WEDNESDAY September 8, 2004
OPTIMIST
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Tea time:
Social club pledging season began this week with rushes and women’s teas. Page 7
THE
Abilene Christian University
By LORI BREDEMEYER MANAGING EDITOR
“She lived, loved and laughed.” Friends continually used these three words to describe Cheryl Denise Halbert at a celebration of her life Monday in Moody Coliseum. Cheryl was killed Aug. 14 when her car hit a tree in Mason County while she was
driving to San Antonio. She was 20. At the beginning of the ceremony, members of Cheryl’s social club, Sigma Theta Chi, placed yellow roses symbolizing friendship, joy and happiness in a vase near the stage as the assembly sang “The Greatest Commands.” People close to her shared memories and scripture that personified her life. Chris Meeks, Cheryl’s boyfriend and junior accounting major from Rockwall, read from Philippians and Proverbs, and Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of
Upperclassmen offer advice:
Cats take on California:
Many seniors have advice they want to pass down to incoming freshmen, some of whom would rather learn from their own experiences. Page 8
The volleyball team finished the San Bernardino tournament at 2-2. Page 10
Wal-Mart coming to north Abilene
Campus Life, spoke of how Cheryl influenced people across the world, including places like Haiti and Oxford, England. “It’s so obvious that Cheryl’s life has touched many, many people,” he said. “It’s clear Cheryl is a person who loves Jesus more than any other, who loves her family dearly and who loves children, and who loves to tell the story of Jesus to others.” Dr. Jeanene Reese, assistant professor of Bible, ministry and missions, who knew Cheryl growing up, said in
class she had “eyes sparking and smile bright,” and she was always “embracing life and loving big.” Reese said three things come to mind when thinking of Cheryl: her curiosity, adventurous spirit and humor. “That is how Cheryl Denise Halbert lived — curious, daring and hilarious. She lived and she loved.” Rosalyn Perry, president of Sigma Theta Chi and junior interdisciplinary studies major from Abilene, shared the See MEMORIAL Page 9
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Dr. Jeanene Reese speaks at the memorial service for Cheryl Halbert during Chapel in Moody Coliseum on Monday.
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Andrea Schweikhard, junior communication major from Tulsa, Okla., Angela Meyer, junior psychology and pre-med major from Arlington, Tenn., and Chris Meeks, junior accounting major from Rockwall, hold hands during Cheryl Halbert’s memorial service Monday during Chapel in Moody Coliseum.
Campus chapter of NAACP begins meeting Leaders say they hope to change perception of group’s purpose By APRIL WARD PAGE 2 EDITOR
Student interested in the newly formed ACU chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People met Tuesday. Sponsored by Debbie Williams, associate professor of English, and Dawn Alexander,
history department adviser, the group’s goal is to make students aware of their roles on campus and across the nation. “[Students] have opportunities to be of service to others, and they can help make sure people are treated equally,” Williams said. Although groundwork for the group was laid last year, officers will be elected Thursday. Williams said many people have misconceptions about what the group stands for.
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“Many people view the NAACP as a very partisan group with an agenda that is very militant,” she said. “It’s actually a bipartisan group, and the emphasis isn’t on supporting Republicans or Democrats. It’s being informed of issues in America and the degree to which those issues are helping or oppressing people.” Alexander said the NAACP was formed in 1909 by a coalition of whites and blacks to fight the problem of lynching, and the group was instrumental
in supporting civil rights movements throughout the century. The group is open to anyone of any ethnic or racial background interested in national policies influencing people’s freedoms, Alexander said. Williams said one of the group’s focuses will be encouraging students to vote. “We want to make sure people are aware of the issues impacting them and have a voice in those issues,” Williams said. “As Christians, we should look at this as an opportunity to
have a godly impact on human needs and social justice.” By taking an active role in different issues, Alexander said college students make a difference in the world. “I don’t think students know they have the ability to change the world,” Alexander said. “Their role doesn’t stop at education. Part of what they need to learn is that they have the ability to make a difference.” E-mail Ward at: alw02b@acu.edu
Supercenter will be built at intersection of I-20 and Hwy. 351 By SARAH CARLSON COPY EDITOR
A second Wal-Mart Supercenter is scheduled to open in September 2005 at the intersection of Interstate 20 and Highway 351. The Abilene City Council approved a request from WalMart on July 22 to rezone the acreage at the intersection for a development district. After the Supercenter opens, the WalMart on Judge Ely Boulevard will close. Elizabeth Grindstaff, Abilene’s interim director of community development services, said the Supercenter is part of a comprehensive development plan where the city is looking to stimulate commercial growth, and it will be “a real asset” to the areas around ACU. “I think that it will stimulate some development on the north side of town,” Grindstaff said. She said many conversations have taken place about encouraging more development in the central area of Abilene as well as the north side. It’s not a “north side – south side issue” as many make it out to be, Grindstaff said, as many on the north side of town complain about the lack of businesses compared to the south side. Students have mixed opinions about the opening of the Supercenter. Rheannon Reese, senior marketing major from Austin, said the new Wal-Mart will be convenient to go to and will provide another grocery store for the area. “I think it’s a great location, and we’ll be more likely to go over there,” Reese said. Brandon Kinder, senior youth and family ministry major from Memphis, Tenn., said he is excited about the Supercenter opening because it will be convenient for students who need a place to shop late at night. “I really can’t wait,” Kinder said, “because time and time again I have needed groceries after midnight, and I’m not driving out to the other side of town to get them.” Elizabeth Alvarez, senior political science major from See WAL-MART Page 9
Kitchen built in hall lobby Meals will be available in Smith, Adams halls three times daily By SARAH CARLSON COPY EDITOR
A kitchen was installed into the communal lobby area of Smith and Adams residence halls during the summer, and ARAMARK will provide meals three times a day for residents. Dr. Mimi Barnard, director of Residence Life Education and Housing, said the decision to install the kitchen came from requests from students and was made by herself, Kevin Watson, chief administrative services officer, and ARA-
MARK. “Students are excited about having this expanded lobby space and function,” Barnard said in an e-mail. Todd Ormsby, residence director for Smith and Adams halls, said the idea for the kitchen originally came from students complaining about having to go back to campus to eat. “Parents Barnard have already been real excited about it because being off campus, one of the biggest complaints is having to go all the way back
to the Bean at night to eat,” Ormsby said. “Even for ladies walking, it is a security issue having to walk, and now they can just come down here and eat dinner.” Residents will have access to a variety of foods and can use meal plans and Bean Bucks as they would on campus. Ormsby said they have not decided exactly what type of food will be served or what format it will be served in. He said they will experiment will a buffet style of serving and with items such as bacon and eggs in the morning. A possibility of polling students to see what they would See KITCHEN Page 9
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Anna Radomsky, sophomore social work major from Fort Worth, and Malia Plumlee, sophomore exercise science major from Edmond, Okla., eat lunch in the new kitchen in Smith and Adams halls.