The Optimist Print Edition: 10.14.11

Sports page 1B

Past Spurs Future vol. 100, no. 15

friday, october 14, 2011

2 SECTION, 16 PAGES

Current team draws motivation from past successes

Adrian patenaude Staff Photographer

Home, sweet Homecoming JamFest to showcase student talent Page 8A

Alumni return for reunion dinners Page 3B

2011 Homecoming Queen nominees Page 6B

Annual musical showcases return of the ‘King’ Page 4B

Homecoming Schedule Page 6B Mandy lambright Staff Photographer

Top: Anna, played by senior musical theater major Ashley Parizek of Dublin, Ohio, teaches the royal children of Siam in The King and I, the 2011 homecoming musical held at the Abilene Civic Center. Above: University Park’s resident director Jordan Hatcher, from Abilene, and Melanie Kirkland, assistant marketing director and office manager from Lubbock, keep things light while working on signs for University Park’s first float to be featured in the 2011 Homecoming Parade.

Football success has some remembering 1970’s greatness Page 1B

Homecoming

Groups prepare floats for Homecoming parade to create floats that depicted something they love about student reporter ACU, calling it ‘I heart ACU,’ something like the ‘I heart The Homecoming Parade NY’ signs you always see,” will begin promptly Sat- Spainhower said.

One group, however, will urday at 9:30 a.m., kicking off the day’s Homecoming be diverging from the paevents. Dr. Kerri Hart, Stu- rade theme. Melanie Kirkdent Recreation and Well- land, office manager and ness Center director and assistant marketing director her father, Dr. Dwain Hart, for University Park apartwill serve as the parde’s ments, explained how their parade float will be a little grand marshalls.

Misty Spainhower, alum- more personal.

“We actually had a really ni relations officer, said that because the parade is this neat idea to do something year’s only Homecoming completely different,” Kirkactivity with a specified land said. “We thought it theme, groups have made would be cooler to go with sure to build their floats in the theme of ‘Up’ since [UP] are our initials, so we’ve gone fun and unique ways.

“We have asked them all with that and are decorating

Bailey Neal

our float like the movie.”

This is University Park’s first appearance in the Homecoming Parade, and Kirkland said residents are excited about being represented in the parade.

“We are under new management this year, and we really want to be more connected to ACU in different aspects, but we want the ACU community to really recognize that we are ACU, too,” Kirkland said.

In an effort to be more involved with students, Kirkland said University Park will be hosting a car decorating party at University Park immediately after the parade, painting cars in exchange for canned food goods sup-

porting a local initiative called Impact Hunger.

The Homecoming Court from 2001 will also be riding in the parade for the first time in a decade, Spainhower said, because of the class’ 10 year reunion.

“We have a lot of ‘Coming Home’ Queens this year.

About 29 convertibles signed up to drive them in the parade,” Spainhower said.

Typically, one Coming Home Queen nominee is paired to ride with a nominee from the current year, but 2001 saw 14 court nominees, which will make the seating arrangement slightly different, Spainhower said.

Spainhower said she believes the greatest value of

the Homecoming Parade is that it brings back memories alumni can share with their family.

“It’s one of the first times we get to bring our children back and let them see all the fun we had at ACU,” Spainhower said.

“Most everyone sitting on the sidelines remembers how they participated in the parade somehow. Even if they weren’t in a social club, everyone remembers going to the parades and how they helped out.”

“Most people, when they think about the parade, they just think about the clubs, and we really want to change that and be more involved with the students

of ACU,” Kirkland said.

Prize money will be awarded to the best floats in a few categories. Men’s and women’s social clubs with more than 50 members will be competing for a first place prize of $200, while men’s clubs with fewer than 50 members will be vying for a $100 first place prize.

Other awards given will be an overall first place float prize of $200, as well as an award for sportsmanship and best use of theme, both of which win $100 for the organizations to use at their own discretion.

centennial

news

View a timeline of the Optimist’s history online.

2012 Sing Song tickets are available for purchase.

contact Neal at bmn07a@acu.edu

inside homecoming issue

opinion

Open the B section for all things Homecoming related.

A throwback Opinion page featuring articles from the 50’s and 60’s.

Pages 1B-8B

1912

2012

A CENTURY OF ACU STUDENT MEDIA

page 4A

Abilene Christian University

acuoptimist.com

page 6A

Friday 10.14.11

14 Friday

15

5 p.m. Homecoming Carnival on the Northeast Lawn of Hunter Welcome Center 5:30 p.m. Jam Fest on the East Lawn of Hunter Welcome Center 8 p.m. The King and I Homecoming Musical at the Abilene Civic Center

Saturday

16

9:30 a.m. Homecoming Parade beginning on EN 16th Street

Sunday

17

Monday

1 p.m. ACU Women’s soccer at Angelo State 2 p.m. The King and I Homecoming Musical at the Abilene Civic Center

10:45 a.m. Chapel in Moody Coliseum

11 a.m. Chapel: Spirit-Flesh series with Michael Johnson in Moody Coliseum 6 p.m. Hockey Game in the Campus Center Living Room

2 p.m. ACU football vs.

West Texas A&M

9 p.m. Chapel Forum with Michael Johnson in Moody Coliseum

8 p.m. The King and I Homecoming Musical at the Abilene Civic Center

Announcements

chapel checkup

The Homecoming Carnival will take place Oct. 14 on the Northeast Lawn of the Hunter Welcome Center from 5 - 8 p.m.

The Homecoming Parade nights Oct. 16-Nov. 29 from will take place on Oct. 15 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. There is no cost.

9:30 - 10:30 a.m. The parade will begin on EN 16th Street.

The ACU hockey club will have Hockey Nights in the Jam Fest will take place Oct. Homecoming Chapel will Campus Center Living Room 14 from 5:30 - 9 p.m. on the take place in Moody Coli- Oct. 17 from 6 - 10:30 p.m. and Hunter Welcome Center East seum from 10:45 - 11:30 a.m. Oct. 18 from 6 - 10:30 p.m. The Lawn. There will be music, There will be a time to wor- club will watch NHL games. fun and fireworks. T-shirts ship, and the Homecoming For more information email ACUHockey@gmail.com. will be on sale.

Court will be presented.

ACU’s homecoming musical, The King and I, will be shown Oct. 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. in the Abilene Civic Center. Tickets can be purchased by calling 325-674-2787 or online at acu.edu/theatre.

2a

The University Counseling Center will have a Grief Group for anyone grieving the death of someone close to them.

Grief Group will take place in the new Medical and Counseling Care Center Tuesday

place in Moody Coliseum Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Student tickets cost $15. Tickets for groups of 10 or more cost $15. For more information visit www.liveatthepark.org or call 325-660-2477.

Ring and graduation announcement sales will take place Oct. 24-26 in the Campus Store.

The Virtuous Sisterhood will host an Empowerment Encounter for young women in The Me Addiction Tour, feaCOBA 316 on Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. turing comedian Bob Smiley, Speaker Reg Cox and A concert featuring Switch- Worship Leader Phil Joel, foot and Anberlin will take will take place Oct. 27.

Police Log 10/04/11 3 p.m. ASSAULT: A female student came to ACUPD and reported that a special needs, regular campus visitor had physically assaulted (punched) her boyfriend (also an ACU student) in the Food Court area of the Campus Center. The victim declined to file charges.

10/04/11 4:19 p.m. ASSAULT: A female reported that a special needs, regular campus visitor had approached her in the library, engaged her in conversation, then damaged her laptop computer by banging on it with his hands. The victim declined to file charges. The individual was located and banned from campus for the incident and the earlier assault in the Food Court.

10/05/11 9:42 p.m. PROWLER: ACUPD officers assisted APD with a prowler call in the area of Garfield and Hillcrest.

10/06/11 1:33 p.m. THEFT: A student reported the theft of a jacket from a Sikes Hall washing machine.

10/08/11 11:30 p.m. DWI ACCIDENT: ACUPD officers assisted APD at the scene of a one-vehicle DWI accident in the 700 block of EN 14th St.

35 36 @acuoptimist The Optimist optimist@acu.edu

Weekly Stats for Oct. 04 - Oct. 11, 2011 Abandoned Vehicle - 1 Accident - 1 Administrative Activity - 8 Alarm - 2 Assault - 2 Assist - 1 Barricade - 1 Bicycle Patrol - 3 Building Lock/Unlock - 8 Check Building - 24

Citation Issuance - 1 Criminal Mischief - 3 Disturbance - 4 Found Property - 2 Hit and Run - 1 Information Report - 1 Investigation Follow Up - 3 Lost Property - 1 Medical Emergency - 2 Monitor Facility/ Lot - 1

Motorist Assist - 19 Other - 7 Parking Violation - 7 Prowler - 1 Public Service - 1 Report Writing - 2 Suspicious Activity - 7 Traffic Hazard - 1 Theft - 5 Traffic Stop - 4 Training - 3 Welfare Check - 1

3A

campus news

friday 10.14.11

COBA

Elevator pitch winners display entrepreneurial aspirations with Campuzon jeff craig staff reporter For two ACU students, the Springboard Elevator Pitch competition was a chance to present an idea for a business they hope to eventually become a reality.

Courtney Martin, sophomore youth and family ministry major from New Braunfels, and Karsten Goodman, sophomore accounting and finance major from Abilene, won the $1,500 grand prize for their business concept, called Campuzon.

Martin and Goodman said Campuzon would be an online resource for ACU students to sell textbooks to each other, similar to

The Springboard Elevator Pitch competition challenged students to pitch a business idea in just two minutes to a panel of judges. Goodman said the competition sharpened his presentation skills and encouraged him to potentially pursue Campuzon as an actual entrepreneurial idea.

“We both really wanted to really do this business whether we won the competition or not,” Goodman said. “Why can’t we do this for everyone?”

Destiny hagood Staff Photographer Martin agrees with Courtney Martin and Karsten Goodman partnered to win Goodman. She believes Campuzon could fill a the ACU Springboard Elevator pitch competition. need on campus.

“The competition taught online textbook vendors sell textbooks to each othlike Amazon.com. er. It’d be cheaper than sell- us what’s really important “We wanted to develop ing them, and it’s safer than when making a presentation,” Martin said. “But we rea website so students could Craigslist,” Martin said.

mandy lambright Staff Photographer

Trojan pledge Chistow Langston, sophomore exercise science major from Colorado Springs, Colo.,taps into his inner artist while working on the Trojan float for the 2011 Homecoming Parade.

ally want to do this. We’d like to have it up by next fall.”

Dr. Jim Litton, director of the Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship & Philanthropy and assistant professor of business administration, said the Elevator Pitch is one of three Springboard competitions, in addition to the Springboard Accelerator and the Springboard Ideas Challenge.

“Springboard is a program that gives students hands-on experience in moving from an idea to actually launching a business. It consists of the Springboard Elevator Pitch, the Springboard Ideas Challenge and the Springboard Accelerator,” Litton said in an email.

For Litton, participation in the Springboard Challenges gives students with an entrepreneurial spirit a chance to practice their sales pitches.

“The Springboard program is a great way for students interested in entrepreneurship to gain real-world experience and enhance their learning outside of the classroom,” he said.

More information about the Springboard competitions and a complete list of winners can be found at http://www.acu.edu/academics/coba/griggscenter/springboard/ . contact craig at jrc07d@acu.edu

opinion

friday 10.14.11

4a

Editorial

Notions of drinking old-fashioned In the 105 years after the founding of our university, Abilene Christian grew from a college to a university. The first graduating class had fewer than 100 students, and today we boast more than 1,000. Along with the university’s academic expansions, the religious backgrounds and moral boundaries of the students expanded also.

Students today wear shorts, dance and even drink.

Young people today think more “bad” things are permissible than their predecessors did. This is true even at ACU where many of

their parents, grandparents and great grandparents were also Wildcats.

Drinking is slowly becoming normal in America. In 2008 ACU administration changed the drinking policy to allow students 21 and older to drink off-campus. One of the main catalysts for this change was students wanting to drink with their parents when they went home.

Drinking is even becoming more common in Church of Christ families where alcohol is traditionally sinful.

Americans are slowly maturing in the area of respon-

sible drinking. This nation, for decades, looked at alcohol use as a trait of bad character.

In movies the dead-beat dad was always a drunk, while the successful dad was a regular Ward Cleaver.

These bad traits associated with drinking began in the early years of our country, and the draw of alcohol only grew during the Prohibition years.

As a result, Americans saw alcohol as a forbidden fruit.

The law reinforced that perception when states across America set their drinking age at 21 in the 1980s after the federal government threat-

ened to take away highway money if they didn’t.

In reality, people can drink without plunging into alcoholism or driving intoxicated. Bad things can happen, of course, but most people have the self control to enjoy a drink with dinner and then stop. Drinking in moderation is possible. As puritanical misperceptions of alcohol slowly fade, young American adults in today’s society are beginning to realize that they can enjoy alcohol responsibly. However, the stigma surrounding alcohol is fading only slowly. It continues to

the issue America clings to an outdated apprehension of alcohol that does not reflect changing culture.

our take We need to consider the possibility of moderation and evaluate our perceptions.

nag at those who desire a mature perspective on alcohol.

This needs to change.

These changes need to happen and to continue to happen. As part of the continuing changes, the government should eventually lower the drinking age to 18.

As the culture evolves, the

Christian community and the nation as a whole need to make an educated evaluation of drinking and reconsider the laws and attitudes surrounding it. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Oh Dear, Christian College

column

Ben miller

The confessions of a communion server oh dear, christian college

Ben Miller

“This do in remembrance of me.” The words of Christ, spoken as he instituted the Lord’s Supper.

And remember we do, as we faithfully munch on a cracker and sip a very small cup of grape juice.

But how do you get that Eucharistic goodness so conveniently every week?

There’s a lot of mysterious behind-the-scenes work to be sure, but the most visible and terrifying job is that of the tray passer.

Some Christian traditions make their congregations reverently shuffle to the front every Sunday; others encourage the faithful to plod to the back of the room and participate in the sacrament buffet-style.

But in the tradition of most at this venerable university, those trusty traypassing people bring the body and blood right to your pew.

“

It should be noted that while dropping a tray is indeed the worst of tray passing mistakes it is by no means the only one possible.”

But oh, what a difficult and harrowing task it is, and one so often thrust upon the very young. I recall my first time passing those tradition-laden plates. The young men of my congregation had just completed a lengthy series of Sunday night classes on leadership and basic church jobs. After a few evenings of chaotic hand waving, we could lead congregational singing.

After peeking at the acronym “ACTS” written on the chalkboard, we younguns could lead a fairly coherent prayer. And after a practice round of wandering the auditorium passing songbooks back and forth, we were prepared to play the crucial role of tray passer.

When the big day came, we were rather confused to find the cups filled with white grape juice instead of the usual crimson. It was rather disheartening to discover that those in charge thought that a white grape juice stain would blend better than red with the auditorium carpeting.

Did they expect us to try and toss the things to one

another? Communion cup fillers, wherever you are, do not so crush the spirits of young tray passers. Entrust to them the red grape, in all of its staining glory.

It should be noted that while dropping a tray is indeed the worst of traypassing mistakes, it is by no means the only one possible. There is the cringeinducing “clinker” in which two plates are sent down the same pew from opposing ends, the embarrassing “passover” in which an entire row is skipped causing its occupants to wildly gesture, and of course the dreaded “lost sheep,” whereupon counting the trays in the back, one realizes that a lone plate is still somewhere in the vast expanse of the congregation and is in all likelihood being held by the outstretched and tired arm of some weary widow on the end of a row. And if one is truly thirsting for an unpleasant and awkward social experience, I would recommend the “first shall be last,” a mistake invented by my brother Andrew and myself when we started the trays from the back of the congregation rather than walking up the aisle and starting with the first row.

This causes much anxiety amongst “front row-ers.”

Some held out longer than others, but eventually, every head in the room turned back to see where in creation those plates were.

My most interesting experiences tray-passing have taken place at the Impact Church of Christ in inner-city Houston. I recall making change for someone in the collection plate, helping a disabled woman move the cup all the way up to her mouth and, in the nick of time, stopping a man from dumping several coins from his shoe into the tray of bread.

Yes, there’s never a dull moment for the fearless tray passer. It is always a rewarding, though stressful, endeavor. So this Sunday, go ahead and smile at that young brother or sister passing you the tray, and while you’re at it, unstack that annoying “tower of babble” people make out of cups in the middle of the juice tray. That’s just an accident waiting to happen.

contact The miller at bwm07a@acu.edu

Letter

Herrod: Clubs influence for good I thought this was a very good article, and I’m glad that people are feeling confident enough to talk about pledging’s pros and cons in a public way.

However, there was something I disagree with.

The overall tone of this article is negative, and speaks to our inner desire to belong. While this is a valid point, the negativity isn’t necessary. The desire to belong spurs us to do many things - include joining a church community where we feel welcome. The Bible encourages us to be part of a community of others, encouraging one another and holding each other accountable. I believe many of the social clubs on ACU’s campus follow

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.

11:44 p.m. Oct. 11

prof talking about Russian defiance in WWII: “oh, i gave myself goosebumps.” @overheardACU #theACUdifference

The campus looks so beautiful new flowers planted everywhere. Doing it big for homecoming. #ACU @overheardACU

@weezquietly

@torimcfadden

10:42 a.m. Oct. 12

but the overall desire of a club is to represent God’s love and community.

I agree that the Homecoming Queen nominations got out of hand.

Lewd acts should be attended to. There will always be pros and cons to social clubs, especially that there is a limit to the number of people who can be part of them. But social clubs have survived because they have the power to positively inf luence lives. This positivity should not go unnoticed.

Thank you, Brittany Herrod contact the Optimist at Jmcnetwork@acu.edu

4:12 p.m. Oct. 11

It always takes me at least 6 minutes to find my car in the Cullen/ Edwards parking lot. #neverfails @overheardACU

@kirby_nicole

11:12 p.m. Oct. 10

Just got waterbaloons thrown at me by some stupid Novas... #notcool @overheardACU

@lesslielew

Send your tweets @acuoptimist, or #ACU, to get your tweets printed in the Optimist.

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

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

this as their core value.

Sometimes this is hard to see when you are not a member of a club, only watching people dress oddly or yell at a fountain. However, it is these small things that help to

create a bond. Women are taught that it doesn’t matter what you look like and that they are capable of anything they are asked to do.

They learn to care for one another and are expected to be courteous and classy women of God at all times. Men learn to be part of a brotherhood and not to be arrogant or proud. I have never seen bonds closer than those of men who pledge a club together. They learn to put others before themselves, and to always put God first. Please remember, we don’t just represent a club - we represent God in all that we do. This is laid out for each club in their rules. Individuals may wander astray,

hashtagACU

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

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

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

“

They learn to care for one another and are expected to be courteous and classy women of God at all times. Men learn to be part of a brotherhood and not to be arrogant or proud.

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5A

past opinions

friday 10.14.11

Editorial

ACC is not blindly Republican and spooning again with the comments that certain counties “would have gone H.M. Baggarly, self-styled Democratic even had Ken“country editor” of the Tu- nedy been a Baptist and lia Herald, pushed his to- Johnson a member of the bacco quid to the side last Church of Christ.” Plesant week and gushed in abun- thoughts!

The really amusing afdance at the political euspidor. Baggarly, top man on termath of his original the totempole of a one-man shot at “Church schools” newspaper, had cocked resulted when a McMurry his literary blunderbuss College does not fit this the week before and fired general label.” By virthe charge that “Church tue of a poll of a “liberal schools at Abilene are hot cross-section of McMurry’s student body,” Mr. beds of Republicanism.”

Last week, the Democrat’s Lee White claimed that it “Minute Man” of the South wasn’t right for McMurry Plains, was in there spitting to be associated with “hot Originally published Nov. 24, 1960.

beds of Republicanism.”

The results of Mr. White’s “liberal” poll, by the way were Kennedy, 52, Nixon, 51, and nine undecided.

That apparently satisfied Baggarly’s political ire with McMurry because he added an Editor’s Note which said: “My statement was a little ambiguous since I did not mean to include McMurry when I used the expression ‘church schools at Abilene.” I should have said ‘some church schools in Abilene’.”

That seems to have narrowed the schools involved

down to St. John’s Day School, St. Paul Methodist Church kindergarten, St. Joseph’s academy, HardinSimmons university, and Abilene Christian college.

Wonder which of these he was talking about?

The remainder of Baggarly’s 34-inch doublewidth column, “The Country Editor,” was devoted to pleas for Republicans to “get down to specifics” and with touts at Republican “brainwashing.”

Among other things, Baggarly expostulated: “The GOP’ers look back to Hoover, and McKinley and

Avone Malone

Feb. 16, 1951

the issue In the Tulia Herald editor accused ACC of fostering Republicanism.

our take Baggarly is incorrect in assuming ACC has a lock-step political affiliation.

tell us that what was good in McKinley’s time is good enough for the space age.”

“Trouble with the Republicans, the conservatives, is that they want to have their cake and eat it.”

“They want America to be ‘first’ in everything – but they don’t want to pay the cost of being first.”

“The ‘lily-white Republicans’ are incapable of wrong doing, of course.”

Offhand, we’d say that the Tulia Herald was a “hot bed of Democraticism,” wouldn’t you? contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Letter

Did you know? ACC marriages survive blow, the f low is slow.

In like manner, the cold winds have swept away a certain amount of the free dating which goes on during warmer months.

However, there are still Did you know that approximately 3,600 mar- several of those fellows riages have been per- and gals who insist on formed as a result of the carrying on like it was contacts made here at summer. Perhaps they are ACC in its 46 years of like the cedar and pine – stay sappy all winter. life?

If you feel your “sap” Think about that! A marriage takes two per- slowly f lowing to your sons so this would make feet while these cold a total of 7,200 persons winds blow, make a speunited in matrimony – cial effort to have a chat W.R. (Marrying from the Hill. Now for the with clincher – Did you know Sam) Smith. He will conthat of this great num- vince you it is spring.

With such a good ratio ber of Marriages, only 20 have ended in divorce or of 7,200 persons getting married in 46 years, don’t separation!

One out of every three give up hope. Your time is marriages performed in sure to come. If your hope America today will end does begin to waver, see in divorce, the national “Marrying Sam” or waiting for spring – the “sap” statisticians say.

Did you know that there is sure to be around then. is only one divorce in 180 marriages made at ACC! Perhaps love is like contact The Optimist at the sap in trees, when Jmcnetwork@acu.edu the cold winds of winter Originally published Nov. 22, 1951 by Clark Potts, Optimist Reporter, Columnist 1951-1952, Editor 1952-1953

COlumn

Cig smoking obscures Christians’ mission We know that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and though we would be quite angry if someone started to tear up our church building, which is the work of man, we sit by in quiet acquiescence while our members destroy the true dwelling place of the Lord, that is our bodies.

can be no “tapering off.”

Each one of these people has said to many of us can argue that smokers must not touch one no matter how much you may want it, because if you fall once it’s even harder to keep from taking the next one, and soon you’ll be right back where you started.”

Aside from its filthiness, let’s look at the physical side of the question. Almost any doctor will tell you that the use of cigarettes will undermine your health and break down your body.

14:23) and no one can say they use tobacco by faith.

Since a Christian cannot continue in sin and have a promise of everlasting life, I take the position that a Christian cannot continue using tobacco and have a promise of everlasting life.

I don’t know what you may believe, individually, but as for me, I don’t beChristians Are Example lieve the few moments of Not Impossible To Quit We are, as Christians, doubtful pleasure (?) on We often hear smokers living examples of the life earth in smoking cigasay that “once you start of Christ. The word exam- rettes is worth spending smoking it is impossible ple, in my mind, means an eternity in Hell. to stop.” I challenge that to endeavor to be exactly – B.N. statement. I know sev- like someone and I can’t eral people who have quit imagine Christ smoking smoking and in every case a cigarette or chewing contact the Optimist at their health has improved tobacco. “Whatsoever is Jmcnetwork@acu.edu greatly. However, there not of faith is sin.” (Rom.

Feb. 6, 1930 The all-knowing Owl as he travels hither and yon, certainly has acquired that trait which his journalism has taught him: “The reporter must wonder at the things men do, think, and write.” He wonders what some students do, how some CAN think, and why some write.

The juniors and seniors met and ate.

Two girls won some debates.

The orchestra took up chapel period time on Monday.

Prexy furnishes his best joke of the season (unintentionally).

Weather unsatisfactory – continues same.

April 24, 1930 We often wonder if Prexy Baxter is as “splendid man” as he would have us believe he is.

Feb. 13, 1930 If poor grades in one course point to extremely intellectual sharpness in the extreme opposite, a certain frosh English class tutored by one exacting one, will turn out a bumper crop of Einsteins, mechanical engineers, and mathematical proteges (59 of them to be exact in my prophesy).

Mar. 13, 1930 “She may be fat, She may be chubby, But Presley is going to be –––––––’s hubby.”

the dorms or classrooms, but the students lined up across the street with “cancer sticks” in their How many of us on the mouths. Later, someone “Hill” have considered asks him, “What did you just how much even our think of ACC?” “Why I could not see smallest actions ref lect on the name of our school anything for the smoke,” he answers. and the Church?

Of course this is an exA School can do a great deal of good and never aggeration, but seriously, receive any publicity, can we as Christians – but let one bad thing pop supposedly following in up, and it is immediately the path of the Lord – use news. Such is the use of tobacco?

In Romans 12:1, we are tobacco by students here commanded, and I quote, on campus.

“I beseech ye therefore brethren by the mercies Smoke Obscures Vision of God, that ye present A person driving by your bodies a living sacour campus does not see rifice, holy, acceptable the studying going on in unto God, which is your

reasonable service.” How many of us can argue that smoking purifies the bidy? On the contrary, its use in any form is filthy, and offensive to those around you who do not use it. Do you think that the Lord would enjoy smelling stale cigarette smoke on your breath when he comes again to the earth?

Jan. 30, 1930 Lest we forget, colleagues – this is exam week and take this note: You probably (one out of every ten does) have three Chapel cuts left to utilize. You’ve thought of it already – use ‘em for studying that forgotten lore.

Letter to the editor originally published Nov. 30, 1951

Editor’s note: Hoots of the Owl was a humorous gossip column first run in 1928. Throughout the years many Optimist staffers wrote as the voice of the Owl, Hal Hoots.

The column survived for five years, though it was frowned upon by the administration for most of its existence.

Eventually, the column devolved into personal attacks. In 1932, President James F. Cox shut down the column.

Jan. 16, 1930 In keeping with this rapidly changing world the English language is also undergoing some few transformations. For instance, “neck” used to be a noun. We might also add that woman was one time a side issue, but now she is the whole show.

Body is Temple of Spirit

Well, well, I ask you, doesn’t that make a nice little phrase for a nice little melodramatic romance. We agree. It sings Jan. 9, 1930 the song of blind love Have you made any resoin its prime meaning. A lutions yet? The Owl has certain lad at the boy’s a good one which will hall has gone so hog-wild revolutionize the col- Mar. 13, 1930 (roughly putting) over lege industry if observed Week’s Events: properly. Resolved, to Really, there haven’t been a little dame that it has take three extra courses any events at the local provoked the popular litin order to get more sleep campus in the view of a tle phrase from a mirthnewspaper mind. The fol- ful heart. Ain’t love grand during the winter term. lowing occurred: and big?

May 1, 1930 The owl is a bird who believes in free speech and doesn’t give a hoot what people think about him. For years the author of said column has been kept a public secret much to the chagrin of the Faculty and the Welfare Society for the preservation of Left-over Beans, meaning no remarks aloud concerning the bill of fare prepared by the school dietitian, Sarah. No one can truthfully deny the dining hall version, “One day’s meet is another day’s croquette.”

April 24, 1931 The Owl would certainly appreciate it if a sophomore girl would quit writing in asking questions connected with herself.

When the Owl wants to give you any free advertising, you’ll know.

April 24, 1931 “Dear Hoot: We want to know if it is true that the reason Lafon Derrick talks so much is that she was vaccinated with a phonograph needle. The Student Body.”

Sept. 17, 1931 My private and sole business is to unearth all the scandal. Pry into all the secret love affairs, and to embarrass everybody I possibly can. If your name isn’t mentioned this time, don’t give up hope – or, rather, don’t get to feeling cocky, because the wise old Owl is watching you and remember: you may be the next one to blush with shame.

Sept. 17, 1931 The old Owl is almost certain to get you sometime this year. The only way to escape is to do nothing, say nothing, see nothing, hear nothing, think nothing – but then, you would probably be criticized for being dumb.

campus news

friday 10.14.11

6A

sing song

new department

2012 tickets available for purchase

Engineering department progresses toward fall 2012 commencement

christina burch multimedia managing editor It may just be Homecoming, but it is never too early to start thinking about Sing Song.

Visiting alumni, parents and students can purchase tickets for this year’s production from 5-7 p.m. on Friday and 12-1:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Campus Center.

Tickets will be $16 for the 8 p.m. show on Friday, Feb. 17; $18 for the 2 p.m. show on Saturday, Feb. 18; and $24 for the 8 p.m. show on Saturday, Feb. 18.

Tom Craig, director of student activities and productions, said campus visitors should take advantage of the special opportunity before ticket sales go live on the web on Nov. 1.

“It’s the one time during

the school year when everybody comes together – clubs, organizations and classes – and pools together to create something unique and fun that also serves as a friendly competition,” Craig said.

The longstanding tradition has grown over the years as people return to campus to root for students, friends and the organizations they belong to, Craig said. This year’s theme is “Wild at Heart.”

“It’s all about celebrating the independent spirit of what makes us unique and who we are,” Craig said.

“Clubs, classes and organizations will take any variation of that and reflect it in their song choices and acts.”

Corrine Morris, junior electronic media major from Missouri City, is among the six students who have been chosen as

Sing Song triple threats.

The hosts and hostesses will sing, dance and unify the February production.

“It hasn’t really sunk in,” Morris said. “That’s going to be me singing in front of thousands of people.”

Along with Morris, the hosts and hostesses for this year’s show are Jocelyn Groves, junior biology major from Lubbock; Brynn Smith, junior theatre major from Fort Worth; Seth Womack, junior theatre major from Justin; Isaac Wright, junior exercise science major from Abilene and Chris Randell, senior marketing major from Abilene.

Morris said she first attended Sing Song when she was just 5 years old.

“When I was chosen as a hostess, I thought ‘This is crazy. This is literally a dream

come true,’” Morris said.

Morris said she believes Sing Song is the university’s most special showcase because it relies on campuswide involvement.

“There are so many opportunities within the production staff and upstage, as well,” Morris said. “It’s a really good way to bring the school together.”

To guarantee good seats and to avoid last minute worries, Morris said she encourages Homecoming visitors to purchase tickets during this weekend’s pre-sale.

“It’s a really big deal on campus,” Morris said.

“People get really pumped up for this, and it’s great entertainment.” contact burch at clb10a@acu.edu

meagan freeman student reporter The Department of Engineering is a step closer to being established in the 2012-2013 school year.

Faculty members of the Department of Physics are working together to develop the Department of Engineering, which will be housed in the Foster Science Building along with the physics department. They are now focusing on hiring a professor and applying for academic accreditation, said Dr. Rusty Towell, chair of the physics department.

“There is an overlap in undergraduate physics and engineering classes, so it is not a big stretch for us to begin offering a engineering degree,” Towell said.

Towell said the planning of the department began in 2010 and is coming along as scheduled. The faculty submitted an application for academic accreditation approval. Once the department receives the approval, engineering classes will be added to the 2012-2013 class catalog.

Not all of the engineering classes will be finished by then, but Towell said the core classes are the same for a physics degree, so there will be enough time for upper-level classes to finish developing before the incoming freshman reach that level.

“By offering a general engineering degree students can pick any field,” said Dr. Donald Isenhower, associate professor of physics. “It gives them flexibility.”

With the support of the physics’ faculty, the university decided to hire one new engineering professor. Towell said the department began advertising and receiving applications for the position.

This person would be re-

sponsible for continuing to develop the department.

Towell said once the program is operating, the faculty will decide whether more staff should be hired.

“Student demand will decide if more faculty will be needed,” Towell said.

Students are currently able to prepare for careers in engineering at ACU even though the engineering department has not been completed. The Department of Physics offers subfields such as pre-engineering, engineering science and engineering physics.

“Students can also get a physics degree and then go to graduate school for engineering,” Towell said.

The physics department has agreements with many engineering graduate schools, such as Texas Tech, which guarantees admittance for students majoring in physics and maintaining a high standard of grades.

While the physics department offers many options, Dr. Michael Daugherity, associate professor of physics, said not offering a bachelor’s in general engineering hurts the university.

“Literally dozens of great students walk away from ACU each year because we don’t offer what they want,” Daugherity said.

Engineering careers include some of the top paid positions, making it one of the most sought-after degree fields, according to the ACU Physics blog.

Towell said potential students would be more likely to attend to attend ACU if it had an engineering department.

“There is a unanimous agreement that this is a good thing for the department, college and especially students,” Towell said. contact freeman at mkh05a@acu.edu

7A

campus news

FRIDAY 10.14.11

criminal justice

New series features speakers of experience bailey neal staff reporter Lawyer David Pearson was the first presenter of what will be a series of several criminal justice professionals coming to campus until the end of the semester.

He discussed a high-profile sexual assault case out of Paris, Texas, in criminal justice classes that were open to any interested students last Friday.

The series reflects the interests of many students on campus, said Kelly Knight, instructor of criminal justice. She requested and hosted Pearson Knight in her classroom.

“There’s been a lot of interest in criminal justice as a topic and as a career, and we have seen the numbers of students increase in the past few years. The whole department is very humanity oriented and justice oriented,” Knight said.

Knight said she hoped the series would give students the chance to hear voices from the front lines of criminal justice work as they explore their interests and passions.

“I am trying to give our students exposure to all the facets of the American criminal justice system,” Knight said. “To the leaders in this community and in other communities, to the best talent and the experts in these fields.”

The stories these speakers will tell will often connect with students with interests other than criminal justice, Knight said. The cases that will be discussed will involve psychology, social work and the education system.

“A lot of the time it is a big village that works around this defendant,” Knight said.

“We form this human chain around this case, and there’s

a lot more players involved than just the attorneys and the judge.”

Lawyers play an important role in keeping the government in check, said Knight, who is herself a licensed attorney in Texas and New Mexico.

“I’m glad that there are lawyers out there crusading for no glamor, no fame and no pay, just to make the right thing happen,” Knight said. “If the government becomes a law breaker, then it undermines all of our faith in the system.”

Such was the case in one particular trial Pearson was involved in, said Knight. she asked Pearson to dive deeper into one of his cases that she had seen particular student interest in since the case gained public notoriety in 2008. She said she had planned to spend only a class or two to talk about the case, but students’ concern pressed her to explore the subject fully.

“It was the Christian and caring students on this campus who kept that concern alive and kept vigilant about what was happening in that case,” Knight said. “Now that we could follow through and we finally got David Pearson to come and educate us about some of the procedures, we can hear from him what went right and what went wrong.”

Pearson was appointed in 2010 to represent Aaron Hart, who, at age 18 and with an IQ of 79, was sentenced to 100 years in prison after pleading guilty in a sexual assault case. Pearson found that Hart did not possess the competency to discuss or understand his case fully and that the judge and jury were not adequately notified of his mental retardation in the first trial. He fought for and won - a reduction in

“

I’m trying to give our students exposure to all the facets of the American criminal justice system ...

They can hear from people who are on the front lines doing this”

dence occurred with several of the remaining speakers she has lined up in this semester’s series.

“What I’m finding out is that there’s all of this seed planting that happened kelly knight Sociology and family studies here that has grown into this professor great fruit where students are becoming leaders and the sentence of jail time his this is not just something I leading the charge,” Knight needed to study to pass a said. “The Christians should client received.

Pearson said he hoped his Bible class,” Pearson said. be leading the charge for presentation would empow- “There are people that need justice out there, for everyer students to one day speak mercy, and I’ve been shown one, not just people like us, out on behalf of people like mercy, therefore the time is and I’m finding lots of alumAaron Hart. Students have now. In that sense, I think I ni out there, far flung.”

“There’s been a lot of inthe opportunity to stand was prepared by ACU.” Knight said she was un- terest in criminal justice as a with people who are poor, disenfranchised and vulner- aware of Pearson’s ACU con- topic and as a career, and we nection when she first “cold- have seen the numbers of able, Pearson said.

“I would hope that a stu- called” him to discuss the students increase in the past dent would know that down case her students were so few years. The whole departthe road, if they were in that moved by. The same coinci- ment is very humanity orisituation, some day they can stand on their own two feet and say, ‘Hey, let’s take a step back here and say as a society, do we really have to go down this slippery slope where we hit as hard as we can with a one-size fits all mentality?’” Pearson said. “That if someone steps across a certain line, are we so righteous that just because we have the authority and the power, we’re just going to hit them as hard as we can?”

Pearson, an ACU alumni, said he was honored to revisit his alma mater to discuss his most recent work with current students.

“Being able to watch from a distance and see how much more of a great impact [ACU is] having in the nation and in the world makes me proud to be from here,” Pearson said.

ACU equipped Pearson not only with a good education that got him into law school, but with a biblical foundation that he was able to fully grasp after entering further into adulthood, he said.

“You start realizing ...

ented and justice oriented,” Knight said.

Both Knight and Pearson sited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as inspiration for their continued pursuit of justice and educating those interested in the field.

“I do agree with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in that if we allow an injustice to happen to the vulnerable, the poor, the people who are not like us, the mentally infirm, or who Jesus calls the least of these, if we allow that and turn a blind eye... then it does threaten justice for all of us,” Knight said. contact neal at bmn07a@acu.edu

campus news

Friday 10.14.11

8A

homecoming

Pyrotechnics on display in Chemistry Circus christianna lewis copy editor Students, faculty and campus visitors will have the opportunity to witness the pyrotechnics and practical applications of chemistry Friday at the 25th annual Chemistry Circus. The event is sponsored by the Chemistry Club and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Students from the department will put on acts using science to inform and entertain, said Dr. Eric Hardegree, professor of chemistry and advisor of the Chemistry Club. Students will explode gases, generate multicolored flames and make ice cream using liquid nitrogen.

David Kempe, senior chemistry major from Tulsa, Okla., will be making molten iron by mixing and heating two powders during his act. This will be the third Chemistry Circus Kempe has participated in, and he said the fire and explosions are always his favorite part of the event.

“You get a lot of good squeals from the audience,” Kempe said. “It’s a good way to do some chemistry outside of class.”

The circus will also feature a duel between two chemistry professors who will compete to put together the most exciting experiment using vinegar and baking powder, Hardegree said. Hardegree has battled in such competitions before but said he could not reveal whether he would participate in Friday’s contest.

Hardegree presented a chemistry demonstration 25 years ago at the very

first Chemistry Circus and has participated in almost every circus since, he said.

The chemistry department has continued putting on the event because of its popularity – both with the audience and with the department, Hardegree said.

“It is lots of fun for the chemistry students and for the professors, and we always have a big turnout,” Hardegree said.

The circus also serves as a way to educate both the audience and the chemistry students, Kempe said.

Students in Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar, a course necessary for all majors in the department, are required to participate in the event.

Kempe is taking the class and said the Chemistry Circus fits well into the course focus of communicating and presenting about chemistry.

“An important aspect of that is communicating to someone who hasn’t taken many chemistry classes or who knows anything about it,” Kempe said. “It also gets people excited about chemistry.”

About half of the demonstrations will be put on by seminar students and the other half will be performed by members of the Chemistry Club, Hardegree said. Kempe, president of the Chemistry Club, said the club hopes to put on another circus in the spring.

The Chemistry Circus will take place Friday at 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Walling Lecture Hall in front of the Foster Science Building. contact lewis at cll09a@acu.edu

Mandy Lambright Staff Photographer

Brittany Ellis, junior family studies major from Haslet and junior representative for Delta Theta, decorates the social club’s Homecoming float.

homecoming

JamFest attracts music fans marissa ferguson online editor Music lovers will have the chance to enjoy JamFest, Homecoming’s acoustic tradition put on by the Alumni office, to be held Friday at 6 p.m. at Hunter Welcome Center’s east lawn. The concert is free of charge and will feature ten student bands and artists, including some who performed at last semester’s Post Break Jam. Jama Cadle, assistant director of alumni relations, said JamFest is focused on the university’s community, as opposed to just alumni and family.

“I think in years past

the students have felt like this weekend was mainly for alumni, but it’s really for the ACU community,” she said. “JamFest provides an opportunity for students to come together.

Also, it’s great for prospective students, if they’re on campus, and also families to see the students that are performing.”

This year’s lineup includes Beautiful Midnight, Pierce Hardin, Sunset at Ivry, Will Morgan, Bee Butler, 2218 Cedar Crest, Colton Owsley, The Holly Birds, Clayton Stewart and M.A. Double.

Matt Preston, sophomore undeclared major from Abilene and the front man making up M.A. Double, is

returning to take the stage at JamFest after performing in the Post Break Jam. Preston hopes to share his message about what the Lord has done in his life through rap and hip-hop.

“This message is beneficial [for students] because of the way it can be presented,” Preston said.

“In a rap song, specifically, it’s more of a message. It’s not like a traditional worship song where it’s saying the same basic words. The message can be presented in a way that is relevant to our culture today but at the same time has a completely different message than something you would hear on a regular rap song.”

Preston said JamFest is a great opportunity for student artists.

“There’s going to be a good amount of people who are usually pretty open minded to music in general,” he said. “The students that are coming are interested in hearing what other students have to offer as far as musical talent. The amount of people will be more than what most of us artists get at some random show that we would do on our own.”

Immediately after the concert will be a firework show starting at 9 p.m. contact ferguson at mlf10a@acu.edu

1b

Sports

friday 10.14.11

standings football

Team

Div.

Ovrl.

MSU WTAMU ACU UIW TAMU-K ENMU TSU ASU Commerce

4-0 4-0 3-0 2-2 1-2 1-3 1-3 0-3 0-3

5-0 4-1 4-1 2-4 3-3 2-4 1-5 3-3 0-5

Team

Div.

Ovrl.

ASU WTAMU TSU ACU TWU UIW MSU Cameron TAMU-K

10-1 10-1 7-3 6-4 6-5 5-7 4-6 4-6 4-8

21-2 19-2 13-9 12-10 8-12 9-10 12-7 10-8 10-9

Team

Div.

Ovrl.

ACU Commerce ASU MSU WTAMU UIW ENMU TWU

7-0 4-3 4-3 4-3 3-4 2-4 2-3 1-7

11-0 6-5 5-6 6-3 6-5 4-4 4-5 1-9

volleyball

Women’s Soccer

DANIEL GOMEZ CHIEF Photographer

Left: Wilbert Montgomery, running back from ACU’s 1977 national championship team, receives a toss from the quarterback in a game during the season.

Right: Daryl Richardson, ACU’s current running back, sidesteps a defender at Shotwell Stadium. Richardson is part of a team hoping to emulate the ‘77 team.

briefings

FOOTBALL

Past ‘Cats inspires success Austin Gwin sports director It was a cold Saturday in December as the Wildcats played Elon College in Shreveport, LA. On the ACC sideline was head coach Wally Bullington, and in the backfield was future NFL Pro-Bowler Wilbert Montgomery. In

the game, Montgomery ran for 159 yards and caught four passes for 79 yards, scoring two touchdowns as ACC routed Elon 42-14.

That win clinched the NAIA Division I National Championship for the Wildcats, who would go on to win another in 1977.

That 1973 team had something figured out that this current Wildcat

team is still working on: a national championship.

For years, the ‘Cats have seemed to have the right pieces in place.

Since Chris Thomsen took over as the head coach in 2005, current NFL players, Danieal Manning, Bernard Scott, Johnny Knox, Clyde Gates, Raymond Radway and Trevis Turner have all suited up for the purple and white.

Yet, with all those record-breaking players, the Wildcats’ latest NCAA national championship trophy still reads 1977.

“It’s hard to win a national championship at any level,” director of athletics Jared Mosley said.

“You have to have things fall into place. You have to have a few balls go your way. It’s a process.”

Soccer

The Wildcat football team stayed at No. 10 in the American Football Coaches’ Association poll released on Monday.

The Wildcats, who are 4-1 and 3-0 in the LSC, beat Eastern New Mexico 36-7 on Saturday, Oct. 8.

Mosley did say, however, that the Wildcats are headed in the right direction.

It’s hard to disagree.

In the last five seasons ACU has an overall record of 39-12, and that isn’t including the 10 wins vacated in 2007 Sophomore defender due to NCAA violations.

Brie Buschman was They have made the selected as the playoffs in each of those

Defensive Player of the see history page 9 Week on Wednesday, Oct. 12 for her performance in ACU’s wins over Midwestern State and Eastern New Mexico last week.

No. 2 Wildcats begin road stretch bryson shake sports editor

mandy lambright staff Photographer

Sophomore Whitley Lindholm strikes the ball against Eastern New Mexico Friday, Oct. 7.

The lone blemish on the No. 2 ACU women’s soccer team 11-0-1 record was caused by the Cardinals of Incarnate Word on September 16 in a 1-1 tie, and the Wildcats will get a chance at redemption Friday in San Antonio as they square off for the second time.

“This is going to be a big game for us,” sophomore forward Andrea Carpenter said. “We are really going to work hard and make sure that the same result doesn’t happen again against them. We’re using the first game as motivation for this one.”

This match will be the first of five away games for the ’Cats as the team wraps up their Lone Star Conference schedule.

“These next slate of

The women’s soccer team moved from No. 4 to No. 2 in the most games are crucial for the recent DII poll released continuation of our sea- on Tuesday, Oct. 11. son,” head coach Casey Wilson said. “In order to get to where we want to get, we need to make sure we’re prepared for the tasks at hand.”

Incarnate Word will be the first task at hand for the No. 2 Wildcats. The Cardinals (4-4-4) enter the match with a three-game losing streak in which opponents outscored them 8-2.

The Cardinals offense averages 1.42 goals per game, while giving up 1.50 to their opposition.

Additionally, they allow 12.7 shots per game while shooting 13.2 per game.

“Incarnate Word was the first team that played the back-heavy defense against us, and it worked well,” Wilson said. “They had a great strategy going

Danieal Manning, Texans safety, recorded three solo tackles on Sunday, Oct. 9 versus the Raiders. The Texans lost 20-25. Manning has 20 tackles on the year.

Wildcats face many challenges ahead assistant sports editor The ACU volleyball team improved its record in the Lone Star Conference on Tuesday night Oct. 11 at Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats beat Texas A&M University-Kingsville 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, and 25-16).

The Javelinas couldn’t muster much offensively, recording a hitting percentage of only .010. The team also had 31 errors in 105 attempts.

Senior Kelsie Edwards and her teammates kept Kingsville off-balance.

“It started with servereceive,” Edwards said.

“Playing defense around our block and just being consistent on and off the court was key.”

Three Javelina players ended the match with negative hitting percentages as Kingsville dropped to 10-9 and 4-8 in the LSC. ACU improved to 12-10 and 6-4 while it had a .261 team hitting percentage.

Head Coach Kellen Mock liked what she saw from her team.

“That was a good win for us,” Mock said. “It was one of the few times this season where we got on top of a team and took care of business from the beginning to the end. We dominated for nearly the entire match.”

“Our block has shown back up since the Washburn tournament,” she said. “Sarah Oxford has been a part of that along with Whitney Stevens and Neely Borger.”

Edwards felt the team needed to win in straight sets.

“A win in three was huge. I know we can beat a lot of teams in straight sets, and we proved that in this victory.”

Senior Jennie Hutt had a team high of 14 kills, followed by Kalynne Allen and Borger with seven apiece.

On the defensive side of the ball, Borger led the ‘Cats with six blocks.

Oxford helped contribute with four of the team’s 10 total blocks.

Edwards had 10 digs, and the Wildcats had 40 in the match.

Haley Rhoads was active, setting the ‘Cats up with 34 assists.

In the first set, ACU never fell behind Kingsville. see challenge page 9

Chicago Bears wide receiver Johnny Knox recorded two receptions for 17 yards and no touchdowns against the Lions on Monday, Oct. 10. The Bears lost the game 13-24.

Bengals running back Bernard Scott rushed for 20 yards on six carries and scored his first touchdown of the season on Sunday, Oct. 9. Scott also had two receptions for negative one yard. The Bengals beat the Jaguars 30-20. see weekend page 9 Scott has 19 carries for 56 yards on the year.

volleyball

edward isaacs

EX- FACTOR

Upcoming The volleyball team travels to Stephenville on Saturday, Oct. 15 to play LSC opponent Tarleton State at 2 p.m.

Women’s soccer faces Incarnate Word in San Antonio on Friday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. The team then plays Angelo State on Sunday, Oct. 16 in San Angelo at 1 p.m.

mandy lambright staff Photographer

Madelyn Robinett bumps the ball at Moody Coliseum.

Football will host LSC rival West Texas A&M at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 for Homecoming.

Friday 10.14.11

2B

homecoming

Homecoming 2011 Schedule of Events Friday

Galaxy: Cypress Street Center Gamma Sigma Phi: Homecoming Williams Performing Golf Classic Arts Center 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Diamondback Golf Club Sub T-16: Fairway Oaks Country Club Homecoming Carnival Tri Kappa Gamma: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Comfort Inn Williams Performing Arts Trojans: University Center Church of Christ

A Cappella Chorus Concert

JamFest

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Class of 1966: Hunter Welcome Center Class of 1971: Beehive Restaurant Class of 1976: Teague Special Events Center Class of 1981: Williams Performing Arts Center Class of 1986: Hunter Welcome Center Class of 1991: Hunter Welcome Center Class of 1996: Hunter Welcome Center atrium Class of 2001: The Warehouse Class of 2006: Mabee Business Building

Academic Reunion Receptions

6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Hunter Welcome Center 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Band and Orchestra: ACU Sports Hall of Williams Performing Fame Celebration and Arts Center Letterman’s Reunion College of 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Biblical Studies: Hunter Welcome Administration Building Center, McCaleb College of Business Conference Center Administration: Administration Building Chemistry Circus Family and Consumer 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Foster Science Building, Sciences: WACU Museum Walling Lecture Hall

Homecoming Musical: The King & I 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Abilene Civic Theatre

Saturday

Homecoming Parade 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

EN 16th St.

Homecoming Chapel 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

EN 16th St.

Social Club Breakfasts Academic Reunion Receptions 6 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Alpha Kai Omega: Ambassador Suites Delta Theta: Abilene Civic Center GATA: Hunter Welcome Center Ko Jo Kai: Abilene Civic Center Sigma Theta Chi: Abilene Country Club Frater Sodalis: Hunter Welcome Center

11:45 a.m. – 1:30 a.m.

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Hillcrest Church of Christ Communication Departmental Library B Sherrod building JMC and Student Media: JMC Network Lab

11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Williams Performing Arts Center

ACU vs. West Texas A&M 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Shotwell Stadium

Class Reunions

Homecoming Musical: The King & I 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Abilene Civic Theatre

Sunday Homecoming Musical: The King & I 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Abilene Civic Theatre

3B

campus news

friday 10.14.11

homecoming

Alumni return to campus for reunion dinners samantha sutherland features editor ACU alumni from nine different classes are returning to campus to take part in reunion dinners this weekend.

These dinners, which will happen all over campus and in places downtown, typically draw anywhere from 50 to 150 class members. Classes have the opportunity to reunite every five years, said Samantha Adkins, senior alumni relations officer. This year marks the first reunion of the 2006 graduating class.

For each class, a committee of class members is assembled to decide on the specifics of the dinner, Adkins said. The committee typically consists of people who were heavily involved

on campus allowing ideas to be shared from a variety of different perspectives to get a representative look at what the class wants.

Each class gets to choose from a buffet dinner or a reception style menu, Adkins said. About half chose a full sit down dinner while the other half chose more of a reception setting with highboys and a variety of heavy hors d’oeuvres.

“Some of them are doing slideshows of pictures that they have collected, and many of them do an open mic where they go around the room telling fun stories,” Adkins said.

Adkins said the university was able to secure some of the old Sing Song videos for a showing.

“Some classes get togeth-

er for more than just the reunion time that we set up.

They’ll have Chapel service on Sunday, or they’ll meet for a continuation party at a hotel, and some of them will meet at the carnival on Saturday night,” Adkins said.

“The class of ’76 is going to be a part of the homecoming parade this year.”

Each class is very different, Adkins said. Typically, the 15th reunion is smaller, because of the stage of life the classmates are going through during that time, and the association spends three days with the 50th anniversary class as it relives its glory days.

“They love coming back to campus and seeing the changes,” Adkins said.

“There are some beautiful things to see, and it’s nice to

see that students are continuing to be blessed by this place in the same way with some added benefits.”

Adkins said the Student Alumni Association is hosting all of the dinners, which gives them an opportunity to mix and mingle with all the classes.

Amanda McVey, senior advertising and public relations major from Round Rock, is the Student Alumni Association’s senior chair and has helped organize the reunion dinners.

McVey said the alumni are always really interested in the students on campus, and they seek to find similarities between their college experience and current students’ experiences.

“Alumni stay connected to the university through

JMC department

Gutenberg Dinner honors accomplished alumni mark smith managing editor The JMC Department presented the Gutenberg award to three alumni Thursday night in front of a group of about 250 alumni, faculty and students.

Ken Smalling (‘87), Tasha French (‘00) and Dr. Mimi Simons Barnard (‘81), all former Optimist staff, were awarded the department’s Distinguished Professional Achievement Award, the Gutenberg.

Smalling, vice president of global communications for Kimberley-Clark and Optimist sports editor in198485, played a video compilation of advertisements from his company, a division of Hewlett-Packard, before his acceptance speech.

Dr. Kenneth Pybus, faculty adviser and former

The Contributor, a publication in Nashville designed to report on homelessness and poverty issues.

Dr. Cheryl Mann Bacon, professor and chair of the JMC department, presided over the dinner and introduced Barnard, former student reporter for the Optimist in 1908-81. She is also the former vice president for professional development and research for the Council for Christian College and Universities.

Daniel gomez chief Photographer The physical award is a Dr. Mimi Barnard and Ken Smalling, recipients of the scale model of the printing Gutenberg award, display their presses Thursday night press invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1454.

An alumnus is eligible for Gutenberg recipient, intro- broadcast operations and duced Smalling as an old general manager of KACU, the award after 10 years have spoke for French who was passed since graduation and friend and colleague. his or her profession has dis“He was a true crossover unable to attend.

French was chief pho- tinguished him or her. student. Though his focus was AD/PR, he spent a year tographer of the Optimist as sports editor to improve in 1999-00. She has gone contact smith at on to be executive direchis writing,” Pybus said. mds10a@acu.edu John Best, director of tor, founder and designer of

their memories and through current students,” McVey said. “So, as students, if we can give them an insight into what’s happening on campus now, ACU will continue to stay relevant to them.”

McVey said the more unified a class is, the bigger their reunions tend to be. A class that was more invested and involved during its time on campus will show the highest attendance at reunions, no matter if it is their 5th or 50th reunion.

“Hearing about their experience and how much it meant to them makes me appreciate the time I have now but also makes me look forward to coming back to ACU,” McVey said.

Adkins said alumni keep coming back reunion after reunion because of the re-

lationships they have with their classmates.

“Even when you have Facebook and social media and all those types of activities, you still don’t get to see somebody face to face and have a true conversation. This is that opportunity to get together and to love on each other to some extent,” Adkins said. “I think that’s part of it, too. We see it’s just this community that really does care for each other, and even if you’ve gone through some tough times in your life, this is a place you can come back to and be blessed by the people you knew.” contact sutherland at sns08a@acu.edu

4b

friday 10.14.11

HOMECOMING MUSICAL

friday 10.14.11

5b

Getting to wow you Musical’s costumes and culture delight

H

By Zane Goggans

omecoming is bringing more than just a football game for the Wildcats; it also heralds another ACU tradition, the Homecoming musical.

This year’s Homecoming musical is The King and I, a story based on Margaret Landon’s 1944 novel, Anna and the King of Siam. The story draws from

SHOWTIMES FRIDAY 8 p.m.

SATURDAY 8 p.m.

SUNDAY 2 p.m.

TOP LEFT: Anna and the king, played by senior musical theater major Ashley Parizek of Dublin, Ohio, and senior musical theater major Peter Hargrave of Amarillo, dance onstage during Wednesday’s rehearsal.

TOP RIGHT: The royal students are portrayed by 22 local children.

RIGHT: Amanda Jarufe, junior musical theater and education major from Coppell, and Ashley Parizek prepare for Wednesday’s rehearsal.

FAR RIGHT: Siamese dancers perform in The King and I, the 2011 Homecoming musical performed at the Abilene Civic Center.

BOTTOM (LEFT TO RIGHT): Caryn Esch, sophomore musical theater major from Longview, adds finishing touches to her costume before Wednesday’s dress rehearsal. Melanie Godsey, senior acting major from San Antonio, applies stage makeup before rehearsal.

The royal wives of the king of Siam perform a musical number. adrian patenaude Staff Photographer

the true memoirs of Anna Leonowens in the 1800s.

Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II wrote the music for The King and I. Students have worked on the set and rehearsed for the musical since the first day of school in late August.

They will perform three shows this weekend at the Abilene Civic Center downtown.

Every year, the Department of Theatre goes through a process to choose which plays will they will produce the coming year.

“We wanted to do something different from the other years,” said assistant professor, Kari Hatfield, who serves as director for The King and I. “We all agreed to go

back to a classic, and this is the show everybody kept coming back to.”

For the Homecoming musical, only college students usually are chosen to play roles in the play. However, this musical adds some younger performers in addition to the main, college-aged roles. The musical boasts 22 children from the Abilene community to play small roles throughout the performance.

“We had open auditions for children over the summer and advertised here on campus and all over Abilene,” Hatfield said. “We came up with 22 kids who are enthusiastic.”

Because the musical is derived from real people in a historical

place in time, actors underwent research covering the culture of Siam, now Thailand, to enrich their performance and to bring a more authentic feel to the performance.

The cast received help from Thai students and from missions coordinator, Larry Henderson, in order to become more familiar with the culture of the Thai people.

“We did a lot of research because if this is done in a wrong way, it can be offensive to people,” said Seth Womack, junior musical theatre major from Justin. “We wanted to justly represent the people of Siam.

We even had some actors learn phrases in Thai, which is not called for in the script, but we wanted

to make it authentic for the audience.”

Womack also said he has done more research for his role, Lun Pha, than he has done for any other role he has performed.

Performances of The King and I begin tonight at 8 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. The other two performances will be Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Ticket prices and other information can be found by calling 325-674-ARTS. “Everyone is welcome,” Hatfield said.

“Come and support this tradition.”

contact goggans at zdg08b@acu.edu

Campus news

friday 10.14.11

6B

Homecoming Queen Nominees

Amy Archer

Kelsi Wicks

Arielle Collier

Corri Anne Wesley

Nursing major from Austin

Animal science/pre-vet major from Tyler

Vocal performance major from Mesquite

Advertising and public relations major from Amarillo

read the optimist

iPad iphone online

Morgan Myer

Erin Daugherty

Psychology major from Richardson

English major from Stephenville

ipod

Sarah Beardsley Family studies major from Keller

Kelsey Davis Organizational management major from San Angelo

Ravanne Harris

Katie Cupit

Management and marketing major from Katy

Exercise science/pre-physical therapy major from San Antonio

7B

sports Jumps

FRIDAY 10.14.11

volleyball

Challenge: TexAnns, home crowd will make for intriguing match for ACU from page 8

DANIEL GOMEZ CHIEF Photographer

The ACU team celebrates after winning a point at Moody.

At 21-11, the Javelinas tried to make a comeback.

The team rallied off six consecutive points behind three straight attacking errors on the ‘Cats.

An effective timeout by the Wildcats ended any hopes of a complete turnaround. Borger then finished off the set with a kill.

The second set proved to be more competitive.

There were four ties and three lead changes in the contest.

Hutt, Borger, and Rhoades all came up big when the set was tied at 15.

Hutt and Rhoades picked up kills.

On the other hand, Borger

was able to get a service ace.

During the third set, ACU took the momentum and ran with it. Down 6-5, the Wildcats scored 14 of the next 16 points, including two straight kills by Hutt.

The ‘Cats were up 20-9 late in the game when Kingsville attempted to halt the ACU win.

The Javelinas tightened the lead to 20-15 only to have three errors cost them the set and match.

Mock said now is the time for the Wildcats to play their best volleyball.

“We’re at a do or die scenario. If we keep winning, we could go to the conference tournament with a good seed.

If the girls don’t keep winning, we’ll be scratching and claw-

soccer

Weekend: Wildcats hope to seek revenge against UIW from page 8 into the game and caught us off guard. I expect nothing less from them this time around. They will present us with a challenge; I know that.”

In the first contest between the two teams, the Cardinals showed a newlook defense in which all but two players were positioned on the Wildcats’ half of the field to prevent breakaways and challenge the ACU forwards constantly.

The strategy proved effective for the Cardinals throughout the first half.

“It was frustrating be-

cause we weren’t expecting it initially, and they executed it well,” Carpenter said. “They constantly challenged me, but we’ll be ready this time and will be more prepared.”

Amber Guenther, who is leading the team in goals scored and points, paces the Cardinal offense.

Sarah Johnson and Angelica Carrizales follow suite, as they each have four goals apiece.

Sunday, the Wildcats will take on Angelo State (5-6-2) at 1 p.m.

The Rambelles beat Texas Woman’s 3-1 last weekend and will host Midwestern State Friday

“

This weekend, we just need to come out and play our game. If we do that, we will be fine.”

The ACU defense seems to be up to the challenge, though, as it has given opposing offenses fits all season, allowing 0.58 goals per game.

Offensively, ACU ranks andrea carpenter sophomore forward 22nd nationally in goals ACU SOccer per game (2.58), and Carpenter is ranked eleventh in goals scored (11) and prior to ACU on Sunday.

Forward Brandie De- total points (25).

“This weekend, we just Backer leads the Rambelles with eight goals and 18 need to come out and play points and poises a chal- our game and focus on belenge for the ACU defense. ing the best team we can “DeBacker is one of the be,” Carpenter said. “If we best players in the confer- do that, we will be fine.” ence,” Wilson said. “She is very dangerous and needs contact shake at to be accounted for at all bxs09a@acu.edu times by our defense.”

“

their emotion on the court.

“They’re a very emotional team, and so we’ve been preparing for that.

This will be a great opportunity for us to beat a good kellen mock squad because they have head coach tall players and they’re acu volleyball loud on the floor.”

According to Mock, Stephenville is a rough enviing our way to get in.”

ACU’s next game is on ronment to play in.

“Tarleton is really tough Saturday, Oct. 15 against to play at their place. They Tarleton State.

The battle will take place have one of the best home crowds I’ve ever seen, and in Stephenville at 2 p.m.

Tarleton State is 13-9 they make it hard on visoverall and 7-3 against iting teams. The fact that their gym is small only teams in the LSC. The Texans’ only confer- adds to this issue.” ence losses were to Angelo State and Texas Woman’s. contact isaacs at Edwards said the Javjei08a@acu.edu elinas aren’t afraid to show

I know we can beat a lot of teams in straight sets, and we proved that in this victory. ”

sports

Wednesday 10.12.11

8B

#10 ACU vs. #17 West Texas A&M Game Preview

Defense

Offense

Intangibles

Another week, another 30+ point performance from the Wildcat offense. Mitchell Gale is spreading the ball around, and everyone is getting in while the getting is good. Last week eight different receivers caught a pass.

This time it is West Texas A&M taking home a close win. There is no mistaking that the Wildcat defense is strong, but the numbers don’t lie. The Buffs have allowed only three touchdowns in the last three games.

This is one of the oddest rivalries in all of Division II. Since both teams’ head coaches started in 2005 the road team has won every regular season game in this rivalry, while the home team has won every playoff game.

The West Texas offense isn’t anything to scoff at either as they have put up at least 40 three times this season. However, in their last game the Buffs only put up 19 points against a weak Angelo State team. Points aren’t the only determining factor, though. WT has the turnover bug. They have turned the ball over an astounding 11 times and at least once in every game. In contrast, the Wildcats have gone three full games without a single turnover.

This match-up is always high-scoring including the 93-68 playoff game in 2008, so the defenses might not matter. If it turns into an old-fashioned West Texas shoot-out, the ACU defense could be on the ropes as the secondary has been suspect all year. The WT defensive backs could be in trouble, too, though against Gale. Both defenses will surely be bent, but can ACU’s weather the blows?

The Buffs have spoiled ACU’s Homecoming every odd year since 2005. WT is smart enough to not schedule the Wildcats as their Homecoming opponent, but the ’Cats think the streak can be broken this year.

Another strange coincidence is that this will be the seventh straight match-up of ACU and WT that will feature a top-10 team. Let’s hope the rankings hold true in this game.

football

History: 1977 team provides inspiration same season since 1977.

“When you look at years, but they have only the program, and while won a combined three it’s disappointing that playoff games, and they we don’t have a national haven’t had two in the championship, you have from page 8

“

I definitely think it can happen this season. We have the pieces.”

peaks at the right time, it can win the entire thing.

I think Coach Thomsen is happy with the progression of the team so far.”

Bullington says the secret is recruiting the right jared mosley director of athletics players and that Coach Abilene Christian Thomsen is doing just that.

“In recent years, the program has continued to rise,” to realize it’s extremely hard.”

Bullington said. “Coach Mosley said. “Unfortunately Thomsen and his staff are some of things that it takes real good recruiters. It’s well to win a national championestablished, and this team ship aren’t in your control.” will do well.”

There wasn’t much outDANIEL GOMEZ CHIEF Photographer While the 2011 version of side of the Wildcats’ conHead Coach Chris Thomsen observes his team’s play the Wildcats might not have a trol in 1973. future Pro-Bowl running back After an opening game on the sideline of Shotwell Stadium during a game. like Wilbert Montgomery on loss, the Wildcats rattled off 11 straight victories behind person to score that much to hoist the coveted national the roster, hopes are high that Montgomery’s 31 touch- in a season,” Bullington said championship trophy again. this could be the year that It will just take the right ACU gets over the hump and downs that year, which is referring to Montgomery. adds some hardware to an al“He was a special player. circumstances to win it. still an ACU record.

“I definitely think it ready stuffed trophy case.

In 2007, Scott broke the Those don’t come around can happen this season,” record with 35 touchdowns, very often.”

Both Bullington and Mos- Mosley said. “We have the but NCAA sanctions wiped contact GWIN at that record away. “It’s very ley think that the current pieces. A team can start off AGG07a@acu.edu unusual at any level for one ‘Cats team has what it takes the season rocky, but if it

column

Wildcats sit pretty midway through the season The Sports Jedi austin gwin We are five games into a ten game schedule for the ACU Wildcat football team, and right now, the ‘Cats are where they want to be.

Coach Chris Thomsen has his guys at 4-1 overall and, more importantly, 3-0 in the Lone Star Conference.

Sure, there have been some plays the Wildcats would like to have back.

Quarterback Mitchell Gale’s four interceptions in the first five quarters of the season were a surprise, as was a lack of offense in the Cowboy Stadium game against North Alabama. All in all though, the ‘Cats’ record is still spotless where it counts – conference play.

The Wildcats have taken care of some of the weaker teams in conference this year, and this week’s game against a very, very good West Texas A&M team will be a nice test to see where ACU actually sits in the LSC. Since we are an academic institution, let’s give the ‘Cats some mid-season grades.

Offense: B- Two weeks ago this grade might have been quite a bit lower, but

“

All in all though, the ’Cats record is still spotless where it counts – conference play.”

the offense has turned a corner in the past two games. We are finally seeing the offense fans got used to seeing last season.

Gale has found his rhythm and is starting to develop a chemistry with his new starting receivers, Taylor Gabriel and Darian Hogg.

Since the no-show against North Alabama, the ‘Cats have scored 31, 51 and 36 in the past three weeks and haven’t turned the ball over once in those games. There is still room to improve, but the ‘Cats are moving in the right direction.

Defense: A- Like the offense, the defense came into the season with some questions. While the defense has been bent, they have rarely broken and have been critical in some of the Wildcat’s victories this season. Without the defense, ACU would have lost to Tarleton to begin the season and would have been massacred against UNA. Aston Whiteside and the pass rush has been out-

standing in flustering opposing quarterbacks, and although the secondary has some holes to fill, they have limited the big play.

Special Teams: A The Wildcats have always been a threat on kick and punt returns, and this year is no different. Gabriel is an explosive player fielding punts and already has a return TD this season. If not for a penalty, he would have two. He constantly is getting the ‘Cats’ prime field position. The one onside kick we have seen from the Wildcats was executed to perfection and should have been recovered. This unit has been a huge asset for ACU and will continue to be the rest of this year.

This Wildcat team might not have the flash they have had in past years, but this is a very solid football team. There are still plenty of leaders in the locker room to guide this team to the playoffs, and I expect this squad to get there. They are ranked No. 10 in the nation for a reason. Hopefully they can show that to fans this Saturday at Shotwell.

contact GWIN at AGG07a@acu.edu