OPTIMIST THE
WEDNESDAY February 16, 2005
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Abilene Christian University
Vol. 93, No. 37 1 section, 8 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Double trouble:
Hitting the high notes:
Losing steam:
The women’s basketball team struggled against WTAMU again this week. Page 8
The Abilene Opera Association will present La Fanciulla del West at the Paramount Theatre on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday. Page 3
The Wildcats couldn’t hold on to their lead late in Thursday’s game. Page 8
Four chairs decide to step down Department chairs will pursue other interests at university, around nation By JACI SCHNEIDER OPINION EDITOR
Four department chairs will leave their positions at the end of the semester. Dr. David Wray, chair of the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry; Dr. Robert McKelvain,
chair of the Department of Psychology; Dr. Waymon Hinson, chair of the Department of Marriage and Family Therapy; and Dr. David Hughes, chair of the Department of Math and Computer Science, will step down in order to pursue other interests. McKelvain said he plans to take a faculty renewal leave next year and devote more time to scholarship and research. “It’s time. I’ve done this, I think, for 12 years,” he said. “We
have very capable people in this department who can provide leadership.” Dr. Richard Beck will replace McKelvain as department chair next year, McKelvain said. Dr. Colleen Durrington, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, selected Beck in consultation with the department. “Dr. McKelvain has been a visionary leader who has worked well with both faculty and students,” Durrington said in an e-
mail. “We will miss his leadership.” Although McKelvain will spend much of his time in research next year, he also plans to teach two courses. Through his research, McKelvain said he wants to understand more about how effective negotiation works. “I haven’t had the time to devote to scholarship,” he said. See CHAIRS Page 5
Wray
Hinson
Tickets available for most shows
ISA, Hispanos Unidos plan to participate in Sing Song next year By MALLORY SHERWOOD FEATURES EDITOR
Wilson said. “They asked me if we could win again because my sister directed, but that has died down. The purpose of Sing Song is friendships, making music and fellowshipping.” David Gilly, senior exercise science major from Abilene and GSP Sing Song director, concurs. “I feel like there is a lot of pressure, especially since we have been able to win the past few years,” he said. “I’m just really looking forward to Sing Song. It has been really stressful building up to it.” Gilly, who directed Sing Song for GSP in the past, said he feels the need to know the club members performed their best more than he feels the need to win again. “We work very hard in
The International Students Association and Hispanos Unidos dropped out of the Sing Song competition this year because of a lack of participation, but members expect to return prepared for the 50th Sing Song in 2006. Jennifer Fuentes, president of Hispanos Unidos and junior art major from Abilene, said she expects the organization to be in the competition next spring. “Our goal is to be there and to be ready for the 50th anniversary of Sing Song, which is next year,” Fuentes said. “I know a lot of people were disappointed that we had to drop out this year, but we really want to get people interested in doing it and getting ready before time.” Many who were interested will be able to participate in their class or social club’s Sing Song performance. A minimum of 35 members is needed to participate in Sing Song, and only 20 from Hispanos Unidos showed interest this year, although several members began planning early, she said. Debbie Ortiz and Erica Aguilar are two of those members. “We were ecstatic when we were invited to participate in Sing Song,” said Ortiz, junior social work major from Mesquite. “For weeks straight, we couldn’t stop talking about how cool this was going to be.” The women said they worked together to plan the organization’s Sing Song act. “We had themes and songs already picked out,” said Aguilar, senior communication disorders major from Big Spring. “The theme was in Spanish, but in English it translated to ‘Without Boundaries.’ We were doing Latin music
See DYNASTY Page 5
See GROUPS Page 5
Few seats left for final performance can be bought in ticket office By JESSICA GOEN STAFF WRITER
As this year’s Sing Song performance nears, the demand for tickets is rising. Kendall Massey, Sing Song director, said Saturday night’s show is almost sold out because “excitement is growing on campus.” The few remaining tickets for this performance are near the top of Moody Coliseum. Two purchasing options are available to the public: online purchasing and offline. Tickets may be ordered online at ACUtickets.com with a credit card. Patrons purchasing the tickets online will receive them in the mail. When visiting the Web site, Massey said to allow sufficient time for the ordering process. Parties ordering tickets offline have other options. They may order tickets by mail, over the phone or in person. Tickets ordered by mail require a completed downloadable mail/fax form addressed to the Sing Song Office. To purchase tickets by telephone, call the Ticket Office at Ext. 2648. Students may also purchase tickets at the ticket windows in Moody Coliseum after Chapel this week. See TICKETS Page 5
Mixed voice groups opt out of show
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
The men of Gamma Sigma Phi rehearse their Sing Song act Friday night during Moody Weekend. GSP and the women of Sigma Theta Chi will both attempt to win their respective divisions in Sing Song for the fourth year in a row during this weekend’s shows.
Social clubs go for four-year sweep Gamma Sigma Phi, Sigma Theta Chi have won past three shows By TIFFANY WILLIAMS COPY EDITOR
Three years of dominance in any competition is the stuff headlines are made of, and this year’s Sing Song could be fierce as two social clubs have won best overall the past three years. However, members from Gamma Sigma Phi and Sigma Theta Chi, who have won Sing Song since 2002, don’t necessarily see it that way. Jenna Lucado, Siggies’ Sing Song director, said although the club’s dynasty is stressed in some circles, it isn’t her focus. “I do think people talk about it,” said Lucado, junior
integrated marketing communication major from San Antonio. “It’s a matter of choosing what to focus on. Every year is different, and every year is a new prospect. I do believe people try to stress the dynasty, but our focus is here and now.”
about the production makes the long hours of practice worthwhile. “She’s made it not about winning so much, but having fun, getting to know each other and working together,” Wilson said. “If winning were the focus, the intentions would
“I do believe people try to stress the dynasty, but our focus is here and now.” Jenna Lucado, Sigma Theta Chi’s Sing Song director
Kara Wilson, sophomore social work, children’s ministry and Spanish major from San Antonio, said Sigma Theta Chi has been practicing about eight hours a week in the Hilton Room of the Campus Center. She said Lucado’s attitude
be wrong, and then it wouldn’t be so much fun.” Wilson’s sister, Kasey Wilson, directed Sing Song for Sigma Theta Chi in 2004 before graduating. “People kept asking me about that at first,” Kara
Massey sets goals for his second year Sing Song could return profit for first time since 1993 production By JACI SCHNEIDER OPINION EDITOR
Kendall Massey has two goals for his second year directing Sing Song: to make it through the weekend and to make money on the show. So far, he’s on his way to reaching both goals, but with the most stressful days still ahead of him, he said he sometimes doubts he will make it through. Sing Song hasn’t made a profit since 1993, Massey said. But he said he should be close
to breaking even this year. “I’m crossing my fingers,” he said. “If we would have hit our ticket sales last year, we would have broke even.” Tickets for the Saturday night show are almost sold out already, he said, and online ticket ordering also looks positive. Last year, only 630 tickets were ordered online, but as of last week, 622 had already been ordered. “This year, we do know for certain we are up on orders,” Massey said. Friday night, usually the least attended of the productions, faculty and staff can buy up to four tickets for half price, Massey said. “I believe in being a good
steward of the funds and resources they’re giving us,” he added. Massey said he also has more changes in store for Sing Song. “One of the big ones is we are adding the video screen to the back, and people are trying to take advantage of that,” Massey said. Many of the changes will be a surprise, but overall, Massey said this year’s Sing Song is different from past productions. “The song selection is very different,” he said. “Last year it was very glitzy and poppy, but this year it is more retro.” Massey said a lot of changes are happening for the good, and he wants people to realize
the show doesn’t have to be the same every year. “There’s a whole lot that hasn’t been done in Sing Song, even though we’ve been doing it for 49 years,” he said. One aspect Massey has been trying to emphasize is the addition of other campus groups to the production. Hispanos Unidos and the International Students Association will be expected to be a part of the show next year, even though both groups dropped out this year. Massey’s wife, Vivi Massey, who is in charge of design, costumes, hair and make-up, said she is also excited about the See MASSEY Page 5
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Kendall Massey, director of student productions; Josh Castle, sophomore vocal music education major from Overland Park, Kan.; Vivi Massey, director of Sing Song design, costumes, hair and make-up; and Kelci Young, junior integrated marketing and communication major from Spring Hill, Tenn., discuss Sing Song at Monday’s practice.