Strong finish Women’s basketball earns a tough win on the road Sports Page 7 vol. 102, no. 41
friday, february 28, 2014
1 SECTION, 6 PAGES
CCSL drops five Campaigns
INSIDE NEWS ACU students compete in the third annual Miss Frontier Texas Page 3
ARTS Abilene knows how to do Mexican food right, but which restaurant does it best?
The annual SBCs are canceled after five student trips lose members
“In terms of the traditional Spring Break Campaigns, the four places we had, none of them had enough people in them to make them a sustainable trip,” Meyer said. Dr. Jan Meyer, interim Meyer, who oversees the linsey thut vice president of Student Center for Christian Service features writer life and dean of students, and Leadership, said missaid while more than 100 understandings might have The traditional Spring students will participate been one of the reasons the Break Campaigns that in other campaigns during trips didn’t work out. have taken place for more the break, this year’s Spring “Maybe we were hinthan 40 years will not hap- Break Campaigns will not dered in the fact that things pen this year. be like past year’s trips. were late getting started for
traditional campaigns,” Meyer said. Last October, miscommunication between administration led to the cancellation of SBCs. The decision was reversed, and SBCs, which had been handed off to the Halbert Institute for Missions last spring, was again placed under management of the CCSL. This delayed the organization of the campaigns to St. Paul, Minn., Seattle, Wash., Chicago, Ill.
and Fairfax, Va. Mary Beth Cuevas, coordinator for campus Spring Break Campaigns, said because of short time and not having started planning until Nov. 17, students who signed up for the four locations dropped out. “They didn’t have time to connect with each other and do fundraisers,” Cuevas said. “Slowly they just started dropping out.” see sbcs page 4
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OPINION The Editorial Board discusses the pros and cons of short term mission trips
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SPORTS Men’s basketball loses on the road to McNeese State 95-91 Page 8 Jared schuetze Staff Photographer
Lisa Shannon, author of “1000 Sisters” speaks with Chantal Mwiza, sophomore marketing major from Kigali, Rwanda, and Jessica Bailey, sophomore education major from Brownwood, at the Peace Walk held in the Rec Center.
NEWS Dr. James Langford retires after 27 years of working at ACU Page 3
NEWS COBA graduate students create a start-up business that is already attracting attention Page 3
OPINION Brittany Jackson relates some trusty life lessons she learned from her parents Page 6
SPORTS
Board chooses three new members Marissa Jones editor in chief The ACU Board of Trustees welcomed three new board members during its meeting Sing Song weekend. Rick Atchley, Bill Minick, and Marely B. Shedd were voted to the university’s governing body and officially began their terms on Feb. 15. They help comprise the 32 members of the Board of Trustees. For 25 years, Atchley has served as the preach-
Page 8
NEWS The first Choral Artistin-Residence was invited to ACU Page 4
ONLINE VIDEO Watch a recap of this week’s news on the JMC Network’s newscast
minick
ing minister for The Hills Church of Christ. He recently was name ACU’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. In 1978, Atchley graduated from ACU with a B.A. in communications and a minor in Bible and received a M.A. in religious communications with a minor in Bible
and a Master of Laws degree in taxation at Southern Methodist University School of Law. Minick also serves on boards and committees for Pepperdine University and the City of University Park. He has three children and is married to Dr. Melissa Tonn, who serves on the Board of Regents for Texas Woman’s University. Shed is the regional president at First Financial Bank for Abilene, Odessa, Albany, Clyde and Moran. She graduated from Baylor University with a B.B.A. in finance
and economics in 1983. She also serves on the board of Abilene Arts Alliance and as board chair of the Community Foundation of Abilene and the Hendrick Medical Center Foundation and is vice president of the Development Corporation of Abilene. She and her husband, Glen, have two daughters. Dr. Barry Packer, ACU Board of Trustees chair, said the new members will be provided with a thorough orientation this see board page 4
Online voting available for SA elections jc peeples
Baseball wins in walk-off fashion agaisnt Missouri this weekend
Atchley
in 1982 at ACU. A t c h ley and his wife, Jamie, have three children. Minick shedd is president of PartnerSource, the largest consulting firm on alternatives to workers’ compensation, after practicing law for nine years. In 1982, he graduated with a B.B.A. in finance. Minick received his J.D. degree from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1985
staff reporter Students’ Association passed a new bill that will fund an online voting initiative. SA president Dylan Benac, senior political science major from Boerne, said online voting has been brought before Congress before but never proved successful. In 2004 Congress voted against an online voting
site. A few years ago SA tried a voting app that did not work. “We believe this new website will be more efficient than the previous models,” Benac said. SA worked with The Association for Computing Machinery to create the voting website. Students will be able to go to www.vote.acu.edu to vote for new SA officers, homecoming queen, Mr. and Miss ACU and other
campus-wide elections, according to the bill. Login will be the students regular user name and password. From there students will see pictures of the different candidates they can vote for. After the elections are over, the results will be calculated on an excel worksheet to determine the winner of the election.The entire project cost $300. Kaitlyn Tui, sophomore international studies ma-
jor from Washington, D.C., said she thinks the online initiative will ease the stress of voting. “You used to have to wait 10 minutes before you could cast your vote the old way, because of the process,” Tui said. “Now students can vote three minutes before their class starts. Simple.” Tui said the website will be easier than a mobile app because students will be able to see the voting
requirements easier. “We are more likely to finish something on our laptop than on our phone,” Tui said. “I believe this new way of voting will help turn out more voters.” The bill to fund the online voting initiative was passed unanimously by Congress. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Ukraine conflict could affect mission efforts kirsten holman copy editor
Political unrest in Ukraine surges on, and even though Jeremiah’s Hope has not been affected physically, its mission efforts could be impacted. Jeremiah’s Hope is a nonprofit organization based in the Ukraine that works with Read more at at-risk children. acuoptimist.com Andrew Kelly, co-founder
of Jeremiah’s Hope, graduated in 2001 from ACU and moved to the Ukraine in 2004 where he met his wife who has lived there for 17 years. “I went to Ukraine as a high schooler and went over with a ministry to do work in camps and teaching the Bible, and met orphan kids and fell in love with them,” Kelly said. “So I continued for eight years through high school and college every three months, and after eight
years and 20-some trips I decided to move there and open a home for teenage orphans coming out of the orphanage.” Once he married his wife, they moved north of Kiev and began developing the ministry compound that has a camp, rescue shelter and medical and dental outreach. “We haven’t been affected at all,” Kelly said. “Everything that has been going
Abilene Christian University
on has been happening in Kiev the capitol. We live in a rural community, we have no paved roads and we have no running water in our community. People in our community are subsistence farmers, they have 16 kilowatts of electricity for the entire village, our ministry property has 164 kilowatts just for our property. And so you can see there is nothing in our community. And so we haven’t been affected at all
because its untouched, even the town of 10,000 next to us, nothing has happened there either because it is of no political value.” Still, church groups and organizations have been cautious in sending over missionaries. “We have teams right now that are coming this summer that are starting to panic and one team backed out, and we see ukraine page 4
Wednesday 03.05.14
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Wednesday 5:30 p.m. Fall pledging
06 Thursday
information meeting
07
Friday
7:30 p.m. Dan Dudney’s Senior Recital
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11 a.m. Men’s Baseball vs. Missouri State University
Saturday
5:30 p.m. Women’s Softball at Texas Tech University
Chapel checkup To date:
2
1 p.m. Women’s Basketball at Incarnate Word 3 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Incarnate Word
Around Abilene
Remaining:
55 45
Mar. 05
Mar. 06
Mar. 07
Mar. 08
6:33 p.m. Beltway College Park at the Paramount theatre.
7 p.m. The Abilene Civic Center is hosting the fundraiser Life in Bloom, featuring Bob Goff. Cost is $35.
8 p.m. Kristen Hertzenberg will perform at the historic Paramount Theatre. Cost is $25-$35.
9 a.m. The Taylor County Expo Center will host the Original Team Roping Association District 2 competition.
@acuoptimist The Optimist optimist@acu.edu Police Log Announcements Springboard Ideas Challenge registration is open. Teams must submit an application along with a mini-business plan online. Registration costs $10, and all submissions must be turned in by 5 p.m. on March 7. For more information, email griggscenter@acu.edu. Hispanos Unidos will host a Latin dance workshop fundraiser from 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Competitive Latin dancers will teach Salsa and Bachata. Lessons cost $5.
Registration for the Kirk Goodwin Run is open. Applicants can register for the Run the West half marathon for $80 or the classic 5k for $20. The race will be on April 26. To register, visit www.kirkgoodwinrun.com. ACU Rodeo registration is open in the Campus Center. The rodeo will be hosted by the Agricultural and Environmental Science Club at the Taylor County Expo Center Horse Barn on March 27. Cost is $100 per team of four. General admission is $5 or $8 for two.
Intramural Outdoor Soccer registra- ACU Film Fest’s first annual screenplay tion is open until March 5. Cost is $75 writing competition ends at 5 p.m. Friper team. To sign up, visit www.imle- day. Submit scripts to bcs10b@acu.edu. ages.com. Upward Bound Summer Academy is Law school scholarship applications seeking students to work as student for Baylor and Pepperdine Law Schools advisors this summer. For more inare available through the political sci- formation, contact D’Angelo Sands at ence department in Room 220 of the 324-674-2514. Hardin Administration building. Application deadline is at 4 p.m on March The Images of Aging Photo Contest 4. For more information, email Carmen deadline is March 15. For more inforPrice at cjp11a@acu.edu or call 325- mation, visit blogs.acu.edu/images675-2005. ofaging, email imagesofaginf@acu.edu or call 325-674-2350.
Volunteer Opp0rtunities Grace Point Church is looking for creative students with craftsmanship skills to volunteer for Vacation Bible School. Volunteers will be creating props, sets and decorations in preparation for the program. For more information, call Ruth Gregory at 325-675-5060. New Life Alliance is searching for tutors, Khan Academy coaches, junior acheivement teachers and volunteers for their upcoming Easter program. For more information, contact Ashley Parker at 325-672-1636 or aparker@ newlife-alliance.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 2-4pm or by appointment. Theirr office is located at 3303 North Third Street Suite D in Abilene, Texas. For more information contact MariePascale 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. JUMP @ Abilene North Apartments is seeking students to asssist in teaching the Gospel to at-risk low-income children. Students must be avaliable to volunteer from 4-5:30 p.m. on Mondays. Service opportunity begins Jan. 27 and lasts until April. 28. For more information, contact Caroline Thompson at 281-782-2956 or crt12a@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 325672-2635 or cecilia@friendsforlife.org. 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. 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 325670-0246. Volunteers are needed at the BCFS Abilene Transition Center for event planning and setup, assisting in teaching life skills classes, accompanying transport, visiting homes and/or assisting in construction of facilities for assisting in the betterment of male and female youth ages 15-25. This opportunity is open each morning Mondays through Fridays. Students interested must contact Johnny Nguyen at 325-6920033 or jnguyen@bcfs.net.
Meals on Wheels Plus needs volunteer drivers to deliver afternoon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities Monday-Friday 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. 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. 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 gain more information contact Amy Jeffers at abj09a@acu.edu or call 832-3315324. Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to work at the adoption center performing a variety of tasks, from playing with the animals to working in the office. For more information visit their website at http://www. rescuetheanimals.org/volunteer. The Abilene Zoo is looking for volunteers to help with general labor such as grounds cleanup and painting any weekday at any time between 12-4 p.m. The Zoo is located at 2070 Zoo Ln. Contact Joy Harsh at 325676-6487 for more information. 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 St. and Beech St. 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 325-692-4149 or mbeasley5@ suddenlink.net. To serve on Fridays contact Terry Stremmel at terry.stremmel@acu.edu. The Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help with filling 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 9-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. For more information contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 orrobertabrown51@hotmail. com. Visit http://www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc. htm.
The National Center For Children’s Illustrated Literature is looking for volunteers to greet patrons, assist with art activities, sell books and make visitors feel welcome. Help is also needed for special events like Artwalk and exhibit openings. The NCCIL is located at 102 Cedar St. For more information on times and dates contact Debby Lillick at 325-673-4586 or visit http://www.nccil.org/index.htm. The International Rescue Committee is asking for Digital TV Converter Boxes to accompany several older televisions for refugees within Abilene. Drop offs are requested at the office located on 3303 N. 3rd Street, Suite D from 2-4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesday. This is a helpful way to make a difference in the lives of refugees who recently resettled into the local community. For more information, contact Marie-Pascale Manishimwe at 325-675-5643. The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to help sort and stock food and other items any weekday 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 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.com. Big Brothers/Big Sisters offers two volunteer programs. Lunch Buddies pairs volunteers with a little brother or 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 sister that they will hang out with two to four times a month. Both programs require committment 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. Christian Ministries Food Pantry needs volunteers to help with tasks such as cleaning up, stocking shelves and bagging flour. It is looking for 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 Contemporary Arts needs a gallery assistant to greet partons, answer phones and answer basic questions about the Center and its programs. Volunteer opportunities are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays-Fridays. For more information contact Jennifer Parks at 325-677-8389 or jennifer@center-arts.com. For additional volunteer opportunities visit: www. acu.edu/campusoffices/ccsl/ministry-service/volunteer-opportunities/
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Wednesday 03.05.14
Students compete in Miss Frontier Texas catherine Blakemore student reporter The third annual Miss Frontier Texas competition began last month and the individual contests will continue until the second week of April. On Feb. 18 contestants gathered at Frontier Texas to compete on their Texas History knowledge and how to cook on a Dutch oven. The next competition is March 22 and is the “Saddle and Shoot” where all the contestants will saddle a horse, shoot a buffalo gun and present an essay to the judges. Only 12 of the contestants will advance from the contest. The last contest will be two days in April when the contestants are tested to pitch their own tent, cook on a Dutch oven and more frontier tasks such as sewing or lassoing. On Saturday April 12, the 2014 Miss Frontier Texas will be crowned and awarded a $3,000 scholarship and a pair of custom boots from James Leddy Boots. Brenna Jefferies, senior ad/PR major from Argyle and the Morris and Mitchel representative for Frontier Texas, competed in the event three years ago and has continued her involvement with the contest by working with Frontier Texas. “I’m definitely going to miss it [next year],” Jefferies said. “But I know it’s prepared me. I’m so
grateful for everything I’ve done [with Frontier Texas].” This year there are eight ACU girls competing in the Miss Frontier Texas competition. “It’s a good mix of girls,” Jefferies said. “I’m really excited because they all seem really enthusiastic about it as a whole.” Alicia Adams, junior nursing major from Boerne, is participating because of the challenge Miss Frontier Texas provides. Adams is anxious for chasing the chicken and most excited to get to know all the contestants and the camping portion of the contest. Annie Bailey, freshman ad/PR major from Abilene, is participating and was referred to the event by a woman at Ball Ranch. Bailey is familiar with horses and camping but is most looking forward to cooking on the Dutch oven, and most nervous for shooting the buffalo gun. Alexa Burkhart, junior animal science major from Sanger, Calif., joined the event because of how fun it would be to compete and it would push her to do something she’s never done before. Burkhart is most interested in the “Saddle and Shoot” event, but concerned about cooking on the Dutch oven. Ashton Darrow, sophomore business management major, has always had a passion for Texas history and is participat-
ing in Miss Frontier Texas as a way to experience the hardships that the early Texas settlers had. Growing up, she’s familiar with many of the events and is most excited to shoot the buffalo gun. However, Darrow is nervous for the saddling. Lizzie Folwell, junior marketing and management major from Abilene, joined the event to learn more about the area she calls home and to meet new girls in a fun and competitive way. Folwell is excited and nervous for the cooking challenge. Sierra Reed, freshman kinesiology major from Dripping Springs, joined the event after being approached about it from Brenna Jefferies. Reed is looking forward to just austin kilcullen Staff Photographer be a part of it and make some good friends, but is Students get serious about the dodgeball tournament this past weekend in the Rec most nervous for cooking Center. in the Dutch oven cooking event. Morgan Ruble, sophomore animal science major from Copper Canyon, is participating in ing computers in my class grounded,” Hamm said. Grace Coan the event in the hopes of and we did some games “I thought he was very student reporter earning the scholarship and different things to try thoughtful in his approach money, trying new things and get students talking to what he did and his inand meeting new people. After 27 years, Dr. James and interacting,” Lang- teractions with the people Ruble is most worried Langford, director of tech- ford said. “I still loved that he worked with.” about the presentation nology education, takes language and language Langford welcomes the contestants must give, his final bow at ACU as he teaching but I wanted to idea of another individual but is excited for cooking retires and plans to move learn more in technology coming into his position on the Dutch oven. to California. and I was given the oppor- with new ideas. Veronica Shaeffer, “I’ve loved it here. It’s tunity to do that.” “His position as direcfreshman animal science been a great place to work,” Langford contributes tor of educational technolmajor from Paso Robles, Langford said. his success at this school ogy is currently listed and Calif., couldn’t be reached Langford and his wife plan to the people he has people are being interfor a comment. on moving to California. worked with. viewed for the position,” “We’re going to live on “Just working with good Hamm said. the same property as my people, I’ve had bosses Langford cherishes the contact the optimist at son, his wife and two kids,” that have let us explore people he met along the way. jmcnetwork@acu.edu Langford said. new areas and colleagues “People. You always Langford was a student that were always willing come back to the people at ACU where he met his to jump in and try things,” that surround you in this wife. He had been traveling Langford said. kind of endeavor,” Langall over the world before One of the many peo- ford said. moving back to Abilene to ple Langford worked with raise his children while he was Scott Hamm, Mobile how the content inf lu- worked as an ESL professor Learning Research direcences conversion – deci- at ACU. tor. contact the optimist at sion to purchase, follow, “I got more and more “I think he was inteljmcnetwork@acu.edu retweet – on social me- interested and started us- lectually and spiritually dia,” Selby said. “What it drills down to is, who are the users? What are they sharing? What are their comments?” Although the core team retains jobs outside of SocialRest, Selby said he would be leaving his job as a developer for the United Services Automobile Association (USA A) to work at SocialRest fulltime. “Right now we’re actively seeking investment,” he said. “We’re working on our customers, trying to serve to the best of our ability.” Neathery said he saw God constantly at work in SocialRest. “Doors have opened for us that wouldn’t have opened otherwise,” he said. “We’re doing everything the books say is wrong, and it’s working because He’s working. We’re not going to step in His way.” “In business, God is an aggressive creature,” Neathery said. “He’s very counter-cultural in every sense of the word.”
Langford retires after 27 years
COBA graduates create start-up james eldred student reporter A promising new startup company, run partly by three ACU graduates, aims to help businesses track their inf luence and content on social media. SocialRest was founded by Clay Selby, a 2011 ACU graduate with a degree in IT entrepreneurship. He pitched the original idea for the company in Nov. 2012 at a conference for start-up businesses in San Antonio. Brad Neathery, a 2011 graduate with a degree in marketing, was the second ACU alum to join the SocialRest team, officially signing on in July 2013. “I saw what Clay was doing, and I saw Christ in what they were doing,” he said. “I contacted him and asked if he had an opening.” The third ACU grad to join the SocialRest team was Braxton Huggins, a 2010 international studies graduate. Neathery and Huggins said their education at ACU helped them in their pursuit for success with SocialRest. “COBA was by far one of the biggest factors in understanding how to be a Christian marketer,” Neathery said. “It was
instrumental in finding a balance between being a missionary and a businessman.” Huggins said the Study Abroad program was a valuable part of his education. “The experience I gained through Study Abroad really let me see how people communicate,” he said. “You can see an international strategy for what people can relate to.” SocialRest was originally a service designed to talk to social media for developers, but Selby said the broad approach was a “trajectory for failure.” Selby and his team decided instead of acting as a go-between for web developers and social media sites, they could serve a particular need for a specific type of web developer - publishers. “We build tools that measure how users engage with a publisher’s content on social media,” Neathery said. “First, we want to know if it’s reshared. Second, we want to know if they come back. How are they engaging the content now? Are they making purchases?” “We can capture information about a publisher’s content being shared, and we can understand
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Wednesday 03.05.14
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Choral artist-in-residence visits campus emily seidel student reporter This week only, from March 3-5, ACU’s music department will host its first ever Choral Artist-in-Residence, ACU alum Dianne Brumley. Brumley is the director emeritus of choral studies at the University of Texas at Brownville. She brings with her the experience of a career of more than 40 years in the rehearsal room and on stage. After graduating from ACU in 1970 with her bachelor’s degree in music education, she completed her post-graduate studies at the Eastman School of Music. During her career, Brumley spent 20 years as the founding conductor/artistic director of the South Texas Choral and Festival Orchestra. She also served as the director of choral studies and professor of music studies at UTB before her promotion in May, 2013. Before her time at UTB, Brumley was a public school fine arts administrator, a music teacher and choral music educator
in elementary, middle and high schools. In 2011, she was awarded the Choral Excellence Award by TDCA as one of only a handful of Texas choral music educators to be chosen. Students under her direction achieved equal success. During her ten-year tenure the UTB choral studies program earned much acclaim. Her students had the opportunity to travel to Ireland and Italy for international performances and a 2011 TMEA Convention performance. Some of the choirs she directed were selected for honor performances at Texas Music Educators Association conventions, American Choral Directors Association regional and national conventions and a featured performance at the Texas Choral Directors Association convention. Jeffery Goolsby, director of choral activities at ACU, said the music department often hosts musical guests for one or two days to perform and teach a master class. Brumley’s vast wealth of experience and history of
success made her the natural choice for the first choral program guest to perform and teach master classes to students in the music department. “Dianne was my first choice and thankfully she was available,” Goolsby said. “Dianne is the natural choice because she can speak with authority in rehearsal and in her lectures because she has been so successful as a professional choral musician.” While at ACU, Brumley will rehearse all the choirs in “Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana”, which the choirs will perform on campus on May 1. From 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday she will teach a master class for choral conducting students. From 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, she will give a lecture on the topic “Inspired Teaching” in which she will be taking a broad look at strategies for making a positive impact on students in the classroom. Her last rehearsal with the university choral starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesday. All
ashlyn anthony Staff Photographer
Dr. Diane Brumley, an artist in-residence, works with the Universtiy Chorale. lectures and rehearsals are open to the general public, and students are encouraged to attend to see Brumley’s work firsthand. “Audiences get to see the finished product at a performance, but what they don’t
see is the hours and hours of a first-class collegiate of rehearsal prior to the per- choral ensemble.” formance in which the choir prefects every single detail of the music,” Goolsby said. “Mrs. Brumley’s presentacontact the optimist at tions will pull back the curjmcnetwork@acu.edu tain on the inner workings
DET reschedules tour of Reel FX studios Michah Hermsdorf student reporter The Reel FX tours scheduled in March have been delayed until next fall for the ACU Digital Entertainment Technology department. Reel FX is an award-winning animation and visual effects company based in Dallas. Some of their recognizable works include a Kit Kat commercial, Despicable Me animation and Katy Perry’s Firework music video. The DET department was planning to tour their facilities until a movie client caused them to postpone the tours. However, the DET department plans to tour 900lbs of Creative as well as Captured Dimensions
later on this semester. Both of these companies have a growing interest in how ACU students have been using digital technology. Brian Burton, assistant professor of information technology, met with representatives from both 900lbs of Creative and Captured Dimensions at a press conference in January. He has been a key contributor in connecting with these companies in Dallas. “They were very interested in our work with the Oculus Rift,” Burton said. “We are doing some interesting things with it, so they have invited us to see their facilities later on in the semester.” Captured Dimensions is a 3-D company in Richardson that was started by ACU
Alum, Graeme Williams. The company brings people in and captures a very highresolution, three-dimensional model of people, Burton said. “They’re interested in the same technology we are using in the classroom,” Burton said. “They are very excited about the fact that our students are coming out with that same skill set of being able to develop for these virtual environments that will be used for advertising and film.” Tim Holt, junior digital entertainment technology major from Plano, shared his excitement about the upcoming tours. “There are a lot of students in the DET program that are really excited about going and touring the facil-
ity and potentially getting an internship,” Holt said. For Holt, the DET program is not just about the potential internships, but telling and creating stories. “I got my first camera when I turned fifteen, and ever since then, film has been my passion,” Holt said. Holt has made a total of six short films, 15 videos on YouTube and 30 or more videos for his personal entertainment. He is currently working on two films for FilmFest, and is participating in the experimental movie in the DET department using the Oculus Rift. The Oculus Rift is a headset that creates a projection in three-dimensional depth. Students in the DET department are currently working on a short
film using the Oculus Rift that shoots at a 180-degreeangle. “You can be watching at one angle, but something is happening on your other side at the same time,” Holt said. “If you aren’t looking over there, you won’t see it, which is really cool because you can watch a movie five different times and see a different thing every single time.” The students are just testing the technology. To Holt’s knowledge, no one has ever done a three-camera shoot and played it in the Oculus Rift before. “There is a good chance this might tank. We are really just trying to see if this is even possible,” Holt said. “If we see that it is possible, it completely changes the
whole dynamic of film.” The students working on this film hope to finish it by the Thursday after spring break. Holt looks forward to finding an internship, and apply for the Los Angeles Film Study program to pursue his dream of working in the film industry. “I just love getting to make movies, whether I’m in California, Texas, New York, Chicago or even Atlanta. Who knows?” Holt said. “If I just end up teaching film somewhere or doing film production for some random corporation, that could be cool too.”
contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Campaigns: CCSL cancels annual SBCs from page 1 When it came down to only five students, they decided to solely host a Seattle Campaign. However, Cuevas said, that one fell through, too. Katrina Kelly, senior family studies major from Dallas, said she was disappointed that she and other students will not be able to help others after hearing of the trip’s cancellation.
“It’s a pretty long-standing tradition at ACU, and I think it’s something that is a great experience,” Kelly said. “It gets us out of our ACU bubble.” Sean Branchaw, coleader with Kelly and senior mathematics major from Gaithersburg, Md., said he is missing an opportunity to impact others alongside his fellow students. “If there was work to be
done in Seattle we’re not going to be doing that anymore, so that makes me sad,” Branchaw said. However, Cuevas said many students are still traveling over spring break on mission trips. “We have more than 100 students actually going and spending some time over spring break on what we would call campaigns,” Cuevas said. Cuevas said a group
with ACU’s Body and Soul Program is going to Guatemala to help with Health Talents International, and another group is going to Haiti to work with Live Beyond Mobile Medical Disaster Relief. Grant Rampy, director of public relations, said students will also be traveling to various locations with churches in Abilene, such as Beltway Baptist Church’s Awaken trip with
the college group around Abilene and Pioneer Drive Baptist Church’s trip to New York. Meyer said she never saw the cancellation of this year’s SBCs coming. “We were a little surprised by how things went this year, but this year we have students going on things that weren’t offered last year,” Meyer said. Meyer said she is not sure what will happen with
SBCs next year. She said the CSSL is waiting to get feedback from students that went on the trips offered this year to plan based on what students are interested in doing. “We learned something this year and we’ll see what we do with that next year,” Meyer said. contact Jones at mnj10a@acu.edu
Ukraine: Ukraine, Russia conflict continues from page 1
college groups from Hillcrest visit in the last two years. have other team leaders call“We are not sending anying and saying, ‘what do I tell body to the Ukraine,” said my teams?’” Kelly said. Larry Henderson, missions Jeremiah’s Hope has re- coordinator for World Wide ceived ACU interns from Witness. “We are very sensiWorld Wide Witness in 2007 tive to world events.” until 2012, and have had two “WWW is also not send-
ing students to Venezuela, Kenya and Nigeria because of the unrest in those countries,” he said. “There is some unease in Thailand, but it has not turned violent like it did in the Ukraine.” Jeremiah’s Hope was once located in Mariupol but is
now located closer to Kiev and the protests. “My wife and I have been down to Kiev and we have been down among the protestors,” Kelly said. “And we’ve stood with the protestors. We stand with the people and what they are fighting for.” Kelly was not present during the violent outbreaks. However, he is part of the efforts to bring hope to people of Ukraine during these turbulent times. “It’s been amazing to us to watch as the people have protested, there has been a huge prayer tent down in the middle of all of this,” Kelly said. “Within the barricades is a prayer tent that is manned by orthodox priests, ecumenical pastors and its run 24 hours a day. They are
handing out Bibles and the gospel of John to anyone that’s down there. On average there is 100 people an hour going into the prayer tent to pray.” The Ukrainian national anthem is also sung every hour, and a priest or pastor gets up on stage to pray for the nation and share the gospel. “It’s a unique revolution in that they are standing up for freedom and democracy but at the same time they are seeking God’s direction in how to go about doing that,” Kelly said. Kelly and his family visited Abilene this past week, but he said they know they need to go back. “We feel like now is the time to go home,” he said. “The country is in a topsy-
turvy situation and people are looking for hope. And God doesn’t call us to be comfortable, if anything he calls us to be uncomfortable. I think too often Christians focus on what’s going on and forget that we are called to be above that.” There are all kinds of banners in Maidan, also known as Independence Square, where the riots and violence have been, but there is one banner in particular that speaks to Kelly and his family’s mission. The banner displays John 15:13 which states, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Board: New members inducted by board from page 1
bring individual gifts and skills that will enhance the spring and summer. board’s ability to effectively “All three of the new govern the university.” board members bring a pasSlade Sullivan, general sion for ACU and its mis- counsel and secretary to the sion, which is paramount in board, said the three memwhat the Board of Trustees bers were recommended looks for in selecting new to the Board of Trustees for members,” Packer said. “In election by a board commitaddition, each of our new tee that focuses on searchtrustees connects with dif- ing for nominations of new ferent segments of the uni- board members throughout versity’s constituency and the year from board mem-
bers, the administration, and advisory groups like the University Council. Sullivan said, “All three of the new trustees were chosen because they support ACU’s mission and because they have skills and experience that will help the board fulfill its governance role.” contact Jones at mnj10a@acu.edu
5
arts
wednesday 3.05.14
MEXICAN
Stand Off
This Week Friday, March 7 The Center for Contemporary Arts will have a reception for artists opening exhibits in the museum. The event is free and will last from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Broadway performer Kristen Hertzenberg will have a benefit concert for the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra at the Paramount Theatre. The show begins at 8:00 p.m. and tickets Thursday, March 13 The monthly Art Walk will take place in downtown Abilene from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This month’s theme is “Young at Art” and features young artists from the Abilene area. Leslie Lewis staff Photographer
Friday, March 14 The Paramount film series presents “Adam’s Rib” at the Paramount Theatre. Admission is $5 for students and the film begins Sunday, March 16
ashlyn Anthony staff Photographeri
Oscar’s is one of the lesser known Mexican restaurants in town but serves delicious, quality food.
A guide to Mexican cuisine in Abilene Alikay Wood arts editor One of the best parts about Texas cuisine is the availability of a wide variety of Mexican food. Whether it’s cheap, American or authentic, Abilene has something to offer for Mexican food lovers of all kinds. However, this variety can be overwhelming and make it difficult to find the exact type of Mexican food you’re craving. In this issue, we compare different styles of Mexican food based on price, taste, atmosphere and distance so that you will be able to satisfy your Mexican food craving. The lowest category of Mexican food is super cheap, super fast and super unhealthy. The best representatives of this in
Abilene are Taco Bueno and Taco Bell. Taco Bueno is less expensive and is open later. The food tastes more authentically Mexican, but the menu offers less variety. Taco Bell is a national chain that is relatively cheap and offers creative takes on traditional Mexican cuisine. The food is of an incredibly cheap quality and tastes more American than Mexican. However Taco Bell is constantly introducing new items and improving the atmosphere of its restaurants. But if you’re looking for something closer to campus, Taco Bueno is the best option for cheap Mexican food. Sharky’s and Rosa’s are a happy medium between a nice restaurant and cheap food. Sharky’s is similar to Chipotle and allows customers to build their own food. A kids meal is $5.95
and includes chips and a drink. Sharky’s is famous for its spicy ranch and large servings. Rosa’s menu offers much more variety and is more authentically Mexican. They offer tortillas with honey and give students free burritos with a student ID. Rosa’s also has more dining space and a drive thru. Both are good options but Rosa’s offers greater f lexibility in pricing and food options. Abilene also offers several fancier Mexican dining options. The most well known of these is Abuelo’s. Abuelo’s offers a cozy atmosphere, large portions and delicious food for prices ranging between $12-20. This is a great option for a nice night out, but the long drive and high prices make it impractical on a regular basis. A cheaper and closer op-
tion is Oscar’s, a small restaurant across the street from Walmart. Many students are unaware of Oscar’s because of its secluded location, but the food is good and there is plenty of space for large groups. Oscar’s has a large menu and a particularly good selection of burritos. Its items are cheap and the chips and salsa are delicious. Oscar’s is an affordable option and underrated. There are plenty of other Mexican food restaurants in Abilene and options available for diners of all tastes. The important thing to remember is that Mexican food is a personal experience and settling should not be an option.
Buffalo Gap is putting on a Craft Fair for $6 in their Historic Village. The event lasts from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
OUT
NOW MOVIES
contact wood at akw10a@acu.edu
Rated PG-13
117 min.
RoboCop
BOOKS
chloe Braaten staff Photographeri
ashlyn ANthony staff Photographeri
Rosa’s is one of the most popular Mexican restaurants among ACU students.
Sharky’s is known for their large burrittos and chips.
Album Review
Death
MUSIC
Lea Michele’s Louder fails to make noise Alikay Wood arts editor Glee’s signature diva Lea Michele released her first solo album, “Louder”, this week marking the beginning of her attempt to transfer from the Broadway and TV worlds into a career as a solo artist. Michele grew up on Broadway and is known for her effortless high notes and emotional performances. “Louder” attempts to balance this persona with a relaxed, radio-friendly sound. The album opens with “Cannonball”, a highenergy track overf lowing with self affirmation and Michele’s determination to do better. Michele attempts to shed her Broadway image, but years of training are apparent and the song is almost too perfect.
One of the defining factors of this album is that Michele’s boyfriend, Cory Monteith died of a drug overdose last year, leaving listeners to wonder how their relationship would be treated on the album. Most of the album’s songs deal with issues of relationship and love, and clearly refer to Michele’s relationship with Monteith. In the future, she could benefit from expanding her subject matter and tackling other subjects. Michele has said that “Burn With You” was Monteith’s favorite track and it is easy to see why. There is no hint of insincerity in her desperately earnest vocals, and it is the imperfection and edge to her voice that makes the song work. The album begins with a series of slower paced, heavy pieces and ups the
tempo in the second half. “You’re Mine” is a musically clever piece that, although the subject is a bit overdone at this point, finally gives Michele the chance to showcase her vocal talents. “Louder” is Michele’s most obvious attempt to break into the pop mainstream. She delivers a poppy anthem with a positive message that isn’t bad, but isn’t memorable either. The most moving track on the album is undoubtedly the final song “If You Say So”, which was written after Monteith’s death and details their last conversation. Michele handles the subject with grace and dignity, displaying the depth of their relationship in a vulnerable way. There’s nothing wrong with “Louder” as an album but it is not particularly memorable. Glee
Concealed In
AM Pharrell Williams Girl
is covering some of Michele’s songs which will give her music exposure, but also continue to tie her to a dying show and a character that many people hate. But regardless of its commercial success, Michele has created an album she can be proud
of. “Louder” showcases Michele’s talent in a fresh way and honors her and Monteith’s love story.
Imogen Heap contact wood at akw10a@acu.edu
Sparks
Opinion
Wednesday 03.05.14
6
editorial
Short term missions need the best intentions the issue The success of short term mission trips is questioned because sometimes the results do more harm than good.
our take Short term missions can be successful if their intentions and consequences are carefully considered.
If you were active in a youth group growing up, chances are you went on a short term mission trip. The mission trip probably lasted for one or two weeks in the summer. You might have painted or built the foundation of a house, and you probably ended the trip with an excursion to Schlitterbahn or a baseball game. The value and effec-
tiveness of short term mission trips are sometimes called into question. They have been accused of causing more harm than benefit or of acting as glorified vacations. Dr. Brian Howell, professor of anthropology at Wheaton College, spoke at ACU last week about his research on short term missions. Howell and the
Optimist’s Editorial Board share some conclusions and cautions about short term missions. There has been a gradual shift in our overall definition of missions to include not just evangelistic or conversion focused pushes, but plight based missions that look to meet physical needs, Howell said. It’s a good shift and is a more holistic look at missions, but we need to be sure to recognize the problems that can occur when on a short term mission trip. Short term missions, at their core, reveal a good impulse of the church. They help teenagers practice selflessness and ser-
vice – things they should exercise as much as possible to form healthy habits for the future. These trips can also cultivate further interests in missions leading to a long term missionary life or regular service. But churches should think about the damage a careless short term mission trip can cause. Howell emphasized that personal experiences on short term mission trips can sometimes blind people to the larger political, cultural or social context. Sometimes a danger of the trips is to take our limited experiences and let them completely shape our understanding of a situation.
This is irresponsible. While on short term mission trips it is important for members to value relationships with people they are serving on the trip, but it is also important for people to have a wider, more informed knowledge about the background of these people. This enlightened view encourages a healthier kind of connection between the short term missionaries and the people they want to help, because that’s ultimately what a trip like this should be about – realizing beautiful connections between diverse groups of people in the body of Christ. It’s not about forcing ourselves into the lives of
less fortunate people. It’s not about overwhelming them with the gross imbalance of resources. And it’s not about simply going somewhere and fixing someone’s problem. Howell said, and the board agrees, if we embrace a holistic definition of short term mission trips, there’s an impulse to see it as more than church planting or helping people. It can be more if we are intentional about how our trip affects others and affects ourselves, and a short trip can have long lasting consequences. contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
DAILY doodle dosage
Column
Ben Todd
What Ma and Pa taught me I’M SORRY, MS. JACKSON
BRITTANY JACKSON MANAGING EDITOR
I’ve had a good life, I know that. And although the rebellious teenager in me begs to differ, my parents are central to that. I’m spoiled. It’s been almost 23 years now and my parents are still together, still teaching me about this world. And just like other families, we’ve gone through it all. Name it and we’ve more than likely faced it. Health problems, financial scares and family losses. But if there’s anything I got out of all this, it is to look to my parents. So, here are some things my ol’ Ma and Pa taught me growing up: One of my first memories is of myself lying awake in bed waiting to hear my dad recite the Lord’s Prayer with my older sister. I eagerly followed their conversation, their prayers. My dad taught me to thirst for the Lord. My next memory is in the same time frame. While my dad spoke with my sister, my mom would come in to tuck me in. She would say a prayer over us and sing one of the most beautiful songs I ever heard, even to this day. All she said was “Amen” over and over again, in different pitches, letting the words overflow and pour into my soul like milk and honey. My mother taught me beauty through the ordinary. They’ve always told me, “Just do your best and you’ll be fine. As long as you tried your best, I’ll believe you.” Those words have motivated me to work harder, to learn more about myself and
“
People will harm you, they will cut you down. Don’t harm them, forgive and move on. Kindness leads to a faster recovery.”
how much I can do. Take care of yourself. Mom was big on that one. Exercise, eat right, dress presentably and make sure to fill your life with love. People go back on their word. It happens because we’re humans, don’t blame them. People will harm you, they will cut you down. Don’t harm them, forgive and move on. Kindness leads to a faster recovery. Talk. Find trustworthy companions and talk. Don’t keep your days, months, years to yourself. Share the glory, share the pain, share everything. It makes it easier. Make yourself look silly, sometimes. Or, in the case of my dad and I, most of the time. There’s so much more I’ve learned, but I’ll cut it short with this last one: Whatever happens, no matter if the day is just peachy or a dreadful thing, keep going. Life is life, death is death and everything in between is all we have. Love while you can, persevere through the pain and don’t be afraid to live while you still can. contact Jackson at bkj12a@acu.edu
Column
Caution: You are what you tweet Think about this: If someone who never met you read the last tweet you sent, what impression would they get about the kind of person you are? Even if you’re the type of person who doesn’t care what people think about you, consider the fact that more and more employers are consulting social media before hiring potential employees. Do you really want someone who’s considering hiring you to read a tweet about how drunk you got last weekend? If you are constantly negative, people will take note of that. If you consistently put others down, you might remind people of the elementary school
DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE
MELANY COX OPINION PAGE EDITOR
Twitter has given millions of people the opportunity to express themselves. It’s a fun way to connect with friends, follow celebrities, laugh at a meme, share some news and read spoilers about your favorite TV show. Time and location don’t matter. With the push of a button, followers can be privy to every thought, experience, pun and hashtag. With this incredible freedom comes an increased need for a sense
of responsibility. Extra caution should be used when a person’s feelings can be shared so easily with so many people. This type of scrutiny means more than re-reading a tweet to check for embarrassing spelling errors. While they might not seem like much, those 140 characters can pack quite a punch. Even though they shouldn’t, people will judge you based on the information you share via the Internet.
bully on the playground. That being said, directly attacking someone while hiding behind a phone or computer screen is nothing more than cowardice and spite. The Internet is already full of enough negativity, so try not to let that influence you. It’s so easy to send quickly composed tweets into the realm of cyberspace without thinking about the consequences. Just remember that everything you say, in the real world and the digital world, says a lot about the kind of person you are. contact Cox at MKC09B@acu.edu
hashtagACU March 2 12:41 p.m. Feb. 27 11:23 a.m.
Not worrying anymore if people think you’re nerdy/weird when you’re eating alone and reading in the Bean #gradschool
@krystalmanda
Feb. 27 11:00 a.m. Feb. 28 9:35 a.m.
IF THEY PUT CHIPOTLE IN THE BEAN I WILL BE OBESE
@gabbsymone13
When your professor tweets at you because you’re running late to class. #ACUdifference ( @DavidCKneip ) #fb
March 2 12:37 p.m.
Trying my hardest not to turn this community organization paper into a creative writing piece, but since it’s about the zombie apocalypse...
@eric_shumann
@LizCMcKay
March 3 3:10 p.m.
March 3 5:48 p.m.
Just had to basically ask permission to go to the restroom because there isn’t one inside the Bean. I am a 20 year old man.
@kkevinb
I wonder if the Oscars are as intense as the Saturday night results for Sing Song...?
@Sh4zam
The Abilene news just suggested to “not go outside” so that means school should be cancelled right..?
@maleahhodge
March 3 12:02 p.m.
People starting to look more and more hipster the closer you get to the art building
@AnneliseGilmore
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
All of the PCs in the library are being used so I have to use a Mac #firstworldprobs #acuprobs
March 3 10:56 a.m.
GATA fountain just needs to Let It Go
@austyfrosty
@ambergrothe21
I wish people understood the fact that the Bean is NOT the place to be all over a significan other. #ACUdifference? #gross
@alyssa_shaffner
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Kirsten Holman
JP Festa
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sports
wednesday 03.05.14
7
Larry McDuffey: ACU’s next great receiver? SLOAN RANGER MATTHEW SLOAN SPORTS DIRECTOR
The ACU football team is welcoming a former three-star recruit to spring practice. Former University of Houston wide receiver Larry McDuffey transferred to ACU after playing two seasons for the Cougars. McDuffey was a standout at North Shore High School, which is in the
Houston area, and made an immediate impact in his college career. McDuffey’s saw plenty of playing time in 2012 as a true freshman, earning a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman team. He caught eight passes for 100 yards and a touchdown against archrival Rice University. McDuffey finished the
year with 28 catches for over 300 yards. In 2013 McDuffey had a frustrating season at Houston. After starting five of the first six games, McDuffey was given a lesser role while he also struggled with injuries and was never made a focal point in the offense. Now, McDuffey is looking to start over at ACU. The 5’10” junior is versatile and has plenty of speed to burn. In high school, he registered a sub 4.4 forty-yard dash. He also contributed to two straight high school state championships in
“
McDuffy saw plenty of playing time in 2012, earning a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshmem team.”
track, where he ran the 100-meter and participated in the triple jump. The ACU offense has been explosive for nearly ten years since head coach Ken Collums arrived as an offensive coordinator.
Collums’ track record with small receivers speaks for itself, which makes McDuffey a perfect fit for ACU. Johnny Knox, who was 5’11”, Knox had 30 touchdown catches and over 2,200 yards in only a couple of seasons. Taylor Gabriel and Darrell Cantu-Harkless also had unbelievable careers at ACU despite being well under six-feet-tall. Gabriel had over 3,000 yards recieving and Cantu-Harkless is the only player in ACU history to have over 1,000 yards rushing, receiving, and in
return yards. Collums’ knack for utilizing smaller players on the outside will undoubtedly benefit McDuffey, who should be an impact player for the Wildcats as soon as he is able to get on the field. The anticipation for McDuffey is high for next season because he could be the next great receiver of the Collums era at ACU. Only time will tell, but it will be exciting to watch no matter who you are. contact sloan at mes10b@acu.edu
Second half propels Wildcats to road win Reese gwin sports reporter The ACU women’s basketball team beat Southeastern Louisiana University 96-82 on Monday. The victory came in the final match-up of a three-game road trip where the Wildcats went 2-1. They now sit in eighth place in the Southland Conference with a 7-6 record. Freshmen Alexis Mason and Lizzy Dimba led the scoring onslaught with 16 points a piece. Senior Forward Renata Marquez and freshman forward Suzzy Dimba each were a rebound away from double-doubles with 15 points and nine boards. Sophmore Whitney West rounded out the starting five nicely, adding an additional 15 points. And freshman center Sydney Shelstead came off the bench to score 14 points. “Our teams offensive execution was at all-time high tonight with everyone fulfilling their role and doing their job to the best of their ability,” head coach Julie Goodenough said. “We also made big offensive runs by making big defensive stops.” The 96 point outburst was the most the ’Cats had ever scored in conference play. It was also the third time this season for them to have six players in double figures. SLU also had a big night on offense. Senior forward Aja Gibson went off for 24 points, and Junior Guard Elizabeth Styles nearly matched her with 23 points. However, 20 turnovers and ACU’s 50 percent
shooting doomed the Lady Lions. SLU now has a 7-9 conference record and is 8-20 overall. The Wildcats impressive scoring night came on the heels of 64-71 loss to McNeese State. While they missed out on their goal of a perfect finish to the season, they did manage to regroup in time for their final road game. Alexis Mason said, “Our determination to finish out the last road trip strong helped us to get the win. Being able to execute on the offensive end got us wide open shots that we knocked down.” The good shooting started early with the Wildcats jumping out to an 11-point lead only five minutes into the game. SLU held tight through the first half and entered the locker room down only seven. They cut the lead to one in the second half, but the ACU defense stepped up, and the Wildcat scoring kept coming. The way that the ’Cats confidently closed the game is a testament to their coaching and their maturity. A month earlier this game could have easily swung the other way, but the team’s discipline down the stretch did not allow it. While the scoring may grab the headline, it was their defense, rebounding and passion that ultimately won them the game. The Wildcats return home with a winning conference record and their most complete win added to their résumé. contact gwin at erg13a@acu.edu
Jarred schutze Staff Photographer
Freshman forward Suzzy Dimba goes up for the opening game tip for the Widlcats in their game at Moody Coliseum. With one game left in the season, Dimba is averaging 11.3 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and is shooting 44 percent from the field. She has been one of the key factors in helping ACU since their transition to Div. I.
Softball goes 1-3 in Texas Tech Invitational Hannah little sports reporter ACU’s softball team pulled out a win against University of Rhode Island and suffered three close losses at the Texas Tech Invitational last weekend. Friday, the Wildcats lost 4-12 against Sam Houston State with two runs by Lyndi Smith, and one for Emily Seidel and Demi McNulty. All of ACU’s runs were made in the third inning. Sam Houston’s strong offense was able to score all six innings. “In game one on Saturday against Sam Houston, our team put up an incredible fight for nine innings,” said sophomore Demi McNulty. “This extra inning game was filled with great defensive plays, as well as clutch hits.” However, the Wildcats recovered from their loss and regained their focus, pulling out a win later that day against University of Rhode Island. Freshman pitcher Hannah Null pitched her first no-hitter for her collegiate career and became seventh in ACU softball history as she led the Wildcats to a 9-1 victory. Null allowed only four baserunners, two of them caused by ACU errors. One baserunner came from a walk and another after
austin kilcullen Staff Photographer
Freshman pitcher Hannah Null throws a ptich for ACU.
Rhode Island University Ram Jenna Cubello was hit. The Wildcats got four runs in the first inning, one in the second and third and three in the fourth. Anna Jones and Demi McNulty each had two runs. Ashley Nolan, Paige Stevens, Emily Seidel, Courtney Flanary and Madison Buckley all had one run. McNulty was the highhitter for the game with 3 hits while Smith had 2 RBI’s. Saturday, ACU lost both games each by two points. The Wildcats had seven errors in both games. The first game against Sam Houston State went into nine innings as the Wildcats fought hard. The second game against Rhode Island went to seven innings. “We want to make a name for ACU in the new conference by earning the respect of our opponents,” McNulty said. “Although we did not record the number of wins that we wanted, there were definitely some outstanding highlights, including a no-hitter thrown by our freshman pitcher, Hannah Null. Our coaching staff continues to be a motivational push as conference play approaches.” Although the Wildcats didn’t have the turnout
they were hoping for, a lot was accomplished and they had a good learning experience. ACU will continue their journey on the road this weekend as they play in the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic in Lubbock.
The Wildcats will play Texas Tech University Friday at 5:30 p.m. and University of Texas at Arlington Saturday at 10 a.m. contact little at hll12a@acu.edu
sports
WEdnesday 3.05.14
Wildcats win on bases-loaded walk Collin Wieder Assistant Sports Editor The ACU baseball team finished the weekend going 1-1 in the Bourland-Ardoin Classic with their third scheduled game against Kansas State canceled. The Wildcats started the weekend being shutout by the Missouri State Bears 12-0. The Bears pitching staff only allowed 6 hits with their starter Cody Schumacher pitching seven of the shutout innings. ACU’s bats showed some life with Seth Spivey going 3-for-4 and Brando Grudzielanek went 2-for-3. “I just felt like early on we were nervous and had a couple of missed plays so we gave up a few runs,” said head coach Britt Bonneau. “Obviously when a big team like that jumps up on you its tough to come back.” “We just came out flat and it was like we didn’t want to compete,” Senior Seth Spivey said. The weekend continued with the Wildcats taking on
lot of things well.” Relief pitcher Kevin Sheets picked up his second win of the season pitching two innings and allowing four hits. The bats were led once again by Spivey who went 3-for-5 against GCU and was the winning run for the Wildcats. Spivey continues to lead the Southland Conference in hitting with a .600 average going 18-for-30 in the team’s first eight games. A win over Grand Canyon gives the Wildcats their first marquee victory over a Div. I opponent this season. The ‘Lopes play in the one of the more well austin kilcullen Staff Photographer know conferences know as Freshman pitcher/outfielder Russell Crippen hits a single for ACU over the weekend. the Western Athletic Conference or WAC. Grand Canyon University bases-loaded single from “I felt like I did ok I The Wildcats final game Saturday. A pitching battle junior Jordan Forrester to need to improve on a lot of against Kansas was canensued as both pitching give the Wildcats a 3-2 vic- things,” Austin Lambright celled due to the freezing staffs only allowed two tory. said. “Overall for my third on Sunday. runs each through nine. “That was a great way to start of the season I did ACU will return to acExtra inning play started finish off the weekend and well.” tion Thursday in Norman with another shutout in- we can ride that momen“I thought Austin has to play Coach Bonneau’s ning for the Wildcat’s tum into playing Oklaho- really showed some im- alma mater Oklahoma. pitching staff in the top of ma,” Bonneau said. provement over his last the tenth. Freshman Austin Lam- few starts,” Bonneau said. contact wieder at The Wildcats would bright pitched five innings “He went five innings and cpw11a@acu.edu decide the game with a with only one earned run. he threw strikes, he did a
Men fail to close in final minutes daniel zepeda sports editor Free throws cost the Wildcats in the final minutes, as the team went just 1-4 in the late stages of regulation, after starting the game a perfect 17-17 from the line, in their 95-91 loss to McNeese State on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats relinquished their 71-61 lead with under four minutes to play, but were unable maintain their composure and allowed McNeese to force overtime and eventually take the victory, handing ACU another loss on the road and finalizing a winless 0-13 road record for the season. “We played well Saturday and played with a lot of heart and effort,” head coach Joe Golding said. “We just could not finish the game the last three minutes.” Both teams went into their locker rooms at halftime with the score tied up at 36 a piece. The Wildcats could not find a way to pull away from the Cowboys, as they shot 67 percent and buried six of eight three point shots. McNeese came out of the half and quickly established a solid lead for the majority of the second half. ACU fought back to grab a ten point lead with 3:36 left in the game. Sophomore guard Parker Wentz converted on a pair of free throws to push the lead to four with 1:17 left. Senior guard Ledrick Eackles would make one of his six three-point field goals on the next McNeese possession to give ACU a one point lead with under a minute to play. With 40 seconds left, junior guard Rafael Farley was fouled and sent to the free throw line, where he had a costly miss that made the score 80-78. The Cowboys would go down and miss on a jumper, only to be fouled on a battle for a lose ball and earn a trip to the line with 16 seconds left. Mc-
steal one on the road, and we just couldn’t close out.” The loss drops ACU to 11-19 and a 2-11 conference record. Their last overtime game of this season came January against Southeastern Louisiana, when the Wildcats fell in double overtime, 85-77, behind a combined 59 points from junior guards Harrison Hawkins and LaDarrien Williams. The Wildcats were dominated on the glass, loosing the battle 39-24, and giving up 19 offensive rebounds that help lead to 21 second chance points for the Cowboys. Overall, ACU shot well, going 30-54 (55.6%) from the field, 11-22 from beyond the arc and a remarkable 20-23 from the charity strike. Junior guard Julian Edmonson and Wentz help lead the way with 24 points each. Combining to go 7-13 from three point attempts and a perfect 11-11 from free throws. Farley and junior forward Jacob Lancaster finished with 11 and ten points, respectively. For McNeese, Eackles, one of the premier shooters in the Southland, registered a career high 35 points, on the strength of six three point field goals and eleven made free throws. Junior guard Kevin Hardy and junior forward Craig McFerrin each had double doubles-17 points, 11 assists for Hardy and 18 points, 10 rebounds for McFerrin. The Wildcats will now look to end their season on a positive note, as they play their season finale at 3 p.m. Saturday in Moody Coliseum against the University of Incarnate Word (20-6, 8-5). austin kilcullen Staff Photographer “We look forward to the Junior guard Julian Edmonson shoots a three pointer for the Wildcats at home in game,” Golding said. “We Moody Coliseum. Edmonson registered 24 points on 8-13 shooting, 3-5 from beyond played well at there place the arc and was a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line in ACU’s loss to McNeese State for about 30 minutes last time, but now we have to Saturday, 95-91. be able to play a full game. Neese converted on both to free throws in overtime break, in which they drew We have been in search of tie the score at 80-80. alone, McNeese would find the final foul on Wentz and that the last six weeks and The Wildcats would give enough steam and momen- converted the basket to we have one more shot to the ball to Wentz for the fi- tum to earn the win at home push their lead to eight. do it.” nal shot, but was blocked at by outlasting the Wildcats. “McNeese has a good the buzzer to confirm over- The nail in the coffin came program and they’re hard contact zepeda at time. from a blocked ACU shot to beat at home,” Golding djz11a@acu.edu Despite missing seven that led to a McNeese fast said. “We had a chance to
Golf struggles in Cabo Collegiate emily seidel sports reporter After two days of tough competition, ACU golf hopes to finish strong at the Querencia Cabo Collegiate invitational in Los Cabos, Mexico. Despite a rough start during the two days, the Wildcats have one day left to move up from their current spot in last place. “It’s a new experience with new teams and we’re excited to move forward,” head coach Mike Campbell said. The first-round total after Sunday was 321 for the Wildcats, putting them 37 over
par. This placed them far behind the two teams in the lead at the end of day one, Southern Methodist University and Houston, tied for first at 288. Alabama finished Sunday in third place at 294. Round two was slightly better for ACU, but not enough to fill the gap left by other powerhouse teams competing in the tournament. The Wildcats only reduced their total from Sunday by three shots, finishing round two at 318 and remaining in last place with a two-day total of 639. SMU, who is hosting the tournament, finished Sunday in the lead, but fell down
the list after struggling in round two. After shooting a 288 on Sunday and a 298 on Monday, they head into Tuesday’s final round tied for fifth with a two-round total of 586. Tournament standings after Monday night saw Houston take the lead after firing a second-round 285, putting them at 583 total. This placed them four shots in front of Baylor and five shots in front of Alabama, a top-ranked team that came to Los Cabos with an 11-tournament winning streak in motion. Corbin Renner has been the top performer in Mexico for the Wildcats, posting a
76 and a 75 for a total of 151 after Monday, a score which includes a hole-in-one from Sunday’s opening round. Trey Sullivan is right behind him with a total of 153 (7677), tying him for 50th place overall. Luke Carpenter, Kaden Walters, and Ian Evans finished Monday with totals of 168, 171 and 173, respectively. “Corbin has been hitting the ball really well and played at a high level,” Campbell said. This is arguably one of the toughest tournaments the Wildcats will compete in this season. It is stacked with some of the best Div. 1 competition,
including nationally ranked teams like Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Louisiana State. The course itself is one of the more difficult ones the Cats have seen. The beautiful, par-72, 7,070-yard course is ranked No. 1 in Mexico by Golfweek Magazine and is proving to be a challenge. The men wrapped up the tournament Tuesday night as the Wildcats finished in 14th place. Renner finished with a team low of 228, while Sullivan posted a 232. contact seidel at eks13a@acu.edu
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standings Men’s basketball
Team
Div.
Ovrl
SFA TAMU-CC SHSU ORU NSU UIW Nicholls St. NO MSU SELA UCA ACU HBU Lamar
16-0 12-4 11-5 10-6 10-6 8-5 9-7 8-8 8-8 6-10 5-11 2-11 2-14 2-14
27-2 15-14 19-9 16-13 14-13 20-6 12-13 11-13 10-18 11-16 8-19 11-19 6-23 3-25
woMen’s basketball
Team
Div.
Ovrl
UCA SFA Lamar MSU Nicholls St. TAMU-CC NSU ACU ORU HBU SELA SHSU UIW NO
12-4 11-5 11-5 10-6 10-6 7-6 9-7 7-6 8-8 7-9 7-9 6-10 2-11 0-16
18-9 17-11 16-11 17-10 15-12 16-11 16-12 17-12 9-17 11-16 8-20 11-16 8-18 0-27
Who’s Hot To say senior catcher Seth Spivey has had a hot start to the season would be an understatement. Through the first eight games of the season, Spivey leads the conference in batting average (.600) with a slugging percentage on .900 and an on base percentage of .684. He also has four doubles, a home run and seven runs batted in.
briefings Spring break baseball camps begin next week. They will be Monday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages seven through 13. See acusports.com for more information. The football team has begun spring practices to help prepare for the 2014 season. Track and Field finished strong in the 2014 Southland Indoor Championships. Senior Reyare Thomas set the meet record on both days of competition in the 200-meter dash. Ryan Simmons, son of ACU great David Simmons, has committed to throw shot put and discus for ACU Track and Field next year. He recently earned a silver medal in the UIL State Track and Field Championships in Austin. Follow @OptimistSports on Twitter for the latest ACU sports news.
Upcoming Baseball travels to Norman, Okla. to take on Oklahoma at 3 p.m. Thursday. Softball begins its first of three games in Lubbock against Texas Tech at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Women’s tennis hosts Cleveland State University Saturday starting at 10 a.m. Women’s basketball finishes out its season against Incarnate Word Saturday at 1 p.m. in Moody Colisuem. Men’s basketball takes on Incarnate Word Saturday at 3 p.m. to conlcude its season at home.