WEDNESDAY February 2, 2005
OPTIMIST THE
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Abilene Christian University
Vol. 93, No. 33 1 section, 10 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Wildcats preparing:
Big response for Big Brothers Big Sisters:
Against all odds:
The softball team will play its first game of the season Thursday. Page 10
Hoping for at least 60 students, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Abilene had more than 200 students apply to serve after its Chapel presentation. Page 5
La Shae Sloan works to incorporate multiculturalism on campus. Page 8
Only six participate in spring pledging Two clubs accept new members; participation down by 80 percent By TIFFANY WILLIAMS COPY EDITOR
Spring pledging might not be as popular as it was in the past. Only nine students showed an interest in pledging this
semester, and even fewer actually did pledge social clubs, said Mike Spell, director of social clubs. “I’m not sure what the reason is for all the low numbers this year,” Spell said. “I don’t know if spring pledging no longer serves the purpose it was initially created for.” Only two men’s clubs were available for spring pledging after Trojans dropped out.
Last spring, about 30 students registered to pledge. Tri Kappa Gamma took eight pledges, Pi Kappa took 10 and Trojans took two. This semester, leaders of the two participating clubs—Delta Chi Rho, which took one pledge, and Frater Sodalis, which took five pledges—are staying positive about the low numbers. “The university sets up our guidelines for pledging,” said
Delta Chi Rho president Chris Smith, senior physics major from College Station. He said the club was not discouraged by the low student interest. Delta Chi Rho, which rechartered last fall, gives pledges an opportunity to participate in activities with the entire club in order to promote unity. Similarly, members of Frater Sodalis said they are optimistic
about the results. “We didn’t expect to get as many pledges in the spring as in the fall,” said Frat member Brock Rutherford, senior marketing major from Amarillo. “Everyone who wanted to pledge already has,” he said, adding that, like most clubs, Frater Sodalis places emphasis on fall pledging. “We were
Spring pledging comparison Spring 2004: Three participating clubs Tri Kappa Gamma - 8 pledges Pi Kappa - 10 pledges Trojans - 2 pledges Spring 2005: Two participating clubs Delta Chi Rho - 1 pledge Frater Sodalis - 5 pledges
See PLEDGING Page 7
Put your right foot in
Opsitch waiting to leave France Missions coordinator finalizing green card before he can return By MONICA SMITH STAFF WRITER
In the blockbuster The Terminal, Tom Hanks’ character was stuck in an airport because his country underwent a coup and, thus, ceased to be recognized as a country. Yann Opsitch, one of five mission coordinators, is stuck in France because of a similar visa difficulty. Opsitch is a native Frenchman and is married to Rita, an American. Opsitch and his wife spent Christmas break with family in France and Switzerland and planned to return by the Opsitch first week in January; however, they encountered trouble on the return flight home. “When they got to Atlanta, immigration authorities would not let him in the country,” said Dr. Sonny Guild, director of the Institute for Missions and Evangelism. “He needed to apply for a new green card, which would allow him to work,” Guild said. Even though Opsitch has been married to Rita for two years, after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, spouses do not receive automatic rights. The Opsitches were sent back to Paris to work out the problem with the United States Embassy. However, the requirement for See OPSITCH Page 7
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
(From left) Audrey Bales, freshman management major from Harker Heights; Gabby Dedmon, freshman management major from West Columbia; Julie Piwiec, junior integrated marketing and communication major from Mesquite; Becca Schumacher, freshman youth and family ministry major from Abilene; and Portia Andrews, senior communication major from Desoto, perform a step routine during Saturday’s Shades Step Squad performance in Cullen Auditorium.
Deans back to work following sabbaticals Research, writing occupy their time away from university By SARAH CARLSON ARTS EDITOR
Two colleges on campus have a welcome addition back
into their staff: the deans. Dr. Jack Reese, dean of the college of Biblical Studies, and Dr. Rick Lytle, dean of the college of Business Administration, have returned from sabbaticals they took last semester. After spending the fall writing his latest book, Reese
is back at work as dean, editing his manuscript and preparing for Lectureship. Reese requested and was granted an Administrative Development Leave, or a sabbatical, in the fall by Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, and Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, provost.
He began writing his book, A Body Broken: A People of Peace for a Fragmented Church, in September, finishing at the beginning of the year. It will be released during the first week of May in time for Pepperdine University’s Lectureship, where he will speak on the topic of his book.
Reese will also speak on the topic of his book at ACU’s Lectureship Feb. 20-23. Despite his absence from his job as dean, Reese said his time away was no vacation. The term sabbatical assumes rest, but in order for an ACU See SABBATICALS Page 7
Athletic Department gains three new stars AD, two coaches’ wives all have babies during January By JACI SCHNEIDER OPINION EDITOR
Babies keep bouncing into the athletic department, and
the boys are up, 2-1. Jared Mosley, athletic director, Klint Pleasant, men’s basketball coach, and Jon Murray, track coach, all welcomed new babies into their homes in the past month. Abbey Rae Pleasant arrived first to Klint and Rachel Pleasant on Jan. 1.
“It’s really just turned my life upside down,” Pleasant said of the birth of his first child. Because Abbey was born during the holiday, Pleasant was able to spend a few days with his family before returning to work. Rachel worked as a personal trainer at
Hendrick Medical Center, but now she is staying home with the baby. Pleasant said it has been hard to be away from his wife and child while traveling with the team. “It’s been very difficult,” he said. I’m wanting to spend time with the baby and bond
with the baby.” Although he is still dedicated to his basketball team, Pleasant said some of his focus has shifted since Jan. 1. “Every decision that I make is funneled through the fact that we have a child now,” he See BABIES Page 7
Week focuses on building relationships Annual event to include Chapel speakers, forums, Campus Center booths By MALLORY SHERWOOD FEATURES EDITOR
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Chris Seidman, senior minister at the Farmer’s Branch Church of Christ, speaks in Chapel on Tuesday during Healthy Relationships Week.
“A ring by spring” is often the joke heard on campus each year. Some women take it to heart. But not this year. Healthy Relationships Week, presented by Residence Life Education and Housing and the University Counseling Center,
introduced students to “The Lord before the Ring,” a play on words both with ACU’s marriage tradition and the movie Lord of the Rings, in M o n d a y ’s Chapel. Students can attend Chapel and Chapel f o r u m s throughout the Booth week and pick up information at the booths in the Campus Center on Wednesday to learn more about
how to develop and grow in relationships. “It is going to be a week in which there are all kinds of special activities in order to help people develop and grow in their relationships,” said Bob Booth, McDonald Hall residence director and counseling center intern. “What relationship doesn’t need that? It includes friends, family, siblings, married people, brothers and sisters in Christ and people you work with.” Each year the counseling center works with Residence
Life to present students with a week of information regarding relationships and how to deal with difficult situations. Activities included daily Chapel on Monday and Tuesday in Moody Coliseum, two evening Chapel forums, and an information fair in the Campus Center with booths reinforcing God’s presence in relationships. A marriage retreat for married students will also take place Friday. On Wednesday the Peer See WEEK Page 7