Vol. 94, No. 48 1 section, 10 pages
WEDNESDAY April 12, 2006
www.acuoptimist.com
National showdown
Crash course
Making our call
The No. 6 Wildcats face No. 10 A&M Kingsville this weekend, page 10
Students helped in a simulated airplane crash Saturday, page 4
The Optimist endorses candidates for executive officer positions, page 7
Sub T-16 could be reinstated in months
Candidates up for debate
n The men’s social club aims to complete its selfstudy by the end of the summer to end its suspension, which was originally to last until the fall of 2007. By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor
Gary Rhodes/Contributing Photographer
Students’ Association candidates for executive president, Cameron Hartsell and Maher Saab, took part in Monday’s annual debates in a Chapel forum. Vice presidential candidates Eric Johnson, Manda Mosley, Brandon Smith and Jordan Williams and treasurer candidate Tyler Cosgrove also participated.
Chapel forum begins week of elections n Executive officer voting began in residence halls Monday night, and students can vote in three locations from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. By JONATHAN SMITH Editor in Chief
Students had the opportunity Monday night to hear Students’ Association executive officer candidates discuss the issues and their campaigns hours before students could
“I’m excited that so many people got exposure to the candidates and the issues.” Melanie Booker, Students’ Association vice president and elections chair
begin casting votes. The seven candidates for the positions of president, vice president and treasurer participated in annual debates as part of a one-hour Chapel forum in Moody Coliseum. Presidential candidates Ma-
her Saab and Cameron Hartsell spent a majority of their time debating the necessity of a vision for SA and experience on Congress. “It’s one thing to have a vision — which is key — but it’s another to have experience to
back up that vision,” said Saab, who has served this year on Congress as an Administration Building representative. “I know what it’s like as a student; I know what it’s like on Congress … because I’ve been a part of both worlds.” Hartsell, who has not served on Congress during his three years here, said, despite his inexperience on Congress, he has See
SA page 8
The men of Sub T-16 may end their twoyear probation early, if they complete their required self-study soon. Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said in an e-mail that Sub T-16 has made progress with its self-study and that an earlier reinstatement would be contingent upon its work toward the evaluation process. Jared Davis, Sub T president, said the 29 men active in club were digging up information about the club’s Barnard history in hopes that they could complete their self-study by the end of the summer. “We’ve been interviewing Sub T alumni, researching our history, talking to our advisers and learning things about how the club works that we didn’t know,” said Davis, junior exercise science major from Cameron. He said in the seven months since the club’s deactivation, members now have a betSee
SUB T page 8
Participants demonstrate rodeo skills n Events at Tuesday’s rodeo included goat dressing and branding, and proceeds went for the hospital bills of a 2-year-old liver transplant recipient. By JAYME SMITH Staff Writer
Uncommon library renovation opens n After several delays, the new Learning Commons of the Brown Library, which features one of the first full-menu Starbucks, opened its doors to patrons Wednesday. By ANNA CARROLL Student Reporter
After months of construction, the Learning Commons is ready to facilitate a new style of learning. The recently renovated second level of the
Brown Library finally opened its doors with the rest of the library Wednesday. The Learning Commons features many new aspects not usually seen in libraries. A full-menu Starbucks, one of the first in the country, will serve breakfast, lunch and the usual drinks, eliminating the no food and drink rule found in most libraries. A large part See
LIBRARY page 8
Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer
Employees for the new Starbucks in the Learning Commons of the Brown Library train as others from the university become acclimated to their new working environment April 4.
By KELSI PEACE Staff Writer
The university welcomed Robin Roberts, co-anchor of Good Morning America, to campus Saturday as part of the Centennial Speaker Series. Roberts spoke about “Putting Yourself in a Position for
Good Things to Happen” at a dinner in the Teague Special Events Center. Roberts attributed her success to her parents, saying they taught her the three d’s of life: “Discipline, determination, and de Lord.” She recalled stories of her father, Lawrence Roberts, sitting in his basement as a child with only a broomstick handle to act as his plane’s joystick, despite others’ insistence that he could never become a pilot.
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Today, Roberts said her father is a retired Air Force colonel and former Tuskegee Airman. Roberts’ mother, Lucimarion Roberts, was the first in her family to attend college, Roberts said. “I could look across the hall and find my role models: my mother and father,” Roberts said. Roberts, who formerly hosted Prime Time and SportsCenSee
SPEAKER page 8
See
RODEO page 8
Breeding selected as dean of college
Roberts delivers message n Co-anchor of ‘Good Morning America’ Robin Roberts spoke Saturday as the seventh of eight presenters during this year’s Centennial Speaker Series.
ACU Rodeo participants showed off their steer branding ability along with several other talents at the university’s annual All-School Rodeo on Tuesday evening, hosted by the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Club. Rodeo activities began at 6 p.m. in the Taylor County Expo Center Horse Barn. Rodeo spectators witnessed a series of men’s competition along with women’s, after purchasing a $3 ticket in advance or $5 at the door. Free admission was accepted into the Rodeo when purchasing a $20 Benefit Concert ticket for a 7:30 p.m. performance featuring singers Kina Lankford and Billy Joe Shaver. All proceeds went to the family of two-year-old, Canon Perkins, a liver transplant recipient.
STAFF REPORT
Anna Carroll/Staff Photographer
Good Morning, America co-anchor Robin Roberts speaks Saturday at a dinner as part of the university’s Centennial Speaker Series.
Dr. MaLesa Breeding was selected Tuesday as the dean of the College of Education and Human Services. Breeding was one of three candidates chosen to go through a five-step interview process this semester. She currently serves as the chair of the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department. Breeding holds degrees
Abilene Christian University
from ACU and Texas Tech University and has had experience in the Abilene Independent School District and Abilene State School. Dr. Jerry Whitworth, chair of the Education Department, and Dr. Donnie Snider, associate professor of education were the other finalists. Breeding will begin her position June 1. E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu
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