WEDNESDAY October 27, 2004
OPTIMIST THE
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Abilene Christian University
Vol. 93, No. 20 1 section, 8 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Batted down:
No soliciting:
License to kill:
The Wildcat football team lost its Homecoming game to TAMU-Commerce. Page 8
Credit card solicitors were asked to leave campus when they had not received permission to be soliciting near the Biblical Studies Building. Page 3
Head volleyball coach Brek Horn looks to build a dynasty at ACU. Page 8
Centennial vision tops State of University speech President’s cabinet creates five expectations for centennial year By MALLORY SHERWOOD STAFF WRITER
Dr. K.B. Massingill, director of the Adams Center, asked about 280 people at Monday’s State of the University Address in the Teague Special Events Center about the second century vision, “What will ACU be like for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren?,” as ACU approaches its Centennial Celebration next year and enters its 100th year of operation.
The president’s cabinet developed five expectations of the ACU community to help shape that vision, Massingill said. The university’s goal is for students to be engaged in learning inside and outside of the classroom, challenged to excel in analytical thinking and problem-solving, equipped to serve and lead in their communities, connected for life by the relationships built on campus and committed to stewardship to take care of the ACU community. “We are studying ways to improve the quality of life on campus and how to empower people to live in our communi-
ty,” said Dr. Sally Gary, assistant professor of communication. “Stewardship is really about taking care of the faculty and students, preparing them to leave this place and go further the kingdom of God as he intends.” With new teams called VISTA, faculty and staff can brainstorm how to put these goals into action effectively, Massingill said. “We are giving faculty the opportunity to volunteer and shape the future at ACU and to see the vision,” Massingill said. As the $150 million Centennial Campaign, the largest campaign in the history of ACU, launches its final year, nearly
$62 million has already been committed, said Dr. Royce Money, president of ACU. “The Centennial Campaign is just one of the exciting things happening in Abilene this upcoming year,” Money said. “It is a year of birthday celebrations. Abilene will celebrate 125 years, the Paramount Theatre will celebrate 75 years and Dyess Air Force Base will celebrate 50 years—all in 2006.” The Centennial Campaign and Second Century Vision were not the only items on the agenda Monday. With a successful year, ACU has had many See STATE Page 5
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, speaks to faculty members Monday for his semesterly State of the University address.
Barnard announces crest theft decision $1,400 in fines levied against club members, pledges involved BY JONATHAN SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Rep. Charlie Stenholm, D-Abilene, talks with Scooter Thompson, sophomore exercise science major from Knox City, following Stenholm’s question and answer session Tuesday in the Living Room of the Campus Center. Stenholm is running against Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, for Congress.
Bringing out the vote Congressional candidate says he struggles to draw young voters By JONATHAN SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF
Debate ended on the floor of the U.S. Congress, and Rep. Charlie Stenholm, DAbilene, left the chamber frustrated with the discussion over provisions of a tax bill. After making his way back to his Washington, D.C., office, he sat down to return a call from a reporter. The reporter, unaware of the debate that had just taken place, asked what issues in the upcoming congressional election should be important to students. “I think one of the big ones is the one that we just had a vote on just a few minutes ago up here, and that’s whether we’re going to continue an economic program that has given us the largest deficits in the history of our country that students at Abilene Christian University are going to have to work and pay
With one week left to campaign, Stenholm visits with students
taxes on to pay the interest on this debt the rest of their lives,” Stenholm said, without hesitation. “I think the deficit spending we’re going through now is going to be a big issue for young people.” At least he hopes students are concerned. Stenholm knows that making the 19th Congressional District race between himself and Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, important to students and young voters is difficult. “The toughest challenge is to try to make this race relevant — having the issues for the future of the students become so relevant in their minds that they choose to vote,” Stenholm said. “We candidates are constantly striving for that magic bullet—that something that will cause young people to say, ‘Yeah, I’m interested; I want to be part of the system.’” Not for several terms has more money and effort been put into winning a congressional race in Abilene, which is now paired in
If all goes as he plans next week for Rep. Charlie Stenholm, D-Abilene, he might receive a belated birthday present. The Congressman is running against Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, for the 19th District, to be decided Tuesday on Election Day. Stenholm participated in a questionand-answer session in the Living Room of the Campus Center on Tuesday, his 66th birthday, with about 15 students and faculty in attendance. Stenholm was asked about a variety of topics, including his stance on the war in Iraq, his views of bringing back the draft and how he’ll help more students afford college and then find a job after graduation. District
See ELECTION Page 5
See STENHOLM Page 5
By LORI BREDEMEYER MANAGING EDITOR
Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, released his findings and disciplinary actions over the weekend against the seven members and pledges of the Gamma Sigma Phi men’s social club involved in stealing the Frater Sodalis crest from the Larry “Satch” Sanders Intramural Field. Among the consequences, a total of $1,400 will be collected in fines, including $400 from the club itself, and each student will pay a different amount ranging from $50-$500 based on their involvement in the theft. In a document detailing Barnard’s decision, Barnard said the university chose to handle all disciplinary action internally and not to file criminal charges against club members David Brunett, Landon Black and Jason Snider, and pledges Justin Briscoe, Chad Snow, Micah Moore and Matthew Zimmerman. The seven men were responsible for the theft of the $3,500 bronze crest from the newly updated intramural field across from Gardner Hall. The theft occurred Oct. 1 about 1 a.m., Barnard but ACU Police identified those involved and located the crest by 11 a.m. Barnard organized a panel of faculty, staff and students, chaired by Neal Coates, assistant professor of political science, to hear the case and make a recommendation on the disciplinary action. After hearing the sides of Gamma Sigma Phi and Frater Sodalis members, the panel cited violations of the Student Guide, including curfew policies, causing minor damage to university property, lying to a university authority, engaging in behavior which could cause physical harm to self and others, possession of stolen property and minor instances of hazing. Although all involved in the theft were members of Gamma Sigma Phi, Barnard said he did not believe it was a club-sanctioned event, and Michael Hunton, president of Gamma Sigma Phi and senior management major from Nashville, Tenn., even spoke against the act before it happened. See CREST Page 5
Wall selected as Homecoming queen ‘Shocked’ honoree chosen by students out of 10 nominees By JACI SCHNEIDER OPINION EDITOR
Nichelle Wall’s little brother Navonte felt honored to walk his mentor to the stage in Chapel Friday. And he felt even more honored to call his sister ‘queen.’ Wall, senior psychology ma-
jor from Abilene, was crowned as the 2004 Homecoming Queen during halftime of the football game Saturday. “I wasn’t expecting it, and I was really shocked when they announced my name,” Wall said. “My mom said I looked really shocked, like ‘oh my goodness, nah, that wasn’t really my name that was called.’” Wall’s grandfather, Tom Wall of Abilene, escorted her to the football field, and her younger brother Navonte Wall
walked her to the stage in Chapel Friday. “He was very excited,” Nichelle Wall said of her brother. “He considers me his mentor.” Of all the escorts, 11-yearold Navonte received the loudest cheers in Chapel. As the second oldest child in her family, Wall said she’s glad she can set an example to her seven brothers and sisters. She’s the first in her family to go to college and will graduate
in May. After graduation, Wall said she hopes to attend graduate school at ACU or HardinSimmons University. Eventually, she hopes to work with underprivileged children and begin a family. Wall said she was glad her family attended the football game to support her, and afterward they went out to celebrate. “My mom took me out to See WALL Page 5
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Linda Giddens, president of the Alumni Association, presents Nichelle Wall, Homecoming queen, with flowers Saturday afternoon.