Optimist Print Edition 08.28.23

New college named for Onsteads through $25 million gift

BY JAYLYNN WARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

The university has received a $25 million gift from the Onstead family in Houston, the second largest in its history, and the new college of science and engineering will be named in honor of Robert and Kay Onstead.

The Robert and Kay Onstead College of Science and Engineering has been named to honor the family’s’ contributions to ACU. Over their lifetimes, the couple has given more than $59 million to the university, and those funds have supported scholarships, research and many other programs. This will be the first named college in ACU’s history.

“The Onstead family is a family that we have worked

with for years,” said Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university.  “They have been instrumental in helping shape ACU over decades.”

Robert Onstead, who passed away in 2004, founded Randall’s Food Markets in Houston in the 1960s and later sold it to Safeway in 1999. Robert served on the Board of Trustees from 1978 to 2004. While neither attended the university, three of their children did, and Charles Onstead, their youngest son, now serves on the board. The Onstead Science Center was named in their honor in 2018.

Through this $25 million donation and their previous gifts, the Onsteads have supported over 1,000 scholarships through one of ACU’s largest scholarship endowments and

have helped build successful programs, Schubert said.

“We want to be the best in the world at combining a world-class academic experience but in a Christ-centered environment,” Schubert said.

The Onstead college will combine the Departments of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Engineering and Physics, and Mathematics. The college will also work collaboratively with the Center for Pre-Health Professions. It provides academic and co-curricular programs for students pursuing preparation for careers in health professions.

The college will include 45 faculty members in those five departments. They serve almost 500 undergraduate students. ACU also has other visions

for the new college, according to a July 6 press release announcing the gift.

The college will allow this university to enhance the focus on science and engineering. It will expand and provide programs that are in demand relating to these disciplines. And the university will also consider expanding graduate education.

The new donation will also provide new funding for the NEXT Lab. This will allow this lab to be the center of ACU’s funded research and an investment toward new facilities. It will also help create partnerships with faculty and students to work with other scholars and the government.

The students and faculty will have a push toward being international leaders in research.

The gift pushes ACU over the $250 million Higher Ground comprehensive campaign goal begun in April 2022. The campaign was created to invest in individual faculty and students, programs and facilities on campus. The new funding allows the university to compete with more competitive national and international universities.

“It puts us right in the realm to be able to compete with institutions all across the country at the highest level with an academic experience for our students that will prepare them to go and be successful,” said Schubert.

“The way we do that is going to clearly embody the Christ-centered focus that we have.”

BY JAYLYNN WARD EDITOR IN CHIEF

SGA is planning for the new school year with events and ways to get involved in the community.

Every year, SGA plans events to bring students together, and they are spread throughout the two semesters. This year, SGA plans to host multiple events that have happened in previous years which include:

• ACU Fest

• AMP Up

• Tree lighting and Christmas celebration

• Election Week

Join Week

• Campaign events, such as Green Week and Kindness Day

These events are already being planned by SGA, and student representatives are adding more to the list as the semester goes on. The leaders of SGA have put an emphasis on being relational this year, said Alli Dimmitt, SGA president.

SGA is planning events that have not yet happened before, but engage students on campus. This will include an outdoor mini golfing event at night. This will include glow in the dark golf balls and fairways lined with glow sticks. This is one of a few new events happening this year.

“A lot of the events that we have for students serve a two-fold purpose: one, to get

to the perspective senators” said Dimmitt, senior political science major from Naples, Florida. “Second, to engage with the student

BY MEGHAN LONG | PHOTOGRAPHER

body and make sure that we are not just guessing at what they want or guessing at what events they find engaging.”

SGA has also been

brainstorming on ways they can improve the way the Senate works.

Dimmitt and Nathan

See

SGA plans for events, involvement on campus Editors Note

BY SARAH THOMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHER

Incoming students launch purple confetti cannons during Game Day 101.

Students line up outside of the SGA tent.

McCracken starts year as new faculty athletics rep

BY BRYLIE LEACH FEATURE WRITER

Dr. Vic McCracken is going “FAR” in his involvement with ACU. McCracken was appointed by Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, last spring to be the new Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) succeeding Dr. Jonathan Stewart.

In addition to this, he is a professor of ethics and theology in the College of Biblical Studies and has served on the faculty at ACU since 2008. McCracken also served on the leadership team of the Faculty Senate from 2018-2022, as the onsite faculty for Study Abroad program in Oxford in 2012 and 2022, and Leipzig in 2015, and as the faculty sponsor for the Chess Club and ACU’s International Justice Mission chapter.

“I love our student athletes,” McCracken said. “I have so many positive experiences with student athletes in my classes, and as one who has attended a lot of ACU sports events in the last 15 years, I am excited to be in a role where I get to serve these students.”

A Faculty Athletics Representative is a member of the faculty at the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA).

They have been designated by the institution to serve as a liaison between the institution and the athletic department. They also serve as a representative of the institution in conferences and NCAA affairs.

Zack Lassiter, the vice president for athletics, said the FAR serves in many ways.

“The FAR serves as chair of the ACU Faculty Athletics Committee, serves as an advisor to the ACU athletic department, serves on the conference FAR committee, and ensures compliance with NCAA and university policies related to academic integrity, student-athlete welfare and other pertinent areas,” Lassiter said.

Stewart, the previous FAR, served for six years, and his term ended in May of 2023. Stewart is a

professor of finance, and his department recently received a generous gift from the Dukes family. Stewart said that due to this, it was time for him to focus all of his attention back in the College of Business Administration.

“This is creating many new opportunities for the Dukes School of Finance,” Stewart said.

“Therefore, I notified Dr. Schubert that someone else would be needed to serve as FAR at the end of my term last May.”

McCracken has many plans and ideas for his time in this position. McCracken said he is looking forward to getting to know the student athletes more personally and growing those relationships.

“In many ways, I want to build on the stellar work that our previous FAR, Jonathan Stewart, has done to build a positive relationship between our athletics department and the colleges that are the academic arm of the university,” McCracken

said.  McCracken has already started growing these relationships with those he will work alongside, such as Lassiter.

“I’m excited about Dr. McCracken’s passion for student athlete success and the mission of ACU,” Lassiter said. “I believe he will be an ideal partner to ensure that our student athletes have a great experience.”

McCracken said that as students step into this new academic year he wants them to know that

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Marshall, SGA vice president, have planned to make every minute count in their meetings.

The weekly meetings this year are aimed to double productivity. This productivity will include faster timing in getting into the business they need to discuss and the creation and discussion of bills.

The organization also is putting a focus for Senate to write their own bills. It is providing a template for writing legislation. This helps them understand how to write bills while also supporting idea-generation.

“What we want to do is use a lot of the information that we have to get people excited about Senate and to show them what they can do,” said Marshall, senior finance and information systems major from McKinney. Marshall also describes an encouraging atmosphere for this year’s senators.

Senators will also be up for a chance to receive scholarships. This year will be the second year that it will be offered. These scholarships are offered to senators who exceed expectations in their time in Senate. This will also be an encouraging factor in the meetings and writing legislation. There will be around ten scholarships that will be given out this school year.

These bills have helped the university to make decisions in the past. A recent decision that was made was a change to the minimum wage on campus. The minimum wage now has been changed to $8.

SGA was involved in discussions with the Office of Human Relations and the Department of

the professors are rooting for their success in all that they do.

“I want all of our students to know that ACU faculty value you not merely for your abilities on the field or in our classrooms,” McCracken said.

“We want you to grow as men and women who see your lives as part of a bigger story of God’s work in this world. Keep your eyes and ears open for the ways God is changing your life in

Finance regarding pay for student employment for the last two years. SGA submitted a proposal spring semester with this change. The first step was to raise to $8 and hour with a plan for raising it to $10 in the future.

Over 70% of students are already making over $8 an hour, according to a press release by office Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, but making this change will still require around $28,000 in estimated cost for the fiscal year of 2024.

SGA is starting its recruitment for new members of the Senate. Dimmitt is currently a wildcat week student director and she is finding ways to make SGA known to incoming freshman.

“I love how intertwined my roles are,” said Dimmitt. “I think it is such a unique opportunity for me to get to know these communities and those people that want to represent, but need that extra push and need that extra encouragement. “ I can ask what would you have appreciated and how would you have felt more supported in getting those students where they need to be.”

SGA will market to students through departments this year. The SGA leaders will be reaching out to be in departmental emails and placing flyers in buildings around campus.  SGA will also be using social media as a marketing tool for events and opportunities. The interest meetings to join are Aug. 30, Sept. 1 and Sept. 4. These meetings will be held each day at 11 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Elections will take place on Sept. 7-8. Students are required to go to an interest meeting if they are interested in running for a class officer position.

BY RILEY FISHER | PHOTOGRAPHER

Dr. Vic McCracken and Mary Beth Strader read scripture over the school year.

Attendance doubles for Study Abroad for fall of 2023

BY MATTHEW DELACRUZ NEWS WRITER

Study Abroad participation doubled since last fall as 60 students made their final arrangements to study internationally.

Study Abroad was introduced in 1994 as ACU World Class. The program provided students with semester-long immersive learning experiences in three distinct locations. ACU offered programs in Leipzig, Germany, Montevideo, Uruguay and Oxford, England. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Study Abroad program abruptly halted. With Study Abroad resuming in the fall of 2021, the program experienced a surge in participation.

However, in the 2022-2023 academic year, the program saw a lull in attendance as 183 students participated over three locations in three semesters.

“Part of [the lull] was

[ACU] was still recovering from the pandemic,” said Lindsey Snyder, Study Abroad coordinator. “Part of [the increase] was there were more study abroad student alumni being being on campus talking about their experiences with study abroad.” With more students applying to study abroad, Despite the COVID-19 changes, the core mission of Study Abroad remains unchanged. According to Snyder, that mission is to educate students in ways they would not be able to experience on campus by exposing them to experiential learning.

“Students are experiencing things in different places and cultures while learning about themselves,” Snyder said.

“Students consistently return from Study Abroad having had life-changing experiences, but also experiences they can use in whatever path they find themselves on.”

Holden Kennemer,

sophomore study abroad student and Bible, missions, and ministry major, hopes his semester in Uruguay will accomplish that mission.

“I hope I learn what it means to grow as an individual while being abroad. Being at home or on a college campus with people you know and love is great, but I think going abroad with people you are not necessarily close with, to a foreign country, is a great way to get to know yourself differently,” Kennemer said.

Last fall, Study Abroad had a decrease in the number of students participating in its programs. Only 35 students traveled abroad across the three locations.

However, with more Study Abroad alumnus recounting their life-changing experiences, fall of 2023 Study Abroad students eagerly await their deployment.

“The opportunity to be in another part of the world while work -

ing towards my degree

sounded more than ideal,” said Moriah Moredyk, study abroad student and sophomore advertising and public relations major from San Antonio. “I look forward to trying new foods and experiences and stepping out of my comfort zone.”

Stationed in Oxford, England, Moredyk will study a curriculum tailored to her experiences.

Additionally, in 2021, ACU purchased and renovated a house in Oxford

to accommodate 26 students. The new house features eight bedrooms, two kitchens, five reception rooms, a studio, and an outside backyard. Moredyk is “beyond excited” to enjoy the new residence.

Meanwhile, Ava Morris, sophomore study abroad student and art and design major, Ava said she is most excited to experience total immersion in a foreign culture. According to Morris, study abroad was “a big part” in choosing ACU.

BY RYLIE FISHER | PHOTOGRAPHER

“I am most excited to spend time in new cultures and environments, explore the different sides of God’s amazing creation, and make new friends in the cohort,” Morris said.

The Study Abroad office will celebrate its students’ send-off at 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 30 in the Hunter Welcome Center as they will depart from there.

Applications for the spring 2023 Study Abroad programs are due Dec. 1.

The Shed Barbecue moves into Hilton food court this fall

BY JAYLYNN WARD EDITOR

The Shed is moving into the Hilton foodcourt for the upcoming school year.

ACU is opening the food court to the Shed Barbecue for a lunch option that students can enjoy. The Shed is a local company that ACU has previously known over the years. ACU reached out to the business for this partnership.

This process to switch over to the Shed started over a year ago. ACU originally was seeking a brand new concept for the food court and wanted to consider the idea of barbecue as an option. ACU also wanted a local restaurant to be a part of the ACU community. This has led to the Shed making the decision to be in the food court this upcoming school year.

“The idea is to bring some really popular flavors to campus that a lot of students have supported over the last five or six years” said David Casida, senior director of dining operations.

The Shed’s menu will in-

clude multiple options that it has in its restaurant for students. This includes:

• Brisket sandwiches

• one choice of meat plate

• two choices of meat plate

• and rotating desserts

The food options will be cooked in the kitchen that the Shed members have in their restaurant

and it will be brought to campus to serve. They will serve what they have until they run out each day. The Shed will be offered Tuesday-Friday at 10:30 a.m.2:30 p.m. The Shed may still cater for large events on campus as well.

“I think that it is very exciting and I am always looking for some good barbecue to eat,” Peyton

BY JAYLYNN WARD | EDITOR IN CHIEF

Dockray, senior kinesiology major from Canadian , said. “I think it will provide more options for us.”

The Shed was brought on campus twice this summer to cater for large groups of staff members. Before this, they also teamed up with ACU community leaders to decide if this was the right choice for the food court. This is because food

preferences change year to year and the leaders of the dining hall want to stay ahead.

“We partner with members of the university and we typically partner with members of student leadership,”

Casida said. “From all the information that we received, it is a very popular brand and a lot

of people welcome it.”

The Shed is not the only food option that is getting renovations, ChikFil-A has received renovations over the summer. These renovations will allow Chik-Fil-A to be a fully-served operation which allows for additional food items. These items include:

grilled chicken nuggets

• chargrilled sandwich

• spicy deluxe sandwich

This location will also allow students to place an order and have the order freshly made and ready to be picked up. The times of operation will be breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday and dinner served Monday throughThursday.

Pine Street Subs have also undergone a modified menu change. However, there will still be different treats and snacks available to pick up in the Hilton food court area.

The Shed will start its operations on August 24, but all official hours and menu changes for all locations will go into effect on Aug 29.

Students studying abroad gather with thier families to pray over their trips.

IN CHIEF

Student leaders celebrate wildcat week by drawing on sidewalks with chalk.

ROLLING OUT THE PURPLE CARPET

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Railey Holley, senior communication disorders major from Fate, dances to the music.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Dr. Houston Heflin, professor of Bible, missions and ministry, leads incoming students in a devotional.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Parents lay hands on new students as they pray over them.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Incoming students practice their WCs at Maxx Air.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Devin Salehi, freshman computer science major from San Antonio, lights a candle for Abigail St. Clair, freshman nutrition major from Lubbock.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Upperclassmen wait for new students at the front of Wessel Hall.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Aidan Kluth, sophomore Bible major from Rochester, Minnesota and Jackson Callaway, junior biology major from Mckinney, direct parents.

WELCOME WILDCATS

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Wes Orr, freshman computer science major from Rohnert Park, California, battles another student on a balance beam.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Incoming students sing along with the worship team.

BY HANNAH PARK | PHOTOGRAPHER

A new student holds a puppy while having a conversation.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER New Wildcats celebrate a student climbing the warped wall at Maxx Air.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER New students listen to the devotional.

BY SARAH EUNYOUNG THOMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHER Freshmen launch purple confetti cannons at Game Day 101.

BY SARAH EUNYOUNG THOMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHER Wildcat Week directors lead new students in the wave.

Engineering department adapts ride-in car for local boy

BY BRYLIE LEACH FEATURE WRITER

As Miller Thweatt, a sixyear-old with Leigh Syndrome, is brought into the room at West Texas Rehabilitation Center, his eyes widen as well as his smiles. An adapted ride-in car looks back at him. As bravery and strength exudes from him, people around him are inspired and grateful to be a part of his life.

Leigh syndrome is characterized by attacks on the brain’s mitochondria (cells that produce energy) causing progressive loss of mental and movement abilities. It is an extremely rare, severe neurological disorder that usually becomes apparent in the first year of life and has no cure. Miller was diagnosed five years ago on February 28, which happens to be Rare Disease Day.

Jacque Thweatt, Miller’s mom, said he has continued to reach milestones many said he may not reach.

“When he was diagnosed at fifteen months in February 2018, we were told he may not see two years old and probably would not see three years old,” Thweatt said. “He is soon to graduate kindergarten and has made lots of friends. He loves to be outside. He loves Mickey Mouse. And he teaches everyone around him to make the most of each day with his persistence and joy.”

From birth, Miller was delayed and routinely failed to reach his developmental milestones, his family and pediatricians started to worry. Doctors sent him to a neurologist in Dallas. He eventually was diagnosed after experiencing a rare type of seizure and blood work was done.

“We had a blood test done on Miller, Josh and myself to conduct a genetic test and found I am

a genetic carrier of the mutation in the ATP6 gene,” Thweatt said.

“Miller is 97% affected by this mutation.”

Miller’s parents said they have never let his syndrome keep him from life experiences. They connected with other parents and children fighting the same battle and made their home more accessible for Miller. Miller is nonverbal, but he is able to communicate through an augmentative or alternative communication device (AAC), called the Talk To Me Technologies EyeSpeak.

“He’s able to look at the screen, similar to an iPad, and the technology tracks his eye movement and makes selections based on his movements,” Thweatt said. “It then verbalizes his selections to communicate his wants or needs.”

Lory Chrane, instructor of communication sciences and disorders and undergraduate program director, first met Miller

when her daughter, Sydney Chrane Wilde (‘19), who is now a second year occupational therapy student at the University of Texas-El Paso, was completing her clinical observation at West Texas Rehab Center as a pre-OT student at ACU.

She overheard Miller’s mom saying she would like an adapted car for him. Chrane quickly put together a team and a Lightning McQueen car was made. Recently his mom reached out to Chrane to see if she could collaborate with a team that would adapt a bigger one for him.

“Miller is all smiles,” Chrane said. “He is a joy and light to everyone who meets him and is the hardest worker. We are so thankful we can serve him and his family this way.”

After learning about Miller, Chrane reached out to Monique Marquardt, associate professor of practice in the Department of Engineering and Physics. She presented the idea of

modifying a ride-in toy car for Miller to the ENGR 390: Junior Clinic class that would allow him to move in a more enjoyable way and play with others.

Katelyn Graham, junior mechanical engineering major from Roswell, New Mexico, said preparations began in January.

“Throughout the process of the class, we have done a lot of preparation,” Graham said. “This included a period of coming up with possible solutions, combining our best ideas into one project, solidifying our design, making specific designs and material lists and finally building. During building there has been some redesigning and some adjustments but the car is now almost finished and is looking great.”

Adaptations to the toy car include making safety adjustments to the seat to better support his body as well as adding a simple joystick that he

will be able to operate on his own in replacement to the original steering. A mount for his augmentative or alternative communication device was also added so that he can use it while he rides.

Caleb Camacho, junior mechanical engineering major from Waco, said their team of six has been split up based on their engineering concentration.

“Three electrical engineers, two mechanical engineers, and one general engineer,” Camacho said. “The electrical engineers are working on the controlling part of the car – using a joystick to control the car’s driving functions. The mechanical and general engineers are working on the communication device mount, seating and safety adaptations.”

Miller loves Disney – more than even most other kids. Special details were added to his ride-in car to make it personalized for him. A Mickey Mouse decal with Miller’s name was added to

the hood and side of the car. As well as this, a personalized “Miller” license plate will be added. The final personalized detail is Mickey Mouse ears added to the back of the car.

Makayla Moulton, junior general engineering major from Burleson, said Miller’s love for Mickey Mouse is evident.

“The team wanted to personalize the car for Miller and make it his own,” Moulton said. “I made the designs at home with my own Cricut machine and I will also be adding a license plate on the back of the car with his name as well.”

Miller’s middle name is David. Thweatt said Miller’s story reminds them of the Biblical story, David and Goliath. “We often refer to the challenges he faces as Goliaths and he the David,” Thweatt. “He has taught us all so much about life, love and how much our God takes care of His children.”

The students received $1000 from SGA, and the remaining funds were donated to the Cure ATP6 Fund. It is hoped that this ridein car and joystick will help prepare Miller to be trained for a motorized wheelchair in the future. Miller received the ridein car on May 10.

“This car enables him to spend more time outside, interact with friends, work on his hand-eye coordination and engage new learning pathways in his brain that will only benefit him,” Thweatt said. “His jeep is awesome!”

To follow along with Miller and his family, read Thweatt’s blog, GOLIATHS AND GRACE, Life with Miller David and follow him on Instagram @MulligansforMiller.

A colorful start: Chalking returns to campus concrete

BY MARIAH WILLIAMS CO-SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

ACU’s campus is filled with beauty from the GATA fountain and the landscaping to the colored-filled messages that take over the pavement, however the fate of chalk art on campus is uncertain after recent decisions.

Chalking has become a mainstream way for students to announce and communicate with their peers at ACU. Strolling across the private property, it is not uncommon to have your eyes overcome with a colorful creation of words, pictures or directional arrows.

One event where chalking has become part of the routine is Wildcat Week.

During this week, students are overcome with messages of love and support, along with directions to the Bean, so they can be prepared to start their wildcat journey off right.

Sam Carter, former Wildcat Week student director, said the chalk adds an extra physical welcome for the students.

“The chalk just adds

that extra spice of feeling like you’re literally walking into the welcome,” said Carter, senior engineering major from San Antonio.

“Physically you have people that care enough to write these messages to you, and it’s like ‘they were expecting me to come here.’”

Chalking became popular on campus around 15 years ago when the university started to crack down on the number of posters allowed on the bulletin boards and other places around campus.

Kevin Campbell, senior vice president of operations, said the decluttering of the paper announcements helped the campus in the long run.

“It was cluttery and it was chaos,” Campbell said. “Some of that stems back to not trying to have so much chaos and trash because ultimately it going to end up on the ground. I think it’s been a great improvement not having the flyers hung around.”

The chalking culture of ACU is not a special one. Many other colleges have adopted this trend and

have become successful with it.

With the crazy weather of Texas and the draining system of Abilene, chalking may not always have the big effect that the artist intends.

Sometimes the once beautiful creations turn into a soupy rainbow swirl.

While the vulnerability of the art can become upsetting to the creator, it can come in handy for campus leaders to

ensure the effectiveness of the messages.

ACU’s campus is private, meaning that chalking is a form of vandalism if not given permission or if the art is deemed inappropriate. For a student organization to be able to chalk they must call the Office of Student Life to get approval. Students in the past have been warned when allowed to chalk to use their best judgment.

When an inappropriate

message is found on campus, it is flagged to the Office of Student Life which will designate someone to wash it off immediately.

Carter said the delicacy of the water-chalk relationship comes in handy in instances like this.

“There are some students who think it is funny to draw inappropriate images and messages,” Carter said.

“That’s the great thing about chalk, you just

grab some water bottles, pour it on the chalk and smear it out.”

With complications in the past of chalking, PJ Martinez, vice president of student life, said the chalking process will be revised in student handbook.

Martinez said the institutional uncertainty made this decision of the process.

“We want to look at this institutionally and physically,” Martinez said. “There has not been a set system for chalking or advertisement in the past. We want to see how we can define that process and make it considerate of all parties involved.”

Carter said not having chalk during Wildcat Week would disappointing.

However, there are ways to keep the intent of the tradition alive.

“It would take away that little extra emphasis of welcoming that we really want to convey to the students,” Carter said.

As of now, chalk will stay a pastel staple on campus, but the future of colorful creations remain unknown.

BY @MulligansforMiller VIA INSTAGRAM JoBeth Willis, Miller’s physical therapst from WestTexas Rehabilitation Center, and Josh Thweatt, Millers dad, help him in the car.

BY JAYLYNN WARD | EDITOR IN CHIEF

Student leaders celebrate Wildcat Week by drawing on sidewalks with chalk.

Research projects starting now for the spring semester

BY MACI WEATHERS NEWSLETTER EDITOR

As ACU expands, students continue to have more of an opportunity to prepare and present research on campus.

Every year students present their research on campus at the Undergraduate Research Festival but in order to do so students must prepare their research months in advance.

Dr. Candice Ortbals, director of undergraduate research and professor of political science, encourages students to start thinking about research projects in the fall to present to the judges in the spring semester.

“A lot of people who work with undergraduate research suggest that the projects you do in the fall are the ones that you then present in the spring,” Ortbals said.

For some social science research projects, you must get approval from

the office of research and sponsored programs to be able to do research with human participants, Ortbals said.

“The laws in terms of how you do research with human subjects, if you are just doing it for the class for educational purposes you can say ‘Hey I interviewed this person’ in a class presentation you can tell your results but you can’t tell your results in public venues if ACU hasn’t reviewed how you are going to treat the human subjects,” Ortbals said.

Ortbals encourages students from her role to think about what they are working on now within their classes or what they can ask a professor about now to bring it towards completion.

Students can find research projects to use to present through class assignments or even talking to a professor about opportunities to participate in research projects.

“As a professor, I know that probably different professors encourage students to participate in different ways in terms of how they bring students into their research process,” Ortbals said.

“I do it in a couple different ways. I often assign papers that could turn into research presentations either at conferences for academics or conferences for undergraduates or for the research festival we have in the spring on campus.”

Orbtals encourages students to look at writing assignments being given in classes and seeing if professors are encouraging research by the product they can create.

“From a students perspective, you are looking for those types of papers and classes or you can just go up to a professor and say ‘are you working on anything where I might tag along and do something to help,’” Ortbals said.

Research projects that are presented can help students get into graduate school and receive letters of recommendation from professors after the research is done.

“To me what’s meaningful is when you do research with someone, you spend a lot of time with them and see how responsible they are, their people skills and the way they take care of tasks,” Ortbals said.

“I feel like the students I research with I know them on par as how I know some of my colleagues so when I write those letters there is no shortage of examples of how talented the person is.”

“I think it is much more than the line on the CV, I think it is the relationship you form with your professor and the letter of recommendation they can write because they walk you through that process,” Ortbals said.

“Research is more than

getting good grades in classes. The research experience kind of shows that level of independent thinking that is going to be really important for people looking for jobs in the future.”

Ortbals also encourages students to apply for a travel grant if they want their research to be presented at different conferences in the United States, however professors must apply for the student. (https://blogs.acu. edu/uresearch/urci-student-travel-grants/)

Hannah Maniscalo, senior poltical science major from Spring, presented at the Midwest Political Science Association on violence against conservative women in politics alongside Alli Dimmitt, senior poltical science major from Naples, Florida.

“It originated from a class I was taking,” Maniscalo said. “Finding a topic was wasn’t difficult because Dr. Orbtals gave us areas to

New Wildcat Opinions: Incoming Freshman Interviews about campus

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look into. The original plan wasn’t to present the paper but Alli and I were interested in taking the project further.”

Maniscalo and Dimmitt had a lot of guidance and meetings with Orbtals on the research project following the request to take the project further.

During the trip to Chicago, Maniscalo was also able to meet academics who she previously made relationships with on past research projects. Research allows students to meet other people outside of ACU, Maniscalo said.“Research challenges students to look at real world problems and consider solutions,” Maniscalo said.

“It’s exciting to get to become an expert on a specialized topic.”

The Undergraduate Research Festival will return to campus April 16, 2024, and studnets are encouraged to start looking at topics this semester.

“I am looking forward to meeting new people and starting classes”

JIYU

HAN FRESHMAN ANIMAL SCIENCE MAJOR FROM CEDAR PARK

“My favorite thing about ACU is the atmospere and energy that people bring”

KATE

PICKRELL FRESHMAN FINANCE MAJOR FROM AUSTIN

“Wessel first floor, best floor”

EVAN

McALLISTER FRESHMAN UNDECLARED MAJOR FROM FRANKLIN, TENNESEE

“ACU reminded me a lot about the school I went to in high school, like the culture, Christian values and the small town feel.”

JESSICA ATKINS FRESHMAN VOCAL PERFORMANCE MAJOR FROM HOUSTON

BY DANIEL CURD |

Wildcats to open season on Thursday against Northern Colorado

BY WILL DALTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

With the ACU football team coming off a successful season with a disappointing result, head football coach Keith Patterson and the Wildcats will begin the new football season at 7 p.m. Thursday against the University of Northern Colorado at Wildcat Stadium.

In Patterson’s first season, the Wildcats finished up 2022 with a 7-4 record, barely missing out on a WAC championship after a three point loss to Stephen F. Austin in the final game of the year. Now, nearly nine months later, the Wildcats journey for the conference title starts next Thursday night. This 2023 Wildcat team is highlighted by returning stars, such as junior quarterback Maverick Mclvor

and junior running back Jeremiah Dobbins, as well as a handful of impactful newcomers, such as Memphis sophomore wide receiver transfer Marcayll Jones and Northwestern junior defensive line transfer Jordan Butler.

The Wildcats, facing a below average Northern Colorado team that has won only six games in their last two seasons, will look to try and adapt and adjust come Thursday night with what they are able to read and feel out on the field.

“We start off going into week one just trying to make sure we have a sound plan, sound simple adjustments and things that we can execute,” Patterson said. “So no matter what an opponent throws at us in that first game we can make sound adjustments on the sideline. You don’t have time to wait till half -

time so we try to get it done between each series.”

One key thing to look for come Thursday and throughout the season is the chemistry between the quarterbacks and receivers. With Mclvor now in his second season in an ACU jersey, the junior quarterback will have all the targets he needs with guys like senior wide receivers Tristan Golighitly and Taelyn Williams lining up next to him.

“I really like the relationship we have with our quarterbacks and our wide receivers,” Patterson said. “Any time you bring in moving parts from the outside, it takes everyone a little bit to get on the same page, but I really like the returners we got in addition to those two or three wide receivers that we’ve brought into the fold. So I like where we are and

I think we are probably a little bit further ahead this time of the year than I thought we were a year ago.”

Along with the additions of some new weapons on the offensive side of the ball, It will be interesting to see what sort of game plan new offensive coordinator Ryan Pugh rolls out come gametime. Pugh who was the offensive line coach last season was promoted to OC this past offseason and remains in charge of the O-line as well. The Wildcats have the talent to put up big numbers and facing a UNC team that allowed almost 38 points a game last year, look for the Wildcats to come out firing come kickoff on Thursday.

On the defensive side, defensive coordinator Skyler Cassity and his group are looking to build off

of some defensive success they found in the 2022 season where they ranked among the top in the WAC.

This may be easier said than done as one area that may take the Wildcats a few games to lock down is the defensive line. After graduating basically six defensive lineman, look for some new faces such as Butler and senior defensive lineman Kayode Oladele to emerge amongst this new and young front line.

The one area where the Wildcats look to pick up right where they left last year comes with the defensive backs and safeties.

With junior safety Elijah Moffett and senior defensive back Patrick Jolly both being selected to the preseason UAC All-Conference Team, as well as other key players like se -

nior defensive back Anthony Egbo Jr. and Oklahoma sophomore defensive back transfer Jordan Mukes, the Wildcats aim to force many more turnovers this year. “We’ve kinda referred to this season as year one 2.0 and it’s really almost like a reboot,” Patterson said. “We came in a year ago and everything was so new for everyone. New coaches, new staff, new schemes and we were trying to get to know and evaluate our players and see where they fit into our schemes. It felt like we were reacting to a lot of things a year ago to where I feel like this year we are more in command of where we are and where we are headed as a program.

The Wildcats will begin the new season taking on the Bears at 7 p.m. on Thursday Aug. 31.

New five-year strategic plan implemented across athletics

BY SAMMI GUTIERREZ SPORTS WRITER

After over a year of development, The Department of Athletics shaped its goals and its methods of achieving them in a new five-year strategic plan.

Zack Lassiter, vice president of athletics, said the department wanted to dive another level deeper into itself. The plan was developed with input from student-athletes, staff and coaches. Lassiter said there is ownership and a belief that everyone’s voice was heard.

“I feel really good that everyone in the athletic department played a role in developing where we want to go,” Lassiter said.

Athletics aims for every student-athlete to at -

tain three goals during their experience at ACU: to grow in their faith, to reach their potential in the classroom and to com -

BY CARRIE JOHNSTON | PHOTOGRAPHER

pete for a championship.

Lassiter said the strategic plan will not only exceed the student-athlete goal, but support the needs of

Baseball sees three players drafted

BY WILL DALTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

This summer the Wildcat baseball team saw three players drafted in the annual Major League Baseball draft with a fourth signing as an undrafted free agent .

Junior right-handed pitcher Riley Bauman was selected in the 13th round with the 384th pick by the Los Angeles Angels. Junior right-handed pitcher Tyler Morgan was selected in the 14th round with the 431st pick by the San Diego Padres. Junior outfielder Logan Britt was selected in the 17th round with the 504th pick by the

Los Angeles Angels. Senior right-handed pitcher Breck Eichelberger signed as a free agent after the draft with the San Diego Padres.

So far in his career with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Morgan has thrown 7.1 innings with a 7.36 ERA with four strikeouts allowing for only a .214 average against opposing batters.

Eichelberger has appeared in 2.1 innings so far for the Lake Elsinore storm having a 3.68 ERA with three strikeouts with a 1.71 WHIP.

Bauman is 0-1 so far in his career with the Arizona Complex League Angles

with an 11.25 ERA over 4.0 innings pitched. Britt has yet to make his minor league debut for the ACL Angles.

coaches, athletics staff and university staff.

The plan is focused on five different pillars: onfield success, student-ath -

lete and staff experience, gender equality and diversity, revenue generation and fiscal responsibility and brand and fan development.

“There’s not one that’s more important than the other. All five of these [pillars] kind of fit together like a puzzle piece,” Lassiter said.

Competing in a top 15 conference in all of DI, the first pillar centers around on-field success, the ability to win championships and supporting coaches and staff with the resources they need to be able to compete in the Western Athletic Conference.

The athletics department wants student-athletes and staff to have a holistic experience in the

program by helping them grow in their faith and reach their academic goals.

“We create an experience where all of us can grow professionally in our relationships,” Lassiter said.

Under the pillar of generating revenue, a goal for the department is to make ACU the “hometown team” for the Big Country.

Lassiter said sharing the story of bringing people to campus and creating community within the Big Country and the ACU campus is important to make visitors feel connected to be part of “this special place.”

The full plan and more information regarding its implementation can be found on the ACU Athletics webpage.

Alstrup takes over Volleyball

BY WILL DALTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

After the departure of former volleyball coach Alisa Blair, ACU signed former Wildcat player and assistant coach Ijeoma (IJ) Moronu Alstrup to take the reins of the program.

Alstrup, who is currently second on ACU’s all-time assist leaders and tenth on ACU’s all-time blocks list was a two-time first-team all-LSC selection who was the LSC MVP at setter in 2010. She also served two stints as an assistant coach at ACU from 2012-2015 after her collegiate career ended. Alstrup finished her un -

dergraduate career at ACU in December 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and kinesiology, plus a minor in business administration. She also went on to earn a master’s degree in organizational development from ACU in December 2016.

as the co-head volleyball coach at Gentofte Volley.

Alstrup

Alstrup began her career as a head coach back in 2019 at Farum Holte Volley in Copenhagen and in 2022 she took a role

The team brings back multiple starters and key players and looks to improve off of last years disappointing season under Alstrups new leadership and knowledge.

The team begins the 2023 season on Aug. 26 in Lubbock againt their former coach for the Texas Tech tournament. The Wildcats first home game will be at 6 p.m. on Aug. 29 at Moody Collessium when they take on Texas A&M-Commerce Lions with the game streaming live on ESPN+.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Rovaugh Banks Jr. sophmore running back from Tulsa, Oklahoma plummets to the ground

The newly renovated Moody Collesium

Morgan

Eichelberger Britt

Bauman