes • The course catalog is available online under the Registrar’s Office Web site • Class Schedules can be found on Banner Web in Excel format • Students can use the Degree Evaluation tool to monitor what classes are needed to fulfill graduate requirements • Students can use a What-If tool to see what classes they needed if they chose different majors or minors

Page 4

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

CAMPUS NEWS

What better way could you spend a Tuesday?

Campus crime remains steady n Incidents of crime on campus remains the same as in previous years, said Jimmy Ellison, chief of ACU Police, about the annual campus crime statistics report.

By ANNA CARROLL Student Reporter

anna carroll/Staff Photographer

Emiko Namae, freshman undeclared major from Ibaraki, Japan, and Tomoko Suzuki, freshman pre-architecture major from Ibaraki, Japan, eat lunch at Rosa’s Cafe and Tortilla Factory for Taco Tuesday.

Midnight skate night turns out well n Sixty to 70 students attended the two-hour skate night sponsored by Essence of Ebony on Friday at Skateland in an effort to promote fellowship.

By ASHLEY ROBINSON Student Reporter

Essence of Ebony sponsored its second annual Skate Night on Friday at Skateland, giving students the opportunity to skate and socialize off campus.

The two-hour event, which cost $3 for Essence of Ebony members and $4 for non-members, began at midnight and supported Essence of Ebony, a black student group on campus.

Shannon Bailey, senior business management major from Corsicana and member of Essence of Ebony, attended the event.

“I went because I really enjoy skating, and it was something fun and cheap to do,” Bailey said.

Eric Mallet, sophomore human communication and Christian ministry major from St. Louis and president of Essence of Ebony, said the event had a good turnout.

“Sixty to 70 students attended, which was the expected turnout,” Mallet said.

Cortney Armstrong, senior integrated marketing communication major from Mesquite and member of Essence of Ebony said he had a lot of fun.

“I had a lot of fun,” Armstrong said, “There were a lot of embarrassing moments and people falling everywhere. We were able to revisit our childhoods.”

Essence of Ebony planned

to event to encourage fellowship among students and to get them involved with the group.

Essence of Ebony puts on several other activities, including poetry night, the Black History Production, a Spring Break Campaign, game nights and the International Spring Banquet, which will be April 28.

While the focus of Essence of Ebony is on black culture, any student can join the group of 20 to 30 active members.

“The purpose of Essence of Ebony is to help enrich the ACU community on African-American culture and to foster a support system for African-American students to excel in college,” Mallet said.

E-mail Robinson at: optimist@acu.edu

The annual campus crime statistics report is still in the works, but Jimmy Ellison, chief of the ACU Police Department, said crime on campus has stayed the same as previous years.

The annual report includes crimes such as burglary, robbery, motor vehicle theft and aggravated assault.

It also includes drug, liquor and illegal weapons violations.

Ellison compiles the report based on data from the ACU and Abilene Police, ACU Office of Judicial Affairs and the dean of Campus Life.

Universities are required to submit the previous year’s statistics to the U.S. Department of Education by Oct. 1, Ellison said. Ellison has gathered the 2005 figures and is working on processing the information. He said he expects the report to be published by October.

Overall the 2005 numbers are comparable to the 2004 numbers, Ellison said. One minor change is in appearance only, he said.

The number of burglaries appears to have increased in the past two years because of a change in federal guidelines, he said. In 2004 the definition of burglary was changed to include a dorm room as a place of residence, which now makes theft from a dorm room a burglary. An increased awareness of oncampus crime also affects the number of burglaries re-

ported, Ellison said.

“The better aware they are the more apt they are to report it,” he said.

Each year campus police work to make the ACU community more aware of oncampus crime, Ellison said.

Katherine Gould, residence director for McDonald Hall said she invited the campus police to talk to the women about crime. Gould said they talk to students about locking doors when they leave and not leaving belongings in the hallway. The police also give safety whistles to the female students, Gould said.

The 2004 crime report is available at www.acu.edu/ crimestats. To report a crime call the ACU Police at 6742305 or 674-2911.

E-mail Carroll at: optimist@acu.edu

Students serve during break n Students traveled around the world during spring break to serve others in churches, by building houses and helping hurricane victims.

By COURTNEE HEMBREE Student Reporter

This year nearly 400 students in 25 campaign groups traveled all over the Western Hemisphere on Spring Break Campaigns.

These campaigns helped churches and communities by building houses for the poor, teaching Sunday School and cleaning wreckage from Hurricane Katrina This year Eric Hurst, senior accounting and finance major from Garland and Spring Break Campaign committee chair, had to foretell what student response to

Hurricane Katrina would be by the time spring break arrived. Ultimately the committee decided to send campaigns to different areas affected by the hurricane.

“And from what I understand these groups had a really amazing time,” Hurst said.

Being a leader for a campaign is great growth experience, said Jordan Swim, senior Christian ministry major from Richardson who led his group to Salem, Ore. “You are leading the travel experience,” Swim said, “The time management of the group, and you are assuming the responsibility of prayer for the group.”

Kara Wilson, senior interdisciplinary Spanish and vocational missions major from San Antonio, has led

the Spring Break Campaign to El Salvador for two years and is using her experience as a leader to prepare for her future.

Wilson plans to be a missionary in El Salvador after she graduates and is the contact person for El Salvador campaign leaders in the future.

Wilson said that while in El Salvador the group collected $1,200 of their own money to build a house for a Salvadorian family, and two ACU students were baptized on the last night.

Despite some outstanding obstacles, the Lord brought the group together to do some amazing life-changing work, Wilson said.

E-mail Hembree at: optimist@acu.edu

Countries, states can be represented in the August Parade of Flags n Students can apply to carry more than 120 flags representing each country and state represented by students enrolled at ACU during Opening Ceremony.

By ATSUMI SHIBATA Student Reporter

Students can apply to carry flags of their states or countries at the Opening Day Ceremonies, the first Chapel of the year.

The ceremony will be Aug.

28 and participants will meet for a rehearsal on Aug. 27.

Applicants can visit, call or send an e-mail to the office of University Events if they are interested in participating.

A part of the Opening Day Ceremonies, the Parade of Flags, began Sept. 1, 1986. It was aimed to represent each faculty staff or student. In addition to representing each student, the parade also adds some color to the opening ceremony, said Glenda Knight, the

director of University Events.

Since the first Parade of Flags, the numbers of flags has increased, and now students carry close to 120 flags, including about 70 international flags, Knight said.

“It is a good visual representation of our diversity,” she said, “and it’s an honor to carry the flag of your state or your country.”

Marcela Gutierrez, senior management major from Honduras and president of the In-

ternational Students Association, also said it’s an honorable thing to be a representative of each country.

“When they carry flags, they’re the ‘faces’ of their countries,” Gutierrez said, “It’s a good opportunity to show their cultures to other students.”

Gutierrez has joined the Parade of Flags twice and carried a Honduran flag and a Jamaican flag.

Some students carry other

states’ or countries’ flags when there is nobody to join the parade as representatives of their own states or countries.

However, as president of ISA, Gutierrez encouraged students to join and represent their own countries.

“There is nothing wrong with carrying other countries’ flags, but it’s good if there are people carrying their own flags to represent their own countries,” Gutierrez said.

Leah Godoy, senior elementary education major from Honduras, joined the Parade of Flags, wearing a traditional Honduran dress in 1999.

“I wanted people to know how proud I was and still am of my country,” Godoy said in

an e-mail.

Godoy said she had a strange feeling while she was carrying the flag at the ceremony.

“I almost felt like I was in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games,” she said.

Godoy, who expects to graduate in December, is willing to join the parade and represent her country again, “It means a lot to me to be able to carry my flag for the last time at ACU,” Godoy said.

“I am so proud of being a part of ACU, and I will hold all of these memories in my heart.”

E-mail Shibata at: optimist@acu.edu

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

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CAMPUS NEWS

Shades steps up with longer production this weekend n Twenty-six students will perform Friday and Saturday in Cullen Auditorium in Shades step squad’s first performance of the year entitled, ‘Remote Control.’

By JAYME SMITH Staff Writer

The men and women of Shades are asking students to set down their TV remotes and instead tune in to ACU’s step squad performance under this spring’s theme, “Remote Control.”

The show begins at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in Cullen Auditorium and will run about two hours. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the ticket window in the Campus Center or $6 at the door.

The men’s act is titled,

“We Love the ‘90s,” while the women’s act is “Not-so-Desperate Housewives.”

Camari Carter, Shades member and sophomore political science major from Los Angeles, said this show is much different than previous ones.

“The girls are taking on a much more prim and proper role—very prissy,” Carter said. “Not that we were ‘manly’ before, but this time we’re taking a different approach, even in what we’re wearing.

“The girls change outfits about three times throughout the show.”

Brandon Jones, men’s captain and senior graphic design major from Tyler, said a bigger production is expected because people

Grad School adds master’s degrees n Three new master’s degrees are now available, including two degrees that are offered entirely online and one with two oneweek residencies in Abilene.

By NATHAN DRISKELL Student Reporter

This fall, three new master’s degrees will be available to graduate students at ACU: a master’s in higher education, emphasizing college student affairs; a Master of Arts in conflict resolution and reconciliation; and a Master of Education in leadership of learning.

These degrees are now open for enrolment.

Dr. Carol Williams, dean of the Graduate School, said the new programs are designed for specialized areas.

“All four of these programs build on areas where we’re strong and seeking to build a niche — something that isn’t out there already,” Williams said.

The Master of Arts in conflict resolution and reconciliation and Master of Education in leadership of learning are the first master’s programs offered entirely online as a part of ACU WorldWide, the university’s distance education program.

Williams said these distance education courses are ideal for working adults with families anywhere in the country.

“We’re looking to provide education for people who could not or would not come to Abilene for some reason,” Williams said.

While some courses in the Graduate School of Theology have non-residential programs available, Williams said what sets apart the new master’s programs is the minimal on-site instruction.

“The master’s degree in conflict resolution and reconciliation is a 36-hour online degree. All the courses are online, but it has two one-week residencies,” Williams said.

Driving in for two oneweek sessions would be

much easier than uprooting a family, she said.

The Master of Education in leadership of learning, a degree for school principals, was offered at ACU as an on-site program until recently.

Williams said although current students will be able to finish their degrees, the on-site program is being eliminated and converted to an online degree plan.

“Abilene is in a region of the state where the population is decreasing, the number of principals is decreasing, and we want to reach out to people. We can definitely do that with online graduate degrees,” Williams said.

The Master of Education in leadership of learning is one of the only courses to integrate conflict resolution into the degree plan, Williams said.

A unique feature of the distance education degrees is their set tuition price, which includes textbooks, shipping and a video iPod to use for course work. The iPod feature is designed to help working adults maximize their time.

“If they’re driving in the car, watching their kid’s soccer game, if they’re working out or whatever, they can be studying at the same time,” Williams said.

The master’s degree in higher education with an emphasis in college student affairs is designed to prepare graduates “for roles like residence life director, academic adviser, international student coordinator, financial aid counselor, intramural director,” Williams said.

Also, the Master’s of Social Work is undergoing the accreditation process, and for students with an undergraduate degree in social work, the degree would only take one year to complete.

The Master’s of Social Work program should be ready by fall 2007, Williams said.

E-mail Driskell at: optimist@acu.edu

haven’t seen a full Shades show all year.

“This show will have more acts and longer Shades performances,” Jones said.

The 26-member team plans to open the show with a piece called “Via De la Rosa,” which members performed with the hosts, hostesses and Hispanos Unidos in this year’s Sing Song.

Some members receive a rush before walking onto the stage to step.

“I hear people screaming, feel hot lights beaming on my face and have a million thoughts running through my head,” Jones said. “But I tune it out and concentrate on having fun and making people laugh.

“I’m probably the loudest person backstage.”

Marie Thomas, Shades advisor and Nelson Hall residence director, said she remembers the excitement and nervousness that came with the membership of Shades.

“I was always trying to make sure I executed the steps and choreography the way we practiced,” Thomas said. “I also had to focus hard on keeping my energy up.

“It is very difficult to perform with the same intensity from the beginning of the show until the end.”

Thomas said being a part of the team provides many advantages.

“You build great relationships, get to travel and participate in community service,” Thomas said. “Shades is like a family.”

Other members find pur-

pose in the group through specific beliefs.

“I believe in what this group is trying to accomplish,” Jones said. “It’s about bringing people together and entertaining them through the art of stepping.”

Every individual in the step squad represents a different ethnicity, religious affiliation and geographical location.

“We put our differences aside, utilize our personal experiences and come together to glorify God through stepping,” Jones said. “We have some very talented people in this year’s show; just wait and see.”

Shades Show • Performances: Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.

• Location: Cullen Auditorium • Theme: “Remote Control” • Cost: $5 at the ticket window; $6 at the door • Schedule: The 26-member step squad will begin with “Via De la Rosa,” which members performed with the host, hostesses and Hispanos Unidos during Sing Song

E-mail Smith at: sls04j@acu.edu

Igniting the world one disciple at a time

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Nigel James, co-director of Ignite, a Christian organization that helps people in this generation find their purpose in life, spoke in Chapel on Tuesday about the organization’s purpose and how people should become disciples of Christ instead of just proclaiming to be Christians.

Bands battle for spot in Midland festival n Eight local bands will perform in a Battle of the Bands concert Friday and Saturday in the Bean Sprout, an event sponsored by Scars Entertainment.

“We’ve had so many applications from bands wanting to be involved at Rock the Desert, so Battle of the Bands concerts are our way of picking which band will go.”

Jim Koerber, president of Scars Entertainment and event organizer

By WHITNEY MANN Student Reporter

Local bands will display their talent Friday and Saturday in the Bean Sprout in a battle of the bands concert.

The Battle of the Bands concert will begin at 8 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, and the show will last about two hours. Tickets cost $10.

Although the Campus Activities Board puts on most concerts on campus, Scars Entertainment will sponsor this show. ACU has provided the location and will play host to the event. Each night will feature different bands playing.

Friday night’s bands will be Nobody Famous, Godspeed, and And Stars Fell.

Saturday’s are: A Road Less Traveled, September Renaissance, Rich Like Me, Everthorn and Burgundy Road.

The winner of the Battle of the Bands will have the opportunity to play at Rock the Desert, a festival also sponsored by Scars Entertainment. Other benefits include cash prizes and recording offers.

Up to 100,000 people from around the country come out to see many famous bands coming together to play in the Rock Desert

Festival. Audio Adrenaline will be one headliner playing at the festival this year.

Jim Koerber, president of Scars Entertainment and event organizer, said the organization is having Battle of the Bands concerts in Abilene, Lubbock, San Antonio, Midland and Dallas.

This is Scars Entertainment’s first year to have a Battle of the Bands, and two bands from each city will be selected to go to the finals.

“We had so many applications from bands wanting to be involved at Rock the Desert, so the Battle of the Bands concerts are our way

of picking which band will go,” Koerber said.

The festival will be in Midland on July 28 and 29.

University groups plan many events similar to Battle of the Bands.

Tara Hill, sophomore agribusiness major from Jacksboro, said she has enjoyed going to school-related concerts in the past.

Hill said the concerts she has been to on campus have good-sized crowds, and she hopes ACU will continue to have these types of events.

E-mail Mann at: optimist@acu.edu

Page 6

March 29, 2006

Dialogue necessary for understanding faith The Issue:

Discussion with Soulforce Equality Ride members went well Monday, despite fears from students and administrators about ACU community reactions.

Our view:

This kind of dialogue is an important part of students’ growth at ACU as students, people and Christians.

The solution:

We should not leave such vital discussion up to visiting groups. These are important topics that have profound impact on our lives, and such open discussion should be encouraged.

Perhaps have the words discussion and dialogue have not been used so regularly during one week as they were leading up to Monday. But for all the buildup and concern about the conversations with the visiting gay rights activist group Soulforce, the university received exactly what it said it wanted out Monday’s forums: dialogue.

Students had the opportunity to talk in groups and individually with others their age who struggled with and have come to accept their homosexuality.

Many of them have reconciled their homosexuality with their belief in God. Students here do not often have the opportunity to sit down and talk freely with a person who holds such beliefs on campus.

Students did not have complete control about topics discussed Monday as many of the forums were moderated by administrators about specific areas of homosexuality.

Some students That’s not to say the discussion on campus was not carry inapproexpressed fruspriate signs. good. It simply underscores the fact that we need tration that MonInstead, those more of it on campus. day night’s open who wished to forum regarding participate had sexuality in the peaceful conmedia dealt so much with the pus about homosexuality need versations with the members of film Brokeback Mountain and to focus on the theological Soulforce. not about other issues involv- questions raised among stuIf we can treat an outside ing homosexuality. dents by Monday’s visit. group that disagrees with many That’s not to say the discusStudents proved Monday Christians’ views on homosexusion on campus was not good. It they can handle a difficult sub- ality with such respect, surely simply underscores the fact that ject even when they are con- we can treat those within the we need more of it on campus. fronted with it by people who university with respect during Discussion Monday tended bring a different point of view. future discussions about hoto focus on personal stories That was in question soon af- mosexuality. of the Soulforce members, ter the announcement in JanuMembers of Soulforce hoped and it shied away from larger ary of Soulforce’s intent to come ACU students could learn theological discussions about here. When Dr. Royce Money, something from them during what the Bible says about ho- president of the university, an- the day’s activities, and ACU mosexuality. However, hearing nounced the university could administrators hoped members the stories and testimonies of have Soulforce members arrest- of Soulforce could learn somethe Soulforce members likely ed for coming on to campus, a thing from them. Both groups raised theological questions smattering of students cheered succeeded in that. among students about why and clapped at that notion.

By cooperating with each many Christians condemn hoBut Monday passed without other and meeting face to mosexuality and how members any major incident. Students face, both groups could move of Soulforce could justify it. didn’t openly protest the ar- past stereotypes of each other.

Future discussions on cam- rival of Soulforce. They didn’t Members of Soulforce could see

Let Loose

Battling sleep deprivation, stress and nerves, I followed members of Soulforce’s Equality Ride around Monday, talking one-on-one with several of the riders and attending various forums.

Each hour brought with it more unanswered questions, and I Am the when people Enemy occasionally Sarah Carlson asked how my day was going, I probably unnerved them when I relayed my ensuing existential breakdown before moving to the next event.

My confusion probably mirrors many students’ with Soulforce’s visit producing more questions than answers. Aside from our now-permanent red handprints from self-congratulatory pats on the back on how we handled the situation, the repercussions of this visit are far from over and the journey ahead for the university in regards to its discussions on sexuality remains unclear.

It’s easy for a group of straight Christians to come to a

Our constant call was to love them as Christ loves us, but how can you love someone without really listening to them? conclusion on homosexuality, but when you’re looking a gay man, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered person in the eye, you’re forced to reconsider the lessons you’ve been taught.

The most telling conversations during the visit occurred in closed sessions, mainly during small groups’ discussions during meals or in invitationonly forums where students were allowed to ask Soulforce members anything they wanted. Yet even these conversations were stilted to a degree, and upon reflection of the day’s events, neither ACU nor Soulforce truly engaged in an open dialogue with the other.

Yes, we were nice to them and cared for them. We opened our doors; provided ARAMARK meals, microphones and PowerPoint presentation capabilities; but were we fair to them? Our constant call was to love them as Christ loves us, but how can you love someone without really listening to them? Not hearing — listening.

We — ACU and Soulforce —

each entered the arena with our minds made up. We knew where we stood, but avoided turning to scripture for fear of inciting a feud. Those planning the event feared overindoctrinating us, and a point-counterpoint battle about scripture would have served no purpose.

Still, the conversation about why we each believe what we do should have been had in a more public venue.

So we stood there, gazing at each other from across the confusing divide, mainly thankful that violence hadn’t erupted, but our intellectual dishonesty damaged our chances of making headway on the topic of homosexuality.

When students mingled with the riders in the afternoon in the Hilton Room, many asked questions and listened to the personal stories of the 34 people traveling cross-country to make their point. To say the least, the sight of the various clumps of talking students and Soulforce members was inspiring. But this much honesty

could not be found during official meeting times when university representatives spoke, constantly aware of the image they must maintain and the stances from which they were told not to stray.

The conversations must continue, and perhaps the administration will provide more opportunities for students to ask questions openly in a non-threatening environment — a place we can productively delve into scripture, not use it as a trump card to stifle conversation.

Although it’s understandable this type of environment can’t occur with 4,000 people in a coliseum, more smallgroup gatherings and forums should be formed to address the issues brought to students’ attention because of Soulforce.

Surely there must be a balance between yielding your time on the floor without yielding your position. We haven’t found it yet, but we stepped closer to it Monday. Now we just need to start walking.

E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu

Monday a lesbian I was in- many visible ways Christianity terviewing asked me: “Do you has come to represent anti-hothink I have to change? Am I mosexuality, family values and not OK the way I am?” conservative politics. I wanted I hadn’t to seriously study what the known this Bible and Christ say about howoman very mosexuality; I wanted to talk long, but the to smart people on all sides short time of the issue, so I could make I had spent an informed opinion, not one with her had based on other people’s views. already beBut I didn’t. And I just gun to chal- hoped I could get through life Much Ado lenge some without confronting the issue.

About of my ideas The topic of homosexuality, Something about homo- especially in Christian circles, Jaci sexuality. is so volatile it’s hard to disSchneider I wished cuss without fear of misunshe hadn’t derstanding and anger. I was asked me because I didn’t afraid that if I asked questions, know how to answer. I knew I would be somehow admitting what many that I didn’t believe people I looked the Bible, and I would up to would start to slide down Life isn’t black expect me to the slippery slope of and white — a answer, but I relativism. truth I always couldn’t lie.

My avoidance of admitted, but as the issue didn’t work The truth is, I didn’t know how I grow older, the though. And I’m to respond. And grey area grows grateful the confronI haven’t known wider and more tation came when for quite some it did — on a Chrisimportant. time. Sure, as a tian campus filled young teenager I with people willing thought I had all the answers, to engage in open discussion. most of them handed down I hope I can explore the arguto me from my family and ments and someday come to church with some of my own my own conclusion about what ideas thrown in there, too. But I believe and how I should antime and new experiences have swer questions like the one taught me that I am far from Pam asked me. I might never having any of the answers. have a definitive answer, and Life isn’t so simple as I once I’ll probably always have more thought it was. Life isn’t black questions, but I hope that I and white —a truth I always ad- will at least always be open to mitted, but it seems as I grow discussion and willing to learn older, the gray area grows wid- more about difficult topics. er and more important.

Monday, I didn’t know what I began college hoping to to tell Pam. So I told her the find the answers to life’s tough truth: that I didn’t know what questions. I hoped to sort out I thought, but I was glad she my theology, my doctrines and came and made me seriously my ethics. And I tried. I joined consider what I believe, what in discussions about social culture says, what the church justice, unity among believers, says and what the Bible says. politics, righteous wars and I hope the discussion will the existence of heaven and continue, and one day I can hell. But although the topic of respond to that challenging homosexuality came up from question with an informed time to time, I preferred to response based on more than avoid the subject. just what other people have Sure, I had questions, told me. doubts about things I had been E-mail Schneider at: told, and I wondered how in so jrs02a@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu

Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal

attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy.

Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu

Honesty brings questions, truth

Cole Williams

Visit rouses questions, not answers

there is more to Christianity than the extreme conservative viewpoint often portrayed in media. Students at ACU could talk to real people dealing with homosexuality. Instead of discussing the topic only theoretically as an issue, they could discuss it on a personal level.

If it took an outside group to jumpstart serious conversation on campus about homosexuality as well as other contemporary issues, then Soulforce’s visit Monday was worth it.

Now, the university must take up these contemporary issues and lead the discussions to prepare students for what they inevitably will face when they graduate.

We’ll be better students for it. We’ll be better people for it.

And we’ll be better Christians for it.

Editorial and Management Board Jonathan Smith

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Online: www.acuoptimist.com

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Page 7

CAMPUS NEWS

Law scholarship awarded

Checkmate

n Joey Halbert was the recipient selected for Pepperdine Law School scholarship because of his application, grade point average and LSAT scores.

“It’s a very prestigious scholarship considering you’re talking about that much money and how much it takes to attend law school.”

Dr. Mel Hailey, chair of the Political Science Department

By ERIC GENTRY Student Reporter

emerald mcgowan/Staff Photographer

Chase Watters, senior biology major from Clovis, N.M., plans his next move at the ACU chess tournament in the Living Room of the Campus Center on Saturday.

Music classes hit right note n Two new classes dealing with popular and world music will be added to the university’s curriculum in the fall and can fulfill the fine arts requirement.

By BLYTHE THOMPSON Student Reporter

Two new introductions to music courses will provide students with a chance to fulfill their fine arts requirements in new ways beginning in fall 2006.

Introduction to Popular Music and Introduction to World Music are the two courses that will make an educational debut and will be taught by Greg Bush, professor of the jazz ensemble, and Dr. Allen Teel, professor of percussion.

Inspiration for the World Music class stems from Teel’s interest in African drumming and music from other cultures.

Bush has had experience teaching popular music courses at other schools,

which influenced the creation the new courses.

Dr. Greg Straughn, chair of the Music Department said this is the first time the department has taught the mandatory classes with a specific slant towards music outside the Western Europe tradition.

While the classes have different influences, they will have the same goal, Straughn said.

“The goal is to create critical listeners,” he said. “With the right tools, you can make informed judgments about all the kinds of music you hear, from praise and worship choruses to a blues ballad to a new symphonic overture.”

All students are encouraged to participate in each or both classes to fulfill fine arts credits that most majors require. Music majors are required to take two of the introduction courses to prepare them for their upper level classes.

Introduction to music classes are not all new this

semester. These courses are added to the already existing Introduction to Music classes that have an emphasis on Western European music and opera history have acted as a more traditional way to receive fine arts credits Whether or not the new courses will be popular among students is hard to tell right now, Straughn said, since registration has just begun.

Other upcoming events for fall 2006 in the Music Department include the addition of a new major: a Bachelor of Music with Teacher’s Certification in a Keyboard concentration. This will allow piano majors to graduate and be eligible to teach in public schools.

Straughn said this is a great addition to the music program and will help the university keep up with competing schools.

E-mail Thompson at: optimist@acu.edu

Art students to capture castle n Art and Design students will travel to Oxford, England, and Vienna, Austria, during the summer to study art and architectural history up close.

By MEGAN LOWE Student Reporter

While most students look forward to summer vacation, which begins in seven weeks, a group of art and design students will continue its schoolwork during the summer in Europe.

Participants will be out of the United States from May 15 through July 3.

The Art and Design Study Abroad Program, made up of 25 students and two professors and their families, will spend three weeks in Oxford, England, succeeded by four weeks in Vienna, Austria, living in the castle where Oklahoma Christian University students stay for their study abroad program

every year. The castle is called Schloss Neuwaldegg and was built in 1697.

Mike Wiggins, assistant professor of art and design, said the group will take advantage of its surroundings by traveling while abroad.

“While in England, the group will travel to Bath, Stonehenge, Stratford upon Avon and take numerous trips to London,” Wiggins said.

A weekend trip to Paris, France, is in the agenda as well.

The group will attend art museums in Florence and Venice as part of a fournight trip to Italy.

Wiggins said this study abroad program brings unity to the Art and Design Department.

“We have definitely seen that these trips build the department camaraderie and students’ identity as art majors,” Wiggins said.

Beverly Rama, administra-

tive coordinator of the Art and Design Department, said the program is beneficial to participating students.

“It allows students to see first-hand what they are learning about,” Rama said.

Rebecca Steffins, sophomore interior design major from Monroe, La., said she is excited about the study abroad program, and she became interested in studying abroad after her sister spent a semester in Oxford.

“I am looking forward to not just studying about architectural history but actually getting to see all the amazing places we will be learning about,” Steffins said.

Students are required to choose two out of three classes being offered, leaving the program with nine hours of credit.

E-mail Lowe at: optimist@acu.edu

A committee of ACU professors selected Joey Halbert as the recipient of a “very generous scholarship” to Pepperdine University’s law school.

Halbert, a senior political science major from Cedar Park, declined to say exactly how much Hailey the scholarship is worth but did say it would allow him to focus on school and not worry about finances.

“It makes a giant difference because I want to do public interest law, things that help people, and you don’t get rich doing that,” Halbert said. “I want to do something that matters.”

Halbert said he has been interested in law since he

can remember and is especially concerned with helping the disenfranchised.

“The way the U.S. legal system is right now, who you have representing you can matter a lot more than your guilt or innocence,” he said. “I want to help those who cannot afford someone to adequately represent their case.”

Dr. Mel Hailey, chair of the Political Science Department, said the competition is always stiff for the scholarship, but this year Halbert’s application stood out from the rest. The committee considered each applicant’s grade point average and Law School Admission Test score, among other criteria, Hailey said.

“It’s a very prestigious scholarship considering you’re talking about that much money and how much it takes to attend law school,” Hailey said. “It means the school that rec-

ommends you sends you to law school with their full endorsement, and you have the confidence of the faculty of the undergraduate institution from where you came.”

Halbert said he is not entirely sure he will attend Pepperdine University and is still considering Notre Dame, the University of Texas and Southern Methodist University. Still, he said he is grateful for his scholarship.

“The opportunity to have such a big scholarship is an opportunity to actually get to pursue public interest law because I don’t have to worry about financial concerns,” he said. “I can help people.”

E-mail Rhodes at: optimist@acu.edu

Page 8

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Soulforce: ACU stop provides different atmosphere Continued from page 1 groups of people with the same brush,” Barnard said. “Not every Christian school is alike; not every gay person is alike.”

Soulforce contacted the university several months ago to say it had been selected as one of 19 religious or military institutions chosen because of policies deemed discriminatory against homosexuality.

Although the university could have barred the group from campus, members of Equality Ride likely would have come to ACU anyway, prepared to come on campus and risk being arrested for trespassing.

The university opted to cooperate with the group, planning a full day of activities and forums for students, faculty and administrators to attend on campus.

“We’re not afraid to talk,” Barnard said. “We’re afraid of what we don’t understand.”

Barnard said having members of Soulforce on campus talk about their lives and stories helped students better

understand the issue of homosexuality, and Soulforce members said they appreciated that opportunity.

“This is why we have all this energy, money and time put into [this ride],” Herrin said.

“Being here and having someone say, ‘Haven, I want to hear your story,’ what else do I need to keep me going?”

This had not been the case at the previous six stops of the tour for Soulforce members. At Liberty, Regent and Oral Roberts universities, members of the group were not allowed on campus, and about 30 members of the group have been arrested during the tour when they did try to go on those campuses.

Lee, Union and Oklahoma Baptist universities restricted the group’s presence on campus and did not plan public forums.

Conversations at ACU did reveal sharp differences of opinion on homosexuality and what the Bible says about it — something Barnard said was expected.

“They knew and did not in-

Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer

Derran Reese, master’s of divinity student from Abilene, talks with Soulforce members Katie Higgins (left) and Diane Bedwell (center) Sunday at Starbucks. tend for their visit to change our policies. What they wanted to was to have conversation with us,” Barnard said. “I would like Soulforce to leave saying there were points of significant difference, but we were able to talk about it.”

Herrin acknowledged the difficulty for ACU students and members of Soulforce to talk about issues on which not everyone agrees, but she said she enjoyed the opportunity

given by the university to discuss the issues.

Despite differences of opinion about homosexuality and religion, those on all sides of the issues seemed to come together on certain points.

During a morning presentation by Soulforce members about how religion and the Bible have been used to justify acts of violence against homosexuals, Jacob Reitan, 24-yearold co-director of Equality Ride,

called on listeners to change their focus on the issue of homosexuality.

“We need to change this discussion from the rightness or wrongness of homosexuality to ending the violence regarding this issue,” Reitan said.

Responding to the presentation, Dr. Glenn Pemberton, chair of the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry, said violence against homosexuals was not acceptable.

“Categorically, emphatically, violence such as you have described is inexcusable,” he said.

“I believe we can disagree on subjects and that not lead to violence.”

Reitan also stressed the need for safe places on campuses where students know they can go to discuss their thoughts and struggles with homosexuality without fear.

Barnard agreed and said the university probably needs more of those places. Students currently can go to talk to a counselor in the University Counseling Center, and the university offers some support groups for

students struggling with issues like same-sex attraction.

Herrin said she and other members of Soulforce could also take lessons away from their visit here.

“I learned that I have a lot of allies at this school,” Herrin said.

She said she was glad to see Christians here did not all have one-sided beliefs on issues.

“I’m excited that that is the next face of Christianity,” Herrin said.

After all the concern and preparation the university put into the day’s activities, some observers might have wondered if all the planning for the visit was overblown. But Dr. Michelle Morris, vice president for university relations and the university’s liaison with Soulforce before its visit, did not discount all the planning.

“The preparation was very healthy and good for the university,” Morris said. “I think that’s one of the reasons it went so well.”

E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu

Rider: Tour gives new perspective Forum: Panelists discuss media Continued from page 1

of the Campus Center.

She is now a member of the Soulforce Equality Ride, a throwback to the civil rights equality rides of the 1960s, this time with 34 GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) young people opening discussion for homosexual students across the country at private and religious institutions that have either an enrollment ban on or negative atmospheres for GLBT students.

The ride stopped at ACU on Sunday and Monday, its sixth stop since the ride began March 10, and ACU was the first university to allow the Soulforce members to participate in forums on campus.

“We’re here to reach out to those people who have these feelings and are being tortured with spiritual violence, being made to hate themselves,” she said. “A lot of us have experienced that and it’s so damaging, so hurtful, such a waste of time.”

Pam said her goal of visiting the schools on Soulforce’s route is to reach out to gay students on campus who are in hiding.

“I was and am very concerned for the gay students at these schools,” she said.

“I have a lot of friends at schools that ban homosexu-

ality. I see how much they’re aching for someone to say, ‘You know what, God loves you the way you are.’

“These are Christian gay students. They love God just as much as you do. They love Jesus just as much as you do.

But they’re told that Jesus and God do not love them as much as they love you, and that they have to deny something that’s completely natural to them in order to get that love.”

Although Pam doesn’t claim Christianity, she doesn’t consider herself an atheist; she said she’s somewhere in the middle. Her church background comes from childhood, when she attended a Methodist church.

Pam began the Equality Ride with the goal of reaching students, but she knew most of the schools would not want to accept her message. Schools like Regent University and Liberty University, which stopped Soulforce members from stepping on campus by arresting them.

“I expected most of the schools to be like Liberty and Regent and have no part in hearing our truth,” Pam said.

At Liberty, Pam said she felt like she had to go on campus, even though it meant being arrested, even though she’s never received so much as a speeding ticket.

“I was met by some students on a sidewalk, and they wanted to talk … There are gay students there,” she said. “So it was very sad for me that there was this huge barrier of ignorance and misunderstanding and fear keeping me from my friends who need me.”

Even at schools that have told the riders they will not be allowed on campus, Pam said she always hopes the administrators will change their minds at the last minute, allowing the riders to begin discussion. At all the schools on the tour so far, Pam said students have wanted to talk and made attempts to do so.

At Regent University, a police line, including horses, cars and helicopters, separated Soulforce members from students, allowing neither group to approach the other. However, Pam said riders wrote their phone numbers on signs, and when students called they were able to set up times to meet off campus.

“There’s a lot of open people on either side,” Pam said.

“We’ve all prepared for anything that might happen,” she said. “But it’s so hard to see any of us put in handcuffs for an act of love and trying to talk.”

Although Pam began the Soulforce trip to open discussions on Christian campuses

about homosexuality, she has also learned to see past some Christian stereotypes she expected to find.

“Along the ride, I had come to know a different type of Christian than I usually see.

I’ve met Christians who tell me ‘God loves you as you are, God loves you as a lesbian.’ And I see how much they love Christ.

These people love Christ, beyond anything I’ve ever seen.

“Honestly, my perspective of Christianity was being changed in that I wasn’t afraid of Christians. I was starting to believe that you can be a Christian and you can still see me as an equal, you can still respect me, you can still think there’s nothing wrong with me because I know there’s nothing wrong with me.”

Pam doesn’t know what’s in store for her after the Equality Ride ends April 26 in New York, but knows she’ll continue to be involved in equal rights events for the gay community.

“I’m thankful that we got to come to campus and have the opportunity to present our truth,” Pam said. “I’m thankful that the way we were treated by most. I’ve met a lot of really great people here, and that’s refreshing — very refreshing.”

E-mail the reporters at: optimist@acu.edu

Viewpoints: Students reactions vary Continued from page 1 sonal dialogue with the riders outside of forums and the difficulty of finding open forums to attend around class schedules.

Several students, including Jordan Swim, senior Christian ministry major from Richardson, said the university’s stance on allowing this dialogue on campus was admirable and much appreciated.

“Allowing us to talk about these topics holistically is the responsibility of academia,” Swim said.

Students seemed to be

thinking about the concepts presented by Soulforce and weighing them against their beliefs.

“If you’re going to bet your life on an interpretation of the Bible, you had better be able to articulate that, and from a leftbrain standpoint, I just don’t think that the logic was there,” said Ryan Millegan, graduate psychology student from College Station.

However, Millegan said the emotional appeal was certainly strong.

“The horror stories of what some have experienced are terrible,” he said. “No one should

be treated that way.”

After the day’s final discussion, many students said the truth they will hold to is that God loves every person.

Elena Stephenson, freshman theatre major from Kansas City, Kan., said Monday was an amazing day.

“We’re all gathered here as sinners in need of Jesus,” Stephenson said. “I firmly believe ... we need to be loving each other as Christ would.”

Individuals’ ultimate identities are not in sexual orientation, race, or any other factor, but in their place as children of God, Stephenson said.

“We can have disagreements about things,” she said.

“But in the end, we are unified in the salvation of Jesus.”

Most students seemed to agree that wrestling with the concepts presented is important to their spiritual journeys.

“My mind is wracked right now,” said Robby Brown, freshman business marketing major from Frisco. “I’m challenged mentally and spiritually to get into the word and study this stuff. I need to see if this is true or not.”

E-mail Linthicum at: del01a@acu.edu

Continued from page 1 “TV shows such as Queer as Folk and Friends depict promiscuity; how easy and casual it is and how premarital sex can be accepted,” Bulokhov said.

“They show this between a man and woman and homosexual couples as well. The problem with the media is that everyone is not like this.”

Beck agreed.

“Today sexuality locks in a person’s purpose and defines who they are,” he said.

Others panelists said this also could describe Brokeback Mountain.

‘Brokeback Mountain’ One point Soulforce members made regarding homosexuality was that they can’t control their tendencies to be attracted to the same sex, similar to how a man and woman are attracted to each other.

They illustrated this with the homosexual relationship of the main characters, Jack and Ennis, in Brokeback Mountain.

Beck posed the question: “What if Ennis never met Jack on that mountain, would he still have acted on his feelings of being gay?”

Reitan said Hollywood’s portrayal of Ennis as reluctant to act on his true nature didn’t mean that Ennis was not homosexual. He said Ennis couldn’t bear the reality that he was gay, and so he hated himself for it, which is a reality for many homosexuals today, he said.

Reitan said the tragedy of Brokeback Mountain was that true love never realized itself between Ennis and Jack.

Beck said although he liked the movie, he thought what was portrayed was not a love story because only one scene seemed to depict true love too late in the movie. He said the movie focused too much on the sexuality between the characters.

Public Opinion After the panel discussed prepared questions moderated

by Cukrowski, only two questions were allowed from the audience before Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, provost of the university, closed the forum with final thoughts and prayer.

Dittemore said he was

disappointed the forum seemed more like a lecture than a discussion.

Jason Drysdale, sophomore Christian ministry major from St. Louis, agreed.

“What kind of open forum is it when no one can ask questions or talk with panelists where everyone can hear?” Drysdale asked.

Other students, including Chris Ford, sophomore youth and family ministry major from San Antonio, wanted to know more about why Soulforce came to campus.

“I’m glad they were able to come and that there was no hostility or ideas pushed on anyone because that is what Christianity is about,” Ford said. “I really wanted to hear why they are here to begin with. I wanted to hear more about their beliefs.”

Coordinators VanRheenen and Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said the forum was outstanding.

“Panelists were able to discuss different points that opened up the subject well in discussing sexuality in general and specifically,” VanRheenen said. “They all appreciate the role of film and the media and how powerful film is in our society today.”

He said he was interested to hear the panelists discussing the movie Brokeback Mountain through a Christian lens and that each panelist was articulate and insightful, regardless of differing opinions.

Barnard agreed, saying he was glad students were able to hear differing opinions and views from Soulforce members.

“I enjoyed how Soulforce members explained what they liked and didn’t like about how the media portrays homosexuality because it does or doesn’t reflect who they are,” he said. “I don’t think we realized that what the media portrays is not true about homosexuals; I think it was an eye-opener for students.”

VanRheenen said he thought the discussion went well and students were respectful even if they didn’t agree.

“I’m up for doing more of this on a regular basis,” he said.

E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu

JUMPS

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Page 9

Track: Meet results raise Hood’s hopes for upcoming meet Continued from page 10 meter hurdles in 14.56, a provisional qualifying time, while junior Jessica Hunt was seventh in 200-meter dash with a provisional time of 24.65.

Denise Morgan and Venessa Whittle finished 1-2, respectively, in the 800-meter run, posting provisional times of 2:11.05 and 2:11.52.

Both relay teams enjoyed success in Waco, the 4x100meter relay team running 47.0 to finish fifth and the 4x400meter relay team finishing third in 3:43.55. Both performances provisionally qualified the relays for nationals.

Sophomore Nicodemus Naimadu was again the top performer for the Wildcat men, winning the 1,500-meter run and finishing second in the 3,000-meter run. The four-time individual champion eased to victory in the 1,500-meter run with a strong provisional time of 3:49.91.

The Kenyan was second in the 3,000-meter run in 8:16.02, however, barely being edged out by fellow countryman Kip

Kangogo of TCU (8:15.64).

The 3,000-meter run is not a nationals event in Division II. Jordan Johnson was the only other individual to post a provisional qualifying time, finishing fourth in the 400meter dash in 47.77.

“That was a great openingup time in the 400 meters,” Hood said.

The 4x400-meter relay team posted a provisional time of 3:14.78, placing fourth. The men’s 4x100-meter relay team was second in 40.45 behind a strong TCU squad, which ran 40.31, to qualify provisionally.

“We were even and close to leading TCU going into that last exchange,” Hood said about the sprint relay. “TCU’s one of the top teams in the country, so to be up there with them was exciting.”

Both Wildcat track and field teams will compete next on home turf, as the Oliver Jackson Open will take place Saturday at Elmer Gray Stadium.

E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu

Veteto: Family receiving support Continued from page 1 have done without our friends and family.”

The Veteto family members said they have been amazed by the support they’ve received during Cody’s recovery.

Park Plaza Church of Christ in Tulsa, Okla., dedicated Sunday and Monday to 48 hours of prayer for the student’s recovery, and after Park Plaza church’s collective prayer time was complete, Lakewood Church of Christ in Lakewood, Colo., entered a 24-hour time of prayer, which will last until midnight Wednesday.

Gaye Ribble, close Veteto family friend, is organizing prayer chains like those of the Park Plaza and Lakewood churches to keep Christians

all over the country in constant prayer for the freshman’s recovery, and ACU is currently her main target.

Ribble said she wants to get the university involved in the prayer chain effort in a weeklong time of prayer, and she is in the process of putting this effort together. She pictures ACU students signing up for shifts that cover an entire week and every minute on the clock.

“This whole ordeal has shown us that the contact of extended Christian family is a powerful tool,” Ribble said.

She said that the Vetetos are comforted by the idea that someone is in constant prayer for Cody’s recovery.

Brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Senior Jason Ray uses the backhand in a singles match against Incarnate Word on Saturday at Eager Tennis Pavillion in the Wildcat Invitational.

Tennis: Teams hit the road this week Continued from page 10 first win of the match-up in the singles play with a 6-3, 6-1 victory.

“It was a war out there,” Jones said. “It was nice to see Casper [Steenkamp] get the momentum going. It made everyone else think, ‘Hey, we can do this.’”

The team used that mo-

mentum to reel off five straight singles wins. But the wins did not come easily. Jason Ray survived a dramatic 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 comeback match. Ryan Hudson also endured a three-set thriller.

“This match was such a confidence booster. It’s never over because we always have a chance,” Jones said.

This Wednesday the tennis teams go on the road.

The women play North Central Texas Junior College and the University of North Texas in Denton. The men take on Southeastern Oklahoma State and top Division I schools Baylor University and Texas Christian University. Then during the weekend, both Wildcat

teams participate in the Blue-Gray Classic in Montgomery, Ala. “They invite all of the best Division II teams to this tournament,” Jones said. “I feel very honored to be invited. It’s going to be good for us.”

E-mail Freeman at: mah02f@acu.edu

Baseball: LSC play begins against Texans Continued from page 10 with a final score of 5-3. Senior right hander Ben Maynard picked up his second loss of the season, dropping his record to 3-2.

In the final game of the series the Wildcats jumped on top early once more with

a 2-0 lead off of runs in the second and third innings.

Cameron answered back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the third, pulling ahead 3-2. Although sophomore pitcher Chris Wiman pitched a solid five innings, the Wildcat bats came up short once again

as the Cameron Aggies held on to their lead. Despite striking out six Cameron batters, Wiman picked up his first loss of the season, reducing his record to 5-1.

“We really beat ourselves this weekend,” Bonneau said.

“We couldn’t counter when we put ourselves in a scoring

position, and we didn’t have a good game plan in the box to hit. This weekend was a real eye opener and now we can move forward with the lessons we’ve learned from it.”

E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu

E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu

Scooping it up

Housing sign-ups: Students seek new halls Continued from page 1 ists for second-year housing.

If a student does not register, he or she will be designated a residence hall by Residence Life coordinators.

Sign-ups for Morris suites and Edwards suites began Tuesday and will close Wednesday at 1 p.m. Students will be notified of whether or not they have been assigned to either hall by 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Students can sign up for

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Senior shortstop Daisy Barcena makes the play on a ground ball for an out in the first game of the Wildcats’ series against Tarleton State.

Sikes and Edwards doubles beginning 8 p.m. Wednesday until 1 p.m. Thursday.

Students will be notified of the outcome before 8 p.m.

Thursday.

Adams and Smith doubles sign-ups open 8 p.m. Thursday and close at 1 p.m. Monday. Students will learn the results of the lottery before 8 p.m. Monday.

Students will receive an e-mail with the necessary information. If students are not selected for the halls of

their choice, they will have to continue through the process by selecting a new hall.

There are no waiting lists for residence halls.

Cates said she recommends students visit all of the halls before making decisions, otherwise they might miss out.

She gives Adams and Smith Hall as an example.

“A lot of students see the disadvantages of Adams and Smith hall, but if I were a student that’s where I’d want to live,” she said. “Meals are

provided in the common lobby several times a week. The back lawn is frequently used for bonfire devotionals, and a backyard bash occurs every semester.

“Every hall has its own unique attributes and it’s very important that students visit each of the halls to determine which hall will best fit them.”

E-mail Knight at: tnk03a@acu.edu

Page 10

March 29, 2006 Standings BASEBALL

Team TAMU-K ACU Angelo St. ENMU WTAMU Tarleton St.

Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Overall 25-5 25-7 21-10 17-15 15-16 11-23

SOFTBALL Team Div. 9-1 ACU ENMU

6-2 Angelo St. 6-4 TX Woman’s 3-2 Tarleton St. 5-7 1-4 TAMU-K

Overall 27-8 24-12 20-17 14-25 20-13 13-20

Scores Friday

Baseball Cameron 4, ACU 0 ACU 17, Cameron 5 Softball ACU 5, Tarleton State 3 ACU 11, Tarleton State 5

Tuesday

Baseball Cameron 5, ACU 3 Cameron 3, ACU 2 Softball ACU 9, Tarleton State 0 ACU 13, Tarleton State 7

Upcoming Schedule Wednesday Men’s tennis ACU at Southeastern Oklahoma State, 9:30 a.m.

ACU at TCU, 6 p.m. woMen’s tennis ACU at North Central Texas, 9:30 a.m.

ACU at North Texas, 2 p.m.

Thursday Men’s tennis ACU at Baylor, 2:30 p.m.

Friday Baseball ACU at Tarleton State, 2 p.m. (DH) Softball ACU vs. Eastern New Mexico, 5 p.m. (DH) Tennis ACU at Blue-Gray Classic, Montgomery, Ala.

Saturday Baseball ACU at Tarleton State, 2 p.m. (DH Softball ACU vs. Eastern New Mexico, 1 p.m. (DH) track & Field ACU vs. Oliver Jackson Open Tennis ACU at Blue-Gray Classic, Montgomery, Ala.

Sunday tennis ACU at Blue-Gray Classic, Montgomery, Ala.

• Home games listed in italics

Baseball loses first series in two years n For the first time since the spring of 2004, the Wildcats lost a series and had no hits in one game.

The team will look to bounce back this weekend at Stephenville.

By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Writer

The Wildcats lost their first four game series of the 2006 season to Cameron University last weekend in what became an uncharacteristic story of missed opportunities.

In the last series of the preseason, the Wildcats fell three times to the Cameron Aggies, dropping three spots to No. 6 in the Collegiate

Baseball Baseball Magazine Poll and falling to 25-7 on the season.

The Wildcats will carry their winning record and top-10 ranking to Stephenville this weekend to take on Tarleton State in their first LSC South Conference series.

The Cameron Aggies protected their home field efficiently against the thenNo. 3-ranked Wildcats with an initial 4-0 win over a surprised ACU squad. The Wildcat loss came from a no hitter pitched by Cameron right hander Kacy Groves.

Groves’ no hitter was the first thrown by a Camer-

on University player since they entered NCAA Division II play, and was the first thrown against the Wildcats since April 13, 2004.

The Wildcats only chance to score came in the first inning when shortstop Ruben Rivera was left on third base after a ground out. Wildcat pitcher Brian Kennedy picked up his first loss of the season after pitching a complete six innings. “[Groves] only had three strikeouts that game,” said Britt Bonneau, head coach of the baseball team. “We hit the ball right at them and unfortunately they made all the plays to keep us off the

scoreboard.”

The Wildcats rediscovered their explosive offense in the second game of the series, crushing the Aggies 17-5. ACU jumped from no hits to 18 in the 17-run rally against Cameron. The Wildcats found the grass behind the fence three times throughout the game, including freshman Trey Watten’s first collegiate home run and a grand slam by Chris Walsh in the final inning. Wildcat pitchers Stephen Miller, Jason Kennedy and Brandon Moore combined for eight strike outs, and Kennedy recorded the win.

After splitting the first doubleheader, Cameron went on to sweep the Wildcats on day two, handing them their first series loss since 2004.

Despite an original 21 Wildcat lead in the first three innings of game three, Cameron tied and eventually took a three-run lead by the fifth. Trailing 5-2 the Wildcats’ only answer came off a solo home run from catcher Alec Sowards in the top of the sixth. The Wildcats failed to respond the final inning, going three up and three down to end the game See

BASEBALL page 9

Wildcats pull off sweep in Stephenville n The softball team won four games this weekend against Tarleton State to stay in first in the LSC South with a 9-1 record.

By ASHLEY MOORE Sports Writer

The Wildcat softball team defeated Tarleton State last weekend in all four games played, bringing the team to first place in the Lone Star Conference South Division with a 9-1 record and 27-8 overall. The women played two games Friday and two more Saturday in Stephenville.

The women realized going in they would have to stay focused to accomplish their goals, so they went in prepared and came out on top. Coach Chantiel Wilson said the women are very competitive and never seem to lose their intensity; they understood winning this series was very important to achieve the goals they set for themselves.

“Tarleton is a team that does not give in very easily and we knew we would have to play every inning tough if we were going to be successful,” Wilson said.

The first game on Friday was tied at three until the sixth inning when Jessica Johnson and Samantha Borgeson both hit home runs to win the game 5-3. Daisy Barcena also hit a home run in the second inning to help score the first two runs of the game.

Jennifer Leal pitched the first game and came in for relief for Sarah Vidalin in the second game. ACU scored six runs in the second inning, and Tarleton was never able to catch up, giving the Wildcats their second victory of the day, 11-5. Allison Crouse helped out with three runs to her name including home runs in the second and seventh innings. Jade Wilson also added a home run in the final inning.

Leal pitched for a final time and helped the Wildcats win their first

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Junior catcher Samantha Borgeson looks on with her teammates from the dugout at Tarleton State during the fifth inning of the first game of the series.

Softball game on Saturday 9-0, concluding in the fifth inning because of the eightrun rule. After four innings of a 4-0 lead, Barcena hit a grand slam to give the Wildcats the extra push to finish the game strong.

Leal picked up three wins to improve her record to 15-1 on the season.

“Jennifer pitched very well and was tough to hit all weekend,” Wilson said.

Vidalin earned the win of the fourth game of the weekend with

a 13-7 final score. Her win brought her record to 7-5 for the season.

The Wildcats scored 12 runs in the third inning alone off singles and doubles supplied by each player.

Crouse scored another three runs for ACU, and Jenna Daugherty contributed five RBI, including a threerun home run and a two-run single.

The TexAnns scored a few more runs, but couldn’t come back from the deficit.

“Offensively, everyone did their part up and down the line-up,” Wilson

said. “We had eight home runs in the four games, and the players executed when they needed to in important situations.”

The Wildcats’ next games are this weekend against Eastern New Mexico. They play double-headers at 5 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday in Abilene. The two games on Friday night will be broadcast locally on KYVW 1470 AM.

E-mail Moore at: aem03e@acu.edu

Tennis teams win home invitational n The men’s and women’s tennis teams stayed on campus to pick up wins against Hardin-Simmons, East Central and Incarnate Word at the Wildcat Invitational.

By MICHAEL FREEMAN Sports Writer

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Sophomore Meagan Brown returns volley in her singles match against Incarnate Word at the Eager Tennis Pavillion for the Wildcat Invitational.

Last weekend, the ACU tennis teams hosted and defeated three challenging teams in the Wildcat Invitational.

On Friday, the Wildcats defeated Hardin-Simmons University with both men and women winning 8-1. On Satur-

Tennis day, the women overpowered East Central University 6-3 and Incarnate Word University 9-0.

The men crushed East Central 9-0 and Incarnate Word 6-3.

The women improved their record to 18-3. And the men upped their record to 12-4.

“Overall, I feel like we did as expected,” said head coach Hutton Jones.

The Wildcat Invitational kicked off last Friday with the ACU women taking on the Cowgirls of Hardin-Simmons.

Save from one doubles match, the women scorched the Cowgirl competition with an impressive 8-1 victory. Lana Pavlin and Meagan Brown both recorded dominating 6-0, 6-0 singles wins. The following day, the Wildcats downed regional opponents East Central and Incarnate Word, with the scores 6-3 and 9-0 respectively.

“I was real happy with several of our matches,” Jones said. “I feel we need to have more intensity to start out our matches, but the girls

are maturing. I feel everyone is getting comfortable. We’re solid all the way through our line-up. That is our strength.”

Also on Friday, the Wildcat men defeated Hardin-Simmons 8-1. The next day, ACU pounded East Central 9-0 without dropping a set. But then the men faced Incarnate Word. The Wildcats began the match-up by losing all three doubles matches.

Finally, Casper Steenkamp delivered Abilene Christian’s See

TENNIS page 9

Track teams make provisional marks at Dr Pepper Invitational n The women’s track team qualified eight individuals and two relays at Waco this weekend for the NCAA Division II Outdoor National Meet in May.

By STEVE HOLT Sports Writer

Against two perennial Texas track and field powerhouses — Baylor and TCU — along with other teams, the ACU men’s and women’s teams posted several provisional qualifying times and marks

Track & Field while competing at the Baylor Dr Pepper Invitational in Waco. The women’s team enjoyed the most individual success for ACU, qualifying eight individuals in eight events, as well as the 4x100- and 4x400meter relay teams, for the NCAA Division II Outdoor National Meet.

Two individual men qualified for nationals in as many events, along with both relay teams.

Head coach Don Hood said his teams were pumped up coming into the competition. “ J u s t knowing we had good competition fired everyone up,” Hood Aguilar said. “I knew we’d compete hard. And then, to top it all off, it was a beautiful day.”

For the women, junior

Trina Cox posted strong provisional times in two events: the 1,500meter run, in which she placed second in 4 minutes, 28 seconds, and the 3,000-meter run, which Cox she won in 9:40.07.

Hood said Cox was especially impressive against the superb distance runners from

Baylor.

“She was strong as a bull,” Hood said. “She ran good times because she ran to win.”

Sophomore Keva Wilkins continued her seasonal success Saturday in the 400-meter dash, an event in which she placed fourth at the indoor national championships earlier this month. Wilkins won the event Saturday with a provisional time of 54.41, milliseconds away from the automatic time of 54.0.

Freshman Kim Prather

joined Cox as the other double-qualifier Saturday, finishing fourth in the 100-meter dash (11.93) and fourth in the 200-meter dash (24.36).

Junior Angie Aguilar, who earlier this month won her first national title at the indoor national meet, finished second in the pole vault Saturday with a provisional qualifying mark of 11-11 ¾.

Shawna-Kaye Thompson finished second in the 100See

TRACK page 9