2006 05 05

Vol. 94, No. 54 1 section, 10 pages

FRIDAY

May 5, 2006

www.acuoptimist.com

‘United’ stands strong

Feeling adventurous

Tourney time

United 93 portrays one of the hijacked flights from the Sept. 11 attacks, page 5

The Outdoor Club will help sponsor an adventure race Saturday, page 3

The Wildcats will play in the LSC tournament this weekend, page 10

Barnard to change positions in June

The final countdown

n Dr. Wayne Barnard will leave his old post as dean of Campus Life to fill the newly created role of dean of spiritual formation this summer.

By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor

Dr. Wayne Barnard will no longer serve as dean of Campus Life beginning June 1, said Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, on Thursday. Barnard, who has served as dean of Campus Life since 1996, will be the university’s first dean of spiritual formation, a position the university has been wanting to fill for three years, Money said.

As dean of spiritual formation, Barnard’s responBarnard sibilities will include: helping Shane Hughes, Chapel coordinator, plan Chapel; working with Abilene churches to connect students with a ministry; assessing the student body in relation to spiritual practices; integrating faith and learning in connection with the Adams Center for Teaching Excellence to equip faculty with how to instill spiritual disciplines in their See

DEAN page 7

Centennial Campaign still lacks $43 million

Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer

Ruth Kelly, senior math and biology major from Pasadena, and Amy “Pockets” Neimeyer, senior math major from Midland, work on final projects and study for exams in the Library Commons on Tuesday. Students will begin taking finals Monday evening, and some will run as late as 2 p.m. May 12.

n Students scurry to finish class projects and begin studying or cramming for final exams, which begin Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Copy Editor

With finals week looming, students have begun scrambling to refine papers, finish projects and study for tests.

Finals week officially begins at the end of Dead Day at 6:30 p.m. Monday and continues through the week, with each regularly scheduled class given a two-hour time slot between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Although professors urge students to begin studying early for their final tests, many will stay up late at night See

Monday

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8-10 a.m.

ACCT 210/211 ENGL 003, 106, 107, 111/112

CHEM 133/134 HIST 221/222

1 p.m. MWF

8 a.m. MWF

10 a.m.-noon

8 a.m. TR

MATH 120/130 MATW 120/130

Noon TR

9:30 a.m. TR

Noon-2 p.m.

3 p.m. TR

9 a.m. MWF

COMS 111/112

1:30 p.m. TR

2-4 p.m.

10 MWF

2 p.m. MWF

3 p.m. MWF

4 p.m. MWF

Noon MWF 4:30 p.m. TR

4-6 p.m.

6:30-8:30 p.m.

6/6:30 p.m. M

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EXAMS page 7

By JONATHAN SMITH Editor in Chief

See

Exam time

By JACI SCHNEIDER

n Campaign director Phil Boone said he still is confident the $150 million goal can be reached by the original deadline set for Dec. 31.

The Centennial Campaign sits at $107 million as this academic year comes to a close — $43 million short of where the university would like to be by the end of December — said Phil Boone, director of the Centennial Campaign.

Despite the difference, Boone said he is confident the $150 million goal can be reached by the Dec. 31 deadline set more than two years ago.

Boone “We feel very positive,” Boone said. “We are certainly grateful to God for his blessings at this point to our efforts. We are very grateful for the way alumni and friends have supported our campaign.”

Final Exam Schedule (May 8-12)

Graduation information for seniors • Seniors can pick up caps and gowns at The Campus Store during finals weeks. At this time, they should check to make sure they have the proper color hood.

• Rehearsal for the colleges of Biblical Studies and Business Administration and the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing will be at 3 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. The College of Arts and Sciences rehearsal is at 4 p.m. in Moody.

• Each graduate and escort are expected to attend rehearsal. Those unable to attend should contact the Registrar’s Office for more information.

• Graduates should bring their caps and hoods to rehearsal.

CAMPAIGN page 7

Graduation nears for seniors n With commencement ceremonies eight days away, seniors need to remember to purchase caps and gowns in The Campus Store next week before the May 12 rehearsal.

By NATHAN DRISKELL Student Reporter

With graduation deadlines behind them, graduation candidates have only to pick up their gown and mortarboards next week, attend their respective commencement rehearsals and walk across the stage May 13.

On May 12, two commencement rehearsals will

take place, as opposed to previous years when all candidates participated in a single rehearsal. Registrar Danelle Brand said she thinks this will be an improvement on previous years.

“I think it’s going to work better because each group can actually walk through the rehearsal, whereas that didn’t happen before,” Brand said.

Brand advised all graduating students to check to make sure their hood is the right color for their department when they pick up their gowns and mortarboards at The Campus Store next week.

“Usually one is mispackaged, and if [students] could just catch it while they are there, it would save time,” Brand said.

Rehearsals on May 12 will take place at 3 p.m. for the College of Biblical Studies, the College of Business Administration and the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing; and at 4 p.m. for the College of Arts and Sciences. All candidates for graduation are expected to attend, along with their escorts.

Brand said the rehearsSee

COMMENCEMENT page 6

New campus coffee shops coexist n Anthony Williams, director of retail and purchasing, said although Starbucks’ opening has had some effect on Java City’s business, both shops continue to perform well.

By KELSI PEACE Staff Writer

Anna Carroll/Staff Photographer

Chris Coggin, junior communication major from Pflugerville, and Ryan Bowman, senior communication major from Orlando, Fla., order at the Starbucks in the Learning Commons of the Brown Library on Thursday.

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

With the opening of the new Starbucks in the Learning Commons, many thought The Den would face hardships as students stopped buying Java City coffee in

favor of Starbucks.

Anthony Williams, director of retail and purchasing, said although the Starbucks “certainly has some effect on Java City,” sales have not decreased as much as expected.

Williams also said among the 30-40 students he has spoken to about Starbucks, most have expressed a “high level of satisfaction” with the facility.

“Starbucks is doing bet-

ter than what we forecasted,” Williams said.

Williams said he is meeting weekly with his staff to determine how to improve both the Java City and the Starbucks.

The Starbucks in the Learning Commons is at the “Proudly Brew” level, which means while the coffee being served is Starbucks, some products, such as the cold beverages, are not the Starbucks brand.

However, Williams said,

Abilene Christian University

managers have “been pursuing” a full license, and hope to achieve it during the summer.

Williams said the prestige and image associated with Starbucks would improve the facility in the Learning Commons. Student feedback has supported this idea, he said.

Starbucks and Java City, Williams said, are “both important because they fit difSee

COFFEE page 7

Serving the ACU community since 1912

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Friday, May 5, 2006

05

Calendar & Events Friday

Last day of classes.

Survival Kits pre-order, 7 a.m.11:45 a.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Craft Fair, 5-10 p.m., Campus Center Hilton Room.

Shinnery Review book sale, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center.

Nelson Luau sign-ups, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

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Saturday

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Sunday

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Monday

Announcements

Linda Lei Senior Cello Recital, 8 p.m., Recital Hall.

Brass Choir Studio Recital, 3 p.m., Recital Hall.

Year-end Recycling, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., between Mabee Business Building and Gardener Hall.

Volunteer Opportunities Thomas Elementary is seeking 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 ends Friday. Hours are from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

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 an e-mail to UniversityEvents@acu. edu. Applicants must include

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

For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

A family from Burundi currently living in Abilene needs students who can periodically provide transportation for shopping and other needs.

Contact Susan Moellinger at abileneed@capitalsenior.com or call 793-1144.

Dead Day Recycling will offer students a chance to give away their unwanted clutter in exchange for free Cajun Cones.

There will be a truck from Goodwill on campus on Dead Day to take donations. Donors will receive a free Cajun Cone. More details will be available on my.ACU soon.

Graduating Seniors can purchase their caps and gowns in The Campus Store during finals week.

The ACU Garage sale has moved from Bennett Gym to Scruggs Gymnasium in the Gibson Physical Education Building next to Moody Coliseum due to an increase in size. The Garage sale begins at 8 a.m.

May 18 and May 20.

Transfer group leaders are needed for Welcome Week 2006. For more information, email Casey Thomas at clt03e@ acu.edu. There will be an interview and a short information sheet to fill out.

Students can register to compete or volunteer for the Red Dirt Adventure Challenge on Saturday at Lake Abilene.

Adventure Race includes two miles by canoe, six miles by bike, and two miles by foot plus three challenges For more information, visit: http://www. acu.edu/students/outdoorclub/ rdac.html Hosted by: ACU

Outdoor Club and HSU Outdoor Adventures. Currently sponsored by: BikeTown, Clif Bars, Crux Climbing, Family Life Center, and Moosejaw Mountaineering.

The Admissions Office is looking for students to work this summer on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5-10 p.m. Employers seek students with an outgoing personality, excellent work ethic, diverse ACU knowledge, modest technical skills for light data entry, phone skills and first-rate interpersonal communication skills. For more information email rag02f@acu.edu or contact Ricardo at 674-5161.

Students can vote for Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys to compete to play at Cornerstone Festival in Bushnel, Ill. Cornerstone is the largest Christian music festival in the world with an annual attendance of nearly 40,000 people. Visit http://www.cornerstonefestival. com/newbandshowcase.cfm to vote. Voting ends May 28.

About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities.

Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor, ACU Box 27892, Abilene, TX 79699.

To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

Credited Chapels remaining:

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Friday, May 5, 2006

Outdoor Club to race HSU n The university’s Outdoor Club will race Hardin-Simmons’ Outdoor Adventures in a threepart Red Dirt Adventure Challenge on Saturday at Lake Abilene.

By SHERRI SNYDER Student Reporter

The ACU Outdoor Club will team with the Hardin-Simmons University Outdoor Adventures for a two-mile canoe, six-mile bike and two-mile foot race at 10 a.m. Saturday at Lake Abilene for the first annual Red Dirt Adventure Challenge.

The idea of the race is for those with the common interest of the outdoors and competition to get together.

“We want to get people out — to challenge them with a good, fun race,” said Dusty Vaughn, senior biology major from Nashville, Tenn., and president of the Outdoor Club.

Teams of two to six people will compete in various options for participation.

One option is the Pair Team.

Two people will stay side-byside throughout the entire race and cross the line together.

Page 3

CAMPUS NEWS

Next is the Relay Team; up to six people create one team that will designate two people for each of the three different components. The Potluck option allows participants to join with friends and take their chances of being teamed up with other competitors to create a team.

Three obstacles that require the participant to use athletic as well as mental skills will be placed throughout the course.

Vaughn said this will allow contestants to drink water and rest before continuing the race.

First, second and third place awards will be given for each division. Various sponsors such as the Family Life Center, United Supermarkets and Academy will provide the contestants and volunteers with water, food, T-shirts and prizes such as sporting equipment and gym memberships.

Vaughn said he expects about 17 people to participate in the race but hopes next year’s race will be even bigger.

Ambulances will be on site in case of emergencies, and signs will point volunteers, contestants and spectators to the race

Serving up some Sharky’s

Adventure Facts: • The race between HSU and ACU consists of: - two-mile canoe race - six-mile bike race - two-mile foot race • The event will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at Lake Abilene

at Abilene State Park.

Erin Clardy, senior biochemistry major from Woodbridge, Va., is the Red Dirt Adventure chair. Although she won’t be competing, she said she is excited about the concept of the race.

“We’re doing it for the experience,” she said. “It gives people the opportunity to participate in something usually only in big cities.”

For more information, go to http://www.acu.edu/students/ outdoorclub/rdac.html.

E-mail Snyder at: optimist@acu.edu

Emerald McGowan/Staff Photographer

Kimberly Powell, sophomore accounting major from Franklin, Tenn., loads a burrito for Jeff Duncan, junior accounting major from Colleyville, at Sharky’s Burritos in the United Shopping Center on Judge Ely Boulevard on Thursday.

Mr., Miss ACU awards decided by handful of votes n The winners of the Mr. and Miss ACU election will be announced with other awards during the Graduation Celebration at 8 p.m. at the campus mall area May 12.

By NATHAN DRISKELL Student Reporter

Voting results have been tallied for the Mr. and Miss ACU elections, and one race came down to a single vote, said Jordan Williams, vice president of the Students’ Association.

Although the winners will not be announced until the Graduation Celebration on May 12, Williams said all the candidates would make

good winners.

“It was very, very close,” Williams said. “It took me a while, because I had to make sure.”

Williams said the Mr. ACU competition was the closest, with one vote separating the first-ranked candidate from the second. The competition for Miss ACU was within about six votes, Williams said.

Williams estimated about 450 students participated in voting for the nominees on April 25-26.

“I printed off 500 ballots, and almost all of them were used,” Williams said.

The Mr. and Miss ACU

elections were created to recognize individuals who exemplify characteristics such as good merit, leadership ability and involvement in the ACU community, Williams said.

Nominees for Mr. ACU were Brad Hoover, senior business management major from Allen; Chris Lee, senior biology major from Arlington; Jeff McCain, senior integrated marketing communication major from Liberty; Brad Powers, junior social studies major from Clovis, Calif.; Luke Reeves, senior communication major from Abilene; and Justin Scott, senior political science major

from Whitehouse.

Nominees for Miss ACU were Katie Hooper, senior speech pathology major from Amarillo; Jordan Isom, senior English major from Tuscola; Alex Lewis, senior communication major from Lake Jackson; Evan Lindsay, senior secondary science major from Houston; Ragan Rhodes, senior Bible and music interdisciplinary major from Fort Worth; and Kasey Spain, senior art major from Southlake.

Although Williams knows the results of the elections, he said he would not share them until they are announced officially. Williams

said he is confident that students will be satisfied whatever the outcome.

“They were all amazing candidates this year,” Williams said. “I’m pretty sure, no matter the turnout, I’m not going to be disappointed, and I think most people won’t be because they’re all great people who have impacted a lot of people on campus.”

Jama Cadle, coordinator of Alumni Events, said the Mr. and Miss ACU awards will be given with other graduation awards during the Graduation Celebration on the campus mall area May 12, beginning at 8 p.m.

“Every award we typically give at commencement will be given at the Graduation Celebration,” Cadle said.

Williams said the Mr. and Miss ACU election typically is viewed as a popularity contest, but he said he thinks students were objective with their votes.

“People at ACU do tend to be pretty discerning when it comes to things like that,” Williams said. “They don’t vote just for the people they know. They put aside personal feelings and vote for who they actually think is the best.”

E-mail Driskell at: optimist@acu.edu

Page 4

Friday, May 5, 2006

CAMPUS NEWS

Just doing my job

Seniors earn full rides to law school n Justin Scott, senior political science major from Whitehouse, and Melanie Booker, senior political science major from Sugar Land, earn scholarships.

By LISA SRIOBCHOEY Student Reporter

emerald mcgowan/Staff Photographer

Rachel Nood, junior accounting major from Grand Prairie, makes breadsticks at Pizza Hut in the Campus Center on Tuesday.

Two students received law scholarships to attend Baylor and Texas Tech universities next fall.

Every year, ACU recommends three students to law schools at Baylor, Texas Tech and Pepperdine universities.

Most of the students that ACU recommends receive a half-to full-tuition scholarship directly from these three schools, said Dr. Mel Hailey, pre-law adviser and chair of the Political Science Department.

Justin Scott, senior political science major from Whitehouse, received the scholarship to Baylor, and Melanie Booker, senior political science major from Sugar Land, received the scholarship to

Texas Tech. The scholarship recipient to Pepperdine is still considering whether to accept the scholarship, so the name has not been released.

Both scholarship recipients said they find the scholarship a big help.

“The benefit of this scholarship is more than words can describe,” Booker said. “It is a tremendous blessing for me and my family.”

Scott also said this scholarship will be incredibly beneficial.

“It will allow me to graduate from law school without a tremendous amount of debt,” Scott said. “Being able to attend a fine school such as Baylor with the help of a scholarship like this one is a dream come true.”

After law school, the two students plan to pursue different aspects of law. Booker intends to follow the area of criminal prosecution.

“I would eventually like to work in the District Attorney’s

office,” Booker said. “ACU has instilled in me a passion for justice and reconciliation, and I would love to work every day to bring justice and security into the lives of other people.”

Scott said he would like to go into the area of constitutional and appellate law.

“Constitutional Law, taught

by Dr. Neal Coates, was one of the most interesting courses that I took during my ACU career,” Scott said. “However, I would be remiss if I did not mention that one day I would love to be the team attorney for the Texas Rangers if they would hire me.”

Both students agreed that their education at ACU has helped them prepare for law school.

“My professors have prepared me both in and out of the classroom for this journey,” Booker said. “I am so blessed to have professors who have mentored me throughout my collegiate career.”

Scott said he appreciates the wide range of knowledge he gained at ACU. “I was exposed to a wide variety of ideas through the liberal arts system that ACU endorses,” Scott said. “I am thankful that I was able to have such an education.”

Any ACU students and graduates who wish to attend law school can apply for the law scholarships beginning after Thanksgiving every year.

The main criteria used to evaluate each scholarship applicant is the Law School Admission Test score, the applicants’ grade point average and the applicants’ personal qualities.

“We look at what the students have done while they were in ACU,” Hailey said. “Not only do the students have to be academically sound, they also have to serve as representatives of ACU to Baylor, Tech and Pepperdine.”

E-mail Sriobchoey at: optimist@acu.edu

Midnight ideal for breakfast Depot flourishes as one-stop shop n The Alumni Association’s annual event in the Bean on Monday will feature breakfast food, karaoke, door prizes and the chance to win $100.

By ZACH CUNNINGHAM Student Reporter

On Dead Day, students can take a break from studying to refuel at a Midnight Breakfast sponsored by the Alumni Association.

The Alumni Association will provide breakfast food, door prizes, karaoke and a $100 drawing. Samantha Adkins is the coordinator for Alumni Association events and is in charge of the breakfast.

“It should be a lot of fun for the students,” Adkins said.

Students will be able to attend the breakfast for the cost of one meal. If they do not

have a meal plan, students can pay $5 at the door.

Adam Ledbetter, freshman graphic design major from Farmersville, said he had fun at last semester’s breakfast.

“It was good to hang out with friends and get to use a meal plan, which I have a lot of,” Ledbetter said.

Jeff Dever, freshman nursing major from Temple, said he enjoyed the rare opportunity to stay out past curfew as well.

“Yeah, it was good to get to stay out past curfew,” Lever said. “It was funny to get to listen to bad people sing.”

Adkins said the breakfast this year will continue to include lots of prizes for students.

“There will be door prizes drawn every 15 minutes,” Adkins said. “The prizes are not below a $10 value and have

included gift cards from WalMart and Target in the past.”

Jana Hanner is one of the coordinators for the door prizes that will be given away this year.

“We will be giving away board games like Cranium,” Hanner said. “Also, Starbucks gift cards will be among the prizes as well as clothing from [The Campus Store].”

Students who are not present during the drawing and have their names called for a prize will not be able to claim it.

The breakfast begins at 10:30 p.m. and lasts until midnight. At midnight, the drawing for $100 will take place, and everyone will be eligible to win, even those who previously won door prizes.

E-mail Cunningham at: optimist@acu.edu

n Despite skepticism from other schools, The Depot has benefited students and helped increase productivity by combining several services into one location.

By ATSUMI SHIBATA Student Reporter

Students and staff regard The Depot’s first year as successful.

Last semester, The Depot received about 25,000 individual contacts, including phone calls and e-mails.

“It was beyond our best expectations,” said Kevin Roberts, director of re-engineering.

He said he believes The Depot is an outgrowth of ACU’s commitment to excellence, and it provides one of the best services for a university in the country.

“We have the broadest array of services of any place of the country,” he said.

Roberts said a one-stop shop like The Depot is unique compared to what many other universities in the country offer.

Karen Griffith, a student service specialist, said other universities were skeptical the concept would work.

“I think we are proving it’s working,” Griffith said. “It’s working well.”

Griffith, who used to work in the Registrar’s Office, said she receives positive feedback from students.

Ezekiel Walker, senior physics major from Dallas, went to get his new ID card at The Depot and said he was satisfied with the service.

“It was quick and friendly, just like customer services everywhere on campus,” Walker said.

Many students also like The Depot’s interior and the monitor at the front desk, which shows students detailed information about what they need.

Asami Yashiro, junior marketing major from Ibaraki, Japan, said the location makes The Depot even more convenient.

“It is so nice to have The Depot in the Campus Center,” Yashiro said. “Now we can get most of the services we need there.”

Students can take care of their bills, registration, financial aid, personal information and other paperwork.

Before The Depot was cre-

ated, these services were provided at 10 different offices in seven separate buildings. To provide all of those services, staff at The Depot has shared and trained through their experiences.

Another successful service has been the Depot tab on my.ACU, which allows students to check their academic status, registration, personal information and account balance.

“We are very pleased with how many things students can do whenever they want to,” Roberts said.

He said he monitors the data of The Depot’s service to make it better, and he’s pleased with how The Depot has been embraced by students.

“People use it,” he said.

“That’s good. We want to be busy. We are putting a lot of effort to try to continuously make this place better.”

Roberts said he is always anxious to hear from students and promised no suggestion goes unconsidered.

“Every day we learn more,” he said. “Every day we get better.”

E-mail Shibata at: optimist@acu.edu

May 5, 2006 Box Office Figures for the weekend of April 28-30, in millions.

Total grosses in parentheses.

1. R.V. — $16.4 (new) 2. United 93 — $11.5 (new) 3. Stick It — $10.8 (new) 4. Silent Hill— $9.3 ($34.3) 5. Scary Movie 4 — $7.8 ($78.2) 6. The Sentinel— $7.8 ($25.7) 7. Ice Age: The Meltdown — $7.2 ($177.9) 8. Akeelah and the Bee — $6 (new) 9. The Wild — $4.8 ($28.5) 10. The Benchwarmers— $4.4 ($52.8)

Today’s Movies Mission: Impossible III (PG-13) — starring Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Philip Seymour Hoffman; directed by J.J. Abrams.

The third installment of the blockbuster series helmed by the creator of Alias and Lost, J.J. Abrams. Hopefully, Cruise’s insane public behavior won’t hurt ticket sales. Fortunately, Philip Seymour Hoffman is amazing in everything he’s in, so he should serve as a saving grace for the film.

Hoot (PG) — starring Logan Lerman, Brie Larson, Luke Wilson; directed by Wil Shriner.

Based on a Newbery Honor-winning book, Hoot follows three middleschoolers as they fight land developers, corrupt politicians and inept cops to help protect Florida’s endangered owls.

Page 5

Sept. 11 tribute rolls into theatres, history

By SARAH CARLSON Arts Editor

United Airlines Flight 93 passenger Todd Beamer yelled “Let’s roll” on Sept.

11, 2001, as he and his fellow passengers stormed the cockpit of the hijacked plane, which crashed in a remote Pennsylvania field.

Actually, he yelled, “Let’s roll it,” as in “let’s roll the drink cart toward the cockpit door and use it as a ramrod,” according to the 9/11 Commission Report, but it doesn’t matter. The phrase caught on and signifies the courageous, innocent civilians aboard United 93 and their struggle to survive the terrifying situation.

The line is downplayed in Paul Greengrass’s film United 93, a harrowing, real-time documentation of the hijacking. In fact, none of the characters are identified by name, but a family member or friend could recognize their characterization. Greengrass wanted it this way: a straightforward, unflinching look at the lives of the passengers in the context of the hijacking.

United 93 is more of an experience than a movie.

Going into it, we know the outcome; watching the pilots, flight attendants and passengers board the plane and go about their day, I was struck with an overwhelming sense of loss at knowing these are their final minutes.

Still, it was important for me to watch, just as it is important that the film was made.

Some have said it is too soon to recreate the terror of the tragic event, but Greengrass’s assertion is that it’s never too soon to remember the events that changed our nation and the

Overview United 93 PPP 1/2 Rated: R (for language and some intense sequences of terror and violence) Starring: David Alan Basche, Richard Bekins, Cheyenne Jackson Directed by: Paul Greengrass Release Date: April 28

way we talk about terrorism, foreign policy and faith.

The film begins with a look at the four terrorists in their hotel rooms as they prepare for the day’s events, and follows them as they make their way to the airport, through various checkpoints and on to the plane.

Once everyone boards the plane, the film runs in realtime, following the hijacking minute-by-minute, cutting between scenes on the plane and scenes in various air traffic control rooms.

Greengrass made sure United 93 is more than just a recount of what happened on the airplane, but also what happened on Sept. 11 from the viewpoints of the national and military air traffic controllers who were running on little information about what was happening, having no preparation for a hijacking.

When they first hear about a possible hijacking, they laugh it off, thinking the situation impossible.

This hits to the heart of the

Rocketboys vie to play at concert n Fans of Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys can vote for the band to be one of 16 new bands to play at the Christian musical festival Cornerstone in Illinois in July.

By DENTON JOSEY Student Reporter

On July 5, about 20,000 music fans will converge in rural Bushnell, Ill., for a four-day music festival called Cornerstone, and student band Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys will be on stage.

Entering its 23rd year, Cornerstone will feature about 300 bands for fans to watch, and one of those bands will be Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys.

Brandon Kinder, senior interdisciplinary Bible and history major from Memphis, Tenn., is a pianist, guitarist and vocalist in the band. He said the members tried to play in the concert last year, but sent in their press package too late.

This year is a different story.

The band is vying for first place in the New Band Showcase. Of the 210 bands that tried to get in, only 24 made it to the online voting, and the top 16 actually will get to play. The band that finishes No. 1 in fan voting will play on the main stage in front of the largest crowd.

The voting has put Homer Hiccolm alternating first and second place with a band from Nashville, Tenn., called Lorien.

“We’re trying to just get as many people to vote and use all their e-mail addresses,” Kinder said.

One of the fans who voted for Homer Hiccolm is Erin Dimas, junior agribusiness major from Sacramento, Calif.

Dimas, who has been a fan since Homer Hiccolm played at JamFest in 2005, expects the band to be received well at Cornerstone.

“Around here, first-time listeners are really responsive,” she said. “It’s really easy to tell the guys are passionate about their music.”

Kinder said many bands have been noticed for the first time at Cornerstone and have gone on to be very successful. Bands such as P.O.D., Five Iron Frenzy and Norma Jean can attribute some of their early success to their exposure at Cornerstone.

On the way to Illinois and back, the band plans on playing other shows, including the Free State Arts and Music Festival in Canton, Ohio.

Whether they win the top spot or not, the band members plan on enjoying the festival. “[Other band members] have been, and it is one of their favorite things to do every year,” Kinder said. “We’ll play when they have us play, but then just watch other great bands and have fun hanging out and camping with our friends.”

To place a vote, students can visit http://www.cornerstonefestival.com/newbandshowcase.cfm.

E-mail Josey at: optimist@acu.edu

Photo courtesy of WWW.IMAGE.NET

Passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 cling to each other as their fellow passengers storm the cockpit to overtake the terrorists who had hijacked the plane as part of the Sept. 11 attacks in United 93. film: no one thought that Sept. 11 was possible. Well, many in the government did, but most American citizens hadn’t given the idea much thought. The film follows those who were suddenly thrown into a seemingly impossible situation, and Greengrass uses many real flight attendants, air traffic controllers, military personnel and pilots to recreate the events, which adds a disturbing level of realism to the project.

No-name and local New York City actors met with the families of United 93 victims, learning what their characters were like, down to what they were wearing the day of the attack, what luggage was used, and whether they would have ordered coffee or juice on

the plane. The flight manifest, the 9/11 Commission report, the cockpit voice recording and phone calls passengers made to their families and left on answering machines serve as the backbone of the script, and most of the actors and nonactors improvise their lines.

Ben Sliney, FAA National Operations Manager, plays himself in the film, and while you can definitely tell he’s not an actor, he and other non-actors add a level of sincerity and believability to the piece.

Greengrass’s experience with suspenseful films, Bloody Sunday and The Bourne Supremacy, puts United 93’s quality on a higher level than say a recreation segment on The History Channel. The fast-

paced editing heightens the confusion of the first two hours of the attack, and the combination of air traffic controllers on the ground and the passengers in the air fighting for their lives and the lives of others is overwhelming.

United 93 really can’t be placed in a category with other more scripted films.

It’s not fun, it’s not pretty, and it’s certainly not a pickme-up kind of film. Yet, United 93 is on the level of other socially conscious films that demand attention and force audiences to consider the issues it examines.

United 93 is an honest look at a horrible day in history, one that should never be forgotten.

E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

Page 6

Friday, May 5, 2006

CAMPUS NEWS/FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Malagasy students prepare to return home in May n The Malagasy students who came to the university two years ago will return home this summer for the first time because of a deal with their government.

By MITCH HOLT Staff Writer

The 24 Malagasy students who began attending the university in the fall of 2004 will return home this summer for the first time in nearly two years.

As part of its contract with the government of Madagascar that brought the students to Abilene, the university is required to provide these students with three trips: the trip they took to get to Abilene to begin their college careers; the trip they will take back to Madagascar after graduation; and one trip in the middle of the students’ college careers.

Dr. John Tyson, vice president for Development and

the person responsible for arranging for the students to come to the university, said the students have adjusted very well, and professors have had nothing but great things to say about them.

During the summer of 2004, the Madagascar government chose 22 students from 15 regions of Madagascar to attend ACU. The opportunity was offered because the country’s president, Marc Ravalomanana,

a strong Christian and advocate of free enterprise, desired to improve the economic state of Madagascar. Once the contract was signed, the president sent 22 students to ACU in the fall of 2004; two more students were sent later because there was enough money.

The country, located off the southern coast of Africa, is an island nation of more than 17 million people and has only had its indepen-

dence since 1960. During his visits to Madagascar, Tyson said he noticed the overwhelming beauty of this fairly new free country, as well as the overwhelming poverty of the nation.

Since the deal was made in 2004, the university has been in close contact with the Malagasy minister of national education and scientific research, M. Haja Razafinjatovo. Tyson visited the minister two weeks ago

while he was in Washington, D.C. “It’s been a very positive experience for these students,” Tyson said. “Like any group of students, there are some that are more homesick than others. Overall, they’ve all done extremely well.”

He said the trip home will give the Malagasy students a chance to regroup before they come back in the fall.

E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu

Zellner offices to relocate n Many of the offices that now occupy Zellner Hall will move to the Welcome Center once it is built, leaving more space for Student Financial Services.

By WHITNEY MANN Student Reporter

Several offices in Zellner Hall have moved locations and more will continue to do so once the new Robert D. and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center is built.

When this happens, the offices of recruiting and admissions will move into the Welcome Center, along with University Relations.

Some sections of Information Services moved out of Zellner and into Brown Library as soon as it was remodeled, said Kevin Watson, associate vice president for Administrative Services, in an e-mail.

These sections consist of the remainder of the Information Services staff. Technology Support Services and Team 55

joined the chief information office in Brown Library. Computer Hardware Repair is still located on Campus Court.

“When the other offices move out, it is anticipated that the vacated space in the building will be allocated to Student Financial Services as it is in the building and in need of more space,” Watson said.

Watson said the decision of which offices should be located in the Learning Commons was collaborative and based on which offices could best serve the students by relocating.

The offices still located in Zellner are the departments of Networking Services, Computing Services and Web Integration and Programming.

Jim Trietsch, associate chief information officer, said Networking Services manages all of the telephone, video and data networks for ACU. Computing Services works on administrative and academic programming applications,

such as BannerWeb, and manages ACU’s Oracle databases.

Web Integration and Programming is in charge of the Web applications such as my.ACU, the home Web page, e-mail and managing all of the servers and data storage.

These departments are part of Information Services and will be permanently located in Zellner, Trietsch said.

Laura Beth Martin, sophomore marketing major from Daingerfield, works in the Student Financial Services office.

She said the office will continue to remain in Zellner.

Martin works with the Banner Web site and helps with loans and checks.

“Everyone is working really hard on getting the offices in Zellner and those to be transferred organized,” Martin said.

She said she thinks the transitions are a good idea and will benefit campus.

E-mail Mann at: optimist@acu.edu

Anna Carroll/Staff Photographer

Lorie Stewart, enrollment marketing manager in the Office of Admissions, works in her new office in Zellner Hall.

However, the Office of Admissions will move to the Robert D. and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center after it is built.

Commencement: Professor’s song may hit silver screen Ceremony nears Continued from page 1 als are divided this year to accommodate the college awards ceremony for the College of Biblical Studies and the College of Business Administration. During the college awards ceremony, the College of Arts and Sciences will rehearse.

“The College of Arts and Sciences doesn’t have the college awards like the other departments,” Brand said. “Because they’re so large, they have departmental awards, and those have already been done at other occasions.”

The undergraduate processional line-up on May 13 will take place in Teague Special Events Center at 10:30 a.m. for the College of Biblical Studies, the College of Business Administration and the

Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing, and at 2:30 p.m. for the College of Arts and Sciences. Two separate commencements will take place for the two groups of colleges — at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Brand said she expects the morning commencement, which includes the Graduate School of Theology, to last longer than in previous years because of the high number of graduate students in the college. Kacey Higgins, assistant to the dean of the graduate school, said she attributes the higher number to a steady enrollment increase over the past several years. Eighteen candidates for the Master of Divinity degree will graduate this year, as opposed to four last May and eight in May of 2004, Higgins said.

E-mail Driskell at: optimist@acu.edu

n English professor Cole Bennett wrote a song about New London’s 1937 explosion, and it might find its way into a movie commemorating the tragedy.

By CAMILLE PAINTER Student Reporter

Lost Generation, a song written by an ACU assistant English professor about an accidental explosion at an elementary school, holds potential for fame.

Dr. Cole Bennett wrote a song about the 1937 New London explosion caused by a gas leak for his band JamisonPriest.

According to the New London school explosion Web site, 298 died in the explosion, which occurred after a teacher flipped a switch on in an area where undetected gas had been leaking. Of the 500 students attending the school, only about 130 escaped injury.

The JamisonPriest Web

site, www.jamisonpriest. com, said the explosion in New London sparked the practice of inserting odor into natural gas to make it more detectable.

Bennett said the event has special significance to him because he was born, 30 years after the event, in the same hospital the victims were treated.

At the time, “the closest hospital was a brand new one in Tyler that was due for a grand opening ceremony within a few days,” Bennett said in an e-mail. “The tragedy forced the hospital to open sooner, and the injured survivors came pouring in.”

Bennett said he came up with the song because he thought it was unique and important.

“I wrote the song because many American folk songs recount tragedies and memorialize them,” Bennett said. “As far as I knew, I had

never heard of a song about the New London explosion, and, since it was about an event in part of my world, I wanted to write one.”

In the song, Bennett describes the explosion from the perspective of a child who lost his brother in the explosion.

“You know many people have said they enjoy the storytelling aspect of the song, and that it makes them somewhat sad,” Bennett said. “That was really my goal—to expose people who didn’t know or didn’t remember the event to think about how tragic it was.”

When Bennett heard of a movie planned to be filmed soon to commemorate the explosion, he sent the movie company a copy and was told to stand by.

Bennett said he thinks his song would make a great theme song to be played with the credits at the beginning or end of the film.

He also said at this point, he does not want to mislead anybody to believe his song is guaranteed to be in the movie.

“I hope it does [get chosen to be used], but you can see that it’s premature to say so,” Bennett said.

A more foreseeable future for Lost Generation will be to serve as an example of school safety.

Bennett said a woman in the Northeast expressed interest in using it for a national grade school curriculum and contacted the band about doing so.

Bennett has written about a dozen other songs, and said it’s hard to say what his next song will be about.

“Inspiration for folk songs come from many places—travel, love, pain, daily life—one never knows,” Bennett said.

E-mail Painter at: optimist@acu.edu

Friday, May 5, 2006

Page 7

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Campaign: Welcome Center among project priorities Continued from page 1 Despite his optimism, Boone said it is possible the goal will not be met by the year’s end.

“We will raise $150 million or more, but it might not be by Dec. 31” Boone said.

“When you’re working with people on multimillion-dollar gifts, timing is key.”

However, Boone said timing could be on the university’s side, with the campaign dead-

line coming in December.

“Fall is always an exciting, momentous time as well as the year-end. We expect to see a big surge [in giving],” Boone said.

“People get excited with the opening of a fall semester.”

He also said he expects more people to give because time is running out to contribute to the Centennial Campaign. People who have been intending to participate in the campaign will realize this is

their last opportunity, he said.

Boone said the $150 million campaign was announced in February 2004 after university administrators looked at goals, objectives and projects they wanted to see accomplished and then added up the projected costs of those projects.

The Centennial Campaign divides into three categories: $22 million for the annual fund, which is what helps run

the university on a day-to-day basis; $34 million for capital improvements, which includes building projects and library acquisitions; and $94 million for the endowment fund, which provides reliable income and scholarships for the university every year through interest.

Boone said the university has prioritized projects it would like to see funded first in the campaign. Of the major

projects still waiting for funding, Boone mentioned the new Robert D. and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center, which the university would like to be able to break ground on as soon as possible. About half of its $14 million price tag has been funded at this point.

He also said the university would like to raise about $2 million more to complete the missions endowment.

Should the university not

be able to reach the $150 million goal by the end of December, Boone said the university could push the deadline back into 2007, although he did not want to speculate on a new date.

“We’re not ready to discuss deadline alternatives,” Boone said. “We’re still positive and believe we’ll meet our goal.”

E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu

Dean: Barnard takes new post Continued from page 1

Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer

Katy Galloway, sophomore social work major from Coppell, eats lunch in The Den’s Java City coffee shop in Barret Hall on Thursday.

Coffee: Shops’ audiences differ Continued from page 1 ferent needs.”

Joseph Lawrence, freshman biology major from Atlanta, said Java City has a “cool atmosphere.”

Jaida Brown, sophomore biology major from Hartley, said she has only been to the Starbucks once. Brown said she goes to Java City instead, “mostly for convenience — it’s closer.”

Danielle Besch, freshman

youth and family ministry major from Wharton, said she prefers Starbucks.

“It’s easier to come [to Starbucks] over Java City,” Besch said.

But Besch said she goes to Java City when the Learning Commons is closed.

Josh Ross, a graduate student from Abilene, said he has only been to the Learning Commons twice, and has never been to Java City.

Ross said he appreciates

the location because he needs to come to the library to study or research anyway.

“I wish this would have been here seven years ago,” Ross said.

Java City offers a more “intimate” environment, Williams said. It was “designed to help us do the things we want to do with creating community,” Williams said, which is why The Den is located in Barret.

Williams said the goal for

Java City is to maintain the intimate atmosphere. The university also has more leeway with Java City, and is considering adding new baked products, which will be unique to the coffee shop.

Williams said ACU offers a good amount of food services for a university its size.

“We want to not just meet the needs of our students,” he said, “but exceed them.”

E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu

Exams: Students prepare for finals Continued from page 1 cramming for their exams.

Jessica Masters, senior English major from Tallahassee, Fla., and facilitator for the university’s Writing Center in the Learning Commons, said last week 118 students made appointments to receive assistance on papers, compared to 84 the week before.

“A lot of people are commenting about how they’re staying up all night to get projects finished,” Masters said.

Beth Kellar, public service assistant in the Library Common, said she has seen several signs in the past week that

indicate finals week is near.

She said she emptied the coin machine by the copiers and took out $1,400 worth of change after a two-week period, the amount she usually collects in a month. She said the gate count to the library has also doubled in the past week.

“All the computer stations are constantly filled,” Kellar said. “And a lot of people have to wait for one to open.”

Another sign that points to Finals Week is the flow of books into the library. Kellar said students stop checking out books and begin turning them in by the stack. She said overdue fines also jump in the weeks before exams.

“People need to keep their books just a couple of more days to get that paper done,” she said.

As the study spots in the library fill and the work piles up, Kellar said staff positions empty because students become too busy to make it into work and can’t find anyone to fill their shifts.

Hannah Hoffman, senior English major from Monroeville, Penn., said she is starting to get stressed out about her exams.

“In one of my classes, I’m not sure what’s expected of

me on the final,” Hoffman said. “That’s adding to my stress level.”

Hoffman said she studies by reviewing books for her English classes and creating one-page study guides for her other courses.

Natalie Sosebee, junior exercise science physical therapy major from Thornton, Colo., said she has four finals.

“I cram a lot,” Sosebee said. “Usually two days before the test.”

E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu

field of study; and teaching part time in the Master’s Program of Higher Education.

“Wayne is an excellent candidate for this position because of his academic qualifications, his love for students and his knowledge of spiritual formation,” Money said.

“This new role will play to his strengths and expertise. It’s what he loves to do.”

Barnard said he is excited for this new role and is looking forward to leaving behind the administrative aspects of his old job.

“We’ve talked about this need for a long time now, and I think I have a clear understanding of what this job means,” Barnard said.

Barnard has served in a variety of ministry positions such as a full-time minister, a youth and family minister, a prison chaplain, the campus minister at ACU in 1989 and dean of Campus Life. He also completed his doctorate in human development, which focused on college students and what it means for people between the ages of 18 and 25 to be at college during a transition period in life.

“I’ve seen that administrative roles can fill your day with meetings and budgets and personnel issues so that the really important things don’t always get the attention they deserve,” Barnard said.

“With this role I can give attention to the things I am really passionate about, which means discovering who we are as spiritual beings.”

Barnard said he will miss the daily interaction with Campus Life staff and the interaction with students regarding their experiences and passions. He said he still will be able to work with students but on a different level.

“I hope students quickly realize the change in my role,” Barnard said. “I think the title

of dean scares students away because I deal with discipline actions on campus and how the university reacts to events. I want to be a friend, pastor and counselor to students and be someone they can tell exactly what they think. I want to have open and honest conversations with students again.”

Money said he created this position because he felt an urgency for it on campus.

“I think we’re behind the curve on this one, not ahead of it,” Money said. “We make the claim that we are a comprehensive Christian university, so what we need to do is learn how to help students develop their faith.”

The university will begin a nationwide search this summer that includes people on campus to find a new dean of Campus Life, Money said.

Dr. Tom Winters, vice provost of the university, and Dr. Jeff Arrington, associate dean of Campus Life, will serve as interim deans during the transition time until a new dean is found. Money said he hopes a suitable candidate will be found by next spring.

Barnard said several qualifications are needed for the new dean of Campus Life.

“This person needs to have a deep, abiding love for Jesus Christ and be grounded in faith because this will be their source of energy for this difficult job,” he said. “They need to have a strong family life and a deep love for students.

If they don’t love college students, then they shouldn’t apply. They also need to have a high commitment to the academic process.

“It is the perfect time for a transition in life and one that I love to do. I’ve come full circle now because I’m doing again what I began doing when I first came to Abilene: helping others experience Jesus.”

E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu

Page 8

May 5, 2006

Top 10 stories of the year, courtesy of the ‘Optimist’ Few years in recent history have come with more anticipation than the 2005-06 school year brought for the university. With students and alumni anticipating major events like the Centennial Celebration, the 50th Sing Song and the final February Bible Lectureship, the campus community still found a way to create its own news that helped shape the year.

Here are the Optimist’s Top 10 news stories of the year for the university, as voted on by the editorial board: 10. Students returned to campus this fall to find that the Theatre Department had switched Homecoming Musicals from Aida to Seussical.

The switch, which cost the cast four months of preparation, occurred after communi-

ty complaints that a white actress had been cast as the lead role of a Nubian princess.

9. Rep. Bob Hunter announced he won’t seek reelection to the Texas House after his more than 20-year career there. By the end of the fall semester, 2000 alumnus Kevin Christian announced he will run as a Republican and Dr. Mel Hailey, chair of the Political Science Department, will run as a Democrat.

Christian was defeated in the primary election.

8. After several delays in construction and the finish date, the Learning Commons in the Brown Library opened April 12. The redesigned ground floor of the library includes work tables and computers for group projects, a copy center, the Writing Cen-

Reflecting on four years of newsprint These 10 pages of news- the history of each tradiprint you are holding are tion, which led me to the talented and versatile. same place: the Optimist arWhile bringing you chives. the news In the archives, I’ve seen and opin- the names of reporters who ions from covered the first Sing Song around cam- and countless Lectureship pus twice a openings. I’ve seen the reweek, they ports of those writers who manage to covered an “anthrax scare” be many on campus and the events other things of Sept. 11 through the eyes to many of students.

Ask the people.

With each story and each Question To many, writer’s name, I tried to put Jonathan p e r u s i n g myself in the shoes of that these pages journalist and wonder what Smith is a Wednes- it must have been like to day and Friday ritual after cover some of those historChapel. ic events.

To a few, these pages are a These reporters have left place to see their names, like us the history of the univermy cousin Caleb Henderson, sity preserved on a yellowwho has bothered me all year ing page of newsprint or, to sneak his name somewhere now, a digital archive. All I into an issue. can hope is that my legacy To a couple special indi- is pieces of four years of viduals, the university hisnews and tory now foropinions on ever preserved To me, these pages these pages online and in are my college represent all the library. that is going I hope my experience. They wrong with Sing Song covare what I have Christianity erage of the often spent countless 50th Show can and ACU. On a rainy weeknights and more be of some than 30 hours per day, these use to the Oppages might timist editor in week producing as be nothing 2056 covering editor in chief. more than the 100th Sing an umbrella Song. during a I hope my mad dash to a car or the coverage of Soulforce EqualCampus Center. ity Ride can be a reminder But to me — these pages to future administrations are my college experience. of how to treat those with They are what I often have different opinions than our spent countless weeknights own. and more than 30 hours Who knows? Maybe some each week producing the random story I wrote will past two years as editor in even help the editor of The chief. They are what I have ACU Centuries, the coffeespent more than my fair table book (or whatever meshare of all-nighters work- dium has replaced books by ing on and the reason I have then), which undoubtedly will spent a few nights sleep- be published in 2106 coming on my hideous office memorating the university’s couch.

Bicentennial Celebration.

And as I bring to a close Whether or not the unieight semesters of my own versity came across looking contributions to the Op- good in my stories never timist, I naturally wonder particularly mattered to me, what — besides the head- so long as the truth was porlines, page designs and trayed accurately. But I leave articles — has my contribu- with many more memories tion been and what has it of the good than the bad. meant.

So long ACU. I’m proud I’ve had the privilege of to have documented four covering several historic years of your history. And events for ACU this year: now I’m proud that you are the Centennial Celebration, part of my history. the 50th Sing Song and the last February Lectureship.

E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu All have led me to research

These are only a small sample of what has been a busy and memorable year for the ACU community. ter and a Starbucks coffee shop.

7. After a successful junior season for the Wildcat football team, safety Danieal Manning declared he will enter the draft in January. His stock soared after working out for professional scouts, and the Chicago Bears selected him as the 42nd overall pick April 29.

6. One of the biggest national news stories of the year touched ACU as well.

Hurricane Katrina brought two students from shuttered Louisiana schools in the fall.

Students worked to prepare

places to stay for refugees fleeing Hurricane Rita on the Texas coast.

5. Enough hype surrounded the 50th annual Sing Song before the show in February, but interest peaked after a scoring mistake led to women’s club Alpha kai Omega mistakenly being named women’s club winner. An hour after the show ended, director Kendall Massey declared Sigma Theta Chi as winner.

4. Social clubs already were under a more watchful eye this fall during pledging season, when pledging activities led to disciplinary action

against three clubs. Delta Theta was deactivated for more than six months, Galaxy went on a one-year probation and Sub T-16 was kicked off campus for two years.

3. Police arrested freshman Brandon Woodruff on Oct. 24 in connection with the deaths of his parents in Royse City.

Woodruff was charged with two counts of capital murder and set bail at $2 million. He still waits in jail for a trial that likely won’t come until at least 2007.

2. Gay rights activist group Soulforce visited the university March 27 as part of its 19institution tour, Equality Ride.

ACU was the first university to grant Soulforce full access to campus, and the day of dialogue and forums passed without major incident or

Cole Williams

Growing from backseat to driver Almost four years ago I left my home in Oregon to attend a college I’d never visited in a state I’d never been to.

When I arrived in Abilene late one August night four years ago, all I wanted to do was turn around Much and drive Ado About the three Something days back to Central Jaci Point. I saw Schneider the bright lights from the college as my parents tried to find our hotel, but sat quietly in the back, not wanting to point out my new home, as if acknowledging the buildings would make the inevitable transition to a new life more real.

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

Let Loose

We know that the past four years have shaped us into people we never could have imagined such a short time ago.

Now, four years later, I feel like I’m still sitting in the back of my parents’ car, but this time I’m crowded in there with my four beautiful roommates, my amazing coworkers and all the friends who have shaped me to be who I am.

We’re driving down a dark road, and all of us can see the lights of graduation looming ahead, but as they draw near, we distract each other from seeing what we all know is coming.

Every once in a while, we catch a glimpse of the lights and see hope and joy in the glow of the future, but then we look around the backseat and re-realize all we’ll be leaving behind.

We all know things will be OK in the end; people who are older and wiser have told us so. We’re all confident we will make new friends, we will find jobs and we will be able to leave college behind.

But for now, we just want to crowd together in that backseat, enjoy the time we have left and cement the memories that have drawn us all together.

On May 13, we’ll finally arrive at the lights in the distance. We’ll climb out of the car, share giant bear hugs and go our separate ways, each of us realizing we are not the same person we were when we first climbed in as freshmen.

Although we will soon be

spread out across the globe, we have traveled together, and we know each other’s journeys.

Soon this will all be an anecdote to tell our new friends, who will probably tire of hearing the same stories and the same names repeated over and over again.

But we will know the importance of the stories and the people. We know that the past four years have shaped us into people we never could have imagined such a short time ago.

And as we look ahead to the next transition, we are now in the driver’s seat and can gaze with confidence into the glow of the future, glad we spent four years growing in Abilene and maybe, finally ready to leave.

E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu

In Your Words How do you prepare for finals?

“By watching Braves’ games, playing ‘Mario Kart’ and waiting until the last minute.”

“Eat lots of chocolate and hang out with my friends on Dead Day.”

“At the coffee shop, with shots of espresso, and hanging out with my friends at the library.”

Ben Mitchell

Lesley Perkins

Ryan Campbell

freshman finance major from Alpharetta, Ga.

sophomore nursing major from Little Rock, Ark.

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

arrests, which occurred on several other stops for Soulforce.

1. When students and alumni remember back to the 2005-06 school year, perhaps no other event will stick out in their minds more than the university’s year-long Centennial Celebration. The year saw eight special speakers come to campus and a $150 million campaign. The Centennial comes to a close in September.

These are only a small sample of what has been a busy and memorable year for the ACU community. The Optimist has enjoyed bringing you this year’s news twice a week.

We look forward to serving you again next year.

missions graduate student from Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Editorial and Management Board Jonathan Smith Editor in Chief

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Online: www.acuoptimist.com

Friday, May 5, 2006

Page 9

OPINION/SPORTS JUMPS

Finding jobs is tough, but ACU is here to help you It’s tough finding a job.

Anyone who has had to look for a job will tell you that. And whether you’re a May graduate or have a 15-year career under your belt and looking to switch industries, it’s not easy finding a good match between employer and employee. But, ACU does have a team of professionals and systems in place to help.

The Office of Career and Academic Development provides a variety of career development services that help connect students to potential employers and help students make decisions about what career paths to follow. It’s unfortunate that the author of the letter in Friday’s paper has not taken advantage of those services. It’s like the proverbial horse and water ... the water can be right in front of the horse, but you can’t force him to drink.

The letter writer in Friday’s Optimist seems frustrated because the university hasn’t helped him land a job yet. I liken this to the student who came to ACU to find a great Christian spouse and is upset at ACU because they are leav-

Re: Job placement concerns The Optimist, April 28.

“University slacks on job placement” by Dallas May ing without a ring. I certainly would not want ACU issuing a spouse to you. This frustration would be lessened by taking note and taking advantage of some of the career services we provide.

In contrast to the writer’s perception, this year the Office of Career and Academic Development has coordinated three job fairs at the Abilene Civic Center. They’ve provided great opportunities for students of every major to shake hands and network with employers from companies such as CalTech, Capgemini Energy, Dallas Police Department, Dillard’s Department Stores, Farmers Insurance Group, Harte-Hanks, IBM, Lauren Engineers & Constructors, Lockheed Martin, McCoy’s Building Supply, Merck & Co., Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, Tecomax/Reliant Energy, The

Princeton Review, U.S. Border Patrol and UT Southwestern Medical Center.

In addition to using ACU CareerLink and job fairs, networking is a very important skill for students to develop. Eighty percent of jobs are found through networking — meeting people casually and talking to them in an informal setting about jobs, services, talent and skills. Our team can connect any major on this campus with alumni who have successfully pursued a dream job, including those who didn’t follow the path of graduate school and turned out successful.

Specific job openings and networking opportunities are publicized through campus media, campus mail, posters and announcements. When you hear about them, please take advantage of them. If you have questions about career options, visit us. We’re located in lower level of McKinzie Hall.

Matt Boisvert Class of 1997 Director of Career and Academic Development

ACU offers many great career resources for its students.

Throughout this semester, our office has provided the following in the way of assistance: two job fairs, at least 15 workshops on career readiness (résumé writing, job search, interviewing, etc.,) 16 employers interviewing on campus and 500 full-time jobs posted on ACU CareerLink. This is in addition to the assistance students can receive through phone calls, e-mails and office visits. You have to talk to the Career and Academic Development staff to put the system to work for you. ACU CareerLink is an efficient tool, but it is not our office. To receive access to all other resources, students must let us know that they need it.

An important element that must be understood is the misconception that “other schools work on placing students in jobs.” This is incorrect. There is no such thing as a “placement office” on university campuses. Most schools provide resources for students that assist them in conduct-

Re: Job placement concerns The Optimist, April 28.

“University slacks on job placement” by Dallas May ing a job search, but no school “places” students. Students must take responsibility for their own job search.

If Dallas May had asked for our assistance, I would have started by letting him know that at least 80 percent of jobs are obtained through networking. This means that when he saw the job opportunity with Dell on ACU CareerLink, he should be excited about having a contact person, regardless of whether or not the actual job posting appealed to him. I would have encouraged him to call the Dell contact person and ask for other opportunities at Dell. I would have also reminded him that he needs to upload his résumé to his ACU CareerLink account if he wants employers to contact him. There are three contacts in the Employer Direc-

tory for Dell (people who have contacted ACU to recruit our students) and three additional Dell contacts in the Alumni Profiles Directory.

These alumni have volunteered to assist ACU students with career networking. This is just an example with Dell. I would be happy to help anyone with research and networking on any other employer.

Finally, our office does not only assist COBA students.

Most graduates, regardless of degree, will end up working in some type of business (several alumni with physics backgrounds are working at places like Raytheon, Eastman Chemical, Lockheed Martin, etc.). Therefore, you will see many “businesses” listed in ACU CareerLink. That’s just reality. However, if the postings you see on CareerLink do not pertain to what you want to do, call me. Let me know that you need help. The future is yours for the taking. Reach out and take hold of it.

Bradon Tharp Employer Relations Specialist

Kirk Goodwin Run Job-finding help focuses on COBA honors, reaches out Thank you to all who ran in this year’s Kirk Goodwin Run. The Kirk Goodwin Run has been taking place since 1984. What an amazing tribute to Kirk, and what an amazing outreach to families who are hurting.

Keep it going, Galaxy!

Kirk was my brother.

Words cannot express what this run means to my family. We feel honored and humbled.

Kirk was quite a guy. He was strong physically, emotionally and spiritually. We miss him daily.

Although it has been 21and-a-half years since Kirk’s accident, we still have a hole in our hearts and in our lives that only he could fill.

I look forward to the day when I can see him again, hug him again, hear his voice again. What a day that will be.

Thank you again for remembering Kirk and honoring him and his memory as you have.

Tamaria Tuttle Class of 1988

Apparently I am being punished for choosing integrated marketing communication (public relations) as a major, because I too am finding ACU’s job placement for non-business majors lacking. I have tried to do everything they recommended, such as attending job fairs and posting my résumé on COBALink — excuse me, CareerLink — but I have not gotten far.

I was encouraged by the Office of Career and Academic Development to attend the West Texas Job Fair in February. They had bragged about the variety of employers that would be represented, so I

Re: Job placement concerns

The Optimist, April 28.

“University slacks on job placement” by Dallas May went, eager to show off my portfolio and résumé. But as I rounded the booths, I was constantly faced with confused expressions when I stated my major. The employers must have thought I was crazy or at the wrong job fair. If I wasn’t in sales or management, they didn’t even want to talk to me. Increasingly humiliated, I broadened my field of interest and said

leads the conference with 78 strikeouts. Wiman also leads the starting pitchers with a 9-3 record and an opposing batting average of .220.

“Wiman is a gamer who wants the ball in his hands,” said pitching coach Coy Polk. “He can work inside and outside with his fastball and gives 110 percent no matter who we’re playing.”

Despite splitting their final series of the season with West Texas A&M and finishing second in the South, the Wildcats had a season record of 40-14 with a .339 team batting average and a 4.47 cumulative ERA. ACU is

Continued from page 10 Johnson follows close behind Deel with 11 home runs and hitting .402. Daugherty has 44 RBI to go along with nine home runs and a .339 batting average. Borgeson is hitting .348, adding six home runs and 35 RBI. Senior Claudia Stephens received an honorable mention selection. The leftfielder holds 13 RBI with a .312 batting average.

tied with rival Angelo State at .741 for the best winning percentage.

“We’ve put ourselves in a good position to play for a conference title and possibly go to regional,” Bonneau said. “It’s a brand new season now, and if we play good baseball and take care of the ball, we should be successful this weekend.”

ACU’s first game of the LSC postseason championship tournament will be at 4 p.m. Saturday. Free student passes may be obtained after Chapel Friday or at the athletics offices in the Teague Special Events Center.

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu

ited my business class, he spoke extensively about CareerLink and how wonderful it is. When my professor asked what percentage the jobs and employers on CareerLink were business-related, Boisvert answered, “The vast majority.”

If I could build myself a time machine, I would go back to freshman year and declare myself a business major. Little did I know how much easier my life would have been.

Valerie Morby senior integrated marketing communication major from Katy

Softball: Team picks up several awards

Baseball: First LSC postseason final game Saturday Continued from page 10

I was in “communications,” but even that was met with blank stares and I went home empty handed.

So I made an appointment to speak with one of the Career and Academic Development advisers. I laid out my plight, and while the adviser kindly scrounged for names of contacts to give me, she honestly admitted that they weren’t doing their best at posting non-business jobs on CareerLink. She assured me that they were working on the problem, but the general vibe I got was, “No, you’re out of luck, and you should have been a business major.”

When Matt Boisvert vis-

Junior third baseman Matt McGuire runs to catch a fly ball in Sunday’s first game against West Texas A&M at Crutcher Scott Field.

“It is special to have so many players on the all-conference team,” Wilson said.

“All of the players on the team had such a big part of this year’s success. This group is so competitive that it did not take a whole lot of pushing to get them to produce like they have this season.”

ACU is looking for an atlarge bid to advance to the regional tournament next week.

E-mail Moore at: aem03e@acu.edu

Page 10

May 5, 2006 Standings BASEBALL

Team Div. Overall Angelo St. 16-4 40-14 ACU 13-7 40-14 WTAMU 11-9 26-27 TAMU-K 9-11 35-19 ENMU 6-14 24-32 5-15 16-38 ENMU

Golf team finishes sixth at regionals n Head golf coach Mike Campbell’s team climbed out of a first-day hole and placed sixth at the South Central Regional Tournament on Wednesday.

By BRIAN HOLLAND Sports Writer

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

Tarleton St.

Div. Overall 18-4 38-15 13-8 25-34 13-9 31-24 12-9 25-26 13-11 33-21 9-15 25-22

Scores

Head golf coach Mike Campbell is, in one word: proud, and with his young team taking sixth in the South Central Regional Tournament on Wednesday, he has plenty of reasons to be.

With opponents ranked in the top 10 in the country, the Wildcats had their work

Golf cut out for them as four out of the five ACU golfers had never been to a postseason tournament.

After the first day, the Wildcats found themselves in a deep hole as they trailed by 22 strokes, but shot themselves back into contention by climbing to sixth place at the end of the first day.

The team had the best second round out of all the teams playing in the tournament, and finished ahead of Berry, a top-10 ranked team, on one of the most difficult courses

the Wildcats have played on all year.

As they have all season, all five players played solidly throughout the tournament and finished within three shots of each other, Campbell said.

Hilton Funk fired a second round 70 (-2) to top all golfers in the tournament’s second round.

“Give the guys a lot of credit, they came back and battled the last two days,” Campbell said. “They played as good as any team the last two days.”

The season consisted of two tournament wins: the

Subway Invitational and the St. Andrew’s Invitational tournaments, and although ACU is currently ranked 38th, according to golfstat.com, the Wildcats have the 20th-best stroke average in the country among Division II teams.

Though the season won’t finish with the national tournament in two weeks, Campbell said his team is already looking forward to next season.

“They had a little taste of success this season, but they’re hungry, hungry for that next level.”

With such a young team and the strides they have

made during the year, winning two tournaments and achieving their goal of making it to postseason play, Campbell sees the sky as the limit for the future of the Wildcats’ golf program.

“I’m just so proud of how far we’ve come as a team; I’ve got a real good feeling about the direction our program is going.”

And with all five players from his postseason team coming back next year, Campbell has another great season to look forward to.

E-mail Holland at: beh03e@acu.edu

Saturday

baseball West Texas A&M 4, ACU 3 ACU 10, West Texas A&M 3

Sunday

baseball ACU 12, West Texas A&M 0 West Texas A&M 4, ACU 3

Wednesday golf

Golf Regional Tournament Results Team Cameron St. Mary’s Central Oklahoma St. Edwards Northeastern State ACU Western New Mexico East Central

Place 1 2 3 3 5 6 7 8

Thursday

women’s tennis ACU 5, East Central 0

Upcoming Schedule Friday Women’s tennis ACU vs. Midwestern State, noon Men’s tennis ACU at NCAA II Central Regional

Saturday

baseball LSC Tournament in Abilene ACU vs. Cameron 4 p.m.

Track & field ACU at Texas-Arlington Open, Arlington

Sunday baseball LSC Tournament in Abilene

Monday

baseball LSC Tournament in Abilene

Tuesday

baseball LSC Tournament in Abilene

• Home games listed in italics

Briefs Weekly LSC award given to Wildcat hitter Left fielder Johnny Zepeda was named South Hitter of the week. Zepeda was 11-19 at the plate with eight runs scored, four doubles and eight runs batted in. He hit .579 and had a slugging percentage of .789 in last weekend’s series against West Texas A&M.

Two meets left before nationals

Just a little more

n ACU will compete two final meets, the University of Texas at Arlington and ACU Twilight open, before the national meet.

By STEVE HOLT Sports Writer

Two meets remain before the Wildcat track and field teams will compete for their first dual outdoor national championship since 1999. Friday and Saturday, a handful of Wildcat athletes will be in Arlington for the University of Texas at Arlington Open.

Thursday the Wildcats will showcase their speed, endurance and strength in front of a home crowd at the ACU Twilight Open at Elmer Gray Stadium.

Hood said his goal for the last two meets is simple – qualifying.

“We will try to qualify a few more people in some individual events at UTA or at our home meet,” Hood said.

“The key to the rest of the season will be to stay healthy and competitive.”

The UTA open will begin Friday at Maverick Stadium with the hammer throw, section B pole vault, 5,000-meter run and the 10,000-meter run. Saturday will feature the rest of the sprints, distance events and field events.

The ACU men are the defending outdoor national champions, but the women have not won a national title outdoors since 1999. Before winning the indoor national title in March, their last championship of any kind was indoors in 2000.

Overall, Hood seems to have the most dominant Wildcat squad in several years, judging from the number of athletes who have qualified for nationals either automatically or provisionally, as well as the performances at prior meets this season.

Entering this weekend’s meet, the Wildcat men have qualified 14 individuals in 10 events, as well as both relay teams. The women have also qualified both relay teams, along with 14 individual athletes in 16 events.

The NCAA Division II Outdoor Track and Field Championships will take place May 25-27 in Emporia, Kan. E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Sophomore Meagan Brown reaches for the ball in her doubles match. The Wildcats won 8-5 after being down 4-1 to the East Central Lady Tigers.

ACU won 5-0 in first round of the Central Regional Tournament and will face Midwestern State at noon Friday for the regional championship.

Softball receives LSC honors n Six Wildcats were awarded LSC South Division honors including pitcher of the year and coach of the year.

By ASHLEY MOORE Sports Writer

The Wildcat softball team claimed six awards in the Lone Star Conference postseason awards on Monday, including Coach of the Year and Pitcher of the Year.

Out of the 77 total players named, ACU claimed six of those awards for the South division.

Third-year head coach Chantiel Wilson was recognized as the Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. Wilson led the team this year to accomplish two firsts in ACU history — winning more than 40 games in a single season and capturing the LSC South division title.

“It is a flattering honor,” Wilson

said. “However, it is a tribute to the hard work by my assistant coaches and to the players who achieved the goals they set for themselves at the beginning of the year.”

The Wildcats are 41-17 on the season and ranked No. 15 in the nation.

Jennifer Leal accepted the Pitcher of the Year award, as well as a place on the All-LSC South first team. Leal is 26-6 on the season and has 134 strikeouts. She has a 48-19 record and 2.49 ERA on two seasons.

“It is very exciting to receive the award,” Leal said, “and our main goal now is to beat Midwestern.”

Wilson said many factors contributed to Leal’s success. “[Leal] has been healthy all year, and that has been a big part of her success,” Wilson said. “She is such

a competitor with a lot of heart and is not afraid to challenge hitters.

Typically she does not allow many runs, which is a good compliment to an offense like ours who is able to put runs on the board quite frequently.”

Senior Jade Wilson, who was named LSC South Division Preseason Player of the Year, was named on the South division first team for the second year. Wilson has earned six home runs and 38 RBI to date, batting .364.

Nicole Deel at third base, Jenna Daugherty at first base, Jessica Johnson at designated hitter, and Samantha Borgeson at catcher were all first-time selections for the first team.

With Deel batting .333, she has a team high 13 home runs and 54 See

SOFTBALL page 9

Home-field advantage favors Cats

LSC announces baseball tournament field

n ACU will host the 2006 LSC Tournament at Crutcher Scott Field on Saturday after finishing second in the south division behind Angelo State.

The six-team, double elimination LSC Postseason Championship Tournament will be held at Crutcher Scott Field this weekend.

Saturday the Wildcats play their first game at 4 p.m. against Cameron University.

The winner of that game plays Sunday at 8 p.m. against the winner of the West Texas A&M and Central Oklahoma game.

The loser of Saturday’s game plays the winner of the Angelo State and Southeastern Oklahoma game.

If the Wildcats advance far enough, they will play Tuesday in the championship series at 2 p.m.

LSC Baseball tournament free passes will be handed out after Chapel Today or can be obtained at the Athletics Offices in Teague Special Events Center

Softball

By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Writer

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Junior third baseman Matt McGuire fields a bunt in the third inning of the Sunday’s first game against West Texas A&M at Crutcher Scott Field.

The top-ranked Wildcats will be one step closer to their goal of another College World Series berth this weekend if they successfully protect their home turf and win the LSC Postseason Baseball Championship Tournament at Crutcher Scott Field.

The conference extended the double elimination tournament to include six brackets rather than four this year, after a one-year hiatus in 2005. ACU earned the right to host the tournament after winning the Lone Star Conference South Division in 2005.

The top three teams from

Baseball the South and North Divisions of the LSC will meet this weekend to determine a conference champion. Angelo State, ACU and West Texas A&M will represent the South; the University of Central Oklahoma, Cameron University and Southeastern Oklahoma will represent the North.

The winner of the tournament will clinch a spot in the regional tournament scheduled for May 17-20—a spot the Wildcats are eager to secure.

Head coach Britt Bonneau said a win in the tournament will be the first step to the team’s postseason goals after a successful season. The men’s first obstacle will be a team the Wildcats struggled against earlier in the season, Cameron University.

Cameron handed the

Wildcats their only series loss of the season and finished their regular season second in the North with a record of 18-4. The Cameron Aggies will most likely start their ace Kacy Groves, who pitched a no hitter the last time he faced the Wildcat lineup.

But Bonneau said he is not worried about Groves on the mound because of a number of factors.

“We hit the ball well at their place the last time we played them,” Bonneau said.

“And this time we’re playing at home and nine innings instead of seven, so we should be able to get hits on whoever they throw.”

The Wildcats’ ace Chris Wiman will start in their first game of the tournament. Wiman pitched two one-hitters this season and See

BASEBALL page 9