The Vol. 95, No. 54
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Trade books for cash
Students can begin selling their books back to The Campus Store on Monday, page 3
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1 section, 10 pages
Welcome Week’s focus will change this August and, instead, incorporate spiritual, social and academic lives of students, page 4
FRIDAY
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May 4, 2007
n As a way to validate the 21st Century Vision, Dr. Money, president of the university, surveyed faculty and staff about their impressions. Features Editor
Results from the 21st Century Vision Zoomerang survey confirmed that fac-
ulty and staff support the Vision and appreciate its bold ambition. The 12-question survey was e-mailed to ACU faculty and staff three times — once before spring break, once after spring break and once in April — and with 133 people responding, the survey had about a 17 percent response rate.
More than 90 percent of those who took the survey answered six of the questions with a response of “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree.” According to the survey results, all faculty and staff “strongly agreed” or “somewhat agreed” that the 21st Century Vision reinforces ACU’s commitment to academic excellence.
See
VISION page 8
By NATHAN STRAUS Staff Writer
David Aubuchon has slept on cold concrete next to a church near North 1st Street as recently as September. He is a member of a community he can only hope most will never enter: the homeless. An estimated 1,000 homeless men and women walk the streets at any given time. David said homelessness is as much a state of mind as a state of financial insecurity, and it can be entered because of forces outside of human control.
SPORTS
Home crowd favorites
The baseball team will play host for the LSC postseason tournament this weekend, and are favored to win, page 10
Qualifiying team
A group of theatre students wrote their own play, which will take place Friday, see what it took to make it happen online at: www.acuoptimist.com
FINALS Finals begin Monday, May 7 MWF Classes n 8 a.m. at 10 a.m., May 11 n 9 a.m. at 2 p.m., May 10 n 10 a.m. at 10 a.m., May 8 n Noon at Noon, May 9 n 1 p.m. at 8 a.m., May 10 n 2 p.m. at Noon, May 11 n 3 p.m. at 2 p.m., May 8 n 4 p.m. at 4 p.m., May 10 Monday night classes n 6 p.m. at 6:30 p.m., May 7 n 6:30 p.m. at 6:30 p.m., May 7 TR Classes n 8 a.m. at 8 a.m., May 9 n 9:30 a.m. at 8 a.m., May 11 n Noon at Noon, May 10 n 1:30 p.m. at Noon May 8 n 3 p.m. at 2 p.m., May 9 n 4:30 p.m. at 4 p.m., May 8 Tuesday night classes n 6 p.m. at 6:30 p.m., May 8 n 6:30 p.m. at 6:30 p.m., May 8 Thursday night classes n 6 p.m. at 6:30 p.m., May 10 n 6:30 p.m. at 6:30 p.m., May 10
n The memorial will take place Saturday at University Church of Christ at 1 p.m., with Dr. Eddie Sharp officiating. n Visitation is Friday from 6-8 p.m. at Piersall Benton Funeral Home, 733 Butternut. n Memorials can be made to the John and Ruth Stevens Endowed Scholarship, the John C. Stevens History Chair, Hendrick Hospice, Christian Village and others.
n At any given time in Abilene, more than 1,000 homeless people will be on the streets looking for food, shelter or a job. They are often displaced because of uncontrollable circumstances.
This summer’s films will feature third sequels to favorite films such as ‘Spiderman’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ page 7
Acting out
Dr. John Stevens, chancellor emeritus and former president of the university, died Tuesday at age 88.
Living on the Street
Summer flicks
ONLINE
JOHN STEVENS’ FUNERAL:
More than 90 percent of faculty and staff who responded also agreed that the 21st Century Vision reinforces the university’s commitment to a global focus and Christ-centered education, which will benefit students and is “bold and exciting.”
ARTS
The track team will compete at the LSC championship this weekend in Commerce, and attempt to qualify more for the Nationals in May, page 10
www.acuoptimist.com
Survey shows faculty approve Vision By KELSI PEACE
Freshmen fun
OPTIMIST
EMILY SMITH CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Mark Scruggs, 55, waits outside the Mobile Medical Clinic bus outside of Salvation Army on Wednesday for his girlfriend Sheletah Lewis to see the doctor. Although Scruggs is homeless, he is not the man featured in this story. David Aubuchon, who is featured, could not be located.
The Least of These
“You either have faith or you don’t,” David said about homelessness. “Those who have faith are more content with their life, able to come to terms or cope.” This strength of will keeps a homeless person alive through life’s circumstances. Before he found an intermediary home at Abilene’s Hope Haven, David’s daily routine began about two hours earlier than many students’. Waking up at 5 a.m. would be difficult were he not to get to his sleeping bag at a decent time the night before. “You have to get up early or you will miss job opportunities or miss breakfast,” David said. “Labor Ready opens at 5:30 a.m. If you’re not there, you pretty much miss everything.” See
HOMELESS page 5
Worship Welcome Center short $4.3M to begin ministry offered in fall 2007 n Construction on the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center are expected to begin in the fall once $14M is raised. By ATSUMI SHIBATA Page Designer
The university has raised about $9.7 million for the construction of the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center. The construction will begin once the fund reaches $14 million,
n The Department of Music will partner with Hardin-Simmons to offer a major for students who wish to lead worship. By YURI SUDO
Student Reporter
The university will offer a new degree beginning fall 2007 in collaboration with the Department of Music called Worship Ministry. The degree, which was created to help students’ careers as worship ministry leaders will require students to take several classes at HardinSimmons University, as well as on campus at ACU. Sam Souder, freshman vocal major from Arlington, who will switch to the worship ministry degree next fall, said, “Worship is a way of life, a lifestyle. I am very excited See
WORSHIP page 8
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
which is expected to be collected by fall, and will take about 18 months to complete. About 580 people have donated for the project, including individuals and organizations, said Brent Magner, director of development. The new Welcome Center will house several departments and offices like Admissions and Alumni Relations, which are currently scattered
at different locations around campus. Also, there will be a space for gatherings that will be useful after the Hilton Room is removed because of the Campus Center renovation, Magner said. The Welcome Center will be near the main east entrance on Judge Ely Boulevard and will serve as a central See
WELCOME page 8
Wet weather expected to stay throughout spring n KTXS meteorologist Damon Lane said because of wildfires in Georgia, the Big Country has and will continue to experience rainy days, which will boost the area out of its recent drought. By MALLORY EDENS Page 2 Editor
Stormy weather and high amounts of rain can be expected to continue in Abilene and the surrounding Big Country in the next few weeks.
Because Georgia is experiencing some of the largest fires that have ever occurred in state history, that region has built up a high-pressure system. This “bubble of trouble” has prevented the atmosphere in the Big Country from being blocked by the usual high-pressure system that brings dry conditions here. Rather, a low-pressure system has moved in and has allowed storms to continue to move throughout the See
WEATHER page 8
Abilene Christian University
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Freshmen Katie Jones, accounting major from Orlando, Fla., and Lizz Willy, missions major from Fort Worth, share an umbrella Wednesday.
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Friday, May 4, 2007
04
Calendar & Events Friday
10:15 a.m. The men’s tennis team plays in the NCAA Division II National Tennis Tournament final at the tennis courts. 11 a.m. Last chapel of the semester. 11:30 a.m. Tree dedication ceremony honoring the late Wayne Miller in front of McKinzie Hall. 12:30 p.m. Women’s NCAA Division II National Tennis Tournament finals take place at the ACU tennis courts. 4:30 p.m. ACU’s Synchronized Swimming Club performs ‘A Splash of Synchro’ at the Gibson Pool Balcony. 8 p.m. Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys, Hero Factor and Quiet Company perform at Monk’s Coffee Shop.
05
Saturday
Cinco de Mayo 9 p.m. Brady Davis performs in the Bean Sprout. The show is free. Check out Davis and his band, who are students at UT Austin, before the show at www.myspace.com/bradydavismusic. 10 a.m. The second annual Red Dirt Adventure Challenge will take place at Lake Abilene. Hosted by ACU’s Outdoor Club and Hardin-Simmons University’s Outdoor Adventures, it will include approximately two miles by canoe, six miles by bike, two miles by foot and three challenges. For more information, visit www. acuoutdoorclub.org or contact Blake Dozier at acuoutdoorclub@gmail.com. 7 p.m. Adam Gnade, ListenListen, Art in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and The Walrus Brothers perform at Monk’s Coffee Shop. This show will cost $3.
Volunteer Opportunities Fannin Elementary will have a field day on May 18 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and needs volunteers to help students in various events. For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout. The Ben Richey Boys Ranch will host its annual Bilbo Golf Tournament fundraiser Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers are needed both days to work three-hour shifts from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The tournament will take place at the Shady Oaks Golf Course in Clyde. For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout for more information. Looking for a one-week summertime adventure in Alaska? The Naha Teen Bible Camp, sponsored by the Ketchikan Church of Christ, is looking for volunteers to work at the camp, which will take place June 4 through June 8. For more information, contact Mark Lewis at mark.lewis@acu.edu. Girl Scout Troop #1550 needs young women who want to make a difference in young girls’ lives through Girl Scouting. The girls are from un-
derprivileged homes, and they need positive Christian influences in their lives. Volunteers will help conduct meetings, including arts and crafts. Help is needed every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. until May. For more information, contact Diltzie Andrews at (325) 673-6379. Big Brothers, Big Sisters is looking for young women willing to volunteer time and energy mentoring in a program called Y-teens. Through activities and service projects, this program will empower young girls with knowledge about life skills and will build self-confidence while creating an atmosphere for learning and emotional growth. Help is needed every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Franklin Middle School and Lincoln Middle School. For more information, contact Erin McMullen or MC Jennings at (325) 677-7839. Wesley Court needs volunteers to work in the gift shop and to assist with inventory anytime Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two- to four-hour shifts would be very helpful. For more information, contact Susan Conwell at (325) 437-1184.
07
Monday
Dead Day (no classes)
08
Tuesday
Final Exams
ACU hosts the Lone Star Conference Post-Season Tournament for baseball.
ACU hosts the Lone Star Conference Post-Season Tournament for baseball.
About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at mxe06a@acu.edu.
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.
Announcements The annual Graduate Student Association Family Day featuring free zoo passes and a cookout at Nelson Park will be Friday. RSVP at www. acu.edu/gsa. Zoo passes are available in the Graduate School Office. A tribute Web site has been created to honor Dr. John C. Stevens at www.acu.edu/aboutacu/administration/stevens/index.html. The site has selected articles about Stevens, his speeches and writings, a photo gallery and more. Stevens, ACU chancellor emeritus and eighth president of the university, died Tuesday at 12:20 a.m. at Hendrick Medical Center. Stevens, a former chancellor, history professor and civic leader, battled Parkinson`s disease for many years and recently had a series of strokes resulting in hospitalization. The Piersall Benton Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Visitation for family and friends is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, and services are at 1 p.m. Saturday at University Church of Christ. Richard Chastain died Sunday morning at age 67 after a battle with cancer. He retired from full-time work at ACU in 2004 after 23 years as an audio-visual archive preservation specialist and director of the ACU Tape Service. He continued to work part time on preparations for the ACU Centennial. Services are pending with Elmwood Funeral Home. The Athletics Department hosts the LSC Baseball Tournament on Sat-
urday through Tuesday at Crutcher Scott Field. Tournament passes are $25 and will be sold through Saturday’s games. Passes can be purchased for $15 until 5 p.m. Wednesday. Individual passes for one day are $10. ACU students can receive a free pass good for the entire tournament. Students must present their ACU ID to the Department of Athletics office in Teague Special Events Center to receive a pass. Passes for children ages 6 to 12 are $5 for the whole tournament. For more information, contact (325) 674-2287 or see www.acusports.com. “When People Care Enough to Act” will be May 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Region 12 Education Center, presented by Asset-Based Community Development Master Practitioner Mike Green of Denver. The Spiritual Life Core is taking applications for student leaders to oversee ministry opportunities geared toward ACU students (prayer ministry, Bible studies, encouragement ministry, etc). For more information, contact Ashley Carr at rac02a@acu.edu or Mark Lewis at mark.lewis@acu.edu. Students may nominate their parents for ACU’s Wildcat Parents of the Year at www.acu.edu/wildcatparents. Parents of the Year are recognized for the time and support they have given and will be honored during Parents Weekend on Sept. 21-23. Contact Samantha Adkins for more information at (325) 674-2622.
Credited Chapels remaining:
72 00
ACU Career Information Summer Employment: Need a job in Abilene? Visit ACU CareerLink at www.acu. edu/careerlink and find: 380 Abilene employers in the directory, more than 80 Abilene part-time opportunities, and more than 30 Abilene internships. This week’s CareerLink statistics: Number of part-time jobs: 108 Number of internships: 266 Number of full-time jobs: 834 Number of employers in directory: 3,219 Hosted by: The Office of Career and Academic Development McKinzie Hall- Lower Level www.acu.edu/ocad (325)674-6400
IT’S NOT A JOB IF YOU LOVE IT: Recent jobs posted on ACU CareerLink (www.acu.edu/careerlink) Job ID #5546, 5547, 5548 Internships with Sony Online Entertainment Job ID #5512 Media relations internship with the National Mental Health Association Job ID #5481 Summer tour guide with the ACU Office of Admissions Job ID #5478 Assistant business manager with McMahon Law Firm Job ID #5421 Customer services operations coordinator with Cadbury Schweppes Job ID #5453 Field technology engineer with Halliburton (Houston) Job ID #5454 Advertising account manager with Centro, LLC (Dallas)
ACU Police Tip of the Week There has been a recent increase of car burglaries in the off-campus neighborhoods around ACU. Make sure you lock your car and keep all valuables out of sight. Report suspicious activity to ACUPD immediately.
Police Log Edited for space
Monday 04/23/2007 11:30 a.m. Medical emergency at Elmer Gray Stadium, ambulance transported to hospital 11:47 a.m. Theft at Gibson 10:10 p.m. Report of suspicious subjects on N. Judge Ely, contacted group near The Grove Apartment Complex construction site, checked OK. Tuesday 04/24/2007 8:40 a.m. Parking violation at Teague Lot 7:17 p.m. Parking violation at Library lot 7:32 p.m. Assisted student in Bible Lot with vehicle problems Wednesday 04/25/2007 10:47 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with hold up alarm at American State Bank on EN 10th and Judge Ely 1:45 p.m. Report of lost dog near the Bible Building, checked area unable to locate Thursday 04/26/2007 1:30 a.m. Attempt to locate of student missing from University Park Apartments, she was located in Bible Building 4 a.m. Suspicious noise at Gardner basement. Checked unable to locate anything. 12:40 p.m. Assisted Abilene PD with hold up alarm at 800 N. Judge Ely, American State Bank 2:10 pm Harassment case in Brown Library 4:10 p.m. Medical emergency at
Gibson, subject not transported 8:45 p.m. Assisted student with removing battery from vehicle in Mabee Lot Friday 04/27/2007 8:21 a.m. Parking violation at Gibson Lot 9:15 a.m. Parking violation at WFF Lot 11:00 p.m. Parking violation at Edwards Lot 3:10 p.m. Theft report at Gardner Hall Saturday 04/28/2007 12:24 a.m. Loud party at 500 EN 21st. Resident advised to quiet down, did comply 11:03 a.m. Incomplete 911 at McKinzie Hall, misdial 2:30 p.m. Burglar alarm at Physical Resources, unable to contact a representative 4:30 p.m. Report of suspicious subjects near vehicles at Big Purple Lot, checked unable to locate 11 p.m. Loud party at 700 EN 14th, contacted resident, turned noise down Sunday 04/29/2007 11 a.m. Fire alarm at the Bible Building, searched building, no smoke located 2 p.m. Theft report at Edwards Hall 4:10 p.m. Incomplete 911 at Elmer Gray Stadium, checked area, no emergency located 7:37 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at Moody Lot
Corrections: As opposed to that which was stated in the article, ‘Court amendment fails,’ from last Friday’s issue, Brandon Smith is a junior from Kansas City, Kansas. The student reporter Chris Hansen’s name was misspelled in the article, ‘New courses coming to ACU in fall,’ in last Friday’s issue. The Optimist staff apologizes for these mistakes.
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, May 4, 2007
SA undergoes changing of the guard n The Students’ Association had its changing of the guard Tuesday where newly elected and appointed officers officially started their term. By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
The Student’s Association finished the semester with a little tradition. At the changing of the guard at Perini Ranch on Tuesday, this year’s executive officers gave awards to their mentors and SA Executive President Maher Saab passed down a Bible to president-elect Matt Worthington, junior English major from San Antonio, as is tradition. As Tyler Cosgrove, SA executive treasurer, left his position after three years in office, he began a new tradition, presenting treasurerelect Kevan Kirksey, sophomore finance major from
Tyler, with Adam Smith’s “Wealth of Nations.” New executive officers Worthington, Kirksey and vice president-elect DanielPaul Watkins, sophomore political science major from Fredericksburg, Va., filled all appointed officer positions before the changing of the guard. The new officers are: secretary Sarah Newton, junior marketing major from Grand Prairie; chief advancement officer Ryan Stephen, sophomore finance major from Spring; chief financial officer Spencer Hemphill, sophomore accounting major from Longview; chief communication officer Ashton Lloyd, sophomore art major from Cleburne; and chief development officer Matt Greenberg, junior political science and English double major from Grand Prairie.
Greenberg returns to SA after taking a year off. He said he applied for the chief development officer position because Worthington suggested he apply. As chief development officer, Greenberg is responsible for knowing Robert’s “Rules of Order,” which regulates the way SA meetings run. Greenberg said he is already familiar with the rules as they pertain to SA. Cabinet members cannot write legislation, but Greenberg said he could contribute by “[making] sure that the proposals written are clear and effective and not a waste of time.” Stephen returns to the chief advancement position for the second year, and he said this year he plans to focus less on grants and more on immediate results. While he will continue to look for
grants, he said he will also work on getting in-kind donations for organizations — for example, approaching Wal-Mart about donating food. Stephen said he is meeting with a student next week to apply for a grant that may start a Spring Break Campaign endowment. He also said he hopes to write the grant to open the south library entrance next fall, a project that was stopped earlier this year. With this year’s Cabinet officially out of office, the new executive officers will be in Abilene part of this summer to begin working. Appointed officers will return to campus during Welcome Week to begin working.
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Page 3
Study time
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior nursing majors Meredith Heil from Aledo, Randi Castle from Dennison, Ashley Huckaby from Shiner and Moriah Irvine from Abilene, study together in the Library Commons on Thursday for an oncology exam in their processes II class.
Campus Center buying back books n Students are encouraged to sell their books back to the Campus Center early next week if they want to receive money before a quota is filled. By LAURA SMITH
Midnight Breakfast tradition continues n The traditional midnight breakfast sponsored by the Parents Association in the Bean will take place Dead Day from 10:30 p.m. to midnight. By MALLORY EDENS Page 2 Editor
A midnight breakfast will take place Monday from 10:30 p.m. to midnight to allow students to take a break from studying for final exams. Sponsored by the Parents Association, the Midnight Breakfast will cost $5 or a meal plan and will include not only food, but also karaoke featuring 300 songs, games, five door prizes given away at intervals of every 15 minutes and $100 given away
to one person at midnight. Samantha Adkins, Alumni Program coordinator, said the karaoke is one of the best parts of the night. “It is always a lot of fun,” Adkins said. “The funniest thing about karaoke is that people don’t get the nerve to do it until about 15 minutes before it’s almost over. So there is always a line. Get up there early.” Many door prizes will be given away, including gift certificates to stores like Target and Wal-Mart, movies, poker sets, summer items like beach blankets and more. The Parents Association was responsible for not only getting these door prizes together but also re-
cruiting parents to work. Marilyn Coates, one of the Parents Association members who helped coordinate the breakfast, said there are many things to be enjoyed about the night. “For the students, probably the best thing is winning the $100 at the end of the night,” Coates said. “As a parent, the best part is seeing them get to let loose, interact and have a good time. I get to see them do well, let them know we are thinking of them and positively impact them as I get to know them. I look forward to it. It’s one of the most fun things we do all year.” This success of the students is the main reason the
Parents Association puts on the Midnight Breakfast. “They want to see that students get to have some fun and take a breather,” Adkins said. “They want to let students let off some steam after studying for a few days and get to see friends they may not get to see during finals week.” The Parents Association hopes students achieve success on finals next week and that in their preparation they find time to take a break and have some fun Monday night at the Midnight Breakfast.
E-mail Edens at: mxe06a@acu.edu
Student Reporter
It’s that time again: time to shove every book that was never used in class this semester into a backpack and lug them down to the McGlothlin Campus Center in hopes of getting some cash back for the trouble. But what are the chances that any of that money initially dropped will be returned to students’ pockets? The bottom line is to arrive early in the week and expect to get back about half of what was paid for it. The amount of books bought back at semester’s end depend on two things: the need for it next semester and the need of the wholesale provider, said Tammy Powell, text and media manager in The Campus Store. If next year during the fall semester a professor
changes the book used in a certain course, the chances of that book not being bought back go up. Some of the books will be bought back on behalf of the wholesale provider, but once a certain quota is filled, the book will no longer be bought back. The price the book is bought back for depends on how much was paid for it. In general, this is about half of the initial cost of the book. If the book was bought used, it will be half of that price, and in the same way for a book bought new. The advice from buy-back officials is to study early so books can be returned as early as possible. If not, the risk of not getting back nearly what was paid for the textbooks is great. “Have your IDs with you and bring whatever came with the book you bought. If it came with a CD, have the CD,” Powell said.
E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
Friday May 4, 2007
Welcome Week to bring changes, focus on ‘Real Life’ n This year’s Welcome Week will include some changes such as focusing on students’ academic, spiritual and social lives as it shares a message from the Book of John. By KARIE SCHMIDT Student Reporter
Starting Aug. 21-25, entering freshman and transfer students will participate in a long-running ACU tradition: Welcome Week. The week before school
begins, many students participate in Welcome Week either as an entering freshman, transfer student or a volunteer. The theme of Welcome Week this year is “Real Life,” said Eric Gumm, director of the First-Year Program. The students will focus on the Bible verse 1 John 2:24 from the Message because the leadership team decided it had the best phraseology of the passage, Gumm said.
For years, entering freshman and transfer students begin their college experience with Welcome Week. They usually spend the week focusing on the heart, mind, body and soul, but with the help of the leadership team and the 26-student steering committee, ACU has planned to change up Welcome Week and have entering students focus on their academic, spiritual and social lives.
Gumm said the big question that has been focused on since the beginning of the semester is “how are we best able to meet the students and make them feel welcome.” Chase Cawyer, senior marketing major from Colleyville and a student director for Welcome Week, said he wanted to help with Welcome Week since his freshman year. He’s helped on the steering committee, but he
Final play to open Thursday n A student-directed production “List of Demands, ” which explore how people fulfill themselves, will be performed by theatre majors Thursday. By TAKISHA KNIGHT Student Reporter
Though plagued with exams and end-of-theyear productions, theatre students are putting on one more show — not for a grade or pay but out of conviction. For weeks, theatre majors have been practicing because they believe in the message behind a sophomore theatre major’s concept for a dramatic dance production. Jonathan Prim, from Abilene, choreographed and directed his second independent theatre production, “List of Demands,” for no other reason than having “something to say,” he said. “Everyone is searching for the ultimate fulfillment,” he said. “To be a whole person.” The production explores different ways people try to fulfill themselves. It is a music- and -choreography-driv-
en production where famous characters from literature express their inner conflicts and desires in the form of dance and monologue. “I think it’s raw,” Prim said. “It’s not a pretty story. It tells these people’s lives and doesn’t apologize for it.” Prim’s production will open Thursday at 7 p.m. at Fulks Theatre in the Williams Performing Arts Building. Admission is free. Amy Simpson, senior theatre major from Denver, researched for and wrote the script after Prim told her his concept. She said it was difficult finding time to make the production happen. Between a busy theatre schedule, regular class, work and graduation, it was a stretch to add another show on top of everything. “But this is something we all really wanted to do,” she said. “So the dedication was there for both Jonathan and I and everyone involved. I love the artistic challenge.” The script is the story of real people Prim has known in his life. He wanted to parallel characters with his
friends. There’s a saying that life imitates art, and art imitates life, Prim said. That is what his production is up to. “I wanted the audience to be able to connect with characters on different levels,” Prim said. “Not just experiences but on an intellectual level.” Prim said he sees a world that is at war. People are going in different directions in search of fulfillment and fall into destruction, addictions, especially in college life. “Our generation is so important because we are the next ones to take power,” he said. He wants to give them hope and motivate them, he said. “I believe we all have something in common: we all search for fulfillment,” he said. Knowing other people’s stories is key to figuring that out, he said. “That’s when we can take a step forward,” he said.
gized about the week. “We are trying to focus on and energize the volunteers about the mission of the week,” Gumm said. Many plans for Welcome Week have been finalized, Gumm said, but the leadership team is still putting some final plans together for Welcome Week.
E-mail Schmidt at: optimist@acu.edu
Message on the sidewalk
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Emily Taege, freshman international studies major from Lincoln, Neb., and her Wildcat Kid little sis Paola Negrete, 12, draw with sidewalk chalk on the sidewalk near the Hardwood Cafe on Thursday afternoon.
World female missionary tour begins n Come Before Winter, an organization that ministers to female missionaries, is accepting applications for its renewal in St. Petersburg in September. By CAMILLE PAINTER
E-mail Knight at: optimist@acu.edu
said he wanted to help with the vision of Welcome Week. There are many opportunities to help with Welcome Week. Each year there is a range of 250 to 300 volunteers that help, Gumm said. The leadership team is trying to help Welcome Week volunteers feel better prepared by keeping them more informed, so they do not feel as though they are alone and to get them ener-
Student Reporter
Come Before Winter is on its second world tour ministering to female missionaries and national leaders through five-day long renewals. These renewals usually gather between 26 and 60 women to teach them to read Scripture through historical critical exegesis, so that after the week is over they can use the method in other Scripture reading. Dr. Jeanene Reese, associate professor of Bible, missions and ministry and Come Before Winter team member, said the renewal is an emphasis in the spiritual disciplines. “It is studying the Bible with a great emphasis on prayer time, on worship, and it’s to equip these women not only to have renewal while they’re with us but to continue beyond,” Reese said. Come Before Winter director Karen Alexander said the organization focuses on women because both men and women go out into the world as missionaries, but men have more arenas for aid and support. “Both of them went with high expectations and goals
to set, and the man often has other places to plug in,” Alexander said. “The church is just more used to serving and understanding and knowing about male leaders.” “In our ministry, these are often the forgotten folks, and to be there to enrich, to wash their feet and to learn from them — it’s not just a giving out, it’s a receiving. I feel like [in] every trip I receive so much more than I can possibly give,” Reese said. “I feel like I am ministering to the Lord Jesus himself and to his finest servants.” Team members raise money to cover every expense of the renewals; participants only need to pay for the travel it takes to get there. “We do nice renewals for them,” Reese said. “We bring gifts, and it’s very bathed in prayer.” Six to eight weeks before the event, team members plan a retreat to prepare and pray. “We get everything ready. We pray, and we worship, and by the time that pre-treat is done, we are in a prayer and fasting mode for the women who are going to come,” Reese said. During the renewal, participants receive a curriculum that directs them through morning and evening praise, quiet time and class time with an assignment, Alexander said. “We provide them with
a schedule that is designed to keep them occupied [by] moving in a positive direction with the spiritual disciplines of study, praise, prayer and reflection,” she said. The last renewal took place in Kenya in March. Although the organization usually prefers to work with 40 to 46 participants, it stretched to allow about 60 for this one. “There’s just a lot of missionaries in Kenya, Uganda and in that area, so there were a lot of women wanting to register,” Alexander said. “We didn’t get to accept everyone who wanted to register, and that was a really sad thing. That’s the first time that’s ever happened.” Come Before Winter is now accepting applications for the renewal in St. Petersburg in September. About six have already registered. “Any time God sends a message of love to someone he expects it to be clear. He speaks clearly, so we seek to deliver it clearly,” Alexander said. “If he’s sending a message of love to these women, then his clear message of love in the Bible is that he’s consistent, that it is dependable. When we pick our teams to go, we’re looking for women who have given themselves to ministry.”
E-mail Painter at: optimist@acu.edu
Friday, May 4, 2007
Page 5
FROM THE FRONT
Homeless: Passing time homeless’ greatest challenge Continued from page 1 Labor Ready, a little brick building on South15th Street, works to get one-day jobs for “safe” people who need the money. In this case, “safe” means medically clean and psychologically friendly. this case, “safe” means medically clean and psychologically friendly. On any given day, David wakes at 5:30 a.m. and walks to either the Labor Ready building or to Breakfast on Beech Street, a breakfast ministry for the poor and the homeless that is affiliated with Highland Church of Christ. Though David is in his 50s, he said he can easily walk anywhere in Abilene within two hours. On the way out, David might meet other homeless people, such as an old “tramp” named Barry. Barry prefers to call himself a tramp rather than “homeless,” and dreams of retirement. The conversation is short, only a few friendly words pass before they both go their separate ways. “That was about as long as most conversations go,” David said as Barry walks away. “You just never know what a person does, and you never ask them what they’ve done in prison, for instance. You can push buttons that shouldn’t be pushed and set something off.” David knows Barry has spent time in jail only because Barry volunteered the information — but he left out the charges. “I’d really like to know what landed Barry in jail, but I’m afraid I could make him go off on me,” David said.
EMILY SMITH CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
A mobile medical clinic affiliated with Love & Care Ministries parks outside the Salvation Army on Butternut Street to offer free medical assistance to homeless or indigent people. A dental bus is also available to pull teeth.
“Waiting and finding a spot to sleep are the two biggest parts of being homeless. If you pick a lousy spot to sleep, you will get in all kinds of trouble.” David Aubuchon, homeless man in Abilene
Breakfast Before breakfast, David decides to have a time of contemplation. He sits on one of the giant stones decorating the massive strip of land covering the space between North 1st Street and South 1st Street. “I love to come here to think and pray,” David said, glancing at the occasional passing car. “Sometimes, I feel God is like a little child playing hide and seek — he just wants to be found. If you pray for others and wait, your prayers get answered.” David spoke of how he prayed for other homeless people and saw God working both in the lives of those he prayed for and his own. “Blessings will come to you where you’ve previously been denied,” David said about his prayer method. Once, when David was praying on his favorite stone, he asked God what he should do to get by that day. A few hours later, $20 literally landed at his feet, which may be all a homeless man would need to finish a tough week. With his quiet time over, David decided breakfast would be in order. Thursday is biscuits and gravy day, a delicious and filling breakfast. The walk to BOBS took just under 10 minutes. The weather was pleasant, a lucky break in the homeless world — at 6 a.m. in November, the temperature could be more than unpleasant. David arrived at BOBS before it opened, but not before a line had formed. Some came by car; others, like David, walked. All were hungry, and some might not eat again for the rest of the day. Inside, the spacious room was adorned with pictures of Jesus and wooden crosses. The line led past the counter, where guests signed their names and received breakfast with a cup of apple juice. Off to one side was a table with containers of cereal and milk. A coffee area for needed wake-up calls occupied a tall cabinet. Most sat where they pleased, though empty tables were the primary targets. David walked in early enough to find an empty table. The atmosphere was noisy but friendly. No harsh language was tossed about and everyone spoke freely to one another. Mary Sawyers, a volunteer at BOBS, said the eatery has been running for 10 years.
emily smith CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Isaiah Delao, freshman psychology major from Lubbock, assembles meals at the Love & Care Ministries food pantry Thursday. Love & Care delivers meals to a different location in Abilene each day, usually giving about 50 to 75 meals away each day. The organization also distributes clothing, offers showers and assembles hygiene kits. “We feel blessed for being able to do it,” Sawyers said. The building receives volunteers from five churches, and many volunteers are students — some from ACU. Sawyers said they get up to 82 homeless people from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Biscuits and gravy day is the most popular, with omelet Friday a close second. David grabs a final drink and walks up to the counter to get his farewell gift: a sack lunch with two bologna sandwiches, an orange and a few cookies. “That’s odd,” David said looking into his bag. “There’s supposed to be a Scripture in here. These guys are falling down on the job.” Eventually, David wrote off the absence of the usual inspirational message from God to be a “factory defect.”
“If you’re not up now, you’re in trouble.” Come 7:30 in the morning and few homeless men and women are found sleeping. “You’ve got to be out of sight of the police,” David said. “If the police catch you sleeping, they’ll check your ID and criminal record.” A concerned citizen could find a sleeping homeless person and call the police. If the person in question is an illegal immigrant, there will be problems, and the problems will come before the person knows what’s going on. Along the back roads, it becomes clear how widespread homelessness is in Abilene. Countless homeless men and some homeless women sit on ledges or curbs just waiting — waiting for nothing. “The hardest part of being homeless is the waiting,” David said. “I really wish someone would make a pamphlet or something on how to survive homelessness.” David may be qualified to produce such a pamphlet. “Waiting and finding a spot to sleep are the two biggest parts of being homeless. If you pick a lousy spot to sleep, you will get in all kinds of trouble.” Word on the Abilene streets travels fast. If some
who are homeless hear that another homeless person has made a significant amount of money doing a particular job, they will try to find out where that person sleeps. To a homeless person, a bed space is as much shelter from the elements as shelter from humans. “If you go to Day Labor and land a job and open your mouth,” David said, “People will jump you come pay day — and they won’t be gentle about it. Odds are, after that, you won’t have the job anymore. Add in injuries and medical bills.” Asking where a homeless person sleeps is something that just isn’t done, David said. When David was on the street, he slept just outside a church. A hedge shielded him from view several feet away from the grass, so bugs were scarce. That spot was horrid in a storm, he said. On those rare nights, David was forced to choose a slightly more open bed next to a parking garage in order to avoid the rain. No matter the weather conditions, David had to be on his feet before the sun came up, which meant going to sleep as soon as the sun went down. Many opportunities disappear should you sleep in, David said. Missing breakfast and being late for Labor Ready is not something a homeless person can afford to do repeatedly. Sometimes, employers will go into places like BOBS seeking workers for a particular job. One might go inside and yell, “Who wants to paint my house?” Some take the offer, some don’t. “You have to make a decision each day: do I want to go to Day Labor and make money, or do I want to take a shower?” David said. Some of the places offering various types of aid to the homeless close in the late morning, and taking a job would usually conflict with these places. A routine might be to work for two days then take a shower and rest on every
third day. Love and Care Ministries on Fannin Street supplies a steaming hot shower and pre-selected grocery bundles for all who come. “These guys will take in a homeless man and give him clean clothes and groceries,” David said. He pointed to his T-shirt, plaid and jeans combo and said, “I got these from places like this.” David also said some employers may not even believe someone dressed like he could be homeless because clean clothes are a rare sight. The groceries Love and Care Ministries provides are things the stores could sell that haven’t passed their expiration date yet, David said. One might find things like peanut butter there. Places like Love and Care Ministries provide an important public service, David said. “A meal and a shower here and a sack of lunch are all that stand between people getting hurt,” he said. “If they can’t get what they need here, they’ll take it from someone who has it.” On some days, David might walk over to the First Baptist Church Family Life Center. First Baptist Church, also affiliated with BOBS, offers skating and other athletic activities to help kill time. As he entered the center, David again pointed out the importance of killing time as a homeless man. The men inside greeted David, and David greeted them back. However, he was not feeling up to the challenge of skating or playing one of the arcade games off to the side. After some conversation, he was back outside and on the move.
The Cause Not all homeless are born into homelessness, and David said he has the utmost sympathy for those who are. For David, the fall to homelessness was quick and physically painful. He was in his 24th year of marriage with two daughters. He also said he was in better shape back then. One day when he was out
jogging, he began to feel a sharp pain in his chest. He soon realized he was experiencing a heart attack, the first of three. With the medical bills mounting up from repeated visits to the emergency room, he and his wife, Teila, split up. He was let go from his job because of the medical liability. With no income and only bills to look forward to, he was forced to the streets in poverty. “I’m just glad my daughters were out on their own when all of this happened,” David said. “My wife and I split on pretty good terms, however. “Being homeless is a lot like being on the Titanic,” David added. “One day you’re in a nice luxury suite, and the next thing you know, you’ve hit an iceberg. At first you don’t know the boat’s sinking, or don’t believe it could sink, and you’re playing with chunks of ice on the deck. All of the sudden, you’ve got cold water rushing in, and you have to make a choice: either you turn to God and let him save you, or you jump in the water by yourself.” Homelessness is about choices. David ended up at Hope Haven and off the streets in September when someone told him to apply there. “I didn’t think I was getting in,” David said. “I was surprised when I found out I was admitted. I had it pretty good. I was not on parole and had not been in prison, and I wasn’t a drug addict.” The biggest requirement for entry into Hope Haven’s program is that the applicant must be free from drugs.
Transportation “Even when I was homeless, I still gave money to homeless people. They just need it,” David said. “The No. 1 priority is, of course, medical prescriptions. The second is bus fare.” It’s only 10:30 a.m., but David needs to move across Abilene to pick up a check. Some can walk, but this takes too long. People without cars have to take the City Link buses. At $1 a ride, the bus may not seem expensive to the average student, but to a cripple living on the street, this dollar is difficult to obtain. David’s destination was the Labor Ready building. The previous night he had worked a late shift at the Abilene Reporter-News earning over minimum wage. David works the night shift surrounded by automated machines and stack upon stack of paper. Now, his times are random. Some nights he’ll work from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., others he’ll go till 5 a.m. He described his job as being similar to working in a post office. He has to put advertisements and addresses on paper and sort them. It’s what people in the shipping department do. “It’s repetitive, but it’s good honest work,” David said. “I’m proud to do it, and it’s a service to the community.” David pointed out, reiterating the need for a guide to homelessness, even homeless people should strive to stay connected to the community.
“You need to have a bank account, and you need to have an address, some way, somehow,” David said. “Participate or be removed.” To get an address, David visited the Abilene Public Library and got an e-mail account from Yahoo. In addition to all the fun things possible on a library computer for the three hours cardholders get to use them each day, there are books. He stopped at the bus station and waited 30 minutes for bus 10 to arrive. “You have to know the bus schedules,” David said. “If you miss your bus, you could end up waiting two hours, and you just wasted your entire afternoon.” David entered the bus and sat across from someone he knew from his time on the streets. The bus stopped about a fourth of a mile from Labor Ready — more walking for David. Another factor in the ease of someone acclimating to life on the street is how easily one can travel. Everything on the street is easier for a healthy man to do than for the rest. Traveling is easier. Working is easier. Everything is easier. Inside the Labor Ready building David got his paycheck. A man who claimed to have been waiting since daybreak for a job pulled David aside and asked for help in finding a job. David had no advice to offer besides persistence. Outside the building, David’s expression turned grim. “That man in there must’ve had something wrong with him medically or psychiatrically,” David said. “They would’ve given him a job by now if nothing was wrong with him.” Employers can take no risks. If they hire a man who hurts himself or others, the employer is often liable for damages.
“A Giant Wound” It was time to return to Hope Haven. David pushed a small button on the panel next to Hope Haven’s front door so he would be let in. “I’m afraid places like this are only a Band-Aid on a giant wound,” David said. “Homelessness is a huge problem, and there just aren’t enough places like this to care for everyone.” Though the average stay is around six months, residents may remain for up to a year if they need to. David said he expects to be out before spring. The facilities at Hope Haven are well maintained. A freezer and refrigerator are stocked with requested food so the residents can cook. Occupants sleep in one of several rooms; David’s room is with the other men living at Hope Haven. David opened his closet to put his backpack inside. He then pointed to a beaten bedroll crammed inside the closet. “This is the bedroll I slept outside on,” David said. “I kept it because I never know when I’m going to need it again.” He doesn’t expect to be on the streets again, but David said he recognizes some things will always be beyond his control. “You just have to have faith.” E-mail Straus at: nrs02a@acu.edu
Page 6
May 4, 2007
‘Optimist’ remembers top stories of the year Each year the members of the Optimist staff produce more than 800 news, feature and sports stories for ACU and the Abilene community. To close the year we’d like to recap the top 10 stories of the year, as voted on by members of the editorial board: 1. Dr. John Stevens, the eighth president of the university, chancellor emeritus, professor emeritus of history, passed away Tuesday morning at age 88 after he suffered a massive stroke Apr. 23 and was hospitalized for more than a week at Hendrick Hospital. Stevens spent his life as a student leader on a campus, professor and administrator — roles that spanned decades. After retiring, Stevens wrote “No Ordinary University: The History of the City Set on a Hill” reflecting the history of ACU. His funeral will be Saturday. 2. After the university shooting at Virginia Tech in April, students and faculty from ACU rallied around the fallen community and sent a banner with words of encouragement and held prayer vigils for the victims and their families. Cho Seung-Hui, a student at Virginia Tech, opened fire on his fellow
The issue:
The Optimist remembers the top news stories of the 2006 school year.
Our view:
The following topics grabbed the attention and interest of the ACU community.
The solution:
Read the editorial and decide which story is the most important to you.
students team brought To close the year we’d like to recap the top and professchool spirit 10 stories of the year, as voted on by members back to the field, sors in two locations beginning the of the editorial board. killing season on a 7more than game-winning 30 people before taking his ficial names or reasons could streak before losing at home own life. be released because of the to Tarleton State, 37-36. The 3. After Rep. Bob Hunter Federal Educational Rights and Wildcats made the postseason announced he wasn’t seeking Privacy Act, which prohibits all for the first time since 1977 re-election to the Texas House schools that receive the U.S. when the team won the NAIA after his more than 20-year Department of Education fund- Division I national championcareer there, Mel Hailey, chair ing from disclosing student ship. The Wildcats finished of the Political Science Depart- records, the students could with an 8-3 record after losing ment, ran as the Democratic have been dismissed for seven 30-27 in the first round of the candidate against Republican reasons including: substance playoffs to West Texas A&M in Susan King. Despite Hailey’s abuse, sexual promiscuity, overtime. popularity with the students, theft, making threats against 8. During the summer, the he failed to win the majority of another individual or any viola- Presidential and National Merit the vote with King winning 58 tion of local law. Scholarship board decided stupercent of the vote compared 6. In November, citizens of dents with these scholarships to Hailey’s 40 percent in No- Abilene voted to ban smok- could live off campus beginning vember’s election. ing in public areas. The ban, in the fall semester if they were 4. Danieal Manning was which effectively took place willing to give up part of the drafted to the Chicago Bears during Christmas break, made scholarship. The board decided after opting not to finish his it against the law to smoke in the trade-off was fair with the last year of school at ACU. In restaurants, stores, lounges, board giving up the students’ his first year in the NFL, Man- bars and even outside. Many influence in residence halls and ning went to the Super Bowl protestors started a petition in the students giving up some with the Bears. February in an attempt to have money. This decision was to 5. In the fall semester, four more people debate the logis- be temporary until the board students studying abroad in tics of the ban. Despite claiming could decide upon a long-term Oxford, England, were dis- to have enough signatures, the plan. The previous plan called missed from the program after petition failed after most signa- for all scholarship recipients to violating the behavior contract tures were found to be phony live in University Park Apartall students sign before begin- or non-residents. ments their junior and senior ning the program. While no of7. The 2006 ACU football years at ACU.
Alex York
Lebensgefhar
Seniors prepare to live out ACU mission This week TIME magazine came out with its annual 100 list — this year the list captures the people who shape our world. Included are artists, performers, scientists, leaders, builders, heroes and thinkers, who through their Face the power, talent Facts or example have or are Mallory transformSchlabach ing the world around them. Next week hundreds of students will leave Abilene and set out into the “real world,” as so many seniors like to say, to accomplish their goals, achieve their dreams and every other cliché saying you can think of. The professors, administrators and staff who guide students during their four-year stay would like to see every person that leaves ACU be someone who transforms the world
While these may appear to be lofty dreams to accomplish in a span of several decades, they’re also things that can become reality.
— that is, in theory, why we’ve come to college in the first place, am I correct? The mission of ACU is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. The question is are we prepared to do it? While I’m sure not every, or even very many, seniors walking across the stage May 12 will wind up featured in TIME magazine for their accomplishments, I do think that everyone does have the ability to transform the world. Setting out to transform the world takes guts. It is something that will require going against the flow of culture to make a statement, to do what’s right, to lead by example. As a Christian, going against the norm should come naturally — it’s what
we’re already expected to do. But transforming the world also takes passion. Passion is defined as a strong or compelling action. What will we feel compelled to do once we leave the sanctuary of Abilene? In the 60 years of life that, God-willing, I have left, I’d like to see my world transformed. Transforming the world won’t happen just with me, but if the girl who sits in front of me in Chapel tries, and the kid who picks up an Optimist each week from Chapel tries, and if everyone of my classmates about to graduate tries, then perhaps I’ll see it transformed. In my lifetime, I’d like to see someone find a cure for cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 1.4 million people will be diagnosed with cancer in 2007.
I’d like to see the churches of America unite and work together to solve some of society’s problems like homelessness, poverty, hate crimes and racism. I’d like to see the women of America refuse to abort their child because they feel they have no other option, and instead take care of the life that was entrusted to them. I’d like to see less sex, violence, homosexuality and vulgarity on TV, in the entertainment industry and on my radio. While these may appear to be lofty dreams to accomplish in a span of several decades, they’re also things that can become reality. By now, all of those packing up to leave hopefully will have the necessary tools to accomplish the university’s mission. We’ve been given a charge to transform the world in every way we know how — who’s ready to start with me? E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu
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
E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu
Christ followers exhibit Gospel story to world Jesus was resurrected Bell explains that the from the dead. And appar- reason why Christianity is ently so did many other different, the reason why gods back in his day. it is so special has more I just to do with its people than discovered anything else. We are the this little Gospel, he said. tidbit. After And this is true. A reliw a t c h i n g gion is defined by the way a NOOMA its followers act out their video called faith. The outside world “You,” Rob sees this and labels it. It’s Bell, pas- how they act towards other Come tor of Mars people, how they react in Undone Hill Bible the face of persecution and Church in how they live out the faith Michelle Grandville, that draws people in or just Jimenez Mich., ex- utterly repulses them. plains to The character of God his audience that in Jesus’ is witnessed through his time to hear of someone’s children. god being resurrected For outside people to wasn’t anything unique — see the compassion, mercy, in fact, it was common. grace and love God grants I didn’t his people know this to the point before, but if of overflowA religion is defined ing, and for this is true, if this claim them to unby the way its of other derstand followers act out gods being that the way their faith. The raised from of God is the dead is difficult but outside world sees true, then good, his this and labels it. what makes followers Christianity need to act so special? accordingly What makes it stand out and be ready to give a seaand be different or unique soned answer for the hope from all the rest? that’s within them to all This was Bell’s question. who ask. Back then, a resurrecThis summer people tion wasn’t extraordi- will travel the world for nary, but in this present various reasons — for day, Christ’s resurrection the ministry, for pleasure is unique and does stand or for work. But whether out from other religions. you’re in Texas or AusI don’t know much about tralia, in New Zealand or the other religions of this England, in Russia or the world, and from the very deserts of Iraq, people little that I do know, I will come to you and ask have yet to hear about why you serve the God another god resurrecting of Christianity and what from the dead. makes it so special from Christ’s raising from the all the rest. dead, descending into hell, What answer will you returning to his people to give? been seen by them for 40 days and then being ascended back into heaven are uncommon characteristics E-mail Jimenez at: in any other god. But there’s mmj04b@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu more to it than that.
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
9. Construction plans have been set in motion to renovate the McGlothlin Campus Center beginning this summer. The renovation, which will incorporate a much larger food court and an extended Bean, will cause both the Hilton Room and the Living Room to be demolished to make room for the food court. The Hilton Room and Living Room often serve as meeting places for social clubs, important announcements from the president and formal functions. 10. Because of a late beginning to the fall semester, pledging for men’s and women’s social clubs began the first week of classes. Traditionally beginning the second week of classes, students attended teas before the first day of classes and then immediately began rushing. Rumors swirled that the way social clubs functioned will be drastically changed after last year’s trouble with three social clubs breaking rules but were proved unfounded when nothing changed besides shorter pledging periods.
Editorial and Management Board Mallory Schlabach
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May 4, 2006
Page 7
Big Summer movies n Box Office records will likely be set this summer with bigbudget movies anchoring the list, many of which come as third installments. By COLE WILLIAMS and TODD PIERSALL Cartoonist and Arts Editor
Spider-man 3 Opening: Today
The web-slinging, wallcrawling, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man returns to theaters this summer in Spider-Man 3. Opening Friday, the latest entry finds Peter Parker, the spectacular Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire) preparing to marry longtime girlfriend Mary Jane (Kirsten Dunst) while also dealing with his former best friend Harry Osborn (James Franco), who is out for revenge thinking that Peter was responsible for the death of his father, the supervillain Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe). Meanwhile, Spidey also has to deal with escaped convict Flint Marko (Thomas Haden Church), who may be responsible for the death of Peter’s beloved Uncle Ben, and who also turned into the shapeshifting Sandman by a freak accident. But SpiderMan also gains a new black costume, made of a strange black substance that, while giving him enough enhanced strength and speed to face these new threats, may end
up corrupting him into the very villains he fights. Expectations are high as not only is the movie rumored to be one of the most expensive ever made (upwards of $250 million) but also because of the critical and financial success of its predecessors, that it’s the third entry in a series, which is often when the quality begins to dip, and the multiple plot lines, including the eventual debut of fan-favorite villain Venom (Topher Grace). However, unlike previous third entry superhero movies such as Batman Forever and X-Men: The Last Stand, which all had major changes in the cast and crew, the only major departure from the franchise here is of Danny Elfman, who is now replaced by Christopher Young (Ghost Rider, The Grudge) to score the film’s music. Otherwise, the major members of the cast and crew are returning, including director Sam Raimi, aiming to continue the strong precedent set by the first two movies. Rumors are already starting to buzz about the possibility of a fourth entry in the series, and while there’s certainly still a deep well of villains to pull from (the Lizard, the Vulture, Electro, Carnage, Hobgoblin, a teamup of villains as the Sinister Six), the newest film still has to pull in an incredible amount of money and live up to its high expec-
tations. Luckily, with the popularity of old web-head, the strength of the cast and crew, and very positive early reviews, Spider-Man 3 just may do that.
Pirates of the Caribbean: AT Worlds end Opening: May 25th
Everyone who made the first film so popular is back in possibly the last swashbuckling adventure. Starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Geoffrey Rush and Jonathon Pryce, At Worlds End is the final installment in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, which was shot simultaneously with the second film. Captain Barbossa, who made his dramatic return in the last film, rejoins Will Turner and Elizabeth who must now sail to the end of the known world to save Jack Sparrow and defeat the evil lord of the sea, Davy Jones. With Dead Man’s Chest dominating the Box Office last year, At World’s End promises to be the blockbuster to beat this summer, filled with swashbuckling adventure.
Shrek the third Opening: May 18th
The loveable Scottish ogre is back in Shrek the Third, starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas and Julie Andrews.
After King Herald, the King who was turned into a toad at the end of Shrek 2, becomes ill and can no longer reign over the kingdom of Far Far Away, Shrek is looked to as the new heir to the throne, and unless he can find a replacement the ogre is stuck. Fiona’s cousin, Artie, the slacker of Far Far Away is the only ideal candidate Shrek sees for the job. In a recent interview, Antonio Banderas, the voice of the cat assassin Puss In Boots, said there will be at least two more Shrek movies.
Transformers Opening: July 4th
A movie based on a Hasbro toy line? Yes. Starring Shia Labeouf, Jon Voight, Hugo Weaving, Megan Fox and Bernie Mac, Transformers, directed by Michael Bay and produced by film virtuoso Steven Spielberg, is the much-awaited adaptation. An epic battle between the Autobots and their evil counterparts, the Deceptions, is now on planet Earth, and Sam Witwicky, played by rising young star Shia LeBeouf, must help in the fight with the Autobots. The action-packed thriller, with it’s innovative special effects, will appropriately hit the U.S. on July 4th.
THe fantastic four: RIse of the silver surfer Opening: June 15th
Trying to break out of it’s
super-hero flop, the second installment in the Fantastic Four series leaves comic book fans hesitantly optimistic. Starring Ioan Gruffud, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis and Doug Jones, Rise of the Silver Surfer is the sequel to the first Fantastic Four and is filled with new plot twists and new villains. Together the Fantastic Four must defeat the Silver Surfer who seeks to destroy the earth.
harry potter and the order of the phoenix Opening: July 13th
Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix is the fifth installment in the Potter series. Returning to Hogwarts for his fifth year, Harry finds his fellow classmates ignoring
his recent encounter with the evil Lord Voldemort, choosing to deny his return. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, appoints a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher to watch over Hogwarts. However, the new teacher fails to prepare the young wizards for the dark arts. Harry takes it upon himself to teach a small group of students, named “Dumbledore’s Army,” how to defend themselves against the Dark Arts. Be sure to check www. acuoptimist.com for Cole Williams’ online review on Spider-man 3.
E-mail Piersall at: tdp04a@acu.edu
FROM THE FRONT PAGE/ CAMPUS NEWS
Page 8
Friday, May 4, 2007
Vision: 10-year plan seems daunting but workable Continued from page 1
Dr. Michelle Morris, vice president for university relations, said the Board of Trustees supported the Vision’s general direction, but the President’s Cabinet wanted to ask the campus one more time what they thought. Morris said while the positive response wasn’t a surprise, it provided the confirmation needed to move forward.
“I think we were encouraged that people saw these things,” Morris said. “It was affirming; it was exciting also to see that more than 90 percent felt it was bold and exciting because a vision should be bold.” The survey also asked for comments, and respondents raised several issues in their 51 responses. Comments praised the emphasis on challenging academics, cautioned the university
about an elitist institution, raised concern over financial means and emphasized the importance of maintaining diversity. As far as elitism is concerned, Morris said, that is not the goal of the vision. “Some universities only want students because of pure academics,” Morris said. “We’re a different university. It’s not about elitism, it’s about attracting students who are talented in
many ways.” Morris also said that unlike some universities, ACU encourages students to become involved on campus in a variety of ways. Another concern raised in the survey, and often voiced in regards to Christian higher education, was the tension that exists between maintaining a Christian mission while having higher academic standards. However, Morris said, a Christian
Worship: Major draws interest Continued from page 1
about this new major. I have been praying for this Worship Ministry degree for some time. Twenty years ago, nobody thought that youth ministry was significant, but look where it has come today and how it has formed the hearts of so many young people.” The main purpose for this major is to prepare and develop musicians who are grounded in theology to lead congregations in the ministry of worship, according to the Bible, missions and ministry Web site. Some of the degree objectives include: teaching students to learn and reflect on worship as a way to partner with God’s spirit in forming church communities into the image of Christ and to learn the ways that music can spiritually form a congregation. By studying both music and church history, students will look at the ways that music has historically been used to worship God. This degree was taken as an interdisciplinary degree before. Students opting to take this major will be required to take classes in ministry, theology, Biblical text and Biblical languages. The degree also requires an internship and a capstone course in worship ministry. The students also have to take two classes on the history and philosophy of church music at HardinSimmons University. Students will learn instruction in music theory and practice, music history and applied music study. They will also be required
to take private voice lessons and participate in a performance ensemble. These majors also learn multicultural music to learn how to help people of various cultures praise God in their own language. Students will learn to form, work in and direct musical groups and arrange music for those groups to perform, according to the Web site. “There are many different ways of worshipping, some like the new stuff, some like the older hymns,” Souder said. “Some of the most powerful songs in the Church are found in hymns that were written several hundred years ago. Through this degree, I hope to incorporate the older and newer styles together to help compromise between those who like the newer and those who like the older.” Katie Noah, administrative assistant in the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry, said many students are interested in this new degree. “We are getting lots of phone calls, especially from students in high school who are becoming ACU students,” said Katie Noah, administrative assistant the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry. “We expect a number of current and future students to declare this major.” For more information go to the Web site at www.acu. edu/worshipministry to see which classes are required each semester for the worship ministry degree. E-mail Sudo at: optimist@acu.edu
place for prospective and current students, alumni and other visitors on campus. Phil Boone, director of the Centennial Campaign, said the new center will be more easily accessible especially for prospective students and other firsttime visitors. “This will be the first place they can go,” Boone said. He said most of the necessities for prospective students can be done in this building. The project of building a new Welcome Center came up when the Centennial Campaign began in 2003. The Board of Trustees voted to name the Welcome Center in honor of Dr. Robert Hunter and his wife Shirley for their lifelong contribution to the Abilene community, to higher education in Texas and to Abilene Christian,
according to ACU Centennial Campaign Web site. Hunter, class of ’52 and distinguished alumnus, worked as a Texas State Representative. He served as a vice-chairman of the Regulated Industries Committee and was on the Government Reform Committee, as well as committees for several national legislative organizations. His service to ACU has spanned 50 years, including the vice president position. He is currently senior vice president emeritus and recently appointed special assistant to Dr. Royce Money, president of ACU, according to the ACU Web site. Boone said the project has raised funds from more non-alumni donators than the normal ACU projects do because of Hunter’s connection outside the university. Boone said many people who know Hunter have
nial were reached mere days before the deadline, Morris said she is confident that 10 years from now, the university will have achieved this latest vision. “I think every time we launch a new vision, we pray over it, we study the environment,” Morris said. “And I think it’s bold, but it’s doable with God.”
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Praying for poverty’s end
emily smith CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Haley Dilling, sophomore marketing and art major from Vero Beach, Fla., looks at a poster displaying information about the Hunger Banquet that took place in April, which was sponsored by the student-led group PovertyLink.
Weather: Spring storms bring mosquitoes Continued from page 1
Big Country. Earlier in the year a drought affected Abilene, but the continued rain this season eliminated the drought about a month ago. “We are now well above normal for the year — about four inches above normal,” said Damon Lane, KTXS chief meteorologist. “If we were to stay at this level, we could go without a single drop of rain until July and still be above normal for the year. It’s good for us because we fill up the lakes, and they
Welcome: Center short $4.3M Continued from page 1
institution should actually have higher standards. “As Christians, we should expect more of ourselves and not less,” Morris said. Now that the Vision is in place, Morris said, the next step is to make a concrete plan. And much like the Centennial Vision that launched in 1998, some aspects of the vision may seem too bold or daunting, Morris said. But just as even the boldest financial goals for the Centen-
dedicated their money for this project in honor of him. As a part of fundraiser, two banquets were held in Abilene and Dallas last year. The one in Abilene took place in the late August and garnered about 650 people. The other one in Dallas took place in the late October and garnered about 750 people. Boone said fundraising began 15 months ago, and the rate is about on schedule. Rooms in the center are available for sponsorship by donating a minimum of $15,000 and up. The name of the sponsors will be recognized in each room. Others who contribute to the center will have their name listed on the Honor Wall that will be in the building.
E-mail Shibata at: axs03d@acu.edu
are still kind of hurting a little bit.” This weather trend can be expected to continue throughout the remainder of the spring. “We will keep abovenormal chances of rain and low pressures coming through,” Lane said. “It will be a little warm, and this will lead to possible severe weather. This is the peak of tornado season, and it will be like any other May. This week last year we saw our biggest severe weather break in history.” Lane said that if the area continues to get heavy rain, the threat of
wildfires will decrease, and it will make it greener outside. It may also lead to a larger mosquito population this summer because of the standing water that builds up, as the ground cannot absorb all the rain. As these storms continue to roll through the area, there are several things you can do to prepare for any unexpected conditions. “One of the best things you can do is make sure you have an action plan,” Lane said. “If it turns for the worst, you know what to do. Also, check your insurance policy. Make
sure you are covered for hail damage. If you are leaving Abilene, don’t pack anything in the back of a pickup truck that you don’t want to get damaged from rain or heat. It is getting hot; the average high temperature will be in the upper 80s and lower 90s.” Weather forecasts can be checked daily on KTXS “This Morning,” on weekdays at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. and on weekends in the morning and at 10 p.m.
E-mail Edens at: mxe06a@acu.edu
Four Sing Song co-chairs chosen n Four juniors were selected as the Sing Song co-chairs for next year’s “World Tour.” Their first duties include brainstorming ideas. By HILLARY CRAWFORD Student Reporter
Four students have been selected as the new co-chairs for next year’s Sing Song, “World Tour.” Matt Greenburg, junior political science major from Grand Prairie; Britton New, junior business management major from Fort Worth; Ashlea Allread, junior psychology major from Bedford; and Jana Atchley, junior accounting major from Grapevine, were selected to help lead next year’s Sing Song to another victory hit. Tom Craig, managing director of Sing Song, said the application process started at the beginning of April and the four students were selected on April 25. The candidates had to go through an interview pro-
cess with both Craig and Kendall Massy, director of student productions. “We were looking for students who represented a strong leader with outgoing personalities and who are able to multi-task,” Craig said. They also wanted a group of students that were able to get the job done while maintaining good relationships with their fellow co-workers. Craig said the plans for now will be mainly to brainstorm ideas to create a renewed since of excitement. Communication for the co-chairs and the team members of this year’s Sing Song will mainly be via e-mail throughout the summer because the cochairs are not required to stay in Abilene for the summer. Packets of the Sing Song rules and regulations have been sent out to the club or class directors that have already been selected, and,
for the club directors not yet selected, to the club president. As of the upcoming fall semester, Craig said they will “hit the ground running.” There will be immediate planning for ways to improve the year’s Sing Song event, and it will be a true team effort, Craig said. Allread said she was excited to have the opportunity to represent the student body as a co-chair. “I love Sing Song so much,” Allread said. “This has always be a thought in the back of my mind, that I wanted to participate in the Sing Song process in some way.” All four are members in a social club. They and the team members have not decided if the co-chairs will participate with their club in Sing Song or just fulfill their duty as Sing Song co-chairs. E-mail Crawford at: optimist@acu.edu
Friday, May 4, 2007
Page 9
SPORTS JUMPS
Track: Teams en Baseball: ACU favorite in tourney route to nationals Continued from page 10
strikeouts, a team best 1.12 ERA and has only allowed six earned runs in 48 innings of work. “Having a closer like Jameson is a huge difference,” Bonneau said. “Its good when our starting guys know they’re giving up the ball to someone who is consistent.” Two of those “starting guys” are all-LSC pitchers Trey Watten and Chris Wiman. Watten, who pitches, starts at shortstop and bats fifth in ACU’s lineup, was named LSC Player of the Year after batting a .371 for 33 RBI and a team-leading 17 doubles while going 9-0 with a 3.38 ERA in his first year to ever pitch college baseball. “Personally, I want to win the tournament,” Watten said. “I never won a district title or anything like that in high school, and we lost in the finals last year, so I want to win it.” Wiman, who was named starting pitcher for the all-Conference first team, leads the Wildcats’ pitching corps with 69 strikeouts
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Eric Brown lands in the water pit during the 3,000-meters steeplechase race at the TCU Invitational on April 21. Continued from page 10
ACU Lsc titles
Hood said Sasharine McLarty and Jessica Hunt need to post better marks. Only McLarty has at least a provisional mark in the 200 meters. Shawna-Kaye Thompson is yet to qualify in the 100 meter hurdles. She has battled injuries since the indoor national meet and is yet to post an outdoor time. Jessica Withrow is another women’s athlete looking to post some marks this weekend. Hood said she is trying to post a better long jump distance. Her current mark is at the cutoff for a provisional spot at 188.00 feet. The men also need to improve some marks. Hood said he is expecting Mark Paige and Sylvester Williamson to qualify in the 100-meters. Paige has not run a 100 meter race because of some health concerns, and Willimson’s best time does not count because of the wind. Johnny Jacob is another athlete who has battled injuries, but will try to compete this weekend. Jacob has a provi-
The ACU track and field teams have won the Lone Star Conference championship a combined total of 43 times. ACU men’s titles (22) n 1978 l1979 l1980 l1981 l1984 l1985 l1986 l1987 l1988 l1993 l1994 l1996 l1997 l1998 l1999 l2000 l2001 l2002 l2003 l2004 l2005 l2006 ACU women’s titles (21) n 1983 l1984 l1985 l1986 l1987 l1988 l1989 l1990 l1991 l1992 l1993 l1994 l1996 l1997 l1998 l1999 l2002 l2003 l2006 sional time of 47.64, but Hood thinks Jacob needs to improve his time if he’s to make the national meet. The conference meet isn’t the last chance the athletes have at qualifying for the national meet. Thursday, ACU is hosting the ACU Open, the last chance for athletes to compete before nationals. After the ACU Open, the team gets some time off before the national meet on May 24. E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Designated hitter J.J. Pacheco makes contact during ACU’s first game against Eastern New Mexico on April 20. and has the second-best ERA of ACU’s starters, behind Watten. Wiman will most likely start in ACU’s first game
of the tournament against LSC South opponent Texas A&M-Kingsville, a team ACU beat three out of four times in the regular season.
Two teams that may cause problems for ACU are LSC South runner up Angelo State (No. 3 seed) and LSC North champions Central Oklahoma (No. 2 seed). ACU split a series with both Angelo and Central Oklahoma this season and the Wildcats are 5-4 in the LSC tournament against UCO and 1-0 against Angelo. ACU’s first game will be against Texas A&M-Kingsville, a team ACU beat three out four times when the two played during the regular season. Out of the six teams competing, ACU has the most wins historically (22), has made the most championship game appearances (seven) and has won the most tournament titles (four). But regardless of who ACU plays or ACU’s past success, Maj said all the pressure is on the Wildcats shoulders. “You just got to go out there and do what you do, and the rest will come,” Maj said. ACU will play Kingsville at 7 p.m. Saturday at E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
Golf: Wildcats to play at familiar course Continued from page 10
St. Edwards is the top nationally ranked team of the South Central region, ranked at fourth, Central Oklahoma is the next highest ranked at 13th and ACU is next at No. 15. Out of the top teams
competing, only six will advance to the nationals — the winners from each division and then the next top four teams out of the entire tournament, which are called “at-large” teams. “I’m excited about the championships,” Campbell said. “The course sets up
well for us, and our guys are playing well.” The championship will be the Wildcats second trip to Florence, Ala., this year. The team was at North Alabama, along with a majority of the teams competing, for the North Alabama Classic in early April. The Wildcats tied
for third in that tournament. “If we play the way we are capable of playing, we have a great chance,” Campbell said.
E-mail MacDonald at: optimist@acu.edu
Wilson: Three named to all-conference squads Continued from page 10 Cornielson set a school record in home runs and doubles, which earned her firstteam junior college all-America honors. Her 2007 season was
great with eight home runs, 41 RBI and a batted .389. Junior centerfielder Leisha Johnson got first team all-LSC South honors — she is the only Wildcat to be named to the first team after keeping a bat-
ting average of .354, team-best of 13 homeruns and 29 RBI. Catcher Samantha Borgeson and third baseman Nicole Deel were both named second team all-LSC South division. Borgeson kept an average of
.303, 11 homeruns and a team high of 32 RBI. Deel played in 40 of the 45 season games and was named the second-team utility player. E-mail Davis at: optimist@acu.edu
SPORTSFRIDAY
Page 10
SCOREBOARD Standings Scoreboard as of Thursday
Team
BASEBALL
Div. Overall 17-3 44-11 15-5 40-16 10-10 27-27 8-12 26-29 5-13 20-34 3-15 12-37
ACU Angelo St. TAMK-U Tarleton ENMU WTAMU
Team
SOFTBALL
Div. Overall Angelo St. 21-3 44-8 TAMK-U 15-9 32-18 Tarleton 13-11 33-16 ENMU 11-13 20-34 TX Woman’s 11-13 25-32 ACU 11-13 24-21 WTAM 3-15 12-37
Rainy weather creates scheduling problems n Thanks to rainy weather and bad field conditions, intramural soccer and softball are yet to be completed, and students have been competing on weekends to catch up. By CHRIS HANSEN STUDENT REPORTER
The intramural season is over, or almost anyways. The season has been delayed by bad weather numerous times, and the final games won’t be played until the weather and field conditions permit it. Both soccer and softball are yet to be completed, with numerous games likely to be
Intramurals played this weekend. Steven Saffel, director of officials, said team captains need to continue to check the intramural boards in Moody Coliseum and Bennett Gym to find out when they play. According to Weather Underground, Abilene has received nearly 2.5 inches of rain over the past week, which has caused intramural officials to repeatedly cancel or delay games. Rebecca Jerkins, junior education major from Leesburg, Fla., said she has been affected by the weather cancellations
and rescheduled games. “I can’t play this weekend,” Jerkins said. “I’m going to Dallas with my roommates.” Susan Hardcastle, the intramural office administrative coordinator, said the games are rescheduled around weather to spare excessive wear and tear on the fields. Hardcastle said repairing the damaged fields is costly to the university. Despite the weather delays, the results of the two remaining intramural sports aren’t likely to change the club point winners. The current club point leaders are Gamma Sigma
Playing host
Upcoming MEN’S TENNIS ACU vs. St. Edwards at NCAA Central Regional Championship
TRACK & FIELD
Saturday
Saturday BASEBALL ACU vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, 7 p.m.
TRACK & FIELD ACU at Lone Star Conference Championships, Commerce
Sunday
E-mail Hansen at: optimist@acu.edu
Game 1 n Angelo State vs. Southwestern Okla. State, 11 a.m. Game 2 n Central Oklahoma vs. Southeastern Okla. State, 3 p.m. *Game 3 n ACU vs. Texas A&MKingsville, 7 p.m.
TRACK & FIELD ACU at Lone Star Conference Championships, Commerce
Monday GOLF ACU at NCAA South Central Regional Tournament, Florence, Ala.
BASEBALL
Tuesday GOLF ACU at NCAA South Central Regional Tournament, Florence, Ala.
BASEBALL ACU vs. TBA at Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament
Wednesday GOLF ACU at NCAA South Central Regional Tournament, Florence, Ala.
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. *Intramural games rescheduled because of recent rainy weather OUTDOOR SOCCER See intramural bulletin board for soccer schedule. SOFTBALL See softball schedule on intramural bulletin board.
n Gamma Sigma Phi, 370 n Galaxy, 220 n Frater Sodalis, 210 n Sub T-16, 75 Women’s clubs n Ko Jo Kai, 435
n Delta Theta, 90
Golf ACU has a chance to make it to the National tournament if they win at the Regional championships. But even though ACU’s chances are good, they will be facing some of the best D-II programs in the nation. The Regional championship is divided into two regions, South and South Central and the South region includes the highest nationally ranked team competing. Other ranked teams in the South region are Barry University, who is fifth in the nation, and tenthranked University of North Alabama, who is playing on its home course. The South Central region, which ACU is part of, has a number of nationally ranked programs themselves. See
GOLF page 9
Wilson signs two for 2008 season
BASEBALL ACU vs. TBA at Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament
ACU vs. TBA at Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament
Men’s clubs
ACU golf faces Division II’s best
The phone was ringing in head golf coach Mike Campbell’s office on April 27, but he wasn’t there to answer it. He was watching his brother and PGA golfer Chad Campbell play in the EDS Byron Nelson Championship, and little did he know that his voicemail box was holding a message of good news; his team received a bid to the South Central Regional Championships in Florence, Ala. “I was watching Chad, and I came back to the office, and the message was there,” Campbell said.
ACU will host the Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament at Crutcher Scott Field this weekend.
These points do not include soccer or softball.
n Alpha Kai Omega, 195
SPORTS WRITER
LSC TOURNAMENT
INTRAMURAL POINTS
n Sigma Theta Chi, 325
By NATHAN MACDONALD
WOMEN’S TENNIS
ACU at Lone Star Conference Championships, Commerce
Phi with 370 points and Ko Jo Kai with 435. If GSP wins, it will be its second consecutive overall club points win. The wet weather is part of a long list of challenges the intramural office has been forced to work around. Before the latest weather woes, a broken pool pump forced the waterball championships to be pushed into the spring semester, and rain forced the cancellation of the softball season last spring.
n The ACU golf team will compete against a long list of nationally ranked teams at the South Central Regional Championships on Monday.
Friday
ACU vs. Cameron at NCAA Central Regional Championship
May 4, 2007
BRIAN SCHMIDT SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Closer Jameson Maj pitches against Tarleton State on April 1. Maj is two saves away from breaking the NCAA single season record. Maj’s 19 saves already holds the LSC and ACU single season record for saves.
Postseason begins at home n The 13th-ranked ACU baseball team will host the Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament this weekend at Crutcher Scott Field. By DANIEL JOHNSON SPORTS EDITOR
To say the ACU baseball team is favored to win the Lone Star Conference Postseason tournament this weekend is an understatement. The Wildcats are coming off of the most successful regular season in ACU’s history. It is the only nationally ranked team competing, has
Baseball already defeated every team in the tournament and has an astounding 24-3 home record. The tournament is theirs to lose. “It really is up to us,” said head coach Britt Bonneau, who was named LSC Coach of the Year. “Tournament time you’ve got to pitch and play defense well.” ACU will host the LSC tournament at Crutcher Scott Field this weekend in pursuit of ACU’s fourth LSC tournament championship and an automatic bid to the South
Central Regional tournament. In addition to home field advantage, ACU has the advantage of the nation’s best closer, Jameson Maj. Maj already broke the ACU and LSC records for saves in a season after recording 19 saves in the regular season and is only two saves away from breaking the NCAA record. “I guess I’ve just been put in a position where I can get them,” Maj said. Maj, who was named the LSC Pitcher of the Year, ended the regular season with 63 See
BASEBALL page 9
n On the heels of a sub-par regular season, head softball coach Chantiel Wilson signed two new players to prepare for the 2008 season. By RACHEL DAVIS SPORTS WRITER
After a season that was unpredicted by most, the softball team picked up two new players for next year and a few Lone Star Conference honors. The team didn’t make the postseason this year, but head coach Chantiel Wilson added two players to the team’s roster for the 2008 season and said she has great hopes for both of them. Wilson signed one of the top hitters in California, Katie Cornielson and Midland High School pitcher Kim White. Cornielson is transferring to ACU from Antelope Valley College and White signed a letter of intent to come to ACU next season.
Softball “Kim is a great competitor. She does not get rattled and fields her position extremely well,” Wilson said. “They will bring new personality to the team, and both will make an immediate impact.” White kept an ERA of 0.90 late into the season and held a record of 20-5. In 131.5 innings, she struck out 131 hitters and gave up 38 runs (of those, only 15 were earned). Pitching isn’t her only talent — at the plate she has an average of .343 with 10 RBI. “Katie is a strong and powerful left-handed hitter who can drive the ball in the the gaps,” Wilson said. “She has been a key part of the success at her junior college the past two years, and we like the experience she brings to this team.” See
WILSON page 9
ACU favored to sweep Lone Star Conference titles n The ACU men’s and women’s track and field teams are the favorites to win the Lone Star Conference Championships in Commerce this weekend. By JARED FIELDS MANAGING EDITOR
This weekend the men’s and women’s track and field teams just have to compete. “We just gotta go do it,” said head coach Don Hood. “I feel like on paper we’re favored.” Both dominant ACU track and field teams are favorites at the Lone Star Con-
Track & Field ference championships in Commerce this weekend. The men have won the last 13 Lone Star Conference championships in a row and the women set a conference record last year with 290 team points. The conference championship is a unique time for the two teams because it is the only meet of the year where the team standings matter most. “Competitive wise, they’re more excited about a team championship,” Hood said.
“All of a sudden at the end of the year you say, ‘let’s be a team.’” Not only will the teams compete for team and individual championships, but some athletes are still competing for qualifying marks at the national outdoor meet later this month in Charlotte, N.C. On the women’s side, Hood said a few athletes will need to post good marks if they are to make the trip to nationals. In the 100 and 200 meters, See
TRACK page 9
BRIAN SCHMIDT SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
David Walker lands in the sand pit after a long jump attempt at the TCU Invitational on April 21. He finished fifth with a jump of 7.20 meters.