OPTIMIST
THE Vol. 95, No. 5
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS
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1 section, 10 pages
By MICHELLE JIMENEZ ARTS EDITOR
More than nine events will take place this weekend to celebrate the university’s birthday, page 5
Youthful worship
Hillcrest Church of Christ now offers a collegestudent-only worship service Sunday mornings, page 3
September 8, 2006
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www.acuoptimist.com
New building to honor Stevens Elections begin Tuesday for SA positions n Although no plans have been set, a social science building will be built in the near future in honor of Dr. John C. Stevens and his late wife, Ruth.
Party of the century
FRIDAY
The university will add a social science building to its campus in honor of Dr. John C. Stevens and late wife Marian ‘Ruth’
Rambo Stevens. Although no designs have been created, administrators said they have committed to making this project a reality. Matters such as fundraising and location factor into the final decision of when the building will be built. The Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center also needs to be finished
before the social science building can be built. Jim Holmans, executive assistant to the president, said the Board of Trustees felt it was the right time to announce this decision. “The Board of Trustees wanted to take this opportunity to make known its appreciation and deep thanks to the Stevens family for their many years of service,” Holmans said.
Dr. Stevens has served the ACU community for 58 years, and when he heard of the plans to have a building named in honor of him and his wife, he said it was a complete surprise to him. “I’m glad to have my name on it,” Stevens said. “I hope it serves a lot people.” Stevens first began his See
BUILDING page 9
Saving a life drop by drop
n Nearly 75 congress seats and class senator positions are available this year, including representatives for residence halls and academic buildings. By MALLORY SCHLABACH EDITOR IN CHIEF
Elections for Students’ Association senator positions and congress seats begin Tuesday in the Campus Center. Those interested in reaching out to the student body and solving problems turned in petitions Wednesday afternoon so they could begin campaigning, said Jordan Williams, vice president of SA. Students can occupy nearly 75 congress seats and class senator positions this year, including five class senator representatives from the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior classes; residence hall representatives from halls like Barret, Gardner and Morris; and academic building representatives
Wet ‘n wild fun
Smith-Adams Residence Hall welcomes students to participate in its Backyard Bash on Saturday, page 5
See
ARTS Caffeine craze
SA page 9
Christian rock band to perform Saturday
Monks Coffee Shop recently opened in downtown Abilene, offering students a new locale open later than 9 p.m., page 7
SPORTS
n Caedmon’s Call, a Christian awardwinning band, will perform during the university’s Centennial Birthday Bash on Saturday evening at Elmer Gray Stadium. By DENTON JOSEY
KATIE GAGER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
PAGE 2 EDITOR
Anna Roemtke, junior exercise science major from Huntsville, gives blood Tuesday in the Campus Center Parking Lot.
Taking a swing
The Wildcat tennis team kicks off its season Friday at the ACU Wal-Mart Invitational Open, page 10
WEATHER WEEKEND FORECAST Friday mostly sunny
HIGH 86
LOW 67
Saturday mostly sunny
HIGH 86
LOW 66
Sunday scattered t-storms
HIGH 84
LOW 66
Malagasy students return home n After living and attending school in Abilene for more than two years, the students from Madagascar returned home to their families this summer. By MALLORY SCHLABACH EDITOR IN CHIEF
Twenty-four students traveled home—a place they haven’t been in two years—this summer. For Laza Razafimanjato, the two-and-a-halfmonth visit to Madagascar was an incredible, yet apprehensive experience.
“It was weird because I didn’t know what to expect from my family or what they would look like,” said Razafimanjato, junior interior design major from Antananarivo, Madagascar. “I just wanted to know what their reactions were to me after two years.” When the group of students arrived at the airport at 5 a.m. in capital city Antananarivo, it was greeted at the gate by family and friends. “They were really happy to see me, and my mom and dad cried,” Razafimanjato said.
Razafimanjato said he spent his summer relaxing and hanging out with family and friends. “I didn’t work or do any internships like many did,” he said. “I just wanted to spend time with my family and friends because I missed them.” Others spent time working and traveling. Rotsy Rasamimanana traveled along the coasts of Madagascar and spent several weeks interning at a See
Caedmon’s Call, Dove Award-winning Christian band, will perform Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Elmer Gray Stadium as part of the band’s Emancipation Tour, marking the fourth time the band has played at ACU. Jennifer Ellison, Centennial activities coordinator, said in an e-mail Caedmon’s Call was invited to play because the band appeals to students, faculty and staff. “We wanted to end our Centennial year with a bang, so having a fireworks show seemed like a great way to accomplish that,” Ellison said. “It just made sense to have a concert before the fireworks and do the whole celebration outdoors.” The concert is being promoted as a laid back atmosphere where people
MALAGASY page 9
See
CAEDMON page 9
University to celebrate 100th birthday with nine-foot cake n The Centennial Task Force will conclude the year-long celebration of the university’s birthday with nine events this weekend, beginning Friday night. By KELSI PEACE FEATURES EDITOR
A birthday cake nearly nine feet tall will sit in the Gata Fountain Saturday in honor of ACU’s Centennial. Samantha Adkins, coordinator for alumni relations,
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
said the cake will have three two-foot layers and a crown resting on top. Although the Centennial Task Force originally considered making the giant cake edible, Adkins said, “To be as grand as we wanted it to be, it wouldn’t be realistic.” Instead, Physical Resources built the cake with wood, and the Office of Alumni Relations painted it. ACU alumnus Kristi Dominguez designed the cake using
ACU’s colors—purple, white and red—and each layer will feature a different design, from stripes to a harlequin pattern. The cake is square and fits inside the Gata Fountain. A carnival will also take place in the mall area from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., said Jama Cadle, coordinator of alumni relations. The presentation of the cake will take place during the carnival at 4:30 p.m. Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, will present
Abilene Christian University
a brief greeting, and Taylor County will present ACU with a proclamation, Adkins said. All alumni, faculty, staff, students and Abilene residents, have been invited to attend the event, Adkins said. “We don’t have candles to blow out, but we have a fun little ending,” she said. A focus group of students helped to determine what events should be at the carnival. Eleven “extreme games,”
such as dodgeball, a climbing wall, inflatables, a Velcro wall and laser tag, will be available as well as a beanbag toss for children. Wristbands for access to games cost $3. “I’m comparing this to Homecoming, and I would love to sell 300 wristbands for the carnival,” Cadle said. The Wildcat cheerleaders will also be available at the carnival to take pictures with See
CELEBRATE page 9
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