WEDNESDAY April 13, 2005
OPTIMIST THE
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Abilene Christian University
Vol. 93, No. 48 1 section, 10 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Beginning a new streak:
Getting crafty:
All in a night’s work:
After having their 15-game winning streak snapped, the Wildcats won three in a row. Page 10
Students can purchase, sell or display their work at a crafts fair Thursday in the Bean Sprout beginning at 7 p.m. Student bands also will play. Page 4
Leticia Abila works late hours as the night shift supervisor of custodians. Page 8
Sculptor’s dream on hold Maxwell awaits funding to begin construction of ‘Jacob’s Ladder’ By MALLORY SHERWOOD FEATURES EDITOR
Jack Maxwell’s dream balances in his office on a miniature pedestal beside a model of an architectural garden and among other sculptures he has designed, waiting for completion. Maxwell, chair of the Art and Design Department, has been busy designing and con-
structing a sculpture and a garden-like surrounding area based on the Genesis 28 account of Jacob’s dream at Bethel. So far, he has made a miniature six-foot model. Administrators approached Maxwell in 2003 about designing a piece of art that would remember the legacy of people who have served and contributed to the university, said Jim Holmans, executive assistant to the president. Since then, Maxwell has created a dream but not just for himself.
“I liked the idea of Jacob’s dream and of his ladder,” Maxwell said. “It was a dream image, but I thought that ‘dream’ could mean a lot of different things. It is a dream for me to have a monumental thing of a spiritual nature on campus.” Maxwell said the idea came to him after the university received a donation of more than $26 million from the estate of Grace Woodward, an alumna of ACU. See SCULPTURE Page 7
Club attempts to break record Sixty-hour softball game to raise funds for Habitat houses By MALLORY SHERWOOD OPTIMIST STAFF/File photo
A miniature of Jack Maxwell’s sculpture, “Jacob’s Ladder,” sits among other sculptures he has designed in his office.
FEATURES EDITOR
They’re not just crazy. They’re insane. And that is how they like it. Forty members of Gamma
Students applying, waiting for grad schools
Sigma Phi plan to break a world record by playing a 60hour softball game during Insanity for Humanity. They want to raise more than $68,000 for Habitat for Humanity in Abilene. This year is not the first that members of GSP have tried something unorthodox to raise See CLUB Page 9
Senator voting will be online Election delayed two days to fix problems with e-vote system
Med school acceptance rate for ACU students higher than average
By JONATHAN SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF
By JACI SCHNEIDER OPINION EDITOR
For some students, graduation is not the end of education; some will continue on for several more years in various graduate schools. Thirteen students will begin medical school later this year, said Dr. Perry Reeves, professor of chemistry. Eighty-five percent of students who applied to medical schools were accepted, he said, although the national average acceptance rate is only 37 percent. “We have good students who prepare themselves,” Reeves said. Also, five students will attend dental school, four will go on to physical therapy school, two to veterinary school, two to optometry school and one each to physician’s assistant school See GRAD SCHOOL Page 7
DAVID LEESON/ACU Today
Lorinne Burke-White, Hillary Mudroch, Brandon Johnson and Ben Grant talk and eat in the home of Bill Redfield (right) on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana last June. Students can interview Thursday and Friday to participate in the program that allows students to spend the summer in south central Montana on the reservation.
Summer program taking reservations Students to interview for internship with Crow Indians By JACI SCHNEIDER OPINION EDITOR
Interviews for summer internships at the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana will be Thursday and Friday. Students who participate in the program will spend the
summer in south central Montana living with a Crow family, mentoring Crow children and developing relationships with the Crow people, said Dr. David Gotcher, associate professor of sociology and social work and the university liaison for the reservation. This will be the sixth summer that the university sends students to Montana, Gotcher said, and this year, room is available for up to 10 students.
Program needs new director Study Abroad Program will not send students to Montevideo in fall By CIANA HARDWICK STUDENT REPORTER
Officials in the Study Abroad Program will hire a new on-site director for the Montevideo, Uruguay, facility, and coordinators in the Art and Design Department are planning a tentative study abroad trip to Oxford, England, during the summer of 2006. Students will not be able to study in Montevideo in the fall because the new director will be moving to the site, and faculty and staff will make trips to the site for training seminars. Interested students should consider applying for the spring semester, which is open to about 30 individuals, said Kevin Kehl, director of the Center for International and Intercultural Education. The current on-site director of the Montevideo program is moving back to the United States with his family
after living there for 11 years. His children are growing older, and he is ready to come back and allow them to attend American high school, Kehl said. He said Montevideo is a special program that provides “lots of cultural opportunities.” People relate Uruguay to Mexico, but the country is actually difKehl ferent from Mexico and more like Europe, he said. The program is also unique because of the close relationNichols ship facilitators have with a local church, which provides a “built in language learning resource because members of the church are eager” to help the students learn Spanish, he said.
Annie Nichols, Study Abroad coordinator, also spoke highly of the Montevideo program and of Dana and Warren Roane, the retiring on-site directors. They were a “big, big asset to help this program begin,” she said. But she remains optimistic about the new director. Change is always hard, she said, but the new director is being chosen through an “indepth and prayerful decision.” Two professors from the Art and Design Department hope to generate an interest in Study Abroad among students during the summer. Ronnie Rama, assistant professor of art and design, and Mike Wiggins, assistant professor of art and design, are preparing to lead a tentative trip to Oxford, England, during Maymester and Summer I in 2006. Although organized by the Art and Design Department, the trip is open to anyone who can fit the nine hours of art and design-related classes into See ART Page 7
“This is an evangelistic opportunity for students to live Jesus to the Crow kids,” Gotcher said. Throughout the summer, Gotcher said students form relationships with their host family and a small group of children they work with. Many activities involve outdoor adventures, including rafting, rock climbing, canoeing and camping. The internship is paid for
through gifts from the reservation and the university’s urban studies program. Students’ salaries will cover cost of living and travel expenses, but Gotcher said he encourages students to ask their churches to support them as well. “This program has made an impression on the Crow Reservation,” Gotcher said. “ACU is about to be the only See CROW Page 7
Groovin’ to the music
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
The percussion ensemble performs “Samba Batuchada,” a traditional Brazilian song. This piece opened the ensemble’s concert, which focused on traditional and folk music, Monday in Cullen Auditorium.
The Students’ Association and Web Integration and Programming will finally unveil electronic voting Wednesday after Chapel as students will be able to vote in class senator elections on my.ACU. Elections were slated to begin Monday and end Wednesday, but problems found in the electronic voting program pushed SA elections chair Patrick Leech, sophomore history major from Tuscola, to delay the elections two days. “We decided it would be best to move back the day of voting to use e-vote and follow through with what we said we were going to do,” Leech said. During testing of the e-vote program last week, Leech said problems arose when trying to allow students to vote for certain groups of senators. Students are supposed to vote for class senators in whichever class they qualify, but students can decide which class they will vote with based on either their years or hours. With Scantron balloting, students simply could place their ballot in the box that corresponded with their class. With e-vote, the computer only allowed students to vote with a class based on hours completed. Leech said to solve this problem, he sent out a mass e-mail Monday allowing students the opportunity to respond and choose to vote with a different class in which they qualify. When the problems were discovered with the system, Leech said he reported those to Dr. James Langford, director of Web Integration and Programming, whose team fixed the problem. See ELECTIONS Page 7
United begins selling alcohol Proximity to university, elementary school does not prohibit sale By TIFFANY WILLIAMS COPY EDITOR
For the first time since it was built, the United Supermarkets, located on Judge Ely Boulevard,
has begun selling beer and wine. “Basically, we just made a business decision based on what our competitors are doing,” said Paul Evans, regional vice president of United. He removed all speculation that the store did not previously sell alcohol because of its proximity to a Christian university. “I wouldn’t say it had much
to do with the university,” he said. “The decision was made not to sell when we purchased these stores, but now we have more space to sell it.” He said the store was licensed to sell beer and wine but not liquor, and the new merchandise has benefited the store. See UNITED Page 7
CAMPUS
DAY
Chapel Check-Up Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
59 12
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
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Calendar&Events Fellowship of Christian Athletes party, 9 p.m., Living Room.
Wednesday
Academic Honors luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Hilton Room. Gamma Sigma Phi Habitat for Humanity fund-raiser, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center. ACU for Abilene sign-ups, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
Alpha Kai Omega baseball rush, 56:30 p.m., Hilton Room. A Capella Chorus concert, 8 p.m., Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Gamma Sigma Phi Habitat for Humanity fund-raiser, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center.
Venture Out presales, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
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Business class marketing project, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Living Room.
Pride’s Crossing dinner theatre, dinner at 6:45 p.m. and play at 8 p.m., Fulks Theatre.
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Computer auction, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Hilton Room.
Thursday
Friday
Computer auction, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Hilton Room.
Emily Chastain art show, 7-9 p.m., Living Room.
Spiritual Life Core coffeehouse, 8-10 p.m., Hilton Room.
Purple Friday, 7 a.m.- 2:30 p.m., Living Room.
Long Live Rock Paper and Scissors craft fair and concert, 7-9 p.m., Bean Sprout.
Gamma Sigma Phi Habitat for Humanity fund-raiser, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center.
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.
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Saturday
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Sunday
Pride’s Crossing dinner theatre, dinner at 6:45 p.m. and play at 8 p.m., Fulks Theatre.
Pride’s Crossing dinner theatre, dinner at 6:45 p.m. and play at 8 p.m., Fulks Theatre.
ACU for Abilene service day, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
The Ministry concert, 8 p.m., Chapel on the Hill.
Kirk Goodwyn Fun Run, 8:30 a.m., front of Administration Building.
Campus Center book sale, 3-11 p.m., Campus Center
Volunteer Opportunities Abilene State School needs volunteers to escort residents to dances and sponsor parties for the home, preferably during the Christmas season. For more information, contact Janie Chase at 795-3386.
Volunteers are needed to coach or referee flag football, soccer or basketball on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club. For more information, contact Jacob Hutson at 672-1712.
Announcements The ACT Peer Health Education Program is accepting new applications for Peer Health Educators. Applications are in the University Counseling Center in the lower level of McKinzie Hall. For more information, call Heidi Morris at Ext. 2063. Because of the popularity of summer online courses, more Summer I sessions have been opened. Students now can register online for new sections of Message of the Old Testament and Major British Writers. A free craft fair and concert will be Thursday from 7
to 9 p.m. in the Bean Sprout. Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys and Lightnings to Henderson will perform live music while students exhibit and sell their crafts. Students interested in selling crafts or art at the fair should contact Kelly Dennis at kmd03a@acu.edu. Greg Bush, director of jazz studies, and his jazz quartet are performing a concert Monday at 8 p.m. in the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Admission is free. Also featured is ACU professor Dr. Allen Teel on drums, Dave Keown on bass and Michael Henry Martin on guitar.
Police Log Monday 04/04/2005 2:40 a.m. Traffic stop at East North 16th Street and Campus Court for disregarding stop sign. 8 a.m. Follow up on case. 3:10 p.m. Vehicle accident at south parking lot. 5:05 p.m. Fingerprinted student at the station. 6:40 p.m. Checked Allen Farm, gate was open; secured it. 11:45 p.m. Report of vehicle throwing eggs at main campus.
3:25 p.m. Fingerprinted student at the station. 5:45 p.m. Vehicle accident at East North 16th Street and Judge Ely Boulevard. 6:30 p.m. Found student ID at Campus Center. 6:55 p.m. Vehicle accident at East North 16th Street and Avenue F. 8:10 a.m. Unlocked golf cart area for Alumni Office. 9:25 p.m. Arrested subject for criminal trespassing at Gardner lot.
Tuesday 04/05/2005 7:15 a.m. Placed barricades in Big Purple lot. 3:40 p.m. Monitored baseball game at Elmer Gray Stadium. 6:55 p.m. Fire alarm at Gardner Hall; all OK: malfunction. 7 p.m. Fire alarm at Gardner Hall, all okay: malfunction. 9:20 p.m. Subject stuck in elevator at library, released. 10:05 p.m. Visitor reported lost cell phone at Wells Field, unable to locate. 10:25 p.m. Assisted Abilene Police Department with traffic stop at library lot .
Friday 04/08/2005 10 a.m. Follow up on case. 10:50 a.m. Vehicle accident at Campus Court and East North 22nd Street. 2:05 p.m. Medical emergency at library; visitor transported to Hendricks Medical Center with chest pain. 4:05 p.m. Released gun to student from safe keeping. 7 p.m. Report of two juveniles at University Park Apartments selling items. Were advised of ACU soliciting policy, and they left campus. 7:30 p.m. Checked softball game at Wells Field.
Wednesday 04/06/2005 5:25 a.m. Received call from Hardin-Simmons University police, reference to car burglary in their area. 4:20 p.m. Assisted student with cutting lock off of bicycle. 5:10 p.m. Attempted to locate employee at Zellner Hall for emergency message. 8:17 p.m. Burglary alarm at maintenance area. 10:10 p.m. Report of noise violation. Checked, was cook-out involving two clubs, all OK.
Saturday 04/09/2005 4 a.m. Report of candle burning in Zellner Hall. Located and put the candle out. 1:42 p.m. Burglar alarm at maintenance. 5:02 p.m. Theft report at Don H. Morris Center. 8:45 p.m. Theft report at Williams Performing Arts Center. 10:45 p.m. Report of possible burglary at 600 E.N. 16th St., checked area, all OK.
Thursday 04/07/2005 12:36 a.m. Report in reference to intoxicated subject near Williams Performing Arts Center lot, checked area, unable to locate anyone.
Sunday 04/10/2005 2 a.m. Report of suspicious person at Smith and Adams residence halls, contacted subject, all OK. 2:20 a.m. Loud noise disturbance at 1300 Ave. E. 1:45 p.m. Criminal trespass at Mabee Hall.
CAMPUS NEWS
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
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Students selected to lead campus in Spiritual Life Core Next semester’s team to focus on devotionals, residence hall ministry By TIFFANY TAYLOR PAGE 2 EDITOR
Members of the Spiritual Life Core, a student organization that encourages a stronger relationship with God, chose 14 new leaders Monday to prepare for the next school year. Lewis Sixteen students lead the organization that is best known for planning
18:38 Thursday Chapel, a special series focused on searching for the truth. Two former members are returning as co-chairs. Co-chairs interviewed 20 applicants, making the final choice based on availability, vision, commitment and leadership, said Ashley Carr, junior interdisciplinary major from Houston and co-chair of the Spiritual Life Core. Mark Lewis, director of Spiritual Life and Student Ministries and adviser of the Spiritual Life Core, said new members must have a relationship with God, be active in a local congregation, have organizational skills and be able to reflect on a project’s success “They don’t have to be a management major, but they
have to be able to follow through,” Lewis said. Although most new members of the Spiritual Life Core have never been leaders, a few
Spiritual Life Core, next year’s members will meet three times before the school year ends, said Marcus Pittman, junior business management major
“They’re going to learn what it’s like to spearhead a project.” Marcus Pittman, junior business management major from Mineral Wells
have volunteered before. “Some of them are completely new,” Carr said, “It’s going to be hard to make it cohesive because it is all new people.” In order to build relationships between members of the
A shine of the times
from Mineral Wells. He has even discussed the possibility of a retreat for the members a week before school begins in the fall. Pittman, who said he hopes to see the group become a dominant organization on
By RACHEL LAU PAGE DESIGNER
EMERALD MCGOWAN/Contributing Photographer
tioning people in the Campus Center to ask students for prayer requests and a response to the loss of Spiritual Life Assistants in the residence halls, Pittman said. “We’re looking at developing a dorm ministry that replaces the SLAs,” Pittman said. Students can sign up this fall to volunteer at Spiritual Life Core events, Lewis said. “There are plenty of different possibilities for people who don’t want to be a part of leadership,” Lewis said.
E-mail Taylor at: tat04a@acu.edu
New committee to serve SBC Group to help manage, plan next year’s spring break mission trips
Alex Eyssen (left) of Eyssen Law Firm shows Chris Cate, 13, how to polish his 1914 Ford Model T. Cate is Eyssen’s little brother through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Eyssen said one of their favorite activities is attending car shows. The car belongs to Eyssen's father, and Eyssen was showing it in the antique car exhibit at the Abilene Founder’s Day celebration last Saturday.
campus, believes next year’s leadership will be a part of an important year for the organization. He said he hopes the organization will be more visible on campus and organize more projects next year. “We think it has a lot of potential, so right now we need to feel like the people are extremely committed,” Pittman said. “They’re going to learn what it’s like to spearhead a project.” This year, the organization’s main projects have been 18:38 Chapel, the Prayer Room in Moody Coliseum designed for prayer during Chapel, and coffee forums. Plans for the next school year include beginning a weekly devotional for students, sta-
Three new members will join three returning members to make up the 2006 Spring Break Campaign committee, which will coordinate and oversee SBC activities next year. The 2005 SBC committee selected the new members Sunday night and informed them that they had been chosen on Monday. Eric Hurst, junior accounting and finance major from Garland and this year’s committee finance coordinator, will be the new chair. Jessica Masters, junior English major from Tallahassee, Fla., and Justin Thompson, a graduate student from College Station, will remain in their current positions as advertising and public relations and spiritual life coordinators, respectively. The new finance coordina-
tor will be Keith Robinson, junior management major from Indianapolis. The travel coordinator will be Eric Johnson, sophomore finance major from McKinney, and the secretary will be Ashlyn Cosgrove, freshman nursing major from Coppell. Clay Rich, senior accounting and finance major from Abilene and this year’s chair of the committee, said committee members were looking for students who have managed previous leadership positions and could communicate effectively to large groups of people, as they will oversee 60 to 70 SBC leaders. Rich also said the committee members were looking for students who could handle stress well because they will deal with large amounts of money and about 500 students. “These positions are not paid positions, so they require a lot of dedication,” Rich said. “Members give up three to 10 hours a week without expecting anything back.” Hurst said he was excited
about the new committee members. “I think that we have a very talented and skilled group of people,” he said. “Each of them is fit and, we believe, chosen by God in their abilities to fill the roles we have assigned to them,” he said. “I think we will work well together, and each member will carry his or her own weight.” Hurst said one of the committee’s goals will be to begin publicizing the campaigns earlier in the fall semester. “I’d like to see a build-up of excitement toward the beginning of next semester so we can get a larger group of students to serve; the more people that serve, the better,” he said. “We’re going to do everything on our part to make sure [students] are ready for it,” he said, “but it’s up to students to step up and make sure Spring Break Campaigns is strong and active next semester.” E-mail Lau at: rhl02a@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
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Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Students to get crafty at exhibition Artists, musicians to display talent at craft fair in Bean Sprout By RACHEL LAU PAGE DESIGNER
LACI ARMSTRONG/Contributing Photographer
Joe Cardot, chair of the Communication Department, received the Vaughn Luster Award for his service to the Texas Christian School Interscholastic Tournament on Saturday.
Professor receives award for service Dr. Joe Cardot plans literary tournaments, honored for work By LACI ARMSTRONG STUDENT REPORTER
Amber Cardot, senior communication disorders major from Abilene, watched her father receive recognition on Saturday for years of service and dedication at a Texas Christian Schools interscholastic literary meet at ACU. Dr. Joe Cardot, chair of the Communication Department, was honored for 20 years serving as director of the Texas Christian Schools Interscholastic Tournament. Peter Dahlstrom, superintendent of Lubbock Christian Schools and president of the Texas Christian Schools Association, presented Cardot with the Vaughn Luster Award, honoring him with “outstanding devotion to Christian education,” Dahlstrom said. The award Cardot received was developed in honor of Vaughn Luster, a previous president of the TCSA. The TCSA usually presents the award at its annual August meeting, but this year the association gave the award to honor Cardot early at the literary meet. At this year’s TCSA
meeting, Cardot will be honored a second time and given a check thanking him for his years of service. Cardot’s dedication to the students who attend the literary meet is visible in the amount of time he gives, a coworker said. “About 300-plus man hours go into the preparation and directing of this event each year,” said Gaye May, administrative coordinator of the Communication Department. “I know how much time and energy he puts into the event, and it was neat to finally see him get recognized for it,” Amber Cardot said. Dr. Cardot was the only person nominated for the award. “As soon as his name was mentioned, they closed the nominations because they wanted him to get it,” Amber Cardot said. The award was presented to Cardot at the end of the literary meet’s student award ceremony, and Cardot had no previous knowledge that he was to be awarded. “He had no clue and of course was very appreciative and touched,” Amber Cardot said. “He feels very honored to receive such an award.” E-mail Armstrong at: optimist@acu.edu
Students who enjoy creative artwork and making crafts will have the chance to display or sell their creations at a crafts fair April 14 in the Bean Sprout. Two student bands will perform at the fair, which will begin at 7 p.m. Kelly Dennis, freshman journalism major from Houston, is organizing the event. Dennis said she wants the event to be for different types of people. “I know that if I were visiting campus and saw signs for a crafts fair, I’d be so interested to see what people are making,” she said. Students have signed up to sell purses, greeting cards and shoes they have made. Some students will simply exhibit their art. Dennis will sell wallets she decorated with comic strips along with items she has knitted or sewn in the past. Casey Woodard, freshman integrated marketing commu-
nication major from Mesquite, plans to participate in the event. Woodard said she is excited about the crafts fair because it allows her to express herself. “It will give me a chance for people to see what I can do on my own and to show I’m a little more creative,” she
gether,” he said. “To me, it will be where musicians and artists come together. I haven’t connected with other musicians and artists here, so it’s cool to have a venue to do so.” Other members of the band include lead guitarist Mitch Holt, sophomore journalism
“I think building off of other people is what being creative is all about.” Kelly Dennis, freshman journalism major from Houston
said. “It will give students a chance to see what other people can do.” Woodard will sell T-shirts and tote bags decorated with paintings from stencils she created. Philip Ellis, freshman theatre major from Van, is the drummer of Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys, one of the bands that is performing at the crafts fair. Ellis said he is looking forward to the collaboration of different types of artists. “I’m excited about people with like minds coming to-
major from Memphis, Tenn.; bass player Josh Campbell, sophomore marketing major from Van; lead singer and guitarist Brandon Kinder, senior biblical studies major from Memphis, Tenn.; guitarist Daniel Wheeler, junior English major from Van; and cello player Scott Delony, junior electronic media major from Humble. Dennis said she and a friend came up with the idea during Christmas break because they had always wanted to sell the things they made. “We never got around to
doing it, and we thought it’d be a cool thing to start at ACU,” Dennis said. She proceeded to obtain approval and a small budget from the Students’ Association. Dennis said she hopes to add more culture to the university’s student body and said she is excited for people to see different ideas and creations. “I think building off of other people is what being creative is all about,” she said. “I hope it’s something we do every year and becomes a tradition here,” Dennis said. “Everyone’s been so encouraging, so I’m hoping it’s going to be good.” At least 20 people have signed up to participate in the crafts fair, but Dennis said she wants more participation. Students interested in participating should contact Dennis at Ext. 5958 or kmd03a@acu. edu. Refreshments will be served, and the fair is expected to end around 9 p.m.
E-mail Lau at: rhl02a@acu.edu
Organizers: CAB concert successful Hundreds attend show featuring Amy Stroup, Shane & Shane By MITCH HOLT STAFF WRITER
A crowd of 450 students and members of the community attended the Shane & Shane concert sponsored by the Campus Activities Board on Thursday night in Cullen Auditorium. Organizers said they were pleased with the number of attendees, crowd response and performances of the guest artists. Billy Smith, CAB intern and junior finance major from San Antonio, said the show was successful because so many people bought tickets and the bands played well. “The show brought togeth-
er students from ACU and Hardin-Simmons University and some non-university students,” he said. Several members of CAB went to the HSU campus before the show and told students about the event, said Kayla Anderson, CAB intern
had bought tickets; however, the number of students at the show on Thursday night was a relief, Anderson said. Musical artist Amy Stroup came from Nashville, Tenn., to open the concert. “It was great to be back in Abilene playing with great
“They were open with their spirituality. ... The concert ended on a very spiritual note.” Jenni Kripner, Campus Activities Board intern
and sophomore English major from Waco. At the beginning of last week, CAB event organizers were becoming somewhat worried about the event because only about 100 people
musicians,” she said. “I had a chance to watch Shane & Shane perform a few weeks ago, and it was great to see them again this past week in Abilene.” The artists who played
were spiritually minded, said Jenni Kripner, CAB intern and senior elementary education major from San Antonio. “They were open with their spirituality,” Kripner said. “Shane & Shane always end their concerts with a time of worship, so the concert ended on a very spiritual note.” Stroup said she believes Christian music and concerts like the one Thursday are important because it’s important for Christians to surround themselves with events that encourage fellowship with each other. “CAB did a great job with the concert,” she said. “They set everything up for me, and it was a stress-free event to play.” E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Spring brings elections Essence of Ebony, ISA elect officers for next year By JEREMY L. POND STUDENT REPORTER
Elections for officers of the International Students Association and Essence of Ebony have come to a close, and the new leaders of the groups are focused on one thing: expansion. ISA elections took place Monday. The president-elect is Marcela Gutierrez, junior management major from Tegucigalpa, Honduras and current treasurer of ISA, and the vice-president elect is Kanako Ishinaru, junior management and marketing major from Japan. Gutierrez said she ran for president because she knows the potential of ISA. “I see a big future for ISA and I want to be a part of it,” she said. “I’d like to have ISA attend some of the athletic events to show our support for our fellow students.” Among the other things, Gutierrez said she wants to emphasize community service and spirituality. “If we can take the Lord
from here to wherever we go when we leave ACU, it will be a direct way of sending the message of Jesus into the nations,” she said. Gutierrez said she plans to continue ISA’s current vision of service and unity. “Our past officers have done an incredible job,” she said. “Now I just want to try to expand and accomplish goals that we already have.” Eric Mallet, freshman communication major from St. Louis and president-elect of Essence of Ebony, echoed Gutierrez’s sentiments concerning expansion. “I want to unite this campus and see Essence of Ebony reach out into the community of Abilene,” he said. Mallet emphasized his desire to see Essence of Ebony become more known in the area. “Essence of Ebony in the past has been more focused on organizing events here on campus,” he said. “I would like to see us build a groundwork to do more in the community.” As a member of Essence of Ebony, Shelby Coates, freshman broadcast journalism major from Clarksville, Tenn., said she is excited about the
Essence of Ebony officers: •President—Eric Mallet •Vice President—Eric Powers •Secretary—Dacia Samuel Treasurer—Pharren Crawford ISA officers: •President—Marcela Gutierrez •Vice President—Kanako Ishimaru •Secretary—Esmeralda Silva •Treasurer—Laza Razafimanjato
coming year. “Our new officers have a lot of fresh vision and energy,” she said. “It should be a great year.” The Changing of the Guard for ISA will take place during the ISA banquet on April 29, and the Changing of the Guard for Essence of Ebony will be during spring formal on April 30. E-mail Pond at: optimist@acu.edu
“We’re in the business of trying to promote innovation here at the Adams Center.” Doug Darby, creative director for the Adams Center
By LAUREN WARE STUDENT REPORTER
A representative from Apple Computer Inc. demonstrated new DVD authoring software for professors and students on Thursday. The representative, Ken Gray, systems engineer for Apple, went through a demonstration of new software called Production Suite for about 22 people in the Adams Center for Teaching Excellence. Doug Darby, creative director for the Adams Center, asked Gray to demonstrate the products after different departments expressed interest in them. “We use them for things for faculty and in some curriculum,” Darby said. “We’ve been in contact with Apple already for things like FilmFest.” The suite help buyers with
video production. The software includes computer applications like Final Cut Pro HD, which is a video editing program; DVD Studio Pro, where DVD menus and interfaces are created; and Motion, which is a program that creates graphics that move. “It is relevant to ACU because, in order for us to expose our students to the type of tools they’ll be experiencing out in the workforce, we have to have them on campus,” Darby said. Darby sent an open invitation to several departments, inviting them to go to the demonstration. He said he hoped to familiarize people with the technology in the demonstration. “We’re in the business of trying to promote innovation and creativity here at the
It’s like a petting zoo out here
New Officers
Apple presents new DVD software Video production program demonstrated in Adams Center
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Adams Center, and ACU as a whole is about that,” he said. “We’d like students and teachers to have a better appreciation of what is available on campus and maybe give them the interest to go and explore it a little bit.” Darby said the meeting was not just for teachers. He wanted to familiarize students to the products as well. “I think the more students are aware of what exists on campus and the technology that ACU is interested in,” he said, “the more likely they are to sort of stretch their horizons and explore new ways to approach some of their work and go out there and try new things.”
E-mail Ware at: optimist@acu.edu
EMERALD McGOWAN/Contributing Photographer
Jenifer Arnel, sophomore biology major from Granbury, rides her horse Doc while Shelly Luster, sophomore psychology major from Buffalo Gap, and Natali Monroe, sophomore elementary education major from Los Angeles, pet Doc after Chapel on Friday. Arnel was advertising for the ACU Rodeo and rode in a drill team for the event on Tuesday.
Students judge until cows come home Four agriculture majors to compete beginning Thursday By EMERALD MCGOWAN STUDENT REPORTER
Four agriculture students will see the culmination of a semester’s worth of practice when they participate in a national judging competition Thursday through Sunday. Members of the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, a society that primarily promotes and recognizes teaching in agriculture and environmental science, will sponsor the competition. Northeast Community College in Norfolk, Neb., will host the event. Team members Jessica Brown, senior animal science major from Bayfield, Colo.; Katie Alfson, junior animal science major from West Linn, Ore.; Karla Rundell, freshman agricultural business major from Gunnison, Colo.; and
Chelsea Davis, freshman agricultural business major from Waco, will judge the dairy cow competition. Participating teams will be required to judge a group of four cows at close range, then place the cows in a pen ranked from greatest to least, Brown said. The teammates will be required to verbally justify their reasons for placing the cows in that particular order. “I’ve never judged dairy cows before, but I’m looking forward to the new experience,” Brown said. She participated in the NACTA conference several years ago when she judged horses. “Students can learn a lot through competitions like this, and we’re going to have fun competing,” she said. Dr. Ed Brokaw, team sponsor and professor of animal science, said he has taken teams to the conference for the past 15 years. “The NACTA conference is a good opportunity, designed to allow students to apply what
they’ve been learning in the classroom to real situations,” Brokaw said. “The dairy judging competition specifically is a challenging event, but one that gives students good experience in critical thinking and in public speaking. “This team has been practicing since the beginning of the semester, and this is their first time out,” he said. “I expect them to do well but have no idea how they’ll stack up against the competition.” The ACU team will also participate in the Ag-Knowledge Bowl, a quiz game in which competing schools answer questions in an attempt to gain the most points and eliminate the other team. Questions will include general agricultural knowledge questions, not just questions in the students’ major field, which could prove difficult for the teams’ primarily animal science majors, Brokaw said. E-mail McGowan at: optimist@acu.edu
Frenzy of freshmen to stay up late Wildcat Parents plan event, offer free karaoke, bowling By NATHAN STRAUS STUDENT REPORTER
Members of Wildcat Parents, an organization of parents and guardians of current students, are throwing a party for freshmen on Friday from 6 p.m. to midnight. The party is called Friday Night Frenzy, and all freshmen are invited for a night of games and fun. Special events include karaoke with more than 500 songs from albums made as early as the 1950s, free bowling,
pool, video games and quizzes. Dinner can be purchased with a single meal plan. “We had been talking about doing something special for the freshmen, and the Friday Night Frenzy idea was the idea that floated to the top,” said Jana Hanner, co-president of Wildcat Parents. Organizers rented the entire Recreation Center and prepared for a large turnout, Hanner said. Volunteers also will participate in quiz games or card games with the freshmen. Hanner said Friday Night Frenzy will be a chance for students to have fun and meet new people. The night also can be considered an inexpensive date idea.
“I’d like to see about 200 freshmen at least,” said Samantha Adkins, coordinator of Alumni Relations and liaison for Wildcat Parents. “We want a big crowd.” Adkins said the parents wanted to plan an event besides Midnight Breakfast, which takes place at the end of the semester, for students. Hanner said although most of the volunteers from Wildcat Parents live in Abilene, every parent who has a child at ACU is a member of Wildcat Parents. “We exist solely to do things for the students of ACU,” Hanner said. E-mail Straus at: optimist@acu.edu
VIEWSWEDNESDAY OPTIMIST
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April 13, 2005
Congress needs to serve students
The issue: The Students’ Association amended its Constitution to no longer require members of Congress to propose at least one piece of legislation during the year.
The Students’ Association on April 6 in the last official meeting of the year agreed upon an amendment to its bylaws, which alters the requirements of its voting members. Congress amended the provision by no longer specifically requiring members to write or cosponsor at least one piece of legislation during the year. It now reads that members are encouraged to write or cosponsor a piece of legislation. The change makes sense constitutionally. The old requirement, which threatened impeachment, could not be enforced until the final meeting each year when
Our view: Although legislation is not the most important part of Congress members’ jobs, they should not neglect their responsibility to those they represent.
The solution: If students plan to run for Congress, they need to put time and effort into the role.
represent their members ran out First and foremost, voting members constituents. of opportunities Some memto propose legis- of Congress should represent their constituents. bers need no lation. legislation to Now, Congress can decide whatever penal- purpose other than fulfilling the represent the students who elected them to serve. Some projects ties or incentives to “encourage” requirement of office. members to propose or cosponsor Voting members of Congress that directly affect students need legislation. have three requirements of office: only time and initiative on the However, in light of the list to write legislation, attend 80 per- part of members. Members shouldn’t need enreleased by the executive cabinet cent of official business and comTuesday disclosing members’ mittee meetings and complete couragement to write legislation and certainly not to represent stunames who did not fulfill the office hours during the year. requirements of office, many of But perhaps the single-most dents. Sometimes legislation is the members who voted for the important requirement of office not needed, but as a legislative change were also in violation of isn’t found in the bylaws or body, a core piece of Congress’ the old requirement. Constitution. No list has been work should be legislation. Members shouldn’t write legisThirty-four members did not released calling out those who have their names on any piece of have not fulfilled this require- lation or attend meetings and legislation this year. Some pro- ment. First and foremost, voting office hours only to avoid having posed legislation that served little members of Congress should their names reported in the
Insufficiencies in Congress noticed
Optimist. That should come out of a desire to represent and serve. As elections for class senators begin Wednesday, voters should examine the list of Congress members reported below. See if the candidates running again represented the students by fulfilling the requirements they promised to fulfill. Ask those candidates if they plan to fulfill the requirements of office they seek. But more important than concerning themselves with marking off a checklist of requirements for an item to add on their résumé, ask those candidates if they plan to serve those they are elected to represent. That is the true calling of SA.
Daniel Barcroft
In My Words
Students’ Association bylaws require that senators and building representatives fulfill these requirements of office: • Attend at least 80 percent of all scheduled and special Congress meetings as well as committee meetings during each semester. • Must work in the Students' Association office at least 30 minutes a week. • Must author or cosign at least one piece of legislation. At the final meeting of the semester, Congress voted to no longer require members to author or cosign a piece of legislation during the year; instead, members will be encouraged to do so. However, only 14 members of Congress fulfilled the legislation requirement that stood for most of this year. The following students, according to SA records, did not fulfill their requirements of either office hours, attendance or legislation:
Insufficiencies in Congress Office hours • Callie Adams • Jana Atchley • Adam Bailey • Casey Bingham • Austin Brennan • Elizabeth Canarsky • Dylan Carey • Kathleen Carmichael • Erin Dimas • Ashley Downhour • Lisa Etchison • Daniel Gray (no office hours) • Andrew Greenburg • Brittany Groves • Jonathan Halloway • Nathan Hamlin (no office hours) • Lauren Hart • Meridith Hollis (no office hours) • Chris Lemmons
• Jeff McCain • Nathan McKenzie • Michelle Morris • Marie Nordman • Jeremy Pond • Brad Powers • Jeffrey Rasco (no office hours) • Hallie Roberts • Jake Roseberry • Justin Scott • Yukari Sekine • Cliff Sloan • Adam Smith • Chris Smith • Zach Tabers • David Tuttle • Courtney Varner • Missy Mae Walters (no office hours) • Justin Webb (no office hours)
Attendance • Jana Atchley • Adam Bailey • Alaina Bearden • Dylan Carey • Kathleen Carmichael • Dan Cramer • John Gainer
• Daniel Gray • Brittany Groves • Nathan Hamlin • Nathan Hastings • Jeff McCain • Cliff Sloan • Zach Tabers
Proposed legislation • Callie Adams • Jana Atchley • Adam Bailey • Alaina Bearden • Austin Brennan • Elizabeth Canarsky • Dylan Carey • Kathleen Carmichael • Dan Cramer • Erin Dimas • Lisa Etchison • John Gainer • Daniel Gray • Andrew Greenburg • Brittany Groves • Valerie Hanneken • Nathan Hamlin
• Nathan Hastings • Maradith Hollis • Jonathan Holloway • Chris Lemmons • Jeff McCain • Michelle Morris • Marie Nordman • Brad Powers • Hallie Roberts • Jake Roseberry • Yukari Sekine • Cliff Sloan • Adam Smith • Zach Tabers • Sametria Turner • David Tuttle • Courtney Varner
Be wise as gas prices rise, plan ahead Every morning when I leave my house, I make a decision. I either take out my keys, walk over to my car and drive to school, or I leave my keys in my bag, turn the other way and walk to school. I would like to say that I only drive when it’s rainMuch Ado ing, but I don’t. I drive if I’m About Something running late, if the wind is Jaci Schneider blowing extraordinarily hard, or if I’m lazy, which is more often than I’d like to admit. Lately, however, as the weather turns brighter and the
to an article on cnn.com, 8 percent of consumers thought about buying a hybrid vehicle in March, but only 4 percent considered it in February, when gas prices were considerably lower. The article also says that 77 percent of consumers would consider buying a hybrid if gas prices reach $3 a gallon. This doesn’t make any sense to me. Gas prices have been increasing since I began to notice them at age 16, and I have no reason to believe that they won’t continue to increase. Is 69 percent of the population just naively hoping that a miracle will happen and
gas prices soar higher, I’ve been avoiding my little red car as much as possible. With the national average for the lowest grade gas at $2.28 per gallon, according to msnbc.com, I wouldn’t be surprised if more people are leaving their cars at home. When my car reaches the end of its eventful life, I hope I can afford a hybrid, so that gas prices don’t affect my everyday life so much. With a regular gas-guzzling car I’m forced to plan my summer vacation around gas prices. Apparently some Americans share the same thought as me. According
the price of oil will spiral downward? Even if the price of gas has finally reached a plateau, I would still like to think that consumers would be wise enough to invest in a hybrid. Although they might cost more than a traditional car, think about how much money could be saved on gas in the long run. And eventually, we will need to become less dependent on gas and oil — why not start now? So although it might not be feasible for most of the American population to choose to walk everywhere when gas prices rise, it is feasible for us to plan ahead and prepare for what will inevitably come. Respond to Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu
University should lower flags for pope I am writing to express my disappointment that the university chose not to lower its flags to half-staff as a sign of respect for Pope John Paul II. Flags all over Abilene, all over the country and all over the world were lowered to mark his passing. Regardless of the theological differences between Churches of Christ and Catholicism, could not ACU err on the side of respect for one whose sole mission was to spread the Gospel? With so much effort toward reconciliation, the university missed an opportunity to demonstrate its unity with larger Christendom, and I am saddened by the sectarian spirit symbolized by those flags flying high when bil-
Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist Editorial Board and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist, its Editorial Board or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors
Gas prices have been increasing since I began to notice them at age 16.
or to refuse to print letters containing personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or less. 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@acu.edu
lions are in mourning. I can think of several more reasons why the administration could have chosen differently: 1) While I don’t know the exact number of Catholic students at ACU, a significant segment of the student population is affected deeply by the death of His Holiness, and lowering the flags would have been a gesture of respect and solidarity with their loss; 2) Pope John Paul II left a profound impact on the world, a legacy that ACU should aspire to rather than ignore. His moral leadership was more powerful than any army in helping tear down the Iron Curtain, and his missionary visits to countries that had never been visited before by a pope helped revive
OPTIMIST THE
Christian belief all over the globe; and 3)President Bush issued a proclamation that flags fly at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds from the day of the pope’s death until sunset on the day of his interment. I understand that ACU is a private university, but it is standard procedure following the death of a foreign dignitary to lower the flags (e.g. Churchill, el-Sadat and Rabin), and the pope holds official diplomatic status as the Head of State of Vatican City. While our government’s policies and official Vatican positions are frequently at odds, our president knew this was a
YOUR VOICE Re: The decision made by ACU not to lower its flags after the death of Pope John Paul II
moment to respect the shared common good and not focus on areas of disagreement. I wish our administration had been so wise. Kim Seidman Development Director 89.7 Abilene Public Radio
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FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
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Sculpture: Jacob’s Ladder needs funding for completion Continued from Page 1 “It was a dream of this woman who gave the money, Grace Woodward, to be able to support higher education in a Christian context,” Maxwell said. Holmans said the estimated cost would be $500,000. Once begun, he estimated it should take about a year to complete. The main focus of Maxwell’s art form is a 33-foot sculpture of several bronze angels ascending and descending on a sideless ladder to heaven. Maxwell said each angel will stand about eight-and-a-half feet when completed, and the entire ladder
sculpture will stand 22 feet tall. The sculpture will be mounted 11 feet into the air and surrounded by one of the most beautiful places on campus, Maxwell said. He said the general shape of the space is three circles with a much larger circle in the middle to suggest the trinity. One of the spaces will have a pool with water that is only about two inches deep. It will bubble like a spring, and scripture will be below the water carved in stone. Another circle will include plants and trees that are mentioned in the Bible, such as fig trees and exotic flowers, Maxwell said.
The larger circle—where the statue will stand—will project out. A large boulder will look like it comes right out of the ground, Maxwell said . “It is designed so that you can teach from that place, and so you can also lay down there at night like Jacob did with the stone as a pillow and reflect on God,” Maxwell said. The space also will include broken rock slabs and boulders to give people a place to sit on and phrases incorporated into the structure from the Genesis account such as, “I am with you,” “Surely the Lord is in this place,” and “This is the gate of heaven.”
“It is just amazing what the account says,” Maxwell said. “Although, I know there is no direct connection to ACU, those words and statements apply to the university.” Maxwell said he sees the space as a refuge for people. He said the art form tentatively will be placed in the grassy area between the Mabee Business Building, the OnsteadPacker Biblical Studies Building and the Williams Performing Arts Center. The project, reportedly to be finished in the spring of 2004, has not been started because of lack of funds. “We wish it would have been
done yesterday,” Holmans said. “But there is a money aspect that keeps us from accomplishing it. We are very hopeful that Jack’s dream will be translated into reality soon through contributions and donations to that purpose.” Although the donation from the Woodward estate was originally meant to help with this project, it has gone to the university’s endowment instead. As of right now, no money has been donated to the project. “No one has committed to it yet, and no one has bought into it yet,” Holmans said. “But several people have seen it and like the idea.”
All Maxwell can do is wait for the go-ahead signal. He plans to have his model image of the sculpture bronzed so it can be preserved for the final one. His goal is to have the final sculpture and area landscaped and unveiled by the end of the Centennial Celebration in the fall of 2006. “We’re not just any university,” Maxwell said. “This sculpture will help to tell people who we are ... we want it to be inspiring to walk across our campus.” E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu
Grad school: Some waiting for news Continued from Page 1 and chiropractic school. Reeves said the number of students continuing in health profession graduate school is about average compared to most years. Neal Coates, assistant professor of political science, said students who applied to law school will not know for sure if they have been accepted for another few weeks. “I have some students who are picking from among schools,” Coates said. “Students
at this point are waiting to hear from schools.” He said about 25 percent of students who applied know for sure where they are going, but by May almost all will know. Some students are looking outside of Abilene for graduate school, but many will stay here. Carol Williams, dean of the Graduate School, said the department has received 241 applications so far. “We’re hoping to break 600 students total this fall,” she said. Although the application deadlines for the Marriage and
Family Therapy Department and the communication disorder program have passed; the other graduate programs have rolling deadlines. However, she said, the earlier students apply, the greater their chance to receive financial aid. Graduate enrollment has been steadily increasing for the past few years, Williams said, and the trend looks to continue. E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu
Art: Students travel in Europe Continued from Page 1 his or her degree plan, Rama said. Last year, a biology major was able to come, he said. Last summer Rama and Nil Santana, instructor of art and design, led a group of 21 students on the Art Department Study Abroad trip to Oxford.
The Art and Design Department usually tries to plan an overseas Study Abroad Program every other summer, Rama said. The group last summer traveled by plane, bus and train and visited famous museums and buildings in cities in Spain, including Barcelona and Madrid, and in cities in Italy,
including Rome and Venice, Rama said. Rama said he thinks Study Abroad is an important learning experience for art and design students because “those who study art and architecture traditionally travel.” E-mail Hardwick at: optimist@acu.edu
United: No agreement with campus Continued from Page 1 “Of course, we have had an increase in sales,” he said. Jack Rich, executive vice president of the university, said he hadn’t heard of the store’s new products. “I’m surprised they sell it so close to Taylor Elementary,” he said, adding that although ACU owns property near the university, it does not own the land where United sits. “I don’t know that we can influence it one way or the other,” he said. Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, agreed. “To my knowledge, there was never a formal agreement between ACU and the supermarket to prevent them from selling alcohol,” he said. “It is a business, and it has the right
to do whatever it wants to do.” Before a store can begin selling alcohol to patrons, managers must submit an application to the Texas Alcohol and Beverage Commission. “We are sort of a buffer zone,” said Randy Motz, lieutenant at the TABC. “They fill out their forms with us. It has to be approved by the city of Abilene before we can mail off the paperwork to Austin.” Motz said the permit to sell alcohol at United was issued about a month ago. Pam Percival, community information coordinator for the city of Abilene, said the store did not have to submit a zoning change request, which means managers could always sell beer and wine at United if they wished. She said city officials
signed the application to sell wine and beer on Jan. 24. The only stipulation was that the merchandise must be consumed off the store’s premises. “Other United Supermarkets in town have had the same type of permit for some time since 1999 or 2000,” Percival said. The only concern, Percival said, was that the store is located in close proximity to Taylor Elementary School. “They had the land surveyed professionally, and they complied,” she said. “Before they can be approved by the TABC, they have to meet these requirements. As far as zoning is concerned, they could have applied to sell wine and beer before now.” E-mail Williams at: tnt00b@acu.edu
Elections: E-vote pushed back Continued from Page 1 Instead of trying to use a faulty e-vote system or use paper balloting, Leech said he decided it would be better to push back the elections. Electronic voting was first supposed to be available with SA’s executive office elections March 30 through April 1, but because the beginning of voting would directly correspond with the beginning of freshman class registration, Langford
said he made the decision that electronic voting could not happen. Langford said that would not be an issue this time. “It’s not conflicting with any high traffic activities,” Langford said, also adding that he has added a server on the network that only will be handling the elections. Students can vote beginning after Chapel on Wednesday until 9 p.m. Friday. Langford said students should see a sec-
tion on my.ACU for the election on the left side of their Internet browser once they log in. Because this will be the first time SA uses this system widely, Leech said the elections committee will check the results at the end of the election to make sure the system worked properly, but otherwise, he should know immediately who won the election. E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu
DAVID LEESON/ACU Today
David Young, senior interdisciplinary major from Austin and intern at the Crow Indian Reservation, helps prepare one of his young friends, 9-year-old Joshua, to ride a steer in the Crow Native Days Rodeo on June 26. Joshua has been riding calves and steers since he was 7. His chaps are adorned with autographs of several professional bull riders. His father and uncle both ride bulls at rodeos.
Crow: Students learn about diversity Continued from Page 1 “ACU is about to be the only baccalaureate program that the Little Big Horn College will encourage students to attend.” David Young, senior interdisciplinary major from Austin, spent last summer on the reservation and said the experience was life-changing. “You gain a whole new perspective of life,” he said in an email. “It was a whole new world.” Young said he took children fishing, hiking and camping and worked as a music teacher for a summer camp. “We were sent there to help these kids and become more enlightened about the native
cultures about America,” Young said. “But the truth is that we were the ones helped; none of us came back the same person.” Gotcher and Young both said that the Crow families accept the students as part of their own family. “They include them in all family activities and Crow cultural activities,” Gotcher said. Young said he would love to go back to the reservation. “It was the greatest experience of my life,” he said. “I have so many new dreams and ideas now that I hardly know where to start.” Because the program places students in such a different cultural context, interns take a cultural diversity class as part of
the program. They can also attend language, culture and dance classes at Little Big Horn College. The last week of the program usually corresponds with an annual Crow powwow, where students get to stay in teepees with the family and participate in all the events. Students can pick up applications in the Sociology Office or can print them from online at www.acu.edu/academics/cas/sociology.crowreservation.html. Students must also call the Sociology Office to set up an interview on Thursday or Friday. E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu
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FOCUSWEDNESDAY OPTIMIST
April 13, 2005
All in a night’s work During April, the Optimist will feature stories about the daily lives of some of the most active but unseen members of the university’s staff.
Written by: Jennifer Anthony Photographs by: Emily Chastain Design by: Mallory Sherwood
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car loaded with freshmen spins into the Nelson Hall parking lot, and students spill into the residence hall, shivering from the 50degree night. They make the 11:30 p.m. curfew just as employees at WFF Facility Services across the street take their first sip of coffee in preparation for the night ahead. The temperature continues to sink as the hours slip past. The constellation Orion rotates above the campus mall while Leticia Abila walks from building to building, checking on her custodians and making sure the university will be clean when students and professors return the next day. Mostly unseen, the custodians’ presence is confirmed by the occasional evidence of lumpy black trash bags piled outside a door or the silhouette of a cleaning cart standing motionless, bottles hanging on every edge. Abila, night shift supervisor for WFF Facility Services, understands the work involved. After staying at home with her son for a year, Abila said she decided to look for a job. “They said, ‘It’s hard work cleaning toilets,” she remembered. “I said, ‘Give me an application. I’m pretty sure I can do it.’” She spent the first three of her nine years at WFF as a custodian before advancing to supervisor’s assistant for two years and then to her current position. “It’s been fun,” she said. “This is something I never dreamed of doing. I think I’ve been doing a good job since I’m still here.” orn and raised on a farm in Rising Star, a community of about 900 people 56 miles southeast of Abilene, Abila and her husband moved to Abilene in 1990. Their 11-year-old son, Roman, sees his mom when he gets up for school and when he comes home. While he and his father sleep, Abila begins her day’s work. “I like to work nights,” she said. The WFF team works together to make the job more enjoyable. Custodians who finish early, Abila said, most often will help those whose shifts require heavier cleaning. Cleaning all the offices in one building takes about eight hours, Abila said. The open areas require about four. While the temperature drops lower still, Abila heads to the first building of the night. Although her job requires her to check on the custodians’ progress, tonight – like many nights – one of her employees has called in sick. She is filling in for the woman who usually cleans the Onstead-Packer
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Biblical Studies Building. Pushing open both sets of glass double doors, she enters the Hall of Servants where after-hours light pools on the tiled floor, and the lone humming of the air conditioning accentuates the building’s emptiness. A hallway to her left houses a cleaning closet, which she leaves open after gathering her supplies. “All trash out by 2 a.m.,” scrawls a sign in black felt-tip marker that hangs on the inside of the door. An unopened Maruchan Cup of Soup sits on the counter across from the extra “Caution: wet floor” sign. Several tendrils of ivy creep and twirl out of halffilled water glasses, down the shelves, searching for traces of sunlight in the closet. The door to the adjoining conference room sits ajar. Although this room needs some attention, Abila’s first task awaits in the next hallway: Room 114, where the Students’ Association meets Wednesday nights. The room will take about 30 minutes to clean. Most classrooms require about half an hour, Abila said, although custodians-in-training usually spend up to 45 minutes in each classroom for the first few weeks. In swift, efficient motions, she begins her routine while reciting the plan. “Chairs, tables, vacuum, boards and trash,” she says. The snaggle-toothed lines of chairs must each be straightened, every step cleaned with a backpack vacuum, and each table wiped with disinfectant. “We make sure the classrooms are nice and clean when the professors and students arrive,” she says, wiping clean the marker board except for the “do not erase” note in the upper righthand corner. ext: the bathrooms. And the men often outdo the women, when it comes to mess, she says with a slight smile. Without hesitating, she pushes her cart through the door to the men’s restroom and arms herself with disinfectant and paper towels.
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“Sometimes we find paper all over the place, or they put it in the toilet but they don’t flush – stuff like that,” she says, glancing briefly at her reflection in the mirror. She’s wearing the ribbed, v-neck sweater and hoop earrings today because she spent the day at a family reunion, she says. Normally, she wears a blue polo shirt embroidered with “ACU WFF,” she says. The custodians wear beige smocks. After the Biblical Studies Building,
Abila walks to the Mabee Business Building to check on Mariza Delapaz, who has been promoted tonight from custodian to supervisor’s assistant. “She’s a hard worker,” Abila said. Then she laughs. “All the ladies here are hard workers.” Delapaz has parked her cleaning cart in the entryway to the Quiet Place, and faint rustling sounds echo from its recesses. “Mariza!” Abila calls, and Delapaz emerges smiling. After all, tonight is not a normal night. Delapaz said she plans to treat those she trains as if they are already professionals. She, too, has children – a 2year-old and a 1-year-old. “Sometimes I don’t get enough sleep,” she says, placing her hands on the edges of her cart. A little laugh, then she adds, “But I still have to do it. I like to see everything clean.” fter checking on Delapaz, Abila starts toward Moody Coliseum. She talks about her son, Roman, and his clearly announced intentions to attend ACU. He often changes his mind, she says, but seems confident that he will attend the university. Less stable than his college plans, his career aspirations change more frequently. Right now, Abila said, he says he wants
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to deliver babies. “I don’t know if I can afford it,” Abila says, “but I’m going to try.” Almost a dozen crumpled Dr Pepper cups have spilled down Moody’s rows. Each custodian receives a section of Moody to clean. When the 25 employees on the night shift work together, they finish the stands in about an hour, she said. However, when things are messier than usual and everyone cannot help, the stands can require up to three hours. Generally the male custodians tidy the racquetball courts and the gyms in Gibson Health and Physical Education Center, while the women custodians clean the showers and locker rooms. Jovita Salazar, hard at work in the women’s locker room, laughs and shakes her head when Abila asks how many showers she cleans. Leaving Moody Coliseum, Abila wraps her black wool coat more closely as a slicing wind cuts between her and her destination: the Don H. Morris Center. “I love all the buildings,” she says generously, “but for me, this is the hard one.” The reason? Rooms 140 and 136 in Don Morris – also known as sculpture and ceramics. Dalia Cavazos, custodian
for the sculpture room, must clean stubborn dust and clay from the concrete floors while allowing projects to remain undisturbed. Now that she has checked on almost all her custodians, Abila will soon return to the Biblical Studies Building to finish the classrooms. Hundreds of chairs to straighten, steps to vacuum, bits of paper to pinch up. uch tenacity and consistency won her recognition twice as a custodian when she received quality achievement awards, said Val Mascari, project manager for WFF Facility Services. “It’s just the pride and ownership of the work that she took,” Mascari said. “She is such a dedicated person, and she had a willingness to do whatever it took to accomplish the task.” When she gets home at about 7 a.m., Abila wakes Roman and helps him get to school. She’s in bed by 9 a.m. and up again by 2 p.m. Later in the day, or perhaps on a day off, Abila might find time for one of her favorite pastimes, one most freshman would enjoy. Besides sleeping and caring for her family, she tries to fit in a little shopping. “I love to go shopping in the mall,” she says. Smiling, she adds, “In all the stores.”
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Top right: Leticia Abila stands in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building on Monday night. Top left: One sign that hangs on the inside of the maintenance closet in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building remind when to take out the trash. Bottom left: Abila wipes down the desks in a classroom in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building on Monday night. She performed the custodial work for a fellow employee who called in sick. Bottom right: A custodial cart sits outside the men's locker room.
JUMPS
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
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Club: GSP to attempt to raise $68,000 for Habitat for Humanity Continued from Page 1 money for charities in town. In past years, the social club has completed a bike ride to Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., and two runs to Harding University in Harding, Ark. They also played the world’s longest basketball game at 25 hours in 2001. Patrick Vincent, junior finance major from Arlington, is one member who has been involved in planning the softball game. “We were thinking of outrageous things to do for this year, and the first thing we thought of was to paddle the Mississippi River,” Vincent said. He said they decided not to paddle down the river because of safety issues and instead chose the softball idea after flipping through the Guinness
Book of World Records. “The record then was only 35 hours,” Vincent said. “But then some people from Ireland came in and crashed that, so we had to really reach to pass them. “We liked the softball idea because it could take place on campus and everyone could be a part of it.” Vincent said the original goal was to play for 40 hours straight, but now they are going for 60 hours. Justin Scott, junior political science major from Whitehouse, said GSP has had a long history with charity events in the past, and Habitat for Humanity has always been the charity they like to help. Habitat for Humanity helps people who need a home. They are given interest-free mortgages, and the people have to
work at least 350 hours on houses. One hundred hours is spent on someone else’s house, and the other 250 hours is spent building their own home. “The big thing to us is that a house is something they can call their own, and a house makes such a big difference in a person’s life,” Scott said. To help people receive a house, members of the team must raise funds. Forty players will be on the teams, and each player must raise at least $650 to play, Scott said. In addition to raising money, each player must play at least every three hours to limit the amount of time they will sleep. The game will begin at 7 a.m. Thursday and end at 7 p.m. Sunday at the intramural field by Elmer Gray Stadium. To raise money, members
have asked local businesses to sponsor the softball game, and each member has sent at least 20 to 30 personal letters to their hometowns for support, Vincent said. Skinny’s, Starbucks and the Mall of Abilene are a few of the sponsors. These businesses will be advertised on the club’s Web site, www.insanityforhumanity.com, and on T-shirts. So far, the club has raised more than $15,000, and more has been promised, Vincent said. When all is said and done, GSP hopes to have raised at least $68,000 to give to Habitat for Humanity to help build three more houses in the community. Although members are fully supportive of the charity event, Scott said many were unsure at the beginning.
Pleasant: Head coach resigns Continued from Page 10 because there will still be plenty of time for the new coach to go out and find some good players. “Klint brought a great passion and enthusiasm for basketball to our student-athletes,” he said. “I always enjoyed watching Klint as a teacher of the game. He has a great passion for people, and we will miss he and Rachel and their family here in Abilene and at ACU.” Pleasant’s task when he was hired in August 2002 wasn’t an easy one as he was faced with the prospect of trying to revive a program that had won just 13 games combined in the previous two seasons and had recorded just three winning seasons in the previous 14 years. His 2002-03 team finished 13-14 overall and 4-8 in the LSC South and came within one game of reaching the LSC PostSeason Tournament for the first time since 1998. Pleasant’s second team in 2003-04 finished 12-15 and 3-9 but suffered six losses by six points or less, including four in division play. His last team in 2004-05 finished 8-19 and lost its last nine games, all in the LSC South, to finish 1-11 in league play. “I know that to build a program you have to go through some seasons like we experienced in 2004-05, and my decision to leave has nothing to do with how we finished,” Pleasant said. “I think we established some good relationships with
the community and with our alumni, and we brought some excitement and competitiveness back to the program. “When I arrived here, we weren’t even on a level of competing on a nightly basis with the teams in our league,” he said. “Even with our record what it was this year, I felt like we were close to getting it turned around. I’m really excited about the level of young talent on the roster, and I believe those guys will be very good players in the Lone Star Conference.” Pleasant came to ACU in August 2002 from Kent State, which enjoyed a good 2001-02 season. The Golden Flashes won a Mid-America Conference-record 30 games and advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight with Pleasant on the sidelines as an assistant coach. Following his only season at Kent State, Pleasant appeared to be ready to go to Southeastern Conference powerhouse Arkansas when former Kent State head coach Stan Heath accepted the job of replacing Nolan Richardson. Pleasant, however, decided to remain at Kent State, saying he thought staying with the Golden Flashes would give him his best chance to be a head coach somewhere in the future. He then was hired at ACU, saying it was the “only job in America that would have lured me away from Kent State.” Before joining the Kent State
“I think a lot of the guys were looking to the past at all of the bigger things we had done and were hoping for a big trip like the run to Harding University,” Scott said. “Once they realized that we were going to break a world record, though, they really liked it.” According to the Guinness World Records Web site, someone who wants to break a record must submit a request for the record they wish to set or break, and then wait a minimum of four to six weeks for a reply. Besides breaking records and getting no sleep, members of GSP will also help with a carnival at the event. Scott said they hope to have a carnival-type atmosphere with bands playing, a children’s fair, a home-run derby and a dunking booth. If all goes
according to plan, game sponsors will be present to recruit students for jobs. “We want it to be a fun time where students and people from the community with their families can come and enjoy themselves,” Scott said. Vincent said although the game is exciting to be a part of, the best part for him is knowing this is one of the most meaningful things he can do while at ACU. “There are a lot of poor people in Abilene, and this is a way for us to serve them,” Vincent said. “We put forth an effort to get a grade or to get our homework done, things that really, in the end, don’t matter a whole lot. This is a way for us to serve as Jesus served.” E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu
Playing the hot corner
program, Pleasant served as an assistant coach at University of Tennessee-Martin (1999-2001) and Wayne State University in Detroit (1998-99). While at UT-Martin, he helped the Skyhawks qualify for the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament for the first time in school history. During his tenure at WSU, Pleasant helped lead the team to a 25-5 record, a conference championship and an NCAA Division II Tournament bid. He previously served as a student assistant at Lipscomb University, where he worked under head coach Don Meyer, the fastest coach to reach 700 victories in the history of college basketball. A native of Rochester, Mich., Pleasant attended Waterford Kettering High School where he was a first-team all-conference selection in football and a team co-captain in basketball. His father, Garth Pleasant, has won more than 500 games as the head men’s basketball coach at Rochester College in Rochester Hills, Mich., during the past 30 seasons, and was selected as the Michigan College Coach of the Year in 1989. Pleasant, who is married to the former Rachel Stevens, earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Lipscomb University in 1998 and a master’s degree in education from Tennessee-Martin in 2000. BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Senior third baseman Valerie Malkinson fields a short grounder off the bat of Pioneer’s center fielder Amanda Emory in the seventh inning of the 8-1 Wildcat win Saturday at Wells Field.
Baseball: Men to host ASU Rams Continued from Page 10
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Chris Walsh, junior right fielder, ecstatically heads to home plate where teammates wait in celebration after Walsh’s two-run walk-off home run to give the Wildcats a 8-6 victory over Tarleton State Texans on Saturday at Crutcher Scott Field.
Walsh made sure that didn’t last long and came through with another gamewinning hit. After a Zepeda single scored Dan Gubbels, Walsh sent a towering drive over the leftfield wall to Walsh end the series. After the Wildcats lost their first game in 16 outings and
“Our competition is definitely better. When it comes to conference, there are no guarantees.” Britt Bonneau, head baseball coach
had to win two games in their final at bat, Bonneau attributed the outings to tougher competition. “Our competition is definitely better,” Bonneau said. “When it comes to conference, there are no guarantees.” The tough competition continues to roll through Abilene
this weekend as the Wildcats host Angelo State. In just their first year with a baseball program, the Rams are 5-3, two games behind ACU in the Lone Star Conference South Division. E-mail Gray at: weg02a@acu.edu
SPORTSWEDNESDAY OPTIMIST
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LSC South Standings current through 04-11-05
Baseball Team ACU A&M-Kingsville Angelo State E. New Mexico Tarleton State West Texas A&M
Div. 7-1 6-2 5-3 4-4 2-6 0-8
Tot. 32-11 29-12 21-19 18-20 17-26 10-31
Softball Team Angelo State ACU A&M-Kingsville Tarleton State Texas Woman’s E. New Mexico
Div. 13-3 11-5 8-8 8-8 6-10 2-14
Tot. 38-10 28-16 27-23 20-19 20-18 17-26
Pleasant resigns as basketball coach Coach announces on Friday, accepts job at Rochester College From ACU SPORTS INFORMATION Abilene Christian University men’s basketball coach Klint Pleasant announced his resignation Friday, accepting a job at Rochester College in Michigan that will send him and his family back home. Pleasant’s resignation from
ACU is effective May 31. He will return to his native Michigan to become the associate vice president for Special at Projects Rochester College. His father, Garth, is the head men's basketball coach at Rochester, and Pleasant Pleasant’s return home also will mean that his young daughter, Abbey, born
Jan. 1, will be closer to her grandparents. “I want everyone to know that ACU is the place I’ve always wanted to coach,” Pleasant said. “It’s a great place, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity that I was given to be the men’s basketball coach here. But what I didn't understand was how much having a baby would change my world. I don't really want to miss all of the things that will be happening with her in the next few years, and I want my parents and our family to be
Tuesday, April 5 Baseball ACU 12, St. Edward’s 6 ACU 8, St. Edward’s 7 Softball ACU 6, Hardin Simmons 1
Baseball team ends winning streak, wins three of four games
Friday Baseball Tarleton State 8, ACU 2 ACU 1, Tarleton State 0
By WARREN GRAY
Softball Texas Woman’s 3, ACU 1 ACU 8, Texas Woman’s 0
SPORTS WRITER
Saturday Softball ACU 11, Texas Woman’s 3 ACU 8, Texas Woman’s 1
Upcoming events in Wildcat sports... (home events in italics) Tuesday, April 12 SB: Hardin Simmons, 4 p.m. Thursday, April 14 TK: April 14-16, Angelo State Relays Friday, April 15 BSB: Angelo State, 2 p.m. SB: Angelo State, 5 p.m. Saturday, April16 BSB: Angelo State, noon SB: Texas Woman’s, 1 p.m. TN: Cameron, 9 a.m.
Briefs Matt Samples wins Subway Invitational; golf team placed second overall
—Warren Gray, Sport Writer
ACU student Bernard Manirakiza wins the Statesman Capitol 10k run last Sunday Manirakiza beat 13,000 runners on April 3 to win the 28th Statesman Capitol 10,000m run, his first road race. Manirakiza, senior management major from Burundi, ran for the university and was an NCAA Division II track champion at 800and 1,500-meter runs, as well as the mile. He finished his 10k run in a time of 30 minutes, 6 seconds, leaving past champion Len Sitko’s 1997 record of 29:49 safe for one more year. Eric Polonski, former University of Texas track star, finished more than a minute after Manirakiza in 31:12 to place second in the race. Manirakiza said he wants to continue racing after his graduation in May. —Staff report
able to see her more than once a year. “I had to decide what was best for my family, and I believe that raising my child around her grandparents is the best thing for our family,” he said. “The way we finished this season [819 overall and 1-11 in the Lone Star Conference South Division] doesn't have anything to do with this decision; it was totally about what my wife [Rachel] and I thought was best for our family.” Jared Mosley, director of ath-
letics, said a search for Pleasant’s replacement would begin immediately. Mosley hired new head football coach Chris Thomsen within three weeks of the resignation of former head coach Gary Gaines, but he said this time the timeline won’t be as critical. Mosley said Wednesday is the signing date for men's basketball. “It’s probably not as urgent as the football situation, simply See PLEASANT Page 9
Men win three against Texans
Scores
Matt Samples won the individual title at the Subway Invitational in Amarillo on April 5, with a tournament-low 68 in the second and final round. The Wildcats finished second as a team, three shots back of West Texas A&M University. After shooting a two-over 73 in the first round, Samples overtook Lubbock Christian’s Robert Hickman and Southwestern Oklahoma State’s Brian Hostetler by going three-under par in the second round. A week earlier, ACU finished 10th at the UCO/Kickingbird Classic with a three-round total of 919 at the Kickingbird Golf Course. The Wildcats will play in the Lone Star Conference Championships on Monday and Tuesday.
April 13, 2005
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Junior second baseman C.J. Goularte throws to first while avoiding the take-out slide of Texan catcher Roland Robles for the double-play attempt in the seventh inning of the Wildcats’ 8-6 victory Saturday. The men won three of four games against Tarleton State and remain first in the LSC South Division.
Tarleton State snapped the baseball team’s 15-game winning streak on Friday, but the Wildcats wasted no time before winning again. After losing the first game of a four-game series with the Texans, the Wildcats responded with three straight wins — 1-0, 14-2 and 8-6 — to improve to 7-1 in conference play. During the 15-game winning streak, the Wildcats won several blowouts. But with one exception, the wins over Tarleton were close, hardfought games. “It just shows we’re a wellrounded team,” coach Britt Bonneau said. “I think it shows a lot of character in a team that can come through in the close ones.” On Friday, the Wildcats won in the ninth inning of a game scheduled to go just seven frames when Alec Sowards singled home Chris Walsh. It took a while for the offense to succeed in the game, but luckily for ACU, Ben Brockman never let the Texans’ offense heat up. Brockman pitched nine innings and only gave up three hits. “He matched their pitcher pitch for pitch,” Bonneau said.
In Friday’s first game, Justin Whitlock couldn’t keep up with Tarleton’s Dustin Holland. Whitlock gave up four runs before recording an out in the first inning and was replaced by Andrew Dillman after John Broussard’s grand slam. “He was off,” Bonneau said. “When you hit the first two batters, walk the third and the fourth batter gets a hold of one, it put us behind the eight ball early.” In Saturday’s opener, Sowards the Wildcats returned the favor. ACU scored the first 14 runs of the game before Tarleton got on the board in the top of the Brockman ninth. Third baseman Brenan Herrera, leftfielder Johnny Zepeda and shortstop Ruben Rivera all had three hits in the game as the heart of the Wildcats’ batting order pummeled Tarleton’s starter for 11 runs in just over four innings. Saturday’s late game brought another close game to Crutcher Scott Field. The Texans scored two in the top of the seventh and final inning to take a 6-5 lead, but See BASEBALL Page 9
Softball team takes three of four against Texas Woman’s Women win three games, move to second in LSC South By JARED FIELDS SPORTS WRITER
The softball team won three of four games against Texas Woman’s University this weekend in the Lone Star South Division play. The women lost the first game by a close score and then won the last three games by convincing scores. The Wildcats dropped the first game 3-1. Jennifer Leal threw seven innings and allowed only one run, but a couple of errors and only one late inning run kept the Wildcats out of the win column. Softball coach Chantiel Wilson knew the first game wasn’t what her team is capable of doing. “We came out a little flat the first game of the series, and we were not able to get a few key hits to drop in the outfield to make a difference in the game,” Wilson said. The team wasn’t flat in the second game of the day. Ashley Whittenburg hit a first inning grand slam and led the Wildcats to an 8-0 win. Allison Crouse allowed only three hits in the win, and third baseman Valerie Malkinson added a three-run
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
The Wildcat softball team celebrates as freshman designated hitter Jessica Johnson approaches home after hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, helping ACU to a 8-1 victory over Texas Woman's University on Saturday. The Wildcats moved up to second place in the Lonestar Conference South Division with 25-15 overall. They begin the Lonestar tournament after playing national champions Angelo State this weekend at Wells Fields at 5 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday. home run in the fourth inning. Saturday’s action was highlighted by Jennifer Leal winning her 20th game of the year in the first game of the day. Leal threw for six innings and allowed only two runs for an 11-3 Wildcat win.
“Jennifer Leal has been there all year in terms of keeping us in every game she pitches,” Wilson said. The Wildcats scored five runs in the first and second innings to jump out to an early lead. Valerie Malkinson and Daisy Barcena each had a
home run in the first inning and Jessica Johnson had three RBI on the day for the team. The last game of the series was more of the same for the Wildcats. Allison Crouse allowed one run, and the offense put eight runs on the board for an 8-1 Wildcat win.
Freshman Johnson had a tworun home run in the fifth inning for the Wildcats. Wilson was proud of Crouse’s performance this weekend too. “Crouse came through this weekend pitching two great games, which we needed,” Wilson said. This weekend the women will host defending national champion Angelo State in the final conference series of the year before the Lone Star Tournament. Angelo State is 11-1 in conference this year, and the Wildcats are 8-4. The Wildcats will need to win three games to force a tie in the division and a sweep to overtake the lead in the standings. Coach Wilson and her players are looking forward to this opportunity, she said. “The players have been working hard all year to put themselves in a position to get a chance to play for the south division title,” Wilson said. The Wildcats will play two doubleheaders this weekend at Wells Field. Friday’s games will begin at 5 p.m., and Saturday’s games will start at 1 p.m.
E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu