acuoptimist.com
Optimist the
Hay Day, page 5
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Vol. 99, No. 49
1 section, 8 pages
STUDENTS
Some to further education post commencement taker said, but she is excited to dig into the years of reSenior Reporter search it will take to get her Rachel Whittaker, senior Ph.D. in organic chemistry. Whittaker is one of biochemistry major from Cartersville, Ga., sent in many graduating students her acceptance letter to who have, will or are curthe University of Texas at rently applying to graduate schools, medical schools Austin two weeks ago. The idea of graduate or law schools. Although school still scares her, Whit- not all students are cer-
Christianna Lewis
quick facts
sor of political science and pre-law adviser, said that Several students will continue their studies after approximately 33 seniors completing undergraduate programs. have asked to receive in• 20-30 graduates have gone to law school annually over past few years formation about going to • 15 students from departments of biology, chemistry and law school. About 20-30 physics plan to go to medical or dental schools graduates have gone to law tain about their post-grad- for graduate school said school annually over the uation plans, a good num- Brandon Lemley, graduate past few years, Hailey said, and he expects that number of ACU graduates are marketing manager. Dr. Mel Hailey, profes- ber to be similar this year. expected to return to ACU
The number of seniors pursuing further studies within the departments of biology, chemistry and physics are holding steady as well, said Dr. Cynthia Powell, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry and adviser of see SCHOOL page 4
FACULTY
Follow the Leader
Beck blog inspires book Zane Goggans
Contributing Reporter
JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor
Connor Best, junior political science major from Sacramento, Calif., sits on stage with the candidates for vice president and treasurer during Tuesday’s debate.
Students’ Association candidates compete for cabinet seats Linda Bailey, Editor in Chief from that without making mistakes but doing Students’ Association executive officer cansome of the things that brought success in predidates will spend the week campaigning Scan this QR code to vious years,” Best said. “I feel like I really know and debating to show students they deserve a watch candidates answer questions about issues a lot of the student groups and I can relate to chance at campus-wide leadership. facing students next year. different student groups at ACU, which will Candidates participated in SA debates help me lead them better.” Tuesday evening and will speak publicly once Best said he is writing legislation to restrucmore during Chapel on Wednesday. Students served on SA since his freshman year and can vote Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 said he has gained much insight into SA and ture senator seats into president, vice president and treasurer positions. Best said the plan will working with students. a.m.-5 p.m in the Campus Center. “I think there comes a knowledge of how help develop more structure, giving student Connor Best, junior political science major from Sacramento, Calif., is unopposed things work and how administrations have for the office of executive president. Best has done things. I’ve seen both and can move on see SA page 4
Dr. Richard Beck, professor of psychology and chair of the Department of Psychology, has written a new book reflecting on the idea of hating sin, loving sinners and m issiona l failure in Beck the church. The book is titled, Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality. Beck’s purpose for writing the book was to describe the effects of the psychology of purity upon the life and mission of the church, according to the description of the book on his blog, Experimental Theology. Beck describes the effects of becoming “too spiritual,” and the effect it has on people outside the church. The book suggests that the longing for purity and holiness tempts the church into practices of social exclusion, which makes some Christians flee from the world and those in it. “The church wants purity,” Beck said. “But it comes at the expense of people being excluded.” see BECK page 4
ALUMNI
Performer named Young Alumnus because he showed that people can succeed in their Contributing Reporter career while still balancing Aaron Watson, country mu- a healthy family life. “He’s doing something sic singer, will be honored on April 26 as ACU’s Young that’s pretty visible and he’s doing it in a Christian way,” Alumnus of the Year. Samantha Adkins, se- Adkins said. Watson travels quite a bit, nior alumni relations officer, said the Alumni Advi- but Adkins said he is very sory Board selected Watson active in his Abilene conout of the group of finalists gregation and considers his
Samantha Sutherland
success,” Watson said. “Colossians 3:23 says that whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord. I think ACU is one of the few places where you can get that education and that’s what makes it special.” Determining factors in Watson’s future were an see WATSON page 4
website
inside news U.S. News and World Report ranked COBA as the No. 1 business graduate school for students attaining employment within months of graduating. page 3
family’s needs when choosing to go on the road. Watson said his music career started his junior year at ACU. In the 10 years since his graduation, he has released 10 records and played over 1,500 shows, including some festivals with audiences of over 40,000 people. “I think ACU itself gives students an edge on having
opinion Find more information on all the candidates in the race for executive officer positions and read who we endorse and why. page 6
PHOTO COURTESY OF AARON WATSON
Aaron Watson, ACU’s Young Alumnus of the Year, performs a song on stage.
weather photo gallery Check out more photos of Rhoden Farm on our website, acuoptimist. com and also our Flickr site, flickr.com/photos/ acuoptimist.
Abilene Christian University
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Campus Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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calendar & events Wednesday
11 a.m. Students’ Association Executive Officer candidates’ speeches in Moody Coliseum 4 p.m. Baseball vs. St. Mary’s University
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Thursday
11 a.m. Small Group Chapels in various locations around campus 11 a.m. University Scholars Chapel at Chapel on the Hill 7 p.m. Third Annual Culp Professor Reading in the Brown Library Auditorium 7:30 p.m. The Pirates of Penzance in Fulks Theatre
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Friday
11 a.m. Praise Day in Moody Coliseum
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Saturday
11 a.m. Chapel in Moody Coliseum
5 p.m. Softball vs. Texas A&M University-Kingsville
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Celebration of Service
5 p.m. Exercise Event at the intramural fields
10 a.m. Phi Alpha Theta Regional Meeting for History Honors
6 p.m. Baseball at West Texas A&M University 7 p.m. Softball vs. Texas A&M University-Kingsville 7:30 p.m. The Pirates of Penzance in Fulks Theatre
1 p.m. Baseball at West Texas A&M University 1 p.m. Softball vs. Texas A&M UniversityKingsville 7:30 p.m. The Pirates of Penzance in Fulks Theatre 8 p.m. ACU Opera The Consul in Cullen Auditorium
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volunteer opportunities 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.
Abilene Youth Sports Authority needs volunteers April 16-17 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.
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 696-4797, or email sheri.frisby@dyess.af.mil.
Mesa Springs Healthcare Center needs volunteers 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. Madison Middle School is looking for male volunteers to participate in a weekly “Boys2Men” lunchtime program for eighth grade boys. Speakers will address different aspects of growing up. Contact Jeff Womack at 692-5661 or jeffrey.womack@abileneisd.org.
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., Tuesday-Saturday. 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 30. 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. Free T-shirts and 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. 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. Betty Hardwick Center Volunteers are needed in several departments at the Betty Hardwick Center, specializing in mental health. Students can help mentally and physically challenged people play games, run track and go bowling. Students can volunteer from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday-Friday. Contact Angel Seca at 690-5235 for more information.
GED Tutoring Just People, Inc. needs volunteers to tutor adult GED students. Volunteer times are flexible. Contact Justina or Alana at 672-2118 for more information, or email jthompson@justpeopleinc.org. The Salvation Army Volunteers are needed at the 1726 Butternut St. Salvation Army to sort and price items and help with kitchen or yard work. Volunteers are welcome any time Monday-Saturday. Contact J.D. Alonzo at 6771408, or visit www.satruck. com for more information on the program. 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. Meals on Wheels Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to seniors and adults with disabilities. Routes are available 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, with a valid driver’s license, auto insurance and a desire to serve. Training is provided. Students may be exempted from one Chapel per week if delivery time conflicts with Chapel. Contact Samantha Barker at 672-5050.
about this page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@ jmcnetwork.com. To ensure an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days in advance. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed on this page in a timely manner.
Chapel Checkup 57 16
Credited Chapels to date
Credited Chapels remaining
READ THE OPTIMIST ON YOUR iPad . iPhone . iPod announcements Equine-Assisted Learning Workshop The University Counseling Center is hosting a workshop on dating and marriage from 2-4 p.m. on April 15. Current students who are either engaged or in a serious relationship are invited to partake in ground activities with horses and learn about the roles, struggles and personalities of intimate relationships. To reserve a spot, contact Steve Eller at steve.eller@acu.edu. 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. Team Tatum Walk/Run for a Wish The ACU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is raising funds to help fulfill the wish of Tatum Kate Flaming, a local girl who was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia in 2009. Students can help support Flaming by participating in the Team Tatum Walk/Run for a Wish 5k on May 7. Pre-registration is $15 and walk-up registration is $20. To learn more about Flaming’s story, visit www.caringbridge.org/ visit/tatumkate. 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. FCA The ACU chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes meets at 9 p.m. every Thursday in the Campus Center Living Room.
Relay 4 Life The Freshman Action Council are selling Relay 4 Life shirts in the Campus Center. Shirts are $10 and are available in four colors: pink in support for breast cancer, blue for prostate cancer, gold for childhood cancer and purple for general awareness. Swing Cats The Swing Cats meet every week 7-9 p.m. on Sundays in Cullen Auditorium. No partners or experience are required. Upward Bound Summer Advisers Students interested in helping disadvantaged high school students can apply now to become an Upward Bound summer adviser from May 29-July 8. Advisers will receive free room and board plus $925. For more information, call 674-2529 or 674-2713. 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. 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. Grief Group The University Counseling Center is hosting a grief group on Thursdays in April. Each session is from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Hunter Welcome Center conference room. Contact steve.eller@acu. edu for more information.
CAMPUS NEWS
April 13, 2011
Page 3
GRADUATE SCHOOL
COBA grad students find strong job market
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U.S. News & World Report released the rankings March Copy Editor 30. The rankings were proACU’S College of Business duced from the 141 graduate Administration is ranked as business schools that prothe No. 1 graduate school for vided information regarding students attaining employ- graduate employment. Tim Johnston, assistant ment within three months dean of the College of Busiof graduating. Ninety-seven percent ness and School of Inforof students graduating mation Technology, credits from COBA with a mas- COBA’s small size and sinter’s of accounting are gular focus on accounting employed in accounting- for its success. “This is a very specialrelated jobs within three months of graduation. ized master’s program and The average among busi- it’s set up at the point and ness graduate schools is time that the student is in 73 percent, which applies their undergraduate proto jobs both related and gram,” Johnston said. A master’s of accountunrelated to the student’s ing, specializing in certimaster’s program. Bailey Griffith
Walmart headquarters in Bentonville, Ark. as an un...they work really hard dergrad. Winegeart is set to to make sure that their graduate in May and will go graduates have a job to work for Walmart in its inwhen they leave. ternal audit department. CAITLIN WINEGEART // graduate student in accounting from Abilene “It really increases my confidence level, graduatfied public accounting, is hours of higher education ing knowing that I’m comthe only master’s degree are required in addition to ing from a reputable program,” Winegeart said. “I passing the CPA exam. that COBA offers. “We have several students know that they have good The ACU undergraduate accounting degree requires who, as soon as they finish placement and they work approximately 120 hours their master’s of accounting, really hard to make sure and an internship. Many they know who they’re going that their graduates have COBA students intern at one to work for already because a job when they leave. So of the four major accounting out of their internship, they that’s very comforting.” COBA is also given a high firms in the nation and later were already offered a job,” ranking with respect to stugo on to work for those firms Johnston said. Caitlin Winegeart, mas- dents who, like Winegeart, after finishing their master’s degree. To be a certified ters of accounting student are employed by graduation public accountant, 150 total from Abilene, interned with with 74.1 percent of its stu-
WEATHER
dents meeting that criterion for the 2011 ranking year. Although COBA is No. 1 in the job market, U.S. News & World Report ranks it 107th out of 437 business master’s programs in the magazine’s 2011 Best Business Schools rankings. Johnston said this ranking is lower because it includes not only the graduate school, but the undergraduate school. ACT and SAT scores of incoming undergraduate business students can have an adverse effect on the rankings of the business school as a whole. contact Griffith at
bng10a@acu.edu
PERFORMING ARTS
Dry spring forecasted Abilene High to perform Eyrah Quashie
Contributing Reporter
Sunday evening rains brought a break from the above-average temperatures, but wet weather may be a rare commodity this spring. Christopher Daniels, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in San Angelo, said dry conditions could be expected this spring. “We expect below-average precipitation and to have above-normal temperatures for the next three months,” Daniels said. The National Weather Service forecast indicates a drought for the southern United States in the summer months. “Most of the state will
be in a drought and unusually hot in the upcoming months” Daniels said. However, Daniels said this week will be cooler than the past with temperatures in the high 80s and lows in the 50s. Some students look forward to the prospect of spring rains. Tiffany Steinkamp is a senior nursing major from Fredricksburg. For her, the spring rains are reminiscent of her years spent in Penang, Malaysia. “I went to high school in Malaysia where it rains just a little everyday this time of year. The warm Texas storms remind me of Malaysia,” Steinkamp said. The weather in the next few weeks will continue to vary in temperature.
“I guess the thing about Texas is that you never know what to expect from the weather. One day it’s cold and the next is 80 degrees outside. I’m just going to enjoy the nice weather we’re having this week,” Steinkamp said. However as the summer approaches students prepare to stay indoors. “I can only imagine how hot and humid Houston will be this summer. I plan on staying inside with lots of fans,” Spencer Fox, senior environmental science major from Houston, said. April temperatures will stay relatively in the mid-tohigh 80s before climbing up to the 90s and above in May. contact Quashie at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
at ACU percussion concert The concert will feature 20 ACU student percusContributing Reporter sionists and guest performACU’s Department of er Dr. Julie Hill, director of Music will present the percussion studies at the Percussion Ensemble and University of Tennessee at Steel Band Spring Con- Martin. The Abilene High cert at 8 p.m. on April 18 School Steel Band will also make a guest appearance in Cullen Auditorium Admission is free for during the concert. “We just got a full set everyone and the performance will feature a of Brazilian instruments a wide variety of musical few weeks ago, and we are styles, including jazz-in- very excited to present this spired music for marim- music to our audience for ba quartet, steel band the first time,” Teel said. Teel said the Abilene music from Trinidad and Samba Reggae music High School Steel Band will perform with the ACU Steel from Salvador, Brazil. “This style of music Band on two selections. (Samba Reggae) has an in- They also will join ACU for credibly infectious groove,” the concert finale, “Rudi’s said Allen Teel, percussion Batuque,” written by Hill. “It will be a blast to have and world music professor. Kristin Goodspeed
40 percussionists playing at once,” Teel said. “It should bring the house down.” Teel said his musicians began preparing for this concert in January. “I appreciate the ensemble members’ willingness to put in extra rehearsal time,” Teel said. “They have fantastic attitudes, and they’re motivated to perform this music to the best of their ability.” Jake Hall, freshman music education major from Springtown, said he enjoys the concerts. “I like playing music because it’s stress free and upbeat,” Hall said contact Goodspeed at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
FROM THE FRONT
Page 4
April 13, 2011
STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
SA: Officer election polls to close Thursday Continued from page 1
leaders clear responsibilities. Best also plans to carry over ideas from this semester such as revising the dance policy and bringing chalk back on campus for student advertising. The four women running for executive vice president are Rebecca Dial, junior political science and history major from Lexington, S.C.; Natalie Fleet, junior management major from Abilene; Katherine Handy, junior English major from Plano; and Julianne Hart, junior political science major from Austin. All four women said they recognize SA needs to increase its presence on campus, but they have different ideas on a solution. According to the recent SA survey, only 25 percent of students know who their SA representatives are, and Handy said that’s not the students’ fault, but SA’s fault. She plans to organize more events on campus next semester to help SA make their presence known. Along the same lines, Fleet said it’s easier to accomplish things through relationships and said she would look for large student gatherings like intramural games, and the Campus Center before and after Chapel to talk to the students. “I feel like the communication between students and SA can be a lot stronger,” Fleet said. “I would like to see more students become involved. I feel like the more students get involved, the easier the word of mouth about SA is going to get out.”
Dial said she wants to increase awareness of SA productivity by doing service projects together, meeting students and holding members accountable for participating in meetings and being productive with office hours. “It’s overwhelming how many people don’t come to meetings or put in effort other than that hour. This is something that we can actually affect change on campus to better student life,” Dial said. “Office hours aren’t that efficient. So, really it comes to instilling in the constituents that in order to get things done, you have to show up and be committed.” Hart wants people to know about SA so they also know who to talk to about problems on campus or changes they want to see happen. “I really want SA to be a force that gets students connected and involved at ACU. Because ACU really is about the community,” Hart said. “Academics are important things, but what really makes or breaks your experience here is whether you get involved here in some smaller community. That’s something I really want to promote.” Beyond spreading the word about SA, each candidate has plans to better student life at ACU. Dial has worked with recycling in Sikes for a while, and is looking into how to best boost recycling around campus. She also has talked to administrators about solutions to the parking problem. If elected, Fleet said she would use connections and relationships to get
JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor
Carson Henley, junior biochemistry major from Colleyville, sits besides Heath Bracken, sophomore marketing major from Salado, during the debate in Moody Coliseum on Tuesday night. things done and facilitate communication between students and SA, and SA and administration. Having never served on SA in previous years, Fleet said she has made connections and relationships through other organizations such as the First Year Program, Intramurals and the Alumni Association. “I feel like I bring a different experience to the table besides just SA experience.” Fleet said. “I feel like I bring a new student perspective that has been unbiased by participating in SA.” Handy also said her experiences in other areas will help her if she’s elected. Handy works as an intern for Legal Services giving her more experience in draft-
ing proposals. Also, Handy said she would like to see changes made next year to the visitation policy between dorms and hopes to get another day per week for students in dorms to spend time with the opposite sex. Hart already has begun work on revising the dance policy and next year she plans to continue with that project while adding large, campus-wide events that would get more students involved on campus. Heath Bracken, sophomore marketing major from Salado; and Carson Henley, junior biochemistry major from Colleyville will run for executive treasurer. The big responsibility of the treasurer is allocating funds to student groups at
the beginning of the semester. Both candidates said the process can be tricky. Bracken said many students had questions about how to get funds last year that weren’t always answered. Bracken said, if elected, he would do more explaining to create a better understanding among student groups. “I’d like to see more student involvement with SA and better allocation of resources throughout organizations,” Bracken said. As chief financial officer, Henley worked directly with current treasurer Chris Shim, throughout the year. Henley said they began a Financial Handbook and a presentation to clarify the process for students. They
also met with each student group requesting money to talk about funding. However, Henley said he noticed some areas that could use greater detail and attention. “Over the past year I’ve learned a lot,” Henley said. “So I know how to do it; I know how to get stuff done because I have a lot of connections. Making those connections has already happened this past year, but making sure this process goes quicker, to make sure the right people get the money – that is something I want to work on. It’s something I can work on and I will work on as treasurer.” contact Bailey at
ljb07a@acu.edu
ALUMNI
STUDENTS
Watson: Singer values time at ACU
School: Students continue learning
Continued from page 1
early end to his baseball career and enrollment in guitar lessons with Dan Mitchell, music teacher at ACU. He said Mitchell never doubted him and never chuckled at the fact that he came in with little experience and had a desire to play professionally. Instead, he told Watson he was ready to work hard to get Watson where he needed to be. “He became one of my heroes,” Watson said. “ACU has a diamond with Mitchell.” Watson said he and his band played shows in every possible venue that was available to them, sometimes driving as far as Houston to play shows on Thursday nights after class got out. He recalled times when he would return to his University
Park apartment at 6 or 7 o’ clock in the morning and change clothes and go to class to take a test running on no sleep. “It was a crazy experience, but not half as crazy as now,” Watson said. “I have a full tour schedule and I get to come home to three kids.” Watson reflected back on his college days when he would sell CDs out of his backpack on campus and spend class time writing lyrics in his class notes while living and practicing with his band in an empty building next to a Shell gas station. “It’s tough for a college guy to get a date when he lives at a gas station and drives a van,” Watson said. “I’ve had some definite challenges, but all of the struggles I’ve experienced have refined me in so many ways.”
Watson said that 10 years ago he was just like any 20-year-old young man who was chasing after dreams of being a rock star and pursuing fortune, fame and girls. Yet, somewhere along the way, he realized that God had blessed him with a platform to glorify God in front of the masses and he realized exactly what his calling in life was. “The music industry is a pretty nasty business and I really try to keep myself separate from the entire industry; you can’t serve both money and God and that’s the truth. Somewhere along the way I had to make the decision about what I was going to stand for and what I was going to be remembered for,” Watson said. “Our society is often cramming their beliefs down our throats; don’t be afraid to return the favor, but in a
gentle and loving way.” Watson said conversations with professors helped him realize his career was an opportunity to be a witness in some of the darkest places in this country. Support from his ACU professors made a big impact during that crucial time in his life when he was secondguessing his occupation. “God used a lot of people in the ACU circle to help develop my skills musically and help encourage me and push me toward my goals as a singer/songwriter,” Watson said. Watson will be recognized on April 26 at 6 p.m. in the Hunter Welcome Center. Tickets are available for $20 and can be purchased by contacting the Alumni Association office at 674-2622. contact Craig at
jrc07d@acu.edu
Continued from page 1
the medicine preprofessional program. As of the beginning of April, 16 students from these departments were going to graduate schools in traditional science fields, 15 students were going to medical or dental schools and eight students were going to graduate programs in allied health fields. Powell said she was pleased that ACU students were further preparing themselves for careers in fields like medicine, green technology and higher education. “ACU has a long history of preparing students to serve as medical professionals and as professional scientists,” Powell said. “As we look toward a world that has everadvancing technology, it is
important that Christians play a part in every part of our society so we can be salt and light in our world.” Blaine Gilbert, senior biochemistry major from Azle, wants to use the knowledge he’s gained at ACU in the medicinal field. He took the MCAT on Saturday, and plans to apply to most of the medical schools in Texas. Gilbert is not sure yet what kind of doctor he wants to be, but is confident he’ll find the right focus for him as he continues his studies. “I’ve wanted to do medicine for six or seven years now,” Gilbert said. “I like how you can incorporate some problem solving into a scientific field.” contact Lewis at
cll09a@acu.edu
FACULTY
Beck: Professor’s book examines psychology, purity Continued from page 1
Haley suggested starting a blog to get Beck’s ideas Beck’s book was an in- published, making it easy spired from his blog where for a publisher to see the he writes “thought bal- blog. Haley teaches ENGL loons” and “what-ifs.” He 320, a blog creation class. “The advice I gave Richsays the name comes from the idea of integrating ex- ard (Beck) wasn’t unique perimental theology with to me. I had begun to read elsewhere that the 21stthe Christian faith. Beck started the blog century writer needs to in 2006, after talking take advantage of the Web with Al Haley, associate to get his or her words out professor of English and there,” Haley said. “The Elmer Kelton prize win- advantage of the blog is ning writer-in-residence that it allows you to keep at ACU. Beck said after showcasing fresh writing discussing book ideas, to the world.”
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Haley said that he did not remember recomOverall it was a lot of fun. mending a blog, but said I had a ball. Beck would have started his own anyway. DR. RICHARD BECK // chair of the In his blog, Beck pubDepartment of Psychology lished a paper called, Spiritual Pollution: The Dilem- expansion on that paper,” fect to the missional failure of excluding others from ma of Sociomoral Disgust Beck said. The Macbeth Effect, a the church. Beck describes and the Ethic of Love, which later would be the inspira- psychological phenomenon a scene out of Matthew 9:10tion for his book. Charlie in which the physical act of 11, when the Pharisees ridiCollier, editor of Wipf and people washing their hands cule Jesus for eating with tax Stock Publishers, read the seems to free them from collectors and sinners. “People used to obblog and contacted Beck guilt according to The Spanish Journal of Psychology, is tain purity from abstainabout writing a book. “If I was going to do a largely discussed in Unclean. ing from unclean peobook, it was going to be an Beck relates the Macbeth Ef- ple,” Beck said. “We [the
church] fail because we see Matthew 9 replay itself over and over again.” Beck had some doubts when writing Unclean, saying sometimes he got paranoid about the content of his work; but he said he enjoyed the process of writing his book. “Overall it was a lot of fun,” Beck said. “I had a ball.” Beck’s book can be purchased online at Amazon. com and on the Wipf and Stock Publishers website. contact Goggans at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
April 13, 2011
Focus
Page 5 photos by DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Top: One of the gates on the Rhoden Field Laboratory displays the old ACC as part of the original name of ACU, Abilene Christian College. Bottom Left: A curious kid eyes the camera at the Rhoden Field Laboratory. Many animals are so used to human contact that it becomes second nature to seek constant affection. Bottom Center: Clifford Rhoden Farm, one of ACU’s premier research facilities, sits on over 400 acres of West Texas chaparral just seven miles outside of Abilene. Bottom Right: Sierra, one of the female therapy horses, rolls in the hay after going on a trail ride with “patients.” Sierra is one of the many horses used as companion to assist with dating and marriage therapy treatment.
MAKE HAY ACU’s Rhoden Farm enriches learning experiences for involved students
Passing the Super Walmart, as subdivisions begin to dwindle, Ambler becomes Texas State Highway 351 East and shrinks to two lanes. Mesquite trees dot the grassy plains and urban life slowly gives way to rural West Texas, with farmhouses keeping watch over grazing cattle and horses, all under the revolving arms of the wind turbines towering above. After seven miles or so, four red brick pillars, remnants of some fence long gone, sit on the right as sentinels, marking a left turn onto a country gravel road. If you drive slowly enough, the dust clears, and you might see the tumbleweeds snagged on barbed wire fences or a cautious coyote darting back into brush cover. You’ll pass more farmhouses and may have to squeeze onto the road’s nonexistent shoulder to let a lumbering truck and trailer pass, but you’re still not there. A purple and white sign marks the final left turn. Its arrow points toward “The Rhoden,” as its friends know it, otherwise called Clifford Rhoden Farm or simply Rhoden Farm. And if you drive just a little farther, one of ACU’s premier research facilities sits on 400 acres of West Texas wilderness. Now, you’re there.
Functioning Facilities The property contains a horse barn, facilities for goats, a chicken coup, a warehouse for large machinery and projects, a farmhouse, the Allen Events Center – a house frequently used as a retreat location for ACU groups and offices – and a working feedlot, leased out. The Rhoden is surrounded by native pasture, improved pasture, areas cultivated for small grains and some research plots. Its residents include about 120 goats, 50 laying hens – which soon may be supplying eggs for undergraduate research – some 25 head of cattle, eight horses, four Anatolian shepherds and Farm Manager Ellice Pierce, who has been living at Rhoden since she accepted the position of farm manager in the summer of 2008. “I learn something new everyday,” Pierce said of her job as manager. As a student in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, class of 2008, Pierce remembers benefitting from the resources Rhoden provides ACU students, especially after becoming employed as the teaching assistant for the Horses and Horsemanship lab, one of several that meets on the farm. Now, as farm manager, Pierce lives at Rhoden and takes care of the day-to-day chores of running a farm, seeing to general maintenance and keeping all animals fed and safe. She’s not the only one learning. Her job ensures ACU students have an orderly, functional facility for undergraduate research ranging from soil experimentation to legume alterations to animal husbandry. “They’re out here all the time,” Pierce said. “They work really hard.” Tiffany Lutz, junior animal science major from Harmony, Pa., spent her summer working with goats, researching whether tropical forest legumes could enhance a grain-based diet. Lutz also works at Rhoden, helping with general maintenance like mowing grass and cleaning pens. She is relieved to have found a student worker job that’s not confined to a desk. “I would so much rather be out in the open than be in an office; it’s just who I am,” she said.
Rare Opportunities Rhoden gives undergraduate students the chance to get their hands dirty, to really experience agricultural and environmental sciences. And Lutz said she was thankful for the chance to get experience for future graduate school endeavors, calling Rhoden a valuable resource for ACU students. It reflects positively on ACU’s program, especially considering the department’s relatively small size, she said. Department Chair Foy Mills, professor of animal science, said few other programs of this size offer such a hands-on education, as ACU does. And the university’s status as a private institution, combined with Abilene’s unique, arid environment, makes the program truly unique. Dr. Ed Brokaw, professor of animal science, said the opportunities offered at Rhoden would be much harder to attain at a larger university, like Texas A&M. “Because of our size, individual students have more opportunity to be involved,” Brokaw said. “Sheer numbers prevent everybody from doing it in a big program. Out here, we are smaller, so every student has the opportunity to come out and participate.” Those opportunities even extend to tailoring research and activities to students’ specific interest during their time at ACU, contributing to a more unique overall experience, Brokaw said. “Based on their interest, we also have the opportunity to be a little more flexible in terms of what we might do in this program or that program.” In addition to research opportunities, Lutz said she appreciated the chance to get to know her advising professor, Dr. Florah Mhlanga, professor of animal science, on a more professional, yet personable, level outside the classroom. “I was harvesting legumes with Dr. Mhlanga, working side-by-side, bending over and pulling out plants,” she said. “And doing that, I got to hear stories about when she lived in Africa, how she grew up. I just really appreciate that. It’s just been really good.”
story by Laura Acuff An Evolving History Acquired in 1980 as a gift from the Anderson Clayton Company, Rhoden became ACU’s primary farm in the early 2000s, as more animals and equipment moved to the property and more facilities were developed, Mills said. Although initial plans for the property included a more commercial purpose with academic benefits, Mills said focus eventually shifted, by consideration of risk and educational necessity. Now the property functions primarily as an educational laboratory, with some commercial output. For instance, surplus goats are sent to market. Also, in addition to paying lease, the feedlot on the property employs several ACU students, offering them valuable work experience in addition to a paycheck, Mills said. Brokaw has been with the department since before Rhoden’s acquisition, able to watch its evolving function and level of importance. He hopes the farm will continue to serve as a resource for more and more students and says with incoming students’ levels of agricultural and environmental experience seeming to lessen in recent years, the facility serves a more crucial role than ever. “Our students are coming from very different backgrounds and have very different perceptions of the level of care and treatment that animals ought to have or what animals ought to be used for,” Brokaw said. Mills said some students, coming to college intending to become veterinarians, don’t realize they would be required to operate on animals, and their experience with “livestock” consists solely of family cats or dogs. Rhoden gives those students a chance to taste the grit and reality of agricultural and environmental sciences in raw application. For Lutz, the hands-on experience has been one she suspects is largely unique to ACU. “I don’t know that I would get this at a larger university,” Lutz said. “You wouldn’t get to work one-on-one with the professors and, being from a smaller university, having a small department and having this resource – just given the opportunity of doing research – it’s really nice.” Despite its distance from campus, Pierce said the students who utilize the Rhoden receive hands-on research experience and, beyond that, the chance to immerse themselves in the grittier sides of their future careers. For some, it becomes an escape. “Most students like to come out and get away from town for a while,” she said.
contact Acuff at
lka06a@acu.edu
Opinion
Page 6
April 13, 2011
Endorsement: SA executive offices President
C
onnor Best will run unopposed for SA executive president, and although we’d like to see more competition, we think Connor really is the ‘Best’ candidate for the position. Best has served in SA Congress for three years and spent the last year as Chief Planning Officer and Parliamentarian, working closely with the executive cabinet to write legislation and pass bills. Best said he plans to carry over projects to next year that weren’t completed this year, such as changing the advertising policy
to bring chalk back on campus and revising the dancing policy. Best also has new plans in mind for a stronger SA presence on campus. He said he envisions spending lunches meeting with students and getting more students together in large group settings to build community and serve others. He also is writing a bill that would restructure SA by giving president, vice president and treasurer positions to class senators to develop a system with more structure that gives students clear responsibilities. If Best continues the hard work he’s put in over the past three years, he will accomplish a lot for the stu-
Vice President
Junior political science major from Sacramento, Calif.
SA Experience
Freshman: Mabee Rep. Sophomore: Sophomore Rep. Junior: Chief Development Officer and Parliamentarian
Treasurer
R
Rebecca Dial Junior political science and history major from Lexington, S.C.
SA Experience
Freshman: Gardner Rep., Internal Affairs Committee Junior: Sikes Rep., member of the Financial Committee
ebecca Dial’s experience, enthusiasm and proven record of accomplishment make her the best choice for the vice presidency. Dial has been involved in SA for two years, serving first as Gardner representative her freshman year while serving on the Internal Affairs Committee and this year as Sikes rep. and a member of the Finance Committee. She has proven her commitment by attending meetings consistently throughout the year, and if elected SA vice president, she said she would expect the rest of SA to do the same. “It’s overwhelming how many people don’t come to meetings, and don’t put any effort in other than that one hour,” Dial said. “I really just want to increase the accountability.” Dial has a strong platform and has voiced reasonable plans to begin working toward a solution and continue work started this year. She has already begun conversations with Dr. Schubert about how SA might go about fixing the parking issues that students face, especially with the current construction of the Student Health and Wellness Center. “Even when the construction is done, we will get 75 spots back, which may be a stop-gap issue but we’re still going to have to deal with the main issue,” Dial said. Dial has had a hand in multiple accomplishments this year. In March, she presented a bill to SA that allocated $1,500 to be put toward a sound system that student groups can check out throughout the semester. She is also a vocal advocate of a better recycling program on campus. Dial has the drive and the experience to get the work done and realistic goals that can be accomplished.
Katherine Handy Junior English major from Plano
SA Experience
Freshman: Freshman Senator Junior: Sophomore Senator
Hart said she knows the ins and outs of SA and would like to use her knowledge as vice president next year. She would like to see SA work on bigger projects and have closer connections with other student groups. She also said she thinks SA can become a more powerful force on campus and help groups achieve their goals. This year she worked toward getting the ACU dance policy changed and would like to continue that project next year in a higher position.
Natalie Fleet Junior management major from Abilene
SA Experience None
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
Connor Best
dents and quite possibly change the face and reputation of SA. “It’s the president’s job, one, to be kind of the visionary to look for a long-term vision, to see what the major goals are over the year. And to not let himself or herself get caught up in the details and lose sight of the big picture and the track of things,” Best said. “I think it’s really important for the president to spend time before the school year starts, really planning out things that need to be accomplished. and planning out what, really, the long term interests are and making sure he really sticks to those things throughout the year.”
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. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
Handy said she believes SA officers need to be held to a higher standard than they have been in the past. She also said she would like officers to become more involved on campus and get to know their constituents better. One of her main goals is to add an extra visitation day for dormitories and see more done with SA survey results. She said she desires to be a Christian leader by serving ACU students and communicating their wants to administration.
Julianne Hart
C
arson Henley’s experience, drive and a realistic approach make him the best candidate for Students’ Association Treasurer. After working as SA Chief Financial Officer this year, Henley worked directly under SA Treasurer Chris Shim and watched how the budget process was reformatted to better fit the needs of the students. He watched closely how the job was done, assessing what could be done better and what should stay the same. “Over the past year I’ve learned a lot. So I know how to do it, I know how to get stuff done because I have a lot of connections. Making those connections has already happened this past year,” Henely said. “But making sure this process goes quicker, to make sure the right people get the money – that is something I want to work on, it’s something I can work on and I will work on as treasurer.” Henley also wants to make sure student groups use money allocated to them. In the past, Henley said many student groups have money left in their budgets at the end of the year, and, if elected, he plans to work with the groups, helping them to find other ways to spend allocated funds. “There’s no point to have the money allocated to you and not spend it,” Henley said. “There have been groups in the past that have planned on an event and that not come
Junior political science and international business major from Austin
Carson Henley Junior biochemistry major from Colleyville
SA Experience
Freshman: Freshman Senator Sophomore: Sophomore Senator Junior: Chief Financial Officer to fruition because a certain author might get sick, which happens, and they can’t really spend SA money towards that. They might have to change their goals of, ‘How are we going to spend that money,’ or, ‘How are we going to use these funds for something else we asked for but we didn’t get fully funded for.” Henley has the experience of working with the treasurer this year, the drive to get things done and a realistic approach to funding groups and keeping them accountable for their funds. With these tools, he is the right fit for SA treasurer.
Heath Bracken
SA Experience
Sophomore marketing and finance major from Salado
Freshman: Gardner Rep. Sophomore: Barret Rep. Junior: Junior Senator
SA Experience
Freshman: Freshman Senator Sophomore: Sophomore Senator, member of the Financial Committee Even though Fleet has no previous SA experience, she said the experience she has accrued over the past years give her the knowledge she needs to be an effective leader. Her relationships with current administration and student groups on campus will help her do well in this post, Fleet said. Also, She would like to apply her strong work ethic and passion for people to the student body by making sure everyone has a strong ACU experience.
Optimist the
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Bracken said his time on the Financial Committee has given him insight into the way the treasurer’s position works. Knowledge gained over the last two years will be used to help decide where funds need to be allocated, he said. If elected, he said he look for ways to insure unspent money in the budget would be used, have more student involvement and help clarify where funds are being spent.
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FROM SPORTS
April 13, 2011
Page 7
SOFTBALL
Losses force ’Cats to buckle down for Kingsville Ryan Cantrell
Sports Multimedia Editor
The Wildcats dropped two of three to Texas Woman’s University this weekend. ACU won the first game Friday 8-6, before dropping the next two 8-0 and 9-4. “We didn’t play well enough this weekend to win. We didn’t hit very well and we didn’t pitch very well,” Head Coach Bobby Reeves said. “I felt we were pretty fortunate to win one of three, so it puts our backs against the wall and now we have to take care of business this weekend.”
The Wildcats would split a doubleheader on Friday with the Pioneers taking the first game 8-6. Peyton Mosley came in and pitched four scoreless innings in relief to help the Wildcats pick up the win. Mosley picked up her fifth win of the season as she allowed only three hits and was able to strike out two. Mosley now has a 5-2 record on the season. The Wildcats also had great offensive efforts in the first game as freshman Lyndi Smith blasted two home runs, finishing with four RBIs. Candice Miller
‘‘ ’’
also had a solid afternoon at the plate going 3-4 and also recording four RBIs, including what would be the game-winning single in the sixth. In the second game the bats went cold for the Wildcats as Lizzy Kelly pitched a five-hit shutout for TWU. The Pioneers scored eight runs on 14 hits in the second game as TWU cruised to an 8-0 victory in five innings. In the third game on Saturday TWU would take the rubber game and the series, outscoring the Wildcats 9-4.
game back of ACU and West Texas A&M. We need to capitalize when The Wildcats will be the situation presents itself back in action Friday at and continue to improve home against Texas A&Mdefensively. Kingsville. The Wildcats KARA STUTESMAN // freshman will play a doubleheader catcher for the ACU Wildcats Friday starting at 5:05 p.m. “Kingsville is a good The Wildcats pitching ue to improve defensively. struggled with its com- If we do those things, we team. They have only won three conference games, mand giving up eight walks will be fine.” ACU falls to 22-22 over- but they have played evthat allowed nine runs to come across. The Wildcats all this season, and 7-5 in eryone well,” Reeves said. also committed two errors the LSC South. ACU re- “We will be looking to get mains tied for third place the bats going against defensively in the game. “We had our chances,” in the division with one them and playing at home freshman Kara Stutesman game separating them should help us.” said. “We need to capi- from second place. The talize when the situation Pioneers improved to 6-6 contact Cantrell at presents itself and contin- in the division and sit one jrc07f@acu.edu
BASEBALL
COLUMN
Woods: Augusta spurs memories Continued from page 8
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Sky Valenzuela pitches last weekend against Eastern New Mexico University. Valenzuela also hit a home run in the series.
Series: Clutch pitching persists Valenzuela went two for three at the plate andthird on a wild pitch and launched his second home being brought home with run of the season. Reliever Zach Sneed a single by Duncan Blades. Blades stole second and came on to finish off the was brought home by Sky Greyhounds, picking up his Valenzuela, who was back third save of the season. In the rubber match, Roplaying shortstop in the absence of Aaron Oliver driguez had one of his best who is recovering from an outings of the season holding the Greyounds to just three injury to his shoulder. Continued from page 8
runs, two of them earned, on eight hits while striking out two in 6-1/3 innings. Abe Williams was on fire from the plate going four for four including two doubles. Williams brought in two Wildcat runs and scored twice on his own. Sneed came in to close out the game for ACU but left with a blown save. Thanks
to four Wildcat runs in the eighth, Sneed picked up the win instead to close out the series for the Wildcats. ACU will be back in action on Wednesday against No. 10 St. Mary’s Rattlers at Crutcher Scott Field. Pitch is slated for 4:05 p.m. contact Tripp at
bjt07a@acu.edu
African golfer named Charl Schwartzel took the coveted jacket and won the tournament handily by shooting under par on each of the last four holes. Schwartzel wasn’t the story though. The story was tied for fourth. After a year and a half of average play – mediocrity by Tiger’s standards – the most exciting golfer in the world was playing the way we all remember. On Sunday, Tiger made it OK to watch golf again. He made it OK to jump off your sofa and imitate a Tiger Woods fist pump after a birdie. I haven’t wanted to watch golf for the last year and a half. What’s the point? My favorite golfer has been mired in a slump. This weekend, however, something felt different. Maybe that something is what caused youngster Rory McIlroy to implode with a triple-bogey on 10 going from first to seventh. Maybe that something was
Continued from page 8
Robertson and McDowell, finished fifth with a time of 40.33 in the college division. That time was the team’s best of the season and ranks third in the latest national rankings. Robertson’s time of 10.50 in the 100-meter dash was good for sixth place in the college division. “I was very impressed with the men’s relay team. They put up a solid time, but there is still much room for improvement. Our goal is
for them to be highly competitive at nationals, as that event is critical for our team’s success at nationals,” Head Coach Roosevelt Lofton said. Anais Belledant, Lauren Atkinson, Chloe Susset and Alyse Goldsmith made up the women’s distance medley, which placed fifth in the combined university/college division with a time of 12 minutes and 9.02 seconds. “Their performance really impressed me,” Lofton said. “They haven’t even been practicing together for very long, and they
placed at one of the biggest meets in the nation.” Thrower Nick Jones placed ninth in the shot put with a throw of 56-8.5, while All-American long distance runner Amos Sang was 10th in the Jerry Thompson Mile Race. Wind gusts exceeding 30 miles per hour put a damper on several events at the meet. The NCAA uses a wind scale to judge wind speed, and if the reading is above four, those competing cannot qualify for nationals because of the
effect the wind has during competition. The cage steadily read 4.5 throughout the meet. The men’s outdoor team still sits atop the latest NCAA national poll while the women’s team sits in seventh in their respective poll. The Wildcats will compete next weekend at the Mt. San Anotonio College Relays in Walnut, Calif., before the LSC Conference Meet on May 6-8.
TENNIS
Split: Sunday sweeps muster momentum Continued from page 8
‘‘ ’’
both East Central University and Southeastern Oklahoma State by a score of 9-0 in each match. “We took care of business,” Jones said. “This is a job, and we need to take care of our matches in a businesslike manner in order to be ready for the post-season.” Sweeping all 18 points against both schools collectively on Sunday was a good end to the weekend that began with a tough competition against a school that, according to Jones, is “usually ranked
If we win, we will host regionals; we need people to come out.
HANS HACH // sophomore tennis player for the ACU Wildcats
in the top 25 in Division I.” The strong showing against conference rivals should set up the ’Cats well for Wednesday, when ACU hosts Cameron University at 3 p.m. “That’s a big match,” said Hach. “If we win, we will host regionals; we need people to come out.” The match against Cameron will be at ACU’s Eager
Tennis Center. Free hot dogs and Dr Pepper will be available for ACU students. “We have to come to work,” Jones said. “If we want something handed to us, there’s a good chance we won’t get it. We have to go take it.” contact Smith at
mds10a@acu.edu
contact Gwin at
agg07a@acu.edu
CLASSIFIED
TRACK AND FIELD
Relays: Top-5 finishes highlight
what forced me to turn on CBS and watch every minute of coverage. Tiger may not have won the major, but he made it worth watching. He still hasn’t won since the media broke the story of his extramarital affairs, but he will sooner rather than later. Tiger will still break Jack Nicklaus’ major wins record. He will still go down as the alltime greatest golfer ever, if he isn’t already. Regardless, the fans had something to cheer about on Sunday. The roar from the crowd at Augusta was unmistakable. You couldn’t miss it after every Tiger Woods birdie. It signaled one thing – the champ is back. Tiger’s swing might have changed, his personal life may have taken a hit, but his ability to capture the attention of a nation on a Sunday afternoon will always remain a tradition unlike any other.
For Rent: 3 -1 bedroom/1bath unfurnished apts. $300/mo. (no pets & no smoking) utilities not included, located within walking distance to ACU, available June 1 649 ½ E.N. 15th 649 ½ E.N. 16th 1233 ½ Washington Call 325-677-1943 if interested. For Rent: Two nice 1 bedroom apartments on same property as our home. Available June 1 Also, one large 4 bedroom/2 bath house. All listings located 1/2 block from campus on College Drive No Smoking/No pets Call 672-9633 or 370-5122 if interested.
contact Shake at
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Page 8
Standings
BASEBALL
Div.
Tarleton St. 18-6 SE OK St. 17-7 SW OK St. 18-9 Cameron 16-8 UIW 16-8 WTAMU 14-10 ACU 14-10 TAMU-K 15-12
Ovrl. 28-7 21-13 27-12 23-11 22-12 25-13 21-15 19-16
Wildcats win fourth straight series to stay in LSC conversation Brandon Tripp Sports Director
SOFTBALL Team
Div.
10-2 ASU 8-4 UIW WTAMU 7-5 7-5 ACU 6-6 TWU Tarleton St. 5-7 TAMU-K 3-9 ENMU 2-10
Ovrl. 33-5 23-18 30-11 22-22 23-18 17-19 22-22 10-31
Briefs intramural office is putting together a dodgeball tournament for interested students. Today is the last day to register for the tournament. Registration cost is $20 per team. The tournament will be held in Bennett Gym on April 18-20. Contact ACU Intramural Sports at 674-2555 for more information.
n The
n The
intramural office also is organizing a golf scramble. The scramble will be a four-person, nine-hole format during the week of April 25-29 at Maxwell Golf Course. You must call the golf course at 692-2737 to sign up. If you schedule a tee time after 3 p.m., it will be $18 per person with a cart and $10 without a cart. If your tee time is after 5 p.m., the cost is $9 per person with a cart and $5 without a cart. All payments should be made directly to the golf course.
Player Profile
April 13, 2011
Another series win
BASEBALL Team
Sports
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
The Wildcat infield turns a double play on Saturday against Eastern New Mexico University. ACU won both games on Saturday to take the series and keep them alive in the playoff race.
The Wildcats stayed alive in the hunt for the LSC Championship series after taking two of three from the conference’s second worst team, Eastern New Mexico. “We finally have been doing the things we need to do to win these last few series,” said senior Cameron Bankston. ACU dropped the first of three games on Friday after the bullpen and some shaky defensive play allowed the Greyhounds to pull away in the later innings after the score was tied heading into the sixth. Will Calhoun pitched well in a no decision after giving up just two earned runs in five innings while striking out two. Cameron Watten brought the Wildcats back even with Eastern New Mexico at 3-3 with a safety squeeze that brought
home Bryce Gerhardt. It all came apart for ACU in the sixth when an error by catcher Ian Tomkins resulted in two unearned runs for the Greyhounds in the bottom half of the sixth, the error was one of five committed by the Wildcats in the game. In the Saturday doubleheader, Coach Bonneau’s team fared much better outscoring the Greyhounds 13-6 between the two games. Pitchers Brent Bray and Brady Rodriguez put on a show with outstanding performances on the mound. “They have had some good outings in relief and got some spot starts for us this year,” said Bonneau. “We just needed to get some guys out there that could last more than three innings.” A three-run bottom of the fifth helped Bray when the Wildcats plated all three runs with two outs in the inning. Catcher Ian Tomkins turned his lead-off single into a run after moving to see SERIES page 7
TENNIS
Week yields mixed results with win, loss Mark Smith
Sports Reporter
The ACU men’s tennis team comes off a mixed weekend into the last home stand of the season. On Saturday, they took on Division I team Oklahoma State University, a Big 12 school, falling with a score of 5-2. OSU edged the Wildcats out in doubles play to assume a 1-0
lead, and won four consecutive singles matches to secure the win. Sophomore Hans Hach and junior Bryan Joiner pulled out the only points for ACU on Saturday. “We have to assume whatever role we have, whether that’s underdog or favorite,” said Head Coach Hutton Jones. “When we’re the underdog, we have nothing to lose; all the
TRACK AND FIELD
‘‘ ’’
pressure’s on them. We’re not better than them, but we definitely had chances to pull an upset if a couple things went our way.” In doubles play, the Wildcats split the first two matchups, leaving the No. 1 teams from both schools to determine who would win one point entering singles play. ACU’s team of Hach and Joiner kept the match close against
We’re not better than them, but we definitely had chances to pull an upset ... HUTTON JONES // Head Coach of ACU tennis
Aleksey Bessonov and Rifat Bityakov, the 18thranked doubles team in the nation in Division I. The score reached 6-6 until the OSU team finally pulled out the victory of
9-8(6), giving the Cowboys the one-point lead. On Sunday, the men faced two Lone Star Conference opponents, defeating see SPLIT page 7
COLUMN
Texas Relays confirm rankings Woods excites again Bryson Shake
Bryce Gerhardt, sophomore outfielder from Oakdale, Calif., went 4-7 from the plate this weekend in the ’Cats’ series against Gerhardt Eastern New Mexico. Gerhardt was 3-5 and scored one run. The sophomore is hitting .348 for the ’Cats, which is good for fourth on the team. He also has scored 14 runs and has 23 hits and 12 RBIs.
Upcoming n The baseball team
will host St. Mary’s on Wednesday at 4:05 p.m. at Crutcher Scott Field. n Softball
will host TAMU-K in a doubleheader Friday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and then play Saturday starting at 1 p.m.
n The men’s and women’s tennis teams will host Cameron University Wednesday.
Assistant Sports Editor
Hurdler Andrew McDowell and triple jumper Ramon Sparks ignited a strong showing by the ACU track and field team that included five top five finishes Saturday at the Texas Relays in Austin. McDowell, a redshirt senior from Kansas City, Mo., finished second in the college division of the 110 hurdles in a blazing 14.17 seconds. That time is a mere millisecond off of the NCAA Division II leading time of 14.16 that he ran earlier in the season. Sparks improved his No. 2 national ranking in the triple jump, boasting a leap of 52-10.75, good for fourth in the universitycollege men’s triple jump. Texas A&M’s Julian Reid won the triple jump with a leap of 54-8.75. “Getting to compete at the Texas Relays is always a great experience,” Sparks said. “I’m focusing on winning the battle against myself. That’s the only thing I can control. You are your own toughest competition. As long as I give my best performance and perform to the best of my abilities, the results will take care of themselves. I’m going to maintain that mindset
The Sports Jedi Austin Gwin
Two relay teams, the men’s 400 meter and the women’s distance medley team, combined for ACU’s other top five performances in Austin. The men’s 400-relay team, composed of, Desmond Jackson, Paris
It was a thrilling Sunday. A 21-year-old who had led the Masters for three full rounds had fallen apart. Birdies were abundant, as 10 golfers had a shot at the lead. More exciting than all of that though was one familiar face among all the rest – Eldrick “TiGwin ger” Woods. Woods had an unbelievable front nine in the final round of the Masters totaling six birdies, offset by only one bogey. He had come from seven strokes back and had a share of the lead. A seemingly impossible deficit had been erased. Tiger was on top. The back nine didn’t quite go the way the front nine did for the four-time green jacket winner. Only one birdie on the easier nine holes of the famous course at Augusta National was not enough to secure an improbable victory. An unknown South
see RELAYS page 7
see WOODS page 7
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Thrower Nick Jones practices the shot put at Elmer Gray Stadium. Jones finished ninth in the shot put at the Texas Relays in Austin with a throw of 56-8 1/2. until nationals.” McDowell’s teammate Kevin Johnson, a junior from Midland, had a strong showing as well, finishing fourth in the 110 hurdles with a time of 14.49. Junior College National Champion Aleec Harris of Barton County Community College
was the story of the race, though, as he posted a blazing time of 13.55. Both Sparks and McDowell continued to add to their list of accolades, as McDowell is a former national champion in the 60 hurdles and Sparks is the owner of three NCAA Division II titles in the triple jump.