The Optimist 8 27 14

Southland Spotlight ACU football kick off on national television Sports Page 8 vol. 103, no. 02

wednesday, august 26, 2014

1 SECTION, 8 PAGES

INSIDE NEWS Education Masters program closes because of lack of enrollment Page 7

Feature Four Welcome Week student directors have an exhausting yet rewarding week

Page 4

SEIZE THE

OPINION The Editorial Board discusses where your ALS Ice Bucket challenge money is going.

SELFIE

Page 6 emily teel Staff Photographer

Jennifer Haltom Doan, a 1986 graduate, takes a selfie in Moody Coliseum during her opening assembly Chapel speech.

SPORTS Collin Wieder gives the run down on what to expect in Georgia Page 8

Kent Brantly released from Emory Allison Brown managing editor

NEWS Parking challenges on the rise with construction Page 3

NEWS New school year means new faculty and new tenured faculty

Page 4

Dr. Kent Brantly was discharged from Emory University Hospital in Atlanta on August 21, less than a month after contracting a deadly disease, Brantly contracted the Ebola virus on July 23 while working for Samaritan’s Purse as a medical missionary in Liberia, one of the countries effected by the outbreak of this disease. He remained in Liberia for 9 days after his diagnosis be-

fore returning to America to receive treatment.

On Aug. 2, Brantly arrived in brantly A t l a n t a at Emory University Hospital, making him the first person to ever set foot in America with the Ebola virus. Dr. Bruce Ribner, director of Emory’s Infectious Disease Unit, said Brantly’s arrival caused some anxiety and fear amongst other hospital patients. “But we can-

not let our fears dictate our actions,” Ribner said. “We must all care.”

Ribner stated in last Thursday’s press conference that Brantly’s discharge poses no threat to public health.

After Ribner spoke, Dr. Brantly gave a statement to the audience.

“Today is a miraculous day,” he began. “I am thrilled to be alive, well, and reunited with my family.”

He told a condensed version of his story, from the day his wife and children returned home, to the mo-

ment he awoke feeling under the weather, soon realizing that he might not return home.

“I prayed that God would help me be faithful even in my illness,” Brantly said.

“I prayed that in life or in death, God would be glorified.”

Brantly was in the isolation unit of Emory for 3 weeks, where he received some of the best care wpossible. His condition improved and the hospital stated he was cured from Ebola last week.

“I serve a faithful God

who answers prayers,” Brantly said. “God saved my life, a direct answer to thousands and thousands of prayers.”

Brantly urged those listening and watching to keep praying for the people of west Africa and Liberia, because so many still are fighting the disease.

He and his family are now spending time away together after over a month apart. contact brown at akb12b@acu.edu

Monk’s opens new location off Ambler

OPINION Allison Brown questions the power and purpose of social media Page 6

SPORTS Senior Nick Richardson looks to break ACU all-time sack record Page 8

NEWS Chapel office undergoes changes with new leadership Page 4

ONLINE VIDEO Watch a recap our the ACU tradition: Welcome Week Candlelight Devo

cited to extend our reach a bit,” Hendrix said.

“We’re just going to continue to see what we can A second Monks Cof- do to have fun.” fee Shop will open relaSaw yer Teague, sophtively soon, aiming to omore information syscater more of a collegiate tems major from Double crowd.

Oak, is especially lookThe new location ing forward to the new shares a store space with location’s closer proximBooks 2U and is at 1333 ity to campus.

Ambler Ave., across the “It’s really great to street from Hardin Sim- have a coffee shop closmons University. er to campus,” he said.

Jerr y Hendrix, own- “Now there’s another er of Monks and sev- place to rela x and reeral other businesses in charge.”

Abilene, said he’s excited Hendrix also feels the about the new store’s lo- location is strategic givcation because it brings en its proximity to Henthe business closer to the drick Medical Center, collegiate community. one of Abilene’s largest “We love university centers of employment. students, and we’re ex- The combined traffic of

jonathan ward staff reporter

workers and students on the move should make the new Monks location, in Hendrix’s words, more of a “grab-and-go” shop.

With the collegiate market in mind, Hendrix said he has many creative ideas for the new location, such as catered game-day events and music on the patio.

Monks has been a cultural staple in Abilene since it opened in 2006, from its famous “Keep Abilene Boring” t-shirts to its unique social atmosphere. Monks also hosts an open-mic session ever y Thursday night, attracting acts such as Aaron Gillespie and the Civil Wars.

“My first infatuation

was downtown,” Hendrix said. “I grew up in a small town and so I liked that.

Because we’ve attracted the collegiate community, it just made sense to be closer to students.”

W hile the new location is open for business, Hendrix still needs more workers to fill shifts.

Since many upperclassmen and graduate students who worked at the shop last year have graduated and left Abilene, Hendrix said he’s looking for new hires. For more information or to apply, e-mail monksabilene @ gmail.com. contact ward at jtw12a@acu.edu

erika bolado Staff Photographer

Board backs Schubert despite divorce filings madeline orr editor in chief

The ACU Board of Trustees expressed support for President Phil Schubert in regard to challenges in their marriage and recent divorce proceedings between him and his wife, Jamie Schubert.

In an email to faculty and staff, Dr. Barry Packer, Chairman of the Board of Read more at Trustees, said board memacuoptimist.com bers said they will contin-

ue to support Schubert in his role as president while ensuring ACU’s mission is being fulfilled and it’s heritage upheld. The matter was discussed in the board’s quarterly meeting on campus Friday and Saturday.

“The trustees have agonized with the decision, praying fervently and investing significant time in dialogue,” Packer said in the email.

He said the board has been in prayer for the

“

The trustees have agonized with the decision, praying fervently and investing significant time in dialogue.”

Schubert family, the ACU community and for themselves to have wisdom and discernment in reaching a decision regarding Dr. Schubert’s continued leadership of the university.

“This is a highly per-

Abilene Christian University

dr. barry packer chairman of the acu board of trustees

sonal matter for the Schubert family and we want to respect their privacty. Our hope is that the ACU community will support the board’s decision while continuing to pray for Phil and Jamie and their children, as well

as for the trustees and our great university,” he said.

Editor’s note: We recognize this is a highly personal issue, yet one that has a potentially significant impact on students, faculty and the university, and is therefore newsworthy. Our continued coverage will focus on the board’s conversations and not that of the President’s personal life. contact orr at mco10b@acu.edu

wednesday 08.27.14

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wednesday

5 p.m. ACU versus Georgia State Watch Party in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center Gym D 8 p.m. Mandatory interest meeting for perspective pledges in Cullen Auditorium

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friday

6 p.m. Student Congress interest meeting in the Campus Center Living Room 7:30 p.m. Freud’s Last Session in Culp Theatre

saturday

7:30 p.m. Freud’s Last Session in Culp Theatre

5 p.m. Soccer versus Wayland Baptist University 7:30 p.m. Freud’s Last Session in Culp Theatre

Around Abilene

Chapel checkup To date:

29

thursday

2

Remaining:

4 91 @acuoptimist

Aug. 27-30

Aug. 28

Aug. 30

Aug. 28

11 a.m.-5 p.m.“Then and Now” exhibit shows the artistic evolution of thirteen artists over a period of 25 years. Until Aug. 30 in the Jane Breed Gallery at the Center for Contemporary Arts.

7 a.m.-12 p.m. Farmers Market at Mesquite and N. 1st

10 a.m.-10 p.m. The Fort Griffin State Historic Site will hold several family events.

At 2 p.m. the Texas Longhorn Herd will be featured, followed at 8:30 p.m. by a campfire tales presentation and stargazing led by local astronomers. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children 6 and older. Call 325-762-3592 for information.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. “Voyage Vagabonds” features exhibits

by Linda Stricklin and Bird Thomas with works inspired by their journey to Paris and the Biennali in Venice in 2013. In Gallery 4 at the Center for Contemporary Arts.

The Optimist optimist@acu.edu Police Log Announcements If you are interested in pledging in the fall semester, Student Life is holding a mandatory meeting at 8 p.m. Wednesday in Cullen Auditorium.

Center Living room. All students who are interested in running for building representative, housing representative or class officer are invited to attend.

The last day to register for class is Friday.

It is the last day to add/drop within the block for block students, and the last day to add or drop for 100% refund for non-block students.

There will be an ACU versus Georgia State Watch Party at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Recreation and Wellness Center - Gym D. Buffalo Wild Wings will cater the event.

Movies on the Hill will show Rudy at 8:30 Students’ Association is hosting a Stu- p.m. Sep. 5. The movie is free, but each dent Congress Interest Meeting at 6 family is asked to bring an item to dop.m. Aug. 28 in the Campus nate. The requested items are: travel size

hygiene items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, lotion, soap and toilet paper. All donations will benefit the Christian Service Center.

The last day for women to register to pledge in the fall semester is Aug. 31. The last day for men to register to pledge is Sept. 12. Go to acu.edu/socialclubs to register. You must meet all the eligibilty Freud’s Last Session will run Aug. 28-30 at requirements.

7:30 p.m. in Culp Auditorium. Directed by Gary Varner, the play shows what There will be a Part-Time Job and happens when faith and science collide Internship Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. as C.S. Lewis pays Sigmund Freud a visit. 9 in the Campus Center. Students who It features ACU Theatre professor Adam are looking for part-time employment or Hester as Freud and audience favorite internships while attending school at ACU Jacob Alexander as C.S. Lewis. There will will have the opportunity to visit with embe a talk-back after the play on Aug. 29. ployers.

Volunteer Opp0rtunities The Alliance for Women and Children is seeking volunteers for after-school child care for Pre-K5th grade children, 6th-8th grade children and A-Teens Middle School Girls Program. For more information about times and location, contact Toni Brown at 325-677-5321 or info@afwconline.org.

Beltway Park Baptist Church is seeking volunteers to help with special needs children in their program Kingdom Kids. Volunteers will be needed on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For more information, contact Sharla Sanders at 325-6926540 or sharlasanders@beltway.org.

The International Rescue Committee in Abilene needs your help in welcoming refugees to our community. We are seeking the following donations: hygiene and cleaning supplies, bed linen, towels and kitchen items (dishware, silverware, pots/pans etc). Donations are accepted Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m. or by appointment. Their office is located at 3303 N. 3rd St. Suite D. For more information contact Marie-Pascale Manishimwe at 325-675-5643.

Treadaway Kids is looking for more students and volunteers to join the group.

For more information, contact Carly Henderson at cah10a@acu.edu.

Friends for Life is seeking volunteers to help with both elderly residents and independent living elderly. Nursing home service opportunities include visiting, playing games, reading to the blind and assisting in arts and crafts.

Independent living service opportunities include mowing lawns, grocery shopping and changing light bulbs. To volunteer contact Cecilia Barahona at 325-672-2635 or cecilia@friendsforlife.org.

playing board games, helping with arts and crafts and helping with a walking club. For some of these tasks volunteers may be asked to lead a group or work alongside a staff coordinator. Volunteer opportunities are from 2-4 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. daily.

Contact Larissa Blankenship at 817-578-9296.

The Noah Project is seeking volunteers to help with tasks such as answering phone calls, providing child care and doing maintenance and housekeeping. To volunteer call 325-676-7107.

The Betty Hardwick Center is seeking volunteers for the Human Resources Center to help with filing and organizing.

This job requires someone with attention to detail who wishes to learn more about Human Resources. The job is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. To volunteer, please contact Martin Walker at 325-690-5235 or mwalker@bhcmhmr.org.

House of Faith is an organization that seeks to take Jesus to neighborhood children.

Volunteers are needed to help with the various programs they do throughout the week. Backyard Bible studies are hosted Mondays and Wednesdays and a youth program takes place on Thursday evenings.

The organization is seeking volunteers who can commit to a specific day a week.

House of Faith lasts from 3-5:30 p.m. To volunteer or for more information contact Amy Jeffers at abj09a@acu.edu or call 832-331-5324.

Love and Care Ministries is looking for volunteers to help with sorting clothing, stocking their food pantry, assisting in prayers in their prayer room and serving food to the homeless. For more information call 325-670-0246.

Breakfast on Beech Street is seeking volunteers to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income folks any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at 5:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 5 a.m.

B.O.B.S. is located at First Christian Church on 3rd Street and Beech Street Service times must be scheduled in advance. To serve on Mondays contact Jody Depriest at 325-669-3312 or jody.depriest@gmail. com. To serve on Tuesdays contact Allen Daugherty at 325-660-6949 or ale.al@ suddenlink.net. To serve on Wednesdays, contact Jane Harvey at 325-695-0092 or jharvread@aol.com. To serve on Thursdays, contact Margaret Beasley at 325692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net.

To serve on Fridays contact Terry Stremmel at terry.stremmel@acu.edu.

Volunteers are needed to help with daily activities organized by the staff at Chisholm House. This could involve

University Place is seeking volunteers to help with resident birthday parties for residents on the third Wednesday of each

month at 2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Linda Tijerina at 325-676-9946.

The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to help sort and stock food and other items Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The Food Bank is located at 5505 N. 1st St. For more information contact Janice Serrault at 325-695-6311 or abfoodbk@camalott.com.

The Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help with filing requests for items such as clothing and bedding from the donation center, sort and organize donations and occasionally pick up donated items. Volunteers are needed every weekday and the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. For more information, contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 orrobertabrown51@hotmail.com. For more information on the program visit http://www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc. htm.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters offers two volunteer programs. Lunch Buddies pairs volunteers with a little brother or little sister to have lunch with once a week for 30 minutes. Lunch Buddies has a preferred time of 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The community based program pairs volunteers with a little brother or little sister that they will hang out with two to four times a month. Both programs require commitment to the program for 12-18 months. To sign up, stop by the Big Brothers/Big Sisters office at 547 Chestnut St. or contact Randy Woods at 325-674-3102.

The Salvation Army is looking for

volunteers for a variety of needs such as sorting and pricing items in the thrift store, helping in the kitchen and/or doing yard work. Times are flexible and volunteers are needed Monday-Saturday. The Salvation Army is located at 1726 Butternut St. For more information, contact J.D. Alonzo at 325-677-1408 or visit www.satruck.co m.

Meals on Wheels Plus needs volunteer drivers to deliver afternoon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities MondayFriday between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Training is provided.

For more information contact Samantha Barker at 352-672-5050 or visit http:// mealsonwheelsplus.com.

Christian Ministries Food Pantry needs volunteers to help with tasks such as cleaning up, stocking shelves and bagging flour. They are seeking students who can make a commitment of 1-3 hours a week. For more information contact Becky Almanza at 325-673-5295 or balmanza7@sbcglobal.net.

The Center for International Education is looking for one male and one female volunteer to serve as conversation partners with ACU scholars who are looking to improve their English language skills. Volunteers will be required to spend one hour a week practicing conversation.

The day, time, and location are up to the students to decide. For more information or to volunteer, contact Leanne Moore at 325-674-2821 or lmm10b@ acu.edu.

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news

Wednesday 08.27.14

Grad Studies in Education lacks applicants linsey thut features editor The Department of Graduate Studies in Education faces likely closure within the next few months due to a lack of student enrollment.

“Basically, we are victims of everybody’s success,” said Dr. Bruce Scott, assistant professor of education. “We’re not getting the number of applicants and students in those programs that we need to make it financially viable.”

Low admittance has made it difficult for the program to continue operating a quality standard.

“Funding the program

and having a quality program is the problem,” Scott said. “You really can’t have a quality program with only one or two students. You can’t build the kind of class discussions that you need or the interaction with the professor that you need to have a quality program.”

Dr. Donnie Snider, graduate director, chair and dean of the college of education and human services, will propose the closing of the department to the Graduation Council in September.

The long-existing program is has been at ACU for around 50 years and was transitioned to an online degree seven years.

“When I came in 2003, there were less than five

in the superintendent program and less than 20 in the principal program,” Snider said. “Abilene is limited because if you take out Wiley and Abilene ISD, the surrounding districts are really small, so we couldn’t grow the program.”

After the transition, though, the program grew.

“At the time, we were early adopters,” Snider said. “Not many universities across the United States were offering a fully online masters in educational leadership administration and we grew.

We grew from about 25 to over 230 in 37 states.”

As more universities adopted the idea of an online program at a lower

cost, ACU’s program was quickly forgotten.

“Other universities over saturated the market,” Snider said. “There was so much demand and a lot of the online programs in Texas were taking over.”

Cost was a contributing factor in the decision to close the school as ACU could not lower prices to match other public universities and make profit.

“We’re not the only one’s going through this,” Snider said. “A lot of universities across the state are closing their masters programs and living off their doctoral program.

The department stopped accepting students in preparation for the close of the school.

“We admitted our last students in Spring I and suspended enrollment in Summer I,” Snider said.

“We were waiting on the vote because and were trying to limit how far out we would need to teach the program before it closed.”

The Graduation Council will vote in October whether to keep the program open or close it, but all signs point to its closure, though that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

“A lot of times when you close a program people are going to be out of a job, but in this case, we’ve timed it so that’s not happening so it feels a little better and it’s not as hard,” Snider said.

Two professors teach in

the department and one teaches graduate and undergraduate courses, but none face the risk of losing their job.

“Two professors have given verbal notice of retirement and the other will just go not teach graduate courses anymore,” Snider said. “It’s good timing that we can close the program out at the same time two professors are retiring.”

Snider said there is talk of a doctoral education program, but no official plans have been made to carry that out.

contact thut at lct10a@acu.edu

Construction complicates parking process marissa jones student reporter Parking on campus will be challenging due to the loss of spaces from construction.

The Vision in Action initiative is underway, beginning with construction next to Elmer Gray stadium and in Bennett Gymnasium.

While these new projects will be beneficial to the future of the university, they are only causing headaches right now.

“Students should expect problems with parking,” said Jimmy Ellison, ACU chief of police.

“However, there should still be adequate parking

for everyone on campus.”

Danielle Boyle, junior elementary education major from Atlanta, had trouble finding a parking spot on Monday.

“It took me quite a while to find a place to park,” Boyle said. “I had to walk further than I was hoping to get to class, so I’m glad I allowed for that extra time.”

There are already two major projects underway that began early this summer, each bringing with it a temporary loss of parking spaces.

Bennett Gymnasium, one of the oldest buildings on campus, is currently undergoing a 24,000 square foot remodel into a laboratory, workshop and

teaching space. The construction started late last semester and is projected to cost $5 million.

About 30 parking spaces have been closed around Nelson Hall and the Phillips Education Building to accommodate construction. These spots are expected to reopen when the project is finished, Ellison said.

The second construction site is the new track and field and soccer stadium on Ambler Avenue.

About 270 parking spots have been closed for this project. These include spots around Elmer Gray Stadium and the Oliver Jackson lot, which has been closed permanently.

Around 120 of these spots

“

That sort of stuff can happen anywhere, and Abilene is no exception. I know the police are doing their best to protect us.”

to $20.

“We revisit the price of permits every few years and adjust it depending on funding needs and the price of permits at our sister schools,” Ellison said. melody landrum junior elementary education major While the price of parkfrom frisco ing on campus may seem like a lot, ACU’s fee is low are expected to reopen important for all parties compared to other Texwith the completion of involved. as schools. Texas A&M’s the project.

“Students are still re- general student on-camIn light of the loss of quired to park in appro- pus parking is $275, and spots, Ellison expects priate parking,” Ellison Harding University has a more students to park to said. “ACUPD recognizes higher fee at $280. the south of campus. it will be frustrating, but Ellison said the price “What we tell every- safety is important. We of permits is expected to body is: expect maximum have to maintain emer- stay the same for at least a occupancy, arrive early, gency vehicle access at all few years. and be prepared to walk times.” a little further than you Along with the frustramight have had to walk tion of finding a spot, the contact the optimist at last year,” Ellison said. price for parking permits jmcnetwork@acu.edu In addition, safety is has also gone up from $10

Clinic services outsourced to Hendrick Hospital abigail runnels page 2 editor The ACU Clinic has partnered with Hendrick Medical Center and is now outsourcing medical services.

As of now, the clinic will be operated by Hendrick employees instead of ACU employees.

“We decided to make this change for a number of reasons,” said Dr. Allison Garrett, executive vice president.

The search for a different model began two years ago when Dr. Noel Thompson and other staff members began to review the clinic’s model of service.

“We had been looking at our clinic model and whether is was the best model – the model that can most efficiently serve our students and to make sure that if they need health care on campus, they are able to get it quickly and efficiently.”

In previous years, only students and their dependents were served by the clinic.

“Theoretically, employees could have gone there too, but we weren’t able to see as many students as we wanted to, so we wanted our students to have first priority,”

Garrett said. “In addition to seeing more students, we’ll be able to see faculty, staff, WWF employees and ARAMARK employees.”

The decision to outsource service to Hendrick will not only benefit faculty and staff, but will benefit the university as well.

“We will also save some money because Hendrick will be paying their employees instead of ACU paying clinic employees,” Garrett said. “The first year will help us figure out how much we’re saving, but we’re estimating several hundred thousand dollars.”

Previous employees were laid off, but some have found jobs on campus.

“We’re excited that they were quickly able to find a home on campus because they’re such wonderful people,” Garrett said.

The transition and change in staff will not affect students and has gone without complication.

Gravitt, the office manager at ACU Clinic, agrees that the staff transition will be best for the school.

“It was hard in the beginning,” Gravitt said. “Any drastic change like that is never easy. There was a lot of prayer and a lot of bless-

ing from students and the ACU community that were here before. We feel that this change is going to better serve the students.”

Three Hendrick employees will replace the previous medical staff of two providers and two registered nurses.

“Instead of having a fulltime physician on campus, we have a nurse practitioner who’s able to call the doctor and work closely with the doctor on every case if she needs to,” Gravitt.

The new staff model is expected to help increase efficiency and decrease patient wait time.

“We also have a licensed vocational nurse and we’re going to be utilizing CNAs to help us keep traffic and patient flow going and give optimum time with the nurse practitioner,” Gravitt said.

“Partnering with Hendrick, we’re able to put in really great systems that improve our efficiency and increase the number of patients that we are able to see per day.”

The new system will also make it easier to contact and make appointments with medical specialists.

“Now that we’re in the Hendrick network, we have other providers and specialists that we can very easily

refer people to and get them same day appointments outside of our clinic if necessary,” Gravitt said.

Patients who visit the ACU Clinic will have to pay a $35 fee, an increase of $5 from last year, and pay additional fees for other services.

Hendrick’s decision, made in late June, to no longer accept Blue Cross blue Shield insurance will not affect ACU Clinic patients.

“We didn’t accept insurance before and this clinic still does not accept insurance because we have such a low office visit,” Gravitt said.

“Students pay a flat rate with testing and labs at additional cost, but we also keep those very low. It’s our goal to keep our costs to the students as close to what it would be for a co-pay if they had insurance.”

Students will not see a change in clinic services, and the staff has a positive outlook for the year.

“Hendrick’s provided us with amazing providers,” Gravitt said. “We are really excited to get going and are really looking forward to serving more of ACU community.” contact runnels at anr11a@acu.edu

news

Friday 08.27.13

4

University welcomes twelve new faculty members dystanie doughlas staff reporter ACU faculty members receive welcome and affirmation to begin the new school year. 12 new Faculty members have been added into the ACU community and 12 have been granted tenure from the University.

For many educators, tenure is the ultimate goal. It secures a consistent and stable future for the lives of educators without them having to worry about year-to-year contracts. Tenure is not only a relief for these faculty members, but it is also deemed to be a great accomplishment.

Each year faculty members who seek to receive tenure create a portfolio of his/her work.

The portfolio includes various accolades of work and achievement that the faculty member has made throughout their course at ACU so far. According to the “Tenure Promotion Guide,” in addition to the

portfolio, a perspective tenure faculty member must meet the following criteria: · Faculty members are active members of a congregation of the Churches of Christ. · Because a faculty member’s life as a Christian also includes time spent serving God and family, the University will respect the faculty member’s need to balance professional, spiritual, family and private life.

“It was a big relief to receive tenure,” said Dr. Vic McCracken, Associate Professor of Bible Missions and Ministry. “You work hard to do your best job teaching, and writing and being a good colleague. So I think that receiving tenure is an affirmation, affirming that colleagues recognize the quality work that you have done with students and what you are contributing to the field you are studying.”

“It is always a bit of a relief when you get that letter,” said Christopher

Hutson, Associate Professor in the College of Biblical Studies. “It’s good to feel like i fit in here.”

Along with faculty members receiving tenure, there are also many who are just beginning their journey and finding their place of belonging at ACU. “I love teaching,” said new ACU faculty member Carolina Archer, Instructor of Language and Literature. “ACU is a really good place to be, I feel like I am with family here.”

Although the new faculty members have just joined the ACU community, many of them already have big plans, hopes and aspirations of what they will bring to campus.

“I hope to raise awareness of how important it is to speak a foreign language.” said Archer. “I want to broaden students points of views and mindsets of the world and what it has to offer.” contact douglas at dsd11b@acu.edu

Tenure faculty memNew Faculty bers include: Carolina Dr. Lynette ArcherAustin, associate instructor professor of language of comand munication literature science disorders Dr. Dr. Greg Robert Brooks Byrd, associate assistant professor professorofof marinformation riage and technology family studies Dr. Jonathan Camp, associate Dr. Brandon professor Houghtalen of communication assistant professor of music Dr. John Casada, associate professor of psychology Dr. Joey Cope, associate professor of conf lict resolution Tenured Dr. MichaelFaculty Daugherty, associate Dr. Lynette professor Austin of engineering associate and professor physics of communication Dr. Jess Dowdy, science professor disorders of engineering and physics Dr. Kari Robert Hartfield, Byrd associate associate professor professor of theater of information Dr. Christopher technology Hutson, associate professor, college Dr. Jonathan of biblical Camp studies associate Dr. David professor McAnulty, of associate communication professor of psychology Dr. Dr.John Victor Casada McCracken, associate associate professor professor of of bible, psychology missions and ministry

New Faculty: Carolina Archer, inNoemi structor Palomares of language and instructor literatureof Bible, missions, Dr.and Greg ministry Brooks, assistant professor of marriage Richard and family Jinkerson studies associate Dr. professor of Brandon engineering Houghtalen, and physics assistant professor of music Dr. Stacy Tim Kennedy Shenefield, inassociate structor professor of language of en-and gineering literatureand physics Noemi Palomares, Diane instructor Jackson of bible, misinstructor sions, and ofministry nursing Richard Jinkerson, associate professor of engineering and physics Dr.Dr. JoeyTim CopeKennedy, associate associateprofessor professor of of engineering conflict resolution and physics Diane Jackson, instructor Dr. Michael of nursing Daugherty associate Catherine professor Northrup, of eninstructor gineering and of physics nursing Kari Williams, assistant Dr. Jess professor Dowdy of occupational professor therapy of engineering andKay physics Williams, assistant professor of dietetics Kari Hartfield associate professor of theater

Catherine Northrup instructor of nursing Stacy Shenefield instructor of language and literature Kari Williams assistant professor of occupational therapy Kay Williams assistant professor of dietetics

Dr. Christopher Hutson associate professor, college of biblical studies Dr. David McAnulty associate professor of psychology Dr. Victor McCracken associate professor of bible, missions and ministry

Chapel to change under new leadership Elijah Evans student reporter A revamped Chapel greets returning students this year.

The Chapel staff, formerly headed by Mark Lewis, the new Dean of Students, is now led by Mark Jackson and David Moses. Jackson, the associate director of student organizations and programs, and Moses, director of leadership camps, take the ropes in addition to their normal roles.

“

We want students to hear from our seniors and learn from their experiences.”

Mark Jackson associate director of student organizations and progrmas

The pair will administer the email list, schedule speakers and preside over Chapel on a regular basis, Jackson said.

Jackson said that the Monday, Wednesday and Friday chapels in Moody will primarily look the same, but seniors will begin to speak on Wednesdays this semester.

“We want students to hear from our seniors and learn from their experiences,” Jackson said.

The chief change this semester concerns small group chapels. Beginning the third of week of the fall semester, they will occur on Tuesday and Thursday, instead of just Tuesday.

Immersed, an instrumental Chapel in Moody, will also occur on Tuesday and Thursday instead of once a week, Jackson said.

Jackson sought out

alumni preachers and recruited them to speak in Chapel this year.

“They will speak about their testimonies, faith journeys and a theme centered around worship, discipleship and unity,” he said.

As new leaders, Jackson and Moses went to students to determine what changes they would make to the daily Chapel service.

“I prefer more experienced leaders when going to a worship setting,” said Steven Hendry, senior political science major from Los Angeles. “I’m excited to hear what they have to say and how ACU has helped them get to where they are today.”

Ultimately, Chapel will continue to do what it does, Jackson said.

Jackson and Moses will

not change the previous approach, but took students’ opinions into consideration.

“We heard loud and clear that students really wanted more small group options on Tuesday and Thursday,” Jackson said.

Jackson said that many students also told him they wanted to lead and participate in Chapel, but did not know how.

“Soon, we should have an online application for students to get involved in Chapel,” he said. “We want to mix it up a little bit too. Getting students involved in prayer, scripture readings, the praise team and speaking in Chapel will provide that change of pace.”

Photo BY emily teel contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Dr. Odies Wright, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Nutrition, leads the student body during Opening Chapel.

Study Abroad adds immersive Spanish to program James eldred staff reporter Nearly three dozen students leave today to take part in the Study Abroad semesters in Montevideo, Uruguay and Oxford, England.

Stephen Shewmaker, executive director of the Center for International Education, said that while fall enrollment in the Study Abroad programs is often lower than spring enrollment, the number of participants has gone up since last year.

“This fall, there are 23 students going to Oxford and 12 to Montevideo,” he said. “Our fall groups are traditionally smaller than

the spring groups.”

Shewmaker explained that the Study Abroad programs are specifically targeted for sophomores, and typically include general eductation courses like language, literature, Bible and humanities.

This year, however, the Montevideo trip is significantly different.

“For the first time, we’re doing a Spanish immersion program in Montevideo,” Shewmaker said.

“There are two tracks – an intermediate track and an advanced track – and students will take all their courses in Spanish, and the language of the house the students are staying in will be Spanish.”

Paul Roggendorff, as-

“

I’ve lost a lot of my Spanish, and I want to regain that Spanish. The program is perfect for that.”

sociate professor of Spanish, is leading the Spanish immersion course in Montevideo. He said the new program was designed to immerse students in the culture and language of Uruguay.

“Because we’re taking students that have more than just basic Spanish proficiency, and all they’re studying is Spanish, they’re going to be able to use the lan-

Mandy rama sophomore family studies major from montevideo

guage a whole lot more and a whole lot quicker,” Roggendorff said. “We’re going to be able to go out more and interact with the locals to make friends and get involved.”

He said the group will pledge to speak Spanish exclusively from breakfast to dinner, allowing students to prepare for the day comfortably and unwind in the evenings while still getting to know

Uruguay and its people.

“One of the reasons I’m going on this trip is to familiarize myself with where I’m from,” said Mandy Rama, sophomore family studies major. “I’ve lost a lot of my Spanish, and I want to regain that Spanish. The program is perfect for that.”

Rama, who was born in Montevideo to missionary parents, said she is also looking forward to cultural immersion.

“The group is so small – it’s only 12 of us,” Rama said. “I think that’s going to give us an opportunity to hang out with people outside the ACU group and get to know the culture – and the food.”

Rama and other stu-

dents are looking forward to the opportunity ahead and so is Roggendorff.

“The students are very excited about this program, and we are very excited to offer it for them,” Roggendorff said. “It’s a significant increase in Spanish language and culture learning opportunities.”

Application spots for the spring semesters abroad are limited, with the Uruguay program offering the most openings.

For information to apply, visit www.acu.edu/academics/studyabroad/.

contact eldred at jfe11a@acu.edu

SA offices to be relocated, remodeled Jonathan Ward student reporter The Students’ Association office is undergoing renovation and is being relocated to improve operating efficiency and accessibility to students.

Rodney Johnson, president of Students’ Association, and the incoming 2014-2015 Executive Cabinet collectively made the decision earlier this year to renovate the office as well as the entire Student Life section of the campus basement.

Johnson, senior finance major from Odessa, believes the office’s renovations will allow students to better connect with ACU’s student organizations.

“The vision behind remodeling the Students’ Association office is achieving improved efficiency, increased student interaction and more exposure to the

Students’ Association,” he said. “It is our goal to reach as many students as we can, and the new office is designed to help serve that purpose.”

Rudy Garza, chief communications officer of Students’ Association, also believes the remodeling will facilitate greater student involvement and provide more effective service to the student body.

“We’ll have more effective co-working spaces for both Congress and the Executive Cabinet,” Garza said.

“The layout will be similar, with the addition of an administrative workroom for congressmen and an office for each executive officer.

These improvements will greatly improve the workflow efficiency.”

Garza, junior marketing major from Corpus Christi, is also excited about the new location of the office.

“Unlike our old offices that were hidden in the back

“

We’ll have more effective co-working spaces for both Congress and the Executive Cabinet.”

Rudy Garza chief communications officer

corner of the Campus Center basement, the new offices will be at the forefront of the basement, surrounded by other Student Life offices.”

Johnson said ACU is fully funding the project as a part of the entire Student Life basement remodeling.

Johnson expects the project to be completed between late September and early October.

Students’ Association will be housed downstairs in the Center for Christian Service Leadership, rooms 26 and 28. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

5

Wednesday 08.27.14

featureS

Four Directions One Purpose

paige otway Staff photographer

Linsey Thut Features Editor

B

y 9:30 a.m. on the Wednesday of Welcome Week, Alex Abston has been sitting through talent show auditions for an hour and a half, watching everything from musical performances to wacky tricks. Judging from her bubbly attitude and gracious “Thank you” to each auditioning freshman, one might never guess Abston is running on less-than-average sleep.

Abston, student director for Welcome Week and Passport, is one of the four student directors that have been meticulously preparing since January for the beloved tradition that is Welcome paige otway Staff photographer Week.

Header: The directors enjoy the Backyard Bash.

She cheerily describes her duties of the past 24 hours, the candlelight devotional being the Above: Lauren welcomes students to Moody Morning. crowning moment.

“I got up at 4:50 a.m. yesterday,” she said. “We got doughnuts and kolaches, and with the help of my beautiful 27 Campus Crew members and Steering Committee, we started laying tarp.”

Abston said that by 7 a.m. Tuesday morning, she was laying out 250 bricks to set up for the devotional that night.

“My job is really focused on this week,” she said. “I have a lot of prep work, but mostly it’s just executing the activities.”

The junior pre-law and communications major from the Woodlands posted an impressive list of responsibilities for the week, including Mentor Group Olympics, corralling Campus Crew volunteers, Sunrise Devotional and setting up a giant game of Twister in Moody.

Abston said the traditions of Welcome Week are what make all the hard work pay off.

“I have such fond memories of Welcome Week,” Abston said. “Just getting to relive the moments, it brings back such a joyful season for me.”

With an hour left until lunch at noon, Abston rushes from talent show auditions to meet up with the other student directors at the freshman worship event, Moody Morning.

At a table set up right inside the doors of Moody Coliseum, Lauren Pratt, senior psychology major from Lawrenceville, New Jersey, happily hands out daily newsletters at Welcome Week Central to group leaders while directing lost freshmen to paige otway Staff photographer their respective places.

P

Above: Eric welcomes freshmen and transfer students

ratt’s major responsibility as a student di- to Moody Morning for worship. rector was overseeing Mentor Groups. In the spring, she began interviews for mentor and peer leaders with the goal of making each group diverse.

“That means there is someone from each of the classes in each group, we make sure we have guys and girls, I tried to mix up social clubs,” Pratt said. “It was a long process getting them in groups and trying to make them different.”

Pratt, along with the rest of the student directors, spent the summer preparing for the fated insanity of Welcome Week. The moment it was time for freshmen to arrive, she was ready to implement the ideas they worked on for so long.

“We’ve gotten all the paperwork done, we’ve gotten all the work done,” Pratt said. “We just have to execute the work that we’ve been planpaige otway Staff photographer ning for the whole time.”

One of those ideas Pratt spent countless hours Top: Lauren and Alex give students the day’s schedule. planning out was the Service Project. Staying Bottom: Caroline addresses students during Welcome true to Welcome Week’s past, this years’ service Week. project was a canned food drive in which all students went door-to-door collecting cans, giving them a unified class experience.

“They’re all going to have their own different and unique experiences,” Pratt said. “But this is a way to put them in a similar situation.”

Pratt, along with her three fellow directors, also created the “Awake” theme of Welcome Week.

“We got together with a panel of faculty and staff at ACU,” Pratt said. “We talked about it and prayed about it and picked out a theme that really resonated with all of us.”

Pratt pointed out that the irony of the “Awake” theme is that she and the other student directors were on the go so much that sleeping during Welcome Week wasn’t an option.

“We have a running group text that goes on from about 6 o’clock in the morning until 2 o’clock in the morning,” she said.

However, for Pratt, the sleepless nights and hectic days are worth it when she remembers her

own Welcome Week experience.

“Coming to ACU changed my life, and Welcome Week was the start of that,” Pratt said.

Nearby, Caroline Gafford, also a student director, leads three international students into Moody before worship begins.

Gafford, senior biochemistry major from Dallas, was the international director for Welcome Week, as well as a self-proclaimed Welcome Week fanatic.

“I’m seriously obsessed with Welcome Week,” Gafford said. “I just love interacting one-on-one with the freshmen.”

Gafford said her main job was picking up international students from the airport in the van she named “Big Bertha” and helping them settle in to their dorms. Much of her time was spent helping students shop for college necessities at Walmart, locate their dorms and grow close to their ESL groups.

Gafford said she had quite a few students to keep up with, and along with that, quite a few lists to help keep up with those students.

“I have a list that tells me their flight schedule, I have a list that tells me which ones are in ESL, I have a list of international students and where they are from, and then I have a list of pickup times,” Gafford said.

Along with caring for the international students, Gafford also planned a service project that would fit her students.

“The service project for the others students is going door-to-door collecting cans,” Gafford said. “There’s an English barrier and that would be uncomfortable for the international students.”

Instead, Gafford and her students visited Christian Village, an assisted living home, and played games with the residents.

Even through her numerous airport trips and Walmart runs, Gafford was still able to smile because she said she knows the importance of freshman year.

“I really cherished my time at ACU because I’m much different than I was freshman year,” Gafford said. “It’s just a time to wake up and realize you’re an adult now.”

As Moody fills with the chatter of anxious freshmen, Eric Schinske grabs the microphone to greet the crowd of freshmen and prepare them for morning worship. chinske, social work graduate student from Argyle, was the student director in charge of transfers and worship. He said much of his job was giving the transfer students activities they could enjoy that were different from those of the freshmen.

“There’s some events that transfer students wouldn’t really care for because they’ve already gone through an orientation process,” Schinske said.

For example, during the Mentor Olympics, Schinske took his transfer students to Nikki’s Frozen Yogurt.

Schinske’s other main job was preparing for the worship events at Welcome Week. He organized all the worship leaders, their songs and their slideshows.

A big struggle in his job was finding the time to complete everything without being three places at once.

“When you have 15 minutes to put all the center pieces out in Teague and you also have to set up all of Moody, and you have to read your script and you realize you have to speak at Moody, it can get pretty stressful,” he said.

Even though Schinske seemed to be stretched thin during the week, he said the relationships he formed with the other student directors was worth the stress.

“We have such different personalities but get along so well and work well together,” Schinske said. “It’s such a blessing.”

And seeing the difference the four of them could make was just a plus, he said.

“Seeing how well it works, seeing these relationships form and seeing these people so happy to be introduced to this amazing community, I think that’s what I love about it,” Schinske said.

As the praise team sang out, signifying the start of Moody Morning, the four exhausted directors, who spent their mornings running in four different directions to run one of the biggest weeks of the year, finally joined together in the midst of their creation and the relationships they helped spark, reminded of their one purpose: to welcome new freshmen to the next four years of their lives.

S

contact thut at lct10a@acu.edu

paige otway Staff photographer

Opinion

Wednesday 08.27.14

6

editorial

We challenge the #ALS Ice Bucket Challenge the issue The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has infested our Facebook and Instagram feeds. As a result millions of dollars have been donated on a whim without much consideration.

our take A little bit more research should be done before self-inflicting yourself with ice water or emptying your wallet.

With the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on the rise and hundreds joining each day, critically thinking about the challenge before participating is crucial.

The challenge consists of pouring a bucket of ice cold water over your head then naming a few other people to do the same in less than 24

hours, or donating money to the ALS Association for research to find a cure for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which leads to loss of voluntary muscle control.

After its start in June, the challenge has reached thousands across the globe, includ-

ing former president George W. Bush, Will Smith and Oprah Winfrey.

As Facebook and Instagram feeds continue to fill with families, friends and teammates being doused in cold water, it is showing no sign of stopping.

On Monday, the ALS Association announced that the challenge has raised $79.7 million for research against the disease so far.

While searching for a cure for the debilitating ALS is an honorable mission, participants should investigate the association before giving money.

“

We are not telling you to keep from donating or to stop participating in the ice bucket challenge...”

According to an article on the Christian Post website, a Christian news network, the ALS Association uses animals for experiments.

The website also said the association uses embryos in its research.

Other skeptical investigators claim the association’s research on

ALS is only receiving one third of the donations.

The association has denied the claims, but have raised the question: where is all the money going?

For people battling the disease today, a variety of methods is used to keep their muscles from rapidly deteriorating, all of which drive medical bills through the roof for families.

Instead of giving to a large foundation, participants can challenge one another to donate to a specific hospital, or family, to cover costs of home-based, 24-hour care.

We are not telling you

to keep from donating or to stop participating in the ice bucket challenge, even if the videos are becoming repetitive, but to evaluate where the money is going before clicking the transfer button.

If the ALS Association’s operation does not appeal to you after doing more research, other organizations exist to fight similarly debilitating diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and could use the funds just as much.

contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

daily doodle dosage

by BEN TODD

hashtagACU Follow @acuoptimist on Twitter Aug. 25 11:54 a.m.

Study math she says

Aug. 26 7:18 a.m.

Honestly, there’s a huge difference between 8 am’s and 9 am’s.

@laurpay Aug. 25 11:43 a.m.

@DaChapelGuy is this the real mark lewis

@BlayneDarnell Aug. 25 11:57 a.m.

My mind is already in Georgia #2days

@treytres3 Aug. 25 6:54 a.m.

National dog day = my Instagram is a Sarah McLaughlin commercial

@AlexWhitten Aug. 25 11:53 a.m.

She’s definitely a Siggie. #excitable

@SARyForTweeting @BrainOfJake

Why would you leave the dorms?

Yaks@ACU

TRY TO CATCH VAGABONDAGE SOME ZZZ’s SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND DANIEL ZEPEDA

#acuoptimist on Yik yak Freshman complaining about curfew acting like they got somewhere better to be

Chapel Yaks

SCHUBY ON YAK

There are thousands of seats here and you choose to sit in the one my feet are on.

Apple Computer University

Still ticked the optimist is following this. THEY KNOW EVERYTHING.

Sometimes I think I wanna pledge, but then I realize I couldn’t make fun of all the clubs like I do

ACU dorms. There’s not really much you can say about them. The usual complaints include their small size, lack of privacy and, if you’re a guy, the smell. As someone who spent two years living in a dorm, I can tell you they are necessary for every student here. Plus, haven’t you ever heard “you never know what you got until it’s,” well... you know.

As a junior, I spent last

THE OXFORD VAGABONDAGE COMMA SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND

ALLISON BROWN

They started putting Yaks on the Optimist? Is that a really good idea?

I don’t know how to talk to Siggies. I need to learn Parseltongue.

He found us. Change the name.

The advent of online social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook has transformed what social interactions and activism look like on a daily basis.

Good causes or noble efforts are often those that are trending on the world wide web. In an article on social media and activism, Malcolm Gladwell says, “The world, we are told, is in the midst of revolution.

The new tools of social media have reinvented social activism… Where activists were once defined by their causes, they are now defined by their tools.” Ameri-

editorial and Letter Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing

personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

published by the department of journalism and mass communication editorial and management board

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

back-and-forth communication just to go grab a burger. And Chapel has become more of a social gathering than an ACU requirement (sorry, Mark).

The point is, young underclassmen, don’t take the dorms for granted. Sure, they’ve got their low points, but for now, it’s your home.

It’s where you find your friends and make your most memorable moments live forever. Mabee was my home. Edwards was my home. And it was because of the people I met that made it so. contact Zepeda at arl09a@acu.edu

Can social media save the world?

Dr. Money looking dapper as usual

Cargos can hold everything except a conversation with a girl.

year in Edwards Hall with my best friends, and, needless to say, there was never a dull moment. There was always someone to hang out and chill with no matter what time of day or night.

Living in an apartment alone now makes it clear how unique of an opportunity that was.

The atmosphere that comes with living in a dorm can be found in few places

other than a dorm. Friends are always one or two, or maybe three, doors down, which means a good time is never far away. Living on campus promises a shorter commute and is just minutes from anywhere on campus. And perhaps most importantly, who doesn’t love curfew?

OK, maybe that last one isn’t so great, but hey, you take the good with the bad.

As a first-time apartment resident, I can tell you that it definitely has its perks.

Cooking meals, quietness for homework and a TV all to myself. But the community has been greatly missed.

Spontaneous plan-making with friends now results in

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can culture is oversaturated with webpages and Twitter accounts promoting activism, making it all the more difficult to sift through the static and act on causes worthy of backing.

Social media activism continues to grow as a trend in American culture because when it comes down to it, there is hardly any risk involved for supporters. People click the follow button, they post a video, they give $3 a month to end wars 3000 miles away.

But you know, it isn’t scary to give up a Starbucks latte to donate to clean water, or

dump a bucket of ice water on your head because all your friends did it too.

In society today, these are the commitments that earn retweets or garner praise from fellow Facebook friends. While some individuals argue that social media has dramatically increased society’s participation towards different causes, others like Gladwell say participation has increased only because the levels of motivation required to participate are considerably less than those of social movements in preinternet days. Social media users are able to express their thoughts about issues and show their support through their newsfeeds, but these expressions tend to stay where they feel most at home – online.

So we must ask the ques-

tion: Can a hashtag really change the world? The ability social networks possess to create widespread awareness of major issues is commendable, but networking via the World Wide Web cannot replace the real-world human action needed to change very broken things that surround us.

Activism can morph into digital passivism when social media is the only tactic employed. As these trends continue to emerge and be studied in this age of information, many of the results show the same findings. Social media is great at generating awareness, but it is not the medium for sustaining enduring change in the real world. contact Brown at arl09a@acu.edu

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news

Wednesday 08.27.14

COBA shifts leadership before semester begins Emily Seidel copy editor The College of Business Administration saw a shift in leadership as two department chairs and the associate dean transition into fulltime faculty positions before the semester began.

As of June 1, Dr. Don Pope, chair of Management Sciences, Bill Fowler, chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance, and Dr. Monty Lynn, associate dean of the College of Business, have stepped down from their positions to focus on instruction.

Pope, an alumnus of Oklahoma Christian University, came to ACU in 2000 and served as the chair of Management Sciences for the past six years. He said his time as chair allowed him to help COBA through the hires he has made and other people he has brought into the department.

“Looking back on those six years as chair, I cherish

the memories of helping to interview and hire several new young faculty members that have brought new capabilities and energy to our department and students,” Pope said.

During his time as chair, Pope put together COBA’s Assurance of Learning system and balanced several responsibilities, including budget management, course scheduling, proposing new degree plan revisions and reviewing personnel for faculty, to name a few.

However, Pope said he is looking forward to returning to full-time instruction.

“I look forward to focusing more on my first love here which is teaching,” Pope said. “The chair of a large department such as Management Sciences has many other duties in addition to teaching. The main thing I will miss is the close working interaction with our staff. Our staff are superheroes and I really learned to appreciate them while serving as chair.”

Pope will teach Business

Statistics, Introduction to Management Science, and Total Quality Management this fall. Dr. Mark Phillips has replaced him as chair, which is a good move for COBA, Pope said.

“In his new role as department chair, he can help COBA respond to the issues identified in that study,” Pope said. “And he is an excellent, experienced classroom teacher and can thus relate to all the department faculty and the issues that they face day-to-day.”

Fowler has served as the chair of the Department of Accounting and Finance for more than 20 years, leaving behind a legacy that includes the launching of a Master of Accountancy program. This program has attracted more students to COBA since its beginning and has provided career opportunities for many graduates in accounting and finance.

Fowler earned his bachelor’s from Harding University in 1975 and became a Certified Public Accountant

in 1977. He came to ACU in 1984 after receiving his Master’s degree from Walsh College in 1983. He originally served as the assistant vice president for finance here at ACU until 1991.

Since becoming department chair, Fowler has hired every faculty member currently serving in the Department of Accounting and Finance. In addition to his chair responsibilities, he is an associate professor of accounting and finance, teaching such classes as auditing and taxation. He has passed the baton to Dr. John Neill, an ACU alumnus and professor of accounting and finance since 2000.

Lynn, another alumnus of Harding University, came to ACU in 1985 with an impressive collection of degrees under his belt, including his bachelor’s from Harding, a master’s from Cornell University and a doctorate from Brigham Young University.

Lynn has been with COBA since 1985 and has served as the associate dean for the

last five years. In addition to his role as associate dean, he was the W.W. Caruth chair of Owner and Managed Business in COBA and the director of COBA’s M.B.A. program. He was also the Teacher of the Year in 1990 and a Fulbright Scholar in Slovenia in 1995-1996.

Stepping down as associate dean will be a good transition, Lynn said, but will still be an adjustment with one or two downsides.

“I’ll miss the working relationships most,” Lynn said. “Although we’re all still ACU colleagues, I will miss the frequent interaction with staff, faculty, and administrative friends who work with the Associate Dean.”

However, Lynn also said he is looking forward to fulltime teaching and researching again, as they are his two passions.

“Of course, I have more time with faculty and staff in the college, and more time with students in teaching and research – each of which is a treasured blessing. I’m

already enjoying investing more in my students and classes.”

Dr. Andy Little, a fellow Teacher of the Year (20112012), has taken the associate dean position in place of Lynn. Little earned his bachelor’s from ACU in 1997, as well as a master’s from West Texas A&M University and law degree from Texas Tech, before joining ACU faculty as an assistant professor of management in 2010. Little is a choice of which Lynn highly approves.

“We are so fortunate to have Andy Little to serve as associate dean,” Lynn said. “Andy is an inspiring teacher who embodies all the qualities honored in academics – a personable, energetic man and deep thinker who inspires all around him. Andy is widely respected. He already is providing capable leadership to the college.” contact seidel at eks13b@acu.edu

Home-school may change college recruitment brittany jackson staff reporter Last year, Haley Renemar had no idea how to get into college. Monday, she began her collegiate experience at ACU. Renemar, freshman convergence journalism major from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was home-schooled from kindergarten up to high school graduation last year.

Her parents preferred the rigorous, personal atmosphere of home education over “indoctrinating” public school education, she said. However, when it came time to apply to colleges, the Renemars didn’t know where to begin.

After attending a convention hosted by the New Mexico Homeschool Association, they hired a college coach to prep Haley.

“If I hadn’t have had her help, I wouldn’t have been able to figure that kind of thing out, because my parents didn’t really know,” she said.

Renemar said her college coach prepared her for the ACT, prompted her to create a resume and helped organize a list of thirty schools meeting specific criteria Renemar was interested in.

After her college coach suggested ACU, mainly because she once roomed with someone who attended and loved the university, ACU passed through evaluation and landed itself a spot on Renemar’s top ten list.

“It was really helpful having my counselor keep calling me a lot. And I really, really appreciated that, because the other schools didn’t really care,” she said.

“I could tell the other schools didn’t really have a high want for me.”

More than 4,000 students attend ACU, each with their own educational background. Recruitment processes differ for each student, including home-schoolers.

Home schooling in America About 40 years after the home schooling movement reared its head in the schooling system, America is seeing the results through significant rises in the amount of home-schooled students in the past decade. ACU, home to about 140 home-schooled students last year, is just one of thousands of universities reaching out to this demographic.

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, the amount of American home-schooled students increased from 1 to 1.5 million from 1998 to 2007, causing many colleges and universities to transform their recruiting systems. ACU is not excluded from these universities.

Many factors contribute to the decision of homeschooling a student. One of the most accepted reason revolves around religion, but parents’ own aspirations of teaching their child more than the public school system, frequent traveling and living restraints may cause

students to enroll in homeschool.

Logan Smith, junior biology major from Houston, said he attended a private Christian school before his parents began to homeschool him in fourth grade, looking to personally influence his religious and educational upbringing.

“Home-schoolers are a different breed, they or their parents are very driven,” Smith said. “Being homeschooled is not as easy as it seems. You have to have a certain amount of drive.”

Janine Morgan, instructor of Bible, missions and ministry, said she home-schooled her daughters for a portion of their elementary school years with a more self-serving vendetta.

“There was a kind of a purpose, a real focused purpose in life,” she said. “And for somebody that had kind of lost what their purpose in life was, it was really appealing to me.”

She said the home schooling was short-lived, having only instructed her daughters for one year until the experiment tired.

“

There was a kind of a purpose, a real focused purpose in life.” janine morgan instructor of bible, missions and ministry

As the number of homeschooled students entering college has increased, universities have struggled to recruit those students.

Home-schooled students at ACU said the university was helpful in their recruitment, but could be more proactive in the future.

“I’m glad that they didn’t treat me like a different person, I got treated like everyone else,” Smith said.

“But I thought there might be something else for us, like scholarships for being homeschooled.”

The advocation for home schooling can be seen as far back as Wisconsin v. Yoder, a Supreme Court case of 1972 in which Amish parents fought to take their children out of the public school system before eighth grade.

The Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of Yoder supported parents’ rights to “establish a home and bring up children,” as well as to “worship God according to the dictates of [their] own conscience,” forming the backbone of modern home schooling.

Scope of Movement Home schooling is now legal in all 50 states.

According to the Home School Legal Defense Association, the amount of students educated at home is increasing exponentially, making the number closer to 2 million.

The movement across America is not exclusive to one race, a yearly income or an age group. Instead, many White, Black, Hispanic and other races are included in the census. The students

“

Being home-schooled is not as easy as it seems. Yu have to have a certain amount of drive.”

may have one or two parents, with a yearly income anywhere from less than $25,000 to more than $75,000.

Tamara Long, director of enrollment, said ACU has seen a slight, if any, increase in enrolled home-schooled students. Many families of students don’t label themselves as strictly homeschooled.

“It’s not they’re not being forthcoming, it’s that they actually have a name for their home school,” Long said.

“They treat it as an academy, so identifying home school families is difficult.”

She said there are about 160 home-schooled students enrolled this year.

As these students learn, develop their education and grow into young adults, they will be applying to colleges all across the nation. A separate tab under admissions on www.acu.edu was created specifically for homeschooled students applying to the institution. It explains the required fields of the application process, such as letters of recommendation and transcript requests.

But as an up-and-coming university, ACU will have to continue to recognize and act on these educational changes to better advertise the university’s assets to the home-schooled students.

David Pittman, director of recruitment, said the university is taking those steps.

“There are a lot of families, probably more than before, that are going to home schools,” Pittman said. “We kind of changed the way that we worked with this specific demographic a couple years ago.”

He said a tour day was set up specifically for homeschooled students and families, allowing them to connect with current students who made a similar transition. ACU also targeted and placed ads in major home school publications.

Many students were taken out of public and private school because their parents were searching for a deeper exploration of education.

Such was the case with Lo-

logan smith junior biology major from houston

gan Smith.

“I went to a private Christian school before being home-schooled. My parents pulled me out to make sure I was getting more attention, as they did with my brother,” Smith said.

Pittman said homeschoolers, much like Smith, would be most likely to flourish in ACU’s community.

“It’s a smaller, private place where, obviously, we have values of faith and relationship, but also that it’s a smaller community feel,” Pittman said. “So it’d be less of a jump from the university experience for more home school students that may have only been in class with siblings for their entire life.”

Impact on Higher Education Because of this shift in preferred methods of education, ACU may lose key ways in which it connects with future students.

Home-schooled students don’t have school administrators to talk with, they don’t get to participate in career days and aren’t frequently scouted for their athletic or academic performances.

Instead, the impersonal and mechanical method of snail mail is most common in reaching these students.

Smith said the main reason he is at the university today is because he pursued the opportunity all on his own.

“I actually marked boxes on SAT for interest in certain schools, and then received a lot of information through snail mail,” Smith said. “After I found ACU I contacted admissions and they started to send me things in mail.”

Miriam Quigley, junior speech pathology major from Guatemala City, Guatemala, experienced a situation similar to Smith’s. Raised as a missionary’s child, she only heard about ACU through her mother and brother, who graduated from the university themselves.

“ACU was one of the first places I applied, because my family kind of told me to,” she said. “I sent in my

SAT and AP scores, and ACU was the first place to mail me back.”

As for the rest of the 1.5 million students in the homeschooled atmosphere, they may not hear about ACU and its exceptional programs in time.

When asked about what he would change in his recruitment experience, Smith said it wouldn’t hurt for ACU to make the case of being an exceptional university to homeschoolers in addition to others.

“Because you have to be self-motivated it’s hard for ACU to try to reach that demographic because these people are looking for certain things and are going to know when they’ve found them,” Smith said. “It would be good to increase awareness of ACU in that demographic.”

Renemar focused more on life after admittance, and said more communication with families about the process of entering the university would be helpful.

“After I was admitted, I still hadn’t made the decision, so it was really helpful that they called me.

That’s an awesome thing they shouldn’t change, they should definitely keep that,” she said. “But just getting us in touch more with the residence assistants or the people that are going to be involved with us, because I think it made my parents a little nervous to drop me off without any contact phone numbers or anything.”

While the university’s current tactics are effective in nature, they may become outdated as the demographic of future students evolves.

Many home-schooled students would integrate well into the ACU community, living out the motto “Exceptional. Innovative. Real.” as efficiently as publicly or privately schooled students.

As Smith said, self-teaching and self-motivation are large

aspects of home-schooled students, causing them to adapt in ways different from their peers.

“Because of my organized background I felt comfortable coming to a Christian school,” Smith said. “I knew what I wanted and when I saw it, I got it.”

Quigley agreed, and said home education made many students more independent than their peers in public schools.

“Many home-schooled students know that if they haven’t been taught a certain way, they’ll learn that way,” she said. “Each homeschooler has an individual response to what they’re being taught, which makes they’re learning different from other students.”

As the amount of homeschooled students continues to increase, it is ACU’s responsibility to adapt and create better ways to recruit these young men and women.

The university does not have any plans to drastically change its outreach to homeschooled students, but it will continue to adapt to the need, Pittman said.

“Homeschooling is only going to become a larger thing, a more common thing,” he said. “And so, as it continues to evolve to be a bigger thing, we will continue to change what we’re doing in our strategies to keep up with that.”

As for Renemar, she said she’s already learned key lessons after attending university classes for two days.

“It’ll be a challenge trying to balance out how not to do everything,” she said.

With encouraging teachers, a larger student body and a handful of associations to join, Renemar said she feels right at home on campus.

contact Jackson at bkj12a@acu.edu

sports

wednesday 8.27.14

Richardson nears record for sacks daniel zepeda sports director Senior defensive lineman Nick Richardson has the opportunity to enter the ACU record books. Already one of the greatest defensive players the university has seen, richardson Richardson comes into the 2014 season just 11 sacks away from claiming the all-time ACU record.

“I was told about the record, but I’m more focused on doing what I need to do to help this team win,” Richardson said. “I’m al-

ways thinking about winning. It’s our first season taking on Southland teams, so I just want to come out and win as many games as we can in my last season.”

Breaking the record set

by Reuben Mason in 1978 would be a fitting end to the career Richardson has had thus far. Richardson enters his final season as one of the premiere anchors of a defense that is returning many varsity players.

“The defense has looked really good so far,” Richardson said. “We have eight starters coming back so there’s not much adjusting to do, but we are trying to fill holes that are there. But everything is meshing really well.”

The Wildcats, a team

filled with many new starting players on the offensive end, will need a high level of productivity from the defense to secure a successful season. With new players on defense as well, Richardson is confident everyone will do their parts.

“With all the returners, we know the defense and there hasn’t been that much of a learning curve,” Richardson said.

“We’re just really building on what we had last year so it’s going to be an easy transition into this year.

A.J. Tolbert, Josh Finley and Rishaad (Wimbley) are all new guys that are going to be crucial for us starting off.”

With an experienced group of defenders behind

him, it takes the pressure off Richardson knowing that even if he can’t get to the ball, someone around him will, he said.

“What gets me excited are the guys that are going to line up beside him and line up behind him,” said head coach Ken Collums.

“And when he comes off the field, we have to have someone there ready to replace that effort and intensity.”

Like most great athletes, Richardson’s greatness comes from his relentless dedication and determination for excellence.

“In this league where we are going, you need a guy like Nick Richardson,” Collums said. “Watching him in practice and watching him prepare is fun, because

he puts forth such an effort that rubs off on the other guys around him.”

Richardson, who was named on the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Watch List, is ready to begin his quest for the record books with a trip to Georgia.

“It’s really exciting, I think we’ve only gotten to fly to a game once or twice since I’ve been here, so it’s definitely an awesome opportunity to get to do it multiple times this season,” Richardson said.

“Playing in the Dome, you can’t really beat it to start off the season.” contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu

Football faces early challenge

8

standings football Standings

Team

Div.

ACU UCA HBU Lamar MSU Nicholls St. NSU SELA SFA UIW SHSU

0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Ovrl 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1

soccer Standings

Team SELA UCA TAMU-CC NSU Nicholls St Lamar SFA MSU SHSU ACU HBU UIW

Div. 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0

Ovrl 2-0-0 1-0-1 1-0-1 1-1-0 1-1-0 1-1-0 1-1-0 1-1-0 0-2-0 0-2-0 0-2-0 0-2-0

collin wieder sports editor ACU football’s first official season in Div. I begins with the first Div. I game of the college football season. The Wildcats begin their season Wednesday at Georgia State University playing in the legendary Georgia Dome.

This season will also be the Wildcats’ first season in the Southland Conference.

A tough schedule is ahead for the ‘Cats as they play multiple tough non-conference opponents in Troy, Georgia State, and Northern Arizona.

They will also play three Southland opponents that had winning records last year: McNeese State, Sam Houston State, and Central Arkansas.

The Wildcats come into this season with the most inexperienced offense of the Ken Collums era. Collums will be replacing multiple skill positions with young players. However, the Wildcats are not unfamiliar in replacing key competitors.

ACU entered last season with a question mark at the quarterback position. The offense continued their high-scoring ways with John David Baker as he put together a 40-touchdown season. The Wildcats hope he can help usher in another new era as he returns to groom his successor as a graduate assistant.

Collums officially handed the keys to Baker’s replacement this off-season when sophomore Parker McKenzie beat out junior Malcolm Ruben for the starting job.

“Parker McKenzie is our starting quarterback, he finished the spring that way,” Collums said. “He is an accurate passer who can throw on the move or in the pocket.”

ACU’s other new faces at primary positions have had time to sit and watch former stars, which should help on the offensive side of the ball. ACU replacements for receiver include: Demarcus Thompson, Monte Green-Avery, Jace Hudson, transfer Jonathan Epps, and returner Cade Stone.

Senior Demarcus Thompson enters this season with the most experience at receiver. Thompson has had 66 catches for 916 yards and 6 touchdowns in three years behind Taylor

volleyball Standings

Team

Div.

ACU UCA HBU Lamar MSU NO Nicholls St. NSU SELA SFA SHSU TAMU-CC UIW

0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Ovrl 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Who’s Hot Sophomore Sydney Newton has played exceptionally in the soccer newton team’s first two games of the season. The Wildcats’ starting goalkeeper has registered a careerhigh eight saves in both games so far.

briefings The football team’s game against Georgia State on Wednesday is the second game of the national collegiate football season.

Page Otway Staff Photographer

Junior tight end Jamie Walker catches a pass in the end zone in 2013. Walker was one of three tight ends who found the end zone for the Wildcats. Walker looks to build on his red zone presence after catching six touchdowns a year ago.

Gabriel, Darian Hogg, and Darrell Cantu-Harkless.

Offense has two strong replacements for Charcandrick West at running back.

Junior transfer and Abilene native Herschel Sims looks to play a huge role this season along with redshirt freshman De’Andre Brown.

The Wildcats’ strongest position on offense this year is tight end. ACU returns all three starters at tight end and a lot of red zone production as all three combined for 29 catches for 249 yards and 11 touch-

downs last season.

Defense will be the Wildcats’ strong side of the ball this season. The unit returns eight starters including the entire secondary.

The secondary will be led by hard-hitting safety Angel Lopez. He led the team in tackles last year with 109 total tackles.

Fellow senior Justin Stewart will start opposite Lopez for the second consecutive year giving the Wildcat’s a huge edge in the secondary.

The defense boasts a

solid linebacker core with two senior starters: Justin Stephens and Blake Rudd.

The defensive line brings back multiple contributors including senior Nick Richardson, who is eleven sacks away from breaking the alltime ACU sack record set by Reuben Mason with 34.

“The defense looks real good. We have eight starters coming back, so there’s not much adjusting to do, we just need to fill in the pieces,” said Richardson.

“With all the returners, we know the defense, we are

just building on what we had last year.”

On special teams ACU returns kicker Nik Grau and punter Austin Kilcullen.

Grau went 10 for 11 on field goals last year as a freshman, while Kilcullen averaged 44.2 yards per punt.

A promising season and era starts today for the Wildcats at 6 p.m. at the Georgia Dome, airing live on ESPNU. contact wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu

ACU and Stretch Internet have partnered to stream more athletic events. All home football, men’s and women’s basketball games in addition to select baseball, soccer, softball and volleyball games will be viewable.

Seven new members will be inducted into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame in October. Women’s basketball star Melanie Carter and men’s track and field great Mark Witherspoon highlight the list of inductees.

Be sure to follow @OptimistSports on Twitter for more stories and the latest ACU sports news coverage.

Upcoming

Wildcats to experience NFL atmosphere The Wildcats face a daunting task Wednesday as they take on fierce Div. I opponent Georgia State University. GSU is home to 32,000 students, almost eight times the student population of ACU. A crowd that size can create an exciting atmosphere at any game.

The Panthers have a huge advantage over most teams on the Wildcats’ schedule: home games in the Atlanta Falcons’ 75,000-seat Georgia Dome.

Georgia State may not pack the Georgia Dome like the Falcons do, but 30,000 screaming Panthers far surpass any oth-

Football kicks off its first season of Southland Conference play A major advantage for up and play tough in the against Georgia State the Wildcats will be Div. Div. I environment, as this at 6 p.m. in Atlanta on I transfer running back is just the first of two ma- Wednesday.

er crowd ACU has faced.

Home fans also bring the intensity and pride of being in an NFL city, and that can cause trouble for the Wildcats.

Atlanta has a reputation for being a loud sports city as it recently set a stadium record for decibels when the Falcons played the Seattle Seahawks in the 2013 playoffs.

The dome also houses the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff

Games which will occur the same week as the Georgia State game, only adding to the already large crowd and atmosphere.

The inexperienced Wildcat offense could struggle with play-calling as the loud crowd might distract them or get inside their heads. The atmosphere could also overwhelm many of the players who are used to playing in smaller stadiums.

Herschel Sims. Sims spent his freshman year at Oklahoma State University where he played in front of many large Div. I crowds.

He should be able to help dictate the pace of the game and keep the inexperienced offense focused and calm.

The 962 miles separating Abilene and Atlanta will also be a cause for concern. Georgia State’s fans will outnumber ACU’s by a large margin which should give GSU an edge by dictating the crowd noise.

ACU will need to step

jor games. The Wildcats will also tackle the 30,000seat Troy University stadium and massive Trojan crowd on Sept. 13.

These two great opponents should help usher ACU into the Div. I football era. If the Wildcats can compete with Georgia State and Troy, they should be able to have a successful first season against less competitive teams in the Southland Conference. contact Wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu

Soccer will take on Wayland Baptist University at 5 p.m. on Friday in Abilene at Hardin-Simmons University.

Volleyball is scheduled to play its first game of the season against Baylor University at 7 p.m. Friday in Waco. It will be the first of three games in Waco over the weekend.