OPTIMIST THE
FRIDAY September 17, 2004
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Abilene Christian University
Vol. 93, No. 9 1 section, 10 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chasing elusive victory:
Campus job openings remain stable:
Stay at home:
Wildcats look to defeat Tarleton for first time since Gaines arrived in 2000. Page 10
Student employment was not affected in last year’s budget cuts, and many on-campus jobs are still available through Human Resources. Page 3
Resident Evil 2 better than first movie, but will leave you in zombie-like state. Page 7
SA approves appointees Administration’s loan gives Congress’ budget some breathing room By JONATHAN SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF
Student Congress in its first official meeting of the year Wednesday approved 23 appointees to fill vacant seats amid much debate and confusion over parliamentary procedure. When only 35 of 58 seats
were filled after elections this month and few eligible candidates asked to be appointed, Layne Rouse, executive president of the Students’ Association, initially asked Congress to suspend its own bylaws to allow ineligible students to be appointed. “The people I’m putting before you all have a desire to serve,” Rouse said. “What would hurt is to have someone who wants to serve not allowed to.” Congress seemed receptive
to allowing some freshmen and sophomores to fill vacant academic building seats and suspended the bylaws because they require these representatives to have junior hours. However, contention arose when some potential appointees’ majors were not housed in the building they would represent—also a requirement of the bylaws. “We’re walking a line of upholding government stan-
Open positions in Congress • Biblical Studies Building: 1 • University Park Apartments: 1 • Sherrod Apartments: 1 • Foster Science Building: 2 • Chambers Hall: 2 • Senior Class Representative: 1
See SA Page 9
Students take part in fair’s activities Exhibits, games, rides open to public through Saturday night By EMILY CHASTAIN STUDENT REPORTER
From cowboys to funnel cakes, students find different reasons to attend the West Texas Fair and Rodeo. But in the end, they seem to share one
common denominator: fun. The fair, which officially kicked off another year last Friday, offers carnival rides, a rodeo, food, games, exhibits and more. With special deals such a free college night last weekend, the fair and rodeo continues to attract many ACU students. Ryan Roden, junior history See FAIR Page 9
Student travels to New York and remembers ...
The day the towers fell By LORI BREDEMEYER MANAGING EDITOR
Daniele Ntahonkiriye lived in fear every day. In her hometown, residents are afraid to leave their houses and go into the countryside, and she came to the United States three years ago thinking she could leave behind the war-stricken country and finally shed the constant feeling of terror in her life. Daniele’s first day at ACU was Sept. 11, 2001. Terrorists hijacked planes and crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing thousands and destroying the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers. The attack led the United States into a war on terrorism. Daniele, junior broadcast journalism major from Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi in Africa, now speaks
rapid-fire English and is fluent in four languages, but when she first arrived in Abilene, she didn’t know the language well. She had never heard of the World Trade Center and only knew of New York City because her flight had connected there two days before. Because everything about the United States was so new to her, she See SEPT.
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BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
A New York firefighter from Engine 323 in Brooklyn looks up at the memorial light towers near Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2004. The lights were illuminated for one night in memoriam of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
While the names of the victims were read, three young women (per request they remain nameless) remember their friends who were lost in the World Trade Center attacks at a memorial service at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, 2004.
ACU Police work to improve safety Department chief says lack of driver safety more problematic By SARAH CARLSON COPY EDITOR
The ACU Police and Administrative Services made several additions to campus to improve students’ safety since last semester and encourage feedback from students about safety concerns, said Jimmy Ellison, ACU police chief. The only safety trend Ellison said he has noticed this
school year is an annual one: lack of driver safety. “This year seems to be perhaps a little worse,” Ellison said. “It concerns me the speeds which drivers drive on the streets adjacent to campus.” He said the traffic problems stem for the lack of yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks, three of which are on East North 16th Street and two are on Campus Court. A crosswalk was installed on East North 16th Street across from Gardner Hall at the urging of the Students’
Association last year. Ellison went through the city of Abilene to install the crosswalk last semester, and said the city did surveys of traffic on East North 16th Street and found that not enough pedestrians cross the street to warrant the installation of an additional crosswalk in between Gardner and Sikes halls. “I think it’s a common battle cry to say we need more crosswalks,” Ellison said, “but people are going to cross at places that are convenient to their destinations. It’s up to pedestrians. We have plenty of cross-
walks, we just can’t get people to use them.” Kevin Watson, associate vice president for administrative services, said in an e-mail that the city of Abilene will work on Campus Court this semester, repainting and clearly identifying where crossings are. “Students should always be diligent when crossing streets or intersections,” Watson said. “Be slow to cross. Also, drivers need to be on the look out for pedestrians as we drive around See SAFETY Page 9
EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
Edward Cutberth pulls a car over in the parking lot behind Edwards Hall on Tuesday to let the driver know her back tail light is out. He said the only difference between ACU police and APD is the jurisdiction.
CAMPUS
DAY
Friday, September 17, 2004
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Calendar&Events Friday
Service Saturday sign-ups, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows. Second invitational rushes.
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Sunday
Non-traditional students meeting, 34:30 p.m., Living Room.
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Monday
Second invitational rushes.
McNair Scholars, all day, Campus Center ticket windows.
Social club officers meeting, 5-6:30 p.m., Living Room.
Tri-University Bash, 8 p.m., Bean Sprout.
SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables. Summer II Oxford interest meeting, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Living Room.
Saturday
Service Saturday, all day. First United Methodist Church, 2-5 p.m., Bean Sprout Recreation Area.
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Tuesday
Second invitational rushes.
Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers are needed to help build the Abilene Community Playground from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sept. 22-26. For more information, please contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. The Alzheimer’s Association is seeking 10-20 volunteers to help with the Alzheimer’s Association Golf Tournament at Maxwell Golf Course. The tournament will be from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sept. 25. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.
Freshman Follies ticket sales, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
Faculty-Staff photos, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Campus Center, Faculty/Staff Dining Room.
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Dan Mitchell/Marcia Straughn Faculty Recital, 8 p.m., Recital Hall.
SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables.
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SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables.
A student needs someone to practice English on the intermediate level with once or twice a week in order to learn the language. For more information, contact Dennis Miller at dap04b@acu.edu. KGNZ needs volunteers to work at their booth at the West Texas Fair Friday through Sunday. A variety of times and days are available. For more information, contact Brian Sacapanio at bsacapanio@dig-inc.net or call 690-1381. Students may also e-mail Doug Harris at doug@kgnz.com.
College Democrats meeting, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., Living Room. Homecoming Steering Committee meeting, 9:30-10:45 p.m., Hilton Room.
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Wednesday
Ranking for Social Clubs, 8:30 a.m.5 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows. SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables.
Thursday
SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables. Town Hall Meeting, 8-10 a.m., Hilton Room. Deep Dish Philosophy, 7-10 p.m., Living Room. Student African American Brotherhood meeting, 5-6 p.m., Living Room. Mac Users meeting, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Living Room. Social club bids go out to residence halls, 4:30-6 p.m., residence halls.
Voter Registration, 11:30 a.m.4p.m., Campus Center tables.
Pick up social club bids, off-campus students, 5-6 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
Service Action Leadership Team Chapel, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Living Room.
Freshman Follies ticket sales, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
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@jmc.acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor, ACU Box 27892, Abilene, TX 79699.
To ensure that 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.
Chapel Check-Up Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
18 53
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, September 17, 2004
Page 3
Student jobs available Director says budget cuts did not affect campus employment By SARAH CARLSON COPY EDITOR
About 750 students work on campus, an average number during the fall and spring semesters, Suzanne Allmon, director of human resources, said in an e-mail. She said the number averages between 750 and 800 students, and the university’s budget cuts last semester have not greatly affected on-campus employment for students. “To my knowledge, the primary student jobs affected by last year’s budget reallocations were in the departments that were eliminated — the Learning Enhancement Center and University Studies,” Allmon said. “I am unaware of student
jobs affected in other areas.” She said many on-campus jobs are still available for students looking for work. “In fact, each year there are typically more student jobs open than there are students applying for those jobs,” Allmon said. Jennifer Machin, graduate student in communication from Abilene, worked in the LEC for five years but was able to find several open on-campus jobs by the end of last semester. She said she found a job at The ACU Foundation immediately after the LEC closed so she could work in the summer, and she was able to secure jobs as a tutor in the English Department and as an aide to an English professor. Her experience at the LEC and the timing of looking for a job made it easier for her to get one, she said. “If I had tried to get one in
Residents recuperate after Hurricane Ivan Alumnus solicits relief for Cayman Islands in storm’s aftermath By CHRISTY GOWER FEATURES EDITOR
A recent ACU graduate is trying to get the word out about relief for those hit by Hurricane Ivan in the Cayman Islands. “As you read this, hundreds of people in my country have been left homeless and unaccounted for by Hurricane Ivan,” Raymond Barnes, 2003 graduate, wrote in an e-mail addressed to his ACU family. The hurricane was downgraded from a Category 5 hurricane, the highest rating, to a Category 3 just before touching land near Gulf Shores, Ala., at 2 a.m., according to The Weather Channel. Hurricane Jeanne was downgraded to a tropical storm as it
hit the Dominican Republic and was expected to strengthen before landing along the southeast coast of the United States after the weekend, according to The Weather Channel. Barnes said many people had to spend Sunday night sleeping on what remained of roof tops and homes. “People are looting for water and food because despite every effort to prepare, reserves were still washed away,” he wrote. Virginia Swangler, sophomore exercise major from Houston, is helping Barnes get the word out. “Everybody in the Caymon Islands lost everything they own,” Swangler said. “They have nothing. There’s a lot of babies down there, and they don’t have any food to give them.” E-mail Gower at: cng02a@acu.edu
the fall, that would have been a lot harder,” Machin said. She said it can be easy to find a job on campus if students are willing to take anything available. The trick is to talk to different departments and ask around because not every available job is posted through Human Resources, Allmon said. Those sent through Human Resources are posted on ACU’s Web site under “Employment” or on the bulletin board outside the Human Resources Office in the Administration Building, Room 213. Off-campus jobs are also advertised through Human Resources, Allmon said, and students can find job advertisements in the Abilene ReporterNews or the Optimist as well. E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu
Donations The following items can be sent to Cayman Islands Hurricane Relief Efforts, c/o Tortuga Imports Inc., 14202 S.W. 142 Ave., Miami, FL 33186, or call (305) 3786668 or 1-877-486-7884. • Canned Foods • Can Openers • Water • Bread • Baby Formula • Diapers • Tissue • Napkins • Plastic • Utensils/Plates/Cups • Medical Supplies • Generators • Satellite Phones • Nonperishable Milk • Stove-Top Ranges • Candles • Lighters/Matches • Barbecue Grills & Coal • Cleaning Supplies (Garbage bags, broom, etc.) • Tarps & Tents • Pens & Paper
Ride ‘em cowgirl
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
Three-year-old Kaya Johnson of Abilene rides the mechanical bull with the help of her father, Grady, Monday night at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo. The fair and rodeo, which is being held at the Taylor County Expo Center, began Sept. 10 and will end Saturday.
Rosa’s to open soon Fast food Mexican restaurant will be on Judge Ely Boulevard By DEE TRAVIS ARTS EDITOR
Students craving Mexican food will soon have another dining option. Two locations of Rosa’s Cafe are in preparation to open in Abilene, said Craig Van Amburgh, vice president of marketing for Rosa’s Cafe. “Abilene is a city we’ve been interested in for quite some time,” Van Amburgh said. “It’s a quickly growing market.” One of the new cafes is set to open in late October on Judge Ely Boulevard in the vacant Luby’s Cafeteria building, with the other location opening near the WalMart Supercenter on Southwest Drive in late December.
“It’s good, fast and way better than Taco Bueno.” Korbin Williams, sophomore psychology major from Seminole
“College towns are always a real plus for a place like Rosa’s,” Van Amburgh said. “College students generally enjoy it because it offers good quality for a reasonable price.” Demetrius Collins, senior exercise science major from Odessa, said he is pleased with the news of a Rosa’s opening in Abilene. “Rosa’s is the best thing since sliced bread,” Collins said. Rosa’s has 17 locations, 16 of which are in Texas, and Van Amburgh said many students in Abilene have already been exposed to Rosa’s having lived in other parts of the state. The out-of-state location is owned by a franchise
in California. Many students who have experienced Rosa’s before seem excited about the imminent addition to Abilene. Korbin Williams, sophomore psychology major from Seminole, said he is planning to eat at one of the new Rosa’s locations when it opens. “It’s good, fast and way better than Taco Bueno,” Williams said. Jonathan McCoy, sophomore pre-physical therapy major from Corpus Christi, agreed, saying, “Rosa’s is the best Mexican fast food in this here land.” E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
Seekers find new talent in freshmen New members ready to perform in various places around state By VALERIE HANNEKEN STAFF WRITER
Seekers of the Word, a student religious drama group, auditioned 21 students Sept. 8 and accepted six new members for a total of 15 members and two alternates. These 17 members will perform skits in and out of town and use them as ministering tools throughout the area. The tryouts consisted of an application and some small acting performances, which the returning members watched and later voted on. Those who auditioned had a few minutes to prepare for the acting part and had time to meet with the voting members. “With our new talent, I hope this semester will be a good teaching semester; I see enormous potential in these new faces,” said Kyle Stallard, sophomore youth and family ministry major from League City and one of the two alternates.
Seekers performances this year may include the Middleton prison, out-of-town locations and several Chapel performances. Not only do Seekers perform in various places, they are almost a completely self-led group. The group elects student directors, make their own schedules and find their own travel arrangements. Rodney Ashlock, instructor of Bible, ministry and missions, is the group’s faculty advisor, and serves to connect the students with ACU. “I was a member of a similar type group when I was in college, and I know the power of drama and its ministry among young people,” Ashlock said. “I just want to be a part of that.” Stallard said Seekers is like a family and is a group where members are comfortable enough to confide in one another. He said the group believes very strongly in the power of prayer and are faithfully dedicated to praying for one another. Seekers of the Word practice every Wednesday night from 8:45 - 11:30 p.m., and
Seekers Members • Newly inducted members: Freshmen: Jordan Gibbs, Tanner Albright, Zach Snyder, Cash Teague, Shannon Lair, Megan Dooley • Returning members: John Leedy, junior Seeker president ; Krystal Krieg junior director; Abby Loe, sophomore assistant director; Charity Sibert and Monica Smith, junior social directors; Donna Ragland, junior public relations director; Chris Whitely, sophomore, spiritual director; Kayla Dooley, senior; Brittany Kahla, junior. • Alternates: Kyle Stallard, sophomore and Trey Shirley, graduate occasionally on Saturday mornings during the beginning of the semester. The Seekers first performance is planned for Oct. 1. E-mail Hanneken at: vlh03a@acu.edu
Friday, September 17, 2004
Service Saturdays starting Many opportunities available for students to serve in community By LAUREN WARE STAFF WRITER
The first Service Saturday of the semester will provide volunteer opportunities for students, which range from spending time with Alzheimer’s patients to helping build a house for Habitat for Humanity. “There are a lot of great opportunities for students to serve our community,” said Erin Martin, Service Saturday committee chair for the Service Action Leadership Team and junior youth and family ministry major from Houston. SALT members organize one Service Saturday a month. To volunteer, students can sign up in the Campus Center through Friday, and volunteers will be contacted Friday night with
details about what they will do. “One of SALT’s biggest goals is to get students involved in volunteering, and this is one way we do that,” said Laura Russell, SALT member and senior biochemistry major from Abilene. Students can choose to serve at one of three different elderly care facilities: Spring Season Nursing and Rehabilitation, Windcrest Alzheimer’s Care Unit and Abilene Adult Day Care. Staff will provide free pizza to volunteers. Students who volunteer at these places need to be aware that they will deal with elderly people with health problems. “There are lots of needs,” Russell said. “I think it is a good way for students to realize that there are other people and other needs.” Students can also serve at the Abilene Food Bank, Healing Hands International and Noah Sales Again. Students going to
the food bank need to wear closed-toe shoes and follow dress code. Volunteers for Healing Hands will sort and fold clothes that will be sent to the Ukraine. Volunteers at Noah Sales will clean and fold clothes. “We all go and do our part together,” said Mark Trevino, SALT member and sophomore finance major from Abilene. “It’s something productive. You know there ain’t nothing much to do in Abilene.” Outdoor service opportunities include Habitat for Humanity and Keep Abilene Beautiful. Habitat workers will help to build a house and Keep Abilene Beautiful volunteers will drive to the lake and pick up trash. “It’s really important for students to get involved and Service Saturdays are also just really fun,” Martin said. “I always have fun.” E-mail Ware at: lew03d@acu.edu
Service Saturday Times and Activities •Spring Season - 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. •Windcrest Alzheimer’s Care - 9 a.m. to noon •Abilene Adult Day Care- 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. •Abilene Food Bank- 9 a.m. to noon
•Healing Hands International- 9 a.m. to noon •Habitat for Humanity- 9 a.m. to finish. •Keep Abilene Beautiful- 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. •Noah Sales Again- 9 a.m. to noon
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, September 17, 2004
Page 5
Berenstain Bears illustration collection attracts Abilene audiences Abilene center plays host to exhibit’s Texas premier By CHRISTY GOWER FEATURE EDITOR
The Berenstain Bears have found their way to Abilene. The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature gave the setting for the bears’
premier exhibit in Texas. With the exhibit, Michael Berenstain, son of creators Stan and Jan Berenstain, visited the NCCIL Sept. 8 for a gallery talk and a sample drawing. The exhibit, which will be at the NCCIL through Oct. 20, includes interactive pieces with the illustrations. A floor game winds in circles and reminisces to scenes from the Berenstain Bears series, and listeners can
hear the Berenstains read their stories at a listening table. Aspiring artists can try their hand at the books’ illustrations at a drawing table. It also includes a couple of pieces from specific books, like the Inside Outside Box. Lori Thornton, assistant director of the NCCIL, said the attraction has drawn about 1,500 people of all ages since its opening.
It’s gonna pop!
On the Web http://www.nccil.org
“That’s really pretty remarkable,” Thornton said. She said she credits part of the success to the time of the year. Even since school has started, though, she said people still visit during the weekday. Courtney Jackson, grants and tours coordinator of the NCCIL, said so many classes
By MONICA SMITH STAFF WRITER
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
Anna Grace Sloan of Merkel competes in the bubble gum contest Tuesday at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo while judge Dewayne Bush measures the size of the bubble.
Playground to reflect community By DANIELLE LINTHICUM STUDENT REPORTER
“Designed by children, for children; built by the people who love them.” This is the mission statement of Fort Imagination, the unique new playground coming to Abilene. Sherri Statler, co-chairman of the Fort Imagination project and 1981 ACU alumna, describes the construction in Nelson Park as “being in the spirit of an old-fashioned Amish barn-raising.” It is a community project in the truest sense of the word, with even the design coming from the imaginations of 100 children from the community, she said. “They wanted it to remind people of Abilene,” Statler said. The playground will have original touches, such as a B-1 Bomber, Frontier Town Maze, Chuck Wagon and even a Lookout Tower complete with
a telescope, she said. Construction on Fort Imagination begins Wednesday and will continue through Sept. 26 at the southeast corner of the lake in Nelson Park. The playground will be built by volunteers, and about 2,500 people are needed to do the job. The project’s coordinators say they kept the purpose of the playground, having fun, in mind when planning volunteer schedules. There will be three shifts per day, from 8 a.m.-noon, 12:30-5 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m. Meals will be catered by local businesses such as Outback Steakhouse. “Even people who have never picked up a hammer or used a power saw can help,” Statler said. She also said they encourage campus groups to volunteer, using Fort Imagination as a fun, community-oriented way to build relationships and serve together, whether it is with a U-100 class, a residence
trated many fairy tale books, such as Rumplestiltskin and Rapunzel, for which he won a Caldecott award. His newest book is Doodler Doodling. Zelinsky will visit the NCCIL Nov. 4-6, and the exhibit will remain in Abilene for about four months before being sent across the country. E-mail Gower at: cng02a@acu.edu
Honors offers new credit opportunity Service learning projects can count for honors credit
Construction on Fort Imagination to begin Wednesday
signed up for docent-led tours that she had to create a waiting list of teachers. “The one thing about this exhibit is it spans many generations,” Jackson said. “The adults have loved it just as much as the kids because they remember reading it.” After the Berenstain Bears exhibit, the NCCIL will open a new exhibit featuring Paul Zelinsky Nov. 4. Zelinsky illus-
hall or a social club. Statler also needs artists as well as manual laborers and assures that any help will be well rewarded. She said this kind of community-built playground has been created in places such as Anson, San Angelo and Lubbock with amazing results. “Not only does the city get a wonderful new playground,” Statler said, “but also we see great relationships being formed as the community comes together to build this.” She said everyone is invited to a praise and worship service sponsored by Beltway Park Baptist Church at 8 a.m. Sept. 26. It will be a “blessing and dedication” time for the playground and community. Volunteers can contact the Junior League of Abilene, at playground@abilene.com, or call 677-1870. E-mail Linthicum at: optimist@acu.edu
Honors students can now gain credit through service learning as a new part of the Honors Program. In the past, students could earn Honors credit through Study Abroad and internships, but this new program will give the students the opportunity to engage in experiential learning, said Dr. Chris Willerton, director of the Honors Program . “The reasoning behind this is it’s a national movement among honors programs in the National Collegiate Honors Council,” he said. “Also, it fits ACU’s culture, Christian values system and the campus enthusiasm for service. Not every campus has a culture. Doing good unto others fits the university mission.” The program, which has
32 participants, requires a one-semester commitment and has three areas of service opportunities: children and education, hunger and homelessness and adults and aging. The students choose one of the agencies from a list of nine and work with them for the duration of the semester. To ensure that this is service learning, the students also complete readings, journal entries and participate in an online discussion in a Blackboard community. “It has to be service learning, not just service because we’re in the business of expanding minds,” Willerton said. “The reading is general enough so anyone in any organization can submit to the Blackboard.” The students are also broken into three groups with a junior or senior teacher’s assistant. “I facilitate online discussions,” said Jenna Grime, junior English major from Archbold, Ohio, and a teacher’s assistant for the
adult and aging group. “They talk about different readings and what their experience has been, what they’re learning and what they’re struggling with.” Though the majority of students enrolled are freshmen, Willerton said older students are participating as well. Any Honors student is welcome to participate in this program, Willerton said, and it will be offered every semester. He said the hours earned count toward service hours and can overlap with other classes or sport requirements. Bethany Scroggins, junior psychology and English major from Hallsville, said she would have participated in the program if it had been offered to her as a freshman. “This is something that they can continue doing multiple semesters,” Scroggins said. “It is a good way to get some real life experience.” E-mail Smith at: mxs02a@acu.edu
VIEWSFRIDAY OPTIMIST
Page 6 The issue: Lack of lighting and crosswalk use makes areas of campus unsafe for students jogging and walking.
Our view: Campus police have taken necessary steps to provide a safer environment for students.
The solution: Students, drivers and pedestrians need to be more aware of situations and watch out for each other. The university needs to evaluate the lighting in certain areas of campus.
September 17, 2004
Safety on campus still issue for students As another school year opened, the Editorial Board, along with the ACU Police Department, noticed dangerous trends of students and campus safety. Issues surrounding traffic and lighting on and around campus are at the forefront of our concerns for students’ safety. We commend the police for working with the city to install a crosswalk on East North 16th Street across from Gardner Hall, as well as installing a new street light near the residence hall. Now it is up to the students to
drivers do not actually use the Now it is up to the students to actually use the see the joggers crosswalks and crosswalks and be responsible drivers. until it is almost be responsible too late. drivers. Last year, The first issue is traffic safety. Several pay attention to traffic and not members of the Students’ AssocEditorial Board members have walk into the street hoping the iation wrote letters to University noticed many students crossing car will see them in time and Church of Christ and the city of Abilene, requesting lights be the streets adjacent to campus stop. This goes along with the other installed to improve visibility at without using the crosswalks, especially on Campus Court safety issue: lighting. One of the night. University Church was when crossing from the parking reasons there is a problem on already working to install lights, lots across from Brown Library Campus Court is because of and they were installed soon inadequate lighting on the street. after the letter was sent. The city, and Mabee Hall. Drivers need to yield to these Drivers can be caught off guard however, failed to contact the pedestrians, even though they when they see students jogging Students’ Association or install are not crossing the street at the across the street at night. Because lights on Judge Ely Boulevard, as correct area. Students need to of the poor lighting, sometimes was requested. A greater need for
Gun editorial missed some major points The Sept. 15 Editorial regarding the assault weapons ban is positive in tone and I applaud the Board for their arguments. There is one exception, however. The paragraph that states: "Making it more difficult — while still adhering to the Second Amendment — for people to purchase any firearm will go a long way toward keeping any dangerous gun out of the hands of criminals instead of keeping one type of gun out of the hands of all citizens." First, all firearms should be considered dangerous at all times and handled accordingly. This is the first rule of gun safety. As one Texas Ranger says, "If it wasn't dangerous, I wouldn't be carrying it." Second, how would the public's safety come about from making the process of procuring a legal firearm more difficult for law abiding citizenry and thus "go a long way toward keeping ... guns out of the hands of criminals"? No law, past or present, has ever hindered a determined crimi-
lighting is on Campus Court, and the Editorial Board now urges the administration and the campus police to examine the lighting around the perimeter of campus. Numerous students walk and run around the campus’ border, and many of them are women. It is imperative that their safety is considered a priority on campus. Students need to take advantage of the crosswalks and pay attention while driving, and the university and city need to consider the lack of lighting around campus in order to improve the overall safety of the student body.
Daniel Barcroft
In My Words
YOUR VOICE Re: The Optimist, Sept. 15 “Expiration of gun ban won’t change much” editorial
nal from obtaining a firearm (or any other kind of weapon) to be used in the commission of a crime. A criminal is defined as one who breaks the law. Passing more laws only results in more penalties at the time of prosecution. Therefore, prosecution should be the focus — something the Clinton Administration, former Attorney General Janet Reno, and the current Democratic Party leaders failed to grasp — then and now. Last, I would like to see ACU become the first D-II private school in Texas to offer a competitive shooting program. Students, what do you say?
Take advantage of travel while young
Troy Stirman senior development officer Development Office
This day last year, I was chasing my professor through the streets of Oxford trying not to miss my train to Dover. Today, I will chase tennis balls across the court during class and then try not to be late for Chapel. I spent last fall break exMuch Ado ploring the About canals of VenSomething ice, swimming Jaci Schneider in the Mediterranean and traipsing through the city of Rome while wearing a toga. This year I will spend two nights in San Antonio and try to catch up on schoolwork. I love my life right now. I enjoy spending time with my friends and I love being at ACU. But a big part of me wishes I still lived in Oxford, England, in a house with a blue door, filled with 19 awesome people. I wish I still had to walk 20 minutes to buy bread and milk. I wish I still had to take a bath every morning because the shower only sprayed cold
Celebrity’s political views important, too A few things bother me about Ms. Bredemeyer's editorial. This first is a simple statement: “Who cares?” I don't even know how to react to that...but I'll try. If someone on campus from the Young Republicans or College Democrats started talking to you about voting, and he shared his opinion, would you look at him flatly and say, "who cares?" I doubt it, because that's just rude. So why is it OK to say the same thing to celebrities? Is it because they have exposure? Fame? Money? Do these things discount a person's ability to think? No. These people care about our country and want fans and viewers to think about it. An innumerable amount of people have posted their opinions on polls, weblogs, and bulletin boards, but we only attack the celebrities …why? The other thing is that it seems to me that she is saying that it's OK to listen to Christian celebrities, but not others. While the lifestyles of the two groups are different, we don't know who is more politically aware. I do emphasize that it only seems to me that she's saying that. But while many of us have
YOUR VOICE Re: The Optimist, Sept. 15. “Base vote on beliefs, not celebrities” by Lori Bredemeyer
read and appreciate Max Lucado’s words about life and Christianity, he’s “no more informed about politics than [we] can be,” so why does his benediction matter any more than Matt Damon’s commercial? Finally, it's not really fair to say that all celebrities have "someone else make decisions for them all day." We aren't there. And tell me you wouldn't have a personal assistant or manager if you had the money. Meanwhile there are plenty of celebrities, like Natalie Portman, Hugh Grant, and Kate Beckinsale, who have stellar educations (Harvard, Oxford, and Oxford, respectively). So I say, don't rely on some reporter to tell you whose opinion you can and cannot listen to, just be sure that you vote with your own. Charles Jones senior youth and family ministry major from Lewisville
water. And I wish I could still buy my fruit and vegetables at a market where vendors called me “love.” Spending the semester in Oxford was the most amazing experience I’ve had in my 20 years of life. Not only did I get to travel through nine different countries in four months, I experienced a new culture first-hand and formed relationships that will most likely last well beyond my college years. Any student can study abroad in Oxford, England, or Montevideo, Uruguay, for a semester, or just a few weeks. Many students choose not to study abroad because of the cost, which is about $3,000 more than a semester on campus (less for shorter trips). This may seem like a lot of money, but it is well worth it. The cost covers airfare, housing and group trips for four months. When else in your life will you be able to live in another country in a
furnished house with your friends while earning college credits? Traveling, of course, adds to the check, but that’s something you can control. In the group I traveled with, students spent from $1,500 to $4,000 in additional expenses. That includes food for a semester, traveling costs and souvenirs. I know it still seems like a lot of money, but it is most likely the best time in your life to go. When you get old, you’re not going to want to sleep in hostels and eat crackers for days on end. But as young backpackers, it’s all part of the experience. It can be scary to leave your home country for four months. Although I was more excited to live in England than frightened, I was scared to death of staying in hostels. And you know, I did have a few scary experiences, but each one taught me something new about myself and
the world around me. I now look back on my hostelling experiences with amazement and excitement. It’s been awhile since I packed my sheets and 10 days worth of clothes into a backpack and made a mad dash to see the sights, and I miss it. I miss the uncertainty and adventure. I miss the little things, like the joy of meeting a fellow American traveler on a crowded train and discovering the many delectable flavors of gelato (Italian ice cream) offered in Italy. Throughout my whole study abroad experience, I learned to trust in God, how to be more outgoing and how to live with 18 housemates without going crazy. I learned about myself because I made the choice to put myself in uncomfortable situations. I had a few frightening experiences, but 10 times as many absolutely incredible adventures that I never would have had if I had stayed in the United States.
E-mail Schneider at: optimist@acu.edu or jrs02a@acu.edu
In Your Words Do you feel safe crossing the streets around campus? Do you use the crosswalks? “On campus it’s pretty safe. It’s different from Ukraine; it’s much more dangerous. Crazy men drive cars.”
“I feel pretty safe, but I don’t trust drivers to stop for me, even if I am in the crosswalk.”
“Yeah, I just walk right out, and I have confidence that people will stop for me, and they do.”
“I’m pretty daring about crossing streets even if a car is coming. I’ll just go for it, and they stop for me.”
Courtney Francois
Vled Gorbenko
Ben Adams
Tiffany Talley
sophomore criminal justice major from Dallas
sophomore graphic design major from Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine
junior political science and Spanish major from McKinney
senior communication major from Houston
Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist Editorial Board 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, its Editorial Board or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors
When you’re old, you’re not going to want to stay in hostels and eat crackers for days on end.
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@jmc.acu.edu
OPTIMIST THE
The Optimist Editorial Board
Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Abilene Christian University
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Jaci Schneider
Managing Editor
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Online: www.acuoptimist.com
ARTSFRIDAY OPTIMIST
September 17, 2004
The Box Office
‘Resident Evil 2:’ cinematic train wreck
Figures are for the weekend of September 10-12 and are in millions. Total grosses in parentheses.
By LUKE HARRIS
1 Resident Evil: Apocalypse—$23 (new) 2 Cellular—$10.1 (new) 3 Without a Paddle—$4.51 ($45.5) 4 Hero—$4.42 ($41.7) 5 Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement—$2.93 ($89.3) 6 Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid—$2.81 ($27.6) 7 Paparazzi—$2.77 ($12) 8 Collateral—$2.72 ($92.7) 9 Vanity Fair—$2.61 ($11.1) 10 Napoleon Dynamite— $2.52 ($30.3)
P 1/2 Starring: Milla Jovavich, Mike Epps; directed by Alexander Witt Rated R (for non-stop violence, language and some nudity)
New York Times Best-Selling Fiction Novels Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the list. 1/1/77 Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code 2/-/1 Julie Garwood, Murder List 3/2/50 Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven 4/3/3 Sandra Brown, White Hot 5/6/36 Dan Brown, Angels and Demons 6/5/17 Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason, The Rule of Four 7/-/1 Terry Brooks, High Druid of Shannara: Tanequil 8/4/8 Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip 9/-/1 Susan Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell 10/8/2 Jack Higgins, Dark Justice
Page 7
STUDENT REPORTER
Resident Evil: Apocalypse
The second installment of the Resident Evil series far surpasses the first in greatness…but is that really saying anything? No, not really. The movie stars Milla Jovavich, who plays Alice, exhead of security for a company called the Umbrella Corporation at an underground facility called the Hive. Alice realizes that the company she works for is corrupt and tries to take them down legally by getting someone to steal information to sell to the press. However, before she can there is a lockdown in the Hive and everyone is killed. As Alice says in the movie, “The only problem is, they didn’t stay dead.” Once everyone in the Hive has been killed, an experimental virus used to reanimate dead tissue called the T virus is released. So, of course, everyone turns into zombies and starts eating people and yelling, “Brains! Brains!” If they bite you however, you have a few hours before you die and then turn into one
Ratings Key
PPPP PPP PP P
Excellent Good Fair Poor
of them; that’s all in the first movie. The second movie starts off after Alice has escaped all the zombies from the Hive and is “rescued” by the Umbrella Corporation. All they want to do, however, is reopen the hive to find out what happened down there. Of course when they do, all they get is a heavy dose of zombies yelling, “Brains! Brains!,” and a breakout ensues to Raccoon City. Now Alice must once again fight the brain-eating baddies and, this time, escape a quarantined city with a group of all new misfits along for the ride. One of the best things about this movie is Mike Epps, who plays one of the random members of Raccoon City fortunate enough to have survived this long by driving around in his Cadillac and running over zombies. Epps’ name in the movie is LJ, and the only reason you can call him that is, “on account of the informal situation.” His dialogue is priceless and it is hilarious to watch him yell at a guy for hanging out with him after being bitten by a zombie. While only having a few moments in
Today’s Movies Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow—starring Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie; directed by Kerry Conran. Set in a fantasy vision of New York, 1939, Paltrow plays a reporter who teams with Law, an ace pilot, to unravel a mystery
and stop a robot invasion. Wimbeldon—starring Kirsten Dunst, Paul Bettany; directed by Richard Loncraine Bettany, a has-been tennis player, takes some lessons in life and love from Dunst, a young player on the women’s circuit.
Photo courtesy of WWW.MOVIECITYNEWS.COM
Agent Olivera (Oded Fehr, left) helps carry the wounded Alice (Milla Jovavich, center) as young Angie (Sophie Vavasseur) tags along in the hopes of escaping the zombie-infested Raccoon City. the movie, he by far outshines all of the other characters and almost makes the movie good…almost. While Epps’ dialogue is hilarious and entertaining, the rest of the cast gets stuck with stupid, idiotic one-liners that are supposed to be intimidating, but end up falling flat. Milla Jovavich gets the easy end of it because she makes up for her lack of dialogue with her fighting techniques that are fun and entertaining. However, for the
rest of the cast it’s just, “What was that?” “I don’t know!” “Ahhhh, they’re eating me!” Well, not exactly, but you get my drift. By far one of the very few redeeming qualities about this movie is the amazing action sequences that take place. While being somewhat unrealistic, even for a zombie movie, it is still really fun to watch. Jovavich does an amazing job as the heroin that has been transformed by the Umbrella Corporation, after
being taken out of the Hive, into a fighting machine. When watching Jovavich fight it is hard not to get into it and enjoy it every step of the way. If only I could say the same for the rest of the movie. Alas, I cannot, but you might want to rent it someday, when everything else is checked out and they are giving it away for free. E-mail Harris at: optimist@acu.edu
SEPTEMBER 11 REMEMBERED
Page 8
Friday, September 17, 2004
Sept. 11: Student recalls frightening day of school Continued from Page 1 United States was so new to Daniele, she said even her ACU campus tour guide couldn’t explain the attacks to her and her brother, Paul. “We went to the Campus Center, and I remember when she entered, she did not even talk to us,” Daniele said. “She was like, ‘Oh my goodness,’ the whole time. She tried to tell us, but we didn’t really know.” Daniele, who lives in a house near campus with Paul and her sister, Graciella, finally learned in the International Office that New York had been attacked. Paul said they thought the attack was a common occurrence. “We thought it was happening every day,” he said. “Everyone was crying, and it was scary, but [later] we started to feel more comfortable.” Because they were tired from traveling, Daniele said she didn’t call her parents in Burundi until the next day. When she called home, her mom was crying on the phone, saying ‘praise God’ and that she had ‘lost years to live’ from worrying, thinking she had sent her children to a safer country. Feeling safe in Burundi is uncommon, and Daniele said most residents stay in their towns and avoid traveling because rebels often attack in the country. Since 1993, about 200,000 Burundians have died in the fight between two ethnic groups, the Hutus and Tutsis, according to the CIA’s web site. Daniele knows many people who have been attacked, and she said she’s afraid for her parents and her other brother, Alain, who still live in Burundi. Her mom works for an electric company, and her dad is on the board of directors of a bank, and Daniele said her father travels into the countryside often. Alain also has to leave town to get to his school, which rebels attacked in 1997, killing a student in the dorm. “Every time my brother has to go back to school, we don’t sleep here,” she said. “We pray for him for the whole night until the next day when we’re like, ‘Thank God mom didn’t call to say something happened.’” When Daniele came to the United States, she said she hoped to leave war behind her. “This war is following me and my brother and my sister,” she thought after
the attacks on the United States. “Maybe if we go to another country, something will happen. But my dad never tried to discourage us. He said we’ll be fine.” Daniele felt enough confidence that she would be safe that she returned to New York City Sept. 9-12, 2004, traveling with three other students and a journalism faculty member to the national convention of the Society of Professional Journalists. “I told my mom I was going to New York, and she was excited,” she said. “But I didn’t tell her when [until later]. I said, ‘Mom, you know I’ll be in New York on Sept. 11,’ and she said, ‘Don’t go.’” Although her mom was afraid for her to go, Daniele said she was only slightly nervous, especially about flying on Sept. 9. “I didn’t know if I would feel comfortable being in an airplane a day before, two days before that,” she said. “When we were in the airplane … I tried to think about those people, how you’re going on a business trip, you’re going for something exciting, and you don’t know who you are riding with. “I just tried not to think about it and just focus on the trip.” While in New York City, the group attended the Saturday memorial service at Ground Zero. Daniele watched the first memorial service on TV two years ago, but she said actually being there and listening in person felt different. “Even to see it on TV was sad, but you don’t understand how sad it is to be around people, to be around them crying,” she said. “It’s hard to see men in tears; this man behind me was crying like a baby. … To be in such pain, I would not wish for anyone to be like that.” Daniele has not been home since she arrived here three years ago, and her mom has visited only once. Despite the unrest of the past few years, she said she has not considered quitting school to return to Burundi. “I’ve never wanted to go back and stay there,” she said, “but I’ve wanted to go and hug my parents and come back. “You come here for a goal; you have a goal, you know you are lucky to be here, to be safe. And even with what’s happening, you still know it’s better than being back home.” E-mail Bredemeyer at: lmb00g@acu.edu
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
A young man (per request he shall remain nameless) stands outside the fences surrounding Ground Zero and remembers friends who were killed when the Twin Towers were attacked on September 11, 2001, during the memorial service Saturday. Only family members were allowed into Ground Zero during the service, in which parents and grandparents of victims of the 9/11 attacks read the names of those who died.
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
The World Trade Center site has taken on many different faces since September 11, 2001, from destruction to emptiness and now rebuilding. Around the edges, areas still can be seen that were once part of the World Trade Center buildings. At Ground Zero, elements of the rebuilding process are taking shape, including the cornerstone of the Freedom Tower.
The memorial lights are actually two sets of 28 lights, positioned similarly to how the Twin Towers were positioned.
JUMPS
Friday, September 17, 2004
Page 9
Football: Cats prepare for South Continued from Page 10 weekend’s meeting as Rob Shipley went down in week two, leaving the responsibilities to sophomore Adam Johnson. Staring at the statistics for the young 2004 season won’t encourage Wildcat fans; the team will simply need to play better than their statistics show to come out on top and improve to 2-1 on the season. That doesn’t discourage junior defensive end Clayton Farrell though. “I think that any team can lose on any given day; it all depends on the effort you put out,” Farrell said. Farrell’s 16 tackles are second to only Shawn Taylor (19), and they lead a defensive effort that needs to step up for an opponent of this caliber. The Wildcats are 12th and 13th respectively in the LSC rushing and passing defense categories, while the Texans are third and second respectively and have allowed an average of just 8.6 points per game in three games. ACU will look to build off their 23-14 victory over Northeastern this past week-
end at Shotwell in their home opener. Last year, ACU’s receiving corps wasn’t the strong point in the offense, but freshman Jerale Badon has sparked the Wildcats with 188 yards and 14 receptions in two games. The Wildcats are tied for second in the LSC with five touchdown receptions, and Greg Wiggins is quarterbacking the fifth-best passing offense in the LSC. Coach Gaines understands what he will be facing, as ACU has been outscored by Tarleton 120-36 in four games since his arrival in 2000. “Tarleton has an outstanding team,” Gaines said. “They have great team speed on defense and have had one of the most prolific offenses that I’ve seen in my time at ACU.” The Texans are currently No. 1 in the LSC in total defense allowing just 214.7 yards per game and only 3.3 yards per play. Senior Ray Gates leads Tarleton with five tackles for a loss and three sacks while senior middle linebacker Ken Jones leads the team with 24 tackles. The Texan offense averages 32 points per game (3rd in the
LSC) and is No. 1 in rushing averaging 235.7 yards a game. Derrick Ross and Carl Steward lead the team with 438 yards and 313 yards respectively. Ross has found the endzone six times, while Steward has two rushing touchdowns and one through the air. Tarleton will give ACU its final test before facing Eastern New Mexico, which will be the team’s first LSC South Division game of the year. “Beating [Tarleton] would help put us on top; we’ve always been in a position to win the LSC, and I think a win would put us over the hump,” Farrell said. Before the season opener at Central Oklahoma, Wiggins said that the team enjoyed the challenge of playing a ranked opponent like UCO; the same applies for Farrell and the Wildcats this weekend. “Playing tough teams from the North gets us prepared for the South; I’d much rather prepare for our South games with harder teams,” Farrell said. E-mail Robarts at: kdr00c@acu.edu
SA: Groups receive more money Continued from Page 1 dards,” said Sen. Daniel Gray, sophomore social work major from Collierville, Tenn. “We’re setting a standard that Congress can do whatever it wants. That’s not a line that we want to cross.” Some said they would rather see people appointed to Congress who wanted to serve than have to seek out someone who was not interested enough to run for office or volunteer. “If you want to find a person to fill a seat just because they technically represent a building then I think we have a different idea of Congress,” said Sen. Brandon Smith, freshman political science and missions major from Dallas. In the end, Congress discovered it could jockey around several of the potential appointees, so they represented a building that housed their major. With that settled, Congress quickly approved the 20 appointees. To make room for all the appointees, Congress also unan-
imously accepted the resignation of Administration Building Rep. Andrea Schweikhard, junior communication major from Tulsa, Okla., who was elected just over two weeks ago. Congress also unanimously approved the budget for this semester—a budget scaled back considerably less than what was originally anticipated. Executive officers discovered Sept. 6 the $29,500 bill for the electronic scoring system in the bowling alley was left for them to pay. It should have been paid by last year’s administration but was not because of financial mishandlings. However, Tyler Cosgrove, executive treasurer, announced that after news of the crisis went public, Dale Crawford, the university’s controller, chief accounting officer and former SA treasurer, called him to ask about the debt. Cosgrove said Crawford offered to have the university essentially loan SA the money to pay the debt, and Congress would then pay back
the administration $7,375 each of the next four semesters. Because of that and a $4,000 debt recently paid back by Spring Break Campaigns, Congress will have almost $94,000 at its disposal once the first installment of the loan is repaid to the university. The 29 student groups who submitted budgets to Cosgrove received $40,041—an increase of almost $9,000 from last fall and about $1,000 from the spring. Student groups requested $60,721 in their budgets—30 percent more than allotted for groups—so Cosgrove said most groups’ budgets were cut about 30 percent based on the groups’ priorities and certain items and functions SA does not pay. Cosgrove said he has met with some groups since the budget was finalized and most were happy with what they received. E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu
Fair: Experience varies for all Continued from Page 1 major from Cleburne, said that coming from a small town has definitely given him a larger appreciation for the fair. “When I was in high school we had fairs, but nothing like this,” Roden said. “It’s really cool that there’s such a big fair here. It reminds me of a mini state fair.” Bethany Knox, senior elementary education major from Atlanta, had a different opinion. “I think it’s really cute,” Knox said. “Being from Atlanta, there’s nothing really like the North Georgia state fair.” Knox, who has been work-
ing at the fair and rodeo in the Joe Allen’s booth, said it’s been a unique experience for her. “It’s a different side working the fair rather than getting to walk around and see everything,” Knox said. “I love to see the toothless carnies.” Amanda Van Noort, junior integrated marketing and communication major from Sioux Falls, S.D., said she too enjoys just watching people. “You have everything from the hick cowboys to the people of Abilene who just come out of the woodwork for the fair,” Van Noort said. Both Van Noort and Roden said that no trip to the fair is complete without a funnel cake.
“The food is awesome,” Roden said, noting one booth that handed out free snow cones in exchange for biblical passages. “I got a free snow cone for saying the Ten Commandments.” Adrienne Forsythe, senior business management major from Wichita, Kan., said that all in all, the fair is an experience everyone should have. “It’s an Abilene thing,” Forsythe said. “If you go to ACU or live in Abilene at all you should go the fair at least once. It’s not going to be the greatest experience of your life, but you can at least go and have a good time.” E-mail Chastain at: optimist@acu.edu
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
Freshman starting wide receiver Jerale Badon looks to gain yards after the catch Saturday against Northeastern State free safety Terry Grayson. Badon leads the LSC in receptions per game average with seven.
Volleyball: Upperclassmen leading Continued from Page 10 tributed 10 kills and junior middle blocker Ashlee Motola added nine kills and hit .444. “Our passing was very good and we were able to spread the ball around to create more options,” Horn said. “They didn’t know where the ball was going because we had some many weapons.” Juniors Slate, Martin and Bernhardt serve as a trio of destructive weapons for the
Wildcats this season. Bernhardt has 199 kills and 4.42 kills per game, ranking her third in the Lone Star Conference in each category. Bernhardt was also named the LSC South offensive player of the week last week. After the Tuesday match, Martin moved to first in the LSC in assists with 551. The junior averages 12.24 assists per game, which is also the top spot in the LSC. Slate ranks fourth in the LSC with a .333 hitting per-
centage to round out the Wildcats atop the LSC leader board. Slate said despite these individual feats, the wins and losses are the most important thing. “Everyone is hitting well right now,” Slate said. “We just have to keep passing well and leave Lindsey with a lot of options.”
E-mail Roe at: bpr00a@acu.edu
Safety: Students should be alert Continued from Page 1 campus, [and] take our time to watch out for them.” Another main campus safety issue is lighting in and around campus, and a lighting survey is conducted every semester to evaluate areas of campus and determine if they are adequately lighted. Ellison, Watson, Jack Rich, executive vice president, and Eddie McFadden, manager of building maintenance, make up the team of those who walk through and around campus at night every year for the survey. Watson said the university continually upgrades certain areas of campus, trimming back trees and making improvements on campus. The foliage of trees at different times of the year affects the lighting and visibility at
night, Ellison said. Pole lights in the mall area were replaced, Watson said, and more will be added as funding is available. A new light was also installed across from Gardner Hall this summer, and students are encouraged to point out parts of campus they think are problem areas when it comes to lack of lighting by contacting the police or physical resources, Ellison said. Every fall, freshman and sophomore women are given safety whistles and are presented with a mandatory residence hall meeting about safety issues, and Ellison said the whistles are effective despite what people think. “We don’t present them to people as a crime-fighting tool,” Ellison said. “We present them as a reminder” to be safe.
He said that any group or organization that would like to have a crime prevention presentation or one on a different subject scheduled, should feel free to contact the ACU Police. One topic that will be discussed this year in presentations is identity theft, a problem already on campus and “an epidemic across the nation,” Ellison said. Overall, students are encouraged to pay attention to safety on campus, whether they are driving or walking around the perimeter, and to contact the police with feedback. “There’s only 10 of us,” Ellison said. “We need everybody to do their part to keep the campus safe.” E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu
SPORTSFRIDAY OPTIMIST
Page 10
Road-weary Cats come home
LSC South Standings Football Team Div. 1. A&M-Kingsville 0-0 2. ACU 0-0 2. Midwestern State 0-0 4. E. New Mexico 0-0 5. A&M-Commerce 0-0 5. W. Texas A&M 0-0 7. Angelo State 0-0
Tot. 3-0 1-1 1-1 1-2 0-2 0-2 0-3
Volleyball Team 4. Tarleton State 2. Angelo State 3. E. New Mexico 1. West Texas A&M 5. ACU 5. A&M-Kingsville
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
September 17, 2004
Tot. 7-2 8-3 5-2 7-4 8-5 5-6
ACU to play seven of its next eight matches at home By BRIAN ROE SPORTS WRITER
After starting the volleyball season playing 11 of 13 games on the road, the Wildcats finally return to Abilene, hosting two matches this weekend in Moody Coliseum. ACU will host a winless Texas A&MCommerce team Friday at 7 p.m. and the 2-9 Southeastern Oklahoma State Lady Savages Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Wildcats own an 8-5 record after destroying Texas Woman’s University Tuesday night in three straight games. The Wildcats won a close opening game 30-24, but then finished off the Pioneers by winning the final two games 30-17 and 30-25. “The game just flowed well for us Tuesday night,” said head coach Brek Horn. “Everything we did seemed to work.” The Wildcats did everything they could to work the ball around and finished the match with five players who
had at least nine kills. Junior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt led the team with 13 kills, junior setter Lindsey Martin distributed 48 assists and sophomore setter Malia Plumlee and senior libero Kellen Morrow each had double-digit digs. Junior middle blocker Amanda Slate posted 11 kills and had a .444 hitting percentage, senior middle blocker Sophia Kindred chipped in 10 kills and a .533 hitting percentage, sophomore outside hitter Callie Delabano conSee VOLLEYBALL Page 9
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Freshman outside hitter Allie Watts dives for the ball during practice Thursday. The Wildcats beat Texas Women’s University Tuesday 3 games to none (30-24, 30-17, 30-25) in Denton and will return home against Texas A&M-Commerce at 7p.m. in Moody Coliseum.
Scores Tuesday Volleyball ACU 3, Texas Woman’s 0
Briefs Hurricane Ivan affects LSC football in Louisiana Texas A&M UniversityKingsville officials announced Tuesday that the Javelina football game against Nicholls State, scheduled for this Saturday in Thibodaux, La., has been cancelled due to concerns related to Hurricane Ivan. There is no makeup date currently scheduled for the game and it is unlikely there will be one, as the Javelinas have no open dates until November 13, which is when the NCAA Division II playoffs are set to begin. The cancellation marks the first time since the 1967 season that a TAMUK game has been cancelled. —Stan Wagnon LSC Director of Media Relations EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
This week in Wildcat sports... (home events in italics) Friday, September 17 VB: TX A&M-Commerce, 7 p.m. Saturday, September 18 MCC: at Mo. Southern Stampede, 10 a.m. WCC: at Mo. Southern Stampede, 10 a.m. VB: SE Oklahoma State, 2 p.m. FB: at Tarleton State, 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 21 VB: at St. Edward's, 7 p.m. Friday, September 24 VB: Central Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 25 VB: SE Oklahoma State, 1 p.m. VB: Cameron, 5 p.m.
Sophomore running back Mark Gaines runs through a hole against Northeastern State. Gaines carried 28 times for 136 yards in the 23-14 victory at Shotwell Stadium.
Wildcats take 1-1 record to No.7 Tarleton State ACU to face the No. 1 defense in the conference By KYLE ROBARTS SPORTS EDITOR
The Wildcat football team will attempt to achieve something that hasn’t been achieved since head coach Gary Gaines’ arrival in 2000: Defeat Tarleton State. ACU heads to Stephenville Saturday to take on the No. 7 ranked Texans in another Lone Star Conference crossover match up. TSU won the North Division last season, and the
team is under the direction of head coach Todd Whitten. Whitten has compiled a 41-19 record since he took over the program in 1998. Last year’s contest started well for the Wildcats, who took an early 7-0 lead, but finished poorly as the Texans smoked ACU 41-7 on Sept. 20, 2003 at Shotwell Stadium. Jeremy Madkins helped the Texans to victory with six receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns, but will miss Saturday’s game due to injury. Tarleton’s starting quarterback will also be out for the See FOOTBALL Page 9
Game Preview Abilene Christian (1-1, 0-0) at #7 Tarleton State (0-0, 3-0) Date: Saturday Sept. 18, 2004 Time: 7 p.m. Location: Stephenville Stadium: Memorial Stadium (7,000, turf) Audio: KULL 92.5 FM or streaming audio at www.tsrnsports.com
Colors: Purple and White Coach: Gary Gaines (16-25, 5th season) 2003 Record: 6-4 (5-1 LSC South) Players to Watch: WR Jearle Badon (14 rec., 188 yards, 1 TD) LB Shawn Taylor (19 tackles, 2.5 TFL) DB/KR Danieal Manning (11 tackles, 1 INT, 190 total return yards, 1 TD)
By WARREN GRAY SPORTS WRITER
After opening its season with a number of individual wins at the Wal-Mart Open, the ACU tennis team will hit the road for the first time this season and face much tougher competition in the New Mexico State Aggie Invitational in Las Cruces, N.M., on Friday. The Wildcats were favored in most of the matches they played in Abilene, but in Las Cruces they will just be one of the teams. The women’s team will go up against Northern Arizona, University of Texas at El Paso, Texas Tech, Lee College and New Mexico State. Except for Lee College, all of the teams are Division I teams. Matches against those quality opponents will give the Wildcats a good idea of where their team is at right now. The men’s team will also face stiff competition. They will play two Division I squads, New Mexico and New Mexico State, as well as New Mexico Military Academy and the College of Santa Fe, which is the No. 1 junior college team in the nation. ACU coach Hutton Jones said he is
looking forward to seeing how his team responds against the tougher competition. He said that while the tournament will be tough, they will not come away empty-handed. “We will win our share of matches, but they’re all going to be things where they’re three sets or 7-5,” Jones said. Jones said he does not expect many matches where a player only scores one or two points. Preparing for a tournament in which they will not be favored is something the Wildcats are not used to, but Jones wants the team to approach every match with that mindset. “My job is to convince the team that they want tough matches, and the second we’re wanting to win easy we’re in trouble,” Jones said. The New Mexico State Aggie Invitational will be the final tune-up before the ITA Central Regional Championships. Jones said that no matter the outcome in New Mexico, the team will have an advantage in the regional tournament as a result of playing good competition. “None of the other schools would have played as tough a tournament as we are playing this weekend,” Jones said. “All our players are going to play guys
Colors: Purple and White Coach: Todd Whitten (41-19, 6th season) 2003 Record: 8-4 (4-1 LSC North) Players to Watch: DL Ray Gates (5 TFL, 3 sacks in ‘04), LB Ken Jones (24 tackles in ’04), RB Derrick Ross (438 yards, 6 TD in ‘04)
Last Meeting: Sept. 20, 2003 TARLETON STATE 41 ABILENE CHRISTIAN 7 Game Notes: ACU’s opening drive was 80 yards - the WIldcats gained just 74 the rest of the game.
Tennis welcomes tough competition Texas Tech, UTEP among ACU’s opponents this weekend
Tarleton State
Abilene Christian
Q&ASLATE with
Amanda
by Brian Roe - Sports Writer
Sport: Volleyball Favorite Food: Position: Middle Blocker Mom’s Chicken Fried Chicken or Class: Junior Roast Number: 10 Favorite Band: Height: 6-0 Selah Besides winning the LSC South Division and reaching the regional tournament, what are some of the other goals the volleyball team has for 2004? One of our goals this year is not to lose any home games. If we could go undefeated at home that would help keep our record up. We also focus on trying to win the first game when we are on the road. It’s important to get a fast start. Another goal for us is to beat all the regional teams we play.
What are some of your strengths as a player? I do my best to stay focused on blocking and hitting. I try to use my serve as much as I can and put the ball away when I get a chance. I am also an appointed leader so I just try to do my job.
How do you balance school and volleyball?
EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
Summer Beesley, senior from Weatherford, slams the ball back to her opponent during Friday's Wal-Mart Open. who are as good as we’re going to see in regionals.” E-mail Gray at: weg02a@acu.edu
I am taking 15 hours this semester. It’s not too bad, I just have to pay attention in class and take good notes when I am there. Tuesday night was tough because we didn’t get back from Denton until 1 a.m. and then I had a paper to work on until 3 a.m. But it’s not very different from anyone else.
Can you tell me about a highlight during a game this season? Well the last game I was serving and I bounced the ball off the net but it hit one of their girls in the head. I’ve been serving better this year and just trying to close a few blocks.
How does Coach Horn make you all a better team? She really just constantly challenges us. She makes practices so hard that when we get into games we are prepared, especially mentally, to push through anything. She loves the sport and is so committed that it makes us more committed as a team.