OPTIMIST THE
TUESDAY September 18, 2007 Vol. 96, No. 8 1 section, 10 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Does ‘3:10’ deliver as a Western?
Visual raid
“3:10 to Yuma” represents what makes a western great, page 7
See highlights from the Wildcats’ 41-3 win against SE Oklahoma, www.acuoptimist.com
Just kickin’ it
Wildcats get first LSC match Friday at Angelo and continue road trip, page 10
Pendergrass puts on travelin’ shoes for Abilene By Denton Josey Features Editor
He may be new to ACU, but many ACU students have grown up with George Pendergrass’ voice. Acappella, the group Pendergrass sang with, was popular in the late 80s and early 90s. Anyone watching Super Bowl XXVII in 1993 heard George Pendergrass sing “They Are More Precious Than Gold.”
The song was played on a commercial put out by Sony during the game and featured the vocal group Acappella. The most prominent voice belonged to Pendergrass. A tenor with Acappella from 1988 to 1995, now Pendergrass is the director of multicultural enrichment at ACU. Pendergrass is originally from New York City. Though he began college at Southwest College on a mu-
sic scholarship, Pendergrass earned degrees in Bible and education from Lubbock Christian University. He went on to earn his master’s in community leadership from Duquesne University. While Pendergrass was working as a youth minister in Los Angeles in the late 1980s, he heard a singing group was coming to town. Intrigued, he watched it perform — not knowing the
group was looking to recruit. Pendergrass said he met with the group’s founder, Keith Lancaster, and joined. “It was history from that point on,” he said. Moyers, former minister of worship arts at the Golf Course Road Church of Christ in Midland, said Pendergrass brought charisma and integrity to the group. “When he got around people he glowed, he came to life,” he said. “He
brought charisma and joy to our presentation.” Within a year, Acappella was formed, with Pendergrass singing second tenor, Wayburn Dean as baritone, Duane Adams as bass and Gary Moyers as first tenor. When he joined Acappella, Pendergrass moved to Paris, Tenn., but he wasn’t home very much. The group was on tour for 9-10 months out of the year performing 120-140
shows. “I don’t think we did all 50 states, but I think we did most of them,” Moyers said. Outside the U.S., Acappella went to South Africa, Jamaica and several European countries. Moyers sang with the group for 11 years and watched its popularity rise. He said it sang to a crowd of 125,000 in Utrecht, Holland See
ACAPELLA page 8
Student gives time to serve in Ghana By Mallory Edens Page 2 Editor
Just two months ago, Emily Jo Simpson was lying next to a 13-year-old girl named Erica, watching the stars twinkle in the West African sky. Emily was one of five ACU students who traded the later half of their summer vacation to intern through World Wide Witness in Ghana with the Village of Hope, teaching, befriending and ministering to orphaned African youth. The Village of Hope is an orphanage composed of a clinic, school and church. It has been caring for orphaned children for 50 years and currently houses 235 needy children. According to the Village of Hope Web site, 62 live in homes on the Village of Hope campus under the care of Christian House Parents, 49 are living throughout Ghana with foster parents who are given funding from the Village of Hope, and 120 are cared for by the Village of Hope’s Street Children Program. These children come from impoverished backgrounds, and Simpson, senior psychology major from DeSoto, said she was inspired by testimonies of their pasts and how far they have come since then. “Some were abandoned, seven were slave children, some of their parents died, and they were found trying to fend for themselves by selling things on the street, and some were abused and hurt,” Simpson said. “Some didn’t understand why they were there or what was going on. That was hard to see. They’ve had hard lives, and they know it’s God that’s gotten them through it.” She said she would ask the children how they were, and each time they would respond, “By the grace of God, I’m fine.” The children are saved by the Village of Hope from areas of high poverty and harsh environments, and are brought to the Village where they are offered a highquality education, Christian guidance, love and a secure, nice place to stay. “We stayed in houses, and they had
See
GHANA page 8
katie gager CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Fred Asare from Accra, Ghana, director of the Village of Hope, spoke on “Her Wound is Incurable” from Micah 1:1-9 Monday in Moody Coliseum.
Monday speaker urges change By Kelsi Peace Managing Editor
Fred Asare challenged Americans to change the world, drawing sharp parallels between the “incurable wound” in Micah and the one found across the world today, at a Lectureship session in Moody Coliseum Monday. “While there is time, let’s not just sit down,” Asare said. “My brothers and sisters, let us rise up and change the world.” Asare, the director of Village of Hope in Accra, Ghana, attend-
ed Lectureship for the first time this year and is the only speaker to be featured on “Oprah.” The talk show hostess invited Asare to “Oprah” after discovering that a slave she planned to rescue had already been saved and was residing at Village of Hope, a refuge for about 160 children from preschool to high school. Asare said he was apprehensive about speaking as an outsider but found reassurance in the text, Micah 1:1-9. “I am reassured by the fact that Micah was an outsider,” he said.
Asare set the scene in Micah — a scene of inequity — where the greedy rich crushed the powerless poor, perverting their religion to serve their interests. “Those who went to feed the flock were fleecing the flock,” Asare said. Little has changed. “I see a nation that is strong and powerful,” Asare said to his American audience. “I see people who have so much and yet keep on grabbing more and more. I see a people who are never satisfied.” Asare said Americans live in
finery: fine clothes, fine cars, fine food. Students at Christian universities in America discard textbooks at the end of the semester. But, Asare said, the world houses many who have very little. In Africa, four of five children will die before they reach age 5, Asare said, because they have no food and dirty drinking water. In one year, more Africans will die because they cannot afford medicine than the number of Church See
ASARE page 8
Taylor challenges Sunday crowd to ‘keep walking’ By Lauren Sutton Copy Editor
Matt newhouser STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Dr. Jerry Taylor delivers his message, “What does the Lord require?” during the theme lecture Sunday night in Moody Coliseum.
Sunday night, students, professors, alumni and visitors from across the country filled Moody Coliseum to hear a message of justice and marked the beginning of ACU’s 90th annual Lectureship. The evening began in song as Steven Moore, assistant professor of English, led the audience in both contemporary praise worship and traditional hymns. Jack Reese, dean of the College of Biblical Studies, served as the master of ceremonies in place of the absent Royce Money, president of the university. Laughing about his casual dress attire, Reese welcomed guests to “experience this trans-
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
forming event,” but cautioned attendees that this week’s theme text, Micah 6:6-8, is a less familiar, less comfortable text than in previous years. In regards to this year’s challenging theme, director of Lectureship Mark Love wanted to “raise the stakes in terms of vision for the kingdom of God.” “I’m hoping that people will have a bigger sense of the purpose of God,” Love said. “He’s concerned about the human condition and how we live here. That’s the good news.” Following Reese’s welcome, Glen Pemberton, chair of the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry, prayed for Lectureship speakers, presenters and attendees, and Eric Hampton, sopho-
more theatre major from Olalla, Wash., and William Christoferson, junior theatre major from Abilene, read Micah 6:6-8 and New Testament Scriptures. This year’s opening lecture was presented by Dr. Jerry Taylor, assistant professor of Bible, missions and ministry, as he preached on the topic, “What does the Lord require?” Comparing demonic wisdom to Machiavellian theory, Taylor challenged Christians to be wise, discerning people, and reminded listeners that arrogant pride is the root of social and economical injustice. “When we walk humbly with our God, we will care about he people God cares about,” Taylor said. “Keep on walking. You walk humbly with your God, and keep in
Abilene Christian University
step with his movement.” Love said he was thrilled to have Taylor speak at the opening lecture. “Jerry has a great way of saying hard things that people need to hear,” Love said. “[Taylor] said direct things tonight, but the standing ovation [at the end of his sermon] is testimony to Jerry’s skill and integrity as a person.” The evening was concluded with Reese presenting a plaque to Love for his seven years as director of Lectureship and introduced the future director Brady Bryce. Love was pleased with the events of the evening. “I was thrilled,” Love said. “I thought it was great.”
E-mail Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu
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Calendar & Events Tuesday
90th annual Lectureship, “Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly: Messages from Micah.” Along with traditional keynote speakers and a wide variety of Bible classes, Lectureship will feature special classes on “Art and Faith,” “Gospel and Culture,” “Prophets’ University,” “Marketplace Faith” and “Justice and Mercy.” 11 a.m. Keynote speaker Jay Hawkins from Tulsa, Okla., will speak on the topic “I Will Surely Gather You” based on Micah 2:12-13. 6 p.m. Shore Art Gallery Reception “What is Contemporary JudeoChristian Art?” will be held in the Don H. Morris Center. For more information, contact Garlan Jenkens at gfl07a@acu.edu. 7 p.m. Keynote speaker Wade Hodges, from Tulsa, Okla., will speak on the topic “They Shall Beat Their Swords into Plowshares” based on Micah 4:1-5.
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Wednesday
90th annual Lectureship, “Do Justice, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly: Messages from Micah.” Along with traditional keynote speakers and a wide variety of Bible classes, Lectureship will feature special classes on “Art and Faith,” “Gospel and Culture,” “Prophets’ University,” “Marketplace Faith” and “Justice and Mercy.” 11 a.m. Keynote speaker Mark Hamilton from the ACU Graduate School of Theology will speak on the topic “I Will Wait for the God of My Salvation” based on Micah 7:1-17. 7 p.m. Keynote speaker Jeff Walling from Charlotte, N.C., will speak on the topic “Who Is a God Like You?” based on Micah 7:18-20. After the lecture, join the coffee house crowd in the Brown Library Learning Commons for “Jesus and the Hip-Hop Prophets,” presented by Matt Worthington, senior English major from San Antonio.
8:45 p.m. The Music Department will host “Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters,” an evening of folk music and discussion, at Erinshire Gardens on the corner of EN 16th Street and Campus Court.
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Thursday
11 a.m. Connection groups will be held in their designated spaces. 7 p.m. Venturing at ACU, a new co-ed service and social club, will hold an informational meeting in the Campus Center Living Room. 8 p.m. PovertyLink invites students to experience Latin American food, music, stories and experiences in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building Room 117. Come hear students’ experiences with poverty and development, and find out how to make a difference.
Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
Issues Facing Women in the Medical Professions, a symposium for women in pre-health, will take place Sept. 29 from 8:30 a.m.-noon in the Campus Center Living Room. This event is sponsored by the ACU Body & Soul pre-health program. Featured guests include Dr. Kristie Clark, director of pediatrics at Yoakum County Hospital in Denver City, Dr. Tammy Camp from Texas Tech Medical School and Dr. Kimberly McMillin from Garland. Flu season is near. Now is the time to get a flu shot. The Medical Clinic will host a flu vaccination clinic for students, faculty and staff Oct. 15 and Nov. 1 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Campus Center Living Room. The shot costs
Friday
Purple Friday 11 a.m. Praise Day in Moody Coliseum with Wade Huggins and his worship team. 5:30 p.m. The third annual Entra a la Plaza, sponsored by Hispanos Unidos, will celebrate the Hispanic heritage with traditional food and music from different countries. Enjoy the festivities in the ACU mall area at no charge.
Chapel Checkup
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Announcements 11 a.m. Chapel will not be held Tuesday and Wednesday because of Lectureship. Instead, students can receive two Chapel credits for each evening Faith Alive forum they attend and each evening keynote Lectureship address, which will take place Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. For more information, view the Lectureship Student Track information on the myACU spiritual space. Campus Conversations will reconvene Sept. 25. If any student has yet to register for a campus conversation, Common Ground in Moody Coliseum still has spots open for registration. Once a student registers and begins attending the forums, they will be given Chapel credit.
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$25, and it can be charged to a student account or paid in cash or check. The Medical Clinic also takes flu shot patients daily on a walk-in basis. For more information, contact Kathy Stokes at (325) 674-2625. Male students seeking help from struggles with pornography or lust are invited to gatherings two blocks from campus every Thursday at 11 a.m. For more information, contact Kurt Boyland at (325) 674-2878 or at boylandk@acu.edu. The medical clinic will be closed Sept. 25, 26 and 27 for electronic medical records system installation and staff training. Should any student need health care services, they can go to the Walk-In Clinic on Judge Ely Boulevard by Jack ‘n’ Jill Donuts. If it is a medical emergency, they can go to Hendrick Medical Center on N. 19th or Abilene Regional Medical Center on Hwy 83/84. The Medical Clinic will re-open Sept. 28. Spots are available for the Oxford spring 2008 semester. Sophomores and juniors who are interested in this opportunity can turn in their applications to the Study Abroad Office in the Administration Building.
Volunteer Opportunities G.V. Daniels Recreation Center will host a Teen Conference Saturday from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. Volunteers are needed to assist with classes and cleanup. The Office of Ministry Events needs volunteer ushers to help at Lectureship from 6-8 p.m. Ushers will assist guests in finding seats and help elderly or disabled guests with the stairs. The Lectureship office also needs four volunteers to help Acappella load and unload its sound equipment Monday from 1-3:30 p.m. and 10-11 p.m. They also need two people to help at the CD sales table from 5-10 p.m. Anyone who is interested in helping should e-mail Kate Miller at miller@bible.acu.edu. Keep Abilene Beautiful is looking for volunteers Saturday from 9 a.m.-noon to help the citizens of Lake Fort Phantom clean up the lakeshore. Volunteers will be picking up litter and other items that need to be discarded. To help this need or for more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center.
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.
ACU Police Tip of the Week Always yield to pedestrians on crosswalks. Report all suspicious activity to the ACU Police Department at (325) 674-2305.
Police Log Edited for space
Mon., Sept. 10, 2007 8:58 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with traffic accident in front of the Grove, 2700 N. Judge Ely 9:20 a.m. Report of a suspicious subject walking in the University Hill area, unable to locate 9:27 a.m. Medical emergency at the Mabee Business Building, no transport 10:33 a.m. Parking violation at WFF Lot 10:40 a.m. Vehicle accident at Bible lot, driver did not wish to make report 2:45 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at 1600 Campus Court 4:36 p.m. Parking violation at Mabee/Edwards lot 7:48 p.m. Contacted owner reference to vehicle alarm sounding in Morris lot 8:18 p.m. Report of gas odor at WPAC, checked odor had dissipated 10:06 p.m. Assisted Abilene Fire Department at the Grove Apts. reference to smell of smoke, no fire located Tues., Sept. 11, 2007 1:41 a.m. Criminal mischief at 700 EN 14th 9:30 a.m. Parking violation at 1700 Campus Court 9:35 a.m. Report of possible burglary at Gibson Health and P.E. Center, no entry gained, report unfounded 10:35 a.m. Medical emergency at Teague Special Events Center, male transported 1:33 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at Business lot 4:30 p.m. Checked welfare on student at 1400 Westheimer, student not there 9:03 p.m. Attempt to locate subject crying on Lunsford Trail, unable to locate 9:58 p.m. Assisted student with vehicle that would not turn off in Gardner lot Wed., Sept. 12, 2007 10 a.m. Parking violation on main campus 11:40 a.m. Inspected out-ofstate vehicle for student 2:45 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at University Church lot 4:40 p.m. Parking violations on main campus 6:48 p.m. Telephone harassment at Edwards Hall 8:45 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at 2300 Independence Thurs., Sept. 13, 2007 9:35 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with vehicle accident at 1600
Campus Court 10:40 a.m. Checked bicycle found at Cullen Auditorium into evidence 11:20 a.m. Unlocked vehicle at West Campus lot 5:48 p.m. Violation of noise ordinance at Garfield /Campus Court, students did leave the area 6:01 p.m. Incomplete 911 at 760 Library Court, misdial 6:05 p.m. Report of suspicious subject at the Campus Center, contacted magazine salesman that was asked to leave campus 7:42 p.m. Parking violation at South Parking lot 11:14 p.m. Report of suspicious subject knocking on doors at Sherrod, contacted female asked her to leave campus Fri., Sept. 14, 2007 1:45 a.m. Barking dog at 700 College, unable to locate 2 a.m. Report of suspicious objects on ACU Drive, checked were trash bags awaiting to be picked up 10:33 a.m. Medical emergency at University Park Apartments, student was transported to Hendrick Medical Center 3:10 p.m. Assisted female students with flat tire at 1500 Washington Sat., Sept. 15, 2007 3:14 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with assault at 600 EN 18th, no charges filed 6:37 a.m. Report of someone knocking on doors at 2500 Campus court, checked area, unable to locate 3:47 p.m. Vehicle accident at Teague lot 10:30 p.m. Report of students throwing water balloons out of the windows at Mabee Hall, unable to locate 11:43 p.m. Noise Violation in alley of 500 EN 16th
Sun., Sept. 16, 2007 2:15 a.m. Loud music at 600 EN 23rd, subject turned down music 12:45 p.m. Report of juveniles playing on Jacobs Dream, unable to locate 12:58 p.m. Report of subjects in Ford vehicle soliciting money at McKinzie Hall, unable to locate 3:21 p.m. Assisted female in disabled vehicle at v Blvd., pushed vehicle out of traffic 9:20 p.m. Traffic stop at EN 18th and Campus Court for defective head light 11:05 p.m. Traffic stop at EN 16th and Campus Court for disregarding stop sign
CAMPUS NEWS
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Students stand, press for peace By Kelsi Peace
Managing Editor
After almost four years of contemplating and countless conversations, Paul Goncalves is gearing up to lead a silent protest he hopes will spur conversations about a Christian’s stand on violence. Goncalves, senior Biblical text major from Itu, Brazil, spent his summer in Brazil and said after discussing the Iraq war and violence as a whole with his friend Josh Love, senior Biblical text major from Abilene, and his fiancée Brooke Kucinsky, senior missions major from Fort Worth, he decided it was time to stop thinking and plan a peace protest, which will come on Friday, International Day of Peace. “We felt very free to discuss very overtly political issues like homosexuality… issues evangelicals are allowed to care about,” Goncalves said. But an issue like war, where no majority of Christians stands on either side, is not addressed much at the university, Goncalves said. “We believe it’s possible to follow Christ and believe in non-violence,” he said. While the group hadn’t met face-to-face until Sunday, protestors joined a Facebook group called “Peace is the Way (ACU anti-war protest)” and have been in discussion among a group of students, staff and
faculty who hold various positions on war. “We want to make sure everyone out there knows what they’re protesting,” Goncalves said. Not all members of the group will turn out for the protest, Goncalves said, because he is not certain of the legal ramifications of the planned protest. While the right to peaceably assemble is guaranteed by the First Amendment, the university is private property. As of press time, Goncalves said he spoke with SA executive president Matt Worthington and planned to meet with Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president and dean for student life, to discuss the protest. Goncalves said he has considered many options for the day but has decided on a silent protest — no megaphones, just signs. He said protesters will be outside Moody Coliseum before Chapel, and he said he hoped to spend some time in prayer during Chapel. After Chapel, the group will be ready with signs and information, hoping to begin a conversation. “It really isn’t about the intention [of a war]; it’s about the violence,” Goncalves said. “More than a protest, this is just a questioning.” And the question is what the university, and those who make up the university, truly think about war. Or, for that matter, if they’ve thought
about it, Goncalves said. The protest will not address political vote, Goncalves said. The Facebook group contains 95 members, some of which have joined because they disagree. And a start up counter-protest group, “Anti-ACU War Protest,” contains 27 members, some who could show up on Friday, Goncalves said. According to posts on the counterprotesters’ group, members say an anti-war protest demonstrates hostility toward troops, especially during a time of war, and pacifism is not the answer. For his part, Goncalves said he does not want to aggravate his opposition. “I don’t want this to be a fight,” he said. For Goncalves, pacifism is about mimicking Christ’s methods of being subversive. “What you see is people dying,” Goncalves said. “Death is our calling as Christians.” And to him, usurping power or using violent force to create change is not the answer — a story his signs will tell at the protest, even if he is the only protester there, he said. “I felt like I needed to do this for so long,” he said. “We need to make our voices heard if we believe something.”
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
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Training clinic treats troubles By Lauren Sutton Copy Editor
The Department of Psychology opened a new clinic Sept. 3 that offers the community inexpensive assessment and counseling and gives graduate students in the department a chance to perform their clinical on campus. ACU hired Charisse Flanagan, director of the new psychology clinic, to start a clinic that would train graduate students with the assistance of a new state-of-the-art video-editing system. The system, LANDRO, is software that was originally designed for editing football playbacks and has since been adapted for psychology. “The training clinic is something that we’ve needed,” said Flanagan. “The digital editing is very advanced.” “The LANDRO system is really unique to have,” said Derek Bowman, graduate student from Searcy, Ark. “It’s really
helpful when we’re watching a session.” Through the LANDRO system, all the counseling sessions are taped, and students are then reviewed and critiqued for counseling techniques. The system allows professors to edit and label different aspects of the student’s session, making this process quicker and more efficient. The new clinic is a practical way for graduate students to work with professors on campus. “Students carry two to four cases and then they go into the community and work with Shades of Hope, the Noah Project and other non-profit agencies,” Flanagan said. “We don’t want to stop that, but we want to supplement it.” The counseling clinic has received a welcoming response from the community, and right now, the clinic is growing at an appropriate rate, she said. “I think the response has been very amazing,” Flanagan
said. “They feel like they are really being invested in; they’re excited to be a part of it.” Eventually, Flanagan hopes the clinic will grow into a freestanding, off-site clinic where the psychology department can serve those in the Abilene community who are underprivileged and provide even richer training opportunities for its students. Flanagan said she also would like to eventually see students contribute empirical research to the field of psychology. “We want to be leaders in that too and really making sure the things we do actually help people,” Flanagan said. “Training, outreach and research are the three goals we have in mind. We want to be missional in the way we reach out to the community, and that’s consistent with all the kind of things ACU does.”
E-mail Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu
Swing Cats two-step to work, service By Karie Schmidt Student Writer
Swing Cats swung into action again Sunday, beginning the year with Swing Kids, an organization tradition. Swing Cats allows students interested in swing dance to learn an array of dances, including the Lindy Hop, East Coast, Charleston and the Collegiate Shag, equipping them with fancy footwork and a chance to perform. “[Students] should join if they love to swing dance and [love] swing music and want to learn about the music and dance of the 1920s,” said Dr. Cole Bennett, assistant professor of English and the group’s faculty advisor. Membership doubled last
fall, and Bennett estimated the group’s membership now ranges from 120 to 150 people. With a group like this, the Swing Cats have a full semester ahead of them. In October, Swing Cats will attend a weekend workshop in Austin. There, master teachers of swing dance will teach some members new moves. When they return from Austin, members from the workshop will teach the other members what they learned over the weekend. Also during the semester, the group will get together to do community service at local nursing homes. “I love this because we go to a nursing home to do community service, and these are the people who invented the
dance when they were our age,” said James Mullins, senior English major from Dallas and the Swing Cats treasurer. “Some of them will dance with us. It’s really cool.” The group also plans to travel to Fort Worth this semester for Buddy’s Big Band, perform in the Ethnos culture show and meet weekly to learn new dances. Membership fees are $20 for new members and $10 for returning members. To encourage male membership, women can bring two men with them to register and have their registration fees waved.
E-mail Schmidt at: optimist@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
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Socrates Café tackles hard questions By Michelle Jimenez Student Reporter
Is Christianity true? Are people who practice other religions wrong? Is the evidence sustaining Christianity reasonable and rational? Socrates Café attendees explored the real issues of Christianity at its first gathering on Sept. 11. The café, organized this semester by Morgan Philpott, sophomore Christian ministry major from Georgetown, challenges students to think openly and critically about various subjects pertaining to philosophy and the way of life. “Socrates Café is just a good place to air those discussions and ask those difficult questions,” Philpott said. “I just think it equips us so well just to think or inter-
“Socrates Café is just a good place to air those discussions and ask those difficult questions.” Morgan Philpott, sophomore Christian ministry major from Georgetown
act at a higher level than we could before.” Held every Tuesday night from 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Den in Barret Hall, the discussion encourages students to throw out topics and ask questions that concern or interest them. A few topics discussed last year pertained to free will, justice, forgiveness, art and beauty. Randy Harris, instructor of Bible, ministry and missions, facilitates the discussions of the event. He said one of the most interesting conversations that took place last year dealt with humor, what makes things funny and whether or not humor is always cruel.
“I came away from some of those discussions last year thinking I really learned some things,” Harris said. Socrates Café, Philpott said, brings groups of people together who are interested in talking about the deep issues of philosophy, ethics and theology and sheds some light on the “difficult questions” of life people are afraid to ask. “[Few] people, when they get to college, haven’t really examined those questions, so they come here and find out people are asking these questions which they never even thought to ask,” Philpott said. “Going through
Socrates Café, I’ve had to face those difficult questions.” Socrates Café, based on a philosophy book of the same title, began last year when former Barret Residence Hall R.A. Josh Kirby presented Harris with the idea of starting up a program in Barret Hall similar to that of the book. The book’s premise is that philosophy impacts and enriches the way a person lives life. The Greek philosopher Socrates promoted the quest of asking questions and searching for truths, and Socrates Café models the Socratic method of asking questions. “I think asking questions is the right way to live,” Harris said.
E-mail Jimenez at: optimist@acu.edu
FCA boosts membership, plans events By Sara Snelson Arts Editor
The ACU chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes recently had its first interest meeting in order to prepare for the upcoming semester and year. FCA, which is geared toward high school and college students, is growing this year on ACU’s campus. “FCA is a lot bigger this year than in the past,” said Matt Lambro, junior youth and family ministry major from Grapevine. “This year, we have a new group of people involved, and good changes are being made. Leaders are taking ownership of the program more and wanting it to progress on campus.” The mission statement of
FCA is to “serve as a ministry tool of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes by informing, inspiring and involving coaches, athletes and all whom they influence, that they may make an impact for Jesus Christ.” The mission statement is geared toward athletes; however, FCA is available to everyone and anyone who wants to come. “People tend to perceive FCA as an athlete-only organization,” Lambro said. “FCA is for everyone. I am not an athlete, and I help run it on campus.” There is a Chapel offered Wednesdays to all who lead or would like to lead FCA. During the Chapel, there is prayer and a devotional. The leadership team is divided into three groups:
the program/lesson team, the hospitality team and the publicity and promotions team. All three of these teams work together to make sure every aspect of FCA runs smoothly, and the word gets out among students on campus. FCA meets every Thursday night at 9 p.m. in the Living Room in the Campus Center. At these meetings, members play games, worship and bring in various speakers to give presentations. “Our theme for the semester is Hebrews 13, and that is what we will focus on every Thursday,” Lambro said. FCA has about 40-80 students attend every Thursday night. One of its biggest events takes place in October. Every year it hosts an event
called Fields of Faith, which is geared toward high school students and requires college students to help run and plan the event. Last year, 5,000 high school students attended the event, and FCA expects over 7,000 students to attend this year. Fields of Faith will be held Oct. 10 at Shotwell Stadium at 7 p.m. After the devotional, students are invited to go down on the field to pray with each other. A retreat is also held in the spring for college students. Students are welcomed to attend FCA events.
E-mail Snelson at: sas04b@acu.edu
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Bid night to launch new pledging rules By Rachel Davis Opinion Editor
Chapel will soon be filled again with groups of women in yellow skirts and men in green polos. Pledging season is almost upon us, and this year the rules clubs must adhere to are a little different. “I think the new rules for this year are definitely going to be a trial and error thing,” said Ashlea Allred, senior psychology major from Bedford and president of Alpha Kai Omega. “Since it’s the first year, there will be a lot of kinks to iron out.” Mauri Westbrook, coordinator of student organizations and activities, assists the social clubs throughout the pledging process when in need. “Any time there is change, there is the possibility for people to not fully understand all of the new rules,” Westbrook said in an e-mail. “However, we have communicated with those pledging the new expectations in an information meeting held the first week of school. The club presidents have spent a great deal of time with me in information meetings and in discussion about the new rules, and as they set the direction for their clubs, I feel confident they are all headed in the right direction.” This year, students who wanted to pledge had to register online and rank the clubs they wanted to join. The women’s clubs have a lottery this year. Any club that has more pledges than they are allowed will have a lottery system where each club will vote on potential pledges. “I think we’ll have to wait and see how the changes will
play out,” said Katie Eichelberger, senior marketing major from Houston and president of Ko Jo Kai. Bid Night is coming up Friday, and this year, pledges have a curfew set at 5 a.m. “It’s actually kind of nice that we have a time to be back by,” Allred said. “When I pledged, I didn’t get back until 8 in the morning.” Both Allred and Eichelberger said the new curfew wouldn’t change the club’s planned Bid Night activities. Pledging also changed this year. Two different phases of pledging will allow members to feel more included by the end, Eichelberger said. “In the first phase, all the initiation stuff happens,” Eichelberger said. “But in the second phase, there’s relationship building between the pledges and the members. With phase two, the pledges will be able to feel more a part of things and not as awkward once they get in.” The new rules came from the Social Club Advisory Committee that formed last year to discuss new changes in social clubs. “Jack Reese and Liz Rotenberry chaired the committee that had students, club advisors and faculty as members,” Westbrook said. “This committee evaluated things that were working very well in clubs and things that needed improvement. Their work led to a set of recommendations to help improve clubs, and those are the changes we are implementing this year.” The new changes should be good, Eichelberger said. “I think everything will go smoothly,” Eichelberger said. “I’m excited about this year.” E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Page 5
Teague hosts information, pie By Kimberly Prather Student Reporter
Teague Special Events Center is no longer just the place to get pie during Lectureship. This year, Lectureship coordinators added a new twist by creating Lectureship Central, a place where people can find the answer to Lectureship-related questions. At Teague, guests can register and get information about the event from about 100 exhibitors. Sandy Lowe, director of exhibits, said there are several different kinds of exhibitors. “Many of them are non-profits concerned with education, helping children or supporting mission work in various areas,” she said. Lowe also said a number of vendors will sell Bibles, materials and other church-
related items in Teague. Teague opens its doors to these exhibitors as a service to the Lectureship guests. “This allows our guests to gather information on Biblestudy materials that are available, purchase books they have heard recommended by Lectureship speakers and find various items that could be helpful to them personally or to their church,” Lowe said. This year, Women for ACU has a special booth in Teague. Each evening, the organization will serve coffee and sell pie for $3 with all the proceeds going to student scholarships. Samantha Adkins, coordinator of Alumni Programs, said Women of ACU started doing this because Lectureship organizers came to them about participating, and they were happy and ex-
cited about the opportunity. “The ladies love having a chance to meet those from out of town, and it’s a good chance to help ACU,” she said. Also in Teague, the women will sell tickets for their annual women’s dinner. Aramark will also have an area where they will sell snacks in Teague. For the first time, Gaylor Multimedia will sell recordings of all Lectureship presentations. Post-event sales of audio CDs can be made through Gaylor Multimedia, Inc, at (615) 361-4120 or www.gayloronline.com. InFocus Digital will sell DVDs of Lectureship presentations. They can be reached at www.infocusdv.com, or by calling 325-672-0715.
E-mail Prather at: optimist@acu.edu
Peaceful prayer
Matt newhouser STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Dean Bryce from Stillwater, Okla., begins Monday morning in a prayer and devotional service led by his son, Brady, at Jacob’s Dream. A service is offered every morning at 8 a.m. during Lectureship.
Departments depict peaceful theme By C.J. Pierson and Mallory Edens Student Reporter and Page 2 Editor
The theatre, art and music departments are collaborating during Lectureship, offering perspectives on the theme, “Turning Swords into Plowshares.” The theatre department’s presentation, directed by Dawne Swearingen Churchville, assistant professor of theatre, began the series titled “The Word in Motion” with a play Sunday. Churchville choreographed a solo that she performed herself, a duet ballet and a group piece that involved seven students, including Jenavene Hester, Seth Bazacus, Jasmine Richardson, Lindsey Lehrmann, Jeremy Varner, Ashley Padovani and Soeuraya Wilson. “This was meant to be the way an artist would approach the script and using the gifts God gave us to bring it alive,” Donna Hester, adjunct faculty and academic advisor for the theatre department, said. Another part to “The Word in Motion” was an improvisation piece choreographed by Gary Varner, which included
performers Joshep Clingan, Michelle Alexander and Jonathan Prim. Hester said the entire show went according to expectations. “We were delighted,” she said. “One of the reasons we want to contribute to Lectureship is we feel artists have a unique way to approach scripture. Hopefully, we were able to bless the audience to see it in a new way.” Geoff Broderick, associate professor of art and design, and Kurt Dyrhaug, professor at Lamar University, presented a session titled, “Iron Melting: Swords Into Plowshares,” Monday. The display featured iron casting from melted scrap iron. Art students started with a thin layer of clay they put footprints in. Then, they made a two-piece sand mold, and poured iron into them. When the iron cools, the final product will be a relief showing an imprint of the foot and the fossils that were used to make it. “These pieces use the idea of fossils, but in the middle of that, we put our footprints,” Garrett Hines, graduate student from Belton, said. “These fossils had their time, and now we have ours. But [ours] is just as short.”
A student project from the 3D Design class, taught by Kenny Jones, associate professor of art, was also added to the furnace during the melting process, using paper weapons to symbolize actual weapons. Broderick said he and Jack Maxwell, chair of the Department of Art and Design, came up with the idea because of the success they had with the iron melt in the spring semester. He also said the department has only recently become more involved with Lectureship but hopes to continue. The music department’s concert, “Let Justice Roll Down Like Waters,” will be offcampus at Erinshire Gardens, located on the corner of East North 16th Street and Campus Court, at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. Gregory Straughn, chair of the Department of Music, said the concert uses the verse of ‘turning your swords into plowshares’ as a metaphor for peaceful resistance. The concert will feature a group of faculty and students performing protest music from America’s past, including slave songs, spirituals and war-protest songs from the Vietnam era and today. E-mail the reporters at: optimist@acu.edu
ViewsTuesday Optimist
Page 6
September 18, 2007
Patriot Act infringes on American rights The issue:
A district judge recently struck down part of the Patriot Act, declaring the national security letters unconstitutional.
Our view:
It’s about time this law gets examined. It invades privacy rights, and figures suggest the government has been taking advantage of its powers under the act.
The solution:
Americans need to re-examine this act and realize how invasive it has become.
The panic spurred by the 9/11 attacks must be subsiding – the American Civil Liberties Union is reclaiming Americans’ rights. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, N.Y., touted First Amendment rights recently, striking down parts of the USA Patriot Act in an encouraging step toward restoring rights trampled by the 2001 act. Marrero ruled unconstitutional the “national security letters,” which allow the FBI to demand e-mail and telephone data from private companies, according to a Sept. 7 article in The Washington Post. The decision draws attention to the act’s potential to infringe on free speech. Americans would abhor sacrificing any freedoms
were they not After 9/11, America appreciated her national secu- takes full adin wartime and vantage of its rity more than ever — but Americans pay far too wary of terrorunchecked costly a price for security under the Patriot Act. ist attacks, and powers under Marrero’s rulthe act. The ing launches Post reported an overdue examination of er fraud and abuse,” but it that before Congress enacted the unconstitutional act. How- renders citizens vulnerable the Patriot Act, the FBI isever, the decision will restrict to another power — their sued 9,000 national security only one unregulated infringe- government. letters in 2000. The number ment on private conversations The act tramples privacy more than tripled in 2005, allowed by the act. and regulates speech by au- when the FBI issued about This decision should spur thorizing voice mail seizure 50,000 letters. similar rulings on other un- with a warrant, subpoenas The Justice Department constitutional provisions in of credit card or bank ac- most surely will appeal Marthe act. count numbers for records rero’s ruling. In 2004, ConTitle II of the Patriot Act, and private communication gress passed legislation to Enhanced Surveillance Pro- disclosure “to protect life appease Marrero while the cedures, authorizes “the in- and limb.” executive branch appealed terception of wire, oral, and Such hazy regulations his similar 2004 decision; electronic communications leave private citizens’ right however, the legislation did for the production of evi- to freedom of speech, as little to include oversight dence,” allowing too much guaranteed by the First from the courts. leeway and little regulation. Amendment, open to unwarNow, we hope for a stronThe act aims for “terror- ranted invasion. ger response from Congress, ism offenses” and “computClearly, the government which must correct the lax
Alex York
Lebensgefahr
Social clubs should seek diversity During my freshman year I went to Miami on a Spring Break Campaign. I stayed with a Cuban family, and one late night the middle-aged uncle took me to his favorite Cuban restaurant. Fields of The esDreams tablishment wasn’t a Jared club or laFields beled as a “Cuban only” place. It just felt that way because I was the only white boy from the panhandle eating in a heavily concentrated Cuban location. I couldn’t speak the language and felt out of place through my entire meal. For the first time I could remember, I felt like I was the minority. I get few opportunities to feel that way. I want to experience the same feeling here but never can. I remember this experience because twice this semester I’ve heard a question I could not believe: why would an all-white club be unacceptable on campus?
Creating an all-white club serves no purpose when that culture is already in the majority — nothing can be gained out of it.
If you are white, put yourself in the position of a minority on a school campus. Say you go to Grambling University – a traditionally all-black college. I imagine most things you do would put you outside of your comfort zone. Would you try to start an all-white club there? Would you feel like you don’t belong because of your perceptions or because of how you would be treated? If you find yourself in favor of this then just look around. All the social clubs on campus already look like all-white clubs. Pledging begins in a week. When it does and all the pledges and members sit together, look around and see how many African-American people are in each respective club. Then ask yourself how many minorities you know in social clubs.
If you know more than five and aren’t one or in a social club (I can only name one I personally know) then I’ll be impressed. You can do the same at Opening Chapel when the entire faculty sits behind the Chapel stage. Abilene and ACU have a white majority, and the numbers cannot escape it. It merely speaks to the enrollment statistics and the ethnic makeup of the university. Minorities in America have a reason to feel ostracized from mainstream, white culture. Historically, whites have been the force behind a metric ton of oppression since the continent’s discovery. I know some will say the Civil Rights Movement happened generations ago, but the hundreds of years prior still have lingering effects. Being in the racial minority is like the lone guy infiltrating a friend-group
of a dozen girls. It’s almost impossible. You wouldn’t necessarily be bluntly uninvited; you would just feel you don’t belong. Minorities at ACU feel that everyday. Ethnic minority clubs like International Students’ Association, Essence of Ebony and Virtuous African Heritage Sisterhood form to preserve and inform the majority of their culture. Some may argue forming such clubs only segregates the members even more. I cannot speak for the members; I can only say my hope is they don’t form to segregate themselves. Creating an all-white club serves no purpose when that culture is already in the majority. Nothing can be gained out of it. You will not teach any understanding or preservation of your heritage when it has already dominated for so many years.
E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu, 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
Simpson makes headlines again He’s back! Wow. The man whose ugly mug You would think being a littered the news pages and suspect in a murder investalk shows tigation that gripped a naduring the tion and ruined Simpson’s better part reputation would be reason of the 90s enough to keep O.J. on the — the guy straight and narrow. who walks But apparently he missed down the the memo. street and Simpson has become the just looks epitome of a crooked proOpinion guilty. fessional athlete. Shouter That’s Just saying his name right, O.J. gives me chills. Daniel Simpson is He repeatedly shows no Johnson back in the concern for the law, and news. his latest criminal endeavor The ex-pro football play- isn’t surprising. er and ex-murder suspect Since he put down the was arrested Sunday and football and picked up life charged off the field, with six felSimpson Athletes should realize ony counts just can’t get including that despite their crimi- it right. And armed robthough he nal endeavors, people bery, asis innocent actually look up to them, sault with until provand they should take a deadly en guilty, w e a p o n , their role of being a pub- it’s hard to conspiracy not jump lic figure seriously. to burglary to a concluand bursion when it glary with a comes to O.J. firearm. Simpson. The Las Vegas Police DeEven though the glove partment detained Simpson didn’t fit, I’m not convinced for allegedly seizing vari- he should have been acous mementos and sports quitted. memorabilia from two Simpson is the king of memorabilia dealers. crooked athletes, but he is The dealers said Simp- only a small slice of the pie. son and five other men Whether it’s Michael Vick, burst into their room car- Pacman Jones or the king rying weapons at the Palace himself, it seems like there Station Hotel and Casino in is a trend of current and Las Vegas. former professional athAlthough Simpson was letes who don’t understand detained and held without the law applies to them too. bail, the Las Vegas police Too many athletes are on said there is no current evi- America’s Sports Pages for dence Simpson was one of all the wrong reasons. Drug the men carrying a weapon charges, weapons violaduring the incident or that tions, dog fighting and now anyone was harmed. armed robbery — when will Simpson proclaimed his it end? innocence right when the Professional athletes story broke, doing numer- should realize that despite ous interviews to explain their criminal endeavors, his side of the story. people actually look up to “I’m O.J. Simpson. How them, and they should take am I going to think that I’m their role of being a public going to rob somebody and figure seriously. get away with it?” Simpson So far, Simpson hasn’t told the Los Angeles Times. been living up to his part of Simpson declared the the bargain. holdup wasn’t robbery. But at least we’ll get to He explained he was just watch him fall once again. running a sting operation to get back items that were E-mail Johnson at: originally stolen from him. djj04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
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
oversight by the judicial branch through tougher legislation — and the governed must insist Congress do so. This act as it exists affects issues like identity theft, travel and communication across the country, said Melanie Castleberg, instructor of political science. After 9/11, America appreciated her national security more than ever. But Americans pay far too costly a price for security under the Patriot Act. Write letters, make phone calls and speak out against suffocation of your freedom of speech.
Editorial Board and News Staff Jared Fields
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September 18, 2007
BOX OFFICE stats Newly released movies and gross rates for Sept. 14 - Sept. 16. n The Brave One (R): $14 Million n 3:10 to Yuma (R): $9.2 Million n Mr. Woodcock (PG-13): $9.1 Million n Dragon Wars (PG-13): $5.4 Million n Superbad (R): $5.2 Million
Coming Soon Movies opening Friday, Sept. 21: n Good Luck Chuck (R), starring Jessica Alba, Dane Cook, Dan Fogler and Ellia English. Charlie Kagan had a spell cast on him by a girl he would not kiss during a game of spin the bottle when he was 10. Now, twenty-five years later, the curse still stands, and every girl he ever dates falls in love with the next man she meets. Kagan becomes known as a “good luck charm” for women. When he meets the girl of his dreams, he has to try and find a way to break the curse, so she will not fall in love with anyone else. n Resident Evil: Extinction (R), starring MIlla Jovovivh, Mike Epps, Oded Fehr and Ali Larter. This is the third and final chapter in the trilogy. Mila (Jovovich) is reunited with all her old friends to take down the Umbrella Corporation once and for all. They all set out to eliminate a virus and to ensure that the corporation pays the price for all the crimes they have committed. n Into the Wild (NA), starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Marcia Gay Harden and William Hurt. Based on a true story and bestselling book this film is about top student and athlete, Christopher McCandless(Hirsch),who graduated from Emory University in 1992. He abandons all his possessions and gives his entire savings account to charity. He hitchhikes to Alaska to live in the wilderness, and along the way, he encounters a series of characters who end up shaping his life.
ArtsTuesday Optimist
Page 7
‘3:10 to Yuma’ proves Westerns still great By Sara Snelson Arts Editor
John Wayne has always been known as the king of Westerns. In fact, he still holds that title. Very few Westerns are made today, and the ones that are produced definitely stand out as the minority among movies in our generation. In the past several years, the one Western that might possibly be privileged to be compared to one of John Wayne’s movies is “Open Range.” But there is one movie out of the few that I believe has owned every right to stand up to John Wayne and show him what a Western movie is all about. “3:10 to Yuma” lives up to its expectations in providing the audience with action and a great sense of what life was like back in the days of robberies, ranching and the railroad. The story takes place in Arizona in the 1800s, when outlaw, Ben Wade (Russell Crowe) and his gang of thieves and murderers plagued the Southern-Railroad and heisted all the money it carried. The movie begins by introducing Dan Evans (Christian Bale), a Civil War veteran who, because of the war, has a kink in his walk. Evans, his wife and two sons live on a ranch that is suffering from a drought, and they are struggling to live. When Evans and his sons ride out one morning to herd their cattle back to their land, they come across Wade and his men taking over a stagecoach. Wade sees that Evans and his sons
3:10 to yuma n Starring - Christian Bale, Russell Crowe, Peter Fonda and Gretchen Mol. n Rated R for violence and some language. n Now playing at Century Abilene 12, 3818 John Knox Drive.
HHHHI saw what had happened but lets them go. Evans and his sons go down to the coach and take one of the injured men to town to receive help from a doctor. While in town, Evan’s stumbles across Wade again, who is then arrested. Five men volunteer to take Wade to town to put him on the 3:10 p.m. train to Yuma, which will deliver him to trial. Evans volunteers as one of the escorts because of the $200 pay, which he needs to pay off debts and for his family’s survival. While they all travel together, viewers never experience a dull moment. Turmoil bubbles up between Wade and some of the escorts, which leads to three of the escort’s deaths. They come across Apache Indians, angry men who have been affected by Wade’s killings and Evan’s son, who followed them along the way to see a real hero in action, compared to his father who can barely provide for his family. Along their journey, Wade and Evans discover they are not altogether different. Although Evans has morals and Wade does not, both struggle in their life and work for
Courtesy of Rottentomatoes.com
Dan Evans, played by Christian Bale escorts Ben Wade, played by Russell Crowe to town to put him on the 3:10 p.m. train to Yuma to be put on trial. everything they have. In the second half of the movie, viewers watch Wade and Evans connect in numerous ways and joke with each other. This is never a playful joking, but the two of them get along better than any of the other men. I guess you could say they prove and earn each other’s respect in many ways. Evans, who is just a small-time rancher, can live up to the expectations Wade has for any one of his men, and Wade shows Evans he is not as bad as
people perceive him. Now, I do not want to give away the ending to this movie. All I can say is that Wade and Evans respect for each other is revealed by the conclusion of the movie, and all things end the way they should as the characters destinies are fulfilled. “3:10 to Yuma” offers suspense that never ends, even if there is no action in a scene. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale prove themselves as great and believable actors. Their on-
screen chemistry is what makes their relationship in the movie so great. I would highly recommend this movie to all. John Wayne set a high standard for westerns and all that follow him, but I definitely think this movie is up there with the king of Westerns and proves that great Westerns can still be made, and should continue to be produced.
E-mail Snelson at: sas04b@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS / FRONT THE FRONT
Page 8
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Students’ film showcases Chinese culture, experience By Katie Howerton and Mallory Edens Student Reporter and Page 2 Editor
Thirteen students traveled to Shanghai, China, this summer for a cross-cultural learning experience. The team included Aaron Rector, Jonathan Jenkins, Sarah Johnson, Sunday Gerrit, Jenni Walker, Grant Walker, Elizabeth Canarsky, Alex Pesante, Lyric Wadley, Kenny McEntire, Jennifer Harrison, Omed Kani and Jansen White. For 10 weeks, these students visited historical sites, interacted with citizens and took language
and culture classes three to four times a week to become more acquainted with the country and its history. The main purpose of the trip was to help fulfill the desire of Aaron Rector, senior electronic media major from Abilene, and Jonathan Jenkins, ACU alumnus, to film Americans in China and get their experience living in a foreign culture. Rector wanted to spread awareness about the Chinese culture because there is not much information on what the country is really like to live in, he said. “China is going to be such a big part of the world, and
I wanted to educate people on how China really is,” Rector said. “It’s not just this big Communist evil power. They are real people who are so kind and generous. They love Americans.” Rector also said he wanted to create more communication between American and Chinese people. “I wanted to bridge the gap between the young people in America and China and create communication of people who are more knowledgeable about that culture and vice versa,” he said. Rector and Jenkins are in the process of editing 250300 hours of film, which
they will turn into 150-200 Web episodes that will air online at their Web site, www.nihaoareyou.com, to showcase their trip. They anticipate the Web site, which is being built by a company in New Jersey, will be up and running by the end of September or October. Once the site is up, Rector and Jenkins expect to air about 10 episodes a week for four or five months. “We are editing it to showcase the best and worst of China, and what life would be like if Americans went there,” Rector said. “It is a resource to Americans because so many people are
doing study abroad and training for jobs in China. China is a huge market for people. So much business is going on there.” After these videos have all been aired, Rector plans to use the Web site as a resource to the Chinese people. He plans to take another group of students back to China for the 2008 Olympics with curriculum the travelers can use to teach Chinese students. “Now that we’ve done it once, [the next trip] will be a little more focused,” he said. “Chinese students go to classes called English corners to help with their English. We want to cater
to them to create a unified English corner they can watch and use to improve their English.” Rector said this next phase is still up in the air but encourages students to watch the videos to learn from their experiences. “It’s real people; it’s an interesting culture and is interesting to watch,” Rector said. “Some are funny, and some are just events we did and who we met. Hopefully, this is an idea people will get excited about.”
E-mail the reporters at: optimist@acu.edu
Acapella: Pendergrass uses all gifts
Asare: ‘Not a Band-Aid matter’
Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1
and to 7,000 in a 3,000-seat stadium in Jamaica. “In America, we were a Christian singing group; most of our crowds were 80 percent Christian,” Moyers said. “Outside of the U.S., we were viewed as an American singing group who happened to be Christians. We were much more effective outside the country with our mission efforts.” Sharing the Gospel as they traveled stretched Pendergrass. He found himself learning more from others than he taught them. “It’s given me the opportunity to stretch my spiritual perspective,” he said. “It broadened how I see Christianity. “When you travel, it automatically stretches you because it exposes you to so many people, places and situations you would not have been exposed to,” Pendergrass said. “It stretches how you see the world.” With God’s help, Acappella had a big impact on the Church of Christ, Moyers said. “The church was about to burst looking for an outlet,” Moyers said. “The church was culturally wanting to expand and embrace things that had been verboten.” Historically, Churches of Christ have worshiped only with a cappella singing, but Moyers said some churches were “looking to explore instrumental worship” at the time Acappella began touring. However, when the group brought a more contemporary sound to a cappella music, people embraced it. “Then along comes Acappella, and we provide an
“When you travel, it automatically stretches you because it exposes you to so many people, places and situations you would not have been exposed to. It stretches how you see the world.” George Pendergrass, director of multicultural enrichment
outlet,” Moyers said. “It was a wonderful release people had for a series of years.” The Acappella Company, which features other singing groups and will soon put out its 100th album, went triple platinum in sales by 2003. “I think God used us as a way to grow the church,” Moyers said. Byron Sommardahl, road manger for Acappella’s current lineup, said Acappella is internationally known. He said Acappella has helped the Church of Christ enjoy music more. “Thousands of kids grow up dreaming they could be in Acappella,” Sommardahl said. Despite the group’s success, traveling was tough for Pendergrass. Acappella traveled with its families, and that made it more difficult. “In the midst of traveling you miss out on some aspects of normality,” he said. Pendergrass longed for a less nomadic lifestyle. In 1995 he left the group and started his own business in Nashville. It incorporated his gifts, including singing and speaking. He said his interests are like a guy who goes fishing and uses 10 different rods; his interests and gifts are many. ‘When God gives you many gifts, he wants you to use them all.” From Nashville, Pendergrass took a job in Hershey, Pa., with the Milton-Hershey School. George and Pamela
worked as house parents for 11 middle school boys for five years before they moved to Abilene where their son, Jonathan, is a freshman. Now the director for multicultural enrichment, Pendergrass said he wants to help people appreciate the different cultures represented on campus. Brandon Jones, graduate student in higher education from Tyler, is Pendergrass’s graduate assistant in the office for multicultural enrichment. Jones said working with Pendergrass is exciting because it is a new position for Pendergrass, and Jones gets to help him get acquainted. At the same time, Jones said he learns a lot being around Pendergrass. “He’s traveled the world so much and encountered so many cultures,” Jones said. “I think he’s perfect for the job. He’s got a broader world view, and that makes him more relatable.” Moyers said Pendergrass has always been about bridging gaps. When they were students together at LCU, Moyers saw Pendergrass proactively engaging people from all cultures. “It’s really easy for a person to gravitate toward their own culture,” he said. “George was never like that. In college, he was always breaking down walls.” “It does not surprise me in the least that he’s taken this job. He’ll do a fantastic job.” Moyers said. “That’s what he’s always done.”
E-mail Josey at: jdj03e@acu.edu
of Christ members across the United States, Asare said. Teenagers scavenge through garbage for food; fathers send their daughters into prostitution. “They would rather see their children become slaves than to see them die before their very eyes,” he said. Much like the rich in Micah, Asare said, today’s wealthy
continue to turn a blind eye. “Those who call themselves the children of God are living in luxury,” Asare said. Just as Jerusalem’s fate warned Judah, it also warns America, he said. And just as Micah said Jerusalem had an incurable wound, Ghana also has her own. “An incurable wound is not a Band-Aid matter,” Asare said. “Will God sit in silence? Will God sit uncon-
cerned? No.” Asare reminded the audience that Jesus said, “To whom much is given, much will be expected.” “God will do something,” Asare said. “America, there’s a judgment coming. Don’t just sit there – do something.”
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Ghana: Relationships illuminate needs Continued from page 1 showers, but we were pampered,” she said. “When you leave the Village of Hope it is a different environment.” Simpson and about 14 other interns from universities around the country, including ACU students Jennifer Johnson, Bonnie Coley, Sarah Sparks and Holly Peck, traveled to the Village of Hope during the month of July to help offer these children a brighter future. Simpson said all the signs were directing her to Ghana. “I’ve wanted to go to Africa since I was a senior in high school,” she said. “Things worked out perfectly. We wanted to experience that and get a better worldview. We were excited.” They helped at the school and the church, teaching them about technology and aiding the teachers. Simpson’s personal responsibilities included tutoring a 17-year-old in English and math, typing tests for teachers and helping the students use the computer. “They know how to work a computer, but they are still in a learning period,” she said. “And they got Facebook while we were there, so now we can keep in touch with them on Facebook.”
“My world was shaped and changed. It definitely changed how I see and respond to things. We can’t be blind to people’s needs.” Emily Simpson, senior psychology major from DeSoto
Simpson said she considers the relationships they formed as her favorite part of the trip. “We just loved on them, played a lot with them, were friends with them and connected with them,” she said. “They are so open. You walk up, and they immediately take you as their friend. When you get there, they want to know how long you will be there, when you are leaving and when you’re coming back. Being with [them] is the thing I miss the most.” While she was there to help them, Simpson said the children she met changed her life, and her time in Ghana brought into light many needs of the people there. “You get a different perspective on things,” she said. “My world was shaped and changed. It definitely changed how I see and respond to things. We can’t be blind to people’s needs.” One of the biggest needs at the Village of Hope she saw was more one-on-one attention. “We did what we could, but you can’t get to everyone,” Simpson said. “The school there is one of the best in Ghana, and they do a really good job working with them. They help each other out so much, but they need someone with the ability to teach and educate and learn where their needs are.”
She said another need is to show them the good in their society and help them change their world instead of forcing America upon them. “They have such a culture there that you don’t want them to lose that,” she said. “We don’t need to bring them to America but empower them to help themselves.” Fred Asare, Village of Hope director, spoke at ACU on Monday in Moody Coliseum on the topic “Her Wound is Incurable.” Many interns are looking forward to this, especially as many of them have not been able to contact the Village of Hope children since their session ended Aug. 1. Simpson said she hopes this will give her the opportunity to send word back to her stargazing friend, Erica. “I met Erica, and we were just instantly connected,” Simpson said. “We were close [since we looked at the stars] and from then on. I e-mailed her once, but she didn’t respond because she doesn’t really know how to work e-mail. We will have to communicate through letters for a while, and [I’m] excited [I] can send letters back with Fred Asare.”
E-mail Edens at: mxe06a@acu.edu
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Page 9
SPORTS JUMPS
Streak: Angelo first LSC opponent Continued from page 10 a 2-4 Angelo State squad that also lost to No. 18 St. Edward’s this weekend. Angelo dropped their fourth straight loss of the season after a 1-0 to the Hilltoppers. Angelo has lost two
straight matches at home and tied Texas Permian-Basin, a team ACU beat 3-0 on Aug. 28. “I feel like if we come to play, we’ll give them a run for their money,” Wilson said. The conference opener will be the beginning of a
long schedule on the road; ACU will play four conference road match-ups before its first conference match-up at home against East Central on Oct. 12.
E-mail Johnson at: optimist@acu.edu
Tech: Jamboree next for ACU Continued from page 10 the men’s performances,” Hood said. “For those who competed, I was really pleased. The entire team competed over my expectations.” Hood continues to see the Wildcats’ performances at the ACU Classic and Texas Tech meets as training to improve performance for the upcoming meet at the Oklahoma Sate Jamboree on Sept. 29. brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior defensive end Julian Humble tackles Southeastern Oklahoma State quarterback Kolby Williams for a loss of three yards to force a third and six with 3:18 left in the first quarter of ACU’s win over the Savage Storm on Saturday.
Catalyst: Cats face SWOK Continued from page 10 blocked one punt against a struggling Aggies offense. Despite its early successes, the Bulldogs haven’t faced an offense of ACU’s caliber yet. The Wildcats scored 11 touchdowns in its last two games and averages 34.3, 194 and 230.7 rushing yards every game. ACU junior running back Bernard Scott ran for 300 yards and five touchdowns in ACU’s last two wins, while backup senior running back Taber Minner ran for two touchdowns of his own. Scott’s 420 total rushing yards and 140.0 rushing average are the second best
total in the LSC. “I think we have the best 1-2 combo in the conference with Bernard and Taber,” said junior quarterback Billy Malone. “It’s awesome to have somebody who can run the ball like that, especially when I’m not passing as well as I can be.” Malone has thrown for 632 yards and six touchdowns and one interception in ACU’s first three games. ACU’s defense is coming off a dominating performance against Southeastern. The Wildcats did not allow a touchdown and held the Savage Storm to 48 rushing yards and 142 passing yards. “As a team we feel like we’re nowhere close to
peaking yet so our biggest thing is to get better every week,” said senior defensive end Travis Carpenter. When ACU and Southwestern met up in 2006 the Wildcats dominated both sides of the ball in a 31-0 shutout win. “We’re not really worried about streaks or anything,” Carpenter said. “We know that we still have a long way to go to play how we want to play.” ACU and Southwestern will play in Weatherford, Okla., at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on KYYW 1470 AM.
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
“This is the last week of what we call ‘phase two training,’ which is basically hill training,” Hood said. “We are still trying to increase strength and endurance. We will change our trainHood ing the week after to start preparing to run in key meets lat-
er in the season.” With the ACU Classic and the Texas Tech meet behind them, Hood is looking forward to the meet in Oklahoma that will include multiple Division I teams. “I think at Oklahoma State we are really going to turn some heads at the national level and show how much depth and talent our team has,” Hood said.
E-mail Mathis at: optimist@acu.edu
SportsTuesday Optimist
Page 10
ScoreBoard Standings Scoreboard as of Monday
Football
Team
Tarleton St. MSU ENMU WTAMU ACU Angelo St. TAMU-K
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Volleyball
Team
WTAMU ACU Angelo St. TAMU-K Tarleton St. ENMU
Div. 2-0 1-0 1-0 1-1 1-1 0-2
Men, women place third at Jackrabbit Open By Anastastia Mathis Sports Writer
Overall 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 2-1 1-2 0-3 Overall 11-5 5-6 3-9 5-4 6-8 3-13
Two top runners didn’t compete at the Texas Tech Jackrabbit Open, but the men’s cross country team still managed to place high. “We didn’t run two of our top runners: Nicodemus Naimadu and Julius Nyango,” said head coach Derek Hood. “They weren’t 100 percent well, and it wasn’t a very important meet so there was no
Cross Country need to risk further injury.” Both the ACU men’s and women’s cross country teams placed third in Lubbock behind Texas Tech and South Plains College. “Friday’s meet was another chance to get back into racing shape and prepare for the bigger meets later in the season,” said junior Hayley Garner. “My goals for the women’s team this year are to win
the South Central Region title again and place in the top 10 at the national meet.” The woman’s team pushed toward that goal with great strength and time with Mary Mwangi finishing with a time of 17:42.70 and Loice Cheboi placing 10th with a time of 17:49.70. “I was really pleased with Mary’s performance; she was our No. 1 runner,” Hood said. “The Lubbock meet was another opportunity to
run at a fast pace. It’s something we haven’t focused on in our training yet but they did well at.” With Serge Gasore placing fourth with a time of 23:50.80, Philip Birgen placing fifth with a time of 24:02.00 and Amos Sang finishing eighth with a time of 24:43.00, the men’s team was able to continue its streak of great times. “Overall, I was pleased with See
TECH page 9
ACU breaks losing streak
Women’s Soccer
Team
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 East Central 0-0 NE State 0-0 TAMU-C 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 Angelo St. 0-0 SW Okla. 0-0 WTAMU MSU Central Okla. ENMU ACU
Overall 5-1 3-0-2 5-2-1 5-2 5-4 3-3-2 2-2-1 3-3 3-4-1 2-4-1 0-8
VOLLEYBALL ACU 3, Southeastern Oklahoma State 0
Friday WOMEN’S SOCCER St. Edward’s 1, ACU 0
Saturday FOOTBALL ACU 41, Southeastern Oklahoma State 3
WOMEN’S SOCCER ACU 2, Dallas Baptist 1
Upcoming VOLLEYBALL
Friday TENNIS ITA Central Region Championships, TBA
WOMEN’S SOCCER ACU at Angelo State, 4 p.m.
Saturday VOLLEYBALL ACU vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, 2 p.m.
FOOTBALL ACU at Southwestern Oklahoma State, 6 p.m. n Home games listed in italics
Briefs Gentile leads the conference in game-winning goals n ACU junior midfielder Jackie Gentile, who has three gamewinning goals this Gentile season, leads the Lone Star Conference in that category. Gentile scored in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Dallas Baptist.
Intramural Round-up n Flag football games will be played Tuesday and Thursday. The schedule and results may be viewed on the intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum. For complete intramural scores and schedules visit: w w w. a c u o p t i m i s t . c o m
The ACU men’s and women’s cross country teams both finished third at the Texas Tech Jackrabbit Open on Friday. The meet was the second for the ACU men’s and women’s cross country teams. n Serge Gasore, 23:50.80 n Philip Birgen, 24:02.00 n Mary Mwangi, 17:42.70 n Loice Cheboi, 17:49.70
Blowout could be another catalyst Sports Editor
Thursday
ACU vs. Tarleton State, 7 p.m.
Times at Tech
By Daniel Johnson
Scores
Thursday
September 18, 2007
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Sophomore forward Jordan Reese squeezes past an Ouachita Baptist defender Sept. 9. ACU beat Dallas Baptist University 2-1 on Saturday.
By Christina Johnson Sports Writer
The Wildcats ended a three-game losing streak and improved to 5-4 after beating Dallas Baptist University 2-1 on Saturday. Junior forward Jackie Gentile scored the Wildcats’ first goal 19 minutes into the game from 15 yards away. DBU tied the game with a goal in the 50th minute, but freshman midfielder Courtney Wilson scored the game-winning goal in the 67th minute after putting away a penalty kick.
Soccer ACU 2, Dallas Baptist 1 Head coach Casey Wilson feels renewed with his team’s previous win. “I felt that this year, not knowing Dallas Baptist, they matched up pretty well,” Wilson said. He explains the Wildcats faced two very different teams this past weekend. “St. Edward’s is a really good team. They put pressure on us the whole game,” Wilson said. “Dallas Baptist wasn’t the same team as St.
Edward’s. We were able to play a little more on Dallas Baptist’s field, offensively.” ACU was coming off a 1-0 loss to the nationally ranked St. Edward’s on Friday. The loss was the third straight for the Wildcats before the win in Dallas. Assistant coach Thomas Pertuit is impressed with the dedication of his players in Saturday’s game. “They played hard from the beginning of the game,” Pertuit said. “They were a good team, but we were a better team.” The Wildcats are rejuve-
Cats carry streak into LSC play By Michael Freeman Assistant Sports Editor
Riding a three-game winning streak, the Wildcat volleyball team heads home Thursday to face conference rival Tarleton State. On Saturday, ACU will take on Texas A&M-Kingsville in Moody Coliseum. Both the Tarleton State TexAnns and the Texas A&M-Kingsville Javelinas have similar records. The TexAnns are 6-8, while the Javelinas are 5-4. Both opponents are 1-1 in the conference. The Wildcats own a 5-6 record with a 1-0 record in conference play. The Wildcats’ last match resulted in a 3-0 win over Southeastern Oklahoma State on Thursday in Durant, Okla. The week-long break is the longest for ACU this season. “I think the girls are getting a much needed rest,” said head coach Kellen Mock. The rest should prepare
Volleyball ACU for Tarleton State, who is looking to rebound after a crushing loss to No. 21 West Texas A&M on Saturday by the count of 32-30, 30-24, 30-26. Coach Mock is not taking Thursday’s match against the TexAnns lightly. “When they all sync up together, Tarleton is a very difficult team to play against,” Mock said. “They put a lot of power on the ball.” Last year, the Wildcats defeated Tarleton State twice. In September, ACU downed Tarleton State in dominating fashion by the score of 30-22, 30-16, 30-27. However, the teams’ next meeting in October turned out differently. ACU still won in a comeback five-game match with the final score of 29-31, 31-29, 25-30, 31-29, 15-11. Thursday’s match against the TexAnns is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. On Saturday, ACU’s second home match will be ver-
sus Texas A&M-Kingsville. “I don’t know what to expect from Kingsville. They have a new coach this year,” Mock said. “Kingsville is kind of a surprise team for us.” Last season, ACU’s September match against Texas A&M-Kingsville resulted in a 30-19, 30-21, 30-17 sweep. And ACU took the October match by a closer count of 15-30, 31-29, 30-26, 22-30, 15-13. But this is a new season, and the Javelinas are coming off of a three-game trouncing of Eastern New Mexico on Saturday. Mock said the Wildcats will be ready to play Texas A&M-Kingsville come game time this Saturday at 2 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. “Coming back against conference opponents in our own gym should be a successful weekend for us,” Mock said. “I think the girls are really up for the challenge.”
E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
nated with this triumphant win and are ready to play their next game. “I think it helped their confidence just to prove we were able to play anybody if we play hard,” Wilson said. “It helped us get in the right frame of mind to play in our first conference game on Friday night.” ACU’s first ever match against a Lone Star Conference opponent will be against Angelo State on Friday at 4 p.m. The Wildcats will face See
STREAK page 9
A big win over Southeastern Oklahoma State was a catalyst for the ACU football team in 2006. The Wildcats’ 51-14 romping of the Savage Storm was the beginning of a sixgame winning streak, and ACU Jordan shut out its next two opponents on the schedule. After another big win over the Savage Storm in 2007, this time a 41-3 blowout, ACU has a chance to go on another run. “I’m hoping that can turn into a snowball,” said senior cornerback Corey Jordan. “I’m feeling like we’re starting to hit on all cylinders, and if we do that, we can definitely go on a run.” After scoring more than 40 points in two straight victories over former nationally ranked teams, ACU will take on the Lone Star Conference North Division’s best defense on Saturday, the Southwestern Oklahoma State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs lead the LSC North in passing defense, rushing defense and scoring defense. And the 3-1 Bulldogs have only allowed 16.2 points per game and 318 rushing yards in four games. Southwestern is coming off of a big 38-8 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State University, in which its defense only conceded one touchdown and scored three defensive touchdowns and See
CATALYST page 9
Split Swings
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Sophomore Luke Hawk prepares to return a ball during the ACU WalMart Classic on Friday. The ACU tennis teams competed in two separate tournaments this weekend. The men’s team played at the Aggie Invitational in Las Cruces, N.M., while the women’s team was in Denton for the Mean Green Invitational.