2006 04 19

Vol. 94, No. 48 1 section, 8 pages

FRIDAY

April 19, 2006

www.acuoptimist.com

Moving up

Marti Gras Masquerade

ACU for Abilene

The baseball team is up to No. 4 after its weekend play, page 8

Freshmen to celebrate the year with a formal at the Civic Center, page 4

Students can serve the community, page 5

Professors earn tenure, promotion n Professors who have taught at the university for more than five years can begin applying for tenure and receive it in their sixth year if they have their doctorate.

By JACI SCHNEIDER Copy Editor

Eight professors received tenure and promotions this semester, and two others received promotions.

A tenured professor has job stability and knows the univer-

sity has confidence in them, said Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, provost of the university. Professors can begin applying for tenure five years after beginning to teach at the university, and they can receive it in their sixth year if they have their doctorates.

The applicants turn in an extensive portfolio to their department and then to a university tenure promotion committee, which is elected by the faculty. Following these steps,

Chili’s to open in May

the professors are approved for tenure by VanRheenen and Dr. Royce Money, president of the university.

“We, in a sense, make the final call but usually go by the recommendations,” VanRheenen said.

He said the application process is also a learning process for the applicants, which they usually begin as soon as they start working at the university. The instructors must build a portfolio with

a description of their teaching experience, research and service, VanRheenen said.

Applicants must also reflect on their strengths and weaknesses as teachers and how they connect faith and subject matter in their courses.

“We want them to be experienced teachers,” VanRheenen said. “We want them to be involved with students, make contributions to their profesSee

TENURE page 7

Tenured professors: • Dr. Fred Aquino, Graduate School of Theology • Laura Baker, Brown Library • Geoff Broderick, Department of Art and Design • Dr. Mark Hamilton, Graduate School of Theology • Dr. Don Pope, Department of Management Sciences • Dr. Bill Rankin, Department of English • Dr. Lynette Sharp Penya, Department of Communication • Dr. Scott Stovall, Department of Accounting and Finance

n Each year five to seven professors are chosen to take sabbatical leave during the academic year to pursue other interests, research or writing.

Ride ‘em cowboy

By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor

Seven professors have been granted sabbaticals for the 2006-07 school year. Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen said the sabbaticals, or faculty renewal leaves, are usually given to five to eight professors a year to allow them time to study or write and come back to the school “refreshed.”

VanRheenen, provost of the university, said the faculty renewal leaves are selected from a faculty committee.

n Curtis Johnson, general manager of the Chili’s restaurant located on Highway 351, will begin hiring 140 employees for its grand opening May 18.

By GARY RHODES Student Reporter

This summer students will have another major restaurant chain close to campus offering new jobs and a new place to eat.

A Chili’s restaurant is currently under construction off Highway 351 next to Super Wal-Mart and is scheduled to open May 18.

Curtis Johnson, Chili’s general manager, said this new restaurant is going to be very different from the mall location, which has been open since 1992.

“This location is a brand new prototype that the company is building,” he said.

“It will have all the bells and whistles.”

Johnson said he currently is looking for employees and probably will hire about 140 people.

Some of those positions could end up being filled by students looking for jobs off campus.

“It’s close, it’s fun, and it would probably be a good place to work,” he said.

Kristin Gravley, sophomore social studies major from Overton, said she is excited about the new restaurant.

“I can’t wait for it to open,” See

CHILI’S page 7

Seven to take faculty renewal leave

See

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

The team “trying to fit in” of Robby Brown, freshman marketing major from Frisco; Grant Abston, freshman undeclared major from Rockwall; Bradley Steele, freshman undeclared major from Grand Prarie; and Andrew Harmon, freshman management major from Aledo, battle with a steer during the Steer Saddling Competition at the ACU All School Rodeo on April 11 at the Taylor County Expo Center’s Horse Barn.

Renovations postponed until 2007 n Sikes Hall will undergo a $1.8 million renovation during the summer of 2007 instead of this summer because of the extensive remodeling proposed.

By BLYTHE THOMPSON Student Reporter

The needed remodeling of the sophomore women’s residence hall Sikes has been rescheduled for

summer 2007.

When construction begins in late spring 2007, Sikes will undergo a huge transformation said Dr. Mimi Barnard, director of Residence Life Education and Housing.

“Sikes will be a whole new, beautiful building when it’s finished,” Barnard said.

The rooms will be extended, windows replaced, and the brick exterior will also

be remodeled.

Once completed, the outside of Sikes’ will be made to resemble Barret Hall, which opened last fall, Barnard said.

The windows have been giving residents problems for years in the form of leaks and temperature control.

Scot Colley of Physical Resources will head the project acting as general contractor

in charge of finishing the overhaul.

When Barrett Hall was built the opening almost wasn’t until after the beginning of the fall semester because of weather constraints.

Barnard said she hopes this will not factor into the opening of Sikes Hall for the fall semester of 2007.

See

RENOVATIONS page 7

SABBATICAL page 7

Dean named for new college n Dr. MaLesa Breeding has worked in the Education Department, special education and communication disorders in her 16 years with the university.

By TAKISHA KNIGHT Page 2 Editor

Dr. MaLesa Breeding, chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, will be dean of the new College of Education and Health Services, which will open this fall.

Breeding is familiar with See

DEAN page 7

Elections end in runoff Thursday n Students elected Maher Saab as president, and Tyler Cosgrove as treasurer in elections April 12, and Jordan Williams as vice president in a runoff Thursday.

By JONATHAN SMITH Editor in Chief

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Blake Browder, sophomore elementary education major from Denton, votes for Students’ Association executive officers April 4 in the Campus Center.

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Students Association elections ended in a runoff for vice president Thursday, and students elected a president and treasurer during general voting April 11-12.

Jordan Williams, junior accounting and finance major from Longview, won the vice president run-off election against Brandon Smith, junior political science major from Overland Park, Kan., with 373 votes to Smith’s 260.

Williams will join Maher Saab, junior political science major from Abilene and newly elected president of SA, and Tyler Cosgrove, SA treasurer

and senior finance major from Amarillo, as SA officers next year.

Williams’ 332 votes forced a runoff with Smith, the leading vote-getter in the general election, after Smith’s 571 votes fell 70 short of garnering 50 percent of the vote. SA rules require a candidate to receive more than 50 percent of total votes cast to win.

With four initial candidates in the vice presidential race, Williams said the runoff and the results of the general election were not unexpected.

“I wasn’t entirely surprised with the percentages in the general election,” Williams said. “I expected [Smith] to have a lot of support in the first election.”

When informed of the general election’s results, Williams said he immediately went to work trying to get the support of those students who had

voted for Eric Johnson, junior finance major from Boerne, and Manda Mosley, junior political science major from Corpus Christi, the other two candidates for vice president.

“Votes that went to those other candidates [Mosley and Johnson] have a big effect on the next day’s election,” said Melanie Booker, current SA vice president and chair of the elections. “I think Eric and Manda might have influenced the runoff more than anyone else.”

Saab easily won the presidency with 731 votes to 579 for Cameron Hartsell, junior political science major from Gilmer.

Cosgrove won his third term as treasurer, earning 995 votes in his uncontested election.

The 1,310 votes cast in the

Abilene Christian University

See

Election Results • President Maher Sabb - 731 (56%) Cameron Hartsell - 579 (44%) • Vice President Brandon Smith - 571 (45%) Jordan Williams - 332 (26%) Manda Mosley - 213 (17%) Eric Johnson - 166 (13%) • Treasurer Tyler Cosgrove - 995 (100%)

Runoff Results • Jordan Williams - 373 (59%) • Brandon Smith - 260 (41%)

ELECTIONS page 7 Serving the ACU community since 1912

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Wednesday, April 19, 2006

19

Calendar & Events Wednesday

Earth Day Tables, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Campus Center.

21

Friday

“Shakespeare 2 Slam” dance concert, 8 p.m., Paramount.

Outdoor Club rock wall petition, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Campus Center.

Outdoor Club rock wall petition, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Campus Center.

Nigeria Mission Cook-off ticket sales, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Nigeria Mission Cook-off ticket sales, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

ACU for Abilene sign-ups, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Campus Center.

20

Thursday

ACU for Abilene sign-ups, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Campus Center.

Jam for Justice, 7-10 p.m., Bean Sprout.

22

Sunday

Wind Ensemble band concert, 3 p.m., Abilene Civic Center.

Senior vocal theater recital, 8 p.m., Recital hall.

24

Monday

Kind of Blue talent show, 7-9 p.m., Mabee Hall.

Chess club table, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center.

Volunteer Opportunities Saturday

ACU For Abilene service day beginning at 8:30 a.m. in the Mall area.

Mario Smash Brothers Tournament, Campus Center Recreation Center.

An Evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein, Abilene Civic Center.

Chai Cafe, 9-10:45 p.m., Campus Center Living Room.

Announcements Casting Crowns tickets are available in The Campus Store at the price of $14.50 for students. The show is at 7 p.m.

Monday in Moody Coliseum. For more information, contact 6742772.

Applications are available in the ACU Counseling Center for 2006-07 Peer Health Educators.

Students can make a difference on campus by helping to educate other students about health and wellness issues. Deadline for submission is Friday. Contact Heidi Morris at 674-2063 for more information.

23

Students can vote for Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys to compete to play at Cornerstone Festival in Bushnel, Illinois.

Cornerstone is the largest Christian music festival in the world with an annual attendance of nearly 40,000 people. The 16 bands with the most votes will play at the New Band Showcase, and the band with the most votes will get to play on the main stage with Copeland, MeWithoutYou and Anberlin. Visit http://www. cornerstonefestival.com/ newbandshowcase.cfm to vote.

Voting ends May 28.

ACU for Abilene will be Saturday. Students can join staff and faculty in serving the community on the last planned service day of the semester.

Volunteers are needed to help with food preparation for Staff Appreciation Day sponsored by Family Association of Abilene State School on May 1, 2006.

Fannin Elementary needs volunteers to do simple math games with 1st and 2nd grade children in groups.

Tuesdays and/or Fridays 3-4 p.m.

Thomas Elementary is seeking a number of ACU students who would be willing to assist students in taking and grading a reading and math benchmark test at the student’s grade level. It begins ends April 28 from 83 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

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 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 their name, e-mail address and which flag they prefer. Flags are assigned on first-come basis.

The Volunteer and Service-Learning Center has received a request for drivers and baby sitters for a family from Burundi currently living in Abilene. Students who periodically can help in either of these areas can contact Susan Moellinger at abileneed@capitalsenior.com or call at 793-1144.

American Heart Association need volunteers to prepare gift bags May 2 and 3.

Abilene Cultural Affairs Council need volunteers to set up and conduct a survey of 50 event guests on Saturday and April 27.

Credited Chapels remaining:

58 12

‘Century’ sales soar n Sales for ‘The ACU Century’ a book that documents 100 years of the university’s history, are expected to peak during spring commencement in May.

By GARY RHODES Student Reporter

The ACU Century, the commemorative book created for the university’s Centennial year, has already sold nearly 2,000 copies, according to official figures.

The book, which contains 470 images and took three years to complete, can be found at The Campus Store, major centennial events and online for a cost of $49.99.

Sales are expected to rise this May when students’ families and friends come to campus for spring commencement, said Ron Hadfield, chair of the Centennial’s Commissioned Items and Commemorated Works Task Force.

Hadfield said the book has sold well during times such as Homecoming and Lectureship when alumni

return to campus.

“Sales have spiked at the big events,” he said. “We expect to see another boost

Info box The ACU Century is available online and in The Campus Store for the price of $49.99 at http://www.acu.edu/ centennial/merchandise.html

in sales during commencement.”

Hadfield said the book has been promoted heavily during the past year in ACU Today, the university’s official magazine.

Although Hadfield is hoping that the book sells well during this Centennial year, he said he believes the book will sell for several years to come as well.

“We tried to put together a product that has a good shelf life,” he said.

E-mail Rhodes at: optimist@acu.edu

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.

Police Log (edited for space) April 10 9 a.m. Contacted suspicious subject at Physical Resources, subject was transient sleeping in the area, was asked to leave campus 12:30 p.m. Student reported lost phone at Campus Center 3 p.m. Report of suspicious subject at Sherrod Apartments, checked area and unable to locate 4:25 p.m. Removed boot from vehicle in McKinzie lot 9:30 p.m. Assisted visitor locating vehicle at Business lot April 11 10 a.m. Fingerprinted student at the station 2:15 p.m. Vehicle hit and run accident in Mabee lot, case #06053 April 12 11 a.m. Traffic stop at Sewell lot 2:10 p.m. Attempt to locate vehicle involved in gas drive off for Abilene Police Department, vehicle was black Chevrolet Blazer, unable to locate vehicle 3:10 p.m. Assisted Abilene Police Department at University Park Apartments in reference to a gas drive off. Student was not

at his apartment, Abilene Police will check residence later 8:02 p.m. Assisted Hardin Simmons University with information on student vehicle 9:40 p.m. Assisted Abilene Police Department with traffic control at East North 16th Street & Campus Court Road, vehicle accident

a vehicle. Female was gone upon arrival.

11:59 a.m. Assisted Abilene Police Department with training at Sherrod Apartments 7:35 p.m. Attempt to locate student for welfare check. Student contacted his mother at 9 p.m., all OK

April 13 8:04 a.m. Traffic stop at Campus Court and East North 18th Street for disregarding stop sign 9 a.m. Attempted to locate student at University Park Apartments in reference to gas drive off, no one at apartment 2:45 p.m. Assisted Abilene Police Department with burglary in progress at 600 E.N. 23rd St. Subject was arrested by Abilene Police Department 6:29 p.m. Vehicle hit and run accident on Oliver Jackson Boulevard, case #06-055

April 15 6:25 a.m. Assisted Abilene Police Department with traffic control reference to vehicle accident in front of University Park Apartments 8:51 a.m. Assisted vehicle with maintenance problems on Judge Ely Boulevard 11:15 a.m. Report of suspicious subjects inside of library.

Contacted students and advised them to leave

April 14 12:02 a.m. Report of loud party at 2600 Garfield St. Contacted resident, party will cease 1:45 a.m. Report of disturbance in the street of 800 E.N. 16th St. Female was yelling and banging on

April 16 4:30 a.m. Loud party in the Barret lot, contacted HSU students, and they were asked to leave 2:45 p.m. Traffic stop of suspicious subject at 1400 Cedar Crest Road.

Driver had warrants and was arrested and transported to Taylor County Jail

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

‘Optimist,’ JMC students awarded n Mallory Sherwood, 2006-07 ‘Optimist’ editor in chief, was elected student president of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association on April 8.

By NATHAN DRISKELL Student Reporter

Students from the Journalism and Mass Communication Department won 42 awards at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association’s annual convention in San Antonio on April 6-8.

The Optimist won an honorable mention for overall excellence, placing fifth at the competition behind University of Texas Arlington, Texas Tech University, University of Texas at Austin and University of North Texas.

The Optimist is the only nondaily newspaper to compete in the Newspaper Division 1 category, said Kenneth Pybus, assistant professor of journalism

and mass communication and adviser of the newspaper.

“We’re the only non-daily that competes in that category, which makes it hard to win,” Pybus said. “But it makes the things that we do win that much more rewarding.”

Among the more notable award winners was Jonathan Smith, editor in chief of the Optimist and senior journalism major from Tyler, who placed first in on-site TV sportswriting and second in on-site print newswriting.

Mallory Sherwood, managing editor of the Optimist and junior journalism major from Orrville, Ohio, was awarded a Frank W. Buckley Scholarship, as well as being named student president of TIPA. She also placed second in in-depth reporting.

Also, Brian Schmidt, chief photographer for the Optimist and junior journalism major from Austin, won numerous awards, including first place in

on-site sports action photography and second place in sports feature photography. Missy Perkins, junior electronic media major from Grapevine, placed first in radio public affairs, and Casey Cooper, senior electronic media major from Mission, won first place in the category of TV spot commercial, public service announcement and promo.

Pybus said these awards are notable achievements.

“Any time you compete against the biggest student newspapers in the state and the schools with the biggest radio stations and schools with bigger TV stations and come back with awards, then that’s something to be proud of,” Pybus said.

In the spring of 2004, The Optimist won first place in overall excellence at TIPA, the only time in its history it has won the award.

E-mail Driskell at: optimist@acu.edu

A prize-winning shot

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Joe Callahan of the San Antonio Rampage and Steve Lingren of the Milwaukee Admirals battle for the puck as Rampage goalie Scott Stirling watches at an American Hockey League game in the AT&T Center on April 6 in San Antonio. Optimist and Prickly Pear chief photographer Brian Schmidt won first place for on-site sports action photography with this photo at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association competition April 6-8 in San Antonio.

IJM concert brings justice awareness n Student bands Death by Space Laser, Streets of Simon Lee and Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys will perform at 7 p.m.

Thursday at Jam for Justice.

By WHITNEY MANN Student Reporter

A Jam for Justice concert will take place Thursday to raise awareness and money to fight injustice in the world through International Justice Mission.

Jam for Justice will begin at 7 p.m. in the Bean Sprout and will last for about three hours. Bands playing at the concert include Death by Space Laser, Streets of Simon Lee and Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys.

The International Justice Mission supports the cause of helping others and restoring justice around the world by raising funds and awareness.

Jordan Williams, sopho-

Page 3

CAMPUS NEWS

more accounting major from Longview and coordinator of the event, said he thinks IJM will serve refreshments. Last year the group served coffee and snacks, and it seemed to be a big hit, Williams said.

Also last year, the concert included a few more bands

year the event had less time, so Williams asked only the specific bands to play.

“As far as I have seen, everybody is pretty pumped about the concert,” Williams said. “The last one had a pretty good turnout, so this year we are really hoping to have

“I think IJM stands for something that is really important, and I’m definitely going to make it Ashleigh Cardot, sophomore social work major from Abilene

than this year. Williams said the concert seemed to be really long though and he hopes everyone will hang around the entire time because this year there are fewer bands.

In the future, Williams said he hopes to have more time and ability to let bands express their interests in playing. This

even more.”

IJM members are expecting several hundred people to show up for the event.

The ACU band-recruiting network is interested in getting more bands to join in on events such as Jam for Justice, Williams said. If people are interested they should e-mail

Jordan Williams at jdw03c@ acu.edu.

Williams said he thinks the concert will go well.

“There is simply no better combination than great bands and coffee, throw in a good cause, and you’ve got a great time,” Williams said.

Another student, Ashleigh Cardot, sophomore social work major from Abilene, said she is excited about the concert.

She said she remembers hearing about it last year but was unable to attend. People enjoy the idea of a concert for a good cause, Cardot said.

Cardot said she thinks International Justice Mission is a good organization.

“I think IJM stands for something that is really important, and I definitely am going to try to make it to this concert,” Cardot said.

E-mail Mann at: optimist@acu.edu

Page 4

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

CAMPUS NEWS

Philosopher to speak Thursday

This looks funny

n Dr. Jean Bethke Elshtain will present her lecture “Harry Potter, St. Augustine, and the Confrontation with Evil” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Chapel on the Hill.

By CAMILLE PAINTER Student Reporter

emerald mcgowan/Staff Photographer

Jenavene Hester, freshman musical theatre major from Abilene, left, holds still while Heather Ketchersid, senior musical theatre major from Dallas, practices her pattern-making by draping material over her model.

Students spring to rushes n Those interested in pledging a social club this fall can shop for one of their six options at spring rushes taking place during the next two weeks.

By MEGAN LOWE Student Reporter

Students interested in pledging a social club next semester can learn about individual social clubs through rushes conducted the next two weeks.

The purpose of rushing is to meet and get to know members of social clubs, and the rushing experience is enhanced by attending as many events and rushes as possible, according to ACU’s Web site.

Spring rushes are a chance for prospective pledges to get their faces seen by members of all clubs. It also gives students a chance to get to know each club and what it represents.

Tenell Zahodnik, junior biology major from San Antonio and member of Sigma Theta Chi, said spring rushes make a last-

“I love the Siggie-Moonie skate because it is so laid-back and just pure fun.”

Dr. Jean Bethke Elshtain, political philosopher and contributing editor for The New Republic, will speak at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Chapel on the Hill.

The title of her public lecture will be “Harry Potter, St. Augustine, and the Confrontation with Evil.”

Outside the speech scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Elshtain will spend the day with Dr. Caron Gentry, assistant professor of political science, said Dr. Nancy Shankle, chair of the Centennial Academic Task Force and chair of the English Department. Elshtain also plans to have a discussion at 2 p.m. open to any female faculty interested and invited students about female roles in society.

Elshtain is the seventh of

eight scheduled speakers to visit the campus for ACU’s Centennial speakers series.

The Centennial Academic Task Force selected Elshtain, as well as the year’s other speakers, from many talented and educated candidates, said Jennifer Ellison, Centennial Activities coordinator, in an e-mail.

Ellison said Elshtain’s solid faith and deep convictions distinguished her from other authors, professors and philosophers.

Shankle said task force cochair Dr. Mel Hailey, chair of the Political Science Department, introduced Elshtain to the academic subcommittee.

“Dr. Hailey heard her speak and knew her reputation,” Shankle said. “He thought she’d be a perfect match for ACU.” Shankle said the committee had three goals in selecting people to come to the university for speeches during the Centennial year: to bring attention to academics at ACU, to bring speakers to campus so the

ACU community has the opportunity for intellectual discussion, and to draw attention to the region.

These goals are ones that Elshtain helps satisfy. Ellison said her Christianity provides ACU with an informed religious perspective.

“She openly discusses issues on ethics and family and where they fit into our government,” Ellison said.

Although she was measured against the same standards as the seven other speakers in the Centennial series, her style of presentation and topics are very different from other speakers.

“The primary goal is to engage in intellectual conversation,” Shankle said, “Learning doesn’t stop once out of the classroom. We think the valuable part of education is bringing speakers to ACU so faculty, staff and students can have further conversation about academics.”

E-mail Painter at: optimist@acu.edu

Tenell Zahodnik, junior biology major from San Antonio

ing memory.

“Spring rushing is important because it is our first opportunity to get to know the potential pledges and their first opportunity to get to know us,” Zahodnik said.

Students who already have an idea of what club they wish to pledge can use spring rushing as an opportunity to get to know its members, while students who have not narrowed the choices down will choose which club is the best fit for them.

Each club is allowed three rushes during the spring semester. One is more formal and lasts two hours; two informal rushes last an hour each.

Galaxy’s new president Elliot Wood, senior psychology major from Nashville, Tenn., said Galaxy would have its first rush at

9 p.m. Thursday at the Skatin Place. Sigma Theta Chi partners with Galaxy every year for the skate night.

“I love the Siggie-Moonie skate because it is so laidback and just pure fun,” Zahodnik said.

Other rushes include meeting for lunch between classes at restaurants or club members’ houses.

The rushes in the spring are set up to have a laid-back atmosphere, Wood said.

Clubs have sent invitations and decorated signs to be displayed in the Campus Center throughout the week to alert prospective pledges of their rushing opportunities.

Students can choose from six female social clubs and six active male social clubs.

E-mail Lowe at: optimist@acu.edu

Group brings tsunami aid n For $3,000 each, nine students and one faculty member will travel to Indonesia this summer to provide medical treatment to victims of recent tsunamis.

By ANNA CARROLL Student Reporter

A group of students will travel to Indonesia this summer to offer medical and social relief to the victims of the tsunami and earthquake that damaged the area in December 2004 and March 2005.

Nine students and one professor are members of the Nias 2006 group that will work with American and Indonesian doctors and nurses from June 18 to July 9 on the island of the same name. All the students are pre-med, pre-dentistry or pre-optometry students,

said Dr. Brian Cavitt, assistant professor of chemistry and the group’s leader.

The trip costs $3,000 for each member, Cavitt said, and so far the group has about $15,000, covering five team members. The group collected $616 from students after Chapel last Wednesday, Cavitt said.

The group will provide the people of Nias with medical treatment as well as supplies.

One of the registered nurses will send a 40-foot container of medical supplies that the group will unload in Nias, Cavitt said.

Cavitt began coordinating this group last year after talking with Jim Karl, a retired elder from his home church. After the tsunami, the Indonesian government asked Karl to be the hospital

administrator on the island of Nias for the next 25 years, Cavitt said.

“It’s a Muslim country giving Christians a hospital to run,” Cavitt said. “It’s amazing.”

The group began meeting last semester in a small group Chapel, said Quyen Do, freshman biology pre-med major from Hanoi, Vietnam. Do said the group spent the time working on fundraising and getting to know each other.

Do said she became involved in the trip because it is good experience and she wanted to help, she said.

“I’m from Asia,” she said, “so I know and understand how miserable it is when a tsunami comes.”

E-mail Carroll at: optimist@acu.edu

Freshmen celebrate year’s end with formal n Food catered by Johnny Carino’s, music provided by the band Joe K. Experience and a Mardi Gras Masquerade theme will round out Freshman Formal.

By LAURA SMITH Staff Writer

The Civic Center in downtown Abilene will play host to the end-of-the-year Freshman Formal on Friday.

The Freshman Action Council is bringing a new face to the festivities for the annual formal, and planner’s hope this year’s theme, Marti Gras Masquerade, combines decorations and fun.

FAC co-chair Will Morris, senior marketing major from Abilene, said the tradition is always a lot of fun for the freshmen.

“It gives the freshmen a chance to go to a formal and just hang out together,” Mor-

ris said.

Students are encouraged to don a mask for the event, or wait until they arrive and visit the mask decoration station on site. The Joe K. Experience, a band originally out of Denton, will perform, and Johnny Carino’s will cater a meal of different food

gan Pruitt, freshman marketing major from Sugar Land and co-planner of the formal.

“We wanted to make it their night, to go out with a bang and get the freshmen pumped up for sophomore year,” Pruitt said.

To add to the excitement, the council is promising priz-

“We wanted to make it their night, to go out with a bang and get the freshmen pumped up for sophomore year.”

Megan Pruitt, freshman marketing major from Sugar Land

and dessert selections. Planners have gathered pictures from various freshman activities and compiled them into a slide show. Karaoke and mask judging will round out the evening’s events, said Me-

es for attendees. Sign-ups began April 10, two weeks prior to Freshman Formal.

The first 100 people committed were eligible to have their name drawn for cash prizes and more.

Jason Smith, freshman marketing major from Rio Rancho, N.M., and Linzie Bessent, freshman youth and family ministry major from Comanche, both anticipate the end of the year diversion.

“I just love to get dressed up for a nice evening with my friends,” Bessent said.

“School’s been so hectic that I’m really looking forward to just cutting lose for a little bit. I think it’s a great tradition for the freshmen, and let’s us come together and remember our first crazy year together.”

Smith said he is excited about the event, if for nothing else but for the food and music.

“You can’t beat Carino’s and cash prizes,” he said.

“Plus a live band … that’s a way to round out a year.”

E-mail Smith at: lrs02a@acu.edu

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Page 5

CAMPUS NEWS

Peer health educators looking for new volunteers n Those interested in the program can fill out an application through Friday and, if selected, will be trained to help others with issues such as stress and eating disorders.

By LISA SRIOBCHOEY Student Reporter

Students who want to help fellow students with their social problems can apply to become part of a program called Achieving Change Together: Peer Health Education Program, which trains them to educate and help others.

The program was designed to train students to become peer health educators and have them educate other students about various issues like stress, anxiety, eating disorders, sexual assault, pornography and alcohol use, said Heidi Morris, Peer Health Education Program coordinator.

“The peer health educa-

tor program serves as a link between the counseling center and the students,” Morris said. “Sometimes students who have problems seek advice from their peers instead of coming to the Counseling Center, so the educators might be able to reach students better by referring them to counseling, providing them with more information or simply be listening ears.”

Students interested in becoming peer health educators next semester have until Friday to fill out the application form in the University Counseling Center in the lower level of McKinzie Hall.

The program was started in 2003 and involves various other activities besides individual counseling with the peer health educator.

A peer health educator’s role includes activities range from planning Chapel forums and giving out flyers during

awareness week, to organizing special programs for students who live in residence halls, said Katy Galloway, sophomore social work major from Coppell and a peer health educator.

“We are trying to be Christ to our friends in our every-

“Many people try to hide that they have important things that affect them going on in their life,” Galloway said. “As peer health educators, we try to help open up dialogues about issues and problems that we all face. The program helps make people

“The experience that I’ve gotten in my training ... teaches me how to better relate to my friends.”

Katy Galloway, sophomore social work major from Coppell

day life,” Galloway said. “We are on campus to talk about things that are going on in students’ lives and possibly lead them in the right direction when needed.”

Galloway said what she likes most about being an educator is an opportunity to make people aware of the issues and problems that occur on campus.

realize that we are all real people with real problems.”

Along with helping others solve their problems, being a peer health educator also benefits the educators themselves.

“The experience that I’ve gotten in my training and meetings teaches me how to better relate to my friends and possibly be an example

to them by living my life the way that I do,” Galloway said.

Another peer health educator, Chris Boknevitz, sophomore psychology major from San Diego, said he also learns a lot about planning and executing events from being an educator.

“You learn about what it takes to set up an event on campus,” Boknevitz said.

“You get to meet behindthe-scenes people. You also gain better perspective on ways to promote various healthy activities that apply to everyone on campus.

It’s a great way to meet new people and make an impact on your campus.”

Students can also participate in the Stress-free Zone, the last Peer Health Education activity for this semester, May 3 in the Campus Center. There students can enjoy games and receive

Peer health educator details Peer health educators are trained to work with others on issues such as: • stress • anxiety • eating disorders • sexual assault • pornography • alcohol use Students interested in working as a peer health educator should fill out an application at the University Counseling Center in the lower level of McKinzie Hall and turn it in by Friday.

various rewards to ease stress from final exams and learn more about how to cope with stress.

E-mail Sriobchoey at: optimist@acu.edu

Students to serve Abilene n The annual ACU for Abilene day, which usually draws about 400 students, is Saturday, and students can sign up in the Campus Center ticket windows through Friday.

By ATSUMI SHIBATA Student Reporter

Students participating in ACU for Abilene on Saturday will be able to fellowship with members of the community as well as serve them.

For the first time, a cookout will be provided for the entire Abilene community following ACU for Abilene, a community service event that attracts about 400 students each year.

The cookout, sponsored by the new Neighborhood Relations Office and the Volunteer Service-Learning Center, will begin at 1 p.m.

and is open to all students, faculty, staff, and community members.

Students can sign up to serve Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the ticket windows of the Campus Center.

This year students will serve at 25 sites, said Jordan Swim and Becky Hackler, co-chairs for the event, The sites will include children’s agencies such as the Day Nursery, retirement homes, the Rescue the Animals shelter, and Special Olympics. Students will also help community members with yard work, painting, and hauling off trash.

Swim, junior bible major from Richardson, said he is enthusiastic about the event. He said that the main goal for this year’s ACU for Abilene is “to build commu-

nity with ACU students.”

“ACU for Abilene is a great way for students to interact with new people and new places and get a fresh taste for service,” he said.

Hackler, sophomore education and international studies major from Overland Park, Kan., said her main goal for this year’s event is to serve the community.

“As Christians we are called to serve,” she said.

The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. in front of the library, with free breakfast and prayer time, Swim said.

Students will then head to their sites and come back afterward for the cookout.

“Sign up for ACU for Abilene,” Hackler said. “You get free breakfast and lunch and a free T-shirt.”

E-mail Shibata at: optimist@acu.edu

Alumnus runs for City Council n Ron Konstantin, class of 2005, said he is a good candidate for the position because he can adjust to unfamiliar situations, works hard and wants to help people.

By MITCH HOLT Staff Writer

Ron Konstantin, class of 2005, is running for Place 1 on Abilene’s City Council.

He is running against current City Council member Sam Chase. The position will be decided when Abilenians vote May 13.

Konstantin said he arrived in Abilene in 1994 and suffered serious injuries in a car accident that prevented him from working for more than a year, forcing him to seek shelter in a storage building for $36 a month.

It took the candidate more than a year to walk without a cane, and he lost his house and his car because of the accident, he said.

Konstantin said he re-

ally had no place to go until 92-year-old Abilenian H.W. Lemmons took him in as his personal assistant.

Lemmons allowed Konstantin to reside in his home until he was financially independent, and he’s been working for him ever since.

The candidate also spent time running a business that painted addresses on curbs in front of houses, and five people worked for him. He said this business taught him how to lead others in the business world.

He hasn’t worked in any level of government, but said he has been interested in politics — local and national — for much of his life.

He graduated from ACU last year with an applied sciences degree, specializing in history and political science, and he plans to attend seminary at some point in the near future to pursue ministry. He said a form of dyslexia kept him from per-

forming as easily as the other students while he was at the university, but he eventually learned to deal with the disorder and graduated.

Konstantin has been involved in various charities including Love and Care Ministries and a self-started effort in which he fixes people’s cars for free when they need it.

Konstantin said he thinks he’s the best person for the position because he is able to adjust well to unfamiliar situations, he’s a hard worker, and he wants to help people. He said God has blessed him with the ability to figure out new things quickly.

The candidate said he is confident about his ability to serve as a City Council member and his ability to win the election.

“Not only will I win,” Konstantin said. “I will double [the opponent’s] votes.”

E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu

Emily Chastain/File Photo

Students collect trash during last year’s ACU for Abilene workday in April. The event is open to all students and usually attracts about 400 students each year. Students could begin signing up to serve Tuesday and can sign up in the Campus Center ticket windows from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every day until Friday.

Page 6

The Issue:

The new walk/jog track around campus is finally completed.

Our view:

We have a new track, but we should exercise the same safety principles. As always, practice safe habits when working out on the track.

The solution:

Never run or walk alone at night, pay attention to those around you, and carry a cell phone.

Use common sense, and the track will be a safe, healthy place for students.

April 19, 2006

New jogging track, same safety rules The university’s walk/jog track now finally encircles campus. The new path, six feet wide and well lit, allows students to walk, bike and run the two miles around campus on one surface.

Campus has been waiting for the promised track for several years, and the anticipation has been building in the last few months, as the end date changed several times.

Students should not hesitate to take advantage of the newly completed track, especially in the warm weather.

However, just because the track is new and well lit doesn’t mean students should ignore

safe habits.

Many vagrants Students sometimes find it easy to believe that Women still reside in the crime does not occur on a Christian campus, should not walk area, and while but this is not the case. or run alone afwe shouldn’t ter dark. The lit necessarily fear track is safer than them, they do portions of the dark old trail According to the university’s remind us that we do not live in students used to follow, but annual crime statistics report, our own secure and safe bubble. women especially need to ex- four forcible sex offensives Most people, especially colercise caution. Although lights were reported on campus from lege students, take an optimisdeter crime from happening, 2001-2004. These stats do not tic view of life. We think we they do not completely prevent include the neighborhoods are invincible, and that while it. Women should always run or surrounding campus. bad things happen elsewhere, walk with a buddy after dark, Not all of the homes sur- we personally will not become and should be aware of their rounding ACU house students. victims of a crime. This is a surroundings at all times.

Registered sex offenders live dangerous attitude to have.

Students sometimes find it in the area, some within one While we shouldn’t live our easy to believe that crime does block of campus, and students lives in fear, we need to be not occur on a Christian cam- should not assume all local cautious and remember that pus, but this is not the case. residents should be trusted. anyone can become a victim.

Lebensgefahr

The thermometer topped out at almost 100 degrees yesterday.

For a northern girl with a penchant for sweaters and lattes, this comes as a bit of a shock to my system.

However, after three Soapbox years of Central weathering Dani Texas heat in Linthicum April, I have come up with some rules for marrying summer-like weather and the responsibilities of school.

1.

Studying does not need to be simply studying anymore. With this hot weather, studying can be a downright vacation. You think I’m kidding. Drive out to a park with a beach towel and a textbook, and soak up rays with your skin while your

After three years of weathering Texas heat in April, I have come up with some rules for marrying summer-like weather and the responsibilities of school. brain soaks up useful information. If you happen to fall asleep, no worries. It’s almost summer, right? Besides, sleep helps you think and remember better, or at least that’s what you should tell yourself.

You might also want to pack a spray bottle of water for if the sun gets too hot, and if you squint just right, the mesquite might look like stunted palm trees — and maybe that spray bottle is really pounding surf — c’mon, now, use your imagination.

2.

Now, when you’re on your way to the park (ahem — Caribbean) make a well-earned stop for a Cajun Cone. For less than $2, your study session can be greatly sweetened.

3.

Air conditioning is overrated, so open up the win-

dows. Even if you’re stuck inside writing a paper, the warm breeze coming in your window will bring you summer dreams and inspiration.

4.

Make good use of unconventional vantage points.

Rooftops and tree branches both make excellent places for deep conversations, shared pints of ice cream and harassing passing vehicles. Sitting up high will clear your head and make you feel summery — trust me. Just don’t blame the Optimist if you hurt yourself climbing. We can’t help it if you’re not coordinated.

5.

Barefoot is the way to be. No wonder Hobbits are always cheerful, their feet are unconfined by stuffy shoes and strict regulations. In Abilene, going unshod is accompanied with an even great-

er thrill: dodging the killer stickers and burrs that hide in nearly all harmless-looking foliage. And you thought there wasn’t anything exciting to do here. If dodging life-threatening grass isn’t an adrenaline rush, I don’t know what is.

6.

Use any and every swimming pool you can, even if it’s located at an apartment where you don’t technically live. If that doesn’t work out, at least have a water fight.

Squirt guns and water balloons are the toys of genius, and the look on someone’s face when they are unexpectedly ambushed is always priceless.

So there you have it. Six ways to make the end-of-semester crunch go with the summer weather.

Go study hard, play hard and get tan. After all, that’s what college is all about.

E-mail Linthicum at: del01a@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu

SA runoff election poorly handled I am concerned about how the re-voting for Students’ Association vice president was handled. I do not think it is fair to hold elections for the student government while the majority of the students do not know about the election, much less even on campus. I believe a fair election

Letter to the Editor Student asks for a more fair runoff election process for SA vice president.

should be held when the majority of people are on campus and not trying to leave for a

holiday weekend. If you want a great government, you will not exclude part of the population you are attempting to represent.

The numbers attained in Thursday’s re-vote does not even come close to representing the student body. They do not even compare to the num-

bers attained Wednesday.

I believe a be considered start the new fair foot.

Tuesday and revote should if you want to year off on a

Myranda Fontenot senior psychology major from Tyler

The miracles of Jesus day in just the right year in came under attack earlier just the right decade when this month when a scientist the Middle East temperatheorized that Jesus did tures just happen to drop not walk on below freezing right after a water across rain shower so that the ice the Sea of would have been particuGalilee. larly hard to see.

The sciNot exactly a sure thing. entist’s conFor all their skepticism clusion: Je- about the phenomena ocsus walked curring in the world, I’ve on a thin, come to realize that scienAsk the near invis- tists actually might be the Question ible sheet of most optimistic people out Jonathan ice. there.

Smith The headWho else would be satislines of this fied and confident with exstory that started appearing plaining a miracle using a online two weeks ago made natural phenomenon that ocme chuckle by themselves curs once every 1,000 years? because I wondered who I’d be laughed out of was making almost any comsuch a claim munity if I tried to and how they hypothesize or theFor all their came about orize about someskepticism about thing based on 1this assertion. the phenomena in-1,000 odds, but But the details of this occurring in the with odds like that, story went world, I’ve come apparently I could beyond being get VIP-treatment to realize that funny into the in the scientific scientists realm of being community. downright sad. actually might be Numbers, probDoron Nof, abilities and ratios the most a Florida State optimistic people all help make up University the data scientists out there. professor of use to make their oceanography, educated decisaid conditions could have sions. They use them every converged to create a patch day. That’s why it perplexes of ice on the water that Je- me that scientists like Nof sus used to walk on 2,000 seemingly ignore the numyears ago. bers behind his own data.

But this is no ordinary No probability is too patch of ice Nof suggested small for some if it dishere. This was a near invis- counts the divine work of a ible patch of ice in freshwa- creator. ter near a particularly salty But at what point does it section of the sea. become more probable to Nof said his studies have believe that Jesus simply deshown that during two cold fied the laws of nature when periods between 2,500 and he walked across the Sea of 1,500 years ago, tempera- Galilee than basing your tures dropped to 25 de- disbelief on a near invisible grees Fahrenheit for a few sheet of ice that could have days during the decades in developed only a few times which Jesus lived creating in the past 12,000 years? the conditions for ice to deI would say the odds are velop in small sections of not too good that we will the water. see a great reversal among Nof admits that this ice scientists who will now enprobably forms only once dorse the miraculous works every 1,000 years, but when of God and Jesus. Maybe 1 Jesus was alive he said it in 1 million. may have occurred once evBut who knows: In toery 30 to 60 years. day’s scientific community, Even so, for Nof’s theo- those odds just might be ry to be true, Jesus would good enough. have to have been walking by freshwater near a particularly salty section of E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu the sea on just the right

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

Scientist’s theory walks on thin ice

Alex York

April brings blend of sun, school

Remember the basic safety habits: Don’t jog alone at night, be aware of your surroundings, always make sure someone knows where you are and carry a cell phone with you any time you might face a dangerous situation.

If you ever feel that you are in a compromising position, or feel unsafe, the ACU Police Department is here to serve you.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help should you need it.

Enjoy the new walk/jog track but don’t let yourself become complacent about safety.

Editorial and Management Board Jonathan Smith

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Newsroom: (325) 674-2439

Sports desk: (325) 674-2684

Editor in Chief

Dani Linthicum

Jared Fields

Christi Stark

Mallory Sherwood

Opinion Editor

Sports Editor

Advertising Manager

Managing Editor

Brian Schmidt

Sarah Carlson

Kenneth Pybus

Jaci Schneider

Chief Photographer

Arts Editor

Adviser

Copy Editor

Photo department: (325) 674-2499

Advertising office: (325) 674-2463

Subscriptions ($40/academic year): (325) 674-2296.

Online: www.acuoptimist.com

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Page 7

FROM THE FRONT PAGE AND SPORTS

Elections: Saab, Track: Teams travel for meets Williams win Continued from page 1 general election represented approximately a 300 vote increase beyond last year’s voting, an increase Booker credited to good campaigning by the candidates and better awareness among the students about the election.

Saab and Williams will spend the last few weeks of school spending time in the SA office with Booker and Justin Scott, current SA president, learning more specifics about the

Continued from page 8

positions for which they were hired.

Saab said he looks forward to beginning to write out the vision for next year’s Congress and deciding what the priorities will be.

Saab, Williams and Cosgrove will first interview candidates for and select an SA secretary in the coming weeks then will appoint administrative officers to fill out next year’s cabinet of officers.

E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu

Renovations: Other halls scheduled Continued from page 1 The projected cost for the entire remodel is $1.8 million.

Residence Life Education and Housing dictated the rescheduling in conjunction with Administrative Services, said Kevin Watson, associate vice president for Administrative Services.

Sikes Hall opened in 1977 and honored W.C. Sikes and his wife, Vera, by naming the hall after them. W.C.

Sikes was a professor of math from 1941-59, and his wife Vera served as dean of women 1948-63.

On the docket for this summer’s projects include the remodeling of the vanity mirrors and sinks in each room of Gardner Hall, a freshman women’s hall.

Also, the Mabee Hall parking lots will be resurfaced.

the disciplines the college, the second largest in the university, will include.

She taught in two departments and three programs since she came to ACU in 1990.

She taught in the Department of Education until 1995 when she worked on her doctorate.

She returned in 1998 and wrote on a grant in special education.

In 1999 she worked in communication disorders.

“I loved every sample that I’ve had, and so when I looked at the composition of the new college it was very appealing to me,” she said. “[Being] the dean of College of Education gives me an opportunity to work with a group of colleagues who are from professions that just naturally fit together.”

The college will include the departments of education, social work, speech language pathology, health education and nutrition.

“Professionals from all of those fields find themselves working together in the workplace every day, and I think the new college provides us an opportunity to work together here and to see our students developing a collaborative way of working together in a way they’ll be working when they get out into the real world,” she said.

North Texas Spring Classic Several athletes also competed in the North Texas Spring Classic in Denton, with just one athlete posting a new qualifying time and two more posting improved times.

Freshman Mary Mwangi was the only new qualifier for the Wildcats, finishing eighth in the 800-meter run with a provisional time of 2:17.31. ACU junior Denise Morgan, who has already qualified provisionally and holds the top time in the nation, finished fourth in the event with a time of 2:12.03, while sophomore Venessa Whittle placed seventh with an improved provisional time of 2:11.5.

Junior Keva Wilkins improved her nation-leading provisional time to 54.04 in

Tenure: Ten faculty awarded this spring Continued from page 1

E-mail Thompson at: optimist@acu.edu

Dean: New college to open this fall Continued from page 1

about being ahead of [Harris]. I lost a split second and it was a fight all the way to the finish.”

She said she wants to take the departments to a high level, reaching for excellence in teaching and scholarship, and she said interconnection of different disciplines plays an important role in that goal.

Dr. Carol Williams, dean of Graduate School and Associate Provost for Research and Service, who served as chair for the selection committee said she is confident that Breeding will do just that.

“Dr. Breeding exhibits a strong yet collaborative leadership style,” she said. “Her experience and background make her a good fit for this position.”

One of the ways she said she would like to see interdisciplinary community in the college is to have students of different focuses work together on researching and publishing findings together.

She said she would also like to see the college become involved in serving the community.

“Abilene is a community that, like other communities, has real problems and we can be a part of that solution,” she said. “I’d like to see us interface with the Abliene community in whatever ways the departments want to do.

E-mail Knight at: tnk03a@acu.edu

the 400-meter dash, winning the event.

Several more athletes competed in Denton, but were unable to post new or improved qualifying marks or times.

Their next chance to do so will be at the Lone Star Conference Championships, to take place Friday and Saturday in Stephenville.

Kryv’yak said team unity and encouragement will be more important than ever going into the final meets of the season and eventually the NCAA Division II National Championships, which will take place May 25-27 in Emporia, Kan. “I feel like we have a reGARY RHODES/Contributing Photographer ally strong team,” she said.

Elton Garus-Oab, senior sprinter from Namibia, prepares for the LSC “If everybody concentrated Championships this weekend at Stephenville. and was not afraid to give their best in the race, we can do well.” er said. “We can have more al events, plus both the 4x100Bien-Aime said the men’s than two guys in each event and 4x400-meter relays. To team is taking things one meet as far as the sprints are con- date, the men have qualified at a time, beginning with this cerned. As far as distance, they 11 athletes in nine individual weekend’s conference meet. always handle their business.” events, plus both relays.

“I feel like we have a lot of The ACU women have qualidepth on the team,” the sprint- fied 14 athletes in 14 individuE-mail Holt at: optimist@acu.edu

sions and be committed to the mission of the university and the religious heritage.”

VanRheenen said the university wants good teachers to stay at the university until they retire.

“We’re confident that they’re good people and ef-

fective teachers,” he said.

Dr. Mark Hamilton, associate professor in the Graduate School of Theology, received tenure in January and said he began working on his portfolio the day he arrived on campus.

“It’s a relief, I guess,” Hamilton said.

“You have a sense that

all this work has gotten you to the stage you wanted to.”

Hamilton said he learned how to be more of an intentional teacher and identified his blind spots through building his portfolio.

“I think I learned to be as intentional as I could be in everything I do,” he said.

Although receiving tenure was a relief, Hamilton said he’s still has goals to achieve.

“There’s always another promotion level in a few years,” he said.

E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu

Chili’s: Restaurant to bring many jobs Continued from page 1 she said.

The new restaurant will give students access to another big name sit-down restaurant. Students have already been able to dine at Cracker Barrel and Rosa’s Tortilla Factory.

“Its nice to have Cracker

Barrel, a nice sit-down restaurant here without having to drive across town,” Gravley said.

The closeness of the new restaurants, as well as the Super Wal-Mart is a relief to some students.

“With the combination of Wal-Mart and Rosa’s close to campus I hardly ever go

across town,” said Shaley Lucas, sophomore integrated marketing and communications major from Coppell.

“I will be more likely to frequent this Chili’s than the one across town.”

Johnson, who has opened one other Chili’s during his eleven and a half years with the company, said the hard-

est part of opening a store is getting his staff trained and ready to go.

“The hardest part is getting staffed up and everything in a brand new restaurant that is going to do an extra high volume of business with 140 new people,” he said.

E-mail Rhodes at: optimist@acu.edu

Sabbatical: Professors to leave next year Continued from page 1 Those leaving on sabbatical are: Dr. Cheryl Bacon, chair of journalism and mass communication; Mr. Robert Green, professor of art and design; Dr. Fred Bailey, professor of history; Dr. Foy Mills, professor of agricultural and environmental sciences; Dr. Tim Coburn, professor of management sciences; Dr. Donald Isenhower, professor of physics; and Dr. Ken Cukrowski, professor in the Graduate School of Theology.

Bailey is taking next spring off to dedicate time to writing a book, currently titled Tri-

umph of Aristocracy.

The book will be a culmination of about 20 years of research Bailey has done into the mindset of the southern white aristocrat during the late 19th and early 20th century.

Bailey said he wants the book to be an explanation of why the civil rights movement had such a hard time catching up in the South.

“I want to get these thoughts out for other historians to look at,” Bailey said.

“Just as a mortician looks at death, I look at understanding why society has had such a difficult time.”

Isenhower will be on leave

for the entire 2006-07 school year. Isenhower, in his 20th year teaching at ACU, has been on leave twice before, in the early ’90s and the spring of 1998.

He will be gone during the summer to work at Brookhaven national lab before returning to Abilene for most of the school year. In Abilene, his salary will be supplemented by some of the work he will do and grants he will receive.

“It will be a great way for me to fill the other half of my salary,” Isenhower said.

He said one grant is for three years and will pay $150,000 —$180,000 to students’ sala-

ries who work in the program also.

Isenhower will also be part of a small business innovative research program. The business could help the community and university by giving faculty a place to do other work or bring in more people capable of teaching and working on research.

Isenhower also said the school might benefit financially by being associated with it and getting money through patents the research could generate.

E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu

Page 8

April 19, 2006

Wildcats trample Javelinas n The baseball team won three of four against Texas A&M-Kingsville as senior Joel Wells set the single-season home run record with his 13th of the year.

n The men’s and women’s tennis teams begin play in the LSC Championships on Thursday and Friday in Wichita Falls after playing D-I teams last week.

By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Writer

The No. 4 Wildcat baseball team continued its regular season success and retained its first place conference standing Easter weekend. The team extended its record to 84 and 31-13 overall with three wins over Texas A&M-Kingsville at Crutcher Scott Field.

In addition to the team’s overall success this weekend, designated hitter Joel Wells reserved his spot in the history books by breaking the single season home run record with his 13th homer in game three of the series.

While the rest of the campus was taking a break on Good Friday, the Wildcats’ pitching led the charge on a two game sweep in the first day of action.

The Wildcats dealt Kingsville pitcher Chris White his first loss of the season in the 4-3 victory of game one.

Brian Kennedy led off for the Wildcats, allowing only three runs in six innings and striking out the Kingsville lineup four times. After the Kingsville Javelinas took an initial one run lead in the fourth, the Wildcats’ scored two in the fifth off of RBI from both shortstop Ruben Rivera and first basemen Danny Williams. Kingsville took the lead once more in the seventh with two more runs, and after the Wildcats scored two more of their own, Rivera took the mound and recorded his fifth save of the season.

In game two, Wildcat ace Chris Wiman became the star of the day once he pitched a one-hit treasure for his sev-

Standings BASEBALL Team Div. ACU 8-4 Angelo St. 8-4 TAMU-K 6-6 WTAMU 5-7 Tarleton St. 5-7 4-8 ENMU

Overall 33-11 31-14 31-13 20-23 16-30 22-26

Team ACU TX Woman’s Angelo St. ENMU TAMU-K

Tarleton St.

Div. 15-3 12-5 11-7 11-9 8-9 9-15

By MICHAEL FREEMAN Sports Writer

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Ruben Rivera narrowly misses a line drive that falls into left field during ACU’s 12-9 victory Saturday.

Baseball enth win of the season. The only runs for the Wildcats in the 2-0 victory both came from a double and single off catcher Jordan Schmitt’s bat in the second and fourth innings. The two runs proved enough for the win, as Wiman only hit in the sixth inning. In addition to two RBI, Schmitt picked off two Javelinas attempting to steal second in the win.

“Despite having three bad starts before Friday night, my team stayed behind me, and that is mainly what did it,” Wiman said.

On Saturday, the Wildcats missed the opportunity to sweep the weekend after splitting two games with the Javelinas.

Following the previous day’s pitching duels, the two teams met in Saturday’s first game for an all out slugfest that ended with the Wildcats

on top 12-9. The Wildcats broke Kingsville’s original 21 lead with five runs in the third inning. Third baseman Alec Sowards led the rally with a RBI double and was followed by another RBI from center fielder Chris Walsh.

Rivera topped off the inning with a three run double pulling the Wildcats ahead 6-2.

Kingsville answered right back with five runs of its own the following inning, pulling ahead once more by a single run. The Javelina lead didn’t last the inning, however, as the Wildcats capitalized on an error to score three runs off another single from Rivera. Right fielder Minor Alexander added to the new lead with an RBI that brought in Rivera. The Wildcats final two runs came from Wells’ record-breaking home run in the fifth inning. Wells set the new record at 13 after overcoming ACU alumni Brad Massey and Brandon McNab.

n ACU will compete in Stephenville on Friday and Saturday for the LSC Championships as coach Hood looks to win his first LSC title.

Sports Writer

Overall 35-14 24-31 29-22 31-19 21-26 24-21

Scores Friday

softball ACU 5, Cameron 1 Cameron 7, ACU 6 baseball ACU 4, Texas A&M-Kingsville 3 ACU 2, Texas A&M-Kingsville 2

Saturday baseball ACU 12, Texas A&M-Kingsville 9 Texas A&M-Kingsville 13, ACU 1

Upcoming Schedule

“Honestly, I never even thought about breaking a record,” Wells said. “I always expect to do well, and it feels great to be in the company of a past mentor like Brad Massey.”

The Wildcats failed to carry over their offensive success to the final game against Kingsville, falling 13-1. The Javelinas took advantage of three defensive errors on the Wildcats’ part and rocked starting pitcher Jason Kennedy in his first loss of the season. Kingsville’s Brandon Hevner held the Wildcats to five hits and a single run. Despite the loss, freshman pitcher Matt Sullivan struck out five Javelinas in two innings pitched.

The Wildcats switched out pitchers four times in the final game, as they continue to search for a consistent fourth starter.

E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu

The tennis teams returned this week from a tough road trip against three Division I schools.

The women smashed Texas Southern University 81, but were swept 7-0 by Rice University and Southern Methodist University.

On the season, the women have a record of 24-6.

Friday, the Wildcat women traveled to Houston to face Rice and Texas Southern. In the morning, Rice beat ACU 7-0.

“We didn’t make a dent in the scoreboard,” head coach Hutton Jones said.

“But if anyone were to witness the matches, they would see that our play was really competitive.”

That afternoon, the women bounced back against TSU. ACU downed Texas Southern 8-1. Jones said he was very pleased with the win against Texas Southern, a Division I team.

The following day, the Wildcats took on Southern Methodist in Dallas. SMU beat ACU 7-0.

“This weekend did what it was supposed to do,” Jones said. “And, it was supposed to prepare us for the conference tournament.”

The men defeated Texas Southern 5-2, and the men’s record is 18-8.

On April 12, the men also prepared for the Lone Star Conference tournament by playing Texas Southern, a team that is un-

Tennis defeated in its conference.

ACU downed TSU 5-2.

“The men picked up a real good win,” Jones said.

The men were scheduled to play Rice University as well, but Rice cancelled the match because its players experienced cramps.

Both Wildcat teams played Tyler Junior College and Howard Payne University on Tuesday as a final tune-up before the Lone Star Conference Championships in Wichita Falls on Thursday and Friday.

The seeding chart for the championship tournament will not be revealed until Wednesday night.

Jones said he expects both ACU teams to have the No. 1 seed going into the tournament. Jones also said if the draw plays out as he anticipates, then the ACU men will face the University of Central Oklahoma, a team that defeated the Wildcats on April 8, in the second round.

“I really look forward to getting back on the court against Central Oklahoma,” Jones said. Jones also said he awaits the time when both Wildcat teams take the court this Thursday.

“I think the trick for both teams is that we need to go out there this weekend like we’re holding all of the cards,” Jones said. “We’re going to have to be at our best. We’ve got to carry ourselves confidently but take it to them like we’re the underdogs.”

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu

Track competes at Mt. SAC and North Texas

By STEVE HOLT

SOFTBALL

Tennis tunes-up before conference

Once again Thursday, Nicodemus Naimadu demonstrated why he is one of the best collegiate distance runners in America, regardless of division.

The Narok, Kenya, native set a new school record in the 5,000-meter run, placing ninth in a stacked field of past and future Olympians at the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif. Naimadu crossed the finish line as the fourth collegian with a time of 13:34.98, bettering former Wildcat star Alfred Rugema’s previous school record of 13:38.66.

Naimadu, an eight-time national champion in cross country and track and field, had a previous personal best time of 13:39.37, set in 2005. Better training and world-class competition seemed to be all the sophomore needed to lower that time, however.

Ironically, head coach Don Hood said Naimadu reported not feeling 100 percent before the race.

Track & Field “You could tell he didn’t feel his best, and he didn’t look as smooth or as confident as he normally does,” Hood said. “But he just flat ran tough and held on and held on and held on.

To feel bad and still run a school record — that’s impressive.”

Naimadu was not the only distance runner to shine at the prestigious Mt. SAC meet. Junior Trina Cox placed second in the women’s Olympic Development University/Open 5,000-meter run with a personal best and automatic qualifying time of 16:32.35. Another qualifier was senior Olha Kryv’yak, who won the university/open 1,500meter run with a provisional time of 4:30.17.

Kryv’yak said she felt better Thursday than she has all season, and feels confident about what the future holds for her and for the Wildcat women.

“This weekend I felt good for the first time this season,” Kryv’yak said. “Right now I am practicing a lot more, and I am in a good mood to go forward.”

Kryv’yak has not yet run the 3,000

meters this season, an event in which she finished second at the 2005 outdoor national meet. Kryv’yak will attempt to qualify in the event at the Lone Star Conference meet Friday and Saturday.

Two more distance runners posted provisional qualifying times in the 10,000 meters. Freshman Serge Gasore placed third in the event with a time of 29:53.23, followed by teammate Philip Birgen in seventh place with a time of 30:15.85.

The only other qualifier at Mt. SAC was Marvin Bien-Aime, who placed second with a strong provisional time of 21.19 in the 200-meter dash. An added bonus was that the junior defeated Otis Harris, a 2004 silver medalist in the 200 meters and gold medalist in the 4x400meter relay.

“That tripped me out, man,” BienAime said about racing the Olympian. “On the curve, I pulled away from him quick. When I saw that I was ahead of him at the straight, I started to tighten up because I wasn’t thinking about the race, I was thinking See

TRACK page 7

gary rhodes/Contributing Photographer

Sophomore Nick Moore, from Amarillo, practices the pole vault for this weekend’s LSC Championships in Stephenville.

Thursday tennis ACU at LSC Championships, Wichita Falls

Friday softball ACU vs. Texas Woman’s, 5 p.m.

(DH) tennis ACU at LSC Championships, Wichita Falls track & Field ACU at LSC Championships, Stephenville baseball ACU at Eastern New Mexico, 2 p.m. (DH)

Saturday Track & field ACU at LSC Championships, Wichita Falls baseball ACU at Eastern New Mexico, noon (DH) Softball ACU vs. Texas Woman’s, 1 p.m.

(DH)

• Home games listed in italics

Softball plays non-division teams before LSC home series n The Wildcats went 2-2 against LSC North teams Cameron and Midwestern State and resume LSC South play at home this weekend against Texas Woman’s.

By ASHLEY MOORE Sports Writer

The Wildcats split pairs of games with Midwestern State and Cameron on the road last weekend. All four games were non-division games, which brings their overall record to 35-14.

The team remains in second place (15-3) behind Midwestern State in the Lone Star Conference.

ACU defeated the Mustangs 2-0 in the first game of a double-header on Thursday.

Softball Neither team scored until the seventh inning when Jade Wilson hit a single to left field for the Wildcats. Claudia Stephens and Allison Crouse both scored runs to give ACU the win. The Wildcats dropped the second game, allowing the Mustangs to score one run in the fifth for a 1-0 shutout.

“We had good, strong hits that were strung together for a majority of our points in the games we won,” said junior infielder Nicole Deel.

Friday, the Wildcats began the day with a 5-1 win over Cameron. Jennifer Leal improved her pitching record to 20-3, also pitching the first game against Midwestern.

The Wildcats scored early in the game with an RBI by Jessica Johnson in the first. Jenna Daugherty homered in the top of the fifth, followed by a run by Crouse’s single through the right side.

Daugherty then hit a Leal two-RBI single to second base allowing Deel and Heather Krumpols to score. Cameron scored on a home run in the final inning but gave up the game to the Wildcats.

“The key to winning the [first] game was scoring runs throughout the game with

another solid pitching effort

by Jennifer Leal,” said coach Chantiel Wilson.

ACU couldn’t pull out a second win against the Lady Aggies, falling 7-6.

The Wildcats scored six runs early in the first three innings. Cameron chipped away each time they scored a run and came back to win in the seventh inning, Wilson said.

Johnson and Deel each hit two-run home runs. Lorena Arreguin helped with a single in the first inning and home run in the third.

“We didn’t capitalize our plays when we had runners in scoring positions, which is why we lost by only one point each time,” Deel said.

As the Wildcats start wind-

ing down regular season play, she said the team is working on staying consistent as they prepare for the postseason.

“We just did not get the hits when we needed them,” Wilson said. “We need to get back on track with our aggressive style of play and look to win all of our games this weekend to get us on a roll. When the post-season arrives you need to win all of your games.”

The Wildcats play Texas Woman’s Friday and Saturday at home to complete their division play. It will be broadcast locally on KYYW 1470 AM and on the Internet at http://www. teamline.cc. The LSC tournament is April 27-29 in Irving.

E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu