The Vol. 95, No. 46
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Going to India
Three students will spend the summer in India, deprived of electronics and communication with the outside world, page 3
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1 sections, 8 pages
The on-campus devotional group, The Call, which began last semester, is growing in number, page 4
WEDNESDAY
April 4, 2007
Hunter accepts new role n Dr. Bob Hunter took his eighth job with the university as special assistant to the president. Hunter’s responsibilities will be to help with special projects. By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Editor
Hearing the Call
OPTIMIST
Former Texas State Representative Dr. Bob Hunter has one more title to add to his resume. Hunter took his eighth job at the university in his 51 years at ACU after being ap-
pointed as special assistant to Dr. Royce Money, president of the university. “He’s just ideally suited for the position,” Money said. Hunter took the job after finishing his final term as state representative for the Hunter 71st District. Hunter served for 20 years as the
71st District’s representative and gave up his seat by not running for re-election in 2006. “President Royce Money asked me to become an adviser and helper to him,” Hunter said. “I was happy to do so because of my love for the ACU community.” Hunter’s main responsibility will be to help Money with special projects, the first of which is to serve as campaign See
HUNTER page 7
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www.acuoptimist.com
Hunter’s ACU Jobs Since 1956, Dr. Bob Hunter has worked at ACU, holding eight different positions. n Director of Special Events n Director of Alumni Relations n Assistant to the president n Vice president for Public Relations and Development n Graduate School of Business lecturer n Senior VP of ACU n Senior VP emeritus n Special assistant to the president
Creative Date revealed The winning entry of the Creative Date contest is detailed by the winner and person who selected it, page 4
Student Reporter
PovertyLink, an on-campus organization developed to fight poverty, is hosting Hunger Banquet, which will take place on Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Hilton Room of the Campus Center. The Hunger Banquet will consist of a dinner prepared by PovertyLink members, followed by a presentation about poverty. Cristina Del Pinal, president of PovertyLink, said there will be entertainment and surprises at the banquet. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket windows in the Campus Center after Chapel for $3.
‘Street Scene’
See
The Department of Music put on the first opera in more than two years. The department plans to produce another opera, Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute,’ next year, page 3 Emily smith CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Young Alumnus of the Year Kasey Pipes laughs at a remark by Dr. Royce Money on Tuesday at the Alumni Association’s banquet in his honor.
Pipes named Young Alumnus n Kasey Pipes, class of 1995, urged students to lose, listen and love as leaders at the Young Alumnus of the Year banquet. By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
Setting the pace
Nicodemus Naimadu set the world’s fastest time this year in the 10,000meters at the Stanford Invitational in his first collegiate competition in the event, page 8.
Kasey Pipes has put words into the mouths of modern-day leaders President George W. Bush and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as their speechwriter. And on Tuesday, Pipes, class of 1995, was honored at the Young Alumnus of the Year luncheon for his own leadership and service to the university. Pipes, the 17th Young Alumnus of the Year to be honored with the Alumni Association’s award, offered three actions a leader takes: leaders lose, leaders listen and leaders love. “Someone is going to lead the world,” Pipes told students, “and it might as well be you … In fact, it had better be you.” Pipes himself set out to lead in the
political arena as a member of U.S. Rep. Kay Granger’s staff, equipped with communication and political science bachelor’s degrees from ACU. “ACU blessed me with a feeling, a sense that somehow I belong,” Pipes said. “That somehow, I posses a talent that I should go out and use for God’s glory.” Pipes used that talent working as associate director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives for President Bush, where he wrote speeches for the President, Laura Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Lynne Cheney and cabinet secretaries. In 2006, he joined Gov. Schwarzenegger’s re-election campaign as the chief speechwriter. Today, Pipes owns and operates The Pipes Co., his consulting and public relations firm, in Fort Worth. His biography of former president Eisenhower, “Ike’s Final Battle,” was released in March — a work that Pipes says is more of a character study than case study.
And it is Eisenhower who Pipes holds up as a pristine example of leadership. “Leaders don’t just do things right, they do the right thing,” Pipes said. While addressing faculty, friends and family, Pipes directed his message of leadership to students, challenging them to learn to lose, listen and love. “Today’s setback is the beginning of tomorrow’s victory,” Pipes said. And while leaders’ losses make them great, Pipes said the ability to listen and connect is just as vital. As is the ability to serve, which ultimately both defines a leader and enables everyone to be a leader, Pipes said. “[Leaders] don’t just work at a job,” Pipes said. “They have a labor of love.” His desire for all students is that they find work they can love and labor at, Pipes said. He recalled his own moment of professional glory, when he captured Schwarzenegger’s message — receiving See
PIPES page 7
Lucado steps down for health issues Sweeping Start
The 17th-ranked ACU baseball team started LSC South play with its first-ever sweep of Tarleton State in four games this weekend, page 8.
ONLINE Visions of Grace
Celebrating Women’s History Month, see the performance and art of ‘Visions of Grace’ at: www.acuoptimist.com.
n PovertyLink’s Hunger Banquet will support two organizations that deal with poverty, Faithworks and Kiva, Monday night in the Hilton Room. By CAMILLE VANDENDRIESSCHE
NEWS
SPORTS
Hunger Banquet benefits poverty
n Max Lucado, ‘77, known for his more than 50 Christian books, surprised many upon his decision to step down as senior minister at Oak Hill Church. By MALLORY SCHLABACH Editor in Chief
Max Lucado, arguably the university’s most well-known alumnus, will step down as senior minister at Oak Hill Church in San Antonio for health reasons, he announced in March. Lucado, class of 1977, is known worldwide for the more than 50 Christian books he’s written, including: “He Still Moves Stones,” “The Crippled Lamb” and “Footsteps of Jesus.” He has been
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
preaching as senior minister for nearly 20 years. Lucado said his decision to change roles at the church came at the beginning of March after learning that since August, he had been dealing with a heart condition known as “atrial fibrillation.” This abnormal heart rhythm, while it is the leading type of heart arrhythmia, could still cause blood clots and ultimately lead to a stroke if not taken care of properly. “The church that I lead has about 6,000 members right now, and it takes a lot of time and effort to lead a church this size, not to mention the time spent preparing for sermons,” Lucado said. “It seems to me that this position is a
full-time position and I only work part time at it because I make my profession as a writer, plus being a senior minister. “Doing everything is OK if the church is still small and I’m healthy, but I didn’t feel like I was doing the best job I could for the position only being part time,” he said. He said his role will not be to leave the church but to hand over the leadership duties to a new senior minister. Until a new minister is found, though, Lucado will still continue his role as the senior minister, leading the church, preaching on Sundays and overseeing a staff of more than 80 people. “As soon as the new [min-
ister] arrives here — on his very first day — is when I transition into my new role,” he said. Lucado’s decision to step down came as a surprise to many, he said, including his family. Andrea Lucado, junior English major from San Antonio, said she was sad at first when hearing that her father was stepping down as the senior minister. “Initially I was sad because I didn’t expect it to happen so soon,” she said. “I always knew that it would, but I had to realize that my parents are getting old and at a point where retiring is an option.
Abilene Christian University
See
LUCADO page 7
BANQUET page 7
Gary unveils Center Peace n Dr. Sally Gary is reaching out to individuals with samesex attraction through an organization, Center Peace, that is gaining local support. By LAUREN SUTTON Opinion Editor
When Dr. Sally Gary, assistant professor of communication and director of forensics, overcame her struggle with same-sex attraction, she developed an urge to help others dealing with the same issue. In the late ‘90s, Gary began dreaming of a program that would help individuals confront and work through struggles of samesex attraction, a program that has been set into motion within the last year: Center Peace. Gary said she had few resources when she was personally dealing with this struggle. “There were no messages in my world,” Gary said. “There was nothing in the Churches of Christ.” So in 2005, after writing a proposal to her church elders, the Highland Church of Christ committed to support Gary in her dreams and worked with her for more than a year to develop a strategic plan to reach people dealing with homosexuality. Gary chose a board comprised of individuals from Zoe Group’s Brandon Scott Thomas to English professor Steven Moore to assist her in her organization. In the past year the non-profit organization was named Center Peace. See
CENTER page 7
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Wednesday, April 4, 2007
04
Calendar & Events Wednesday
3 p.m. Fall registration for seniors, or those who have 90 or more hours completed.
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Thursday
The track and field team meets all day at McMurry for the McMurry Indians Relays.
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07
Friday
Good Friday
Saturday
1 p.m., 4 p.m. The baseball team plays Angelo State at Crutcher Scott Field.
University Holiday 9 a.m. The women’s tennis team plays Eastern New Mexico.
7:30 p.m. Peter and the Wolf and Brandon Kinder perform at Monk’s Coffeehouse.
NOW WHAT? Career Discovery Workshop (Just because you’re about to graduate doesn’t mean you know what you’ll do for the rest of your life!) Monday, April 2 at 5 p.m. McKinzie Hall, Lower Level
4 p.m., 7 p.m. The baseball team plays Angelo State at Crutcher Scott Field.
ticket windows. The cost to register is $10 and will include a T-shirt. Seniors, come to Joe Allen`s Lytle Bend Ranch on April 19 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m for free food and fun. Enter the drawings to win prizes including gift certificates and a digital camera. Wear a crazy hat and compete for a prize. RSVP to (325) 6742737 or seniorexperience@acu.edu by April 13. For more information, go to www.acu.edu/seniors. Residence Life is looking for bands for the Backyard Bash on April 28. If interested, contact Jae Webb at jkw02a@acu.edu or at (325) 260-7347. The First Annual 5k Saving Babies Race will be April 28. This race will be held by March of Dimes in conjunction with Walk America. The race will start at 8:30 a.m. Check in at 7:30 a.m. at Redbud Park. The Entry fee is $25. Awards will be given to the top overall runners and the top-three males and females in each age category. For more information, e-mail sks06k@acu.edu or call (325) 672-0566. Download an entry form at www.abilenerunners.com. Poverty-Link`s first annual Hunger Banquet will be Monday at 6 p.m. in the Hilton Room. Come experience a unique dinner, help support two organizations that work with poverty and enjoy special entertainment. Guests have an opportunity to give $3 to help out organizations who work with poverty. For more information, e-mail Cristina del Pinal at cxd03d@acu.edu.
ACU Police Tip of the Week Increase the odds of police recovering your stolen property. Record serial numbers of valuable items such as laptops, iPods and cameras.
Police Log Edited for space
Monday 03/26/2007 1:30 a.m. Report of suspicious subject outside of Smith/Adams Hall, contacted student, checked OK. 8 a.m. Attempted to recover keys from an ex-employee at Christian Village, unable to contact employee 3:40 p.m. Contacted owner of vehicle observed driving reckless 4:23 p.m. Vehicle hit and run accident at 1700 Campus Court 5:51 p.m. Checked welfare on student involved in accident off campus, all OK Tuesday 03/27/2007 6:15 p.m. Theft at Smith Hall 8:15 p.m. Report of noise violation at Bennett Gym, contacted juveniles advised to keep noise down Wednesday 03/28/2007 12:37 a.m. Report of suspicious subjects at Sherrod Lot, contacted students all OK 6:18 p.m. Burglary alarm at Vanderpool Building, set off by employee, reset alarm Thursday 03/29/2007 10 a.m. Burglary of motor vehicle at University Park Lot 10:50 a.m. Placed boot on vehicle in Nelson Lot for numerous citations and unable to identify owner 10:52 a.m. Placed boot on vehicle in Bible Lot for numerous citations and unable to identify owner 10:55 a.m. Removed boot from vehicle in Nelson Lot
The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at mxe06a@acu.edu.
Upcoming Career Events and Workshops
2 p.m. The men’s and women’s tennis teams play Cameron.
A social club information meeting will be held Monday in Hart Auditorium for anyone interested in pledging a social club next fall. Men will meet at 6 p.m. and women will meet at 7 p.m. A golf scramble will be held April 12 at Maxwell Golf Course. There will be a 1 p.m. shotgun start. A team consists of 2 players, and it costs $40 per team to play. This includes 18 holes and a golf cart. The deadline to sign up for the scramble is Thursday. The April ArtWalk will be April 12 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in downtown Abilene. Contact Marianne Wood at (325) 677-8389 for more information. Spring Break Campaign Committee applications for the 2007-08 school year are available in Room 129 of McKinzie Hall. The deadline to turn in applications is April 13. Make sure to sign up for an interview time when turning in applications. For more information, contact Jennifer King at jjk04a@acu.edu. The 23rd Annual Kirk Goodwin 5K Run will be April 14 at 8 a.m. and will begin at the intersection of Campus Court and College Drive. The Kirk Goodwin Run is a charity run sponsored by the men of Galaxy that raises funds to help out community families in need of financial assistance with medical bills. There will be door prizes along with prizes for the overall winners. Registration will begin Monday in the Campus Center
About This Page To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.
ACU Career Corner
9 a.m. The men’s tennis team plays New Mexico Military.
Announcements
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11:58 a.m. Jumpstart vehicle in University Park Lot Friday 03/30/2007 11:55 a.m. Criminal mischief at 1500 Ave F 9:58 a.m. Report of suspicious subject at the Campus Center, subject was gone upon arrival 3:05 p.m. Harassment report at McKinzie Hall 10:42 p.m. Theft at Campus Center Saturday 03/31/2007 6 p.m. Report of lost purse at Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building 8:30 p.m. Contacted group of students inside of Walling Lecture Hall, advised to leave, secured building 9 p.m. Report of noise violation at 600 En 18th, subjects in vehicle with loud radio, advised to lower volume. Complied. No citations issued. Sunday 04/01/2007 12:30 p.m. Supervisory alarm at Edwards Hall, checked all OK 1:47 p.m. Report of subject in vehicle shooting BB gun, checked area unable to locate 6:31 p.m. Possible criminal mischief at Zona Luce, no report at this time 7:45 p.m. Medical emergency at Edwards Hall, transported to Hendricks Medical Center 9:35 p.m. Escort from Edwards Hall to off campus
WHO WILL NOTICE ME? Resume Enhancement Workshop (You’re sitting there working on your “perfect” resume and the screen is blank. You need HELP... those templates are looking pretty attractive.) Monday, April 2 at 6 p.m. McKinzie Hall, Lower Level Tuesday, April 3 at 5 p.m. McKinzie Hall, Lower Level BREAK OUT THE NUNCHUCKS AND LET THE JOB FINDING BEGIN! Job Search Workshop (How can you push harder, faster and smarter through networking, cunning job search and killer interviews.) Monday, April 2 at 12 p.m. Campus Center Living Room Tuesday, April 3 at 6 p.m. McKinzie Hall, Lower Level Provided by The Office of Career and Academic Development
Upcoming On-Campus Interviews April 10: PFSweb, Inc. College Recruit Program Recruiting Communications and Business majors Sign-up deadline: April 1 April 10: Lithia Motors Interviews Sales Representatives and Interns Recruiting all majors Sign-up deadline: April 3 April 24: Association Member Benefits Advi sors (AMBA) District Manager Trainees and Interns Recruiting all majors Sign-up deadline: April 16 To schedule an on-campus interview, go to www.acu.edu/ careerlink or contact Bradon Tharp at (325) 674-2653. Did You Know? 2007 Career Headlines “Average Starting Salaries Continue to Climb for New College Graduates” “Employers Target New College Graduates to Lead Organizations, Inject Fresh Ideas” Source: National Association of College and Employers
Volunteer Opportunities ACU for Abilene is coming April 21. Students, staff and faculty will join together to serve the Abilene community in a variety of ways at a number of locations. Watch for more information and make plans now to join in this time of service. CAN, Interested Citizens of Abilene North, need help with community clean up April 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will cut yards, trim hedges, plant gardens, pick up trash and help with household tasks. Contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout for more information. Freedom Fellowship Church needs volunteers to assist with a variety of after-school activities for at-risk youth, such as tutoring, basketball and air hockey Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. and Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Contact the Volunteer Service-
Learning Center in the Bean Sprout for more information. MOPS at Highland Church of Christ is having its annual Great Moms Walk and family day out April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nelson Park. For more information please contact Julia Stewart at (325) 690-9023. Volunteers are needed to be peer visitors or in a support group for amputees. Both men and women are requested to help. For more information, contact Wayne Briggs at (325) 691-1672 or (325) 829-1961. Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver meals to seniors and adults with disabilities. This usually takes about an hour, and students can have one day of Chapel per week excused for this service. Contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout for more information.
CAMPUS NEWS
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Page 3
Students perform opera last weekend n ‘Street Scene,’ an American opera by Kurt Weil, was successfully performed by students in the Opera Workshop class last weekend, overcoming a few obstacles. By ANDREA LUCADO Student Reporter
EMILY SMITH CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Kristin Brown, sophomore music major from Athens, and visiting vocalist Erick Reich, graduate student from Southern Methodist University, rehearse for the opera workshop’s student production, “Street Scene,” on Wednesday night in Cullen auditorium.
Students in the Department of Music performed their first full opera in over two years Friday and Saturday in Cullen Auditorium. The students in Opera Workshop, a class taught by Samuel Cook, artist-in-residence and associate professor of music, have been working on “Street Scene,” an American opera by Kurt Weil, since summer 2006 and began rehearsing in and out of class in January. “Anything that could go wrong in a production went wrong with this one,” said Sarah Gomez, junior music education major from Grand Prairie. Gomez, assistant to director Samuel Cook, said among the many obstacles the cast had
to overcome was replacing two sick cast members with graduate students from Southern Methodist University and Rice University only one week prior to performance. Other challenges included props — some were found two days before opening night — adjusting some scenes to fit the set, last-minute costume adjustments and finding a dog that could be calm on stage. “We’re all better for it,” Gomez said, referring to the chaos of the weekend. Kristin Brown, sophomore vocal performance major from Athens and a lead character in “Street Scene,” had never performed on stage before. “I was terrified,” Brown said. She said being in the opera taught her how to put herself in someone else’s shoes, and she learned a lot form the older and more experienced cast members. She also said the weekend was chaotic and a miracle at the
same time. “I was really surprised it came together so well,” she said. The last opera performed by the Department of Music was “The Marriage of Figaro” in fall 2004. Gomez said reasons for waiting two and a half years before doing “Street Scene” were largely due to lack of money and student interest. She said with a new generation of students and so many who are thirsty to perform, she hopes the department will have more full productions. Travis McGuire, class of 2006 and a cast member, also has hopes for the Music Department of Music. “My dream would be to have a program that people want to be in now,” McGuire said. To do this, he said he wants the department to connect more with the ACU and Abilene communities, bringing in those who are qualified to sing. Brown said this weekend
proved the students’ abilities to perform an opera and overcome so many obstacles. She said she hopes the department will put on as many performances as financially possible. Gomez said the department is already planning to perform another opera, “The Magic Flute,” in spring 2008 with students in the music departments of McMurry College and Hardin-Simmons University. E-mail Lucado at: optimist@acu.edu
past and future opera performances n 2003: “Cosi Fan Tutte,” by Mozart n 2004: “Hansel and Gretel” by Engelbert Humperdinck, “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart n 2005, 2006: none n 2007: “Street Scene” by Kurt Weil n 2008: “The Magic Flute” by Mozart
Three students to join Intervarsity summer service in Kolkata n Three students will participate in the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and serve the poor without phone calls or electronics in Kolkata this summer. By CAMILLE PAINTER Student Reporter
Three ACU students plan to pack their carry-ons and join 27 other American students in an exploration of a new way of life in India this summer. Clarke Goodman, senior biology pre-med major from Des Moines, Iowa; Brent Hines, senior political science major from Belton; and Matt Worthington, junior English and theater major from San Antonio, are learning Bengali, going to weekend training sessions and raising funds
to work with the poor in Kolkata, formerly known as Calcutta, from June through August this summer. The students are to leave their western identities behind and live as those they will be working with in Kolkata, sleeping about seven to a room on the floor with one mattress, showering with a bucket of water and a cup, making no phone calls and using no electronics. “It’s different when you go and help and then go back to your usual way of living than when you actually live like the people you’re there to help,” Hines said. “I’m really excited about this trip in particular because I want to work with the poor directly, more fully than I have in the past.”
While in Kolkata, they’ll be living with temperatures around the 100s and 100 percent humidity in a society where 40 to 50 percent of all the money in the country is unaccounted for and/or used for bribes. The average depression rate upon return is 50 percent, and the depression rate upon return from Kolkata is 70 percent, according to global urban tracks the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship sends out. “If you want to be a part of the work of the gospel, it should have some sort of effect on you that’s really hard and trying; work of the gospel shouldn’t be something that’s easy,” Worthington said. “I feel like it’s going to be
easier for me to make good choices as far as loving the poor when I’m in [Kolkata],” Hines said. “I think it’s going to be a lot harder when I get back and thinking about people who have huge needs who are forced to live in terrible conditions.” Those from Intervarsity visiting India will have the opportunity to work in several areas: homes for the sick, handicapped and dying run by the Sisters of Charity; Compassion International; a formal school in Kolkata; a soccer playing ministry in which they’d build relationships with children by playing soccer with them; and a micro enterprise business that teaches people in the red-light district crafts and
alternative forms of revenue. Each student has an individual goal of almost $5,000 to raise but is put into groups with goals of $120,000. The program requires students not to contribute their own money to their trip but raise all the funds for it. “In Paul’s letters he talks about different churches sending people to places and how they financially helped them out,” Goodman said. “So they use fundraising as a way to promote awareness of what we’re doing. We’re not just going out on our own behalf, but there’s people sending us out.” To raise funds and awareness, the three have sent out letters and started a Facebook group.
“There’s about 550 people in our group now,” Hines said. “It’s good to see that many people are excited about what we’re doing.” Worthington said they have raised about $175 through the Facebook group. “I’m not a quarter of the way into the fundraising, but spiritually, it’s really encouraging that people are willing to help out,” Goodman said. The funds are due by June 1. “We know that everybody’s in a different situation,” Hines said. “If one of us doesn’t make our individual goal, usually God makes a way. … They’ve never had someone not go.” E-mail Painter at: optimist@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Two students merge devotionals to create the Call n The on-campus devotional group was formed so students could have people they could share with, be held accountable while studying the Bible. By HILLARY CRAWFORD Student Reporter
The Call, an on-campus devotional group, meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Hilton Room for a traditional worship service, followed by a Thursday night discussion group at 9:30 p.m. in the Bible Building Room 250. The Call was started by Alex Gutierrez, junior business management and marketing major from San Antonio, during the fall 2006 semester. It began with about 13 people meeting regular-
ly. The numbers grew to about 25 towards the end of the semester. Group leader Zach Robinson, junior marketing and finance major from Poplar Bluff, Mo., led the College Drive devotional before joining Gutierrez. The two decided at the beginning of the spring semester to bring the two groups together. Gutierrez said he originally wanted to start the Call for students here at ACU that feel alone and want to share their struggles with other Christians dealing with similar college issues. “The purpose of the Call for me would be to bring together kids from all ends of the spectrum and have
them come and worship,” Robinson said. Gutierrez said he and Robinson felt God brought them together because their goals for their groups were similar, and God was blessing both of their ministries, so it was a good idea to bring them together. “God deserves all the credit here, not me,” Gutierrez said, The Wednesday night service typically runs from about 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. At the beginning everyone greets each other for a few moments then jump into worship with a few songs, a message, prayer and continue worship in song. The Thursday night devotional is more of a discussion
group worship service where the focus is issues that college students face everyday. “I typically throw a topic into the mix and everyone chimes in as they wish with thoughts on the issue,” Gutierrez said. “Sometimes the discussion becomes very personal and intimate, with people sharing their secret sins that they are not proud of but want to talk about.” Gutierrez said the Facebook group Robinson and he started for the Call has brought more attention to their group and helped them reach out to more. The Facebook group allows people to send out mass messages to plan social events for the group
$15 on-campus date wins prize n A freshman student entered the Counseling Center’s Creative Date Contest last week by submitting a date under $15 that was unique and stood out from others. By CASSIE LEHMANN Student Reporter
A collegiate twist on a classic date made Matthew Dowell, freshman management major from Leon Valley, the Creative Date Contest winner. Announced Friday, Dowell’s Subway, Contact, and paper plane evening was the kind of night the coordinator of the Peer Health Education Program, Cara Flanders said was “different from the rest.” Flanders said, “This date popped out. It stretched beyond the McDonald’s and Chickfil-A ideas.”
Dowell proposed a candlelit Subway dinner, followed by the movie Contact in Walling Lecture Hall. Dowell also suggested in his entry “For concessions we could buy candy bars pilfer the professors’ sodas from the third floor walkin-science-refrigerator.” Dowell said “We were on a budget and the professors won’t miss them.” And to finish the date, going to Foster’s roof to stargaze and practice paper aviation, which Flanders said added a “youthful touch.” “I’m a sucker for being romantic.” Dowell said in an e-mail. “I’m the kind of guy that is crazy about Valentine’s Day; it has got to be one of my favorite holidays.” Dowell also said “creativ-
ity and being spontaneous is important to the person you take out. Guys don’t really care.” For the type of girl he would like to take out Dowell said “that verse in I Peter about how a wife should clothe herself – that’s my favorite verse about the opposite sex. If a girl is a kind, sweet, and you can tell she’s a loving person – that’s all I’m really interested in.” Keeping within the bounds of costing less than $15 and shorter than 100 words, Matthew Dowell was selected to have the best dating ideas. And now, ACU students will know why if they find paper airplanes on the ground around Foster Science Building.
and friends outside of the worship time. “I want the Call to be more than just a devo group,” Gutierrez said. “I want it to be about building friendships with other Christians as well.” Amy Tonick, junior elementary education major from McAllen, said, “I have been to the College Drive devo and the Call since the changes have been made, and I enjoy the fact that it’s all young Christians that want to be worshipping on a Wednesday night together like it should be at a Christian University.” Gutierrez said to sum up what he wants to see the Call accomplish, he turns to 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called
by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land.” From this verse, Gutierrez said he wants to get inspiration to help the Call become ACU’s own. Robinson agrees. “Gutierrez and I hope to see the Call become ACU’s main Wednesday night worship service,” Robinson said. “Not many people go to church on Wednesdays, and we hope to see this develop into a worship service everyone can attend.”
E-mail Crawford at: optimist@acu.edu
Tooting his horn
EMILY SMItH CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Special guest artists and famous trumpet player, Bobby Shew, accompanied the Jazz Band on Monday night in Cullen Auditorium.
E-mail Lehmann at: optimist@acu.edu
Juniors meet, learn rules to graduate n Students graduating in 2008 met Tuesday to learn what they needed to do to graduate on time such as using the degree evaluation on ACU’s Web site. By KACI FLORES Student Reporter
Designed to reach juniors graduating in 2008, a Junior Meeting took place Tuesday in Hart Auditorium to inform and help students through the graduation process. This is the second year of the Junior Meeting and was open to all May, August and December 2008 graduates. The meeting included a short devotional, 20-30 minutes of an informative presentation and a question and answer session. The meeting primarily showed students how to run a degree evaluation online. According to the ACU
Web site, a degree evaluation can be used to track process toward graduation, see how courses have counted and which classes are still needed to take in order to meet the degree requirements. Bart Herridge, associate registrar, said it is important for students to review the degree evaluation in order to make sure there are not any surprises when the student is ready to graduate. “You don’t leave yourself a margin of error,” Herridge said. “That is why looking at the degree evaluation plan in junior year is getting the big picture.” Another aspect Herridge stressed is the importance of a student’s relationship with their adviser. Meeting with the adviser is significant in order to make sure the
school has all transcripts and deadlines are met. “Being that junior year is a critical time for the junior-adviser relationship, we hope that after this the students will end up at the adviser’s door,” Herridge said. Many juniors are now realizing the importance of things such as various deadlines and adviser meetings. Alex Miles, nutrition major from Scottsdale, Ariz., attended the meeting to ensure she is meeting all requirements and deadlines before graduating in May 2008. “I would hate to be the student that is ready to graduate and comes to find out her last semester she is missing a class,” Miles said. E-mail Flores at: optimist@acu.edu
April 4, 2007
Page 5
GOING
UNDERGROUND PHOTO COURTESY OF DRS. WAYNE AND MIMI BARNARD
Dr. Wayne Barnard compares Bibles at a church service. Underground church members create hiding places for the Bibles in case police arrive.
Story by Mallory Schlabach / Design by Kelsi Peace
“I see a continuing loosening of restrictions on religion as long as Christians act in a respectful manner. If Christians start to flaunt their freedoms, we will see the government cracking down again.” Dr. Larry Henderson, missions coordinator for Asia
W
hile one part of Dr. Royce Money’s trip was about meeting with Chinese officials, another was meeting with Chinese Christians. Following the meetings, the group became a tourist group and traveled by bus to the Great Wall of China. A pastor and his wife who work in an underground church joined them. On Friday, Aug. 4, Money, president of the university, wrote: “On the way out the pastor gave us some fascinating information about his church. His group numbered about 50 people. They were part of a larger church of 300, although on Sunday, they met in homes in groups of no more than 50. “We were curious what he and some of his fellow pastors thought of what we were doing. Did they think we had sold out to the government? Were we being duped into thinking everything was all right in China with all Christians? We were somewhat surprised by his answer. “He said, ‘We are thrilled that you are talking to Chinese officials the way you are doing. We are thrilled with the message you are bringing. We are praying for your success. If you make progress, all of us will benefit, both in the Protestant church and the unregistered.’” On Sunday, the last day of the trip for many in the delegation, most people attended Beijing International Christian Fellowship where Max Lucado, senior minister at Oakland Hills Church in San Antonio and ACU alumnus, had been asked to preach. Drs. Wayne and Mimi Barnard, dean of spiritual formation and dean of residence life and student housing respectively, attended an underground church service. “We met in an underground church, which are house churches not part of the Three-Self Church,” Mimi Barnard explained. “The worship experience was so different; it was cool.” After talking with the pastor and his wife about their church, Wayne Barnard said he looked at Mimi, and they decided they wanted to attend an underground church while in China.
A different service
PHOTO COURTESY OF DRS. WAYNE AND MIMI BARNARD
Drs. Wayne and Mimi Barnard stand with Levi Bentley along the Great Wall of China during their trip to China this summer. When it came time for communion, Wayne said he was brought back to his childhood days of taking communion in a small church in Texas because communion was served from the front of the church covered with a white lace cloth, similar to what he had witnessed growing up. “I just went back in time when I saw the lace cloth because that was what my church did during communion,” he said. “They covered the communion until it was time to serve it; it was just special and reminded me of how small and big the world is at the same time.” He said they were also reminded of this because the church began reciting the Lord’s Prayer during the middle of the service. “Mimi and I started saying it in English along with them. Our church at Highland says the Lord’s Prayer every Sunday too, so now it really holds a special meaning for us because we know our brothers and sisters in China are saying it with us,” he said. In between the various portions of the service, people were laughing and hugging and just having a great time. Wayne said the service was special because it was clear they look forward to being together. Members travel from all over the area, and they come to church for the better part of the day. After the church service, members share a meal together and fellowship together into the afternoon. For many members, this will be the only time throughout the week they will see each other. “Being at this church reminded me of how much we take for granted,” Wayne said. “Religion and Christianity is so accessible here, and we can become apathetic if we’re not careful. We often take for granted the fellowship we have and the ability to be open and expressive in our faiths and beliefs.”
ally enforces the law by cracking down on illegal or unregistered groups. These officials work at a local level and therefore usually don’t consult with the RAB on how to enforce the rules — meaning no one follows a uniform way or form of punishment for breaking religious code. Dr. Larry Henderson, missions coordinator for Asia, paused for a few seconds before attempting to describe the underground churches. “They are different,” he said. “Some are really underground and you don’t know they exist. You cannot get in with out a personal invitation, clearance, even investigation because they don’t want to be exposed. Who knows how many underground churches or Christians there are because they are hidden and don’t want to be seen. “Some underground churches are barely underground though. They are careful about what they say, and how they are perceived and as a result, they are able to operate with relative freedom,” he said. Henderson said freedom comes from being secretive, quiet and modest with what little slack the government gives a group. “I see a continuing loosening of restrictions on religion,” he said, “as long as Christians act in a respectful manner. If Christians start to flaunt their freedoms, we will see the government cracking down again.”
The pastor and his wife picked the Barnards up at their hotel. After going through three or four checkpoints, they arrived in the underground parking lot of an apartment complex, where many people not originally from China live. After going through vaulted doors that required ID access, they arrived at an apartment where more than 50 people were about to begin church. The first room they walked into was a large living room area with 75 red, plastic chairs set up for the worship service and adult class. A projector screen was set up for Power Point presentations for the sermon and songs, and Chinese Bibles lined each row of chairs. The two bedrooms of the complex had been turned into a church office and a classroom for children of all ages. Children younger than high Dangers Christians face school all met together for Bible class. The small bathroom doubled as the baptistery for church Cracking down is what most underground members who could fit. Once a month, the church Christians fear. For many it could mean a fine, a met outside of town at a nearby river with several ban to meet again or often imprisonment. other area churches to perform adult baptisms. Henderson recalled a time when he was Until then, elders took confessions of faith and preaching in Laos, a community country he said sprinkled water on the believer’s heads to symthat borders and considers itself a little brother bolize the baptism to come. of China, and follows suit in whatever laws China The Barnards witnessed this when a young makes. He had left his home of Bangkok for Laos Following code man decided to be baptized during the service. to teach and preach for five days. He arrived at Despite being halfway around the world, The Religious Affairs Bureau closely monitors the home where he would be preaching when Wayne said the church service was surprisingly all religions, regardless of legal status in China. A several Laos citizens gave him a warning. similar to U.S. services. separate bureau, the Public Security Bureau, actu“On the first day, they told me, ‘Larry, see The church had a time of worship that guy sitting back in the corner over by singing along to a Taiwanese Christhere? He’s a government spy.’ So I was tian CD of worship songs. careful from the beginning with what I The Underground Church in China “It was so neat because we recogsaid and how I said it,” he said. nized most of the songs and could sing Henderson said everything he said along in English while they sang Chiwas true, but he didn’t try to press any g 600 Christians were detained in 2006. nese,” Mimi said before beginning to political buttons. hum a song they sang while in China. “We knew he was there, and he knew g The strongest Protestant House The Great Wall of China Church movements are in the The Barnards sat in silence for a we knew, so we assumed that everyZhejiang and Henan regions. Beijing few moments trying to recall the songs thing would be OK,” he said. g In the Henan Province, Zhang they heard in Chinese that people The last day he preached was a FriRongliang, a leader of the China Henan Province sing in churches here. The two main day, and by 2 p.m. he was on a plane for Christ House Church Network, ones were “Blessed Be the Lord God back to Bangkok. was sentenced to seven years, six months in prison for illegally Almighty” and “Father We Love You.” “Four hours later the police came in and crossing the border and Zhejiang Province For the ones they didn’t recognize, arrested 44 Christians. Although some possessing a fradulent passport. Wayne said they just sat and listened, were released soon after, many were held g In the Zhejiang Province, three enjoying the time of praise. for 18 months or longer,” he said. house churches were demolished in 2006; 10 church members were Wayne said listening to the serAfter that narrow experience in Laos, imprisioned. mon was hard because of the lanhe became more cautious on his next trip. guage barrier, but a man sitting near Information courtesy of www.christiantoday.com and the China Aid “The next time I slipped into Laos, our Association’s 2006 persecution report. them translated. mission was quiet,” he said. “Before, we
Christianity inChina This is the second installment in a series that will run in the ‘Optimist’ over the next several weeks documenting Christianity in China and various mission fields where people associated with the university serve. had met in a house, but the windows were open and we were singing so people in the town knew what we were doing. This time the doors were locked, drapes were drawn and a system was in place in case someone came.” A variety of food was laid out in the kitchen, and hiding places were created so Bibles and song books could quickly be hidden in case an unwanted visitor arrived. “If someone came, it would immediately turn from a Christian gathering into a friendly dinner,” Henderson said. “Several people came late to the worship, and to see the fear in the eyes of the Laos Christians, to see who it was at the gate was sobering — they had been to jail. I hadn’t.” By law, Henderson could have been punished had they found him when they broke up the religious meeting the day he left the country. According to the revised Regulations on Religious Affairs, “Non-citizens are not mentioned in the new regulations, and so are still covered by Decree 144, Regulations Governing the Religious Activities of Foreigners in China, which prohibits foreigners from doing the following: establishing sites of religious activities, religious organizations or liaison offices; running religious institutions and schools within China; or appointing religious personnel, recruiting believers and undertaking evangelic activities.” After discussing the dangers, Henderson picked up a book that lists the world’s 10 worst dictatorships and read a few lines about China. “This book was printed in 2004, and it says the Communist party still controls all of the media and has 30,000 Internet security agents working to protect what people know,” he said. “More than 300,0000 Chinese are currently serving reeducation sentences in labor camps and at least 4,000 executions still take place a year, which is more than in all other countries combined.” Although the executions aren’t all religious persecutions, it’s still a sobering fact, he said. Despite statistics, Henderson said people need to know something about Christianity in China. “No. 1: God is working in China,” he said, his voice rising in excitement. “We need to be in prayer and be in preparation. We need to be praying that God will raise up workers in China, and those of our students that have a heart and interest in China need to be preparing.” Read about student mission work in China next week in Part III. E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu
ViewsWednesday Optimist
Page 6
April 4, 2007
Chapel speakers keep it honest, real
The issue:
As Chapel speakers have talked about same-sex attraction in the past several weeks, students have responded with respect.
For two or three days during the past two weeks, not a sound was uttered during Chapel — a feat that most assumed was near impossible happened. The topic: homosexuality and same-sex attraction in dealing with God’s will and our pasts. Why would a topic that makes some uncomfortable, some consider a taboo topic in the body of Christian believers and that some find impossible to fathom, captivate several thousands of college students in the middle of the day? Because the presentation meant something to the crowd, and because the two seemingly different presenters, Dennis Jernigan and Dr.
Our view:
Chapel speakers who are honest with students about difficult issues make the biggest impact.
The solution:
In order to get students to respond in Chapel, ACU should continue to have speakers be open and honest about relevant and often touchy subjects.
Sally Gary, The often unruly group of students can be tamed Coliseum. were real, As a generand learn something from the 30 minute time honest and ation that is spent in Moody Coliseum. gave the augrowing up in dience somea media and thing they technology felt they themselves didn’t year, and leaders such as saturated world whose goal have while in college: hope. Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of is to entertain, we often may We affirm the two pre- Spiritual Life, and his group appear to need to be just that senters for being willing of students, faculty and — entertained. Although the to share a part of their life staff seek Chapel presenters other times in Chapel that that once brought them that have authority to speak seem to gather the interest shame to an unlikely crowd, on the various topics deal- of all in attendance often known for its rudeness and ing with God’s will, the them happen to be when a DVD is disdain for those that take this year, to bless the lives shown, when a group leads the Chapel stage. And we of those that hear them. singing or a dramatic preaffirm the Chapel planning But we’d like others to sentation is given — we too committee for allowing the learn from this experience, can appreciate the beauty of opportunity for the topic to too. The often unruly group testimony. Just be honest be discussed. of students that attend Cha- with us and willing to step Preparation for Cha- pel can be tamed and learn out on a limb. pel themes and topics be- something from the 30 minWhile we’re not advocatgins well before the school ute time spent in Moody ing that all Chapel speakers
Cole Williams
Let Loose
Stop inhumane treatment to animals A few years ago, my grandmother heard screaming when she was walking along the riverbank in Japan. What she discovered was a cardboard box floating on the river, and in the box she found three newborn kitA Different tens put in a plastic bag. Voice She took Atsumi those kittens Shibata to an animal hospital, but only one survived. Probably someone abandoned those kittens after his or her pet bred. Abandoning is terrible enough, but I couldn’t believe someone would try to kill those innocent kittens in such a cruel way. For many people, pets are a loving part of their family, but some seem like they care less about animals’ lives. I’ve heard from a few people that they have observed their hunting friends beat-
When I saw abused animals on TV, I could feel the pain those animals have experienced. I feel guilty and, at the same time, embarrassed as a human being by realizing how selfish we are.
ing and killing small animals without a rifle just for the sake of excitement and entertainment. I’ve seen abused animals that have had serious injury and diseases. Not only wild animals, but also pets are sometimes abused or abandoned by their owners. Those abandoned, homeless animals are usually taken to an animal shelter and wait there until their new owner shows up. However, in many cases, an animal shelter is not capable of keeping all the animals for a long period of time. After a while, what awaits those animals is euthanasia. Since 1999, 55,236 cats and dogs have been killed at the Abilene pound, and the death toll is rising every year, according to Rescue the Animals, a non-profit organization based in Abilene that is dedicated
to helping cats and dogs find a home. In 2005, 9,179 were killed, which means about 25 cats and dogs die per day. There are also “no-kill” animal shelters across the country, but not all the animals can be accepted because of the expenses. It is not the shelter’s fault to have a large number of animals killed there — it is a sad result of people treating animals’ lives without any respect. I believe even animals have feelings. When I saw abused animals on TV, I could feel the pain those animals have experienced. I feel guilty and, at the same time, embarrassed as a human being by realizing how selfish we are. Humans have coexisted with other animals, especially cats and dogs, for centuries, but today some people treat animals as if they
are disposable. When people realize they can’t control their pets, they abandon those pets. When their pets have puppies or kittens, and people can’t find owners for those newborn animals, those newborns have nowhere to go. Do we respect other animals? Are animals less important than humans? Animals are not disposable. Once we decide to live with a dog or a cat, we are responsible for taking good care of it until it passes away. No lives are less important than our lives. At this very moment, death is approaching those cats and dogs at the shelter — they can live if someone becomes their new owner. The Web site of the Abilene pound shows pictures of cats and dogs currently kept there, and we can see what a cruel thing people might have done to them from those pictures.
E-mail Shibata at: axc03e@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
SA needs to focus on all ACU students Gentlemen start your dents on campus, and all Facebook groups — Stu- three of these examples dents’ Association elec- are issues that won’t be tions are upon us. It’s that easy to accomplish. time of year Lets face it, the SA camwhen the paign elections are microdoors, walk- scopic versions of national ways and campaigns filled with false F a c e b o o k promises and voter apathy. inboxes of One way to change that is by ACU are daring to accomplish things filled with that will influence this camc a m p a i g n pus long after our generaStereotype l i t e r a t u r e tion of students is gone. h o l d i n g If SA wants the respect Free p r o m i s e s of the student body and to Daniel of visions end the criticisms that it Johnson for SA and is only there to boost the plans to fix resumes of aspiring poliall the problems of our ticians, they must accomchaotic campus. plish something that isn’t Before we know it, stanc- simple. Simplicity is never es on all the hard issues — noticed, but perseverance more bike racks on campus and a tenacity to get things and the need for fountain done no matter how hard drinks in the they are. Smokehouse If every Grill (the old student is Although SA has Bean Sprout) truly a memproved to be ef— will be plasber of SA, tered on postlike so many ficient at getting ers and sidecandidates little things like walks across remind us bike racks and campus. over and Give me a over again, drinks done on break. shouldn’t campus, they only Although the repreaffect a small num- s e n t a t i v e s , SA has proved ber of students on to be efficient senators and at getting litexecutive ofcampus. tle things like ficers accombike racks plish things and fountain drinks done that make an impact on all on campus, they only af- the students’ lives? fect a small portion of the Let’s not make this year’s students. SA fails to tackle elections a popularity conuniversal issues that affect test; lets make this year’s every student on campus. elections a springboard for That is why the candi- getting things done. With dates I want to win are can- the right officers, SA can didates that aren’t afraid to make a difference on this take on controversial and campus. And with the right universal issues that affect officers we will not have all students across major, another “do-nothing” SA in class and club lines. the next school year. Things like pressuring the administration to implement tuition freezes, extending library hours and being the student body’s voice in chapel decisions. All three of these examples E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu affect the majority of stu-
Dennis Jernigan
Sally Gary
Eric Riggan
Amy Butler
Erin Thornton
freshman Christian ministry major from San Antonio
sophomore elementary education major from San Antonio
freshman vocal music education major from San Antonio
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 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. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
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Randy Harris
In Your Words Who has been the most effective Chapel speaker this school year?
from here on out must be willing to bare their souls to the campus each day, we are saying that as students we appreciate the “realness” of Chapel, when Chapel doesn’t seem as it sometimes can — trite and like Sunday school all over again. If you are going to speak in Chapel or want to present in Chapel, know that a little bit of honesty goes a long way. No need for a three-ring circus to pull off a presentation worth hearing. Just continue to be real. We’ll listen.
Editorial and Management Board Mallory Schlabach
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Wednesday, April 4 , 2007
Banquet: Funds help fight poverty Continued from page 1 “The goal of the banquet is to show people the physical representation of what we want to do,” said Ben DuBose, sophomore business management major from Fort Worth and member of PovertyLink. “Sales are going slow, but we are hopeful.” DuBose said PovertyLink members have been working on preparing the banquet since February. Del Pinal said she wants the banquet to reach 300 attendants. All profits of the evening will go to FaithWorks and Kiva, two
organizations that fight poverty. FaithWorks is an organization in Abilene that helps people find jobs, while Kiva is an online microfinance institution that provides loans to small businesses in the developing world. It connects investors with people who need a loan. The contribution from the Hunger Banquet to Kiva will actually be an investment that will be reimbursed in the future. “Kiva is a very helpful organization because it is very hard for poor people to get loans,” said Del Pinal, senior business management major from Fort Worth.
Founded in January, PovertyLink has about 30 active members. The first meeting took place on Feb. 1. Meetings are now every week and different speakers are invited. During spring break, four members made a trip to Mexico. Del Pinal said they helped start a food distribution program in Monclova, Mexico, and its surrounding area. “We passed out 500 bags of food,” Del Pinal said. “We also went to villages in the countryside where people have no water.” DuBose traveled with Del Pinal to Mexico, but also to
many places in South America where he witnessed poverty. He said the class he took about poverty development made him more aware of poverty issue. “I had this frustration of not knowing what to do to help with poverty,” DuBose said. “I hope we can learn together and fight against it.” Del Pinal said the No. 1 goal of PovertyLink is to change people’s look at poverty. “I’d like them to get to see that poor people are people,” she said.
E-mail Vandendriessche at: optimist@acu.edu
Hunter: Alumnus adds to list of service Continued from page 1 chair for the United Way of Abilene 2007 campaign. Hunter is responsible for helping the United Way of Abilene raise $2 million by the end of the year. Hunter said his contacts throughout the city will help him raise the funds for the non-profit organization.
“Everybody pitches in to help, from ACU to Dyess,” Hunter said. Although Hunter has worked with United Way since he first came to Abilene in 1956, 2007 will be his first year to be chairman of the campaign. In addition to his 20 years in the state capitol, Hunter is a 1952 graduate of ACU and has held numerous positions at the
university. Hunter was director of special events from 1956-57; director of Alumni Relations from 1957-61; assistant to the president from 1961-69; vice president for public relations and development from 1969-74; ACU graduate school of business lecturer from 19741985; senior vice president of the university from 1985-
92 and senior vice president emeritus from 1992 to the present. Hunter is best known on campus for starting Sing Song and Freshman Follies during his time as the director of special events in 1956. “He’s Mr. ACU,” Money said.
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Softball: Wildcats prepare for Storm Continued from page 8 for it in practice this week. “We are going to prepare the ways we always do by getting enough reps and playing an inter-squad game to keep everyone game ready,” Wilson said. The Wildcats return to action this weekend with a dou-
Page 7
FROM THE FRONT/SPORTS JUMPS
bleheader at Southeastern Oklahoma State. So far ACU is 9-7 at home and 4-6 during away games. Wilson said she thought the team did well at home and away. “Sometimes when we are on the road we can focus better,” she said. “There’s not the dis-
traction of other things going on in Abilene.” ACU and Southeastern have played twice this season, and the record between those games is 1-1. Southeastern is also second to last in the North division, and ACU is ranked fifth in the South division. “Southeastern Oklahoma is
a tough team,” Wilson said. “We need to keep them off balance at the plate and simply hit the ball well. They have been struggling, but we just need to play our game and we should have success.”
Trio: ACU remains best teams in LSC Continued from page 8 six of her matches last week to help the Wildcats pick up three victories. Beedy provided a key win in the match with No. 23 Midwestern State to give ACU a 5-4 victory. The players’ selections mark the first time two Wildcats have won the awards in the same week since the second week in March when Irene Squillaci and Ryan Hudson both earned the honors. The women traveled to Edmond, Okla., on Friday and took down Lone Star Conference opponent Central Oklahoma by the score of 7-0. ACU then went to Stillwater, Okla., to take on Division I giant Oklahoma State. Although the Wildcats fell to the Cowgirls 4-0, all three of the doubles matches came down to the wire as Oklahoma State won the three matches by the scores of 8-6, 9-7 and 9-7. “It was very, very exciting,” Jones said. “I thought that was the best doubles we played all year. They’re a good team, and we were just right there with them.” After the match with Oklahoma State, the Wildcats went back to playing Division II teams Saturday and Sunday.
E-mail Davis at: optimist@acu.edu
Center: Gary’s goal extends to all campuses Center Peace is built on the biblical concept of table fellowship. “Without Christ at the center of our lives, there is no peace,” Gary said. “But when you come to the table, we experience love that transforms us.” Center Peace is made up of two components. The first component is to be compassionate to individuals dealing with homosexuality. Right now, Gary meets with a support group of 10-15 students who struggle with same-sex attrac-
tion or who want to work with such individuals. “The support group is a very protected group,” said board secretary Kacey Higgins. “There are no names anywhere. Once the group is made, it’s closed to protect the privacy of people who are in it.” The second piece of Center Peace is to educate churches and universities as to how they can be a part of this growing effort. “This is not a referral service,” Gary said. “This is to help home congregations who will reach out to people dealing
with same-sex attraction.” Training includes a weekend workshop, which will be provided to congregations and curriculum is currently being developed. Lubbock Christian University and Oklahoma Christian University have expressed interest in being part of Gary’s non-profit organization. Gary said her goal is to start a Center Peace group on every college campus across the globe. “I think the vision and the mission are the real strengths,” Higgins said. “Sal-
ly’s passion for it [and] the need for it, has been received with such welcome.” Though Center Peace is an independent organization, Gary said she has received positive feedback from her church and the ACU community. “There are always skeptics,” Gary said. “But I have received nothing but overwhelming love and support from my colleagues and everyone in this place.”
E-mail Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu
Lucado: Friends and family feel decision is timely Continued from page 1 My dad’s always been the preacher, and so my first thought was to wonder what it would be like to go home and see someone else preaching.” She said since his decision she’s seen that now is the best time for this transition. “If he’s going to step down sometime, it might as well be now, especially with his heart condition,” she said. “I’ve seen that it really is the right time for him and us to make the change.” Dr. Charlie Marler, professor emeritus of journalism and
mass communication, taught Lucado while he attended the university and said he too was surprised by Lucado’s decision. “This will a great time of transition for the church, but I’m glad that Max will still be continuing his writing,” Marler said. “So many people have been touched by his books, and he’s reached all kinds of people. His strengths as a writer and minister are complimentary for him.” Lucado first began his career in the ministry when he decided to obtain a master’s degree in missions, which he completed at ACU in 1981.
From there, he ministered at a church in Miami, and then moved with his wife Denalyn to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he spent the next five years. “It was during his time in Brazil that he discovered his writing talent,” Marler said. Lucado published his first book, “On the Anvil (Shaped by God),” in 1983, after compiling a collection of articles he had written for the newsletter at the church in Miami where he first began. In 1987, Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, was in Brazil when he told Lucado about an opening at
E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
Pipes: Speechwriter encourages action Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1
ACU downed Northeastern State, who is currently ranked No. 13 in Division II polls, 81, and East Central, Division II’s No. 25 team, 6-3. Both matches were close, as best demonstrated by ACU winning all four singles matches in three sets against Northeastern State. “When you go four-for-four in three-setters, that’s just a sign to me of a good day of your team in the right mental mode,” Jones said. The ACU men played two Division I teams in Dallas on Saturday. First, the Wildcats defeated Prairie View A&M, 40. The win counted as ACU’s sixth victory this year over a Division I opponent. “I’m pretty proud of them,” Jones said. But the Wildcats were unable to pick up its seventh win as they fell to Arkansas-Little Rock, a team that is tied for the No. 75 spot in Division I polls, 4-1. Both Wildcat teams will be back in action Friday as they host New Mexico Military Institute, Eastern New Mexico and Lone Star Conference rival Cameron.
Oak Hills Church in San Antonio. Lucado said after Money told him about the position, and “the rest was history.” Since then, he’s published at least one book a year, written children’s books and has a one-minute radio feature, “UpWords with Max Lucado,” broadcasted in more than 1,000 stations nationwide. Lucado’s transition to a less demanding role at the church will still allow him to preach at the church and to have a teaching ministry.
E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu
and keeping the faith of his constituents — in a speech Pipes said Schwarzenegger liked and delivered well. “None of this I’ve planned,” Pipes said while autographing another copy of “Ike’s Final Battle.” “God sort of guides you.” When he left the university, Pipes said his only solid plan was to attend graduate school. He keeps his ties with ACU, returning to speak to LYNAY and e-mailing Dr. Gary McCaleb and Dr. Mel Hailey, both of whom he calls mentors. McCaleb gave Pipes his first internship while he was serving as mayor of Abilene, and Pipes credits Hailey with “push[ing] me to strengthen my arguments and lose the clichés and talking points”
— lessons he said he hasn’t left behind. Students aren’t likely to leave Pipes’ message behind either. Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, thanked Pipes for addressing the students. “It’s one of those lifedefining moments that you almost don’t expect,” Money said. “Any politician can make a statement,” Pipes said. “But only a leader can make a difference. And the difference is made through actions, not words [and] over time, not overnight.” But for Pipes, his words seem to make the difference on their own.
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Naimadu: Texas relays next for ACU athletes Continued from page 8 Springtime Invitational. Vladyslav Gorbenko jumped 252.00 feet in the long jump and the women’s 4x400 relay, with a time of 3:41.34, won the event. The men’s 4x400 relay team improved its provisional time, winning the event with a
time of 40.50 seconds. Also at Stanford, Serger Gasore and Laurant Ngirakamaro provisionally qualified in the 10k with times of 30:19.38 and 30: 36.94, respectively. In the 5,000-kilometers, Philip Birgen provisionally qualified in 14:43.62 minutes. E-mail Fields at: jrf03c@acu.edu
SportsWednesday
Page 8
ScoreBoard Standings Scoreboard as of Tuesday
Team
BASEBALL Div. 4-0 4-0 3-1 1-3 0-4 0-4
ACU TAMK-U Angelo St. ENMU Tarleton WTAM
Overall 28-8 21-15 26-10 16-22 18-20 8-25
SOFTBALL
Team
Div. 15-1 11-1 7-5 5-7 6-10 TX Woman’s 2-10 WTAM 2-14 Angelo St. TAMK-U Tarleton ENMU ACU
Overall 35-6 28-10 21-10 20-20 19-16 11-26 12-29
Scores Friday SOFTBALL ACU 4, East Central 2
WOMEN’S TENNIS ACU 7, Central Oklahoma 0 ACU 0, Oklahoma State 4
Saturday BASEBALL ACU 14, Tarleton State 13 ACU 8, Tarleton State 1
MEN’S TENNIS ACU 4, Prairie View-A&M 0 ACU 1, Arkansas-Little Rock 4
WOMEN’S TENNIS ACU 8, Northeastern State 1
Sunday BASEBALL ACU 14, Tarleton State 13 ACU 8, Tarleton State 1
Tuesday
BASEBALL
ACU 18, Incarnate Word 7
Upcoming Thursday TRACK & FIELD ACU at McMurry Indian Relays, all day ACU at Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, Austin, all day
Friday TRACK & FIELD ACU at Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, Austin, all day
WOMEN’S TENNIS ACU vs. Eastern New Mexico, 9 a.m.
April 4, 2007
Naimadu runs world’s best 10K time in ‘07 n ACU long distance phenom Nicodemus Naimadu posted the world’s best 10,000kilometers time this year Saturday. By JARED FIELDS Managing Editor
He’s not human. At least Derek Hood doesn’t think so. It’s the only explanation he can give about Nicodemus Naimadu. Naimadu turned in a world-best time this year of 28:06.06 in the 10,000-kilometers at the Stanford Invitational on Saturday night. The mark shattered ACU’s school record set by Laurant Ngirakamaro of 29:26.25 by 80 seconds. The race was Naimadu’s first time to run the 10K since coming to ACU. “I’ve been wanting to run the 10k for a long time,” Naimadu said. “I told coach early in the semester I want to run the 10k.” Hood said the two have been discussing Naimadu running the race but
Track & Field recalls one time specifically. “Minutes after indoor nationals,” he said. In the process, Naimadu beat some of the best distance runners in the country. “Anything over 10,000 meters, he’s our best hope,” Hood said about Ryan Hall, whom Naimadu beat. “He set the [North] American half-marathon record over Christmas break.” Hood knows Naimadu hasn’t focused on training for such a long race, the 10k is about 6.2 miles, but sees something in Naimadu that sets him apart. “It’s just the blessing that Nic has — the talent,” Hood said. “He hasn’t done 10,000-meter training.” The Stanford Invitational is one of the premiere meets for long-distance runners, bringing top runners from the country and world to compete. ”That was the point of going,”
said Hood. Hood said most people would take some time to rest after such a race, but Naimadu has a title to defend in Austin at the Texas Relays. “He ran 25 laps on a hard track in spikes,” Hood said. “Running 4:30 mile splits.” But Naimadu is human. His sore calves and back are steady reminders to him. However, with a few days of rest, Naimadu said he knows he will be ready to defend his steeplechase crown. “I know my body will respond fine,” Naimadu said. Naimadu ran an 8:35.87 in the event last year, breaking the stadium record. “An 8:35, I plan to run better than that,” he said. Other than Naimadu, the Wildcats automatically qualified two events for the national outdoor meet this weekend at the UTEP See
NAIMADU page 7
FILE PHOTO brian schmidt
Three-time cross country national champion Nicodemus Naimadu runs the mile at the NCAA Division II indoor national championships.
Sweep lifts ACU to first in LSC n The 17th-ranked ACU baseball team swept its first Lone Star Conference South Division series against Tarleton State to start divisional play with a 4-0 record. By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Editor
With the game-winning run on third, all ACU needed to sweep Tarleton State was a hit from shortstop Willy Uechi. Instead, all Uechi had to do was take a step back and let second baseman Thomas Bumpass run home. Bumpass scored the game-winning run in the ninth inning of the extra inning game after TSU catcher Keith Peacock lost the ball behind the plate after not catching a pitch from starter Garrett Carruth. “Winning a close game like that really gives your team a boost,” Bumpass said. ACU came out on top 2-1 in pitcher’s duel between ACU starter Trey Watten and Carruth to sweep the four-game series and extend its overall record to 28-8. ACU beat Tarleton in Sunday’s first game 7-8, and won both games Saturday, 14-3 and 8-1. The 17th-ranked Wildcats’ sweep was the first against Tarleton in the teams’ playing history and lifted the Wildcats to first place in the LSC South. ACU is tied with Texas A&M-Kingsville. Kingsville swept West Texas A&M in its first LSC-South series.
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Closer Jameson Maj strikes out Tarleton State batter Nick Love on Sunday to end the third game of ACU’s fourgame series against Tarleton. Maj pitched in all four games for a team high 15 strikeouts, and his nine saves this season gives him both the ACU single-season record and ties him for first in career saves.
Baseball The Wildcats’ stayed at No. 17 in the collegiate baseball newspaper national poll despite picking up four wins, but ACU now leads the league in RBI (281), team batting percentage (.365) and ERA (4.66). “I’m excited to start out
on top, but we still have a long way to go,” said starting pitcher Trey Watten. A majority of the Wildcats’ wins over Tarleton were because of solid pitching from both its starters and the bullpen, the most impressive of which was closer Jameson Maj. Maj pitched in all four
games, striking out 15 Tarleton batters and only allowing four hits in six and two-thirds innings. Maj extended his single-season team record for saves to nine and tied the career save record set by former Wildcat Jarod Cross after picking up a save in game three against Tarleton.
“[My arm’s] not sore yet,” Maj said after two innings of work in game four. “It’s getting hard to lift a little though.” Center fielder Matt Spotanski was the star of the Wildcat’s offense over the weekend, hitting a .588 at the plate and swinging for two triples and six RBI in four games. ACU’s began its winning weekend with a 10-run comeback in game one. The Wildcats fell in a 133 hole after Tarleton pulled ahead capping off a 12-run, three-inning rally in the top of the six. ACU responded with a six-run rally in the bottom of the sixth to avoid a 10-run rule. After relief pitcher Matt Sullivan and closer Jameson Maj didn’t allow any runs in the final three innings, ACU battled back to win the game 14-13. “When you make a comeback like that it shows that your team has heart,” said starting pitcher Chris Wiman. ACU’s next conference matchup will be against defending LSC-South champs Angelo State on Friday at Crutcher Scott Field. “Right now it feels like we really can’t be beat at home,” Bumpass said.
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
ACU vs. Cameron, 2 p.m.
MEN’S TENNIS ACU vs. New Mexico Military, 9 a.m.
Wildcats claim one despite cancellations
ACU vs. Cameron, 2 p.m.
BASEBALL ACU vs. Angelo State, 2 p.m. (DH)
SOFTBALL
n Weather conditions canceled a majority of the ACU softball team’s games at the LSC Crossover tournament, but ACU did get one win over East Central on Friday.
ACU vs. Southeastern Oklahoma, Durant, Okla., 2 p.m. (DH)
Saturday
By RACHEL DAVIS
TRACK & FIELD
Sports Writer
ACU at Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, Austin, all day
BASEBALL ACU vs. Angelo State, 2 p.m. (DH)
n Home games listed in italics
Intramural Round-up Upcoming n The intramural schedule and points seen on the Optimist sports page are not final and subject to change. Any lastminute changes can be viewed on the intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum.
Thursday n No intramural games on Thursday because of Easter break.
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Meagan Brown reaches for a ball during her singles match against Southeastern Oklahoma State’s Maria Velasco on March 28. The women’s tennis team is 19-3 overall after picking up three wins in Oklahoma this weekend.
Women win trio in Oklahoma n The ACU women’s team swept three Lone Star Conference North Division opponents and lost a close match to the Division I Oklahoma State this weekend. By MICHAEL FREEMAN Online Editor
Aina Rafolomanantsiatosika and Kevin Beedy took home Lone Star Conference Player of the Week awards before helping the Wildcats win on the road over the weekend. From Friday through Sun-
Tennis day, the ACU women beat three conference rivals but fell in a hard-fought match to Oklahoma State, who is ranked No. 52 in Division I rankings. The Wildcat men beat Prairie View A&M and lost to Arkansas-Little Rock in Dallas last Saturday. The women now have a record of 19-3, and the men are 19-8. “I’m very happy with our efforts up to this point,” said
head coach Hutton Jones. Rafolomanantsiatosika and Beedy both produced efforts last week worthy of recognition from the Lone Star Conference. The Lone Star Conference Player of the Week awards are given out each week by the conference after schools nominate their players for the recognition. Rafolomanantsiatosika, the No. 20 singles player in Division II tennis, won all See
TRIO page 7
Three of the Wildcats’ four scheduled games were canceled because of weather conditions in the Metroplex, but the team was able to walk away with a win under its belt this weekend. ACU was participating in the Lone Star Conference Crossover Tournament in Irving this weekend when heavy rainfall swept through the Dallas area, canceling most of the tournament’s games. “We are always upset to travel somewhere and not be able to play,” said head coach Chantiel Wilson. “We needed the at-bats and innings for our pitchers.” On Friday, the team pulled out its third straight win against East Central with a score of 8-2. The score puts ACU at an overall record of 19-16, and the
Softball team’s conference record remains at 6-10. “We played well,” Wilson said. “Jamie Ledford pitched a great game, and we were pretty consistent by scoring most every inning.” Ledford pitched all seven innings, striking out five batters while only giving up six hits and Ledford two earned runs. The team’s second game Friday was rained out, and the heavy rainfall left too much water on the fields for Saturday’s games. The judges called off the rest of the tournament, where ACU was scheduled to play Southeastern Oklahoma State and Southwestern Oklahoma State. The team was sad to lose games, but Wilson is confident the team will make up See
SOFTBALL page 7