Optimist the
Vol. 98, No. 25
Weekday Getaway
PAGE 5 1 section, 8 pages
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
BREAKING NEWS, VIDEOS, PHOTOS, DISCUSSION AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
acuoptimist.com
FACULTY
‘Credible Witness’ addresses social inequality Adrianna Castaneda Contributing Reporter ACU faculty met Tuesday to discuss Dr. Salter McNeil’s latest book about spiritual and social reconciliation, A Credible Witness.
On Jan. 10, Dr. Salter McNeil, president and founder of Salter McNeil & Associates and leader in the field of racial, ethnic and gender reconciliation, will continue the conversation on racial reconcili-
ation at ACU through a discussion of the book. Dr. Garry Bailey, associate professor of conflict resolution, and Dr. Stephanie Hamm, assistant professor of social work, team-led a faculty
reading group centered on McNeil’s book. Hamm said the group could lead toward reconciliation and greater cultural competence on campus. “Reconciliation is an issue happening now in
our country, and historically, religious groups have not been coming together on these issues,” Hamm said. United by Faith, a faithbased group of ACU faculty and students, meets
LOCAL
once a month to talk about issues of race reconciliation with the intent of furthering the movement on campus and throughout the Abilene community, see READING page 4
ECONOMY
Grads prepare for job market Brittany Brand Contributing Reporter
If the warehouse was equipped with sprinklers, they were not working properly, Goettsch said. Half of the AFD’s force – about 30 firefighters, five engines and two ladder trucks – worked for hours to prevent the fire from spreading. “Ninety percent of the time, one sprinkler head will extinguish the fire,” Goettsch said. “It’s really uncommon for this many Abilene firefighters to be on the scene.” In addition to the sheer size
Recent rises in unemployment have worried some students searching for job opportunities after graduation. The unemployment rate rose from 9.8 percent to 10.2 percent in October, the highest rate since 1983, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Web site, www. bls.gov. Since the start of the recession in December 2007, the number of unemployed persons has risen by 8.2 million, and the unemployment rate has grown by 5.3 percentage points. Ben Martinez, junior accounting major from Abilene, said finding a job will be one of his biggest challenges after graduation if the economy does not improve. “If the unemployment rate continues to rise, there will be greater competition for jobs,” he said. The Web site reported construction, retail trade and manufacturing industries were experiencing the most job losses. The ACU Career Center
see FIRE page 4
see JOBS page 4
JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer
Above: Firefighters worked through the night to ensure all hot spots were extinguished and all walls collapsed. Below: Five engines and two ladder trucks were among more than a dozen emergency vehicles around the building on Plum Street between North 4th Street and North 5th Street.
Fire destroys warehouse Colter Hettich Editor in Chief
HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer
A two-alarm fire burnt an Abilene warehouse to the ground at 401 Plum St. on Monday. Abilene firefighters arrived on the scene shortly after 5 p.m., after a passing motorist noticed smoke coming from the building and called 911. Abilene Fire Department Lieutenant Greg Goettsch said he believed the fire began in the northwest corner of the 40,000-square-foot building. By 11 p.m., workers had collapsed
View a 360˚ panoramic of the scene as firefighters battled the blaze Monday night.
acuoptimist.com standing walls and were removing rubble to extinguish remaining hot spots. “At this point, we don’t have a dollar estimate of the losses and still no injuries reported,” Goettsch said. “I think we’ll be out here all night.” The investigation for the cause of the fire continues.
ART
Student artists make showing at area competition Christianna Lewis Contributing Reporter The Big Country Art Association Competition intimidated many students, but it didn’t keep them from participating – or winning. Last year, judges awarded first, second and third place to art professors, not students,
although the contest is open to anyone in the Big Country. So, when Isaac Castillo, junior fine arts major from Pleasanton, got a call from the BCAA treasurer, he said he thought she was just asking him to pick up his rejected work. Instead, he was informed his sculpture, an untitled abstract made
Forecast Wed
69° 47°
from plaster, milk jugs and balloons, had won third place. “I wondered if anyone was interested in looking at this,” Castillo said, beaming, “As it turns out, I guess they were.” Rolando Diaz, a wellknown artist and 1979 ACU graduate, chose the entries for the show, which included several by
ACU students, said Dan McGregor, assistant professor of art and outgoing president of the BCAA. Diaz then selected three Best in Show winners from the paintings, photographs and sculptures. Each of the winners received cash prizes, and the BCAA honored them see CONTEST page 4
Inside Thu
73° 48°
Fri
59° 51°
WILDCAT FOOTBALL emerged on top after Saturday’s playoff nail-biter against Midwestern, 24-21. Get Optimist analysis and gamebreakers. Page 8
JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer
Eric Grasham, senior ceramics major from Dallas, threw 100 bowls in his classroom for the Empty Bowls project.
Online THE MAYAN CALENDAR ends Dec. 21, 2012, and some worry the world might end with it. The new film 2012 might shake you up, but we’ll be around for ’13. Page 6
LOUDandCLEAR
PHOTO
Can the Droid compete with the iPhone? a. Yes, people are ready for something new. b. No, the iPhone already has won our hearts. c. We are all going to die in 2012. Warehouse Fire
Visit acuoptimist.com to join the discussion.
2
Campus Day Wednesday, November 18, 2009
CALENDAR AND EVENTS
18
WEDNESDAY
4 p.m. New Moon release party at the Mockingbird Branch of the Abilene Public Library
19
THURSDAY
20
7:30 p.m. ACU Theatre Mauritius Studio Premiere
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 before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.
FRIDAY
5 p.m. Double-Elimination Flag Football Tournament 7 p.m. Free Movie Night in Cullen Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince 7:30 p.m. ACU Theatre Mauritius Studio Premiere 8 p.m. The Nutcracker at the Paramount Theatre
Chapel Checkup
The premiere of Mauritius will take place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 in The Culp Theatre. Call 674-2787 to purchase tickets. Tickets are also available online at www. acu.edu/theatre and at the Box Office in the Williams Performing Arts Center, open from 1-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Skillet’s Awake & Alive tour with Hawk Nelson will take place at 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Abilene Civic Center. Tickets can be bought in advance for $18.50 or $23 at the door. Groups of 10 or more can purchase tickets for $15 each. Tickets can be bought at Beltway Park Church, Lifeway and Mardel Stores, or online at www. iTickets.com. Roots Art and Design Exhibition will take place from 7-9 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Shore Art Gallery. It is an exhibit
of paintings, sculpture, architectural and interior design by five ACU seniors. Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. A free movie night will take place from 7-11 p.m. Nov. 20 in Cullen Auditorium. Watch Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince for free with a valid student ID. A double-elimination flag football tournament will take place from 5-11 p.m. Nov. 20 at the intramural fields. The tournament will be hosted by the women of Delta Theta, and all funds will go to Meals on Wheels to feed families during the holidays. Residence Life will begin hiring residence assistants Dec. 1 for the 2010-11 school year. Apply through ACU CareerLink. The Prairie Song Project will present a con-
cert at 8 p.m. Nov. 19 in the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Admission is free. Reserve textbooks for the spring semester before Dec. 31. Reserving books is free and can be done in The Campus Store. The ACU Percussion Ensemble and Steel Drum Band will present a concert at 8 p.m. Nov. 16 in Cullen Auditorium. The concert will feature works by composers Lou Harrison and Steve Reich, as well as contemporary sounds for the steel drum band. Admission is free.
senior citizens and children. Tickets can be purchased in the Paramount Theatre lobby. Call 675-0303 for more information. Santa will arrive at 11 a.m. Nov. 21 at the Mall of Abilene. Abilene Performing Arts Company’s Fusion Dance Team will also perform. Santa will be in the women’s Dillard’s courtyard through Christmas Eve. Alice in Wonderland will take place at 7 p.m. in the Van Ellis Theatre at Hardin-Simmons University. Call 670-1405 for more information.
The Abilene Educational Supply book fair will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 17-18 in the McGlothlin Campus Center. All funds will benefit the Brown Library.
A New Moon release party will take place at 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Mockingbird Branch of the Abilene Public Library. There will be a trivia game and a lookalike contest.
The Abilene Ballet Theatre will present The Nutcracker at 8 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $10 for
The Hendrick Hospice Care Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Mall of Abilene. The tree will be on display at the Mall of Abilene through Jan. 2.
Credited Chapels remaining:
62 9
Volunteer Opportunities The Salvation Army needs volunteers on Nov. 26 to serve Thanksgiving dinner. Call 677-1408 for more information. The Veterans Association needs volunteers to serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Abilene Civic Center on Nov. 26. Call Jim Defoor at 674-1328 for more information.
Announcements
Credited Chapels to date:
The Salvation Army needs volunteers to help shoppers select Angel Tree toys, keep Angel Tree records, label items and receive gifts. Contact Cecilia Barahona at 677-1557 for more information. The International Rescue Committee needs volunteers for its Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 26. Volunteers can cook, set up tables, serve dinner, or clean up. Volunteers are also needed to drive the refugees home. Contact Georgia Saniuk at gls05e@acu.edu for more information. The Christian Service Center needs volunteers to fill requests for clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, etc. from the donation center. Volunteers may work Friday or Saturday from noon-4 p.m. Contact Jim Clark at 673-7531 for more information. Literacy teachers are needed at the International Rescue Commitee. Volunteers will help refugees learn to read and write. All volunteers are required to attend an IRC orientation and a literacy workshop and must commit to two to four hours per week for at least three months. Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to deliver hot meals to seniors and adults with disabilities each week. Volunteers may work once a week, Monday-Friday, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Contact Elisabeth Rodgers at 672-5050 for more information.
The International Rescue Commitee needs volunteers to set up apartments before refugees arrive. This includes shopping for household supplies, assembling furniture, and putting away kitchen and food items. All volunteers are required to attend an IRC volunteer orientation and must be available during weekday afternoons. Reliable transportation and ability to perform minor physical labor are also required. The College Heights Friendship House needs help with children’s activities from 3-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Call 829-6514 for more information. The Noah Project needs volunteers to cover the domestic violence crisis hotline Monday-Friday between 6 and 10 p.m. Contact Yvonne Myers at 676-7107 for more information. HERO, Hendrick Equine Rehabilitation Opportunities, is in search of volunteers to walk or jog alongside horses to support and assist clients with challenges. Requires at least one hour per week. Sessions run Sept. 29 through Nov. 19. Breakfast On Beech Street serves breakfast to homeless and lowerincome members of the Abilene community, and is in need of volunteers to serve and prepare breakfast. Breakfast is served at the First Christian Church on 3rd and Beech Street from 6:30-7:15 a.m. Volunteers must arrive at 5:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 5 a.m. on Tuesdays. If interested, visit the First Christian Church’s Web site at www.fccabilene.org/outreach.html.
Campus News
November 18, 2009
Page 3
SERVICE
Mu Phi Epsilon collects donations at Food Jive Jill Dougher Contributing Reporter Mu Phi Epsilon, an honor music fraternity, will collect canned goods for the West Texas Food Bank during the Canned Food Jive at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the Williams Performing Arts Center. The Canned Food Jive will consist of both vocal and instrumental performances by members of Mu Phi. Entry to the recital costs two canned food items per person. Donated cans will be taken to the Food Bank to help feed people during the Thanksgiving holidays. Mu Phi’s president, Jill Nelson, junior vocal music education major from Fort Worth, said past audiences were composed of mostly music majors because it
was an opportunity to gain needed recital credits. “This is the first year we’ve advertised,” Nelson said. “I’m hoping people that aren’t just music majors will attend.” Members of the club are given the opportunity to perform a piece of their choice. Most performances are vocal solos, with the exception of one duet, Nelson said. Mu Phi’s recording secretary, Arielle Collier, sophomore vocal performance major from Mesquite, said she is glad to be participating in something that will give back to the community. “It’s a great way to help out the less fortunate people of Abilene,” she said. “It’s one of our most successful activities that Mu Phi sponsors.”
Other activities include singing for the elderly at the Christian Village Retirement Home, Nelson said. Meredith Morgan, sophomore vocal music education major from Arlington, said she is looking forward to the recital. She said students should take advantage of opportunities to get into the holiday spirit and support a good cause – especially when organizations make it affordable. “It’s easy to blame cost issues as a factor for not attending school events, but there are no excuses now,” Morgan said. “There’s bound to be Ramen packages lying around somewhere.” KELSI WILLIAMSON Staff Photographer
contact Dougher at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Liz McClellan, junior family studies major from Austin, collects donations in the Campus Center for Come Together ACU, a service project to feed families in need during the holidays.
ACADEMICS
Honors College begins murder mystery production Bailey Neal Contributing Reporter The Honors College is auditioning Honors students for parts in a new murder mystery written by students for a dinner theatre performance in the spring. Students can come by the Honors offices and read selections from the script from 5-7 p.m. Thursday during the first round of a short audition process, said Bethany Scroggins,
programming director for the Honors College. “The script for the show is written by Honors students and performed by Honors students,” Scroggins said. The judges will fill about 10 parts. Scroggins said the decision will be based on how well a student fits the director’s vision for a character, not their major or theatre experience. The Honors College has organized around six
murder mysteries in past years, Scroggins said, although this performance is only the second consecutive one in several years, Like the ACU masquerade, this dinner is a production the Honors College wants to reinstate as an annual tradition. Scroggins said last year’s murder mystery auditions pulled in three times the number of students as available parts. When the parts
had been cast, the director was surprised to find none of the actors were theatre majors. “I think it just kind of proves that Honors students have varied interests and that they are very good at multiple things,” Scroggins said. “We’re encouraging people to come by if they’re interested, not really if it’s something they want to do in their future.” Once auditions are finished, rehearsals will
start for the production, which is expected to show either in February or early March. Last year, the murder mystery was performed for prospective Honors students, but this dinner will be open to all students. “The people at the dinner are usually involved in the play,” Scroggins said. “They have a role, if not a speaking part or lines.” The location and menu of the event are still be-
ing finalized, because they depend heavily on details in the script. Once the script is finished, then advisers can determine logistical things, including the ticket price. Excerpts from the script can be picked up from the Honors College office in Room 100 in Zellner Hall.
contact Neal at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
From Front
Page 4
LOCAL
November 18, 2009
ECONOMY
Fire: 40,000 square feet Jobs: Outlook gloomy burned, cause unknown Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1 of the building, Goettsch said the intense heat of the blaze exhausted firefighters quickly. Rotating teams gave fatigued firefighters opportunity to rest, and American Red Cross volunteers provided water, sports drinks and snacks. At
7:15 p.m., Goettsch said the fire was contained. Wes Ratliff, owner of Automated Copy Systems Inc., began leasing space in the warehouse four months ago. He received a call from Paul Johnson, the property owner, at 6:45 p.m. Monday. “I didn’t know for sure what was happen-
ing,” Ratliff said. “We weren’t even sure it was our building.” Monday’s flames destroyed 90 copy machines. Ratliff said he moved the machines from ACU’s campus to the storage facility last week.
contact Hettich at
clh05d@acu.edu
ART
Contest: Local competition recognizes student artists Continued from page 1
at a reception during ArtWalk on Saturday. Castillo was out of town during the ceremony; he said he would receive his $100 check in the mail. Several other ACU art students have been recognized in other shows. Corbin Cawyer, senior fine arts major from Colleyville, won first place in the sculpture category in the Center for Contemporary Arts’ second Intercollegiate Student Art Competition. Exhibit organizers accepted a number of art pieces from ACU students, although the
competition was open to all Abilene colleges, Cawyer said. Cawyer received a $100 prize for his bronze sculpture at the awards ceremony Thursday. These competitions are more than an opportunity for art students to earn a little cash, said Geoff Broderick, professor of art. Art shows offer exposure to rising artists – vital to a professional career in art – and affirm students’ belief in their ability, he said. Winning a Best in Show award at his first art competition outside ACU certainly got rid of Castillo’s anxiety, Castillo said. He is already
planning to submit his work to several art shows in the spring. “It’s hard to imagine making any money with art,” he said. “Something like this really builds your confidence. It’s like I could actually be a real artist.” Students can see winning artwork from all the colleges at the Center for Contemporary Arts at 22 Cypress St. through Dec. 30. The BCAA competition’s entries are also on display at ACU’s Cockerell Gallery at 1133 N. 2nd St. through Dec. 4.
contact Lewis at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
offers many resources for students seeking employment in these or other industries - on and off campus. CareerLink is one of the tools available to students looking for a job. ACU CareerLink is an online career-management system where employers can post job openings, and students can browse potential jobs and internships. Debora Fahasoavana, junior business management major from Madagascar, has taken advantage of an oncampus job working at the desk in A.B. Morris
Hall. However, she also is worried about finding a job after graduation. She said she hopes to get an internship but has only a year to find employment before her visa runs out. “There are a lot of businesses here, so I am a little optimistic,” Fahasoavana said. Fahasoavana said her biggest fear is going home, because the economic situation is much worse there than it is here. Martinez remains optimistic for the future, as well, despite the rising unemployment rate. “I plan to do an internship with Ernst Young in the spring of 2011 and
then come back to ACU for graduate school,” Martinez said. Martinez said he hopes Ernst Young, one of the largest accounting firms in the U.S., will hire him full time after he finishes graduate school. He said he thinks the internship would increase his chances of being offered a position at the firm. For more information about CareerLink, visit www.acu .edu /campu soffices/careercenter/ careerlink.
contact Brand at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
FACULTY
Reading: Racial, ethnic relationships examined Continued from page 1 Bailey said. He pointed to the public apology made by Dr. Money in 1999 as an example. Dr. Money’s apology was delivered in a Southwest Christian College auditorium filled with African-American students who had been excluded from mainstream universities. Money apologized for past injustices ACU committed through its
acceptance policies – or lack thereof – for AfricanAmerican students. Dr. Dwayne Harapnuik, director of faculty enrichment, said the reading group and faculty discussions with McNeil are all part of a “bigger picture.” Harapnuik said the discussions are leading to a presentation by Tim Wise, an anti-racist author, who will speak to students, faculty and other Abilenians on March 2. Wise will explain how
to identify “systems of privilege,” specifically that of whites in America, said Dennis Marquardt, education technology project manager. Wise will discuss how the systems developed and if they exist today, particularly on campus. “This might irritate people and cause an uproar, but it will prepare the campus,” Harapnuik said. contact Castaneda at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Focus
November 18, 2009
Page 5
H
ealing hands
KELSI WILLIAMSON Staff Photographer
Freshman capitalizes on gift for massage therapy Cara Leahy Contributing Reporter From the age of 11, Laura Kaminsky knew she was called to healing. Kaminsky, freshman psychology major from Houston, comes from a family she says has “strong hands,” and a grandfather whose massage therapy skills were said to have cured headaches. “It’s kind of the only thing I was born good at – it was a gift to have it,” Kaminsky says. “People always start asking you, ‘Well, what do you want to be?’ I knew I wanted to be a massage therapist.” From an early age, Kaminsky had given back massages to friends and family, but her mother helped her realize the extent of her talents. “One day, I was giving her a massage, and my mom just told me, ‘You’re blessed to do this. What you do is a blessing,’ and it just went from there,” she says. Kaminsky, a California native, says a Christian college was the only option for her, which is why she ended up at ACU. Kaminsky says this is where many of her dreams began to fall into place. “I had been scared to tell my dad – I’m an athlete, so to say I wanted to do something so ‘froofy,’ I was afraid he was going to ask me why
I wanted to do that,” Kaminsky says. Instead, she says, her father listened to her plans, including her decision to get a business degree rather than immediately attend massage therapy school. Though she expected his support, his response exceeded her expectations. “He told me he would pay for my higher education, that he wanted me to have that,” she says. “My dad’s very supportive of his girls. He wanted me to have that degree.” After that, Kaminsky says she worked diligently to learn how to become a licensed therapist. “I talked to a woman at an Abilene school of massage to learn what classes I’d need to take, and she gave me a list,” Kaminsky says, laughing as she pulls out a handwritten list from her desk. “She was really prepared.” Her goal, Kaminsky says, is to open a Christian massage therapy parlor, where her gift will be used for ministry as well as business. Ideally, she plans to begin training for her license her junior year, allowing her finish both her undergraduate and massage therapy degrees concurrently. To achieve this, Kaminsky says, she keeps to a pretty strict lifestyle. “I don’t go out and party – I don’t, because I want to be a mom someday,” she says. “I do it because I
KELSI WILLIAMSON Staff Photographer
Above: Tori McFadden, freshman nursing major from San Antonio, receives a massage from her roommate, Laura Kaminsky, freshman psychology major from Houston. Kaminsky hopes to one day own her own Christian massage therapy parlor. Below: Kaminsky massages roommate McFadden. Kaminsky normally prays with clients before beginning massage therapy treatment. want to tell my kids that it is possible.” In the meantime, however, Kaminsky is practicing her gifts for free for anyone who needs some prayerful relaxation. Her dorm room functions as a welcoming pink and white oasis with “Free Massages” writ-
ten neatly on the door. Inside, a soft lamp and soothing music offer a quiet setting. One student, Amanda Buchanan, senior psychology major from Lubbock, took advantage of Kaminsky’s offer. Buchanan said stress and sleeping badly had
caused back pain and sent her searching for relief. After their initial contact, Buchanan went to Kaminsky’s dorm, where she said Kaminsky did something that made quite an impression. “She asked me if I had any prayer requests, and she prayed with me over those prayer requests before she began,” Buchanan says. “That spoke volumes to me about her faith.” Kaminsky says prayer is something she uses throughout the massage process, praying not only over students’ requests but also over specific parts of the body that hurt or need healing. The half-hour massage, Buchanan says, was similar to a past professional massage, and she notes Kaminsky made an effort to create a comparable atmosphere. Afterward, Buchanan says, her back pain went away, leading her to recommend a friend who suffered chronic back problems. “She was very, very sweet,” Buchanan says. “She doesn’t charge anything – she wants to practice. She wants to have people to work on.” Kaminsky continues to offer free massages and studies any type of massage a student requests before her appointments. Her skills range from basic to specialty massag-
es, which target specific problem areas. Kaminsky says her years as an athlete prepared her for clients with sports injuries, as well. From middle to high school, Kaminsky says she played every sport available and hopes to play intramural volleyball. She was also a cheerleader and a dancer, which gives her an understanding not only of the muscles athletes use, but also the best ways to help relieve their aches and pains. At this point, Kaminsky offers massages only for girls, because working from her dorm does not allow for a broad clientele. However, she says she enjoys meeting people through her work, and she hopes she can continue to use it to minister to others. “Healing doesn’t need to be a religion,” she said. “I just keep my religion in the healing that I do.” 1 Corinthians 12:12 is Kaminsky’s “theme” verse. “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ,” Kaminsky says, quoting from memory. “Being an athlete, I was always on a team, and with this, well, it takes more than one person to heal. It takes two – I’m just his tool.” contact Leahy at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Opinion
Page 6
EDITORIAL
November 18, 2009
‘2012’ depicts popular, false theories interpretations of the Mayan calendar, according to a modern-day Mayan elder, Chile Pixtun, in a story for the Associated Press. The story goes on to say, “Most archaeologists, astronomers and Maya say the only thing likely to hit Earth [in 2012] is a meteor shower of New Age philosophy, pop astronomy, Internet doomsday rumors and TV specials.” For Christians, a major problem with the theory is the lack of Biblical foundation. While the Bible does describe to some extent the end of the world, the Bible also makes it very clear no one knows when the end times are coming. Jesus states in Matthew 24:36,
after seeing Mike Myers in the film adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat. However, that has not discouraged thousands of people from starting blogs and publishing books searching for, or giving evidence of, the coming apocalypse. All of the hype about the end of the world was sparked by one little historical fact: the Mayan Long Calendar ends on Dec. 21, 2012. Some believe on that day, a catastrophic event will occur, wiping out mankind. Others believe there will be a transformation that brings about a “New Age” of civilization. Many of these ideas cannot be traced to the Mayans, but to Western
An earthquake shakes the foundation of a house. Entire buildings collapse into one another as glass and metal fall from the sky onto the ongoing destruction and mayhem below. Giant waves, taller than the Eiffel Tower, rise up and swallow cities whole. All of these are scenes from 2012, the latest doomsday blockbuster to hit theatres. Although the scenes of destruction are the product of special effects and computer-generated images, the movie leaves many people wondering, “Could this really happen?” It’s a silly question, and asking it has no more validity than posing the same question
“No one knows about the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Many have tried to make connections between current events and those described in the Bible. A Web site called www.the-end.com proclaims, “The year 2008 marked the last of God’s warnings to mankind and the beginning of a countdown of the final three and one-half years of man’s self-rule that will end by May 27, 2012.” Another Web site, Survive2012.com, claims, “There is zero scientific evidence that anything will happen, but there are numerous things that could easily
Ataraxia
By Jordan Blakey
THE ISSUE
Many theories and a recent movie predict the end of the world will occur in 2012.
OUR TAKE
These claims are not based on fact, but irrational fear seen time and again in predictions, such as Y2K. threaten the human species in the year 2012, such as a geomagnetic reversal, asteroid strike or supernova. Or something more intimate, like a flu pandemic or a nuclear war.” All of this should reinforce the idea this panic has no basis in reality but is instead mere speculation. We have seen this before. From the Y2K panic to the mass hysteria following the radio broad-
cast of War of the Worlds, the alarm far outweighs the reality. It is much more likely Dec. 22, 2012, will be much like Oct. 31, 1938, the day after War of the Worlds was broadcast, or Jan. 1, 2000 – completely ordinary.
Email the Optimist at:
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
COLUMN
Music contains valuable lessons Little Linda Linda Bailey
COLUMN
Technology trumps human contact Sondra Not Sandra Sondra Rodriguez Nov. 6 marked the beginning of a clash of the techies, as digital connoisseurs began to compare the features and capabilities of the n e w l y released Droid, Rodriguez made by Motorola and sold by Verizon Wireless, with those of Apple’s iPhone. The commercial is as epic as The Lord of the Rings and leaves the impression such an amazing piece of technology is indestructible – mostly because it looks like it was created by Transformers. According to PC World, the Droid weighs less than six ounces, boasts an 854-by-480-pixel touch screen, a five-megapixel camera capable of DVDquality video recording,
a sliding keyboard and a voice-activated GPS system – bad news for Garmin and TomTom. It can multitask like no one’s business, connects with Google’s Android Market and about 10,000 applications, and the battery offers 385 minutes of talk time – just a few of its many features. Maybe it’s because I came to ACU before freshmen were showered with iPhones, but all these new capabilities mean to me is more awkward conversations with people whose phones are attached to them like an appendage. It’s great you have the world at your fingertips, but how are your people skills? We’re all guilty of it. We cling to our phones, waiting for a tidbit of information we’ve convinced ourselves we can’t live without. We’ve become so addicted to the ability to talk to anyone and look
We’re all guilty of it. We cling to our phones, waiting for a tidbit of information we’ve convinced ourselves we can’t live without. up anything at the tap of a finger that we’ve come to believe it’s a bad thing when we aren’t reachable. We get a tiny high knowing we’re the first to share some juicy news, but it only lasts a few minutes till we’re Googling, Facebooking and Tweeting for our next hit. But one of these days, your iPhone is going to break, and you’re going to be left with a God-given sound box you forgot how to use. You might have to pick up a newspaper – one that isn’t free and shoved in your face after Chapel. Maybe you’ll have to get lost in a city to learn your way around, instead of having some robotic British
Editorial and Letter Policy
Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters
containing personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
woman lead you to your destination like a child on a leash. Maybe you won’t have the chance to “thumbs up” your old college roommate’s pictures of her new baby – you might try congratulating her in person. I’m not technologically savvy, and I realize regressing in our communication development is quite unlikely, but for the sake of human interaction, give it a shot.
contact Rodriguez at:
sar06g@acu.edu
Optimist the
Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Newsroom (325) 674-2439
Sports Desk (325) 674-2684
Relient K has come a long way from its Sadie Hawkins Dance days. Maybe it’s my personal bias toward Matthew Thiess e n ’ s angelic voice, but his sevBailey enth CD – released in October – is one of the best yet. I bought the CD the day after it was released, and I began listening to it as soon as I started my truck. As I was driving down the road back to my apartment, I heard the chorus of the first song say, “I’d rather forget and not slow down than gather regret for the things I can’t change now.” The lyrics are actually the name of the CD, Forget and Not Slow Down, and they certainly capture the theme of the record. The song expressed everything I had been feeling all summer and soon became my favorite song on the album. Everyone has regrets in life, but dwelling on them instead of moving forward is ridiculous and unproductive. I made it my goal to forgive myself for all the things I wanted to change. I stopped wishing for a time machine and made it my goal to live life without regrets. Instead, I turned them into lessons learned. And all because of a song. Music is a huge part of our lives. At any given moment around campus, at least one person
is walking to class with headphones connected to an iPod in her ears. Runners on the trail are constantly listening to music, and parties and concerts devoted to music occur every weekend. Whether we like it or not, the songs we listen to affect us. I’m not saying all of this to persuade people to change their music preferences but to encourage awareness of the deeper meanings in the songs they listen to. Lessons are just waiting to be learned in almost any song.
Whether we like it or not, the songs we listen to affect us. Being a Relient K fan since seventh grade has helped me cope with trials in life and learn a lot of things. The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek was the first CD I ever bought, and I’ve purchased all their albums since. I know the band has gone through several members and crossed over from the Christian record label into the more mainstream, but I think they are still creating powerful songs full of clever lyrics and thought-provoking messages with clear Christian undertones. Over the years, I’ve expanded my music choices. I was even too cool for the band at one time. But, I always came back to Relient K, and that is one thing I don’t regret.
contact Bailey at:
ljb07a@acu.edu
Editorial and Management Board
Colter Hettich Editor in Chief
Linda Bailey
Opinion Page Editor
Sondra Rodriguez Jozie Sands Managing Editor
Chief Photographer
Laura Acuff
Brandon Tripp
Photo Department (325) 674-2499
Advertising Office (325) 674-2463
Features Editor
Tanner Knauth Sports Editor
Mary Garvin Page 2 Editor
Kenneth Pybus Faculty Adviser
Chelsea Hackney Jordan Blakey Cade White Copy Editor
Liz Spano
Sports Media Director Arts Editor
Multimedia Desk (325) 674-2463
Cartoonist
Faculty Adviser
Christi Stark Advertising
Subscriptions ($40/year) (325) 674-2296.
From Sports
November 18, 2009
Page 7
FOOTBALL
Playoff: Wildcats win in first round against MSU Continued from page 8
The catch gave the Wildcats a 21-14 lead. “It felt good to be able to come back and make plays,” Johnson said. “I was glad I was able to help my team get a win.” On the next possession, ACU strip-sacked Eskridge on the MSU 18yard line. A 28-yard field
Saturday in Maryville, Mo. Tickets cost $5 for stuI was glad I was able to help my dents with a valid ID and team get a win. $12 for nonstudents; for KENDRICK JOHNSON $489, fans can reserve a Wide Receiver seat on the team’s charter plane. For more inforgoal by Morgan Lineberry ed an onside kick, but mation, contact the ACU was all the Wildcats need- the Wildcats recovered Athletic Department. the ball and ran out the ed to win the game. MSU scored with 1:06 clock for the victory. The Wildcats will adleft in the game, closing the gap to 24-21. The vance to play Northwest contact Cantrell at jrc07f@acu.edu Mustangs then attempt- Missouri State at noon
INTRAMURALS
GAME BREAKERS The Optimist picks players of the game and the play of the game. n Offensive Player of the Game: RB Reggie Brown, 21 carries for 111 yards, 5.3 yards per carry n Defensive Player of the Game: LB Kevin Washington, 13 tackles, 2 sacks n Play of the Game: WR Dennis Campbell returned the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. Campbell followed superb blocking as he went untouched down the middle of the field. n Play of the Game: In the third quarter with the score tied at 14, Safety Major Culbert stepped in front of a Zack Eskridge pass. ACU scored the next 10 points to win the game.
SOCCER
MVPs: Leaders honored by teams Team: Players represented on all-Conference Continued from page 8
also a T-shirt and recognition in Chapel. “We are trying to create a good Christian atmosphere,” Edwards said. “The MVP idea is to call out students and for them to know that there is a higher standard.” Flag football has developed a sort of “cult following” at ACU. The camaraderie alone makes it popular, but the large number of participants keeps it interesting for competitive students.
Flag football is a huge part of the tradition here. KENLI EDWARDS Intramurals Director
“Flag football is a huge part of the tradition here,” Edwards said. “Students love to play it, and if they are not playing, they love to watch it. It really helps with the whole community thing.” The conclusion of the fall semester means the end of popular sports such as flag football and water-
ball, but with the spring comes a whole new selection of intramural sports. “I think that basketball and volleyball are just as much a part of the tradition as flag football,” Edwards said. “These events are held inside, so weather won’t hurt us. Bennett Gym also provides a more homey environment inside of
the crowded gym, which adds to the experience.“ Edwards said the good thing about spring intramurals is that students of any skill level can play. Students can play in the highly competitive Championship League or in the more laidback Recreational League. Students interested in participating in ACU intramurals can contact Director Kenli Edwards or stop by the intramural office in Bennett Gymnasium. contact Craig at
jrc07d@acu.edu
Continued from page 8
with the season we had,” Coppedge said. Julie Coppedge has even “We lost some games more time than Cooper we shouldn’t have, fell to build on the success short in the tournament of the past semester. – but the team we beCwoppedge was one of came is far more imporonly two freshmen in tant than any statistic.” the Lone Star Conference to make an allConference team. “There is no way contact Bartee at we could be unhappy skb09a@acu.edu
VOLLEYBALL
Season: Players left with bitter taste in their mouths Continued from page 8 on ACU’s loss in the first tournament of the season. The Wildcats lost to Truman State University and the University of Nebraska-Omaha, both of which made the playoffs. The Wildcats finished the season with a 3-1 loss to West Texas, the No. 6 team in the nation, in the LSC Championship on Sunday. The Wildcats were riding a 17-game winning streak
coming into the championship match, and the momentum was enough to carry the Wildcats to a 2927 victory in the first set. The Wildcats jumped to an 8-3 lead at the beginning of the second set, but West Texas went on a 22-5 run to close it out. The loss marked the end for the ’Cats. In the third and fourth sets, West Texas jumped to early leads and did not relinquish them.
“We played the best set we played all season against WT in that first set,” Bacon said. “They just had too many good kills, and we made too many mistakes.” As the first seed, West Texas had the luxury of playing the tournament at home. With the crowd behind them, West Texas was able to beat its 61st-consecutive LSC opponent. “They have a great volleyball fan base,”
Hines said. “Once they got the momentum, we couldn’t stop them.” Playoffs or no playoffs, ACU finished with the second-best record in ACU volleyball history. It was certainly the best season since Head Coach Kellen Mock began coach-
ing in 2006, Bacon said. “This is the best team I have been a part of,” she said. “Overall, one of the best ACU volleyball seasons yet.”
contact Gwin at
agg07a@acu.edu
Page 8
Standings FOOTBALL Ovrl. Div. Team MSU Tarleton St. TAMU-K ACU Angelo St. WTAMU SE Okla. TAMU-C Central Okla. NE State ENMU SW Okla. East Central
7-2 7-2 7-2 6-2 5-3 5-3 4-4 4-4 3-5 2-6 2-6 2-7 0-8
9-2 9-2 9-2 8-2 6-4 5-5 6-4 4-5 3-7 2-8 2-7 2-8 0-10
VOLLEYBALL Ovrl. Div. Team WTAMU ACU Angelo St. TAMU-C Central Okla. SE Okla. TAMU-K TX Woman’s MSU Cameron East Central Tarleton St. SW Okla. ENMU
13-0 12-1 10-3 8-5 7-6 6-7 6-7 6-7 6-7 5-8 5-8 4-9 3-10 0-13
31-3 27-5 18-13 24-9 16-15 22-14 17-12 16-16 10-24 17-12 14-21 10-21 6-28 6-23
VOLLEYBALL
Sports
November 18, 2009
Season ends at conference title game Austin Gwin
The Wildcats finished ninth in the region – even with a 29-6 regular-seaThe Wildcat volleyball son record and the title team will sit out dur- of Lone Star Conference ing the NCAA playoffs, runner-up – one place shy despite winning at least of making the playoffs. 25 games for the second “It makes absolutely year in a row. zero sense why some of Assistant Sports Editor
the teams are in there and we are not,” said junior starter Shawna Hines. “They need to change the playoff system.” The Wildcats have a better record than four of the teams that made the playoffs and beat fifth-
seeded Pittsburg State twice during the season. “It’s unfair that the fifth- through eighthplace teams got into the playoffs with worse overall and region records,” said senior right side hitter Michelle Bacon. “It
seems like they didn’t even notice that we won 17-straight games before the LSC championship.” Bacon said the South Central Regional committee put too much weight see SEASON page 7
FOOTBALL
PLAYOFF REDEMPTION
WOMEN’S SOCCER Div. Ovrl. Team WTAMU Central Okla. TX Woman’s MSU ACU TAMU-C SW Okla. Angelo St. ENMU East Central NE State
7-2-1 7-3 6-3-1 6-4 5-3-2 5-5 4-5-1 4-6 4-6 3-7 1-8-1
14-2-3 14-6-2 8-9-2 13-5-2 10-7-2 10-8-1 7-10-2 10-9 9-10 6-8-2 5-11-1 JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer
The Wildcats celebrate after knocking off the Midwestern State Mustangs 24-21 in last Saturday’s first round playoff game in Wichita Falls.
Scores MONDAY Women’s Basketball ACU 66, St. Mary’s 69
TUESDAY Men’s Basketball ACU 116, Baptist Bible 74
Division II Playoffs ACU at Northwest Missouri St. 12 p.m. Saturday
Tarleton St. at Cen. Washington 2 p.m. Saturday
Wildcats defeat Mustangs to advance to second round Ryan Cantrell Assistant Sports Editor The Wildcats defeated Midwestern State University in the first round of playoffs Saturday, coming from behind to outscore the Mustangs 24-21. “It was an unbelievable game between two teams that were fighting and playing as hard as they could,” said Head Coach Chris Thomsen. “It was a tremendous game, and I was just glad to be a part of it.” ACU’s defense was key in the playoff win,
sacking Zack Eskridge eight times and forcing two turnovers. “We did a great job getting pressure today,” said defensive end Aston Whiteside. “It was not just me, though. We got pressure on the inside with Marvin Jones.” Dennis Campbell took the opening kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. However, ACU’s offense struggled in the first half, managing only three first downs and 60 yards of offense. Eskridge rushed for two touchdowns – including one for 25 yards – in
the second quarter. The Wildcats went into the locker room trailing 14-7. The Wildcats held the Mustangs scoreless in the third quarter, and Mitchell Gale led the Wildcats on an 81-yard drive, capped by a 16-yard touchdown pass to Edmund Gates, despite two penalties early in the drive. Gale found Terrell Woodall on a third and 12 to keep the drive going. With 13:42 left in the game, ACU scored again, this time on a 41yard catch by Kendrick Johnson, who had been sidelined in previous weeks with an ankle injury. The catch gave the Wildcats a 21-14 lead. see PLAYOFF page 7
Briefs n Former ACU running back Bernard Scott became the third former Wildcat to find the end zone in an NFL game this season. Scott returned a 96-yard kickoff for a touchdown for the Cincinatti Bengals in their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Scott joins Danieal Manning and Johnny Knox, both Chicago Bears, as Wildcats who have scored touchdowns this season. n Tickets for the round two playoff matchup against Northwest Missouri State on Saturday can be purchased by calling the ACU ticket office at 674-6853. General admission tickets are $12, but ACU students can purchase tickets for $5. n Cross-country runner Amos Sang will represent ACU at the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championship on Saturday. Sang earned an individual spot when he captured first place in the regional race at Nelson Park earlier this month.
JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer
Linebacker Kevin Washington tries to strip the ball from MSU running back BeeJay Mathis in last Saturday’s playoff game.
SOCCER
INTRAMURALS
Womack headlines all-Conference team Sam Bartee Sports Reporter
KELSI WILLIAMSON Staff Photographer
Kojie pledge and team MVP Katie Cupit runs with the ball in an intramural flag football game earlier this season. All teams were asked to choose an MVP for the 2009 season.
Intramural flag football MVPs chosen by teammates Jeff Craig Sports Reporter Flag football has a long history as an ACU tradition. This season, teams will begin a new tradition by naming their Most Valuable Player. First-year intramural director Kenli Ed-
flag football. More than 80 participating teams Go online to check out were asked to select an lists of MVPs from men’s and women’s leagues. MVP, via a vote by all team members. The acuoptimist.com winners receive not only personal satisfaction but wards implemented the also a T-shirt and recogMVP idea this season in nition in Chapel. an attempt to increase see MVPs page 7 excitement surrounding
With as much talent as the ACU women’s soccer team has, everyone expected quite a few players to be chosen for the all-Conference teams. But that didn’t dampen the spirits of the nine women who were recognized Nov. 5. Five women were nominated for the allConference teams, and four more were given honorable mentions. Even though the team didn’t advance as far as they would have liked, the players had nothing but good things to say about the season. “Though on paper it might not look like we improved, we all know that we were such a bet-
ter team this year,” said Lyndsey Womack, senior forward. “I’m proud of all the girls who got awards. They definitely deserved them.” Womack was the only ACU player elected to the first all-Conference team, but junior back Kendall Cooper was right behind her on the second team, along with three of her teammates. Cooper echoed Womack’s optimism. “This season really opened my eyes up to how much talent and team chemistry we have,” she said. “Despite the loss in the postseason tournament, we were very successful, and I can’t wait to build on top of that my senior year.” see TEAM page 7