acuoptimist.com
Optimist the
Giddy Up, page 5
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Vol. 99, No. 47
1 section, 8 pages
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
ISA encourages students to help Japan put on several events and set up donation booths to benefit the disaster victims. The International Students AsAbout 25-30 ACU students call sociation is taking the lead to en- Japan home and ISA felt compelled courage students to help with Ja- to help, said Sebastian Karlsson, sepan disaster relief. The club will nior theatre major from Linneryd,
Nikki Mimms
Contributing Reporter
Sweden and ISA member. “Some of them had family that were affected and some even had parents living in tents,” Karlsson said. “The proceeds from the booth are going to local churches in Japan that ISA members have
connections with, then from there the church will handle how the money is distributed.” Total donations so far amount to approximately $1,600, both from Campus Center donations and from individuals sending
in money, said Asako Nemoto, junior theatre major from Ibaraki, Japan and ISA member. ISA conducted the International Food Festival last week and see AID page 4
LOCAL
North Abilene to open Jason’s Nikki Mimms
Contributing Reporter
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Eyrah Quashie, junior advertising and public relations major from The Colony, helps secure a sign and mannequin for the In the Red Fashion Show display.
Red-y or Not
Students raise awareness of sex trafficking through fashion A group of ACU students have partnered with the Advertising/Public Relations Club to put on the annual fashion show. “In the RED Fashion Show” will take place April 30 at the Windsor Hotel and will support the Red Thread Movement. The Red Thread Movement began in 2009 by Brittany Partridge, junior political science major from Annandale, Minn., and Samantha Sutherland, sophomore advertising/public relations major from Brownwood, to raise awareness of sex trafficking, specifically in Nepal.
18 for $10 in the Campus Center. Each ticket comes with a Red Thread bracelet and all proSutherland said she is happy to see the ceeds support the Red Thread Movement. campus and community involving themSutherland said that funds would help selves more with the program. pay for traveling expenses to Nepal as well “One thing I love about the fashion show as going to four different music festivals, is it’s a group of students who come to us including Vans Warped Tour, this summer with a passion to help and raise awareness,” to help raise awareness on the road. Sutherland said. “The fashion show team is Whitney Puckett, senior advertising/ incredibly talented and we are excited to public relations major from Melbourne, see what they come up with.” Tickets to “In the RED” will go on sale April see FASHION page 4 Matthew Woodrow, Opinion Page Editor
Jason’s Deli is scheduled to open a new location this summer on the north side of Abilene near Walmart. Daniel Helfman, Jason’s Deli spokesperson, said the restaurant will hold 180 people and will feature the original Jason’s Deli menu. “We’ve been hearing from the customers for a while that this is something they wanted,” Helfman said. “Abilene has been a great town to us. We’re very excited to bring them another deli.” Kirk Jeffries owns the Jason’s Deli on the south side of Abilene along with several other delis throughout West Texas. His new restaurant is scheduled to open in July, Helfman said. Van Dexter Duez, junior business management major from Altus, Okla., said he is looking forward to Jason’s Deli opening a location on the north side of town. “The quality of food is really good,” Duez said. “The atmosphere is very chill and relaxed.” Duez said he visits Jason’s Deli about three to four times a month. Although the new location see JASON’S page 4
SUMMIT
Lucado to headline fall Summit ing minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. Editor in Chief Brady ACU is saying “Enough” Bryce, diduring Summit 2011. rector of Summit will incorpo- m i n i s t r y rate the theme, “Enough: events, said Hearing God through s t u d e n t s Isaiah” and will feature have been speakers such as ACU r e q u e s t Lucado alumna Max Lucado, best- ing Lucado selling author and preach- for years, and this year,
Linda Bailey
book, and I thought, well this would be a good year, and Max had a cancellation, it really was a neat thing that it worked out” Lucado graduated from ACU in 1977 and was Young Alumnus in 1991 as well as Alumnus of the Year in 2003. He said he see ENOUGH page 4
website
inside news ACU’s speech and debate team won two national titles at the Pi Kappa Delta tournament in Portland, Ore. page 3
Bryce said he seemed like a perfect fit. “He shows up every year on lists. We get hundreds of recommendations, and he just seemed like a natural fit this year,” Bryce said. “President Schubert mentioned him in his opening Chapel address and was kind of taken by his newest
sports Grant McCasland was hired as the new men’s basketball coach after finishing the season with Midwestern State. page 8
TANNER FREEMAN // Staff Photographer
Brady Bryce, director of ministry events, presents the 2011 Summit Art Contest winner, Leanne Kawahigashi, freshman graphic design major from Fort Worth.
weather video Scan the QR code to watch students respond to next year’s nearly 10 percent increase in tuition. The increase bumps the cost of one credit hour to $787.
Abilene Christian University
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calendar & events Wednesday
11 a.m. Japan Disaster Response Chapel in Moody Colliseum 6:30 p.m. Square dance workshop at the Wagon Wheel in Tye
07
Thursday
11 a.m. Small Group Chapels in various locations around campus 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Blood drive located in the parking lot between the Brown Library and the Hardin Administration Building 3 p.m. Texas Christian Schools Interscholastic Tournament at various locations across campus
08 09 Friday
11 a.m. Praise Day in Moody Colliseum 8 a.m. Texas Christian Schools Interscholastic Tournament at various locations across campus 6 p.m. Softball at Texas Woman’s University
7 p.m. Baseball vs. Eastern New Mexico University 7:30 p.m. SHADES show in Cullen Auditorium
3-6 p.m. Mall Jam at the Campus Mall 7:30 p.m. The Pirates of Penzance at Fulks Theatre
7:30 p.m. The Pirates of Penzance in Fulks Theatre 10 p.m. The Pirates of Penzance talk-back in Fulks Theatre
Saturday
7:30 a.m. Texas Christian Schools Interscholastic Tournament at various locations across campus 8 a.m. Kirk Goodwin 5K Run starts at the Hardin Administration Building 2 p.m. Baseball vs. Eastern New Mexico University 7:30 p.m. Abilene Adult Chorus Concert at the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall 7:30 p.m. SHADES show in Cullen Auditorium
volunteer opportunities
International Rescue Committee Students can work with refugees who moved to the United States, teaching English, helping with homework and mentoring. Volunteer times are flexible. Call Daina Juryka-Owen at 675-5643 ext. 16 to make an appointment. For more information on the International Rescue Committee, visit www.theirc.org.
Dyess Youth Center needs help with a Ping Pong Exhibition from 4-6 p.m. every Friday. Volunteers will preside over tournaments and help with an exhibition for the students. Transportation will not be provided, and volunteers cannot have any sexual assault charges or charges pending. For more information, contact Sheri Frisby at 6964797, or email sheri.frisby@ dyess.af.mil. Mesa Spring Healthcare Center needs volunteers from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. any day of the week to help with fun activities for the residents, including playing instruments, calling bingo and sitting and talking. All help is appreciated. Contact Laura Reynolds at 692-8080 or lgreynolds@ sears-methodist.com.
Windcrest Alzheimer’s Care Center needs volunteers to clean out and organize closets any day Sunday-Friday at any time during the day. Contact Chris Stephenson to arrange a time at 6921533 or clstephenson@ sears-methodist.com. National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature Students can assist with art activities, sell books and welcome visitors from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1-3 p.m., Tuesdays-Saturdays. For more information, contact Debby Lillick at 673-4586, or visit www.nccil.org. Ben Richey Boys Ranch is seeking volunteers for its upcoming Annual Clay Shoot on April 30th. Volunteers will be pullers at stations, help with registration or coordinate raffle ticket sales. Training will be given for both shifts at 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. or 11:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. T-shirts and free dinner are included for volunteers. Contact Patty Dunn at 665-4058 for more information. Abilene Hope Haven is seeking volunteers for childcare any night, Monday-Thursday from 6:45-8:15 p.m. For more information, contact Kathy Reppart at 677-4673.
Police Log Edited for space
Thursday, March 24 10:22 p.m. An Abilene resident reported someone launching water balloons from A.B. Barret Hall onto the Lunsford Trail. Officers were unable to locate the suspect.
water balloons filled with orange juice. The balloons struck the caller’s dog while they walked on the Lunsford Trail. At the same time, the Abilene Police Department received a similar A log of the ACU Police report De- of three suspects throwing Friday, March partment’s daily25activities will water balloons near 2 p.m. A student reportbe printed on this page of A.B. Barret Hall. ed that a subject at- Police the Optimist. Thehad first tempted to scam her out Log will appear Friday. Sunday, March 27 of a large sum of money 12:50 p.m. The ACU by sending her a $2650 Police Department recheck for a computer ceived an open 911 call software service he had from a call box located promised to provide her. on the Lunsford Trail He requested the stu- near Teague Circle. An dent deposit the check officer saw two boys in her bank account, activate the 911 call keep $500 as her service box near Sikes Hall and fee, then forward the run from the scene. The $2150 balance to him. officer apprehended the The student recognized boys, took them home this as a common scam and released them to their mother. and rejected the plan. Saturday, March 26 9:40 p.m. ACU police officers received a call that three students in the back of a Ford pickup truck had been throwing
7:30 p.m. The Pirates of Penzance in Fulks Theatre
follow us on Twitter: @acuoptimist // become a fan on Facebook: The Optimist
Just People, Inc. needs volunteers from 10 a.m.2 p.m. for the Abilene Kite Festival on April 16 at Red Bud Park. Volunteers can help facilitate safety measures and assist festival participants. For more information, contact Justina Thompson at 672-2118 or email jthompson@justpeopleinc.org.
ACU Police Tip of the Week Warm weather means more students are outside exercising. Students should use the lit Lunsford Trail, go in groups and always carry a cell phone.
Aimee’s Art Studio is seeking volunteers from 9-10 a.m. or 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, to assist with homeschool fine arts classes. No formal art skills or training is required. The studio is a five-minute walk from ACU’s campus. For more information, contact Aimee Williams at 672-9633. Center for Contemporary Arts needs a gallery assistant to help with exhibit setup and preparation. The work can be done any time from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. Call 677-8389 or email info@ center-arts.com. Madison Middle School is looking for male volunteers to participate in a weekly “Boys2Men” lunchtime program for eighth grade boys. Speakers will be addressing different aspects of growing up. Contact Jeff Womack at 692-5661 or jeffrey. womack@abileneisd.org. Abilene Youth Sports Authority needs volunteers April 16 and April 17 for a basketball tournament they will host at Abilene High School and Cooper High School. Students can help sell tickets and assist in the concession stand 8 a.m.- 9 p.m. Contact Katie Miller at 692-2972 or email khowerton@abileneysa.org.
Report all suspicious activity to the ACU Police Department at 674-2305.
Weekly Stats March 23-30 3 911 Call 1 Abandoned Vehicle 2 Accident 7 Administrative Activity 3 Alarm 2 Assist 1 Attempt to Locate 2 Boot/Unboot Vehicle 13 Building Lock/ Unlock
1 Criminal Mischief 1 Disturbance 1 Domestic Disturbance 1 Forgery 12 Investigation Follow Up 1 Lost Property 2 Medical Emergency 1 Monitor Facility 2 Monitor Traffic 2 Motorist Assist: Jumpstart
1 Motorist Assist: Other 13 Motorist Assist: Unlock 2 Patrol Vehicle: Maintenance 7 Patrol Vehicle: Refuel 2 Report Writing 2 Suspicious Activity 2 Traffic Stop 2 Training 32 Check Building
Chapel Checkup 52 21
Credited Chapels to date
Credited Chapels remaining
correction
The Optimist misidentified Wildcats for Sustainability and its founder, Jared Perkins, in the Wednesday, March 30 edition of the Optimist. We regret this error.
announcements Study Abroad Fall 2011 Spaces still are available in the Oxford and Montevideo Study Abroad Programs for Fall 2011. Students can enroll in CORE 120 and CORE 220 in Oxford, and $1,000 scholarships are available for the Montevideo Study Abroad Program. For more information, visit the Study Abroad Office in Room 124 of the Hardin Administration Building. Online Summer Courses Registration for online summer courses now is open. Students can choose from 15 courses, and each course is three weeks long. For more information, visit www.acu. edu/summeronline.
All-school Chapel The Chapel Office encourages students to participate in “Bring Your Professor to Chapel Day” and invite their professors to Chapel as a part of the campuswide effort to attend Chapel every Monday. Relay for Life The American Cancer Society is organizing Relay for Life to raise funds for cancer research and to honor and celebrate the lives of cancer survivors and fighters. The event is from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. on April 29-30 at Elmer Gray Stadium. To sign up with an Abilene team, click on the Relay for Life myACU log-in ad or visit www.relayforlife.com.
CAMPUS NEWS
April 6, 2011
Page 3
DEBATE
Speech and debate team wins national titles Meagan Hernandez Staff Photographer
ACU’s speech and debate team had a successful last competition of the year. The team traveled to Portland, Ore., last week to compete in the Pi Kappa Delta national tournament against more than 70 universities, including the University of Nebraska and Texas A&M University.
Dena Counts, director of forensics, said her team has learned to work together. “Team dynamics is a real key to success. Our team won third overall in debate sweepstakes,” Counts said. Team members Jared Perkins, junior political science major from Peru, Ill., and Jeff Craig, junior print journalism major from Granbury, continued their success and are
ranked the 16th team in the nation, after being named top superior parliamentary debate team at the national tournament. “We did really well. It is becoming commonplace,” Perkins said. The group also walked away with many individual awards. Freshman Sam Groom won novice top superior in individual public debate. Junior Margaret
JMC students win awards Contributing Reporter
Journalism and Mass Communications competed at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) in Ft. Worth last week, bringing multiple awards back to ACU. Blane Singletary, junior electronic media major from Abilene and KACU announcer, won first in radio documentary and third in news video and an honorable mention in radio announcing. He also received second in radio production with Meagan Hernandez for his weekly show, Eye On Entertainment, which airs every Friday after the News at Noon on KACU. “It’s certainly a year to be proud of,” Singletary said. “We always come out and do so well.” KACU-FM, public radio station and NPR affiliate, received first place in radio sweepstakes. The win is KACU’s eighth win in 11 years. ACU defeated TCU 42-39 for the top place.
“There were many other awards, these are just some highlights,” Counts said. Perkins said his and Craig’s differences in political thinking have contributed to their success in tournaments. “I am very liberal, while Jeff is very conservative. We play off each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Because we do not think the same, we are able to
cover both sides. It makes it a lot easier,” Perkins said. As the debate season ends, Perkins reflects on what he has gotten out of being a part of the team. “I love the fellowship. I have developed a lot of close friendships, not only at ACU. I value friendship and camaraderie.” contact Hernandez at
mkh07a@acu.edu
CAMPUS
JMC NETWORK
Zane Goggans
Moore took sixth place in informative speaking with her speech on the use of echolocation among the visually impaired. Senior Scott Adrian won sixth place in after-dinner speaking with a speech about male objectification. Senior Brianna Bowman won third place in communication analysis. Toni Maisano and Victoria Knaupp took third place in JV parliamentary debate.
“We’ve got TIPA sweeps plaques as far back as ’99,” Singletary said. “We’ve got radio in the bag.” Radio was not the only category ACU students had success in. students who competed in the newspaper category received four first places, two second places, four third places and four honorable mentions. The Optimist also received first place in best online community engagement. Optimist Editor in Chief Linda Bailey won first place in information graphic and Kelsi Williamson won first place in headline, single subject and feature page design. Bailey said she was glad her staff had the opportunity to be rewarded and honored for their hard work. “Knowing how hard we work as a staff, I’m glad that we can be recognized for what we did,” Bailey said. The Optimist did not place in sweepstakes after taking first last year. Texas A&M received the top spot
in newspaper sweepstakes. “I am very pleased with the awards we did win,” said Dr. Kenneth Pybus, associate professor of journalism and mass communication. “The most important thing is that we serve our audience well.” Although the Optimist did not place in sweeps, students and staff are upbeat about the future of competing in TIPA. “We’ve got a better shot next year,” Singletary said. “This year we know what we need to work on.” TIPA is the oldest collegiate press association in the United States, first meeting in 1909 at Baylor University. Public and private Texas universities, from Division 1 to Division 5, compete in over 30 categories of journalistic events. ACU students competed in the Division 1 category among the likes of Texas A&M, Texas, TCU, SMU, Texas State and the University of North Texas. contact Goggans at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Blood bank to sponsor on-campus collection Eyrah Quashie
Contributing Reporter
The Meek Blood Center will bring two bloodmobiles to campus Thursday for students to make a blood donation. The mobile blood centers will be located between the Administrative Building and the Brown Library from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Brandon Schmermund, senior psychology major from El Campo, chooses to donate because of his rare blood type. Schmermund donated throughout high school and once at ACU. “Everyone needs to try to donate at least once, if not more than that,” Schmermund said. “I got a letter in the mail the other day saying I’d saved a life. I feel great just knowing that.” Although donors normally are given the option of making single or
double donations of red blood cells, the machine used for double donations, ALYX, will not be available on the bloodmobile Thursday. Donors who wish to give double donations will need to visit the center to do so. “We have a consistent need. It never goes away, the beauty of going to colleges is that there are just so many students there,” said Frances Baker, donor recruiter for Meek Blood Center. The blood donation process takes about 45 minutes, including the examination and donating period. During the first step, students will be asked to supply a brief medical history. Baker also encourages students to come prepared to give blood by eating a balanced iron-rich meal. “It’s very important before you donate blood to
eat a good meal and drink lots of water or juice,” Baker said. Students who donate blood are eligible to receive service hours. The service hour time sheet can be found in the Center for Christian Service and Leadership. “It’s important for anyone who’s eligible to give blood because right now we don’t have an artificial substitute,” Baker said. “We have to get it from volunteer donors to give it to people who need blood transfusions.” If students are not able to donate Thursday, they can schedule an appointment with the Meek Blood Center for credit. Contact the center from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 670-2799. contact Quashie at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
FROM THE FRONT
Page 4
April 6, 2011
STUDENT GROUPS
SHADES to perform with new lighting, music Bailey Griffith Copy Editor
SHADES has stepped up its game this year by including new lighting, gender dynamics, pumped-up music and a spiritual aspect. SHADES will perform “SHADES Secret Mission: The Heist,” Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. Students can buy tickets in the Campus Center at various times or from SHADES members. The show centers on a bank robbery. Two different teams, Team Broke and
‘‘ ’’
Team Money, will battle against each other to rob a bank and steal money before the other team. SHADES captain and treasurer Destiny Hagood, junior photojournalism major from Los Angeles, said the show will include four guest performers. After the guest performances, each SHADES team performs five dances routines and seven to eight dances. This year, SHADES has combined men and women on stage for their performances. In years past, the performances were either only men or only women. “There was no mixture because we wanted to have
We went out on a limb. We used a lot of money to make this better for ACU’s student body. DESTINY HAGOOD // junior photojournalism major from Los Angeles
them separate,” Hagood said. “But now this year, we’re trying to do something new and have everyone do things together.” Catrina Bailey, SHADES member and sophomore design and technical theatre major from Riverside, Calif., said that a few years ago, men and women would not see each other until the show. “It used to be guys and
girls wouldn’t even practice together,” Bailey said. Another change audiences can expect in this year’s show is the lighting used in the production. Hagood said the new lighting, compared to the older lights previously used in Cullen Auditorium, is more up to date. Older lights had to be positioned manually but the new lights rotate and have different
Will play for food
designs and shapes. “We’re using totally different lights; different everything,” Hagood said. “We went out on a limb. We used a lot of money to make this better for ACU’s student body.” Hagood said she would like to see different reactions to the show this year because of the integration of new elements. “I want them to be blown away because we’re doing something entirely different,” Hagood said. Bailey said this year’s show also incorporates more instrumental music with more beats than in previous years.
contact Griffith at
bng10a@acu.edu
CAMPUS
Fashion: Show to raise funds Continued from page 1
TANNER FREEMAN // Staff Photographer
The band Pleasant Run Valley plays bluegrass at the Just Food Fair last week. The event was sponsored by the Locavore club.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
Some of the songs SHADES will step to include Whip My Hair by Willow Smith, a rendition of the Inspector Gadget theme song and He Wants It All by Forever Jones, Bailey said. The team will also perform a spiritual dance to the song He Wants It All , which was not part of the show last year. “This year, we’re making sure that we know that we’re not stepping for us; we’re stepping for Him,” Hagood said. Hagood said the show lasts just over one hour.
Fla., is producing the fashion show and has been planning this year’s show since October. “We hold a fashion show every year, but first we had to choose who we were going to support,” Puckett said. “We thought of the Red Threat Movement and how impressive everything they do is. But as much as they do they still need help getting the word out.” One of the main efforts of this year’s fashion show is to expand community interest and involvement. Puckett said they were trying to get more off-campus organizations to partici-
pate and are pursuing outside media as well. “Although you see lots of Red Thread bracelets on campus, there are not as many off it.” Puckett said. “This is the first campaign which really connects the ACU campus, Abilene, Eternal Threads and the Red Thread Movement.” Dillards is donating all the clothing for this year’s show and is being modeled by about 35 ACU students. Students who wish to be involved can email areyouintheRED@yahoo. com or check out their Facebook or Twitter page. contact Woodrow at
mrw08a@acu.edu
LOCAL
Aid: Campus helps Japan Jason’s: Deli to open in July Continued from page 1
donated the proceeds to an organization helping with Japan disaster relief. ISA is planning to present at this month’s ArtWalk in downtown Abilene to raise more money for Japan, Nemoto said. ArtWalk takes
place on the second Thursday of each month. Members will sell Tshirts on Thursday at the booths in the Campus Center. Global Samaritan Resources, a local nonprofit organization, will collect the proceeds and use them to send supplies to Japan.
“We don’t really have a goal amount,” Nemoto said. “Since ACU is a small community and far from Japan, we know the amount is little but we can still collect to help.”
contact Mimms at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Continued from page 1
will be closer, he said he probably wouldn’t go any more than he does now. “I’m a college student, so I will probably still go only a few times a month. But now, I won’t have to drive there,” Duez said. Jason’s Deli will join
Cracker Barrel and Chili’s near Walmart on Highway 351. The new location will be closer to ACU and HardinSimmons University, making it easier for students on the north side of Abilene to enjoy the deli’s sandwiches, soups and salad bar. Ashley Cherry, senior finance and marketing
major from The Colony, is excited about the proximity to campus. “Thank goodness,” Cherry said. “Now I don’t have to drive like 100 miles out of the way for the best soup ever.” contact Mimms at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
SUMMIT
Enough: Summit theme urges personal examination Continued from page 1
considered the invitation to speak at Summit an honor. “I’m very excited,” Lucado said. “I’m very proud of ACU and really excited about Dr. Schubert and his leadership. I don’t know him really well, but times I’ve spent with him were all really positive. I think ACU has a real, bright future and I’m really excited to
come back and connect with everybody.” Summit 2011 will mark Lucado’s first year as a featured Summit speaker and he will also present a Coffee Talk with co-minister Randy Frazee on neighborhood outreach. “I appreciate the opportunity to have a little question and answer time on neighborhood outreach and the ideas that are really taking off for us,” Lucado said.
The Summit theme, Enough, comes from the book of Isaiah where God tells the Israelites he’s had enough of their sacrifices, offerings and external religion, and he calls his people to clean up their lives and then come into worship. “The thrust of it is, we’re hearing God say this phrase, ‘I’ve had enough.’” Bryce said. And, he said, this message clearly relates
to students, faculty and staff at ACU. “I think students at Christian colleges tend to just have enough of God; I think they get over full of God and when God is almost like wallpaper, it’s easy to take God for granted,” Bryce said. “So all of us – students, faculty, staff – all of us who have this God language around us all the time, we need to hear God screaming at us, ‘enough.’’
quick facts Other featured speakers and musical performers scheduled to attend Summit 2011 include: • Rachel Held Evans, award-winning author, speaker, and blogger from Dayton, Tenn. • Sharon Cohn Wu, senior vice president of structural transformation for International Justice Mission • Mindy Smith, contemporary singer-songwriter Hearing God could mean simplifying or eliminating things from our lives, Bryce said, but also he said it’s about examining our relationship with God. “It’s calling us straight to the heart of our relationship with God and really having to look in the mirror and see if it’s all just external or if there is something deeper there,” Bryce said. “It’s just a major danger when God is treated pretty casually.” Students were able to participate in Summit early this year by submitting a design to be used during Summit. Leanne Kawahigashi, freshman graphic design major from Fort Worth, won the contest with her design of circles.
“The white circle in it kind of defines God and purity,” Kawahigashi said. “There’s identical circles that aren’t white, they are gray and shades of gray, but nothing is as pure as white. God is enough, because there is nothing like him.” Kawahigashi said she initially entered the contest to appease her mother and spent little time on the design. She was surprised when she found out she’d won. “I didn’t have confidence in my piece because it took so little time, Kawahigashi said. “So I’m glad she had confidence in me.” contact Bailey at
ljb07a@acu.edu
April 6, 2011
Focus
Page 5
HANNAH BARNES // Features Editor
Right: Senior exercise science major Lacey Holmes participates in a goat dressing event, along with fellow Alpha Kai Omega members. Below: There were 108 females and 44 males that participated in the ACU Rodeo on March 31.
BOOTS CHAPS COWBOY HATS & ACU’s annual rodeo steers students into a rough-and-tough intramural competition.
JULIE COPPEDGE // Contributing Photographer
Top: Participants pull a stubborn steer to the center of the stadium during the double mugging event. Left and Above: Partipants ride steers as long as possible in the roughie event.
Scan this QR code to read a story and watch video from the rodeo.
Opinion
Page 6
April 6, 2011
EDITORIAL
Coed sports would foster community The intramural department at ACU provides students with the opportunity to compete in a wide variety of sports on campus. Organizing referees, brackets and space for multiple teams, is no easy task and intramural directors have done a great job this year keeping students informed. But as successful as the program is, one thing is missing: coed competitions. Students interested in coed play have few options. They can join the City of Abilene’s coed soft-
ball league or play a pickup game on their own time. But students should be able to play coed sports on campus also. All intramural sports this year are segregated along gender lines, and many coed groups across campus must either divide their group into two teams or not play as a group at all. Clubs like Hispanos Unidos, ACU Swing Cats or even the Optimist who may not be able to generate enough interest from one sex, might be able to form
a coed team. Band, orchestra, choir and theatre could battle it out on the field to see which fine arts group is really the best. And, freshmen girls who aren’t yet on a club team, may wish to pair with their new male friends from Mabee Hall. Coed teams might allow more students and more organizations on campus to represent themselves in intramurals. The major hindrance to the formation of coed intramurals at ACU is the lack of
space on campus for more teams they would bring in, said Kenli Edwards, director of intramural sports. She said with more space available after the opening of the Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center next year, they hope to offer indoor coed teams. Given the space constraints, it’s understandable that segregated teams would get first priority. But the intramural directors should offer at least one coed intramural next
The Funny Funnies
the issue
The ACU intramural office does a great job in all areas with the exception of the availability of coed teams.
our take
Mixed-gender teams would allow many clubs and organizations to compete and increase interaction among students. year when more room is made available. Sports such as waterball, could get tricky going coed, but volleyball, basketball, badminton, soccer and softball could all function as viable, coed options. Students can start pick-up games whenever they like, but being able
to form a team with all their friends – no matter the gender – to compete against others will allow more people to participate in intramurals and foster a completely new sense of community. contact the Optimist at
jmcnetwork@acu.edu
COLUMN
By Morgan Davis
Faith fortified through pain Self-Examination By Ryan Self
COLUMN
Best things in life should be free Little Linda
By Linda Bailey Coffee. Sometimes I make it, sometimes I buy it and sometimes I find it for free – the best mornings are when I find it for free. However, this particular morning I paid $2 for a cup of vanilla haBailey zelnut from Einstein Bros. Bagels. Don’t get me wrong, it was delicious, but it was still $2. And 33.9 oz. of Folgers is still going to run you about $10. After incessantly throwing down cash for a cup of joe, I realized that free coffee is the best coffee. And that led me to ponder other everyday items I always would like to have. No. 5: Coffee Other than reasons listed above, the caffeinated beverage wakes me up in the morning and keeps me
going all day. If I don’t have time for a full meal, I’ll grab a hot cup of java. That always tides me over until I can find something more substantial. While coffee is often relatively easy to find for free in break rooms across campus, one day when I grow up and move to a cold, hard apartment in the city, it won’t be as easily accessible, so view this one as planning ahead.
Fi in certain coffee shops or fast food restaurants, but what I’m referring to by Internet is free Internet wherever I go. Because, let’s face it, I get stressed when I don’t have wireless at my fingertips. Whether on my smart phone, at my house or at my parents house, I don’t want to pay to get online. Dial-up Internet started free, and I’d like to get that back.
No. 4: Plane Tickets The biggest hurdle to traveling abroad, at least for me, seems to be the cost of the ticket and the commitment that comes with buying one. If you could fly wherever you wanted at the drop of a hat, worrying more about what you would need after you got to the destination instead of how to get there in the first place, you’d have a lot more fun and be a lot less limited.
No. 2: Music Let it be known that I love supporting the arts. And, I realize that illegally downloading music and stealing music from friends is kind of lame, but if musicians could still be compensated, I would love to get music for free for the rest of my life. I’d save so much money if I didn’t have to pay iTunes $1.29 just to buy this week’s biggest hit, or $10 for that album I think I might like. I love music, but I hate paying for it. Music is always changing and often, I can’t keep up monetarily. So, if
No. 3: Internet Now, I realize it’s relatively easy to find free Wi-
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you didn’t have to pay for music, think of how much more music you would listen to, how much easier it’d be to get into different types of jams (the music, not the food) and a perfectly free weekend activity. No. 1: Tacos I realize this sounds a little ridiculous, but if I’m going to pick a free food, it has to be something versatile yet consistent while being crunchy, yet soft. I never get sick of tacos. They are my go-to food. From Taco Bueno to Blue Taco to Rosa’s Taco Tuesday, tacos never get old. And they come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and flavors. The soft, crunchy, spicy and sweet treat comforts me in my lowest lows and accompanies me during my highest highs. The only thing that could strengthen my love of tacos would be if they were free.
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contact Bailey at
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Not feeling pain may seem like a blessing, but it does serve a purpose. There are people who can’t feel pain. Not emotional pain, but physical pain. Those who have been diagSelf nosed with the extremely rare genetic disorder (there are only 17 people diagnosed in the U.S.), congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA), have lost their use of sensory perception to touch. It sounds like an enormous blessing: to never feel pain, to never feel the hurt of everything from a skinned knee to a serious injury. But as any parent of a child with CIPA will tell you, the disorder is a nightmare. Pain has a purpose. You learn through experience to avoid burning yourself, to go indoors when you feel too hot, or that falling on a gravel road is painful. These children can’t learn that because they can’t feel pain. One of the early warning signs that a child has CIPA is that when they begin teething, unable to feel pain and wanting to gnaw on everything in sight, they will gnaw through their fingers and tongue. When it comes to emotional pain we all wish it was something we could escape from. We all wish that we could be immune to the hurt of a lost friendship, a lost loved one or any number of things in this world that cause us serious emotional pain. But pain has its purpose. Pain is a warning sign that something is wrong. We learn through pain to avoid dangerous and hurtful situations. Pain is often the result of an unexpected event: the loss of a loved one, a life-altering
accident or any number of traumatic events. It is in the midst of these moments that a relationship with God may be tested and strengthened as a result or abandoned altogether. It is the difficult questions that arise out of these experiences that can cause real growth to occur. Strength training and building endurance are what builds muscles. The pain felt in the muscles means that, in a few days, the tears will begin to rebuild and grow stronger. The heart is one of the hardest working muscles in the body and, in the same way, it grows stronger after enduring pain. Few people would understand this better than the late Pope John Paul II who, after spending his teenage years in Nazi-occupied Poland, lost his father, mother and brother before the age of 20. The late Pope credits the death of his father with his decision to enter seminary. C.S. Lewis explored many of the difficult questions that arise when questioning the purpose of pain. In A Grief Observed Lewis lamented that, “(Man) has to be knocked silly before he comes to his senses. Only torture will bring out the truth. Only under torture does he discover it himself.” It is in grappling with the difficulties of pain that we might discover the true test of our faith. Pain has a purpose. It warns us against dangerous situations and causes us to realize we have lost something valuable. Working through deep loss causes us to seriously question our relationship with our Creator and may lead us to a better understanding. Pain has a purpose. And it is when you don’t feel pain that you know something is truly wrong. contact Self at
rcs06g@acu.edu
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FROM SPORTS
April 6, 2011
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Page 7
TENNIS
Coach: Defense key to winning Wins: Lower three Continued from page 8
In an athletics program where the players are more important than the wins, McCasland knows the first priority is getting to know his players on a level that extends off the court. “My main goal is to get to know the players personally,” McCasland said. “I know what they are basketball wise from the times we have played against them.” With the recruiting process already well underway and national signing day just around the corner on April 13, McCasland knows
singles carry ’Cats
that he has to get moving to find the players he needs to make ACU a contender. “We’ll go out and find the right fit for ACU and we will build a team that is going to compete for championships next year,” McCasland said. McCasland does have experience on the basketball court to go with his leadership from the sidelines. As a four-year walk on guard at Baylor University, McCasland earned Big 12 Academic all-Big 12 honors. contact Tripp at
bjt07a@acu.edu
Continued from page 8
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
The Wildcats play McCasland’s Mustangs in the ’10-’11 season.
BASEBALL
Recap: Schedule remains tough Continued from page 8
‘‘ ’’
ACU took an early lead in the top of the second when J.R. Roland scored on a wild pitch. The next batter, Cameron Watten, would send a single past the infield, scoring Ian Tomkins. The Bronchos would counter the Wildcat runs in the bottom of the second, bringing the game to within one. They then would take a 5-2 lead in the third when Kevin Blue hit a twoRBI single to center field. Both teams exchanged a run in the fourth before ACU mounted their comeback. Will Calhoun led off the fifth with a solo home run, one that was essential for the comeback effort. “That was a big moment for us,” Calhoun said. “It showed the team that we’re still in it and we
as the Bronchos scored four runs in the fifth and One swing of the bat eighth, which propelled instantly turned a threethem to victory. run lead into a two-run The Wildcats (19-14, 12lead and provided a 9) sit in seventh place in much needed spark ... the LSC South with 12 conWILL CALHOUN // senior outfielder ference games remaining. for the ACU Wildcats They will be back in action aren’t backing down. One Sneed closed out the game, Friday as they take on Eastswing of the bat instantly picking up his first save of ern New Mexico. The rest of the schedule turned a three-run lead the season. “I was very impressed plays to the Wildcat’s favor into a two-run lead and provided a much needed with our bullpen.” Bon- from now until the end of neau said. “They came the season. Remaining sespark for our guys.” An RBI Calhoun single up big and really stepped ries for the ’Cats include and wild pitch that allowed up when we needed them games against Cameron University, West Texas A&M Cameron Bankston to score the most.” In the first game of the University and Southwestin the sixth would prove to Saturday, ern Oklahoma Univerisity. be the clinching factors in doubleheader the Wildcats ran out of the All three teams are ahead of the eventual 7-6 win. Calhoun was the starting gates early with a 4-0 lead ACU in the LSC standings. pitcher, going four innings and never relinquished it, Wins in those games could continue to boost the Wildbefore being relieved by topping UCO 7-5. In the nightcap, ACU cats in the standings. Kevin Justice, who picked got out to a 12-7 lead going up the win. Sky Valenzuela pitched a into the sixth. But the bullcontact Shake at bxs09a@acu.edu perfect eighth before Zach pen let that lead slip away
of Alabama Birmingham against Samford University and UAB. ACU lost to Samford 1-4 before defeating UAB 5-2. ACU put together another solid performance in order to defeat Division I foe UAB. ACU would win the doubles point taking two of three doubles matches against the Blazers. ACU then would earn single match victories from Jaclyn Walker, Micah Hermsdorf, Emily Conrad and Natalie Friend on its way to a 5-2 victory. The women’s team then traveled to Montgomery, Ala. to take on AUM. The No. 4-ranked Senators knocked off the Wildcats 6-3. Just like the men’s team, the women’s team would bounce back against eighth-ranked Columbus State, defeating the Cougars 6-3. ACU
would win two of three doubles matches and then four of six singles matches. ACU got singles matches victories from Julia Mongin, Walker, Hermsdorf and Friend. The men’s team improves to 13-8 overall this season, while the women’s team moves to 17-7 this season. “The level of competition is very high right now, and we are very tired right now. The fact that we can go out there and still compete at that level is only going to prepare us,” junior Jake Hendrie said. “I say right now, we aren’t even playing at our best, but we are playing as a team so that is why we are able to win.” The men’s team will be back in action Saturday in Stillwater, Okla. to play Oklahoma State University. contact Cantrell at
jrc07f@acu.edu
TRACK AND FIELD
Meet: Relay grabs second in nation Continued from page 8
“I feel that as a team, we’re coming along great. Every week we’re getting better,” said senior sprinter Desmond Jackson. “We just have to keep qualifying and we have to stay focused on our goal of an outdoor national title.” Both track and field teams will head to the Texas Relays in Austin on Wednesday for
four days of competitions. In Arlington, Jackson finished fifth in the 200-meter dash and anchored the 4x100-meter relay. Their relay time of 40.55 seats the Wildcats second in the nation. “It was a good meet against great competition on a good day to run fast,” Jackson said. contact Smith at
mds10a@acu.edu
Sports
Page 8
Standings BASEBALL Team
Div.
Tarleton St. 15-6 SE OK St. 15-6 SW OK St. 17-7 UIW 16-8 WTAMU 13-8 Cameron 13-8 ACU 12-9 TAMU-K 13-11
Ovrl. 24-7 19-12 26-9 19-12 24-10 20-11 19-14 16-15
SOFTBALL Team
Div.
7-2 ASU ACU 6-3 5-4 UIW Tarleton St.5-4 WTAMU 4-5 4-5 TWU TAMU-K 3-6 ENMU 2-7
Ovrl. 30-5 21-20 20-18 17-16 27-11 21-17 22-19 10-28
Briefs n The softball team had
a subpar weekend as they traveled to the LSC Crossover Tournament in San Angelo. The team went 1-4 over the three-day tournament but maintained their second-place standing in the LSC South standings behind Angelo State. Their weekend was highlighted by a 4-3 win over Cameron on Saturday. n Cyril Bouniol finished
in a tie for third while Alex Carpenter and Tyler Sheppard tied for ninth leading the Wildcats to second place at the UCO/Kickingbird Classic in Edmond, Okla. Bouniol fired a 72 on Tuesday despite winds that wreaked havoc on the competitors’ scores.
Player Profile Peyton Mosely, freshman pitcher from Coppell, had a terrific outing on the mound Sunday as she was a bright Mosely spot for the Wildcats in their game against Southwestern Oklahoma. She pitched six strong innings, allowing only three hits and three runs, all of which were unearned, over that span, but the ’Cats still fell 3-0 to the Lady Bulldogs despite her performance. Mosely (4-3) boasts 33 strikeouts and 52 innings pitched for the Wildcats. With her four victories, she has played an integral role on the ACU pitching staff as a first-year player.
TRACK AND FIELD
Outdoor season begins with ’Cats on top Mark Smith
Sports Reporter
Last weekend, most of the ACU track and field teams competed in the UT-Arlington Bobby Lane Invitational, while some of the school’s throwers instead went to the Elite Discus section at the meet at Texas Tech on Friday and Saturday. In the UTA Invitational, which took place over the weekend in Arlington, the men’s team as a whole fin-
‘‘ ’’
ished in fifth place, while the women’s team finished eighth. At the Texas Tech meet, senior Paige Newby and junior Nick Jones were invited to throw in the Elite section on Friday and competed in the open section on Saturday. Newby threw an all-time best score at the meet, and all of her throws were personal bests. Nick Jones also threw a record for the season on Friday and continued to get bet-
MEN’S BASKETBALL
I’m really glad I was invited to compete with such great athletes.
NICK JONES // senior thrower for the ACU Wildcats
ter Saturday. Tyler Fleet, Jessica Sloss and Newby all improved their provisional marks in the hammer. “I’m really glad that I was invited to compete with such great athletes,” Jones said. “I threw a season’s best on Friday, and
The baseball team will host Eastern New Mexico on Friday at 7:05 p.m. The team will then play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 2 p.m at Crutcher Scott Field.
n
Softball will travel to Dallas to play Texas Woman’s University Friday at 6 p.m. and then play a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
n
then did even better on Saturday, and I’m glad that some of the younger throwers were able to come so they know that ACU can compete with the best in the country.” The ACU men’s track and field team won the
national championship in indoor competition, and begins the outdoor season with the No. 1 ranking in Division II. The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released the rankings last week. This news comes in at the same time as Head Coach Roosevelt Lofton was named the Division II National Indoor Men’s Coach of the Year in 2011. see MEET page 7
ACU fills coaching void
Wildcats lure Elite Eight coach from Midwestern State Brandon Tripp Sports Director
Athletics Director Jared Mosley delivered good on his word when he said a new men’s basketball coach would be in place before April 1. Mosley introduced Grant McCasland as the program’s new head coach on March 30. “We are very excited to have him on board,” Mosley said. “He matched everything we were looking for in our next head coach.” Coach McCasland just finished a 25-9 2010-2011 campaign in which he took his former team, the Midwestern State Mustangs, to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the second year in a row. McCasland will take over a fledgling ACU basketball program that has amassed just one winning season since the late ’90s. The Wildcats finished a dismal 9-17 on the season and managed just one win in the Lone Star Conference, the third time in five years the team has failed to win multiple LSC games in a season. “It’s all happened so
BRANDON TRIPP // Sports Director
New Wildcat men’s basketball Head Coach Grant McCasland address the press and the ACU family at a press conference last week. McCasland has coached at Midwestern State University where he led the Mustangs to back-to-back Elite Eight appearances. fast so I haven’t had a lot of time to get into the particulars of our program,” McCasland said. “But I know what I want to see and when I go in there and get a feel for our guys.”
During his time at Midwestern, McCasland went 56-12 in just two seasons as the head of the Mustangs’ program. Prior to his tenure at MSU he spent five years as the head
BASEBALL
coach of the Midland College Chaparrals. In those five years, McCasland lead his teams to the Elite Eight three times, one of which ended with an NJCAA National Championship.
“We looked at his track record as a head coach,” Mosley said. “It’s certainly undeniable that coach McCasland brings that (record) to the table.” see COACH page 7
TENNIS
Teams produce top-15 victories Ryan Cantrell
Sports Multimedia Editor
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Aaron Oliver tags out a base runner in an ACU loss to Delta State University last week.
Upcoming
April 6, 2011
Wildcats pick up critical wins Bryson Shake
Assistant Sports Editor
ACU won two out of three conference games against the University of Central Oklahoma last weekend. Head Coach Britt Bonneau said winning those two games was crucial to the Wildcats’ late-season push to the Lone Star Conference playoffs. The ’Cats won their first game against the
Bronchos 7-6 Friday night. The ’Cats split the doubleheader Saturday winning two out of the three games in the series. ACU sits in seventh in the Lone Star Conference South Division standings, making every series from now until the end of the season vital in to grab a spot in the LSC playoffs. “The goal has always been to take two out of three in a series,” Bon-
neau said. “It’s even more critical and we’re placing even more emphasis now as we begin to head down the home stretch of our schedule.” In the Friday opener, the Wildcat bullpen was the headline as it held Central Oklahoma to four scoreless innings en route to the 7-6 victory in Edmond, Okla. see RECAP page 7
The men’s and women’s tennis teams both split a pair of matches on the road this weekend, as both teams lost to Auburn University Montgomery before rebounding to defeat Columbus State University. The men’s team played well against the No. 3 ranked NAIA power, Auburn University Montgomery, but came up short in the singles matches. ACU would win doubles against the Senators in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. However, the Senators would rebound back winning in the top five spots in singles matches. All five of AUM’s singles victories came from players ranked in the top 50 in the nation. John Strahl was able to win the lone singles match for the Wildcats as ACU fell 6-3 to Auburn University Montgomery.
ACU would bounce back Saturday against 13th-ranked Columbus State defeating the Cougars 6-3. ACU got two wins again in doubles as Bryan Joiner and Nick Plum won in the No. 2 spot and Eldad Campbell and Alfredo Desiati won in the No. 3 spot. ACU would also win four of six singles matches to defeat the cougars 6-3. “As a team, I think everyone is pretty tired from all the traveling we have been doing, but we were still able to go out there and win 6-3 against the 13th-ranked team in nation,” Plum, a junior, said. “The team this year has been awesome with everybody growing together. The women’s team stayed busy playing four matches in three days. Thursday ACU split a pair of games at University see WINS page 7