The Vol. 95, No. 17
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Wild wild west
The Honors Students’ Association will sponsor a masquerade themed “Cowboys and Indians” on Friday, page 3
•
1 sections, 8 pages
n Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, announced the university’s vision for its next 100 years at an all-university meeting Tuesday afternoon. Managing Editor
ACU’s station, KACU, is conducting its biannual drive where listeners pledge money, page 3
FEATURE
Christian collections
How does Christian merchandise benefit the community besides through business profits? page 5
ONLINE
WEDNESDAY
October 25, 2006
•
www.acuoptimist.com
ACU refines second century vision By JARED FIELDS
Radio drive
OPTIMIST
Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, announced the 21st Century Vision on Tuesday and began by talking
about the undefeated football team and a flywheel, comparing their momentums to that of the university’s going into the next decade. “I would suggest to you all that ACU has been building up for a century accumulating momentum,” Dr. Money said. “The 21st Century Vision is designed to tell us which way to ‘push’ for the next decade.” Money said the vision will
include three parts: to produce leaders who think critically, globally and missionally; to build distinctive and innovative programs; and to expand ACU’s educational reach nationally and internationally. Money said he wants the university to become a significant voice in the broader Christian community and in higher education circles, in particular niches to become
a leading Christian university taking faith-based, quality education to the world and to be known as an innovative leader in higher education throughout the world. Where student outcomes are concerned, the vision focuses on the broadening of a student’s knowledge and experience. It states the outcomes will be to have a broad, See
Our vision ACU will: n Produce leaders who think critically, globally and missionally n Build distinctive and innovative programs n Expand ACU’s educational reach nationally and internationally
VISION page 4
Walking the line
College begins search for new dean n The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences announced her retirement in August and prompted the search for a new dean by next year. By JEREMY POND Student Reporter
Football fan ride
Students filled up four charter buses for the football game against West Texas A&M, view it at www.acuoptimist.com
The Provost’s Office is creating a committee of faculty and administration to search for a new dean for the College of Arts and Sciences. The move comes after current dean, Dr. Colleen Durrington, announced her decision to retire in late August. The committee will be made up of seven faculty members from the college. For the nomination process, the college was divided up in four sections: behavioral and See
DEAN page 4
Online face lift
The ‘Optimist’ Web site will change its look Wednesday, view it at www.acuoptimist.com
SPORTS
Continuing the streak
The Wildcats have the chance to go 8-0 on Saturday against Tarleton State after their win against West Texas A&M on Thursday, page 8
WEATHER DAILY FORECAST WEDNESDAY A.M Showers
HIGH 79
LOW 60
Students choose spring break locations n Sign-ups began Tuesday for Spring Break Campaigns. More than 30 locations are offered this year as the program celebrates its 30th anniversary. By EMILY SMITH Student Reporter
Most of the Spring Break Campaign groups at the university have a specific destination and purpose chosen before they leave. Justin Webb, senior history major from Coppell, led a spring break campaign in 2005 called “Seek and Follow.” The campaign had no itinerary. Instead, the campaigners chose a direction and went in it. ““Seek and Follow” was about listening to God for direction in both the physical and spiritual sense,” Webb said. “Seek and Follow” is one See
SBC page 4
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Hluchan, freshman computer science major from Grapevine, balances on a rock climbing strap that he tied between two trees between the Campus Center and Beauchamp Amphitheater on Wednesday.
Six earn Sing Song hosting duties n Six juniors and seniors were kidnapped early Thursday morning and told they were the hosts and hostesses for the 2007 Sing Song on Feb. 16 and 17. By MALLORY SCHLABACH Editor in Chief
Luke Baty was still groggy when he was kidnapped early Thursday morning and told he was a Sing Song host. But he was still excited. Baty, junior music major from Orchard Park, N.Y., said he was happy about being chosen once he woke up and realized who surrounded him. Baty was one of about to 45 people who auditioned
for the position of Sing Song host or hostesses on Sept. 17. Six were chosen for the parts, said Kendall Massey, director of student productions and a judge at the auditions. He said each person was given three minutes to perform a solo either with accompaniment or with a track. The next day most people were called back for a second audition. Massey said each person went through interviews with the judges and had to sight sing in groups to hear how groups blended. The groups were then tested for how individuals could move on stage and if they
had stage presence. Randy Royse, junior music major from Bedford, said she sang “Can’t Help Lovin’ Him” from the musical Showboat, and “Captivate Us” by Watermark. She said she was surprised and honored that she was selected because she is only a junior. “I started screaming and jumping up and down when they came,” Royse said. Both Royse and Baty decided to try out because they love to sing. “I just love to sing and perform,” he said. “It’s what I grew up doing so I wasn’t too nervous, just at the end waiting to hear results. I’m
Abilene Christian University
glad I can share my gift with others during Sing Song.” In the end, the six that were chosen were Baty, Royse; Jeremiah Gibson, senior youth and family ministry major from Garland; Evan Black, senior integrated marketing and communication major from Denison; Shalesia Rhodes, junior music education major from Longview; and Shaylee Busch, senior interior design major from Cedar Park. Now that hosts and hostesses have been chosen, Massey is focusing on helping them pick their songs See
HOSTS page 4
Serving the ACU community since 1912