OPTIMIST_2004-09-29 by ACU Optimist

WEDNESDAY September 29, 2004

OPTIMIST

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

THE

Abilene Christian University

Vol. 93, No. 12 1 section, 10 pages www.acuoptimist.com

Serving the ACU community since 1912

Wildcats on a roll:

Exercising their right to vote:

Follies finishes:

The volleyball team extended its winning streak to eight games Saturday. Page 10

Many students will be eligible to vote in their first presidential election Nov. 2, except most international students. Page 4

Today’s Focus page features a photo essay about this year’s Freshman Follies. Page 8

Weekend car wreck kills one student

Bid Night initiates pledging activities Asthma attack sends one to hospital during first night of pledging

Current senior treated at hospital, but ‘doing fine physically’

By SARAH CARLSON COPY EDITOR

Bid Night went smoothly with only one student going to the hospital, said Mike Spell, adviser of social clubs. “Things went well, from what I understand, from what I’ve seen, from people who were out and around,” Spell said. “Things went very well.” He said no major problems occurred, but one student went to the hospital because of an asthma attack and hypothermia. Several members of clubs have depledged since Bid Night, but Spell said he does not know an exact number. Clubs sent 230 bids to women and 148 to men. Spell said a group of about 10 members of Campus Life made the rounds Friday night, visiting all the social clubs at least twice to see if they could be of any help and make sure everything ran smoothly. Michael Hunton, senior management major from Nashville, Tenn., and president of Gamma Sigma Phi, said Bid Night went well and everyone had a good time. He said there were only a few injuries, but nothing out of the ordinary or serious. GSP has the largest male pledge class with 52 men, and Hunton said no one has depledged. “They’re great guys,” Hunton said. “They’re wonderful. I’m so excited about every single one of them.” Jenni Kripner, president of GATA, also said her club enjoyed Bid Night with a GATA See PLEDGE Page 9

By JACI SCHNEIDER OPINION EDITOR

Former ACU student Ugochucwu Anyanwu died in a car accident Saturday. He was 22. Anyanwu, known as Emmanuel, was driving a sports utility vehicle on North First Street when he was struck from behind. He was not wearing a seat belt and was partially ejected from the vehicle, said Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life. Jamie Cromwell, senior chemistry major from Pinehurst, was driving the other vehicle involved in the accident. Although she was treated at Hendrick Medical Center, Cromwell is doing fine, Barnard said. “She is doing fine physically, but she is hurting otherwise,” Barnard said in an e-mail. “I believe her to be a person of strong faith, with See WRECK Page 9

SA members to distribute discount card Students can get Collegiate Card from their Congress representative By SALLY STEVENS STUDENT REPORTER

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Pledges of the Gamma Sigma Phi social club hold watermelons as current members stand to the side during Bid Night on Friday. Each year, Bid Night signals the beginning of the five-week pledging season. Many of the social clubs kept pledges out much of the night performing tasks and doing traditional club rituals.

Week to focus on wellness Brown bag luncheon, booths, Unstress Day planned as activities By ANDY JEFFREY STUDENT REPORTER

Improving the overall wellbeing of individuals in the ACU community is the goal next week for those involved in

planning Wellness Week. The seventh annual Wellness Week will begin Monday and run through Oct. 8. During the week, students will be challenged through guest speakers, wellness tests and even free massages to focus on improving all aspects of their lives. This year’s theme, “Passion for Life,” was “chosen as a

reflection of and a commitment to our passion for Christ,” said Helen Marshall, counselor in the University Counseling Center and Wellness Week organizer. “In being passionate about Christ, one must also be passionate about taking care of ourselves, spiritually, emotionSee WEEK Page 9

Wellness Week highlights (Oct. 4-8) Tuesday: Brown bag lunch in the Living Room of the Campus Center with Phil Ware, minister of Southern Hills Church of Christ. Wednesday and Thursday: Booths in the Hilton Room of the Campus Center with a chance to win prizes, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday: Unstress Day in the mall area with a dunking booth and a climbing wall, 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m.

Representatives in the Students’ Association are distributing the 2004-05 Collegiate Cards to students this year, unlike past years when the cards were placed in student mailboxes in the Campus Center. SA executive officers wanted to use these free discount cards as an opportunity for the congressmen to meet their constituents. “It’s a service that SA provides to the students for their behalf,” said Layne Rouse, senior communications major from Midland and executive president of SA. “This year it was used as a training tool for the representatives.” Elizabeth Alvarez, international relations major from McAllen and SA’s chief development officer, said SA wanted to stop making the students come to them, and instead, start going out to the students. ACU students founded the Collegiate Cards program in 1999. These students started a discount card program “created specifically for college students across the nation that believes every student should experience the savings at See CARDS Page 9

Madagascar sends dignitary Secretary general for minister of education visits during Follies By DANIELE NTAHONKIRIYE STUDENT REPORTER

Faneva Randrianandraina, secretary general to the minister of education of Madagascar, spoke to the ACU Malagasy students on Saturday and got the chance to visit his son in the process. Dr. John Tyson, vice president for development, said this was a special visit. “Every time we have a guest, it is a good thing,” Tyson said. “But this is a just a personal visit to be with the

Malagasy students.” Malagasy students said they were happy Randrianandraina was visiting while they were performing a Malagasy act in Freshman Follies. “We will be very happy to see him because he is like our father,” said Moustafa Assany, freshman financial management major from Madagascar. “He replaces our parents. He took care of us before we came here, giving us advice. We will be very excited to see him again.” Randrianandraina was able to visit his son Haja Randrianandraina, freshman environmental science major from Madagascar, as well as all other Malagasy students. Randrian-

andraina said that the 24 Malagasy students are fortunate to be here because they were specially chosen. “I told the Malagasy students that it’s a privilege for them to be here at ACU and to have the opportunity to study,” Randrianandraina said. “They are all very happy to be here; all they have to do is to study, study.” When their countryman arrived, the Malagasy students were excited to see him. Lydie Rakotoarivelo, freshman communication major from Madagascar, said the Malagasy students were very happy to hear news from back home. See MALAGASY Page 9

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Members of the Malagasy students’ Freshman Follies act sing a traditional Malagasy song during the dress rehearsal for the show on Thursday. Faneva Randrianandraina, secretary general to the minister of education of Madagascar, was visiting the students on campus when they performed in the show.

CAMPUS

DAY

Chapel Check-Up Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:

26 45

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Calendar&Events Poetry Night tickets, 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Highland Party, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Campus Center Recreation Area.

Sigma Phi Phi chapel, 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m., Faculty-Staff Dining Room.

Learning service seminars for University Seminar classes, 8 a.m.5 p.m., Hilton Room.

SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables.

Highland Church of Christ Widowhood Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Hilton Room.

Wednesday

Counseling staff meeting, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Faculty-Staff Dining Room.

Poetry Night tickets, 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables.

Campus Life party, 12 a.m.-2 p.m., Campus Center Recreation Area.

Thursday

Learning service seminars for University Seminar classes, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Room.

Friday

Bible study group, 7-10 p.m., Living Room.

Wellness Week, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Hilton Room.

Saturday

Poetry Night tickets, 5-7 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Campus Activities Board blood drive, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m, Living Room.

Sunday

No events scheduled.

Monday

By DANIELE NTAHONKIRIYE

Social club officers meeting, 5-6:30 p.m., Living Room.

The deadline for class chaplains has been extended because though the freshman class chaplains have been selected, no one applied for the other three classes. Because no applications were submitted for the sophomore, junior and senior class chaplain positions, the class senators had to reopen and extend the deadlines for applications. Layne Rouse, president of SA and senior communication major from Midland, said the applications are ready for students to get and fill out. Class chaplains are responsible for conducting class Chapels and they work with Shane Hughes, the coordinator of Chapel. “Class chaplains organize chapel activities, from getting the speaker to song leaders, to the prayers,” Rouse said. “They organize the whole process.” Class chaplains work with senators who may have projects, announcements or something they are going to present to the entire class, and Rouse said they literally facilitate Chapel. Senators choose the class chaplain from the applications submitted.

Tuesday

Brown-bag lunch with Phil Ware, Wellness Week, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Hilton Room. SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables. Homecoming Steering Committee meeting, 9:30-10:45 p.m., Hilton Room.

Volunteer Opportunities The Key City Kiwanis Club needs volunteers to help with its annual fish fry on Friday from 6:308:30 p.m. or Saturday from 11 a.m. 2 p.m. or 4:30-7:30 p.m. For information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. The YMCA needs volunteer coaches for flag football and youth soccer between Saturday and Nov. 6. Some time is required one evening a week after 5 p.m. and about half the day on Saturdays, either morning or afternoon. Contact the Volunteer and Service-

Learning Center for more information. Fashions for the Cure, a fund raiser for Breast Cancer Awareness, needs volunteers to transport and set up a stage and help with decorations before and after a dinner and fashion show Monday through Oct. 6. Contact the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center for information. Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver hot noon meals to the homes of homebound elderly and adults with disabilities from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays through

Fridays. Big Brothers Big Sisters needs male volunteers to participate in “Brother to Brother” Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. Volunteers will be matched with a little brother for sports, art projects, games and other activities. For information, call 6777839. City Light Ministries needs volunteers to tutor elementary school students and to play games or read to them on Mondays from 3:30-5 p.m. People that enjoy children and are interested in this

Students interested in becoming class chaplain can still apply

SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables.

Poetry Night, 7:30 p.m., Java City coffee house. Lindsay Webb senior recital, 8 p.m., Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.

Class chaplain deadline extended

opportunity can come to the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center for more information. Covenant Place of Abilene, an assisted living facility, needs someone to tutor one of the residents who is wanting to learn to read and write. For information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. The Noah Project needs volunteers to answer hotline calls and attending to shelter needs. For information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

STUDENT REPORTER

“When no one applies for class chaplain, senators perform the duties of chaplain,” Rouse said. The 5 freshmen chosen as chaplains out of the 13 who applied are Julio Alvarado, marketing major Valley Glen, Calif.; Matt Worthington, Bible and theatre major from San Antonio; Jenna Gillit, youth and family ministry major from Gladewater; Sierra Mc Duff, youth and family ministry major San Diego; and Zach Swan, youth and family ministry major from Fort Worth. “There are many people that just want to serve, to help in some ways; that is just a great testimony,” Rouse said. Casey Bingham, sophomore political science major from Conroe and sophomore class senator said, “Class chaplains are excellent, for our class. The chaplains have really good ideas. They call for help and make announcements.” Jake Roseberry, sophomore management major from Troy, Ohio and sophomore class senator said, “It’s a really good idea to have class chapels. Many people don’t like Class Chapels, but I enjoy it because you get to be with students with the same classification and to have speakers that talk about our future.” E-mail Ntahonkiriye at: optimist@acu.edu

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.

Announcements The 2003-04 Shinnery Reviews, the student literary magazines, are for sale for $4. Contact Nuria Hall in Chambers Hall, Room 308, for information. Interested in taking Portuguese or Russian? Help get these classes started for fall 2005 by e-mailing Phyllis Chill at pnc02a@acu.edu or Erin Ford at efc02a@acu.edu. Only 12 students are needed to commit to two semesters per language so classes can be opened in the fall. Classes will count either as electives or foreign language requirements. The Chapel prayer room is available on Mondays and Tuesdays in the Gibson Health and P.E. Center Room 230. The ACU roller hockey team is looking for experienced players. Last year, players represented ACU at the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Tournament in Anaheim. Contact crb00c@acu.edu for information.

A grief support group is available for those who have experienced a loss and are struggling to understand and deal with pain. This group will provide a supportive and understanding place to talk. The support group is sponsored by the University Counseling Center. It will meet every Thursday from 11 a.m.-noon in McKinzie Hall, lower level. Call Ext. 2626 for more information. A support group is available to help and support individuals who struggle with same sex attractions. Individuals interested in joining the group should contact the Counseling Center at Ext. 2626. The group will meet every Tuesday. Time and location are confidential. Hello Books will be here soon. Order the 2004-05 campus directory in advance for $10 by contacting Lorri Ware in the Journalism and Mass Communication Department at x2296 or

llw04a@acu.edu. Students can charge it to their account or pay by check or credit card. Students can also visit http://www.acu.edu/academics/cas/jmc/store/hellobook.ht ml to fill out an order form. Education Department students planning to studentteach in spring 2005 must attend a required information meeting Oct. 6 or 7 from 5-6 p.m. in the library auditorium. The deadline to submit applications to student-teach in spring 2005 will be Oct. 20. An information meeting for the Galaxy Ski Trip will be held Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Hilton Room. The trip is to Steamboat Springs, Colo. from Dec. 12-17. Everyone is welcome to attend. Fellowship of Christian Athletes will be meet at 9:28 p.m. Thursday in the Teague Building foyer. All students are welcome.

CAMPUS NEWS

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Tutoring programs begin Departments initiate guidance services to assist students By ELIZABETH NEWMAN STUDENT REPORTER

New tutoring programs have begun in individual departments on campus as part of the campuswide initiative to provide new tutoring services after the Learning Enhancement Center closed in May. The departments of Foreign Languages, Mathematics and Computer Science, Chemistry and English have hired student tutors to help their peers during weekly evening tutoring sessions. The new sessions are not required of students but are provided as a service and are encouraged by the professors for struggling students, said Dr. Harland Rall, associate chair of the Department of Foreign Languages. “Students who are struggling in a class and come and tutor with other students have less anxiety than if they come and talk with me,” Rall said. “I think the lowered anxiety helps learning.” The department hired two student tutors to conduct the evening sessions. The National Foreign Language association, which began last year, also offers free tutoring services on Mondays and Tuesdays. Haley Wagner, senior Spanish major from Longmont, Colo., helped start the NFLa and said she has seen more students coming to the sessions than last year, with about eight to 12 students at each session. The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science

hired four student tutors, who were chosen from student applications and teacher recommendations. Jason Tepe, senior mathematics major from Abilene, was selected after he replied to an email the department sent. Tepe said about 10 students attended each of the first two sessions that he worked, and the students who had been coming had expressed a better understanding of what they learned. Dr. David Hughes, chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, said he is still unsure of how many students will continue going because attendance at the sessions has varied, with more stuRall dents attending on the nights before tests. “This semester is pretty much an experimental semester for us,” Hughes said. “We want to make the tutoring available. Is evening a good time? We don’t know; we hope so. Will there be enough students that want to take advantage of the tutoring? We don’t know; we hope so.” In the English Department, some tutors have been placed as aides in lower-level classes, so they are in class with the students every day it meets. The tutors read over papers to check for grammatical errors and help students understand how to write well. Courtney Varner, junior English major from Abilene, is one of the new tutors in the department and works in one of the lower-level English class-

Page 3

Do you want fries with that?

Tutoring Opportunities Mathematics and Computer Science Foster Science Building Room 205; Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 6-10 p.m. Foreign Languages Administration Building Room 133; Monday and Friday, 2-3:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 6:30-8 p.m.; and Wednesday, 5-6:30 p.m. National Foreign Languages association Administration Building Room 133; Monday, 4-5:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Writing Center Library basement; Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

es every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, along with working in the Writing Center two hours a week. The Writing Center provides assistance with writing projects, editing and documentation. She said so far two or three students have come to her and asked for individual help outside of class. “We are still trying to find our foothold because it is a brand new thing this year,” Varner said. “I think it’s going well, and as the year progresses and continues, it will get better.” E-mail Newman at: optimist@acu.edu

Pledges for the women’s social club Sigma Theta Chi, dressed in a variety of creative costumes, prepare to play “Capture the Mascot” against men’s club Gamma Sigma Phi at the Intramural Fields on Bid Night last Friday night.

Group to comfort grieving Counseling center to help students learn to overcome sorrow

“Grief is a deep, rich and complex experience that arises out of more than just separation by death.” Kurt Boyland, counselor at the University Counseling Center

By HAYLEY JONES STUDENT REPORTER

Students who are struggling with grief now have the opportunity to join a grief support group sponsored by the University Counseling Center. The group will meet every Thursday from 11 a.m. to noon in the lower level of McKinzie Hall. Kurt Boyland, a counselor at the University Counseling Center, and Bob Booth, resident director of McDonald Hall, will lead the group. Boyland said every day has troubles, like Jesus said in Matthew 6:34, and some of those troubles are loss. “Grief can occur from failing a major test, losing a pet or a job, divorce or the death of a family member,” Boyland said. “Grief is a deep, rich and complex experience that arises out

of more than just separation by death.” One student has shown interest in the group so far, but according to the counseling center, there have been 10,464 hits on its Web site for death and grief, as well as 3,068 hits for loneliness and depression in the last year. “This shows us that there are scores of people out there dealing with grief issues,” Boyland said. “We are starting this group because of our belief in the place and importance of grief in our daily lives.” Boyland co-facilitated a grief group in spring of 2003 for students who had lost a loved one. This will be the first grief group formed since a group was started with the Psych-

ology Department for students who had lost parents two years ago. The group forming now will be covering all kinds of grief because grief can be more than losing a friend or family member, Boyland said. Alison Tetrick, sophomore biochemistry major from Redding, Calif., said, “A grief support group for students is something that there is a great need for here on campus; we all deal with some type of loss during our years here at ACU.” Anyone interested in joining the group can call the counseling center at Ext. 2626. E-mail Jones at: optimist@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Page 4

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

FCA encourages athletes to lift, build each other up Group brings Christian athletes together for fun, fellowship By BRIAN SCHMIDT STUDENT REPORTER

The ACU chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has begun its second year with weekly huddle meetings attracting about 40 students, according to group leaders. The chapter meets every Thursday at 9:28 p.m. in the foyer of Teague Special Events Center. A group of athletes from several different sports on campus started the campus chapter , which meets every Thursday at 9:28 pm in the

foyer of Teague, last year in order to bring together athletes and students from across campus for Jesus, said Craig Howard, leadership team member and junior exercise science major from Amarillo. one of the founding members. “FCA’s sole purpose is to impact lives for Christ,” said Howard, one of the founding members, said leadership team member Howard, junior exercise science major from Amarillo, “whether it’s athletes or coaches directly, or those who don’t play sports but are influenced by athletics.” FCA’s new faculty advisor, Adam Hull, agrees, saying that FCA’s purpose is to uplift students through fellowship. “FCA is here to encourage

and build up, it is a place for Christian athletes to get together in an uplifting environment,” Hull said. “We are here to fellowship … to reach out and help [athletes and students] to grow in spirit.” Hull said FCA is still trying to get some things organized in its second year. With this being FCA’s second year on campus, they are still trying to get some things organized, Hull said. Craig Howard said the chapter is also seeking guest speakers and organizing combined meetings with McMurry and Hardin-Simmons. that some of the things they are trying to organize are guest speakers and combined meetings with McMurry and HardinSimmons.

“We have a very strong leadership team with numerous connections,” Howard said. He said he would like to get various athletes “to share their stories of how the Lord worked in their lives.” FCA originated on campus last year after a group of athletes from various sports decided that something was missing. “We spent a lot of time in prayer and discussion about what to do,” Howard said. He said interested students looked on the FCA Web site and found a link about starting a FCA huddle. “A week later we got an email back from the assistant director for Abilene saying she’d been praying for ACU to get into FCA,” Howard said.

Spring registration to begin Early registration allows students to sign up for desired classes By SUSAN SPIVEY STUDENT REPORTER

Preregistration for spring classes begins on Oct. 18, and registrar Danelle Brand said students should be prepared to register when their date opens. Graduate, honors and Study Abroad students can begin registering on Oct. 18, followed by seniors on Oct. 20, juniors on Oct. 25, sophomores on Oct. 27 and freshmen on Nov. 1. Registration opens at 3 p.m. on each date. Students need to meet with their advisers before registering to receive their advising release codes, Brand said. Seniors, juniors and sophomores are responsible for selfregistering. Students register for classes online through myACU with the Banner Web program, a system ACU adopted two years ago. "It puts the power in the

student’s hands," Brand said. Once they have met with their advisors, students can put together schedules that work best for them and can add or drop classes any time before the spring semester begins in January. Students can also check for holds on their accounts on Banner. However, those who wait until their registration date to start planning may encounter difficulties. Brand said students need to be more responsible for their transcript and check it at least once a semester. Only graded hours on a transcript count for credit, and some students do not realize when they have incomplete hours, Brand said. This means that for some, the registration date may be later than anticipated. Holds may be placed on students’ accounts for missing health records or overdue payments. This could also delay students from registering. ACU requires students to have completed health records after their first semester in order to register for classes, and some students simply forget.

"That's going to hang up people the most," Brand said. Preregistration is not required but is strongly recommended because it gives students the most choices. Students are not billed for any classes until the next semester begins, and there is no add/drop fee for changes made before classes start. About 2,700 students, over half the student body, will preregister on time, Brand predicted. Brand said that is what has happened in past years. Freshmen will receive registration guidance through their University Seminar classes. Allison Barnett, senior education major from Waco and a University Seminar peer leader, said she will help the freshmen in her class develop four-year degree plans to make sure they take the classes they need when they need them. Freshmen also are expected to have individual advising appointments with their University Seminar instructors.

E-mail Spivey at: optimist@acu.edu

“We met at the next prayer meeting and she’d already paid the entry dues and we were officially FCA affiliated. We kicked off the first huddle and got a great turnout.” Hull and Howard both emphasize that FCA is open to all. “FCA is open to anyone who wants to come,” Hull said. “We have a lot of fun and seek after God.” “We felt a need for something there, [so] we got together… spent a lot of time in prayer and discussion about what to do,” said Howard, one of the founding members. “We looked on the FCA website, found a link about wanting to start a huddle, put in the information and a week later we got

an e-mail back from the assistant director for Abilene saying that she’d been praying for ACU to get a FCA. …We met at the next prayer meeting… and she said that she’d already paid the entry dues and that we are officially FCA affiliated and that [Abilene FCA] could help us out with some funding. We kicked off the first FCA huddle and got a great turnout.” Both Hull and Howard emphasize the fact that FCA is not about the size, and that “it is open to anyone who wants to come, we have a lot of fun and seek after God,” Hull said.

E-mail Schmidt at: optimist@acu.edu

Buckin’ Bronco!

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Aaron Rompy goes for a mechanical bull ride on Saturday at the Balloon Fest. The Balloon Fest was conducted at RedBud Park over the weekend.

Campus focuses on Hispanics Hispanic Appreciation Month on campus focuses on diversity By LUKE HARRIS STUDENT REPORTER

Hispanic Appreciation Month is underway at ACU and many students are excited to get involved. Hispanos Unidos and the Multicultural Department are joining to show students that the true meaning of Hispanic Appreciation Month is diversity and not history. Hispanic Appreciation Month lasts from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, and involves many fun activities for students. La Shae Sloan, director of Student Multicultural Enrichment and Student

Services, is helping out with much of the activities for this month. This is Sloane’s fourth year working at ACU, and her fifth academically, but she says that Hispanic Appreciation Month and its activities have stayed fairly similar throughout her years at the school. “This month isn’t about Hispanic history, it’s about teaching everyone that there are different types of Hispanic cultures that are all over the globe, and that there is diversity and variety,” said Sloane. Nicolas Acosta, junior history major from Abilene, said he thinks Hispanic Appreciation Month is important. Acosta, whose mother is Mexican and father is British, lived in Venezuela for nine years. “It’s important to appreci-

ate our culture as Americans, and our culture is becoming more and more Hispanic,” Acosta said. “You can embrace it or ignore it, but the fact is that this is becoming a major part of our culture.” Sloane said that in honor of this month several activities and other events take place. Hispanos Unidos held a karaoke concert, and the Bean served a special meal to celebrate the month on Sept. 16. Some students may have also noticed the display in the Campus Center. The display is called, “More than Beans and Rice,” to show again that Hispanic Appreciation Month is not about Hispanic history, but about diversity.

E-mail Harris at: optimist@acu.edu

Free concert series to begin Free concerts cover variety of music, from classical to jazz BY SUSAN SPIVEY STUDENT REPORTER

A free concert will be at 8 p.m. Thursday as part of the Music Department’s concert series, beginning with Last Night’s Fun, a Lubbock-based Irish-Celtic band that blends its music with traditional stories from the British Isles. The concert will be in the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. “It’s not your typical con-

cert,” said Greg Straughn, instructor of music. “It’s like the stories and the music all go together to create an atmosphere.” The band, made up of four classical musicians, plays jazz-style improvisation on traditional Irish music, as well as folk songs and ballads. “They’ve played all across the U.S.,” Straughn said. ACU has offered a concert series each year since the Williams Performing Arts Center opened. Past concerts have featured traditional classical and jazz musicians, but Straughn said this year the department decided to go

away from the traditional and present a more eclectic series. The department’s 20042005 concert season will feature pianist Scott Carrell from Harding University, cellist Bion Tsang from the University of Texas at Austin, violinist Kirsten Yon and pianist Lora Deahl from Texas Tech University, and music ensemble McClean Mix, who will perform acoustic and electronic contemporary music.

E-mail Spivey at: optimist@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Page 5

Students given chance to ‘Focus on the Family’ Some students choose to travel to Colorado for internship By MALLORY SHERWOOD STAFF WRITER

Focus on the Family Institute, founded by Dr. James Dobson, offers four classes a semester to 88 students from secular, Christian, private and state universities across the United States. Amber Wiard, junior math education major from

Livonia, Mich., is attending FFI this semester. On Sept. 7 she moved in to an apartment complex in Colorado Springs with three girls from FFI and began her 13-week course. “God kept opening the door for me with my classes, class schedule and financial aid because I didn’t think I could afford it, if my aid didn’t transfer,” Wiard said. “It was so obvious this was where I was supposed to be this semester.” Wiard joins a group of students selected from over 150 applicants from the United

States to participate in this program. ACU is usually represented by 1-3 students each semester, which is rare compared to most universities said Dr. Gary McCaleb, vice president of ACU. As long as students meet the requirements, they will go through a preliminary screening with a committee set up by McCaleb’s office. Then they will be interviewed during the week of Oct. 11, said Lea Watkins, McCaleb’s assistant. “Students go because it is relevant to their major or field

of study,” said McCaleb. “For example, they want to focus on marriage/family counseling, or some want to go because they want to have a strong marriage and family themselves.” He also said ACU accepts the classes at FFI as substitutes for almost all majors, and most of the financial aid students would receive while attending ACU is transferred to the cost of the program in Colorado, which is $9,000 for the semester. “I love it, I love it, I love it,” said Wiard of her first two

weeks at FFI. “I grew up in a Christian home and school, and I went to church. But you know how things you’ve heard all of your life can get repetitive, right? In literally the first class here, I heard things I’ve never heard before or understood. They give you challenging and practical advice for now and in the future, especially relating to your future and family.” McCaleb said he doesn’t know of a single student who didn’t come back with a good experience. “The students always say

Students share variety of views, many have never participated By LAURA STORK STAFF WRITER

EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

Tenel Zahodnik, sophomore biology and pre-med major from San Antonio, opens her bid from the Siggies. Her friends, Kami Eldridge (left), sophomore speech pathology major from Lubbock, and Cris Carpenter, sophomore psychology major from Edmond, Okla., share the joy.

Homecoming parade to ‘Go Wild with the Cats’ By KATHERINE FLANARY STUDENT REPORTER

The theme for the Homecoming Parade is “Go Wild With the Cats,” and the Homecoming Steering Committee has begun to look for local groups such as the Fire Department, Girl Scouts and

Dyess Air Force Base to participate in the parade. Samantha Adkins, coordinator of Alumni Programs, is in charge of the parade and said in an email that she expects the same number of people to participate in the parade as last year, maybe more. Minor changes have been made to the Homecoming Parade this year. “This year’s Steering Committee was set up different, so I have six students who will each be in charge of a major por-

tion of the parade,” Adkins said. She said that last year, only one student was assigned to the parade, and everyone else on the Steering Committee had to help out on the day of the parade. This year, students “have to check in with me, but overall they will have control of how the parade turns out,” Adkins said. “I am fully confident that this year’s parade will be wonderful.” Student organizations and social clubs have to follow rules and meet deadlines to be in the parade and are sent a folder

detailing everything, Adkins said. Some of the rules include motorized floats having proper exhaust ventilation on the outside, no open flames on the floats or carried by parade participants and the name of the organization must be visible. The deadline for float inspection is Oct. 21. Floats will have to be inspected in order to participate in the parade. E-mail Flanary at: optimist@acu.edu

Dr. Money helps honor seniors, soon to be alumni Senior Experience Program encourages seniors to support ACU By TIFFANY TAYLOR STAFF WRITER

The Senior Experience Program will sponsor an ice cream social Thursday at the Hardwood Café from 5-6:30 p.m., and Senior Experience Program coordinator Kristi Thaxton encourages all seniors to attend the social that will include free ice cream and some words from Dr. Money. Thaxton said the event “helps kick off the fall semester of their senior year.” She encourages students to “come out and have some free ice cream and visit with their

friends.” Thaxton said the social should be a fun event especially for senior students and their friends, as well as an opportunity to visit with faculty and staff. “Dr. Money will visit with them about their Senior Class Gift Campaign and congratulate them on reaching their senior year,” Thaxton said. She said she believes it is important that seniors begin to see ACU as a cause worth giving to, since 40 percent of student’s tuition is covered by alumni gifts. “Money is always tight as a college student and it is no different your senior year; you’re still poor,” said Amber Hailey, a psychology major from Austin. Hailey admits she will probably pass up the opportunity to donate because of social club

expenses, but understands that some seniors want to give back to ACU before leaving. Thaxton said seniors have been responding well to the Senior Experience Program’s message. “We’ve already gotten several brick orders in,” Thaxton said, referring to the personalized brick seniors are eligible for if they donate a minimum of 100 dollars. The engraving on the bricks includes the senior’s name and graduation year. “It’s neat to come back to campus and see you’ve left a little history and given a little of

E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu

Students vote for first time

You’re invited to a social club!

Annual parade brings social clubs together for float competition

they studied a lot, grew a lot in moral and ethical bases and got an understanding of the Christian world view,” he said. “From what we’ve heard, they [FFI] are very pleased with the program and its growth, as well as the students who come from ACU. They set very good records for themselves and for future ACU students to attend.”

yourself to the campus,” said Thaxton. New bricks will join others on the Senior Walk between the campus center and the Bible building. Ideas for the Senior Class Gift are being sent to senior class senator Michelle Morris at mlm03b@acu.edu. Seniors will vote for a senior gift during the senior chapel on Oct. 13th and the check will be presented to Dr. Money during the senior dinner in May. E-mail Taylor at: tat04a@acu.edu

Many students on campus were not old enough to vote in the 2000 presidential election but are now of legal age and will have the opportunity to vote in November, and many have different opinions on voting. “The U.S. has an incredible set of rights,” said Ruth Ashley, junior social work major from American Samoa. “I’m shocked by the political apathy on campus. These issues do affect them.” Ashley, who was born in Abilene but grew up in Samoa, has full U.S. rights unlike the Samoa natives. Ashley said that her parents aren’t allowed to vote in the national election because they declared residency in American Samoa. “They would like to vote,” Ashley said, “but it’s OK because they don’t have to deal with the consequences as much.” In a similar situation is Lazarus Kawinga, recreation mechanic of the ACU bowling alley from Zambia. Kawinga, who is not a citizen of the U.S., said that he isn’t allowed to vote and that he is OK with that. “I understand that it will affect me, but I don’t think about it,” Kawinga said. “It does matter who is picked but I think all politicians are the same.” Ife Adedokun, senior marketing and management major from Houston, said that she is also not allowed to vote because she is originally from England and is not a citizen of the U.S.

Election 2004 The overwhelming majority of students will be voting for the first time in Nov. 2. Some students from Samoa, though technically U.S. citizens, are not allowed to vote.

“I don’t think it’s my place to vote here in America,” Adedokun said. “This isn’t my country and it shouldn’t be left up to me to decide how to run it. “If I could vote, though, I would vote democratic and my vote would not count here in this state because Texas is voting for Bush,” Adedokun said. “If I could vote I would want my vote to count.” Allison Wright, senior marketing and management major from Spring Hill, Tenn., said that she doesn’t know if she is going to vote because she is out of state and has not yet registered. “I don’t know how to go about registering out of state,” Wright said. “If I knew how—I would.” Cassie Bellomy, sophomore nutrition major from Arlington, said she intends to vote but that it’s a hassle to actually drive home and do it. “I don’t really pay attention to politics, but I do know if you don’t vote then the person you want might not win,” Bellomy said. Ashley also said that when the president is elected, then everyone will have an opinion, whether they voted or not. “If you don’t vote,” Ashley said, “you can’t complain.”

E-mail Stork at: las00f@acu.edu

VIEWSWEDNESDAY OPTIMIST

Page 6 The issue: The University Counseling Center has several programs addressing issues that students face, including grief, same-sex attraction and eating disorders.

Our view: The counseling center is doing the right thing by offering these support groups. Just because ACU is a Christian campus, doesn’t mean those problems don’t exist. Issues need to be dealt with, not ignored.

September 29, 2004

Center taking needed steps for students The University Counseling Center has created several programs that focus on students’ needs, and this semester, support groups that deal with grief, same-sex attraction and eating disorders are being facilitated to assist students. The Optimist commends the center for being open to helping students with their problems and recognizing the need for support and encouragement, no matter what the issue is. The grief support group is in place to help “those who have experienced a loss and are

is helping to lead the group along with counselor Kurt Boyland. The counseling center and the university have recognized that these are real problems many of our students are struggling with, and ACU students are not immune to having issues with eating disorders and homosexuality. Although much of the struggle is covert, in forming support groups, the counseling center sends the message that it’s OK to deal with these problems, and professional, loving counseling is available.

has sponsored struggling to unACU students are not immune to having issues an eating disderstand and with eating disorders and homosexuality. orders group deal with the for several pain,” according years, recogto the counseling center’s Web site. Steve helps women who are “preoc- nizing that this is a problem Rowlands, director of the cupied with weight, size and with students on campus. Strugglers with Same-Sex University Counseling Center, food” find respect for themsaid the group has not yet selves and is facilitated by Attractions (and those who care begun because he has not counselor Margaret Davis. about us) was begun after the received enough response from According to the Web site for counseling staff saw a need for students, but grief is one of the the National Eating Disorders it on campus based on the nummost accessed topics on the Association, about 10 million ber of students who go to the counseling center’s Web site. females and 1 million males counseling center seeking help Rowlands said students can still have anorexia or bulimia, and for homosexuality, Rowlands contact him to get involved and 25 million people have a binge said. Dr. Sally Gary, instructor eating disorder. ACU is affected of communication who has help the group get started. Another group, EASE: Eat- by issues like this, and Row- spoken about struggling with ing Attitudes and Self-Esteem, lands said the counseling center same-sex attraction in the past,

Hurricane victims need relief, now First came Charley. Then can use this money to help Frances and Ivan. Now provide shelter, food, counJeanne. Florida has been seling and other assistance to inundated by bad weather those in need, according to and bad luck redcross.org. as four hurriNot everyone can drive canes have through three states to help afflicted the the residents rebuild or state in the donate half a million dollars. past six weeks, But we can help. Instead of and the resi- buying a new CD, donate $20 dents, which to the Red Cross to help buy include at water for a dehydrated, homeLori’s Story least 20 ACU less family. Instead of orderstudents, need ing the $5 student special at Lori our help. Chicken Express, send it to Bredemeyer C h a r l e y help feed an elderly couple came first on Aug. 13 as a that doesn’t have any food Category 4 hurricane that hit left. the southwest coast of FloTo help, you can donate rida. Frances was next during money to the American Red Labor Day weekend, hitting Cross hurricane relief efforts the state’s midsection as a by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW; Category 4 hurricane. Then sending a check to: American Ivan, a Category 5 hurricane, Red Cross, Attn: Disaster struck the panhandle Sept. Relief Fund, P.O. Box 37243, 16. Most recently, Hurricane Washington, D.C., 20013; or Jeanne, a Category 3, ravaged going online at redcross.org. Also, the the coast close to Students’ Assocwhere Frances iation will take a hit. The storms al- In Haiti, at least collection after Chapel and in the so caused death 1,500 people and destruction Campus Center were killed by on Monday to doin the islands in the Caribbean. Hurricane Jeanne nate to Healing In Haiti, at least Hands Interna... 80 percent of tional, an intern1,500 people were killed by and relief the country was ational Hurricane aid organization, Jeanne, and offiso the group can flooded. cials said as purchase beans, much as 80 perrice and water to cent of the country was flood- be distributed in Florida and ed. Haiti. Brad and Monica Six people were killed by Gautney, ACU alumni, are Jeanne in Florida, and offi- Haitian missionaries and will cials are saying some won’t help buy and distribute the have power for three weeks. supplies in Haiti beginning Crops are ruined, and most Oct. 8. businesses and homes sufYou don’t have to promise fered at least minor damage, if half of what’s in your bank they weren’t destroyed. The account to make a difference. Federal Emergency Man- We could raise $25,000 if agement Agency has initiated every student on campus the biggest response in its his- donated $5, and even more if tory, surpassing the response faculty and staff pitched in, to the Sept. 11 terrorist too. attacks, according to an artiThese people are in need, cle in the Washington Post. and right now, $5 worth of To help with the relief, the water or food could be what search engine Ask Jeeves has helps them survive. pledged up to $1 million for every search performed on a special Red Cross search E-mail Bredemeyer at: page. The relief organization optimist@acu.edu or lmb00g@acu.edu

Daniel Barcroft

In My Words

Christianity needs actions, not just words This summer, Vice President Dick Cheney made a mistake. In a heated moment on June 22 on the Senate floor, he told congressman Patrick Leahy to “go f--- yourself.” When this happened, I was lucky enough to work eight hours a day in close Much Ado quarters with About two anti-ReSomething publican, antiJaci Schneider Christian men. The two men knew I was a Christian, and although I never came out and said directly that I was a Republican, they assumed I was. They thought that Cheney’s slip was brilliant; it gave them one more example of hypocritical Christianity. I don’t think I could even count how many times I heard some variation of the phrase, “I bet he went and confessed to George W. and prayed to Jesus for forgiveness, then cussed someone else out.”

Faith should be known by lifestyle and actions, not just words alone. tians. Every time either of them does something — no matter how small and insignificant or earth shattering it may be—it reflects on all of American Christianity. That’s a lot of pressure to be placed on two human men. The same goes for Christian personalities, like Billy Graham, Jerry Falwell and Jesse Jackson. These men have great intentions of spreading the Gospel, and they do a wonderful job of bringing people to Christ, but every little thing they do reflects on all of us. As Christians we’re not supposed to care what the world thinks about us because we are aliens and strangers in this world. But Christians in the spotlight can mar the image of Christianity as a whole and turn people off from Christ. The mixing of Christianity and politics is a dangerous thing. It is great to have leaders of our country who share some of the same values we do, but it

Now I respect the fact that President Bush and Vice President Cheney claim to be Christian men. However, instances like the one that occurred this summer make me cringe when I realize that more than the just my two coworkers probably reacted with glee when Cheney lost his temper. I know that Christians are not perfect. I know that we mess up like everyone else in the world. But non-Christians don’t know that. Many see Christians as goody-two-shoes who are supposed to be perfect. If we’re not, we’re hypocrites. This puts a lot of pressure on Christians, especially Christians in the public spotlight. Although it is important for Christians to let their light shine and be unashamed of the Gospel of Christ, I sometimes wonder if it would be better if the world did not know that President Bush and Vice President Cheney were Chris-

quickly becomes a slippery slope. Christian politicians can do great things in our country, but they are constantly in the public eye; Christians and nonChristians will evaluate everything they do. Cheney’s slip of the tongue is just one example. People didn’t give him a chance to explain to every American that he messed up and he’s sorry; he couldn’t explain that he’s not perfect and that his religion doesn’t require him to be. I have no problem with Christians participating in politics. I’m sure any job involved in politics may be difficult for a Christian. However, the faith of public figures should be known by their actions, not their words. When people see the works they do, they will ask the public figures why they act the way they do. Faith should be shown by lifestyle and actions, not just words alone. Because when the wrong words are said, that’s all we’ll ever hear about.

E-mail Schneider optimist@acu.edu or jrs02a@acu.edu

In Your Words “Some of them look very uncomfortable, and some of them look outright funny.”

What do you think of the uniforms that pledges are now sporting on campus? Jennifer Luna

Editorial and letter policy 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

Layne Sheets

freshman pre-engineering physics major from Ramstein, Germany

junior education major from Hawley

OPTIMIST

“Well, it shows that we got a lot of love for each other.”

Justin Mackey

Staci Ross

sophomore sociology and criminal justice major from Dallas

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

“I thought it was different; I’ve never seen Americans all dressed the same before.”

“I’m glad I don’t have to wear them.”

THE

freshman undeclared major from Muleshoe

The Optimist Editorial Board

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Abilene Christian University

Editor in Chief

Opinion Editor

Chief Photographer

Faculty Adviser

Jonathan Smith

Jaci Schneider

Brian Schmidt

Dr. Cheryl Bacon

Managing Editor

Copy Editor

Sports Editor

Ad Manager

Lori Bredemeyer

Sarah Carlson

Kyle Robarts

Christi Stark

Optimist contact information Newsroom: (325) 674-2439

Sports desk: (325) 674-2684

Photo department: (325) 674-2499

Advertising office: (325) 674-2463

Subscriptions ($45/academic year): (325) 674-2296

Online: www.acuoptimist.com

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

CAMPUS NEWS

Page 7

Group helps fund walk

Full of hot air

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself to raise money for Alzheimer’s By APRIL WARD PAGE 2 EDITOR

EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

At the 10th annual Big Country Balloon Fest at Redbud Park, a man holds open the envelope of the balloon to allow the high-powered fan to blow in air on Saturday morning. A balloon crew is needed to help set up all of the hot-air balloons.

Members of the group Love Your Neighbor as Yourself are collecting donations to participate in the Alzheimer’s walk on Oct. 2 at Nelson Park in honor of Dan Harrell, an ACU alumnus. This will be the second year that LYNAY has participated. According to LYNAY adviser and ACU Vice President Gary McCaleb, he asked LYNAY to participate in the walk in honor of Harrell, a close friend who has Alzheimer’s disease. “Dan’s had Alzheimer’s several years now,” he said. “Some students in LYNAY may be walking in honor of a particular family member or friend, but all the rest that don’t know someone suffering from Alzheimer’s are doing it in honor of Dan and Rita.” Rita Harrell, Dan’s wife and administrative coordinator of the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center, said Dan’s

struggle with the disease brought the Alzheimer’s walk to McCaleb’s attention. “Dr. McCaleb and my husband were friends in school here in the 60s,” she said. “When Dan was diagnosed, he said he wished there was something he could do to help Dan.” The opportunity to help came last year when McCaleb and Dan’s mutual friend called to ask McCaleb for a favor. “A mutual friend involved with the Alzheimer’s Association asked McCaleb to coordinate the Abilene walk,” Rita said. “This was someMcCaleb thing he could do to honor Dan, and LYNAY took that on and raised a pretty significant amount of money.” LYNAY raised almost $2,000 for last year’s walk. The group is raising funds again by collecting donations, and the money will go to the Alzheimer’s programs in the area. McCaleb said the event

will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 6 p.m. “Most people will go at 9 a.m., but people can walk at any time during the day,” he said. Rita said she plans to participate in the walk again this year. This is her husband’s seventh year since he was diagnosed with the disease, and there is still no cure available. “Dan was diagnosed at age 54,” she said. “There really is no treatment; he was on medication, but it’s not something that can stop or cure it. It only slows it for a couple of years at best.” McCaleb said this is a project that LYNAY is proud to be a part of. “We can’t necessarily do everything, but we can do something,” he said. “This disease affects so many people, and it’s continuing to grow in the number of people affected. Anything we can do in the direction of reducing the possibility of people getting it or finding a cure is a great thing.” E-mail Ward at: alw02b@acu.edu

New language requested Heart Walk this weekend Students express interest in Portuguese, Russian for fall 2005 By JENNA LUCADO STUDENT REPORTER

Two students are attempting to start Russian and Portuguese courses for the fall of 2005. Phyllis Chill, sophomore international studies major from Grand Haven, Mich., and Erin Ford, sophomore international studies major from Humble, proposed the idea to the Department of Foreign Languages last spring in hopes of adding one or both of the classes this fall, but they might have to wait a while before a definite guarantee that the classes will be offered. Adding a new language course to the schedule for the 2004-05 school year was impossible because “the teaching assignments for the upcoming spring were made last spring,” said Dr. Harland Rall, associate chair and academic adviser of the Department of Foreign Languages. Dr. Mark Jones, chair of the Department of Foreign Languages, asked Chill and Ford to stir interest among students before the final approval of the classes could be made. “We have to have 12 students by mid-October to be committed to two semesters for both the Portuguese and Russian class,” Chill said. Currently, Ford said 11 students have committed to the Portuguese class, and six or seven have expressed interest in

the Russian class. Also contributing to the likelihood of a future Portuguese class is Dr. Robert Brown, associate professor of foreign languages, the only professor in the Foreign Language Department who is qualified to teach it. The department does not have anyone on staff who has the qualifications to teach Russian. Dr. Brown lived in Brazil, received his master's degree in Portuguese and taught missionary teams going to Brazil. Right now it is difficult to know how many semesters the Portuguese and Russian classes would be offered, Rall said. If the interest level of students drops, he said, then the classes will be dropped. The classes will, more than likely, be offered “on an interest basis only,” Rall said. Though the outlook is less hopeful for a Russian class, Chill and Ford said they are content with the possibility of having Portuguese offered. “Both are useful languages and get other people thinking about learning a new language,” Chill said. Chill said that she has wanted another Latin American language class at ACU because the emphasis of her major is Latin American Studies. Erin, on the other hand, said she has been interested in the Russian language ever since she visited Russia her sophomore year of high school. Also, offering a new language course might help “promote the Foreign Language Department because it has gone

down a lot,” Chill said. The Foreign Language Department has already dropped upper-level French courses because they “did not have enough French majors to sustain a full degree,” Rall said. The department offers Latin, Spanish, German and ESL. Rall, Chill and Ford said they believe a new language class could benefit not only the Foreign Language Department, but also students who aspire to live out the ACU mission statement. “A new language course fits into the ACU mission ‘Changing the World’ because it helps equip students to communicate and impact people in other countries,” Rall said. “People respect you for effort that was made to learn their language.” Ford agreed. “A new language class would especially benefit ACU since this is such a missionfocused school,” he said. Chill and Ford said they would not have put so much effort into promoting the new Portuguese and Russian courses if not for a conviction in the benefits the classes can bring. “So far we have posted a notice on the ACU Web site and in the Optimist,” Chill said. “We also have printed at least 3,000 fliers. We printed them out in fours, so I had blisters on my fingers from the two to three hours it took to cut them all up into individual fliers.” E-mail Lucado at: optimist@acu.edu

Students to help raise money for American Heart Association By TIFFANY TAYLOR STAFF WRITER

Wylie Baptist Church will sponsor the annual American Heart Association’s Heart Walk on Oct. 2. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and participants will walk the fivemile loop through Fairway Oaks starting at 9 a.m. The event, which collected $90,000 last year, raises money to fund research of heart diseases. Teams are sponsored to walk either the full five miles or a cardiac mile, while individuals may choose only to donate and not attend the walk. Sharon Earnest, the local American Heart Association’s corporate marketing director and organizer of Heart Walk, said she is “looking for ACU to be the biggest team this year.” Pam Medulla, administrative coordinator of the medical clinic, said she knows students are busy, but she feels Heart Walk is a good cause, and it can be used as service hours. Gardner Hall was involved in the walk last year, and Medulla said she would like to encourage all of the residence halls to become involved this year. Before the 2003 Heart Walk, Gardner raised more than $600.

Annual art, literary magazine on sale Shinnery Review available for $4 in Chambers Hall By LAURA STORK STAFF WRITER

The 2004 issue of the Shinnery Review, ACU’s annual student art and literary magazine, is on sale for $4 in Chambers Hall Room 308. The Shinnery Review contains works of poetry, fiction, non-fiction and art and offers undergraduate and graduate students a place to express

their voices and visions, according to the Web site. Analee Bivins, senior English major from Houston, is one of many students who submitted and had their work published in this year’s issue. “I think the Shinnery Review is really important for aspiring writers to get a feel for the publishing process,” Bivins said. “I am going to be a writer, and every experience with writing and submitting my work is valuable.” Although the magazine is not yet accepting submissions, the staff of student volunteers

is expecting to begin campaigning for the coming year’s issue within the next week or two, said Kayla Anderson, editor in chief of the Shinnery Review. “I want to encourage students to submit,” said Anderson, sophomore English major from Waco. “We will take anything and will consider anything; we’re open to new ideas.” Because people express themselves in so many different ways, the staff chooses material with an open mind and focuses not so much on

the content but the quality, Anderson said, adding that students can submit anything that will fit inside a page. The Shinnery Review also offers students the opportunity to share their material at any of the annual readings the review provides. The first reading, which will take place in November, is called the Slithy Tove. Desserts, coffee, music and games will be offered at this free come-andgo event. E-mail Stork at: las00f@acu.edu

“The packet was so full of change last year that it almost broke.” Pam Medulla, administrative coordinator for the medical clinic

“The packet was so full of change last year that it almost broke,” Medulla said. She also said students should only give according to their own means. Jacquetta Etheridge, residence director of Gardner, said her goal for the hall this year is to raise even more money and encourage more residents to actually attend the walk instead of just donating. Etheridge, who began promoting Heart Walk among students as Murray soon as the semester started, said she hopes the resident’s involvement will raise awareness. ACU track team’s head coach Jon Murray said he will be involved again this year. “For athletes, we understand more about our body than most people,” Murray said, adding that he enjoys supporting an organization that promotes healthy living. Although Murray said he is only strongly encouraging the track team to find sponsors, a prize is being offered for the team member who

collects the most money. Murray said he hopes to have at least half the track team involved in the event, and he wants his team to “realize there’s a world out there, and people need help.” Medulla gave a registration packet to residence hall directors and said she hopes to target faculty next. “If you don’t physically go to someone’s door, I don’t get much response,” Medulla said. She said there is a great need for research funding. “Without the research, there is no progress,” Medulla said. Medulla's own mother had two heart valves replaced and one repaired just two years ago. Medulla said money needs to be turned in to her by Monday so she can meet the Oct. 7 deadline. Interested students can e-mail her at pamela.medulla@acu.edu, call 627-0070 or register online at http://h e a r t w a l k . k i n t e r a . o rg / abilenetx.

E-mail Taylor at: tat04a@acu.edu

Page 8

FOCUSWEDNESDAY OPTIMIST

September 29, 2004

The

AC Difference

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Staff Photographer

The women of Nelson Hall, first floor, sang about the men in Mabee Hall and hanging out with new friends after curfew in their act, “Mission: Impossible.”

STORY BY BRIAN BAH

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

The women of Gardner Hall, first floor, in their act titled “It’s a Dorm Room Life” sang most of their songs as parodies of songs like “Tomorrow” from the musical “Annie.”

With the final show of Freshman Follies on Saturday, the program once again provided entertainment for the audience and a sense of achievement and a chance to build friendships among the cast. “It’s not just a show; it’s the relationships we build,” said Kendall Massey, director of student productions. “Only if you do it can you fully know the experience.” Profits from Follies tickets were up this year compared to last year, Massey said, and Saturday night was completely sold out. “I’ve never seen that many people in Cullen before,” he said. “People were crammed in the aisles; there was not an empty seat in sight.” Massey said it is hard to compare this year’s show to last year’s, which was his first year as ACU’s director of student productions. “Each Freshman Follies are very much like the freshman performing,” Massey said. “Each performance is a reflection of the class that put the show on.”

For the students involved, benefits went beyond putting on a show for the audience. “It’s something that if I hadn’t done, I know later on I would regret it,” said Courtnee Hembree, freshman speech pathology and broadcast major from Abilene. “It’s definitely a good bonding experience with the freshman class.” Hembree said parents told her they enjoyed the show. “I had parents come up to me who had been at every show and compliment me,” Hembree said. “It was neat having parents’ respect.” Parents weren’t the only proud ones, though. “I was very proud of not only of my husband but the work he brought out of the students,” said Vivi Massey, Kendall’s wife who assisted as a vocal coach during production. “It made me very proud that the students proved to be true performers.”

EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

The men of Mabee Hall, first floor, north, gave the first performance from a men’s hall in their act, “Girls, Halo, Bikes ... LUCKY!”

EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

The men from McDonald Hall admitted to not knowing anything in a parody of VeggieTales’ “We’re the Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything” in their act titled “Do You Believe in Magic.”

Elizabeth Russell, freshman undeclared major from College Station, sang Shania Twain’s “This One’s for the Girls.”

JUMPS

Wednesday, September 29, 2004

Page 9

Hockey: Finances a concern, but team will play on anyway Continued from Page 10 work than in years past. The team, which is recognized by the school as an official club, receives no money from the school. The Students’ Association has supported the team in the past by making a small contribution. However, because the budget shortfall in SA it is unlikely they will be

able to help the team this year. “We usually get money from SA, but with the budget troubles they are having, we aren’t expecting anything,” said Ross Baldwin, senior physics and computer science major from Kenai, Alaska. Last year SA contributed $1,250 to the team, which helped pay part of the $3,600 bill for league fees. This year

the money SA normally provides will have to come out of the players’ pockets. Financial stress is nothing new to the hockey team. Each year, players pay the majority of the cost for league fees, uniforms, equipment and travel expenses. “Money is always tight; we always seem to make it work out somehow,” Baldwin said.

Despite the money issues, Baldwin said the team is excited about what they can accomplish this year. With all but two players returning from last season’s team, and the addition of four freshmen, the team hopes to improve upon the success of last year. “We have a solid core of a team and some young talent that is going to help us a lot,”

Continued from Page 1 “Our parents are confident to send us here, and they expect something credible from us,” Rakotoarivelo said. After meeting the Malagasy students, Randrianandraina said the took pictures of the Malagasy students, and he will try to show them to their parents. “We will try to get videos because the Malagasy students are taking part in the Freshman Follies, and we hope to be able to show these on the national television station,” Randrianandraina said. He said ACU is different from campuses in Madagascar as well as the campuses that

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Some of the Malagasy students perform a modern act in their native tongue following a Malagasy traditional Christian song during the Freshman Follies dress rehearsal Thursday. Follies ran Friday and Saturday in Cullen Auditorium. The students performed for a packed house Saturday night.

Week: Students to box away stress ally and physically because after all, our bodies are the temple of Christ.” On Tuesday after Chapel there will be a presentation by Phil Ware, minister of Southern Hills Church of Christ. Beginning at noon he will conduct a brown bag luncheon in the Living Room over the topic “Re-igniting the Passion: A Journey With God.” On Wednesday students will be given the opportunity to take advantage of professional services at no cost. The University Counseling Center staff will offer students the opportunity to complete a depression and anxiety screening. Along with the free

tests, the Abilene School of Message Therapy will offer massages at no cost. Tuesday through Thursday, wellness booths will be set up in the Hilton Room that will focus on spiritual, physical and emotional health, Marshall said. Deonna Shake, professor of exercise science, has been working with her students to design these booths that will focus on topics relevant to the ACU body. Wellness Week concludes Oct. 8, with “Unstressed Day.” a time where students will be able to participate in fun activities as a way to relieve the excess stress of daily living. Students will have the opportunity to dunk administrators in a tank of water,

climb a rock wall and run with a bungee cord wrapped to their waist and work their way through an obstacle course. Other activities include a Velcro wall, bouncing boxing and a game of twister. Marshall said she hopes that students and staff will learn information this week on how to make better decisions about their wellness lifestyle. “The more they learn about health and wellness,” Marshall said, “the easier it will be for them to know which changes that they need to make and the best way to implement those changes.” E-mail Jeffery at: optimist@acu.edu

Pledge: Few already depledged Continued from Page 1 pledge class of 18. “All our girls had a good time, and everything went as we planned,” said Kripner, senior elementary education major from San Antonio. “They’re having a lot of fun and they’re all getting along great. It’s going well.” Eric Johnson, sophomore finance major from Boerne, depledged Frater Sodalis on Sunday night and said it had

nothing to do with the club itself, only the fact he felt social clubs is not where he needs to be. “Club isn’t who I am,” Johnson said. “I honestly felt my heart wasn’t into it, and I didn’t think it was right for me.” He said clubs can be great and can work for some people, and he doesn’t consider himself a quitter. “If I had wanted to quit based on something they had

exercise science major from St. Louis, said joining the team was one of the best things he has done while at ACU. “This is a great group of guys,” Dickison said. “These guys are like my brothers now.”

E-mail Jeffrey at: optimist@acu.edu

Malagasy: Happy to see friend

Put your right foot in ...

Continued from Page 1

Baldwin said. The team will continue having practices twice a week at Abilene’s Cal Young Park in preparation for the season. Baldwin said room is still available on the team for students interested in joining. “We are always looking for people who want to skate,” Baldwin said. Caleb Dickison, sophomore

done, I would have quit while they were doing it and not later,” Johnson said. “Club shouldn’t define the person, the person should define the club. If some of those members are defining the club, then there’s something missing. I’m at peace with my decision. I don’t regret it.” E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

he has seen elsewhere. “Somehow this campus has something special,” he said. “The Bible building; I went there to visit … it is such a quiet, comfortable place, a place for meditation and relaxation.” While in the United Tyson States, Randrianandraina also participated in a seminar with the World Bank. The United Nations General Assembly was in session, and many world leaders were in New York City. Tyson was recently in New

York City as well and was invited to have lunch with the Madagascar President Marc Ravalomanana and other government officials from Madagascar. Before Tyson’s departure to New York, the Malagasy students all wrote letters to their president. Tyson said that President Ravalomanana was very impressed and looked forward to reading them. “President Ravalomanana has indicated a real interest in visiting the ACU campus, but his time is precious,” said Tyson. E-mail Ntahonkiriye at: optimist@acu.edu

Cards: Available in SA office Continued from Page 1 least once – For Free!” according to the Web site. They succeeded in this by cooperating with SA, who purchases the cards for every student registered at ACU and then donates them to the student body. The cards usually cost SA around $3,000 and are distributed at the beginning of the

semester free to the students. Melanie Booker, senior political science major from Sugar Land and executive vice presBooker ident of SA, said the student representatives were

given the cards to pass out during their training sessions a couple of weeks ago. The students who have not received their Collegiate Cards from their SA representative can get them in the SA office in the Bean Sprout. E-mail Stevens at: optimist@acu.edu

Tennis: Women enjoy depth Continued from Page 10 was the top finisher on the women’s side for ACU. Lindloff defeated ACU teammate Rachel Taylor in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinal round, where she lost to Northeastern State’s Holly McKee in three sets. “It felt really good to get that far, but it was a bummer to lose in the semis,” Lindloff said. Like all of the players, Lindloff was hoping to see at least one Wildcat head to Florida for nationals. Now

she’s just ready to get back on the court. “We play this weekend and I’m really looking forward to that; I’m ready to go,” Lindloff said. Lindloff came in to the tournament penciled in as the Wildcats’ No. 6 player. Coach Hutton Jones said the fact she made it to the semifinals is a testament to the depth of this year’s team. Walker echoed his sentiments. “It was very nice to see one of our younger players step up,” Walker said. “The strength of the girls is our depth; one through six could

play as No. 1, and that’s good to have.” The women’s team was again playing without allAmerican junior Colleen Reynolds, who is planning on red-shirting this season. Coach Hutton Jones said this year’s team is deep enough to afford him that option, and with four seniors leaving this year’s squad, Reynolds will now be available for two more years.

E-mail Gray at: weg02a@acu.edu

Wreck: Service being planned Continued from Page 1 a very loving and caring mother. Many of her friends are surrounding her in prayer.” Anyanwu was originally from Nigeria and attended ACU for one semester in the spring of 2001. At the time of

his death he was a student at McMurry University and the Abilene Shelton School of Nursing, said Wendy Kilmer, ACU director of Public Relations, in an e-mail. His wife and her children survive him, Barnard said. Anyanwu’s family from Nigeria should arrive in

Abilene this week, Barnard said. His friends from ACU and International Students Association will plan a memorial service in coordination with the Campus Life office. E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu

SPORTSWEDNESDAY OPTIMIST

Page 10

Eight straight for ACU

LSC South Standings Football Team Div. 1. A&M-Kingsville 1-0 2. Midwestern State 1-0 3. E. New Mexico 1-0 4. A&M-Commerce 0-0 5. ACU 0-1 6. W. Texas A&M 0-1 7. Angelo State 0-1

Tot. 3-0 3-1 2-3 2-2 2-2 1-3 0-5

Tennis struggles at regional tourney Team looks ahead to LSC individual championships By WARREN GRAY

Volleyball Team 1. E. New Mexico 2. Angelo State 3. ACU 4. Tarleton State 5. West Texas A&M 6. A&M-Kingsville

Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

SPORTS WRITER

Tot. 11-3 13-4 14-5 12-6 11-7 6-10

Scores Friday Volleyball ACU 3, Central Oklahoma 1

Saturday Volleyball ACU 3, Southeastern OSU 0 ACU 3, Cameron 0 Football Eastern New Mexico 28, ACU 21

Briefs ‘Friday Night Lights’ to premiere soon Universal Pictures will release the film “Friday Night Lights” to the public on Oct. 8. The film is based upon the national bestseller written by H.G. Bissinger, which portrays the1988 season of the Odessa Permian High School football team. The film and book have direct ties to Abilene Christian University, as current head coach Gary Gaines was the head coach of Odessa Permian when the book was written. Billy Bob Thornton will play Gaines’ character in the film. The Optimist will be working to provide exclusive coverage in the coming weeks on these events, and will include interviews with coach Gaines and Thornton, along with looks at the book and film, and student and player reactions to the film. — Kyle Robarts sports editor

LSC South Football Statistical Leaders Team: Opp. 3rd Down Conversions #1 - 15/56 (25%) Individual: Punts #2 - Chase Fishback - 24 punts, 984 yards, 41.0 yard average Punt Return Average #1 - Danieal Manning - 34.5 yard average (2 TD) Tackles for Loss #3 - Clatyon Farrell - 7.5

This week in Wildcat sports... (home events in italics) Thursday, September 30 VB: West Texas A&M, 7 p.m. Saturday, October 2 MCC: at OSU Cowboy Jamboree, 10 a.m. WCC: at OSU Cowboy Jamboree, 10 a.m. VB: Eastern New Mexico, 11 a.m. FB: SE Oklahoma State, 2 p.m. Monday, October 4 G: at Grand Canyon Fall Inv., 9 a.m. Tuesday, October 5 G: at Grand Canyon Fall Inv., 9 a.m.

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Senior libero, Kellen Morrow, passes the ball during the 3-0 (30-19, 30-27, 30-13) win over Cameron during the LSC Crossover Tournament in Moody Coliseum on Saturday.

LSC South Division play begins with home match Thursday By BRIAN ROE SPORTS WRITER

The Wildcats swept three straight matches at the Lone Star Conference Crossover Tournament in Moody Coliseum on Friday and Saturday to extend their winning streak to eight games. ACU (14-5) improved its all-time record at the LSC Crossover Tournament to 17-1. ACU faced its only competition against Central Oklahoma (11-6) on Friday but won in four games beating Central Oklahoma Motola 30-26, 30-25, 26-30, 30-19. “We are just playing more and more like a team,” said freshman outside hitter Ashley Baird. “We are really working together and we’re proving we

Volleyball can dominate teams.” Junior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt set the tone with 23 kills and 21 digs, junior middle blocker Ashlee Motola added 18 kills, and sophomore outside hitter Callie Delabano finished with 13 kills. Junior setter Lindsey Martin posted a game-high 65 assists and senior libero Kellen Morrow added a game-high 35 digs. On Saturday, the Wildcats had little trouble with Southeastern Oklahoma and Cameron as the team swept both matches in three straight games. ACU destroyed the Lady Savages 30-15, 30-22, 30-16, dominating every facet of a match that lasted only 60 minutes. Bernhardt led the Wildcats again with 16 kills and a .429 hitting percentage. Junior middle blocker Amanda Slate hit .458 and added 14 kills. Martin had a game-high 38 assists and Morrow finished with a gamehigh11 digs. The Wildcats put the finishing touches on the LSC Crossover Tournament by fin-

ishing off the Lady Aggies 3019, 30-27, 30-13 for ACU’s second straight three-game sweep. Cameron kept the match close in game two, but the Wildcats served the Lady Aggies off the court in game three. For the third straight match Bernhardt led the Wildcats with 17 kills and nine digs. Martin produced her best match of the tournament recording 42 assists, 20 digs and three kills. Slate and Motola also finished with double-digits in kills and Morrow and freshman Liz Snoddy each finished with double-digits in digs. The Wildcats now turn their attention to rival and defending LSC South champions West Texas A&M as LSC South division play begins Thursday. The Lady Buffs and Wildcats begin play 7:30 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. “This is going to be a really big game but we can’t put too much focus on one game,” Baird said. “They are a good team but we will be at home and we’re looking to keep winning. E-mail Roe at: bpr00a@acu.edu

September 29, 2004

The ACU tennis team had hopes of advancing players to the national tournament. As it is, they had to settle for an appearance in the regional finals. Artin Tafazoli was again the strongest player for the Wildcats, and after winning easily in the semifinals he lost to Central Oklahoma’s Tomas Hladil in the championship match. “I’m really disappointed; I’m still not over it,” Tafazoli said. “I really wanted to play for a national championship and now I’m not going to get that opportunity.” beat Jonas Tafazoli Askeland, another Central Oklahoma player, in the semifinals 6-0, 6-0. Tafazoli said that while Askeland was a very good player, he kept hitting the ball right into his “zone.” “I was on top of my game, just hitting forehand winners on him left and right,” Tafazoli said. After such a dominating

Tennis performance, Tafazoli looked poised to make a run at the title, but he couldn’t pull it off in the final match and took the loss pretty hard. “This is probably one of the toughest losses I’ve had in my career” Tafazoli said. “By the time the next tournament comes around, hopefully I’ll be over it.” Tafazoli kept the championship match close, losing 75 in the third and final set. He won the first set 6-2 but said he had trouble holding serves after that. Assistant coach John Walker said Tafazoli matched up well with Askeland in the semifinals, then just ran in to a good player who was playing well in the finals. Walker said Tafazoli will have a chance at redemption soon. “Two weeks from now he’ll get to play the same guy again in the LSC Championships” Walker said. ACU’s Casper Steenkamp was expected to finish well in the tournament, but lost in just the second round after having a bye in the first. Sophomore Holly Lindloff See TENNIS Page 9

Roller hockey team prepares for season Team not affiliated with NCAA, but remains competitive By ANDY JEFFREY STUDENT REPORTER

The ACU roller hockey team had its first practice of the year last week and hopes to improve on last year’s 16-4 regular season record. The team finished second last season in the Southwest Collegiate Hockey League and was ranked 12th in the nation. The SCHL, one of eight leagues that make up the National Collegiate Roller Hockey League, has yet to release a schedule for the 2004-05 season. The regular season runs from mid-

Roller Hockey October through March. Even though a date has yet to be set, the team is already focused on playing conference rival University of Texas at Dallas. Last season UTD beat the Wildcats to finish first in the SCHL. Matt Peacock, senior biblical text major from Irving, said that beating UTD was important but winning the conference and earning a trip to nationals are the team’s main objectives. “Doing well at nationals is the ultimate goal for our team,” Peacock said. Accomplishing that goal this year will take a little extra See HOCKEY Page 9

Miscues cost Cats in loss ACU starts out 0-1 in LSC South; move to 2-2 on the year By KYLE ROBARTS SPORTS EDITOR

One week after snapping a seven-game losing streak to Tarleton State, the Wildcat football team was unable to extend on a five-game winning streak to Eastern New Mexico. Turnovers and penalties cost the Wildcats as they dropped to 0-1 in the Lone Star Conference South Division and 2-2 overall, with a 28-21 loss in Portales, N.M. ACU went two weeks without a turnover prior Yeldell to Saturday’s loss where they gave the ball away three times. Senior quarterback Greg Wiggins threw a costly interception that was returned for a 41-yard touchdown by linebacker Jeff Howard in the third quarter, and fumbled twice in the fourth quarter on consecutive drives. The second fumble gave the Greyhounds just a 19-yard field to score. Eastern New Mexico capitalized and scored three plays later on a Jason Tezeno run from 11 yards out to give the Greyhounds the 2821 lead from which the

Football Wildcats could not recover. Sophomore defensive back Danieal Manning almost had a perfect present for his new son Jonte Manning, born late Friday night, as he returned the opening kickoff 104 yards for a touchdown. However, the referees called the play back because of a block-in-the-back penalty. That penalty was the first of many that plagued the Wildcats the entire evening. ACU racked up 84 yards in penalties on nine infractions, compared to just 38 yards on three penalties for the Greyhounds. Neither team’s statistics on either side of the ball proved dominate; Each team punted seven times, ACU was 5 of 16 on 3rd down conversions while ENMU was 6 of 16, and ENMU gained just 16 more yards of total offense than the Wildcats. The difference on the scoreboard was due to the mistakes. “Our average starting field position was 10-12 yards less than them, and when you add that to our penalties and turnovers, we aren’t explosive enough to sacrifice that type of field position and recover,” head coach Gary Gaines said. The individual defensive statistics show a good night on paper as the team combined for nine tackles for a loss and two sacks. Junior defensive

end Clayton Farrell had six tackles, including three for a loss, a sack and a blocked punt. Sophomore defensive tackle Joe Edwards had eight tackles (2 TFL) and a sack, while junior linebacker Greg Yeldell had a game-high 13 tackles, and junior linebacker Matt Allen had 10 tackles and a sack. Wiggins added two more touchdown passes to give him nine for the season. In his previous three years as quarterback, he played in 17 games and had just eight touchdowns. Senior receiver Dillon Cobb has been Wiggins’ favorite target in the end zone as Cobb added another touchdown, giving him four on Cobb the year in as many games and finished the game with 91 receiving yards. Junior full back T.A. Martinez caught the other touchdown for ACU. All three running backs carried well for the Wildcats as Rashon Myles gained 52 yards on 13 carries, Charles Williams had 49 yards on seven carries and Mark Gaines had 45 yards on 10 carries, including a 17-yard touchdown run late in the 3rd quarter to tie the game at 21. The Wildcats had a great opportunity to tie the ball game in the fourth quarter

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Sophomore wide receiver, John Brock, catches the ball during practice Tuesday as the Wildcats prepare for their game against Southeastern Oklahoma State at home on Saturday. when the offense put together ahead to Southeastern Oklaa 12 play, 63-yard drive that homa for this Saturday’s LSC began with 6:01 left in the crossover match-up at Shotgame. On third-and-fifteen, well Stadium. The game will Wiggins completed a pass to mark the final LSC North Cobb for 13 yards to set up a opponent for ACU before finfourth-and-two situation for ishing with four-straight south the Wildcats. However, the division games. defensive front plugged up the “There’s a lot left to play middle and Myles came up one for,” Gaines said. “We are still playing for the same things yard short of the first down. All that was left for the (LSC south title and playoff Greyhounds was to run out the berth) that we were at the clock, which they did success- beginning of the season.” fully not only to close out the game, but all night as ENMU gained 253 yards rushing. E-mail Robarts at: The Wildcats will look kdr00c@acu.edu