WHAT'S INSIDE
NEWS
SITC students gear up for the Global Game Jam, a challenge to create a video game in 48 hours. Page 2
FEATURE
Three students share their perspective on Barack Obama’s impact on their adolescent years. Page 4,5
OPINION
Can you pray for your president and still protest against him? Our thoughts on the inauguration. Page 6
Friday, January 20, 2017 Vol. 105, Issue 16
SPORTS
Athletics adds club sports director. Mason breaks all-time 3-point mark. Pages 7, 8
A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912
WE HAVE A DREAM
BIANCA BARRIENTOS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Abilene residents marched across the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge near downtown on Monday in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. People of all races and ages came together in support of unity and human rights.
travel Halbert-Walling opens classroom doors Students to D.C. for Trump BY ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF
The newly completed Halbert-Walling Research Center opened this week for classes, marking the completion of Phase 2 of the university’s efforts to improve science facilities on campus. A part of the Vision in Action science campaign, Halbert-Walling features multiple new labs and three new science classrooms: a 150-seat lecture hall, a 48seat classroom, and a 75-seat classroom that can be divided into two instructional spaces and serves as the home for the Department of Biology, De-
partment of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Body and Soul program. Faculty began moving supplies, equipment and chemicals from the Onstead Science Center to the new building over the Christmas break. Dr. Jeff Arrington, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, oversaw the transition and said, thus far, the transition has gone smoothly. “The faculty and staff in the department of biology, and the departments of chemistry and biochemistry have been so excited about this new space that they’ve gone above and beyond in
PHOTO BY ALLISON BROWN A look inside the atrium area of the new Halbert-Walling Research Center.
moving thousands of chemicals and delicate equip-
ment to really convert a new building into an instructional
space,” Arrington said. The 54,000-square-foot center replaced Chambers Hall. “The focus of this building is hands-on student learning experiences gained through advanced lab facilities and increased research possibilities,” Arrington said. David Marolf, senior biochemistry major from Melissa, has seen all stages of the university’s science facilities; when he began school, classes were still held in Walling Lecture Hall, which was torn down in Jan. 2015. SEE CENTER PAGE 3
Advising center unveiled as student service hub BY MERCEDEZ HERNANDEZ PRINT MANAGING EDITOR
After several months of construction, Wildcat Central opened its doors Monday, providing students with the opportunity to access academic advising and student services in one location. With the start of the spring semester came the opening of Wildcat Central, the permanent home of Student Services, formerly The Depot, and Academic Advising. Wildcat Central is located in the Campus Center in the area
that once hosted Mail Services and the Living Room. The two teams located inside Wildcat Central, the advising team and the Student Services team, offer the same services they once did before they were under the same roof. In the Student Services area of Wildcat Central, students can do things like replace their student I.D. and meet with a financial aid counselor. And in the Academic Advising area of the center, students can set appointments with an academic adviser to discuss class reg-
istration and degree plans. Brett Butler, director of student administrative services, offered an example of how putting these two teams in one location can help a student balance their academic pursuits and the cost of education. “Affordability can sometimes be a hurdle when a student is working to stay on track for graduation, but a financial hold is preventing registration,” Butler said. “Rather than asking the student to make another appointment with a financial aid counselor, only
to return later, the adviser and a counselor can collaborate in the moment to work with the student toward a solution.” Butler said the concept of Wildcat Central was several years in the making after feedback from students, staff and faculty, and as the center has finished construction, Butler said he and other staff members look toward improving the ease in which students navigate their administrative duties and needs. “I expect that Wildcat Central will continue to
evolve as we receive more feedback from the Wildcat family,” Butler said. “We will continue to expand and improve our services to make the administrative part of attending ACU easier and more relational. The Student Services and Academic Advising teams are quickly learning from one another, and I expect that time will only make our partnership stronger.”
MMH13A@ACU.EDU
Willis to retire in May after 46 years BY ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF
Dr. John Willis, professor emeritus of Old Testament, plans to retire at the end of the semester after teaching in the College of Biblical Studies for 46 years. In his final semester, Willis will teach two sections of Message of the Old Testament, a sophomore-level
Willis
Bible credit. Over the course of his academic career, he’s taught at the undergraduate and
graduate level. “I’m retiring because I am 83, and it’s about time,” Willis said, chuckling. “I would love to keep going, which I
think I could, but you have to stop sometime.” Willis joined the Bible faculty in 1971. Before that, he taught at Lipscomb University in Nashville for 15 years. He received his undergraduate and masters degrees from ACU and his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University. Willis was named teacher of the year in 1974 and 2006. In all, Willis has taught for 61 years.
As he prepares for retirement, he plans to teach his two classes as he always has and to still bring cookies to his students every day. Looking back on all of his years as a professor, he is most proud of all his students have gone on to do. In fact, most of his faculty colleagues are former students, and many of his current students’ parents had
W W W. A C U O P T I M I S T. C O M
him as a professor. “I’m thrilled to death about all of the successes of my students,” Willis said. “I really am so proud.” In his retirement, Willis plans to remain an elder at Highland Church of Christ, where he has served since 1976. AKB12B@ACU.EDU
inauguration BY LAUREN FRANCO STUDENT REPORTER
Twenty-three students attending the presidential inauguration during the Civil Discourse in Politics short course say they are just as divided among their views as the rest of the nation. Braden Crow, a junior biblical text and communication double major from Fort Worth, signed up for the short course because he is interested in politics in addition to others’ opinions on certain policies. Crow also said he registered after the election results, so he knew what he signed up for. “This is a really important inauguration just because of where the United States is on the world stage right now,” Crow said over text message from Washington. “While we try to bring peace to a war-torn Middle East, and immigration is becoming a hotter topic by the day. Domestically, we are still facing challenges of people still feeling like they are not being heard. The point is this: our country voted for the candidate who marketed ‘change’ for the people and the people got the candidate that they voted for.” During the trip, Crow said the group got to see the government come to life. They visited the U.S. Senate to witness it in action and got to see people such as Sens. Ted Cruz, John McCain and Marco Rubio. Although he said this was exciting, Crow said he is most looking forward to the inauguration itself, despite how chaotic Washington, D.C. will be. “There could, in all reality, be well over 1 million people there on Friday, so while I am looking forward to it, I am naturally a bit inSEE INAUGURATION PAGE 3
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FRIDAY | JANUARY 20, 2017
SITC gamers gear up for sixth Global Game Jam BY TORI ALDANA COPY EDITOR
For its sixth year, students will participate in the Global Game Jam (GGJ). The BURTON jam is a challenge sponsored by the School of Information Technology and Computing. According to the official website, globalgamejam. org, “the goal is to come together and make a video game, or non-digital game like a board game or card game.”
Sharing a common theme and constraints, participants create a game from beginning to end in 48 hours. The brief time span is meant to help encourage creative thinking to result in small but innovative and experimental games, the website said. The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Friday in Mabee Business Building Room 301 with a kickoff party. The party will include pizza and drinks, and the participants will discover the theme of this year’s GGJ. Students will meet at allotted times over the course of the weekend, with the
event coming to a close at 6 p.m. Sunday, 48 hours after the kickoff. Students may register up until Friday afternoon. To register for GGJ, emails may be sent to sitc@acu. edu, where students will be helped through the registration process. Jenni Williams, enrollment and student development manager for the SITC, has worked this year to raise awareness for the GGJ and gather students. “Really all majors are welcome to participate; we definitely are interested in having as many students [there who] want to be there,” Williams said.
With a diversity of student backgrounds and skills, ranging from novice to experienced, the event becomes collaborative and fun, said Williams, with added stress because of the time frame. Students with creative minds, or interest in game development, are encouraged to participate. In the past, students have developed mission-oriented games, mobile apps and framework for projects they continue to work on in the hopes of selling to stores. This year, the turnout is expected to be 25 students. Past years’ averages have been around 15, but the
small number creates a less intimidating community for students who want to try, Williams said. The jam site organizer for ACU is Dr. Brian Burton, associate professor of information technology. “We are really excited to participate in GGJ this year. Not only do we have a lot of Digital Entertainment Technology majors and minors who will be participating, but we are expecting a significant participation from students in other majors as well. This is a chance to bring your ideas to the table for a game and see how much you can get done in a dedi-
cated weekend. Best of all, there will be food available during the Jam, so you don’t have to leave, you can focus on your game,” stated Burton. For more information, students can contact sitc@acu.edu, or visit the ACU registration site at http://globalgamejam. org/2017/jam-sites/ ggj-abilene-christian-university. To find out more about GGJ, review their frequently asked questions on globalgamejam.org/faq. AKB12A@ACU.EDU
POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 1/14/2017 9:45 a.m. ACUPD arrested a former student in the Sikes Hall parking lot for three felony burglary warrants stemming from recent ACUPD Burglary and Theft investigations. 1/16/2017 1:07 p.m. A student reported the theft of his bicycle from the northwest bike rack at Smith-Adams Hall during the Winter Break. 1/17/2017 12:00 a.m. ACUPD investigated a report that a non-student male had entered Gardner Hall wanting to talk to a female student; no one with the name given by the male attends ACU. Male left prior to ACUPD’s receipt of the call/arrival ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY ARRESTED SUBJECT ATTEMPT TO LOCATE BARRICADES BICYCLE/SKATEBOARD CALL BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK CHECK BUILDING CRIMINAL TRESPASS WARNING DISTURBANCE ESCORT FOOT PATROL
20 1 3 1 1
FOUND PROPERTY INFORMATION REPORT INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP MAINTENANCE UNIV ASSETS: CCTV 16 MAINTENANCE: UNIVER376 SITY ASSETS 1 MEDICAL EMERGENCY 5 MOTORIST ASSIST INFLATE TIRE 2 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMP34 START
1 3 7 3 1 1 3 5
MOTORIST ASSIST: OTHER MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK NOISE VIOLATION OTHER PARKING LOT PATROL PARKING VIOLATION PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL PROWLER PUBLIC SERVICE RANDOM PATROL REPORT WRITING
1 2 2 2 34 1 3 11 1 1 27 21
SEX OFFENSE STAND BY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY SUSPICIOUS PERSON SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE THEFT TRAFFIC HAZARD TRAFFIC STOP WELFARE CHECK
1 2 1 3 2 5 2 16 2
TOTAL: 624 POLICE CHIEF TIP OF THE WEEK:
Welcome back to campus! Help ACUPD prevent car burglaries this Spring - lock your car, take your keys, hide your valuables.
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N E WS
FRIDAY | JANUARY 20, 2017
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Innovation Foundry to host Adobe CC event BY ERIKA BOLADO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Innovation Foundry is hosting Adobe Days, a two-day event for students, faculty and BEARD staff to get more insight into Adobe Creative Cloud products.
Adobe Creative Cloud gives users access to an entire collection of Adobe desktop and mobile apps, including tutorials, Adobe stock, Behance, portfolio and creative cloud libraries. Marisa Beard, director of educational technology and innovation foundry, said the importance of providing Adobe products for everyone at ACU is phenomenal because only a few universities
around the country have the “all in package.” Some students may be aware of what Adobe is, but it’s common for them to be reluctant to use Adobe products because of how hard they are to use. “We want to create more recognition of what Adobe is because it’s available to all of our students, faculty and staff,” said Beard. “We would love people to stop by.”
On top of Adobe products, Lynda.com is also available to students, faculty and staff for free. “Lynda.com is a great partner with Adobe, so if you want to learn how to use InDesign, and there is not some session to learn how to use it, then you can go to Lynda.com and learn about any Adobe products,” said Marisa. Jason Katsoff, customer
success manager for Adobe, works with ten or more colleges and universities throughout the central and west United States. Katsoff will attend both Adobe days to help students, faculty and staff with Adobe Creative Cloud products. “My goal is that everyone is aware of Adobe products and are using them to succeed,” said Katsoff. Sign-up is on Jan. 25 at the
Campus Center, Team55, Maker Lab and the Innovation Foundry. The Adobe Creative Cloud sessions, which will take place in the Maker Lab, Learning Studio and Innovation Foundry, start on Jan. 26. For more information, go to https://blogs.acu.edu/ innovation_foundry/events/ adobe-day/.
and he cannot be bought.” Other students who attended the trip, such as junior child and family services major Caitlin Walker, expressed their concern for the nation because of Trump’s negative rhetoric. “I don’t want the young ones in my family looking up to that rhetoric or thinking you can speak to persons of different sex, race, religion, or other nations in a way that is derogatory,” Walker said over text message. “I really hope that the presidency changes him and that he
knows he cannot change the presidency.” The inauguration is expected to be among the most controversial in United States history, according to The New York Times, with an increased number of protests around the world. Nicholas Fandos, a reporter for The New York Times, said U.S. officials expect about 700,000 to 900,000 people to attend
the inauguration. Despite the organization of over 99 protests unifying 234,000 protesters in just the United States, security is roughly the same as the 2009 inauguration. Within the short course, Dr. Suzie Macaluso, assistant professor and director of the sociology program, said through email that The Washington Center has been giving instructions for students to avoid
protest areas and avoid engaging with protestors at the event. Despite the divisions and tensions around the nation as a whole, Walker also provided words of advice for people regardless of political knowledge. “Your voice in politics matters but you have to make sure you allow yourself to be heard; once you speak, no one can take that from you,” Walker said.
“Join the fight to sustain democracy and to stand up for not only our rights as people but the human rights initiative we can give to other nations globally. Listen first, be willing to learn something new each day, speak up, aim for love to those different and alike to you, and always, always be kind.”
EXB14A@ACU.EDU
Inauguration: students to witness history CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Crow also offered his reflection on Obama’s presidency, saying that although he wouldn’t consider himself a fan of the 44th president, he will miss how ethically and morally convicted Obama was. His legacy, which is known by the change he sought, should not be taken for granted. “I am excited for Trump because he brings a completely new skill set to the table in Washington. He is extremely charismatic, he’s an intelligent businessman,
Center: fresh start for faculty CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
20th century and jumped into the 21st century over Christmas break,” Marolf said. “I’m really glad I get to experience this next step for the science departments before I graduate.” Dr. Greg Straughn, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, has worked closely with Arrington and other Arts and Sciences faculty on the project. “I am especially proud of the many hours of work that faculty, staff, and students have provided to make sure the labs were ready for instruction this past Tuesday,” Straughn said in an email. “Given the amount of material needed to move and the complexity of some of the equipment, the move could not have happened without everyone pitching in to help.” Phase 3 of will involve
renovating the interior of the Onstead Science Center. Classes will still take place in Onstead this semester, and construction is set to begin mid-May and is planned to be completed by December 2017. Straughn is also working with administration and other colleges to relocate the departments that will be displaced by the Onstead renovation. “We are in the process of finalizing temporary locations for faculty and staff,” Straughn said in an email. “These will likely be in locations on campus (within the Lunsford trail) and adjacent to the campus (across the street on Campus Court). Other colleges have been extremely helpful in providing classroom space for Fall 2017, and I am grateful for their help.” OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
@sohillsuniversity /sohillsuniversity
3666 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, TX 79605 www.sohillschurch.org
OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
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F E ATUR E S
FRIDAY | JANUARY 20, 2017
SEEING
THE LEGACY OF THE FI
As the highest office and greatest authority in the land, the U.S we say goodbye to Barack Obama and prepare for the inaugura of a black president on th
BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR
O
n election night 2008, Taylor Crumpton stayed up late with her grandmother, watching election results come in slowly. As a black middle-school student in a primarily white community, most of what she knew about Obama came from her friends who said what their parents said. She said she realized having a black president was important when her grandmother started crying. On Nov. 4, 2008, for the first time in United States history, the country elected a black president. Crumpton’s grandmother wept until the lights went out in their house. Then she had a panic attack. Crumpton said she vividly remembers her grandmother screaming in her panic attack, saying, “The Klan is coming, the Klan is coming.” Her grandmother, now in her 80s, had suffered racial discrimination throughout her lifetime. Crumpton said the panic attack showed how that discrimination had affected her. When the lights went on, her grandmother calmed down. “It’s very beautiful for older generations of African-Americans that experienced Jim Crow and whose childhood was marked by segregation and discrimination and inferiority,” Crumpton said. “To see an African-American person be elected to the highest office in the land was just a beautiful thing.” Crumpton, senior social work
major from Oakland, California, and other students started their adolescent years at the same time the U.S. elected its first black president. Unlike people in other generations who grew up with white presidents, these students came of age with a black president. Summer Thompson, sophomore communication major from Missouri City, and Micah West, junior biology major from Grand Prairie, also felt the effect of a black president on their most formative years but saw him in different ways. Eight years after she saw Obama’s election, Crumpton takes a passionate interest in politics, participating in Students’ Association and College Democrats and traveling to Washington D.C. as a featured speaker for the Whole Women’s Health vs. Hellerstedt U.S. Supreme Court case about abortion and women’s rights. She said seeing a black family in the White House encouraged her. “To see this Ivy-League-educated family enter into that office switched so much of the stereotypes that have been made about the African-American community,” Crumpton said. Crumpton grew up in an impoverished home because her mother lived on disability aid. Although she experienced racial discrimination at a primarily white school district in Coppell, Crumpton did not become a passionate advocate of her race until she was a sophomore in college and heard about the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. She studied the event and followed dif-
“
To see an AfricanAmerican person be elected to the highest office in the land was just a beautiful thing.” TAYLOR CRUMPTON SENIOR SOCIAL WORK MAJOR FROM OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
ferent Twitter accounts so closely she later became friends with social justice advocates she met on Twitter. She imagined her younger brother’s face as the face of the dead boy. “I remember when the verdict got out,” Crumpton said. “It was ‘Not Guilty.’ And I felt like my whole entire world had shattered.” Crumpton said while some people blame Obama for the heightened violence in race relations during his presidency, she thinks the rise of social media played a bigger role. Since 2008, minorities have had a stronger voice through social media, so Crumpton said they have been able to take a national stand against injustice. While she doesn’t think Obama was perfect, she said he could be an example for black children. As the highest office and greatest authority in the land, the U.S. president can have a powerful effect on young people, said Dr. Suzie Macaluso, associate professor of sociology. “When you think about what
your potential is in life, where you see yourself going, if you’ve never seen anyone doing that, it’s hard to imagine yourself getting there,” Macaluso said. “It’s important for people to see someone like that in positions of power.” The president’s family and First Lady also have an effect on young people, Macaluso said. A “self-fulfilling prophecy” happens when people picture themselves succeeding only as much as the people they look up to. “There’s that sense of, ‘If he can make it, maybe I can make it,’” Macaluso said. tudents who came of age in the last eight years have seen the president move into popular culture through social media, memes, Vines and more. Macaluso said younger age groups see the Obama family in late night talk shows or on Twitter, rather than traditional news outlets. “I think President Obama has been very approachable as a president,” Macaluso said. “He was the first president to have a Twitter account and that made him approachable in a whole new way.” Thompson approached Obama by attending his second inauguration in January 2012. Through the Close Up program, an education initiative to help high school students engage in politics, she was able to attend the inauguration during her sophomore year of high school. The youngest of five children, Thompson said she surprised her parents with her desire to be a leader and her passion for service.
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FRIDAY | JANUARY 20, 2017
OBAMA
IRST BLACK PRESIDENT
S. president can have a powerful effect on young people. So as ation of President Donald Trump, three students share the effect heir most formative years.
LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Senior Taylor Crumpton, junior Micah West and sophomore Summer Thompson share the effect Obama’s eight-year presidency had on their formative years growing up.
She already had the personality of a leader, but the election of a black president inspired her to be more politically aware. When Obama was first elected, Thompson, at 11 years old, felt upset because she wasn’t old enough to vote for the first black president. His election exposed her to politics, she said, both through learning from and talking to her peers. She said Obama could represent everyone who is underrepresented in this country. “For many years it was kind of like ‘will there ever be?’ and now the answer came true ‘there can be,’” Thompson said. “He can do a lot for a lot of people.” As a student council member in high school, Thompson started several ethnic programs including a Black History Month program and a Cinco de Mayo celebration. In college she serves as the member liaison for the Black Students Association and said she “runs a tight ship.” Her goals for BSA include education, image, academics and activism. “It’s not fair for our ancestors to have dedicated their lives to a certain movement, and us not dedicate our lives to finishing that movement,” Thompson said. Although Prentice Ashford, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, experienced Obama’s election at an older age than these students, he said he also saw Obama as a symbol of what could be accomplished by a black man. He said he was a junior in high school when Obama was elected.
“I remember being in my grandmother’s living room and her crying,” Ashford said. “She never thought the day would come where a black person would hold the highest office in our nation.” eople often stereotype black fathers as being absent, Ashford said, but Obama’s family modeled stable family relationships and broke stereotypes. Yet some people use Obama’s presidency as an excuse for not addressing racial issues. Ashford said some black students tell him about conversations in which people use the first black president to downplay racial issues. “They say, ‘Obama’s president, so why are you complaining?’” Ashford said. While students like Crumpton and Thompson see the first black president as an inspiration, other black students don’t feel any more connection to Obama than other presidents. In Obama’s 2008 victory speech, he made several references to Martin Luther King Jr. and many saw his election as the realization of King’s dream for equal civil rights in the U.S. But West, BSA president, said Obama was put on a pedestal. “It was great seeing the first African-American president,” said West. “But there was a lot more put on him than should’ve been. Even at a young age, it never sat with me well.” But most of West’s peers thought Obama was perfect, West said, and it wasn’t socially appropriate to disagree with the black president.
P
“
There’s that sense of, ‘If [Obama] can make it, maybe I can make it.’” DR. SUZIE MACALUSO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY
When he was 12 years old, around the time Obama became president, West met Dr. Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon who later ran for president. Carson came to West’s church and taught a sermon about the complexity of the human eye. “Hearing him talk kind of stuck with me at that age,” West said. “I just wanted to be a lot like him.” Born in New Jersey, West grew up moving a lot until his family settled down in Grand Prairie. He lived in the suburbs, his dad working as a personal trainer and his mom working as a nurse. West said they taught him if he worked hard enough, anything could be possible. “Knowing how I’m wired, I think my parents could’ve told me, ‘Just go along with the system,’ and I still would’ve been like, ‘No, I’m gonna fight this,’” West said. “You personally play a huge role in how you act being black.” West attended a diverse high school, even though it only had 600 students, so in college he experienced culture shock because, for the first time, most of his friends were white. He said he learned from his white friends, but felt misunderstood by them at times. BSA helped him
find close friends in the black community on campus so he said he wanted to continue building that community by being the association president. “I wouldn’t say Obama played any role in my motivation for life,” West said. “I already had the idea that I could make it far.” rumpton, Thompson and West agree Obama did not solve problems with race relations, but he did provide an example to the students who grew up under his presidency. The first black president became a symbol of what could be achieved by a black man in a country where black people were formerly enslaved, Crumpton said. Thompson witnessed Obama’s second inaugural address when she was in high school. She said she woke at 3 a.m. on January 21, 2013, and didn’t get a chance to do her hair. She and a few other girls in the Close Up program rushed to put on warm clothes but they didn’t have time to get really bundled up before they left to catch the Metro to the Capitol. She put glove warmers in her gloves while other students drank hot chocolate to keep warm. They wore matching red hats so they could find each other. They stood in a spot near the middle of the crowd and waited in the cold to hear Obama speak. “We didn’t get a good spot to see him clearly,” Thompson said. “But we could see him.” And maybe, through him, her generation can see themselves.
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HRR13B@ACU.EDU
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FRIDAY | JANUARY 20, 2016
Presidents, prayers and protests
hashtagACU @acuoptimist
THE ISSUE
As Donald Trump is inaugurated, his term is typically met by two responses: prayer and protest. How should Christians respond?
@EMJMUHL JAN. 18
OUR TAKE
heard scratching in my ceiling so I yelled ‘hey stop’ at it and it stopped so now I’m convinced there’s an actual person living up there
We think totally it’s possible to pray for a president you don’t agree while still protesting against him.
@CAILIN_MCDANIEL JAN. 18
It’s inauguration day and it seems like most American citizens revert to two responses: pray or protest. You may have voted for Trump and gladly accepted the reality that he is your president. You may have violently opposed his election, declaring confidently that he isn’t yours. Amidst differing views and a cacophony of political and religious commentary, how do we respond? As thousands of people across the country are protesting the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Christians must grapple with the biblical command to obey authorities and pray for their leaders. Should faithful Christians stand by silently bowed in prayer or stand up in protest against au-
Day 2: already sleep deprived, behind on homework bc I don’t have textbooks yet, and I have no money in my bank account...
@HANNAH_SPILLMAN JAN. 19
First day of class-look cute/put together for profs Second day of class-leggings/messy bun to give a more accurate idea of what I look like
@TAENJOHNSON JAN. 18
I have many choice words for professors who make the lowest grade for an A a 92
@KAYLERGRACE JAN. 19
Been back to acu for 4 days and I’m already tired of bean food
@KAAAAAYYLA_M JAN. 19
Remember that tweet when I said “I’m that person who is late to the first day of class” Scratch that I’m always late
thorities that seem to come against some of their most deeply held beliefs? Can you do both? Yes, actually. We can pray for Donald Trump even if we don’t like him. We can protest against his policies, actions, and words that have offended so many.We can fill the streets with picket signs on Inauguration Day and shout our disagreements, but still, even through gritted teeth, we can pray. You can chant “Not my president” all you want, but the same Constitution that gives you the freedom of speech and religion is the same Constitution that also says “He is your president.”
@CLAIRE_HALPIN JAN. 17
EMILLION HERE, EMILLION THERE
@SIMS_CARD NOV. 16
EMILY GUAJARDO VISUALS MANAGING EDITOR Junior convergence journalism major San Antonio
ACU doesn’t believe in syllabus week
I had FOMO about everyone being back in Abilene. Now I’m seeing all the snapchats from sing song rehearsals, and suddenly I don’t miss it.
On Saturday, I will marching alongside 20 thousand people for basic human rights for women across downtown Austin, TX. For the first time ever, I will be taking time out of my day, using my God given right and holding a sign over my head saying ‘Human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights’, the classic quote from Hillary Clinton. To be honest, I’m kind of scared. Because of my lack of exposure to the real issues women face today, I’ve been
@LITTLEINDIAN28 JAN. 19
My nail guy: wait, Sing Song is coming up?? *turns to his wife* We have to go again!” Sing Song is clearly a big deal here in Abilene
@BLURKENS JAN. 19
“My paper is faster than your technology” -Professor Yarema Lol sure
@IAMDACOOP JAN. 18
I have a feeling 60 years from now we’ll be analyzing Black Mirror in whatever high school American Lit classes become
in a cloud of misconception which has been swirled by the very notion that ‘everything is okay, now.’ The idea that women don’t face the same issues today than they did 1960s kept me from seeing the truth - rights for women still have a long way to go. Women still don’t have equal pay. Even though the Equal Pay Act of 1963 required men and women to be paid the same for the same amount of work, the act is completely disregarded in several establishments. Women still aren’t able to
choose what they want to do with their body. Under the new administration of president Trump, planned parenthood is at stake with less funding and possible termination. Women still are not viewed equally as their male counterparts. In a recent study, the Pew Research Center found that 53 percent of people believed that men will continue to hold their business executive position than women in the future. If all of these issues combined don’t make you want to rip your hair out, something is wrong with you. Women are human beings and, up until now, we have been under the illusion that all of the problems proposed above have been solved. Pew suggests that women are held to a higher standard than men. Why? Is the gen-
der itself viewed at a lesser capability than a males? In other words, are women just dumber! Perhaps, it is time to take off the blindfold- it’s not happily ever after, yet. I am marching for the woman to the side of me. Even though I don’t partake in issues like planned parenthood, I will stand for those for whom it does affect. Even though I am not in the workforce yet, I will stand alongside the woman who wants to be the CEO of a major corporation. And even though I have the opportunity to stand next to my male peers, I will never know if my intellect may be judged because of my gender. So, I’ll stand. It’s your right- use it. EAG13A@ACU.EDU
An important syllabus week lesson
S/o to the girl in my 9:30 that asked on the first day when the latest time is to submit a paper that’s due on the last day of the semester
BY TAENTEDAH KETCHAROEN JOHNSON
TAKE
WITH YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO FOLLOW US @ACUOPTIMIST WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/ACUOPTIMIST WWW.ACUOPTIMIST.COM
Today a thing happened!!! And it was a cool thing. When people come across my name, TaentedahKetcharoen Johnson they often see a stumbling block bound to trip up their tongue. I think of it like a bridge, one that spans my mom’s journey from Thailand to the United States after marrying my dad. It’s a bridge connecting my US birth to Thai culture. My mom is the same, Suparaht Ketcharoen but goes by Raht or Roxie. Growing up it was just always “easier” to adopt a different, simplified name that people could deal with. No longer would it be the albatross of my childhood —making me uncomfortably stand out among the Amys, Sarahs, and Mckenzies. (disclaimer, nothing wrong with these names haha) I have a habitual script
for first days of school and substitute teachers, the usual situation. I listen to the names being called off for roll and notice when Johnson is approaching. When my name appears there’s always the pause, and few uncomfortable glances up and down, and something like, “uhhm... is mister or misses Johnson here?” and out comes “Hello yes me, it’s pronounced Taentedah but I go by Taen, pronounced like the skin color ha ha ha”. Following is an elated sigh and a comment like, “oh wow so much easier thank you”. I’ve been through this for about 15 years, it’s just normal now I hardly think twice anymore. Today was a syllabus day, I was sitting in my 2D design studio class. My professor was going through the attendance like any other teacher would. He got to me and took a brave stab at my name, “Tay-uh-te-duh Johnson?”. Followed by the usual script of mine, this time though I finished off with
T H E
EDITORIAL AND LETTER POLICY
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GUEST COLUMN
@AESTIR JAN. 19
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We couldn’t put it better.
Why I’m protesting for my rights
My professor literally just went to A&M website to get a definition of his course.
personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.
In his speech, he spoke not only of marching, but of the parable of the good samaritan, of not using violent words or actions against institutions that oppressed him. He stood up in prayerful protest, dangerously unselfish, wanting justice for a people he loved. King said, “If I lived in China or even Russia, or any totalitarian country, maybe I could understand some of these illegal injunctions. Maybe I could understand the denial of certain basic First Amendment privileges, because they hadn’t committed themselves to that over there. But somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly. Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech. Somewhere I read of the freedom of press. Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right.”
COLUMN
@KAYLA_JNAE JAN. 19
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
As uncomfortable of a truth as this might be for some to acknowledge, it’s a truth that composes the very bedrock of American democracy. We hold the right to peaceably assemble, the right to freely exercise religion, the right to speak out when we disagree with the president himself. We cannot use the command to obey authorities as an excuse not to stand up for justice. This week in Chapel, we heard the words of Martin Luther King Jr. from his “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech delivered in 1968. As a pastor, King applied his faith to his mission of civil rights for all people. Dr. King said, “And when we have our march, you need to be there. If it means leaving work, if it means leaving school -- be there. Be concerned about your brother. You may not be on strike, but either we go up together, or we go down together. Let us develop a kind of dangerous unselfishness.”
“I go by Taen, pronounced like a sun-tan though. It’s a lot easier so you’re in luck.” An expression came across his face that i couldn’t quite distinguish what he was thinking. He then replied very warmly, “If you don’t mind, may I try to call you your given name this semester? I know it won’t exactly be perfect at first. I have a perplexing time with all my foreign students changing their name because they feel like they have to decrease their culture for the sake of someone being too lazy to value their identity or where they come from. Let me try so I am able to learn.” I was speechless because no educator had ever said that to me. I’m not saying never call me Taen again haha, I was just very touched by someone wishing to be challenged by a culture unlike their own. His inquisitiveness meant so much. I’ve learned to treat my name like a big nose or a conspicuous birthmark—not my
favorite feature, but a part of me all the same. And this post isn’t even solely about a name, as our world becomes increasingly connected, cross-cultural communication increases. We interact with more people from diverse backgrounds and experiences, many with different languages and ethnicities. Having the ability to effectively communicate with others who are different from ourselves opens up possibilities for deeper understanding and friendship based on mutual respect. So ask questions, celebrate differences. As human beings we all have the power to bring awareness to valuing diversity so that people will feel included and appreciated. Thank you Professor Green for that comment. Taen is a sophomore from Corinth, Texas. OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU
O P T I M IST
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SP ORTS
FRIDAY | JANUARY 20, 2017
7
CLUB SPORTS
Athletics moves forward with club sports vision BY JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS EDITOR
After bringing four club sports under its umbrella last October, the department of athletics has brought on the former student director of club sports at Texas Tech to serve in the brand new role of, director of club sports. Director of athletics, Lee De Leon said the decision to hire Todd Rogers was made to try and bolster the influ-
ence of club sports on campus and enhance the student experience after seeing its effectiveness at Grand Canyon University. De Leon said Rogers’ goal for the initiation of this change is two-fold. “His first job is to establish relationships with the club presidents and coaches and how we can help them,” De Leon said. “Secondly, his job outside of structure, organization and developing relationships with the clubs
is to build relationships with high school coaches and start recruiting kids to come play club sports.” Rogers, who compete nationally with the Texas Tech cycling club, will work under assistant director of athletics Chris Ballard to create a greater presence of club sports on campus. “It is a cliche term, but the sky is the limit for the club sport program here at ACU,” Rogers said. “It
would be incredible to have all of our clubs competing for both conference and national championships each year. At the end of the day, though, club sports here at ACU has the potential to really improve the experience that students have while they attend ACU.” Working as an intern for De Leon the last two summers, Rogers said he is familiar with the university and said he looks forward to
working with this product. “With the experience of interning here, I was able to realize how special of a place ACU is and I couldn’t have pictured a better place to start my career,” Rogers said. In this position, Rogers will oversee men’s rugby, men’s soccer, men’s lacrosse as well as men’s and women’s golf, which are all eligible to compete at the national level. This will include managing budgets, hiring part-time coach-
es, handling team schedules, recruit high school athletes to play club sports and oversee the operation of each club as a whole. De Leon said while the department hopes to add more club sports, Rogers will help set a foundation of club sports playing a larger role in the campus community.
JMR13B@ACU.EDU
FOOTBALL
Changing of the coaching guard In the realm of coaching, a change at the helm often leads to movement among the rest of the ranks. With the hiring of Adam Dorrel, the rest of the football coaching staff
has taken on a different look as well, with just one returning coach in Ray Brown. However, well known names like Walsh and Manning are making quite some noise ahead of spring practices. Below is the 20162017 coaching staff and their previous experience.
Head coach — Adam Dorrel -Northwest Missouri State (GA) 1998-1999 -Dakota State 2000 (Offensive Line) -William Jewell 2001-2003 (Assistant) -Northwest Missouri State (Assitant and Head Coach) 2004-2016 Offensive Coordinator / QBs — Josh Lamberson -Northwest Missouri State (GA) 2006-2008 -Southeastern Oklahoma State (Quarterbacks) 2008-2010 -Central Missouri (OC) 2010-2014 -Nebraska-Kearney (Head Coach) 2015-2016 Defensive Coordinator — Tremaine Jackson -Texas A&M Kingsville (Defensive Line) 2006 -Trinity Valley Community College (Defensive Line) 2007 -Texas Southern University (Tight Ends and Defensive Line) 2008-2011 -Evangel University (Defensive Coordinator) 2012 -University of Sioux Falls (Defensive Line and Defensive Coordinator) 2013-2016 Wide receivers / Recruiting coordinator — Ryan Gent -Northwest Missouri State (GA and Assitant) 2014-2016 Tight Ends / Fullbacks — Derron Montgomery -Abilene Christian University (Student Assistant Coach) 2010-2012 -University of Miami (Intern Coaching Assistant and Wide Receivers Coach) 2012-2014 -University of Michigan (Primary Wide Receivers Coach) 2015 -New Mexico Highlands Univeristy (Offensive Coordinator) 2016
Running backs — J.W. Walsh -Texas Christian University (GA) 2016 Defensive Line — Blake Andersen -Black Hills State University (GA) 2013 -Montana Tech University (Defensive Line Coach) 2014 -Northwest Missouri State (GA) 2015 -University of Wyoming (GA) 2016 Defensive Backs — Ray Brown -East Central University (Running Backs) 2010-2011 -Oklahoma Baptist University (Special Teams/Running Backs) 2012 -Washington State University (GA) 2013 -Arizona State University (GA) 2014-2015 -Abilene Christian University (Cornerbacks) 2016 Safeties — Danieal Manning -NFL player for Chicago, Cincinnati and Houston 2006-2014 Defensive Line — Jacori Greer -University of New Mexico (GA) 2014 -Southern Methodist University (GA) 2015 -New Mexico Highlands University (Defensive Line) 2015-2016 Outside Linebackers — Jordan Brown -Northwest Missouri State (GA and Tight Ends) 2004-2010 -USA Football (Tight Ends) 2010 -Hastings College (Defensive Line/Special Teams) 2011-2012 -University of Buffalo (GA) 2013-2014 -Colgate University (Outside Linebackers) 2015-2016
BY JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS EDITOR
BROWN LIBRARY
ADOBE DAYS JAN JAN 25 25 & & 26 26 All students, faculty & staff are invited to attend the FREE TWO-DAY EVENT for fun, food, giveaways and workshops!
8:30am - 5pm at The Brown Library
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2628 sq.ft. (ACU area) perfect SORORITY/ FRATERNITY, 7 bedrooms/ 4 baths, 2 living areas, dining room, central heat/air, refrigerator, stove, washer/dryer otherwise unfurnished. Circle drive and rear parking. Pets okay with deposit. Tenant responsible for utilities. $2500.00 monthly ($360.00 per x7) plus one-time security deposit. Email becky@ beckyhamric.com or call 325-668-2949.
8 S P O RT S
From Downtown
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
STANDINGS M Basketball Ovrl. Div. 4-1 UNO 9-7 SHSU 13-6 4-2 SELU 11-8 4-2 Lamar 11-7 3-2 3-2 SFA 8-9 UCA 4-14 3-2 3-3 HBU 7-9 2-3 TAMU-CC 9-7 2-3 Nicholls 9-9 McNeese 5-11 2-3 2-4 ACU 8-9 UIW 7-10 2-4 1-4 NWSU 7-9 Team
W Basketball Team
SFA ACU Lamar McNeese UCA UNO NWSU TAMU-CC Nicholls HBU UIW SELU SHSU
LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Senior guard Alexis Mason averaged 17.7 points per game last season and led the Wildcats to a conference best 26-4 record. This year the reigning Southland Conference Player of the Year was plagued by injury through the first part of the season, but has bounced back in a big way with two straight 20-point games.
Mason eclipses all-time mark
BY TREVOR WYATT SPORTS WRITER
In the 2012-2013 basketball season for Mckinney North High School, Coach Michael Oldham led the team to the Area Finals. However, Coach Michael Oldham says that the girl who really led the team might be the most talented player he’s ever seen. “I became the Assistant Coach before her sophomore year, and her junior year I became her head coach,” Oldham said. “She was definitely one of the most talented, if not the most talented player I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach.” Fast forward four years, and that player makes what seems to be just another three-pointer in a 77-59 win against Lamar. After the game, however, Alexis Mason found out she had just broken ACU’s career three-point record, previously held by Ashley Barron King for 11 years. “I was shocked,” Mason said. “I had no clue I had even broken it or how
close I was.” Her old high school coach, however, had no doubt that she had. He said he had been expecting her to break every record the school had. “She’s been a gym rat since middle school,” Oldham said. “And I can’t remember the last time I said this but I’ve said it before. She’s going to break records at that school, way more than the one she just broke.” In an interview last year, sisters Suzzy and Lizzy Dimba had nothing but high praise for Mason, as a teammate and as a person. “She’s unselfish, vocal, caring, and intense,” says Suzzy Dimba. “But she’s like that off the court as well. She cares about you when you’re hurt or when you need someone to lean on. She’s an incredible friend as well as a basketball player.” Lizzy Dimba had similar statements, saying “It’s an honor to play with someone like her. She’s such a wonderful person off the court that it
Lauren Franco Staff Photographer Mason fights for the ball during non-conference opponent McMurry University. Despite missing five games, Mason leads the team with 35 three-point makes.
wouldn’t matter what she did on the court.” In fact, women’s head basketball coach Julie Goodenough said that the graduating class this year is one of the best she’s ever coached, and Alexis Mason was a big part of that. “Alexis had an incredible season last year,” said Goodenough. “She had a fire that I’ve rarely seen in players before, and it showed in her accolades.” Indeed, last year Mason won the Southland Conference Player of the Year award, and that’s not her only claim to fame. She also won the confer-
ence player of the week four times, including three weeks in a row. This year she’s been plagued by injury, but is still averaging 14.8 points a game. And she has scored 20 points in each of her last two games, including a 32-point outing in her record-breaking game. She also is creeping up on ACU’s all-time scoring list, having more than 1,200 points to her name. Mason is quick to point out that her game has evolved since she started playing at the young age of four, and thankful to a few people for that change.
“God is always number one,” Mason said. “Without him, I wouldn’t be anything. I also have to thank my family, especially my dad. He has taught me everything I know and has been there since day one. He’s taught me how to work hard, never give up, and so much more.” Mason also points out her coaches have been a tremendous help throughout her entire career, and Coach Oldham said even though he was the coach, Alexis always had something to teach him. “Alexis made my coaching experience so much easier than it needed to be. In fact, sometimes I felt like she was coaching me. This record couldn’t have happened to a better person.” The women earned a 8973 victory over Nicholls on Wednesday night and will travel to Incarnte Word next week, as they look to keep pace with conference leader Stephen F. Austin.
TMW13A@ACU.EDU
COLUMN
Give the ‘Boyz’ a break, they will be back HOT OFF THE PRESTON MAX PRESTON ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Sophomore convergence journalism major Amarillo
Cowboys fans and even haters, yes, the team lost their first playoff game and kept the streak of failing to advance past the divisional playoff round since 1996 alive. However, there is no reason to be so hard on them for this loss. While the loss was devastating and upsetting, people have to remember there was not one, but two rookie starters on offense in two very important positions. Quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliot more than held their own this year. When looking at the other offensive rookies who were taken quickly in the draft, none compare to Dak and Zeke. Jared Goff was taken with
the first pick in the draft, but surrendered quite a bit of playing time to Case Keenum, and even when he came in to start, his production was less than adequate. Carson Wentz, taken second overall, started for the Eagles all year and performed well, however, they tanked late in the season, losing five games in a row and ending the season at 7-9. If you looked at what Dak and Zeke did this year without prior knowlege that they were rookies, you would most likely think them to be talented veterans. Zeke led the league in rushing yards for the season with 1,631 and was third in rushing touchdowns with 15 to David Johnson’s 16 and LeGarrette Blount’s career
high 18. He also broke the Cowboy’s rookies season records for rushing yards and touchdowns. Dak achieved the highest rookie QB rating in NFL history at 104.9 and finished third in the league to Tom Brady’s 112.2, which could possibly have been lower without his four game suspension, and Matt Ryan’s 117.1. Dak also tied the record of wins in a season by a rookie QB with 13 next to Ben Roethlisberger. In their playoff game against the Packers, the duo became the first rookies in the Super Bowl era to to have 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards. With the stud rookies aside, the rest of the team was very productive as well. The Cowboys’ offensive line is young as well and one of the best in the league. The Cowboys also have a reliable kicker, Dan Bailey, who continued his impressive
career thus far. He made 27 of his 32 field goal attempts, giving him 171 made out of 191 attempted in his career. Bailey also hit all three of his attempts in the divisional game including a clutch 52 yarder to tie the game in the last minute. I did save the defense for last because, if I’m being honest, the defense needs some improvement. It gave up too many big pass plays as well as key run plays that allowed for easy points by the Packers. The defense did make some key stops when needed, however, its horrible start to the game put the Cowboys in an awful position. The bright side for their defense is that it was fifth in the league in points allowed with 26.3 a game, second in the league in rush yards allowed with 149.8, and fifth in total yards allowed with 376.7. However, its problem was
pass defense, as they ranked 23rd in pass yards allowed with 226.9, and Aaron Rodgers was able to pick apart the Cowboys’ secondary with all day to throw. The Cowboys could look to improve their defense in the future with draft picks and the development of current players. When reflecting on the game for the Cowboys, they had to play the red hot Packers who had a seven-game winning streak coming into the game, and the Packers had more playoff experience. I don’t think fans should be worried at all, and haters should stop hating on the Cowboys, because if a 13-3 record and the top seed in the NFC playoffs is worst the Cowboys can do while being under a rookie quarterback and running back, the league better watch out. MJP14B@ACU.EDU
Ovrl. Div. 14-2 11-7 11-4 9-7 11-4 8-7 9-8 6-11 5-12 4-12 4-13 3-14 0-15
5-0 5-1 4-1 4-1 3-2 3-2 3-3 2-4 2-4 2-4 2-4 1-5 0-5
WHO’S HOT Senior Michaela Hackett set a career best in the women’s Hackett 3000 meter, on her way to a first place finish at the Texas A&M Invitational last weekend. The women’s team finished in seventh at the meet, just one point behind Southland Conference rival Stephen F. Austin. The men’s and women’s teams will each continue their indoor seasons when they travel to Oklahoma to participate in the J.D. Martin Invitational on Jan. 28th.
EX-FACTOR Former Wildcat receiver Taylor Gabriel continued to provide the Falcons with a viable threat at the slot when he caught four passes for 71 yards in the Falcons 36-20 defeat of the Seattle Seahawks. Gabriel now has 35 receptions for 579 yards and six touchdowns in his third NFL season.
MATCHUPS W Basketball 1/18/17 ACU
89
Nicholls
73
M Basketball
1/19/17 ACU
(8-9, 2-4)
Nicholls
(9-9, 2-3)
Women’s Tennis 1/21
Abilene
ACU
vs
TCU
ACU
vs
UTEP
Men’s Tennis 1/20
Colorado Springs
ACU
vs
CSUPueblo
ACU
vs
MSUDenver
ACU
vs Air Force
ACU
vs
UNCO
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