Big Fish The Homecoming Musical promises big splash
vol. 103, no. 14
2 SECTION, 14 PAGES
friday, october 10, 2014
Arts Page 5A
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE
what’s INSIDE NEWS The Maker Lab celebrates its one year anniversary in the Library Page 3
ABILENE
SPORTS Wildcats welcome Ava Maria for Homecoming game on Saturday
Page 8A
jarred schuetze chief photographer
OPINION The Editorial Board dug some clips about past construction projects out of the Optimist archives Page 4B
NEWS The JUST program took a group of ACU students and inner city students from Dallas to India Page 3A
FEATURE As demoltion nears, faculty members reflect on memories the Chambers building still holds
Page 1B
paige otway staff photographer
Siggies played Kojies in the flag football rivarly game (Above). Jonathan Steffins, sophomore musical theatre major from Bixby, Oklahoma (Top right). Pledges of Alpha Kai Omega work on their parade float (right).
sarah bateman staff photographer
Brantly to share Ebola story elijah evans staff reporter Dr. Kent Brantly will share his story of surviving the Ebola virus Friday. Brantly and his wife, Amber, return to ACU for Homecoming and will speak at Chapel on and at the Chapel forum at 4 p.m in Moody Coliseum. “They will share their incredible story and the impact it has had on their lives,” said Grant Rampy,
director of public relations at ACU. Numerous faculty within the school adbrantly ministration and various professors have relationships with the Brantlys and wanted to give them the opportunity to share their story with the students and community, said Rampy. Randy Harris, instructor
in the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry and CBS spiritual director, is one professor who knows the Brantlys. “I’ve always liked and admired his work and had a little contact with him through the ordeal,” said Harris. “I’m looking forward to seeing him.” The event will be a Q&A discussion with both Kent and Amber Brantly, Rampy said. Harris, the master of ceremonies, will ask the questions and direct the
discussion. “We are going to ask things about faith and what makes a guy with extraordinary medical training want to go to Africa,” Harris said. “And what does it feel like to come so near death, what do all of his experiences mean to a person of deep faith – these are some of the things I am interested in.” The event will highlight the Brantlys and give them a platform to share their near-death experiences and the necessity of deep faith.
“He’s a really good person to have that platform because he is a person of deep faith, great mind and great reflection,” Harris said. “So I’m just interested in hearing what it looks like and what it feels like.” While traveling to Abilene on Wednesday, Brantly made the news again by donating blood to an infected cameraman. contact evans at ece12a@acu.edu
New float rules lend to more creativity SPORTS Freshman Baylee Mitchell continues scoring serge for soccer this season Page 8A
NEWS The Kirk Goodwin Run will host a benefit dinner on Friday night Page 2B
what’s online VIDEO The computer auction in Cullen auditorium sold over 400 electronics
Read more at acuoptimist.com
jonathan ward staff reporter The Office of Student Activities and Productions has extended the number of hours pledges can work on Homecoming floats and removed limits on club spending for floats. Club floats will be featured in ACU’s annual Homecoming Parade with the theme “There’s No Place Like Home.” Student Activities is coordinating the club portion of this year’s floats while the ACU Alumni Association organizes the rest of the parade floats. “With the shortened length of pledging, we’re
allowing clubs to be more creative with what they do for their floats,” said Tom Craig, director of student activities and productions. Craig also said floats will not necessarily be measured for size this year, but he expects club members to adhere to safety rules. “Basic rules of safety and traffic must be followed,” he said. “For example, the float has to fit under power lines and traffic lights, and when the float turns, it must be able to turn without tipping over.” Members can have as much product donated as needed to build their
sarah bateman staff photographer
Student organizations were given new regulations to follow in building their floats.
see parade page 3
Women seek Tri Kappa Gamma re-charter rachel fritz copy editor Three sophomores have taken on the task to recharter a new women’s social club, Tri Kappa Gamma. Tri Kappa Gamma was started in 1986 by Lisa Lane, now Lisa Herndon, April Bullock and Cindy Leeper. “At the time, there were not a lot of options for girls to pledge,” said Dena Counts, instructor of communication and director of
forensics.”They started the club with their freshman class.” Counts was a member of TKG and was part of the first large pledge class of ‘87 that consisted of 60 women. “It was a pretty big club,” she said. “We won Sing Song when I was a senior. The goal of the club’s creation was to attract a unique, diverse set of women. “We wanted a club that would draw all types of people, not just stereotypes,” Counts said.
However, the club started to die out in the ‘90s and was eventually discontinued due to a lack of funds. Aside from a re-charter in 2005, the club has not been active. Until now. Kelly Shelton, Desiree Tresslar and Brooklyn Merkford are attempting to re-charter TKG. When the three realized they wouldn’t be able to pledge the same club this semester, they took matters into their own hands. “We originally all wanted to be in the same club,”
Abilene Christian University
Shelton said. “We all went through rushing together but we didn’t all get into the same club. That was our main goal – to all be together.” The three were shooting for Sigma Theta Chi, but Merkford, an education major from Round Rock, was the only one who received a bid. Shelton, a finance major from Austin, and Tresslar, a secondary education major from Austin, both received bids from GATA. After withdrawing from the pledge process just be-
fore bid night, the three went to Mark Jackson, associate director of student organizations and programs, to see what they could do to keep their dream of pleading together alive. “We went to Mark and were like, ‘How hard would it be to start a new club?’” Shelton said. “He gave us a list of clubs we could recharter and told us that Tri Kappa Gamma was the best as far as alumni that we would be able to talk to.” After that, the trio set out see social club page 3
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saturday 2 p.m. Homecoming football game versus Ave Maria University
4 p.m. Kent and Amber Brantly - “Surviving Ebola”
2 p.m. Volleyball game at Sam Houston State University
5 p.m. Homecoming Carnival at the WPAC
8:45 p.m. Homecoming fireworks on ACU front lawn
7:30 p.m. JamFest at the Hunter Welcome Center
monday
1:30 p.m. Soccer game versus Stephen F. Austin State University
Midterm grading begins
Announcements
Chapel checkup To date:
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sunday
12 p.m. Soccer game versus Northwestern State University
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Remaining:
36 33 @acuoptimist The Optimist
If you are a fan of hockey or want to learn how to play, join the ACU Hockey Club! The team plays at the Div. II college level of Inline Roller Hockey. Email club president, Ryan Podany, at rap10c@acu. edu or team captain, Tim Holt, at tdh10b@acu.edu for more information.
some of the books. The move will open up more of the library for study spaces on the first and third floors. We apologize for any inconvenience and ask that you seek librarian assistance at the main floor research desk if you are not able to easily find what you are looking for.
Books in the library are being relocated to movable compact shelving on the first floor of the library. The move will take place through September and October and will make it difficult to access
This year’s Homecoming musical is Big Fish, which centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to the fullest. ACU Theatre is one of the first in the nation to mount a production. The
musical’s three shows will run Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The show is suitable for all ages. Tickets can be purchased online at acu.edu/theatre. Seekers of the Word Drama Ministry meets for Chapel on Thursdays in the Bible building, Room 104. Our Chapel is open to everyone. Come study the Bible, pray, worship, talk and laugh with us, and get a Chapel credit in the process!
season! Flu shots are now available in the ACU Medical Care Center for $20. We accept cash, check, credit, debit or you may bill it to your ACU Banner account. Office hours are 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Watch for announcements of special clinic hours. Come and celebrate the Maker Lab’s first year of making! Tours, demos, prizes and more in the ACU Maker Lab Oct. 10 11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Don’t get sick and miss out on any fun (or classes) this
optimist@acu.edu Volunteer Opp0rtunities Big Brothers Big Sisters “Lunch Buddy” program is looking for volunteers. Each volunteer is matched with an elementary-age child. Volunteers spend just 30 minutes per week eating lunch with their “little brother” or “little sister” at local elementary schools, while mentoring through the simple act of friendship. Participants can enjoy playing card games, reading books and visiting during lunch. Each volunteer can choose their own “lunch buddy day” that fits best with their schedule. One hundred thirty-eight children are on the waiting list. Contact Jamie Bearden at 325-674-3113 or jbearden@ bbbstx.org for more information.
Communities in Schools needs 10-20 reading and lunch buddies at Ortiz Elementary School. Volunteers are needed anytime between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on weekdays. Contact Sheila Ashford at 325-671-4945 ext. 5351 or sheila.ashford@abileneisd.org for more information. Friends for Life needs volunteers to work with the elderly and people with disabilities, focusing on those that don’t have family or friends to care for them. Some live in nursing homes and some live independently. For nursing home clients, we have friendly visitation, reading to the blind, entertainment, playing games, helping writing letters, special holiday recognition, adopting a grandparent and Gifts for Grannies and Grandpas at Christmas. For those living independently, we have minor household repairs, transportation to the grocery store or doctor appointments, running errands, reassurance calls, changing light bulbs and mowinglawns. Dates and times are flexible and able to work around students’ schedules. Contact Cecilia Barahona at 325-672-2635 or Cecilia@friendsforlife. org for more information. Girl Scouts is seeking volunteers to help make a difference in the life of young girls. Girl Scouts offers several flexible ways to volunteer. You choose how: a one-day event, sixweek series or year-round troop! Volunteer positions are ongoing and varied. Contact the Michelle Lawson in the Girl Scout office for current opportunities at 325-670-0432 and mlawson@gs-top.org. Keep Abilene Beautiful is looking for volunteers to help with litter clean-ups. Small and large groups are needed. Contact Nicole Eaves at 325-734-3301 and nicole.eaves@abilenetx. com for more information.
Kingdom Kids (Beltway Park Baptist Church) is looking for assistance with Sunday morning activities for Kingdom Kids (physically and emotionally challenged children). Five to six volunteers are needed. Contact: Sharla Sanders at beltwaykids@beltway.org for more information. Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc. is looking for volunteers to help deliver meals to the elderly and home-bound in Abilene, and to volunteer in their kitchen or pantry. Contact Jessica Stewart at 325-672-5050 or volunteer@mealsonwheelsplus.com for additional information. REACH @ Abilene North Apartments is seeking volunteers. Volunteers will be a part of building relationships with at-risk kids and their families through a unique and developing apartment ministry. The program takes place Mondays from 4:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Contact Caroline Thompson at 281-782-2956 or crt12a@acu.edu for more details. The Alliance for Women and Children is seeking volunteers for after-school child care for Pre-K-5th grade children, 6th-8th grade children and A-Teens Middle School Girls Program. For more information about times and location, contact Toni Brown at 325-6775321 or info@afwconline.org. The International Rescue Committee in Abilene needs your help in welcoming refugees to our community. We are seeking the following donations: hygiene and cleaning supplies, bed linen, towels and kitchen items (dishware, silverware, pots/pans, etc). Donations are accepted Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m. or by appointment. Their office is located at 3303 N. 3rd St., Suite D. For more information contact Marie-Pascale Manishimwe at 325-675-5643. Love and Care Ministries is looking for volunteers to help with sorting clothing, stocking their food pantry, assisting in prayers in their prayer room and serving food to the homeless. For more information call 325670-0246. Volunteers are needed to help with daily activities organized by the staff at Chisholm House. This could involve playing board games, helping with arts and crafts and helping with a walking club. For some of these tasks volunteers may be asked to lead a group or work alongside a staff coordinator. Volunteer opportunities are from 2-4 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. daily. Contact Larissa Blankenship at 817-578-9296.
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news
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Students take South Dallas kids to India Allison brown managing editor When Molly Clemans decided to be a part of the Justice and Urban Studies Team, she had no idea she’d end up taking three inner-city Dallas fifth graders on a 10-day trip to India. Clemans, junior Ad/PR major from Melissa, along with Alan Songer, junior criminal justice major from Tomball, Nicole Ramos, junior vocational ministry from Imperial, California, and Bethany Richardson, junior social work major from Center, spent the last year in Dallas as part of the ACU@ CitySquare program. They spent their time working with students in Dallas schools in a program called Design For Change. DFC is an international program founded in India that focuses on project-based learning for students. Using the steps “feel,” “imagine,” “do” and “share,” DFC provides an outlet for children to tackle real-world issues and do something that makes a difference. Over the last year, Clemans, Songer, Ramos and Richardson worked with four different schools on projects that were submitted to a national competition among all
DFC chapters in the US. Out of the 17 projects submitted, one of their classes was chosen as the national winner. The fifth-grade students of Charles Rice Elementary in South Dallas worked to shut down trap houses in their neighborhood where drugs used and trafficked. These 25 fifth graders “felt” a problem in their neighborhood, “imagined” ways they could fix it, “did” something about it and “shared” it with people around them. They worked with a Departments of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms officer, filed a report with police and saw the first of the five trap houses shut down completely. Clemans found out in June the class’s project had been chosen as a winner and with that came the opportunity to go to the international Design For Change conference in Ahmedabad, India. Three students from the class of 25, along with their teacher from Charles Rice, were able to attend the conference. Travelle Gunels, Anjelica Williams and Kendrick Massengill packed their bags for their first international trip. The group began making preparations for passports and visas for their excursion and set out to depart on Sept. 24. They arrived after a long
day of traveling and met students from 22 countries represented at the conference. Once they arrived, the children saw posters showcasing them and others being honored at the conference. Clemans said she noticed the kids beginning to grasp how they truly impacted their community. “You could tell they really understood what was going on and how much of a difference they made by what they did in Dallas,” Clemans said. Clemans said she was proud of how the students presented their project to the conference. “Our kids’ project was pretty on par and awesome with the world,” Clemans said. After leaving Ahmedabad, the group traveled to the Taj Mahal before returning home. Clemans said the children were impacted by the culture of India even more than the conference itself. They were able to discuss poverty in their own neighborhoods in Dallas and poverty in India. “It was really interesting because they were recognizing that it was present in both places,” Clemans said. This trip marked the end of a season for Clemans, Songer, Ramos and Richard-
photo courtesy of Michael harbour
Nicole Ramos, Alan Songer, Molly Clemans, Bethany Richardson and students from Charles Rice Elementary traveled to India for a Design for Change celebration. son. They have since returned from a year living in Dallas to life back in Abilene. For Clemans, India helped her process what all she has been a part of over the last year. “My whole time in Dallas, I felt stupid, I felt brilliant,” Clemans said. “I felt powerless, I felt like I could really
make a difference.” Through the ups and downs of Design for Change, Clemans said she and her team had to trust what God was doing. “If someone had told me a year ago that I’d be in India with this project, I honestly wouldn’t have believed it,” she said. “It was crazy how
much we had to trust God and how much He didn’t let us down. I’ve learned a lot about trusting and people’s potential and how people 8 years old to 15 years old really can make a difference.” contact brown at akb12b@acu.edu
Carnival to add food trucks to tradition callie oliver student reporter The traditional ACU Homecoming Carnival will be packed with students, families, alumni, food trucks and attractions Friday. The carnival will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday on the Northeast side of the Williams Performing Arts Center. Wristbands are $3 and food trucks will serve a variety of food. Carnival attraction will include eight inflatables, a 32-foot rock wall, a petting
zoo, face painting, laser tag, fishing for prizes, a Wildcat bean bag toss and a dunking booth. “I am most excited for the dunking booth,” said Taylor Flowers who is a member of the homecoming committee. “I got Tom Craig (director of student activities and productions) to agree to sit up there for an hour which I think will be a big hit.” ARAMARK, Stillwater Barbecue and Fireman Jake’s will serve food at the carnival. Some of the options include cotton candy from ARAMARK,
pulled pork street tacos from Stillwater Barbecue and a hot dog combo from Fireman Jake’s. Harold’s Barbecue, a famous Abilene restaurant that is now closed, was scheduled to serve at the event but canceled last minute due to family scheduling conflicts. Jama Cadle, assistant director of alumni relations, has been a part of planning the carnival for several years and has watched it grow. “It’s evolved over the years,” Cadle said. “It used to be that the carnival was
Social club: students look to re-charter from page 1 to make the idea a reality. They conducted an interest meeting in which about 20 women attended. “We got a list of girls from Mark that didn’t get into the club they wanted or dropped out of the rushing process at some point,” Shelton said. “Right now, were just looking for girls who might be interested.” The team has a goal of participating in the fall rushing process next year, but must first find sponsors. “We asked Dena Counts to be our on-campus advisor, and she’s considering it,” Shelton said. “We also talked to Lisa Herndon, and she agreed to be our off-campus sponsor.” With one guaranteed sponsor and one on the fence, the three will attend the homecoming breakfast to talk with alumni who may be interested in supporting
their efforts. “Alumni are really important because that’s where funding is going to come from,” Shelton said. With the vision of recreating a club that will welcome all types of women, Shelton, Tresslar and Merkford hope to add to the social club dynamic. “We really just want to create another club that people want to be a part of and that draws people to meeting other girls and just having fun,” Shelton said. “Our goal is to have fun. We don’t want it to be something that’s overwhelming or time-consuming; that’s not what we’re looking for.” The women stress the importance of inclusion and diversity. “We really want to be diverse,” Shelton said. “We’re trying to reach out to all the athletes, the nursing majors and people that don’t think they have time for
club. We want to make it a club where anyone can do it.” The re-charter of TKG could increase competition for club choice, but the trio have the support of fellow women’s social clubs on campus. “A lot of the girls from other clubs were very supportive because they see how hard it is for them to have to cut so many girls,” Shelton said. “Clubs weren’t intended to take pledge classes of 65 girls like they do now; they were intended to take 45 to 50. By making another club, we can turn that around.” For now, the three are in the process of amending the constitution and collecting interest but hope to put their plan into action as early as next spring. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
made up of social clubs and organizations, and they had different booths. Around 2000, we incorporated inflatables and we just kind of built on it over the years. A couple years ago we started the petting zoo and this year we’re having food trucks.” Cadle and homecoming committee members have been meeting weekly and putting in many hours to make the carnival a success. “A lot of time, work and follow-ups went into planning the carnival,” said Erica Greene, senior
family studies major from Austin and committee member. “We met every Tuesday and worked outside of meeting days to make sure we had enough volunteers to allow the carnival to run smoothly.” Student volunteers will help alongside the committee in working booths and setting up and taking down the carnival. Cadle believes the carnival is a great place for people to reunite and start off the weekend of Homecoming festivities. “My favorite part of the carnival probably has to
be seeing everyone come and just put aside the stress and worries of the week and have a little fun,” said Flowers, senior kinesiology major from Spring. Anywhere from 1,000 to 2,500 people are expected to attend the carnival. “It depends on the year how many people attend, but it is always a fun atmosphere,” Cadle said.
contact the optimist at jmcnetwrok@acu.edu
MUSICAL
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TOP LEFT: Jonathan Steffins as William Bloom, Kaitlin Sacco as Josephine Bloom, Sara Yarbrough as Sandra Bloom, and Jon Tlapek as William Bloom’s son. TOP RIGHT: Tyler Hazard, senior musical theater major from Houston, plays a young Edward Bloom surrounded by the ensemble. MIDDLE CENTER: Sarah Yarbrough, sophomore musical theatre major from Farmer’s Branch, serenades as young Sandra Bloom meets Edward for the first time. MIDDLE RIGHT SIDE: Sara Williams, junior musical theatre major from Abilene, belts out an enchanting number as the witch foretelling Edward’s future.
All photos by JARRED SCHUETZE chief Photographer
BIG FISH
MAKES A BIG SPLASH AS HOMECOMING MUSICAL catherine blakemore arts editor As the first college to perform former Broadway musical Big Fish, the Department of Theatre shares the story as this year’s Homecoming musical. Big Fish has been a book, a movie with a star-studded cast and a Broadway musical, and now, ACU presents its first collegiate premiere. The two leads, Tyler Hazard, senior musical theatre major from Houston, and Jonathan Steffins, sophomore musical theatre major from Bixby, Oklahoma, play father and son Edward and William Bloom. The two students take on their roles with enthusiasm and comfort, exuding unbelievable connection with their characters. With ever-changing visuals and an intricately designed set, the theatre department had no trouble displaying the varied and vast scenes through which the story takes place. “Be prepared to see things that you weren’t expecting to see,” Hazard said. “With Edward’s stories, they are very tall tales and they take place in tons of different places. We have a cowboy number, a circus number, a patriotic number; there’s a lot of stuff going on.” Big Fish takes variety to a new level with a chill-inducing, powerful performance by Sara Williams, junior musical theatre major from
“
Be prepared to see things that you weren’t expecting to see. . . We have a cowboy number, a circus number, a patriotic number; there’s a lot of stuff going on.” Tyler hazard senior musical theatre major from huoston
Abilene, as the beloved witch. “This song has been really difficult rangewise. It was one of the things I’ve had to work really hard on to nail down,” Williams said. “I am a very powerful personality any way, but having to add that creepier, scary aspect to it, I had to work on that as well. The costumes, makeup and hair definitely help.” The ensemble works with unparalleled enthusiasm as they dance, sing and shout through the endless emotions of the show. “It’s been demanding, but it’s been exhilarating,” Steffins said. “It’s been a lot of fun to work with friends in the department and create something so special. The theme pertains to everyone. It has to do with parents and family and fathers and sons and mothers and daughters. It’s everybody’s show.” Each member of the cast dances and performs with exuberance for the story as it progresses, adopting the emotions of the moment and show-
ing it all to the audience. The synchronized moves of the ensemble, lead by choreographer Euan Cochrane, senior from Trophy Club, are far more impressive than many viewers know. After receiving the choreography only a week before classes began, the cast has been working tirelessly to perfect the style of the show and portray that magical effect given from the stories being told. “This is my first time choreographing a full show,” Cochrane said. “So it’s been quite the experience and challenge as well in not performing on stage and being able to control it. It’s been a lot of fun having those experiences in seeing it on stage from tapping it out and choreographing it in my garage.” The songs by individual cast members are wrought with emotion and show just how much the students have invested in the show. Lead Sarah Yarbrough, sophomore musical theatre major from Farmers Branch, plays Sandra Bloom, the wife of Edward Bloom, on whom the story is centered. “It has a lot of feelings and emotions,” Yarbrough said. “It’s a lot of ups and downs, but it’s totally worth it in the end. It’s just a really cool image of life and how we as humans should approach life with wonder and childlike stories.”
contact blakemore at crb13a@acu.edu
IN ORDER FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Sarah Yarbrough and Tyler Hazard, as Sandra and Edward Bloom dancing in the patriotic number. Dancers, Christian Zehr, junior musical theatre major from Castorland, New York, and Shelby Hirschberg, junior musical theatre major from Elgin, Illinois. Jonathan Steffins, sophomore musical theatre major from Bixby, Oklahoma, in a reflective moment about fatherhood. Circus master Ryce Garren, senior musical theatre major from Amarillo, and Carl the Giant, played by Benjamin Starkey, junior theatre acting track major from Garland.
All photos by JARRED SCHUETZE chief Photographer
news
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SA warms to idea of library microwave madeline orr editor in chief At the Students’ Association meeting on Wednesday night, Congress passed a bill unanimously to fund a microwave in the library for general student use. SA will pay $459 out of its congressional project fund for the microwave, the microwave cart and electrical wiring. The senior class vice president, Stephen Estrada,
presented the bill. “A microwave in the library was a resource that we once had,” said Estrada, senior management major from San Antonio. “It is no longer because of the renovations to the library. Avid library users feel it is time to bring that back.” Estrada said the optimum location for the microwave is the wall located around the corner from the Starbucks counter. An outlet with a dedicated circuit
will need to be installed at a cost of $140. Estrada has met with Dr. John Weaver, the dean of the library services. Estrada said they do not know the exact date the microwave will be installed, but it should happen quickly. Rodney Johnson, executive president of Students’ Association, encouraged Congress to continue to look for similar ideas on campus that the congressional project fund can be used for.
The Wednesday session began with the appointment of Greta Pittman, junior nursing major from Fairview, as the Zona Luce building representative. The vote to appoint Pittman passed unanimously. Congress then passed a resolution to improve lighting on campus to reduce the likelihood of criminal activity and to increase campus safety. Emily Guajardo, convergence journalism major from San Antonio, present-
ed the resolution. “In between the Phillips Education building, the Foster building and that general area, it is pitch black,” Guajardo said. The resolution passed 29-0-1 for SA to communicate with university officials regarding additional lighting. Also discussed at the meeting was the senior class float for the Homecoming Parade on Saturday. With the theme “Senioritis,” the
seniors plan to sit on a couch while popping popcorn in a generator-powered popcorn machine. “It’s going to be a dope float,” said Colton McCoy, senior class president. Wednesday’s session was attended by 30 of the 43 members of Congress.
contact orr at mco10a@acu.edu
Parade: clubs have more freedom with floats from page 1
ing freedom to enhance their float’s presentations. floats. Student Activities has “We’re hoping for floats not placed any strict guide- that are more dynamic and lines on receipts, so clubs exciting than what we’ve can govern their own spend- seen in the past,” Craig said. ing and use the extra spendFor the clubs’ annual float
competition, the winning clubs will now receive $1,000 of prize money to donate to a charity of their choice. As usual, the competition will have a men’s category and a women’s category.
Kayli Denson, sophomore advertising and public relations major from Abilene, is confident Ko Jo Kai, the oldest club on campus, will take first place in the women’s competition
as they did last year. Den- ed with my NuNu sisters in a son is in charge of con- fun environment.” structing this year’s Ko Jo Kai float. “My experience has contact ward at helped me become extremejtw12a@acu.edu ly involved and I’ve connect-
JamFest to spotlight student talent madleyn bane student reporter JamFest will take place Friday night and will feature different student performers. The free-admission concert is scheduled to be on the lawn outside the Hunter Welcome Center at 6:30 p.m. following the Homecoming Carnival. However, if weather interferes as it did last year, JamFest will be moved to Moody Coliseum. The lineup for the show will be Anthony Hill and Jamie Browning, Shannon Conaway and Jeremy Aymard, Faith in Fire, Josh Levinson, Morgan Jennings, Jake Hall and Friends, and DaBand. “Our JamFest committee held auditions for all types of bands and performers,” said Mabree Moore, sophomore elementary education major from Brownwood.
“We had a great turnout with auditions which led us into an even greater lineup for this year’s show.” This is Moore’s first year serving on the JamFest committee, a subcommittee of the Homecoming Steering Committee. The committee is in charge of planning and executing JamFest. “Last year I volunteered and loved the carnival and JamFest, so when I was approached to be on the Homecoming Steering Committee and put together JamFest, I was all aboard,” Moore said. While some students are returning performers, Jeremy Aymard, junior biology major from San Francisco, will be performing at JamFest for the first time. “I’m doing this to bring some entertainment and to have some fun,” Aymard said. Jamie Browning and Anthony Hill will open the
show. Browning, senior graphic design major from San Antonio, said the couple will begin with an Ed Sheeran song and will include an original song by Hill. “I normally hate couples that sing together because it’s just too cheesy, and normally it’s never a good idea, but it’s something we both enjoy doing,” Browning said. JamFest is expected to draw crowds of current students as well as alumni who are planning on returning to campus to engage in a weekend full of homecoming festivities. “We have a ton of amazing and talented performers,” Moore said. “Everyone and their mom should come watch because it’s the greatest event happening on this fine Friday evening.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
sports
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Soccer anticipates first-place showdown daniel zepeda sports director Women’s soccer will play two home games during homecoming weekend starting Friday. The Wildcats will take on Northwestern State Friday afternoon at a rare noon time, and will take on Southland Conference leader Stephen F. Austin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Shotwell Stadium. “Northwestern is definitely on the forefront of our minds right now as we need to make sure we take care of business before we take on Stephen F.,” said Casey Wilson, head coach. “We can’t start looking ahead to SFA and then let Northwestern come in here and steal one.” Northwestern sits at the bottom of the conference with an 0-4 confer-
ence record, while the Lumberjacks are an undefeated 4-0 in conference and boast an 8-2-1 overall record. ACU currently owns a 6-6-1 overall record, with that lone tie coming against Central Arkansas when the Wildcats battled to come back twice but were unable to get the win in a double-overtime thriller. Stephen F. Austin has dominated its opponents so far this season. The Lumberjacks are among the top leaders in the conference in most of the offensive categories, averaging 2.45 goals per game, 6.64 points per game and lead the Southland with just nine goals allowed through 11 games. “They run a pretty sophisticated offense, and they like to change their look a lot on the offensive and even defensive
end so they can be hard to keep up with,” Wilson said. “There are very well coached, very good athletes on that team, so it’ll be fun to see what happens.” Assuming ACU wins against Northwestern and SFA takes care of business against McNeese –who is 2-3 in conference – on the road in Louisiana, the matchup Sunday afternoon would feature the first and second place teams in the conference. “In this game, you can’t focus on just the standings,” Wilson said. “You can’t assume any game is an automatic win. We have to go out there and play a good Northwestern team and then prepare for an elite team in SFA.” Last season, the Wildcats pulled out a slim 1-0 win over Northwestern
on the road in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The lone goal came off a kick from then freshman Natalie Throneberry in the 63rd minute to give ACU the win. ACU was shut out last year against SFA in Nacogdoches, 2-0. The goals came in the seventh and 57th minutes, as ACU was unable to hold the Lumberjacks’ attack or put together their own offensive attack. “We’re a team that does not quit,” said Katie Stivers, senior midfielder from Mansfield. “We have fought from behind so many times this year and it’s only made us better. We’ll definitely want some revenge against SFA, but we have to focus on Northwestern first.” paige otway Staff Photographer contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu
Freshman defender Chantal Kinsey fights for possession of the ball in ACU’s game against Nicholls State.
emily gujardo Staff Photographer
paige otway Staff Photographer
Left: Junior Cedric Gilbert has had one of the best seasons in ACU football history so far. Through six games, Gilbert has recorded seven touchdowns, and at least one touchdown in every game this season. Right: Wide receiver Cedric Gilbert celebrates after a touchdown in ACU’s game against Lamar last weekend. Gilbert has 15 catches for 353 yards for an average of 23.5 yards per reception.
MR. EFFICIENCY
Gilbert establishes himself as big-play wide receiver for Wildcats Shera niemirowski sports multimedia Director So far this season, wide receiver Cedric Gilbert has scored at least one touchdown in every game. That’s six straight games of scoring points. Even more impressively, those numbers are off just 15 catches in the season. Gilbert turned down several larger Div. I offers to come to ACU last fall from Cisco College and redshirted the 2013 season. But before that, Gilbert was already paving the road for an unimaginable first season in purple and white. Gilbert was not only a top football recruit out of Lancaster High School, but was also put on the track team which showed Gilbert’s sheer determina-
tion and competitive spirit. “I used track to get a little faster for football,” Gilbert said, “In high school, our coach made us run track, so me being me, I was like, ‘If I have to run track, I might as well actually compete,’ and I ended up winning state twice my junior and senior year.” As a top recruit, Gilbert had schools lining up to take him, but his football career outshined his academics. “I was going to go to Oklahoma State or Texas Tech, but my SAT scores weren’t up, so I ended up at Cisco College,” Gilbert revealed. At Cisco, he racked up 36 passes for 658 yards and si x touchdow ns his freshman year and, in his sophomore year, caught 27 passes for 278 yards and t wo touch-
dow ns in just eight games. At Cisco, Gilbert was coached by someone very familiar to him. “My brother was the defensive coordinator and it wasn’t too far from home. It was fun to be there playing under the coaching of my brother,” Gilbert said. “You know, it’s hard to be serious sometimes and remember his authority, but it was great.” After two years at Cisco, Gilbert was more than ready to move on to bigger and better things, but the journey would not be without its challenges. “After Cisco, I had Texas Tech and two other schools with offers,” Gilbert said. “But then ACU came around and I came to visit on the Northern Alabama game. ACU ended up beating them there and I saw the Pray for Rex
event and I liked that atmosphere,” Gilbert said. W hile sitting out last season, Gilbert made huge improvements to his game as well as in
ball since I was three years old. I never missed a game, never got injured, never missed a year, so it was hard at first, but I saw it as a chance to get better and to learn the ofFootball has always been a big deal to me, never miss- fense more,” Gilbert said. Now halfway through ing a game and having to sit out last year made me the season, Gilbert has think and realize football is not forever so you may not learned that offense and be here just to play football.” executes it every Saturday night. “Coming into this season, the year off made me really excited and ready to play football,” Gilbert said. “Honestly I didn’t really expect to cedric gilbert wide receiver have the year I’m having acu football right now. It’s been good and I’m just happy to be playing in an ACU jersey and I’m just blessed to be the classroom. While those lessons here.” “Football has always are important, the year been a big deal to me. off appears to have done Never missing a game nothing but help his and having to sit out last game. contact niemirowski at year made me think and “That was the first snn12a@acu.edu realize football is not year I ever missed foot-
“
forever, so you may not be here just to play football. You may be here to go to school and graduate and get ready for the real world.”
Renner leads men’s golf to third place finish
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Reese Gwin sports reporter The ACU golf team took third place in the Harold Funston Invitation on Tuesday. Senior Corbin Renner led the team, finishing third overall. The Wildcats finished the final round strong as the team closed the gap from six strokes to four on Tyler Junior College, the second place team. Still, the host school, Sam Houston State, ran away with the tournament victory, making it three consecutive wins for them at
renner
Hudgins
the Harold Funston. Renner was once again only a few strokes away from the individual victory. His final round of 70 was the second best score of the day. He shot a combined score of 213. Zach Cabra from Sam Houston State topped Renner by three shots
Corbin’s a great golfer and won the tournament with a 210. Incarnate and a great teammate. His Word senior, Austin Jorplay elevates everyone’s dan (212), took second. “I know Corbin felt like game.” he let one get away,” head coach Tom Shaw said. “The ball just didn’t seem to break his way.” Renner finished fourth in last year’s tournament at Sam Houston. He has kyle karnei not won a tournament sophomore since September of 2013. acu golf “Corbin’s a great golfer and a great teammate” sophomore Kyle Karnei said. “His play elevates everyone’s game.” two score of 73. That put Karnei finished sec- him in a tie for 17th in the ond on team with a day overall field. Freshman
Clarke Hudgins and junior Dillon Vaughn both finished tied for 21st, although it was Hudgins that impressed in his final round. He fired a 70 to bounce back from a disappointing end to his second round.. Vaughn struggled Tuesday with a 76, and sophomore Robert Johnson rounded out the team in 24th with a 78. The Wildcats did beat two Southland Conference teams in Nicholls State (7th) and Incarnate Word (4th). However, it may be the Southland team that the ‘Cats could
not beat that tells the biggest tale. “Sam Houston has a good team, but we showed that we are going to keep battling,” Shaw said. “Our guys now know they can play with them.” ACU has one remaining tournament in their fall schedule. They will play in the Herb Wimberly Intercollegiate at the New Mexico State Golf Course on October 20th and 21st. contact gwin at erg12a@acu.edu
Optimist
Friday 10.10.14
Section b
Cherishing Chambers
Original campus building has been home to books, food and romance Linsey Thut Features Editor
O
Above: A student exits the front entrance stairs in the 1950s. These stairs were later removed in the 1970s. Right: The library was located in Chambers from 1936- 1972. This was the popular spot for studying and dates. Bottom: Students eat lunch in the dining hall in 1936. Plates of food were served “familystyle” and students served themselves.
nce a place full of life, laughter and library books, Chambers sits lonely and all but forgotten to many on campus. Past its faded brick walls and echoing halls exist the memories of students from years’ past. In its 85th year, the building has seen many changes and has offered students the comfort of dining with friends, late night chats before sleep and even the occasional date. Chambers will be the second of the eight original buildings to be knocked down, the President’s House, also called Baxter’s Hall, preceding it. Chambers’ destruction will make room for the Halbert-Walling Research Center, where the science department will be able to flourish with more room and new technology. When it was first built in September 1929, the top floor was a womens’ dorm, the middle floor was the cafeteria and the bottom floor was an unfinished basement. During the summer of 1936, because of the unsafe depositing of the weight of the books on the third floor of the Hardin Administration building, the library was moved to the second floor of Chambers, and the dining room was moved to the bottom floor. A set of stairs was added leading down to the bottom floor for students to access the dining room. Dr. John T. Willis, a 1955 graduate, said he spent most of his time in the Chambers library with friends. “We were very serious about studying and things like that, so we spent a lot of time in the library,” he said. Nevertheless, amid all the bookwork, he built relationships that have lasted throughout the years. “We established real good friends there, and we still keep up,” Willis said. Dr. Charlie Marler, a 1955 graduate, gained a slightly sweeter set of experiences in the library. He met his wife on a library date, which was popular in the building’s early days. “Dating was restricted on campus because of a lack of cars, so everyone took their dates to the library,” Marler said. Marler said he took his wife on multiple library dates to win her over. But even the library dates had some constraints. “The library was very restrictive about noise, so we had to be really quiet on our dates,” Marler said. Dr. Robert Hunter, a 1952 graduate, said he loved the library just for that reason. “We met pretty girls in the study hall,” Hunter said.” We tried to become acquainted and see if we could get them some books there, too.”
H
unter said the dining hall served food
family-style with big dishes set in the middle of the tables that students served themselves. He said this, too, was a good way to meet the ladies. “We boys always wanted to sit with the girls so they could help serve us,” Hunter said. He also said when he was really hungry, he’d have to be careful who he sat with. “The big football players would sit down and eat too much,” Hunter said. “We’d have to send the bowl back to get more food.” In 1945, the diningstyle hall was renovated and turned into a cafeteria where students ordered food from a counter. Willis remembers The Bean cafeteria in Chambers before it offered the multiple options it has now. “They had a little list of no more than six things and you just got what you wanted,” Willis said. Clark Potts, who worked in the cafeteria once it was renovated, has memories from his time at ACU in 1953 that still make him laugh. As he recounted the shenanigans he and his coworkers got into, he chuckled. “I have some memories I ought not to repeat,” he said. The memory that sticks out to Potts best is meeting his wife of 48 years, Audrey Kitchens, who also worked in the cafeteria. He jokes that by their last names alone, they were meant to be. “Her specialty in the cafeteria was salad and mine was dessert, so I guess it was a great match from beginning to end,” Potts said. The cafeteria was moved to Phillips Education Building in 1955, allowing the whole building to be taken up by the library. After a renovation to the interior of the building, an addition of air conditioning and the removal of the front entrance, Chambers was rededicated in 1972. This was the last renovation to the building.
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illis said that while he had fun times in Chambers, he’s not too upset to see it go. “That building is pretty old,” Willis said. “All human beings and all buildings, the time’s going to come that you’re going to have to change or tear them down.” Potts echoed this saying it’s time for a change in the building. “That’s progress,” Potts said. “You can’t keep the buildings forever.” Hunter summed up his fellow alumni as he said that it is time to move forward. The memories from the building will outlast its physical presence. “The Chambers family was a great family, and we’ve been so blessed that we can make these wonderful changes, but sometimes we have to adjust buildings that are no longer able to be used,” he said. contact Thut at lct10a@acu.edu
news
friday 10.10.14
2b
Galaxy to have first benefit dinner for KGR kynzie newman student reporter Galaxy will conduct its first benefit dinner on Friday to raise money for the Kirk Goodwin Run in the spring. In 1984, Galaxy pledge Kirk Goodwin was killed in a car accident while driving home for the weekend. Galaxy men knew they couldn’t take away the pain from the
tragedy, so they came together to lessen the financial pressure on the Goodwin family by raising money. In Goodwin’s honor, Galaxy organized an annual 5K race. Every year since his death, Galaxy has provided financial assistance to families in similar situations. Last year, the social club added a half-marathon to the traditional 5K race. In an effort to con-
tinue reaching out to the community, members decided to organize a benefit dinner. This allows them to plan and pay for the event much further ahead of time. The KGR dinner will allow Galaxy to have more capital to invest in the race. All profit has always gone to charity. If they are able to cover costs before the race, all profits received after race day will be donated.
Spencer Woolfolk, junior marketing major from San Antonio, is coordinating the benefit dinner. “We believe that the KGR Run is the most important aspect of our club,” Woolfolk said. “The race has extended even further than being a Galaxy event into the community of ACU and Abilene. This race means so much to so many people and we are blessed to
be able to host it.” Last year, more than 300 participated in the race and raised over $30,000 from runners and sponsorships. The money was donated to a local medical charity. Rick Atchley minsiter at The Hills Church in Ft. Worth will speak at the event. His message will be titled “Run the Race.” Galaxy alumni will attend the benefit dinner as well as individuals
from the Abilene and ACU community. The dinner will be from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Windsor Hotel. “The legacy that Kirk left behind still lives on and continues to bless others in his name and the name of Christ,” Woolfolk said.
contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Library expands downstairs study areas james eldred staff reporter The Brown Library is installing automatic compact shelving on the bottom floor in an effort to open up more study areas for students. The shelves are scheduled to be finished by the end of October. Dr. Carisse Berryhill, associate dean of special collections and university archives, said the addition of the automatic shelves means the library doesn’t have to store materials off-site or construct a new space.
“It enables us to more efficiently steward the square footage that we already have,” she said. “It has the additional payoff of freeing up a very beautiful space on the top floor, and giving us options there to design a space that will take advantage of the natural attraction of that area.” Dr. Mark McCallon, associate dean of library services, said as a part of the ongoing campus renovations, several departments have had to relocate. The library decided to partner with the Graduate School and offered them the new third floor area.
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The students really love that quiet space down there. It’s a quiet place to study, so that will be preserved.”
“The English department is moving to where the graduate school is now, and the graduate school was wanting a very public space,” he said. “We wanted to give that to them.” The construction of the new Graduate Commons on the third floor of the library meant the books
mark mccallon associate dean of library services
there had to be moved, McCallon said. Consultants encouraged the library to move the entire print collection to the first floor to create a bibliographic center in the library. All books categorized using the Dewey decimal system will be stored on the bottom floor, excluding
the religious texts currently located in the Stanley Reading Room. “It’s about 380,000 volumes or so,” McCallon said. “But with the compact shelving, we’ll have room for about 415,000. We’ll still have about 12 to 13 percent growth. We’re not getting rid of any books.” Compact shelving will also allow the study area on the bottom floor to span the length of the entire floor instead of a small corner of the space. “The students really love that space down there,” McCallon said. “It’s a quiet place to study, so that will
be preserved.” The new shelves are run by electric motors and operated by a small control panel on each end. Among the safety features are sensors that automatically stop the motor if they detect a person or object between the shelves. “It has safety features so a person won’t be squashed like a bug,” Berryhill said.
contact eldred at jfe11a@acu.edu
Maker Lab marks one-year anniversary keith sanders student reporter The ACU Maker Lab will celebrate its first birthday Oct. 10 in the Brown Library Atrium. The Maker Lab is a facility in what use to be the ACU Library archives. “The Maker Lab is a place where we give a form to ideas,” said Nil Santana, Maker Lab director. “It’s part of the maker movement, a movement
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The Maker Lab is a place where we give a form to ideas.” nil santana director of the maker lab
that started in the US and has since become international. If you’re familiar to the do-it-yourself culture, you would feel at home. It’s like DIY with a step up.”
Students can often be found tinkering on projects, assignments and f lexing their creative muscles. The Maker Lab boasts a wide assortment of hand tools, power tools, basic shop equipment and an arsenal of sewing machines. There are also three 3D printers, a 24x18 inch laser cutter and a CNC router the size of a car. Students are encouraged to come and utilize the resources provided by
the Maker Lab, with the assistance of the makers on duty. The makers on duty, much like a shop foreman, are there to ensure a safe environment and help instruct students how to properly use the equipment. The Maker Lab first opened its doors to the public Oct. 15, 2013. In the fall semester, 172 students used the lab. The following spring semester recorded more than 1,700 card swipes to allow
Maker Lab use and 3,783 hours of recorded student contact. The majority of users had never had contact with such equipment previous to visiting the Maker Lab. “It’s really cool teaching students to do something with their hands they never expected they could accomplish,” said Chad Longley, Maker Lab manager. Items created over the last year will be on display during Homecoming
weekend. The Maker Lab’s first anniversary celebration will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the library atrium located behind Starbucks. The Maker Lab will host making activities, having door prizes and give-aways and providing lessons for soldering and how to use the laser cutter. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
3B
news
friday 10.10.14
Former Walmart CEO to speak to students daniel block student reporter Mike Duke, former president and CEO of Walmart stores, will speak at the College of Business Administration Distinguished Speakers luncheon Tuesday. The event will begin at 11:45 a.m. in the Hunter Welcome Center. The Distinguished Speakers luncheon has been a regular event organized by Dr. Rick Lytle, dean of the College of Business Administration, for the past 10 years. Former speakers include Bob McDonald, chairman and CEO of Procter & Gamble who now works for President Obama, Mark Albers, a high-ranking member of Exxon Mobil, and Jim Lentz, president of Toyota U.S.A. The luncheon is one of five events over a two-day period. On Monday, Duke
and John Aden, executive vice president of sales innovation for Walmart, will have dinner with a small group of faculty and students, Lytle said. Aden and Duke will teach a class Tuesday morning in COBA before the luncheon. Lytle said Aden and Duke will then take part in a video shoot before ending their time on campus by hosting a small roundtable session with faculty from around campus. The luncheon will allow a broader audience to hear Duke speak. Lytle said he expects around 100 students and more than 200 community leaders and business professionals to be present, including 15-20 current employees of Walmart in Abilene. “Our students will benefit from hearing from a gentleman who’s been at the helm of the world’s largest company,” Lytle
said. “The competence that he has in running that company when he was actively running it and his character as a Christian, those two things are just so powerful together.” The Distinguished Speaker luncheon fits the fundamental goals of COBA, Lytle said. “This is a real important series from my perspective,” he said. “We try to take our students to the world, but also try to bring the world to our students, and the opportunity to have students be in front and in the presence of people like this is pretty phenomenal, it just doesn’t happen every day.” Lytle is a personal friend of Duke and said he is excited to have him speak to the ACU community. “He is an outstanding Christian, period,” he said. “He has the respect of so many people in the
organization. He is just held in high regard by so many people that work at Walmart.” Duke has worked in Walmart’s corporate office since 1995, serving as senior vice president for logistics before being promoted to vice chairman in 2005. He became president and CEO in 2009 and remained in that position until 2013. He now chairs the executive committee of the board. Lytle said Duke exemplifies different attributes which will allow him to tie together multiple topics while he shares his experiences and gives advice. “It’s always a nice combination – the intersection of faith, marketplace happenings, leadership, life; these kinds of things blend together,” he said. Dr. Allison Garrett, executive vice president, worked with Duke in the late ‘90s and was invited by Lytle to sit at the speak-
ACU Press changes leadership university that’s a full member of the Association of American University Presses. ACU Press is in the Since the formation process of a transition in of ACU Press more than leadership after director three decades ago, it has Leonard Allen moved to released more than 422 Lipscomb University. titles and 204 eBooks, 32 Since Allen left for Lip- of which were published scomb, ACU Press’s op- in the 2014 fiscal year erations have been over- alone Anderson said. seen by Duane Anderson, ACU Press currently director of sales and op- boasts published authors erations. Anderson cur- from more than 50 unirently serves as an in- versities and sells books terim director until a new in more than 6,000 bookdirector is found. stores worldwide, the ACU Press is an aca- biggest of which include demic publishing house Walmart, Books-a-Milthat specializes in texts lion, Barnes & Noble for Christian higher edu- and Sam’s Club. cation. The company is The funds for operone of only seven faith- ating the Press come based universities to pos- from four sources. These ses an affiliated press sources include book and the only faith-based sales, university support,
ketih sanders student reporter
gifts and grants and endowments. Book sales have steadily increased since 2005 requiring less support from ACU and other sources, Anderson said. Though many titles are carried nation-wide, multiple published works are purely academic and do not generate profit and need a subsidy. Former director Allen took over ACU Press in 2005. At this time, Leafwood Publishers was acquired by ACU. Before Allan’s directorship, ACU Press published 76 titles over a 21-year period – an average of about four books per year. During Allan’s nine years as director, ACU Press saw expansive growth. The search for a new director has not yet be-
Gutenberg dinner honors JMC Alumni elijah evans staff reporter The department of Journalism and Mass Communication conducted the 22nd annual Gutenberg Celebration Thursday in the Hunter Welcome Center. The awards are given to outstanding alumni of the JMC department. The Gutenberg award is named after Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press. “It seems so appropriate to name the award in honor of the person who brought the potential for news and information, and for scripture, to the people,” said Dr. Cheryl Bacon, chair of the department. The highlight of the event was the award presentation in which Randy Brewer, founder and executive producer of Revolution Pictures, Steve Cantrell, director of client services at Balcom Agency, and Cindy Leeper Shields, the director of human resources at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., were presented a Gutenberg award. Randy Brewer and Revolution Pictures are based in Nashville. After graduating in 1991, he launched the company six years later. His credibility exploded when he produced the music video for <em>Jesus Take the Wheel</em> by Carrie Underwood. The video won the 2006 CMT Breakout Video of the Year award. “Get your hands on the stuff,” Brewer said in his acceptance speech. “Always look to be the best. When you fail, get up again. If you don’t try, you’ll never get to the top accomplishment.” Steve Cantrell of Balcom Agency graduated from ACU in 1981. He accrued more than 30 years of advertising
photo courtesy of austin kilcullen
Steve Cantrell accepts Gutenberg from Professor Joyce savvy working for clients such as the Texas Rangers and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. For more than 10 years, he has worked with Balcom Agency. Cindy Leeper Shields has worked at Cracker Barrel since 1992. She became the director of human resources for the corporation in February 2012 and lives in Nashville. “You can start out one way and your career may take you on a completely different path, and that’s OK,” Shields said. “Just find something you are very, very passionate about.” The student-orga-
nized event was free for students within the department and students outside the department were able to charge the ticket price to their student account. The event also offered free networking opportunities, free food, free tickets and, for some, extra credit. The event went smoothly and even President Phil Schubert was in attendance to mingle and congratulate the recipients.
contact evans at ece12a@acu.edu
gun, said Provost Robert Rhodes. At the time, there are no candidates in mind, but future directors will be expected to oversee daily operations, acquire new authors, establish a vision for the future and provide themes and topical ideas of interest. “Most of the authors published by ACU Press are from outside the ACU community,” Rhodes said. “So, we expect the new director to keep up with the challenges of higher education and attract high quality authors with a wide appeal.”
contact sanders at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
er’s table at the luncheon. Garrett, who then worked as the vice president and general counsel of Walmart’s corporate legal services, said she was always impressed by Duke’s devotion to his personal and spiritual life while in the corporate sphere. “He and his wife, in addition to raising their own kids, had foster children,” Garrett said. “He’s been someone through the years who’s put a real priority on church and Bible study.” Garrett said she witnessed Duke speak at another university while he was still the CEO of
Walmart. “He was speaking to business students and he didn’t talk about climbing the corporate ladder,” Garrett said. “He talked about making time in your life for God and for family. I think the most important thing that (students) will be able to take away is that balance in your life is incredibly important and that you should have the right priorities in your life.”
contact block at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Opinion
editorial
Friday 10.10.14
4B
New buildings mean a new ‘ACU experience’ Then In April 1962, the Abilene Christian College Board of Trustees adopted the “Design for Development” campaign. The 10-year plan produced $10.8 million in donations and brought some of the most defining changes in campus history. Through the “Design for Development,” ACC built the Brown Library, McGlothlin Campus Center, Moody Coliseum, Gibson Health and Physical Education Center, Sherrod Residential Park, the Don H. Morris Center, A.B. Morris Hall, Smith-Adams Hall and Sikes Hall. The Hunter Welcome
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I remember my office used to be out of old army barracks in the middle of campus.” Dr. Bob Hunter Vice President emeritus
Center’s namesake, Dr. Bob Hunter, was selected as the director of the development plan. In a 1962 issue of the Optimist, Dr. Don H. Morris, president of the University, said, “Bob has an unusual ability in this field. With his work, and that of others, this important and far-reaching program of the college should succeed even beyond our present expectations.”
Today, Hunter said he remembers officing out of old army barracks that were moved to campus. “When we got rid of them, it virtually changed the face of the campus,” Hunter said. The physical changes that came with Design for Development inevitably changed the experience of being an ACU student. Now living in a dorm instead of the barracks, or studying in a library instead of the basement of Chambers, made the feeling of attending college more tangible in West Texas. Examples of these defining changes were recorded by past Optimist issues as shown below.
now Fifty-two years later, the university finds itself in the midst of a similar campaign, this time with the fresh three-word label, “Vision in Action.” With a goal of $75 million, the Vision in Action was kickstarted by $55 million from three donors, including the largest gift in university history. Construction changed the face of campus half a century ago, and it’s in the thick of doing it again. The classic “ACU experience” that students come for will be different than the one that current students are experiencing. And this ACU
experience differs from that of student before us who didn’t have Moody or the Campus Center. And that’s OK. Building new facilities sounds as if it should only have a cosmetic effect. How can new brick and mortar impact the experience a student has? Without even touching on the athletics department and their coming changes, a good example can be seen over in the Foster Science building. ACU boasts about their students, who receive acceptance to medical and dental schools at a rate of 85%—nearly twice the national average. The engineering and physics department talks up the research
opportunities their students get as undergraduates. But neither of these are the messages a visitor would receive walking into Foster for the first time. If anything, our physical presence says we accomplish these great things despite our facilities. When students of today return to campus in a few short years, things will look and feel entirely different. But it will be because of the types of changes that had to be made. And while the experience will be different, it will still be the “ACU experience.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
5b
opinion
Friday 10.10.14
hashtagACU
Daily Doodle Dosage by Ben Todd
Don’t forget about the tailgate before the game at 2 pm at Shotwell.
Oct. 9 10:49 a.m.
forever tripping over ACU’s uneven bricks
@ACUWildcatReign @mackgirl2014 Oct. 8 9:30 a.m.
Praise be to ChickFilA breakfast! ...And God. Praise be to God too
@adrielcalvin
Oct. 9 11:04 p.m.
Commence operation: clean the house before parents come tomorrow - GO
@hayleysissy
Sudsing the fountain is less of a prank and more of a community service. Let’s be real, it smells a lot better. #thankyou
@MorgBear62
personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.
NBC just casually called the office. Save to say ACU’s made it to the big leagues
@ambergrothe21
I’m submitting my GPA for the next season of American Horror Story
@maleahhodge
published by the department of journalism and mass communication editorial and management board
Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
We should start calling intramural games bringyour-dog-to-campus games. #PuppiesEverywhere
Tonight instead of singing in the shower I practiced our homecoming chants. #Kudolife
Oct. 9 11:54 a.m.
Sometimes you just need to eat Sharkys to make it all better
@sarahbateman421 @nikkiwilsonn
Oct.9 4:27 p.m.
editorial and Letter Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist 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 or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing
Oct. 9 10:23 p.m.
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Not sure what’s scarier to check my bank account or my grades
Whoever put the soap in the GATA fountain, you are the real MVP.
YikYak
YikYak
YikYak
Madeline Orr
catherine blakemore
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homecoming
Friday 10.10.14
6B
The Queen’s Court 2014
Eleven Senior women were elected by the student body to this year’s Homecoming Court. Voting to elect this year’s Homecoming Queen closed last Wednesday at midnight. The winner will be announced during halftime at the Homecoming football game on Saturday. For several years, ACU has allotted 10 nominee spots for Homecoming Queen. Last year, that
changed when an extra spot was added. This year, the groundwork that was laid last year continues with 11 nominees. The nominees are Breanna Barrow from North Richland Hills, Morgan Beckmon from Windom, Dani Canela from San Antonio, Lizzie Folwell from Abilene, Alex Ed-
dins from North Richland Hills, Eboni Ellerson from Fort Worth, Meigan Gardner from Lawrenceville, Georgia, Sarah Hendrix from Abilene, Morgan Watten from Coppell, Meghann McLeskey from Burnet and Kai Cremer.
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