The Optimist Print Edition 04.20.18 by ACU Optimist

Yoga class led for Title IX awareness Page 2

NEWS

Friday, April 20, 2018 Vol. 106, Issue 28

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

MYSTERY MACHINE DRIVER GRADUATES Page 3

KEEPIN’ IT GREEN NICHOLAS CROMWELL STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Nancy Preston, sophomore from Houston decides which free plant to take at the Student Government Association movie night Wednesday.

CALENDAR 4/20

Students participate in Earth Week

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BY BRIAN SWEET

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OMA Backyard Bash at 5 p.m. ACU Theatre James and the Giant Peach at 7 p.m.

4/21 • • •

Kirk Goodwin Run at 9 a.m. Hispanos Unidos banquet at 6 p.m. Winterguard spring show at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum

4/23 •

Foundation a cappella concert at 8:30 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium

4/24 •

Society of Physics Students Cosmic Cafe at Monks Coffee Shop

BOX OFFICE APRIL 13-15 1. Rampage

$35,753,093

2. A Quiet Place $32,970,049 3. Truth or Dare $18,667,855 4. Ready Player One $11,519,388 5. Blockers $10,770,310

DAYS UNTIL

GRADUATION

FEATURE

THEATRE BRINGS GIANT PEACH TO LIFE Page 5

STAFF REPORTER

ACU students are changing colors from purple to green this week as ACU’s campus recognizes Earth Day. Two student groups will have activities on campus this week to celebrate Earth Day. The Wildcat Wildlife Society, a student-led group formed by the Agriculture and Environmental Sciences department, will be doing a service project by cleaning up the nature trail on Saturday at 9 p.m. Wildcats for Sustainability will be teaching students how to plant their own herbs from 9 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the Campus Center Thursday and then showing the movie the Lorax at 7:30 p.m. in the quad. On Friday they will host a recycle-a-thon where

students can win prizes. ReAnna Carpenter, a junior wildlife management major from Nashville, Tennessee and President of the Wildcat Wildlife Society, said that since she was little, this is the field that she wanted to go into. “I grew up with my dad, who is a wildlife biologist as well as an environmentalist,” Carpenter said. “He taught me early on about the impact of nature and our environment. I watched him help almost every day to better our environment. Earth week was his favorite because he always was doing an Earth Day project. I slowly grew to love Earth day/week over the years and also strive to help better our environment every day not just earth day/week.” Dr. Jim Carpenter, an associate professor in the agricultural and environmental

sciences department, said that he wants both clubs to do more events together. “I would also like us to work more closely with Wildcats for Sustainability,” Carpenter said. “A lot of our students are members of the club.” ReAnna hopes that when she leaves ACU that the Wildlife Society club continues to grow on campus. “My hope for the club once I leave ACU is for it to continue to thrive,” ReAnna said. “I think a lot of people overlook the club because we are smaller than most clubs on campus, but that does not mean we are unimportant. We are a club of students wanting to help increase awareness of wildlife while improving our skills for our future use in wildlife management fields.”

as well as medical clinics internationally. In 2002, she returned to ACU to teach in the psychology department and served as the director of the school psychology graduate program. During her time, the program received national accreditation and has retained it since.

In 2013, she began working in the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning serving as the director of faculty development. In 2015, she was promoted to executive director. Shewmaker began overseeing the implementation of the university’s strategic plan, and in 2017

began serving as assistant provost for teaching, learning and inquiry. As the dean of CEHS, Shewmaker said her position serves to support the college faculty, staff and students. In addition, she is required to provide leadership and overall direction for the mission and vision of the

college, and she will report to the provost. The dean supervises the operations of the departments, provides program and curriculum development and oversees departmental budget development and expenditures. “I’m excited to be able

on campus nominate top students from their department. Members of the subcommittee of the Faculty Senate, the University Scholar subcommittee, then read through the nominations and selected the 50 most deserving students. Usually, 27 departments each choose a designated scholar to automatically receive the award. Twenty-three spots still needed

to be filled with “at-large positions.” There were fifty-two nominations left for those remaining spots. Twenty-three of them were picked to finish the 50 needed based on what the committee reads in the nominations. The requirements to be an eligible University Scholar, Barnett said in an email, are earning a 3.5 or higher GPA, completing 90 hours of school and

graduating in the current calendar year. Students must also “excel in scholarly activity appropriate to their disciplines,” said Barnett, associate professor in communication sciences and disorders and graduate program coordinator. Barnett said many of the students honored had conducted “some pretty extensive and very impressive research.”

“And those really amaze us on the committee because we know that they’re very busy with their classes, too,”Barnett said. “But then to be able to perform such research and often go off and present it and then have it published really impresses us.”

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

Alexandria Warren hands out a free smoothie in the Campus Center Wednesday.

Nicholas Grandell (left) and Bryson Jennings (right) ready to share about compost.

CEHS names Shewmaker as new Dean BY LAUREN FRANCO

CONTENT MANAGING EDITOR

Jennifer Shewmaker will be the new dean of the College of Education and Human Services starting June 1. Before coming to ACU, Shewmaker worked in public and private schools

SEE DEAN PAGE 2

Fifty graduates honored as University Scholars BY HANNAH JOHNSON STAFF REPORTER

The Faculty Senate chose 50 graduating seniors to carry the honor of being 2018 University Scholars, and they were presented the awards in a ceremony Thursday in Chapel on the Hill. Dr. Denise Barnett, a Faculty Senate member who organized the event, said departments

W W W. A C U O P T I M I S T. C O M

SEE SCHOLARS PAGE 2

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FRIDAY | APRIL 20, 2018

Students honored as University Scholars CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARS

Rachael Shudde, senior mathematics and computer science major from Abilene, said she is honored to be awarded alongside some “really amazing people.” Nominated by Dr. David Hendricks, professor of mathematics, Shudde conducted statistics research on the correlation between GPA, major and starting salary after graduation and a research study with Dr. Katie Wick, assistant professor of management sciences, on cheating rates among students at ACU. Shudde said she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in statistics at Texas A&M University in the fall. HVJ11A@ACU.EDU

Shewmaker new leader of CEHS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

to support the faculty, staff and students in CEHS,” Shewmaker said via email. “It is a dynamic college focused on academic excellence, encouraging each of us to live our SHEWMAKER out mission of service, find our vocation in the work that we are called to do and build belonging within a community of like minded people. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to support this community.” LMF14A@ACU.EDU

Carley Johnson

Carlee Lane

Shelby Watson

Kaylen Nelson

Madeline Moore

Macy Fleming

John Placide

Rachael Shudde

Kaleigh Borge

Whitney Brantley

Katherine Simmons

McKinley Terry

Courtney Barton

Mackenzie Sanderson

Nevan Simone

Kylie Wilson

Dillon Minick

Caleb Martin

Julia Taylor

Victoria Spooner

George Bush

Michaela Laird

Corynn Martin

Macy Hubbard

Jacqueline DeMuynck

Alexis Taylor

Emily Adams

Bryn Stonehouse

Kaila Bellinghausen

Aaron Burch

Caleb Hicks

Savannah Ochran

Trenton Gardner

Kaylin Baker

Nathan Jowers

Emiley Duke

Savannah Weeks

Joshua Baker

Erin DeOtte

Haley Remenar

Jonathan Shelburne

Chloe Fifer

Kathryn Hamilton

Katie Isham

Cecilia Grainger

Forrest Lorenzen

Nicholas Cromwell

Alexandra Sakakeeny

Valerie Kocsis

Parker Finley

Abigail Needham

KACU to raise money during pledge drive BY ASHLAN SMITH VIDEOGRAPHER

KACU is currently hosting their semi-annual pledge drive this week. KACU is a public radio station, an independent station that airs programming from NPR, the national public radio and other distributors. The station provides news, and people can stream the radio music. KACU is not fully

funded by the university itself, but has the universities support. The programming is paid for by the community. “A lot of key figures come in and support the station.” said Nathan Gibbs assistant professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications and general manager at KACU “It’s a very professional workplace.” Gibbs said. The university gives

“

We are able to contribute to students who are in our program who are doing news stories.” NATHAN GIBBS GENERAL MANAGER OF KACU

support to KACU when it comes to providing the facility and some of KACU’s staff members.

“Not a lot of schools have a professional NPR station.”, said Gibbs KACU programs range from Morning Edition to TED radio hour. 10,000 people a week will at least hear KACU once in the week. During this week KACU is hoping to raise 35,000 dollars. Donations can be made online at their website, or by calling in to the station. “We are able to contribute to students who

are in our program who are doing news stories. Their stories are able to air across the state or even potentially across the country, if they get picked up by NPR or across the state-wide network.” For more information about KACU, visit their website at kacu.org or call in at (325) 674-2441.

pression of the pose, so in my opinion, it’s a lot more mental awareness and being very present in what you are doing.” Baker has had her license to teach yoga for five years, and she said it has become a huge part of her life since then. “People always think that you have to be flexible to do yoga, but you do yoga to become flexible,” Baker said. “People are often intimidated by yoga, because they think people are going to be staring at you, but all the insecurities that any one person has going into yoga class, everyone else

has the same ones. One of the great things about yoga is whether you’re a couch potato or a professional athlete, there’s a place for everyone to start.” The class is every Tuesday at 7:30 in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Anyone can come with a GroupX pass, which cost $17 for the rest of the year, or with a one day pass for $7. Attendees should bring a mat and a water bottle.

ADS15E@ACU.EDU

Yoga class to raise awareness of sexual assault BY STELLA WIESER COPY EDITOR

Karen Baker is partnering with the Title IX office to raise awareness of sexual harassment and Title IX through her Tuesday yoga class. “Yoga has been used as a type of therapy for people who have gone through different forms of sexual trauma,” said Baker, senior Kinesiology major from Austin. “So it’s really kind of cool to be able to put what I have learned into practice to help other people.” Originally, they had

planned to do one separate class this past Saturday. “It was the Saturday where it dropped down to 30 degrees, and it was supposed to be an outdoors class, like a sunset class,” Baker said, “but we had to cancel it because it was so cold.” Because the separate class was cancelled, Baker said they decided to advertise her regular Tuesday yoga class as part of the April Sexual Assault Awareness month. “Yoga really emphasizes a mind-body connection, so you’re really having to tune in and pay attention to what you’re doing

Karen Baker practicing yoga poses in the Recreation and Wellness Center. in certain poses,” Baker said. “If you’re not paying attention to every single

muscle movement, every single muscle group, you’re not really using the full ex-

ECW13B@ACU.EDU

POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 04/14/2018 11:52 p.m. A student reported the theft of money from his dorm room in McKinzie Hall. 04/15/2018 1:02 a.m. A second McKinzie tenant reported the theft of money from his McKinzie Hall dorm room. 04/15/2018 1:03 a.m. ACUPD and Abilene PD responded to calls of shots fired in the 1600 block of Cedar Crest. Responding units were unable to locate the source. Witnesses observed people running in the street but no one was present when officers arrived. No other reports of victims or damage. 04/15/2018 08:27 a.m. A student’s parked vehicle was struck by a vehicle driven by an unknown hit and run driver in the Gardner Lot. 04/16/2018 11:30 a.m. A student’s bicycle was stolen from the backyard of their house in the 600 block of EN 21st . 04/16/2018 2:36 p.m. ACUPD investigated an RA’s report of the strong odor of marijuana in UP, Bldg #9; tenants had left the apartment prior officers’ arrival, but a strong odor of burned marijuana lingered. No contraband observed. ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY 28 ADVICE 1 ALARM 3 ANIMAL CALL 1 ASSIST 4 BARRICADES 8 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK 10 BURGLARY (RESIDENCE) 3 CART PATROL 1 CHECK BUILDING 256 CITATION ISSUANCE 3 CRIMINAL TRESPASS

WARNING 2 DISCHARGE OF FIREARM 1 DRUG ACTIVITY/OFFENSE 2 ESCORT 1 FOOT PATROL 6 FOUND PROPERTY 2 HARASSMENT 1 HIT AND RUN 1 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP 7 LOST PROPERTY 3 MAINTENANCE: UNIVERSITY ASSETS 1

MEDICAL EMERGENCY 1 MONITOR FACILITY/LOT 6 MOTORIST ASSIST: INFLATE TIRE 2 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART 1 MOTOR ASSIST: OTHER 8 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK 4 NOISE VIOLATION 2 OTHER 45 PARKING LOT PATROL 2 PARKING VIOLATION 4

PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL PROWLER RANDOM PATROL RECKLESS DRIVING REFUEL GASOLINE CANS REPORT WRITING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY SUSPICIOUS PERSON THEFT TRAFFIC HAZARD TRAFFIC STOP

7 1 8 1 1 17 1 7 2 1 4 3

TRAINING VEHICLE COLLISION WANTED SUBJECT TOTAL

1 2 2 584

POLICE CHIEF TIP OF THE WEEK: April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Alcohol lowers inhibitions and impairs judgement. Don’t let alchohol play a role in consent for sex.

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FRIDAY | APRIL 20, 2018

BY HALEY REMENAR EDITOR IN CHIEF

END OF A MYSTERY Driver of Mystery Machine to graduate

BY HALEY REMENAR EDITOR IN CHIEF

fter four years of birthday parties, Halloween events and random photo ops, the Mystery Machine will no longer attract the attention of Scooby Doo fans on the streets of Abilene. Nathan Reynolds, the vehicle’s owner, will graduate in May and plans to move to New Braunfels. Fans of the Mystery Machine may have noticed its absence in recent weeks, as the vehicle’s engine doesn’t start anymore. He said other than his ’97 GMC Safari, he knows of no other exact replica of the vehicle from the cartoon mystery series. After getting it painted at his high school’s body shop, he drove it to Abilene to start four years of adventures and 270,000 miles in the old van. “I’ve waited in line to get in my car before,” said Reynolds, senior management major from Kingwood. “I’ve had someone chase me down to get wedding photos with it. People showed up at my door for kids’ birthday parties.” Reynolds said he would find notes on the car asking if he was hunting monsters, or Scooby Doo dolls left on the hood. A stranger once ran up to his car and asked for a ride to the Campus Center, just so he could get a ride in the Mystery Machine. “It’s 21 years old, it needs a new everything,” Reynolds said. “I could repair it, and take it down with me. Or I could grow up. So now I drive a Cadillac.” He said he hasn’t decided if he will fix it and drive it back to his parents’ house, or sell it before he leaves town. lthough he doesn’t hunt for monsters, Reynolds hunts for treasures as an antique dealer for Fabulous Finds, an Abilene antique store. The

Mystery Machine caught the attention of the owner of Fabulous Finds, Terry Stubbs, whom Reynolds met at several estate sales. “He kind of stood out cause he drives that funny Scooby Doo van,” Stubbs said. “And I’m drawn to weirdos, so it was just natural that we became friends.” Although Stubbs’ house is full of old items dating back to the 18th century, Reynolds gave Stubbs a Christmas present older than anything else in his house.

It was a 100,000-year-old mammoth rib. “In this business, you have to have an eye for the unusual or high quality, and Nathan has that,” Stubbs said. When he first came to college, Reynolds wanted to become a doctor. He studied biology for a year but changed his major to business because he said he wanted to invent things and become an entrepreneur. He won the 2015 Springboard Elevator Pitch contest for his backpack cover idea

called “The Burro.” “I have the first prototype I ever made,” Reynolds said. “I bought a tablecloth at an estate sale, and I stapled it together to make a pack cover. And then I made another prototype, and then I made a nicer prototype.” He also tried to win startup money from the Springboard competition that spring, but he didn’t win the contest. He realized he needed to start making money to patent the backpack cover, and he discov-

ered he could turn a profit buying and selling antique cameras. He began building his own collection of antiques and artifacts, and now has a museum in his house. His items range from antique pocket watches, to fur stoles, to furniture and even two woolly mammoth femurs. “They’re all museum-quality,” Reynolds said. “I don’t waste my time on things anyone can get their hands on cause that’s just no fun.”

Reynolds sits in his home surrounded by museum-quality pieces. To his right sits a taxidermy penguin. To his left stands a display case with a woolly mammoth femur.

Reynolds holds a book filled with invention ideas. Beside him is a kit for antique restoration. He sits on a Victorian era settee with fur stoles hanging on the back

Reynolds turned an antique TV set into a display case for fossils.

He used the Netflix show Four Rooms to create his own negotiating style. The show involves four antique dealers negotiating to get the best deal on the same item. Reynolds said he combined a few of the styles to form his own style, and he almost always gets items for cheaper prices. He got a settee set from the 1800s for $200 that was originally priced at $750. eynolds can be seen around campus with a handlebar mustache, a vintage pocket watch and brightly-colored pants. Reynolds said he wears only vintage men’s shoes, like a pair of purple alligator shoes currently being re-soled by cobbler. Unlike most college students, Reynolds prefers to get items that are old and made to last. “People like changing things, they want the newest style,” Reynolds said. “We wait for things to tear up and go away, so we can justify getting something new. Whereas for me, I’d much rather have quality. If I want it, I’ll keep it forever. And if I get bored of it, I’ll sell it and buy something else.” Through his job at Fabulous Finds, Reynolds made connections with antique dealers all over the state. He even met Derill Osborn, the head of men’s fashion at Neiman Marcus, and a fellow lover of antiques. Reynolds said Osborn inspired him to continue wearing “crazy” and colorful clothes while staying professional. “He saw my outfit and he was like, ‘My, I bet Abilene’s never seen anything like you before,’” Reynolds said. So while it’s driver won’t be in Abilene after graduating in May, the future of the Mystery Machine remains a mystery.

HRR13B@ACU.EDU

FRIDAY | APRIL 20 2017

F EAT U R E

FRIDAY | APRIL 20 2017

F EATU R E

SWEEET PEACHES Follow the tale of a boy’s big dreams, enormous luck and quick wits in the theatre department’s spring musical, James and the Giant Peach WRITTEN BY EMILY GUAJARDO ARTS AND FEATURES EDITOR PHOTOS BY HOLLY DORN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

etting sail to reach hope, family and sense of self-identity, the Department of Theatre will premiere James and the Giant Peach for the spring musical in Fulks Theatre this weekend. In the triumphant tale of James Henry Trotter, a young, orphan whose parents were killed in an accident resulting in the custody of his wretched aunts, James sets sail to find his everlasting hope – a real family. When encountering a magic man with the potion to relieve James from his nightmare of a life, James magically grows an enormous peach which leads him to embark on a journey with his human-sized insect friends. Filled with laughter, child-like nuances and peculiar character developments, the musical is expected to inspire and attract all audiences. Marissa Trujillo, stage manager for the show, said the musical is meant to show different aspects of the theatre while still contributing to the story. “The show itself has been really fun,” Trujillo, sophomore theatre education and design tech double major from Forney, said. “It requires a lot of work and communication with the cast, director teams and it’s honestly been so great. For this show, I call all of the lights and cues, and it’s really been

great to see this beautiful show come together.” Just like James learning to grow up in his world of chaos, Trujillo said being stage manager for any show is a big job considering this is Trujillo’s first show to manage. “I have grown a lot,” Trujillo said. “You have to learn how to talk with the production team, directors and cast and how to be assertive. I’ve learned how to put my foot down and still be respectful throughout the whole process.”

rom the subdued light changes to the interestingly Victorian-Gothic costumes, the musical has allowed for some members of the cast to add their own take on their character. Carl Kimbrough, who plays the quick witted and imaginative character James, said he first began preparing for the title role by watching and reading different orphaned characters including Harry Potter. In learning how Potter felt and the challenges a character faces when losing a parent, Kimbrough said he was able to dig a little deeper in the development of James’s character. “I really looked at a lot of outside sources and drew from them,” Kimbrough, junior musical theatre major from Marietta, GA, said. “I also drew some past, personal experiences of feeling this loneliness but then finding joy through your family.” Although Kimbrough is the title role, he doesn’t consider himself the star of the show. For Kim-

brough, there are different factors that contribute to make someone the star of the show. “Theatre is a lot more than just the star,” Kimbrough said. “There is no way to stay one part is more than another. I would say, ‘I am the title role, but there are other parts that are just as important as mine.’ This isn’t the first time I’ve been a lead. Having a title role takes a lot of responsibility. You have to make sure you know your part and have to prepare for it.”

n the mayhem of crazy aunts, the play does want to make one general statement; the acceptance of all types of people. Kimbrough said he urges people to see the show because of the messages presented throughout the show. “I think the show is something we really need right now,” Kimbrough said. “I think it speaks to things that are very controversial, and I think people need to see it and say ‘Hey, I just need to love people.’” Topping off the end of their successful season, the musical is ready to spread the holistic message of finding love both in people and within one’s self. The show will run April 20-22 and 27-29. Tickets will be sold online or at the door for $7 for students. EAG13A@ACU.EDU

FRIDAY | APRIL 20 2017

F EAT U R E

FRIDAY | APRIL 20 2017

F EATU R E

OP I N I ON

FRIDAY | APRIL 20, 2018

Keep the schedule after Green Week is over

THE ISSUE

People want to help the environment, but don’t care to help after Green Week has passed.

OUR TAKE

Everybody needs to make an effort to help the environment every day, even when it’s not a holiday. As Green Week comes to an end and we approach Earth Day, we become conscious of our environment and how we treat it. This awareness, however, goes away and we are back to our old habits of polluting, littering and neglecting our environment. Our efforts during the month of April are a wonderful place to start, but they are definitely not a good place to stop. In the U.S., 67 percent of lakes are deemed unsafe for swimming or fishing by the Environmental Protection Agency. Americans produce more than 110 million tons of solid waste for landfills every year and access to clean air and water is decreasing all over the world, so it is essential that we work to preserve and protect our environment. We have real problems affecting our nation, yet most

people remain apathetic to helping, or simply don’t know how they can. A Gallup poll in March, 2018 showed that 68 percent of Americans believe the government is doing too little for the environment, but in another survey found that only 32 percent of people said they care a great deal about the environment, down from 65 percent in 1990. We have a growing apathy for fixing the problem, but a drive for the problem to be fixed. We can only play part in the solution by making an effort. Whether it is through everyday recycling, protesting industrial waste or simply being a voice for preservation, every single American can help be a solution to the growing problem. On our campus alone, Wildcats for Sustainability are put-

ting dozens of recycling bins all around campus to make recycling easier; we even have student-run businesses decreasing food waste on campus for composting. The ability to continue our environment-conscious lifestyle after Green Week is high, yet we still forget when the month of April is over. Every person can help reduce the problem without any real effort. The EPA showed that by staying off the road two days a week can decrease the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by 1500 pounds a year. Taking the bus or riding a bike can be a great way to help the environment too. Decreasing the amount of waste you create every day is the easiest way you can help; pick paper over plastic at the supermarket or bring your own bags. Recycling at home is easy, and it might even bring you a little extra cash for aluminum cans and glass. We need to increase the public support for conservation and environmental preservation. There is a

convoluted debate between political parties about climate change and what contributes to it, but this discussion never leads to real change. Increasing public support for preservation would greatly reduce the problems of air pollution,

greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. It is the duty of our citizens to influence public policy when we are stuck at a stalemate. We must take care of our planet, after all, there’s not another one like it. After Earth Day

has come and gone, we must remain conscious of the environment and continue with our Green Week schedules of recycling and reusing.

war because Iran began sending aid to the Syrian Government and had trained officers on the ground. To combat the rise of Iran in the region, oil-rich gulf states began to send financial aid to Turkey and rebel groups fighting Assad. Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia backed by Iran, then entered into the region to back Assad. To counter the rise of Hezbollah, Gulf States began to send more financial and military aid to the rebels through Jordan. Then in 2013, President Assad used chemical weapons against Syrian Citizens, sparking an uproar of condemnation by the international

community. This caused the U.S. to formally oppose President Assad with Russia supporting his government; this was the beginning of what we know as the Syrian civil war today. The birth of ISIS made this civil war even more confusing and dangerous. ISIS began fighting Al-Qaeda and other rebel groups, and they finally took over a large portion of Iraq and Syria, which they call their caliphate. To combat the rise of ISIS, the U.S. launched the first strike in Syria. In the beginning, the only attacks made were against ISIS, not the Syrian Government. We can’t forget about

the Kurds. Turkey began to fight against the Kurdish uprising, even though they were also against Assad and ISIS. Turkey, however, did not fight against ISIS like the U.S. does. This goes to show that there is no consistent basis for who our allies oppose. In 2015, Russia sent troops and arms to a Russia Military base in Syrian to fight ISIS, but mostly ended up fighting against rebel groups. Now we have two major superpowers who support different groups, making this conf lict even more complicated than before. In Spring of 2017, President Assad again used chemical weapons against citizens, forcing

the U.S. to fire dozens of tomahawk missiles as a response. Just last week, the U.S. launched another missile strike in response to Syrian chemical attacks. The Syrian civil war is a war full of confusion and suffering for everybody involved. Dozens of different countries and groups are stuck between allies and enemies all fighting for different causes, but all wanting the same outcome. It is essential that Americans are knowledgeable about what’s happening around the world to be informed, voting citizens.

myself out. All the while, I gained incredible experience and met some lifelong friends along the way. Taking that advice four years ago left me fully prepared to enter “the real world.” So, find what you love, invest in it and take every opportunity to grow. Remember that people are really important: I was not a socialite in the slightest four years ago. That’s still not a word I would use to describe myself. However, being at ACU has taught me more about friendship than I would have ever thought

workplace experience. Bottom line, a proper balance in life involves investing in people. Don’t neglect your spiritual life: This was a priority for me when I started college, but I can’t say it stayed solid the whole way through. I got to a point where church, Bible reading and prayer was a checklist. Don’t do that. Make it a priority to find a church that stirs you up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Seriously, this is not a Sunday school lesson. This is your life. Find a church that’s number one priority is to preach the gospel and whose priorities of discipleship follow. If you do that, the rest will become an integral part of who you are. I came to Abilene with a lot of excitement and a little bit of knowledge. I leave with a little bit more wisdom and an infinite amount of gratitude. Thanks for the memories, dear Christian college.

EDITOR@JMCNETWORK.COM

What you need to know about the Syrian Civil War OVER THE HILL DAVIS HILL OPINIONS EDITOR Freshman Psychology major San Angelo, Texas

Let’s talk about the Syrian civil war and how it has become the potential for a international proxy war. Unsurprisingly, there is a great deal of confusion about how the Syrian civil war even started. In 2011, Bashar Al-Assad, President of Syria, responded to Arab Spring protests by killing and imprisoning hundreds of demonstrators. Shortly after this event, military defectors announced the

formation of the Free Syrian Army, beginning the Syrian civil war. This is where the real confusion begins. Around this time, Syrian Kurds, who have long been seeking autonomy, began fighting back against Assad. To top of the confusion, many extremist groups, such as Al-Qaeda flooded into the region to fight against the Syrian government. In 2012, this war finally became a proxy

Thanks for the memories, Christian college I’M JESS SAYIN’ JESSICA CLARK VIDEO DIRECTOR Senior Multimedia Major Dallas, Texas

Graduation is 25 days away (and counting). It seems like an appropriate time to fight through the senioritis, chug down another coffee and think about what’s changed in the four years since I walked on this campus as an eager 18 year old who could miraculously function without sleep, or the aforementioned coffee. While it’s true that I sit here tired, less motivated and counting down the seconds until I can say sayonara, it’s even more true that four years at ACU and in Abilene has, with every ounce of sincerity I can muster through using a cliche, given me the best time of my life and taught me some valuable lessons along the way. Here’s what I’ve learned, in ascending order of importance:

Take advantage of every opportunity: When I was in high school, I was touring the JMC department as I was getting closer to the day I would become a Wildcat. I remember one thing from that tour, which was the chair of the department advising us to knock

“

So, find what you love, invest in it, and take every opportunity to grow.” JESSICA CLARK VIDEO DIRECTOR

on the door of one of the student media outlets and ask to get put to work. So I did. I poured too much time and energy into student media, spent several sleepless nights in the newsroom and control room (sometimes for no good reason) and burnt

to learn. I had no particular intentions of investing myself in people four years ago. Now, I would trade every bit of the experience I just encouraged if I had to to keep some of the people I’ve met around. Some of those people I even met during that

T H E

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

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JMC13D@ACU.EDU

DBH16B@ACU.EDU

@acuoptimist @_madisongrace__ 04/17/18 5:10 P.M. hey @ACUedu is there a secret student parking lot i don’t know about? because y’all keep giving me tickets like there actually IS somewhere else to park @ChahhlieReaduhh 04/17/18 4:38 P.M. It’s 2038. You go to visit your kid at ACU. The only departments left are Bible and Athletics. Pledging doesn’t exist, you just check a box and you’re in the club. Your tuition money is still paying off the stadium. Nick Tatum runs literally everything. The Bean is still awful. @Nickboone5 04/18/18 8:58 P.M. Imagine marrying someone only to give them the aux and they play Florida Georgia Line. @Michaela_Budd25 04/16/18 10:24 A.M. If I was a prof, I would put a 5 point question at the end of all my exams and say “write down any information you studied your butt off to know and I didn’t ask you about” because NOTHING is more frustrating than not being asked what you were told you would need to know

O P T IM IST

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SP ORTS

FRIDAY | APRIL 20, 2018

LAUREN FRANCO CONTENT MANAGING EDITOR

Short and Sweet:

Matt Munoz hit for the cycle during the series against TCU.

Muñoz’s return to the basics yielding historic results BY JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS DIRECTOR

It’s safe to say few people enter a game with the thought of a cycle on their mind, and for junior outfielder Matt Muñoz that was true as well. “If it happens, it happens. My goal is to try and do as much as I can to help this team,” Muñoz said. However, on Friday night against Houston Baptist, it did happen for Muñoz, as he orchestrated a 5-for-6 night at the plate and become just the third Wildcat ever to hit for the cycle. He joins Marc Thompson who hit for the cycle in 1999 and Adam Thomas who was the last Wildcat to do so in 2001. Muñoz sandwiched a fi fth-inning triple and a seventh-inning double between his single in the fi rst inning and eighth inning home run to complete the feat. “Friday night was defi nitely a night to remember; I’d always see some guys in the Majors do it

but never thought that I would do it myself,” Muñoz said. “It was just a really surreal moment and to be the third guy to do it in ACU baseball history was just really cool.” Head Coach Britt Bonneau, who hit for the cycle his freshman year at the University of Oklahoma and has seen all three cycles here at ACU, said what Muñoz did on Friday night was impressive. “You know it’s kind of cool to be a part of one,” Bonneau said. “That is a hard thing to do, everything has to work out right for you.” But while everything worked out for Muñoz on Friday, he has been one of the oﬀensive leaders all season for the Wildcats. Muñoz is third on the team with a .349 batting average and tied for tenth in the Southland Conference. His six triples this season are also tied for tops in the conference. But that doesn’t mean his triple in the ﬁ fth inning of Friday’s game came easy. Muñoz said

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that was the toughest hit to come by to complete the cycle. “Probably the triple, because when that happened I didn’t really think I was going to be able to make it because it was right down the fi rst baseline, but coach just kept on sending me,” Muñoz said. For his efforts over the weekend, Muñoz also earned honorable mention Southland Conference Hitter of the Week. Bonneau said Muñoz, who is also second on the team in runs, scored with 28 and stolen bases at a perfect 10-for-10 and has provided consistency in his fi rst season as a Wildcat. “He really is doing a good job of understanding his swing and the more consistent he gets at that and just doing those things, he’s become a really good hitter throughout the year,” Bonneau said. In fact, Muñoz has really evolved as of late, producing 15 of his 38 hits over the last seven games and .600 batting average over the last fi ve. But that

production didn’t come without a brief slump that Muñoz said took returning to the fundamentals to break out of. “During that rough patch, I just talked to my parents, and they really motivated me more,” Muñoz said. “And just going back to the basics like when I was at junior college, hitting more in the cages and just doing the little things to help me out on the ﬁeld.” More speciﬁcally, Muñoz said that looked like keeping his swing short and sweet. “Just doing my routine and I’ve gotten some help from the coaches on things I can work on and that’s just really helped me a lot on just staying short,” Muñoz said. “That’s the main thing, just staying short and not keeping my swing long.” By keeping his swing under control Muñoz has helped the Wildcats to an 18-17 mark, which matches their highest win total since 2014 when ACU began the transi-

[Francisco] Lindor and Javier Baez play, they’re really aggressive and they play the game the right way and just love showing emotion.” Muñoz and the Wildcats are back in action in Beaumont this weekend against Lamar, and they are hoping to make a move in the conference standings with just 12 games left.

tion to Div. 1. With Muñoz’s bat hot and key players like freshman Dalton Dunn returning from injury, the Wildcats will look to stay hungry and aggressive for more wins like Tuesday night’s historic 4-2 victory over TCU. And for Muñoz hopefully that aggressiveness and hunger will transform in the moxie some of his favorite MLB players exhibit. “Honestly, they’re infielders, but I like how

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SPORTS

FRIDAY | APRIL 20, 2018

Wildcats upend TCU in extra innings BY JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS DIRECTOR

For the first time in five meetings since the Div. 1 transition, ACU defeated TCU 4-2 in an 11-inning game that spanned nearly four hours. The Wildcats had come within three runs in three of the last four meetings between the two teams and had played TCU to a 4-3 loss in 2015. Junior outfielder Derek Scott, who scored a late-inning insurance run for the Wildcats, said the win was a relief after playing teams like TCU close in the past. “We go out there every game expecting to win, but we also know as a program we haven’t been able to get over that hump against a big-time team like TCU,” Scott said. “So being able to get that final out really did feel good, I know all the guys enjoyed it last night.” The Wildcats entered Tuesday night after a wild and windy weekend left a bitter taste in their mouths, coming away with just one win in a three-game series against Houston Baptist. ACU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after a groundout by freshman Dalton Dunn was just enough to score freshman Caleb Kyle from third, but each team was stifled by the opposing pitching staff until the fifth inning. Junior Ryan Knowles got the start for ACU and worked around two hits and two walks to keep the Horned Frogs scoreless in three innings of

work. TCU’s Jared Janczak started the game, but was relieved after his lone inning of work. The two teams would combine to use a total of 10 pitchers in the game. Head coach Britt Bonneau said heading into the game he expected to see a wide variety of pitchers by both teams. “You end up using guys on the mound that you didn’t use on the weekend,” Bonneau said. All it does is help those guys. These guys that haven’t pitched a lot.” The Wildcats added to their lead in the top half of the fifth inning when Dunn earned his second RBI on the night, with a double to left center that would score junior Koby Claborn from first. Dunn finished the day 3-for-5 with two RBIs. But TCU responded in the bottom half tying the game on a sacrifice fly A.J. Balta, which plated Coby Boulware and tied the game at two. However, once again both pitching staffs silenced their opponents bats until the 11th inning. JuCo transfer Brennan Lewis gave the Wildcats 2 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball before handing it over to JuCo transfer Garrett Hutson, who would eventually get his fourth win of the season after three scoreless innings of his own. ACU eventually broke the scoring drought in the top of the 11th with a little help from the TCU defense. Junior Matt Munoz, who hit for the program’s third-ever cycle over the weekend, got on base to start the inning after being hit by the Horned

Team

NICK CROMWELL STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Junior Outfielder Riley Donnahue celebrates a run as he heads to the dugout. Frog’s closer, Durbin Feltman. Sophomore catcher Lane Bourland followed Munoz, drawing a fourpitch walk and Munoz advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt by freshman Seth Watts was misplayed by the TCU defense. Feltman rebounded to strike out freshman Zach Smith, but hit Kyle on 1-2 count, which brought home Munoz and proved to eventually be the game-winning run. The run also marked an end to Feltman’s 25 inning scoreless streak. The Wildcats added some cushion when Scott walked on four pitches and Bourland trotted home, pushing the score to 4-2. In the bottom half, Hut-

son got a little help from his defense and after allowing a lead-off single to Boulware slammed the door shut with back-to-back line outs and a strikeout. Although TCU has not been its historically dominant self this season now at 18-14 overall, the Horned Frogs had won four straight before ACU came to town and stole the show in extra innings fashion. With the win, the Wildcats improve to 18-17 on the season and will look to keep the momentum going against Lamar this weekend. “If we keep improving the way we are, we can play some good baseball down in Beaumont and we really need to do that,” Bonneau

said. “We just have to see how that goes. We need to get guys healthy.” Lamar has had its fair share of struggles at 11-26 overall, but sits two spots in front of ACU in conference play at 6-12. Last season, the Cardinals took 2-out-of-3 from the Wildcats in Abilene. “We know we’ve got to win some games, we can’t wait around,” Scott said. “So we’re going to go in this weekend and our goal is to win Friday and take it one game at a time and hopefully get the series win this weekend if not sweep and then come back again next Tuesday and get a win.” JMR13B@ACU.EDU

Ovrl. SLC.

13–2 12–6 12–6 10–5 10–5 9–6 8–7 6–9 7–11 6–12 5–10 4–14 3–12

Ovrl. SLC.

Nicholls 29–13 McNeese 30–16 SELU 28–16 SFA 24–17 NWSU 24–16 UCA 22–19 ACU 18-20 Lamar 24-21 SHSU 17–26 UIW 12–24 HBU 7–27 TAMU-CC10–28–1

12–6 12–6 12–6 12–6 11–7 11–7 10-8 9-9 9–9 5–13 4–14 1–17

Men’s Tennis

Team

Ovrl. SLC.

UIW 11–9 TAMU-CC 19-8 ACU 14-10 Lamar 8–13 Nicholls 5–12 NOU 4–12

5–0 4-1 3-2 2–3 1–4 0–5

Women’s Tennis

Team

Ovrl. SLC. McNeese 15–3 10–1 TAMU-CC 14–6 9–1 NWSU 14–7 8–2 SHSU 12–5 7–3 UCA 14–6 7–4 ACU 13–8 7–4 NOU 10–10 4–7 UIW 5–16 3–7 Lamar 5–15 3–8 Nicholls 11–10 2–8 SELU 6–14 2–9 SFA 2–17 1–9

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK Baseball

The baseball team shocked Texas Christian University in Fort Worth Tuesday with a Dunn 4-2 victory in 11 innings. Dalton Dunn was a key factor in his team’s win going three for five with two RBIs. The Wildcats will be back on the road this weekend in Beaumont for a three-game series against Lamar.

Track and Field

LAUREN FRANCO CONTENT MANAGING EDITOR The Wildcats impressed in San Antonio as three different athletes achieved first in their events. hammer throw (179-6). In the long jump, freshman Megan Kirby had a mark of 18-09 placing her third in the event, and freshman Noah Herring finished third in triple jump with a length of 47-10.5. Junior Ryan Cleary took the top spot in the men’s 800m run with a time of

1:55:20, and also second in the 1,500m run finishing at 3:51.71. Freshman Avery Williams placed first in the 400m dash (47.45) with his teammate freshman Jared Williams finishing behind him in third (48.09). In the 100m dash, freshmen Ryan Linton and Le’Gari Daniels posted second and third with

times of 10.51 and 10.53. Smith has confidence that her teammates are doing well and are beginning to thrive. “We are preparing for conference the same as any other team,” Smith said. “The only difference is that we call upon the Lord and it is up to him how we will compete.”

The Wildcats will split up and compete in three different meets this weekend in California at the Mt. SAC Relays, Long Beach Invitational and in Waco for the Michael Johnson Invitational.

dividually tied for 64th. Glanton shot 81-75-79, while Clouse carded 7580-80 both totaling 235. Rice stole first place overall shooting only eight over par for the tournament with round totals of 288-283-289 (860). The host of the tournament, Lipscomb University, finished close behind in second by five strokes shooting 290290-285 (865). Head Coach Tom Shaw said his team struggled from the tee box. “Primarily, we did not

hit the ball very accurately off the tee,” Shaw said. “On a course like that it required a certain level of accuracy which we did not have that week, so we were always playing catch-up and on the defensive side instead of being on the offensive end.” With the regular season coming to an end, the team will now compete in the Southland Conference Championship in its first year of postseason eligibility. Every eligible team in the conference will be able to partici-

pate with no qualification standards being set. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Div. 1 Men’s Golf Championship. In the case of a player winning first individually and not being apart of the top team, the individual will also receive an invitation to the championship. Shaw said he’s keeping his head high going into the Southland tournament. “The good thing about golf is that past performances do not equate to

future successes,” Shaw said. “We will wipe the slate clean and get very excited and positive about the possibility of bringing home a Southland Conference trophy next week.” The tournament will take place in McKinney at the Dye Course at Stonebridge Ranch Country Club. It will begin Monday, April 23 and last until Wednesday, April 25. Tee times will start at 7:30 a.m every day.

RKP15A@ACU.EDU

Golf prepares for Southland tournament

The golf team concluded its regular season in a disappointing fashion Tuesday when finishing at 14th place in the Ryan Hospitality Intercollegiate. ACU completed the tournament 23 shots back of 13th place Samford. The Wildcats shot 96 over par as a team carding rounds of 314-315-319 for a total of 948. Junior Garrett Glanton and freshman Alex Clouse finished the highest in-

Team

Softball

BY RACHEL POE SPORTS WRITER

BY MAX PRESTON ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Baseball

SHSU 26–12 SELU 25–16 McNeese 17–20 UIW 25–13 UCA 22–14 HBU 16–21 NWSU 20–16 Nicholls 15–23 NOU 17–22 Lamar 11–26 SFA 13–23 ACU 18–17 TAMU-CC 18–20

25 Wildcats finish in top-five at UIW The Wildcats had 25 of their Track and Field athletes place in the top-five at the University of Incarnate Word Invitational. Not only did junior Lonnie Smith place fourth in discus with a throw of 152 feet and seven inches, but she also set a new school record of 186 feet and one inch in the hammer throw good enough for second-place. Smith was pleased when she had finally beat the record. “I knew immediately that I broke the school record when my throw was measured,” Smith said. “I had finally done it in competition.” Smith’s teammate Annina Brandenburg also impressed taking home first-place in discus with a throw of 16110, second in javelin (13404) and seventh in shot put (45-11.25). Junior Kai Schmidt earned two first-place finishes in shot put and discus with marks of 58-10.75 and 183-0. Schmidt’s teammate junior Morgan Knight finished just behind him in shot put with a second-place throw of 57-9.5. ACU also took the top 3 spots in the women’s javelin throw. Sophomore Reagan Mabery earned first (135-10), Brandenburg took second (134-4) and sophomore Natalie Jackson finished third with a mark of 115-4. Junior Kayla Melgar finished second in shot put (49-03.75) and fourth in the

STANDINGS

MJP14B@ACU.EDU

The track and field team had a successful weekend in San Antonio at the IncarSmith nate Word Cardinal Invitational where it finished 25 Wildcat athletes in top-five positions. Smith’s name emerged from the meet as she broke a school record in the hammer throw, reaching length of 186 feet, one inch. The team will next split off into three different meets this weekend at Torrance and Long Beach, California and Waco. Williams was named Southland Conference men’s track athlete of the week for Williams his efforts in San Antonio last weekend. Williams finished first in the 400-meter dash with a personal best of 47.45 seconds. He was also apart of the 4x100-meter relay team that finished second with a time of 40.82.

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