ACU Today Fall-Winter 2025 by Abilene Christian University

Stepping Into the Past

ACU’s research in Paint Rock, Texas, interweaves academic disciplines and brings light to Native American history

From the PRESIDENT

In the recent U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings (Page 26), ACU was one of only 26 institutions to be named among the top 50 for undergraduate research and the top 50 for undergraduate teaching, and those numbers tell an important story. Those two key educational priorities are often at odds with one another. But not at ACU.

Pictures can tell stories as well. Just ask Dr. Jeremy Elliott, associate professor of language and literature, and students in his department who have been working for the last five years to map and interpret pictographs in Paint Rock, Texas, that capture generations of Indigenous stories and knowledge.

But there’s more to the story. There are also 20 students from the Department of History and Global Studies participating in the excavation at the site, working with professional archaeologists and Indigenous elders, journaling their experiences and learning field techniques. And students in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication interviewed Native Americans who lived at the Fort Sill Indian Boarding School in Lawton, Oklahoma, and created a documentary. Physics majors used multispectral photography to enhance the visibility of pictographs and allow faded or obscured drawings to be studied. A graduate student in the Department of Teacher Education created an education program for Indigenous children who attended the excavation, teaching the children how to identify local wildlife, take water samples and tell time without a watch. A faculty member at ACU provided an on-site lecture about the role of chemistry in archaeology, focusing on processes like carbon dating, and he plans to bring chemistry students to future digs to study the chemical composition of the paint.

The project at Paint Rock is a story of interdisciplinary research, faculty teaching and innovation, student engagement, cultural learning and hands-on experiences that make a real difference in the world. Read the full story of the project on Page 6.

The story of ACU’s football season can be told by some key numbers as well, including a lot of firsts. The first NCAA Division I national ranking, and the first Top 5 win, conference title, playoff appearance and playoff win in the FCS. Head coach Keith Patterson led a group of student-athletes to a historic season, building on a legacy of excellence in Abilene Christian’s history. You’ll want to read more and see a glimpse into their exciting UAC championship season and playoff run on Page 4.

In this new year, I am energized by our recent achievements and excited for new opportunities ahead. We couldn’t do it without the support we receive from alumni, parents, donors and our broader community, so thank you for being a part of the unfolding story of God’s plan and purpose for ACU!

ACU Today is published twice a year by the Division of Marketing and Strategic Communications at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas.

STAFF

Editor: Wendy (Waller ’01) Kilmer

Art Director: Todd Mullins

Editor Emeritus: Ron Hadfield (’79)

Assistant Editors: Robin (Ward ’82) Saylor, Jonathan Smith (’06)

Contributing Writers This Issue: Craig Fisher (’92), Lance Fleming (’92), Katie Noah Gibson (’06), Sydney O sborn (’23)

Contributing Photographers This Issue: Aly Bayliss, Skyler Blanton, Joshua Beam, Caroline Fairly for Texas, Scott Delony (’06), Rolando Diaz (’79), Jeremy Enlow, Jeff Fitlow, Go Team Liberia, Eric Guel, Manning Guffey (’94), HOK, Josh Hollwarth (’26), Derek Hood, Ken Hutchinson, Kaylee Kahn, Kamryn Kelley, Kim Leeson, Kathy (Williams ’79) Moore, Emily (Shafer ’22) Rose, SMU, Jaden West, Paul White (’68)

Contributing Graphic Designers/Illustrators

This Issue: Ron Finger, Rosemary Gutierrez (’07), Holly Harrell

Editorial Assistants: Vicki (Warner ’83) Britten, Sharon (McDaniel ’79) Fox

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Administration: Will Beasley, J.D. (’11), Kevin Campbell (’00), Dr. Robert Rhodes, Anthony Williams

Advancement: Samantha (Bickett ’01) Adkins, Rendi (Young ’83) Hahn, Dan Macaluso, Jim Orr, J.D. (’86)

Alumni Relations: Craig Fisher (’92)

Marketing and Strategic Communications: Sharon Ayala, Blair Schroeder

Student Life: Tamara (Boyer ’03) Long Ex-officio: Dr. Phil Schubert (’91)

CORRESPONDENCE

ACU Today: wendy.kilmer@acu.edu

ACU Alumni Office: alumni@acu.edu

Record Changes: ACU Box 29132, Abilene, Texas 79699-9132, 325-674-2620

ON THE WEB

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DR. PHIL SCHUBERT (’91), President

The mission of ACU is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world.

Brooke and Dr. Phil Schubert JEREMY ENLOW

ACU’s traditional Candlelight Devo welcomes new students to campus each August on the first day of Wildcat Week.

HORIZONS

New Student Move-In Day and Wildcat Week

On the Tuesday before classes began for the semester, loaded cars lined the streets surrounding ACU’s Freshman Village, as parents and new students prepared to move into Wessel Hall, Bullock Hall, Nelson Hall and the newly named and renovated Mabee Hall.

The newcomers were met by enthusiastic returning students prepared to carry all manner of boxes, TVs, bedspreads, suitcases and various trappings of home, welcoming the first-year students to their new community.

The class of more than 900 incoming freshmen was in for a whole week of welcome, in fact – meeting new people, learning names and hometowns and majors, exploring campus, discovering Abilene and getting a glimpse at college life. After a day of unpacking boxes, last minute trips to Wal-Mart and Target, and settling into rooms, students said goodbye to parents and family at the Goodbye Blessing. Then they made their way – through a beaming line of returning students, alumni, faculty and staff – to Beauchamp Amphitheatre for the traditional Candlelight Devo, setting the stage for the four years to come.

The next four days of Wildcat Week 2024 included Olympic-style games, informative seminars, a sunrise devotional, learning ACU traditions and GameDay chants, a downtown movie night, and a concert in Moody Coliseum by indie folk band The 502s – a friendly, fun and faith-filled start to an experience like no other. 

See more images from Wildcat Week in our bonus coverage by scanning the QR Code or visiting acu.edu/acutoday

JOSH HOLLWARTH

BONUS COVERAGE

On new student move-in day Aug. 20, 2024, upperclassmen volunteers – including Willie the Wildcat – help carry loads from cars into freshman residence halls. New students unpacked, decorated their rooms and prepared for the start of Wildcat Week.

SKYLER BLANTON

SKYLER

The Goodbye Blessing brings together new students and their families for a time of blessing and prayer at the end of move-in day, as parents prepare to leave, and students prepare for the start of their college experience.

SKYLER BLANTON

JOSH HOLLWARTH

Faculty, staff, upperclassmen and alumni

line the path as new students enter Beauchamp Amphitheatre for the traditional Candlelight Devo to kick off Wildcat Week.

JOSH HOLLWARTH

Ruthie (Travis ’93) Swedlund leads students in a high-energy workout class as part of Wildcat Week.

JOSH HOLLWARTH

are just a few of the many orientation and community-building activities offered for new students during

Paint wars, playing with animals from the local shelter, a silent disco and Midnight Worship

Wildcat Week.

JOSH HOLLWARTH

RAISING THE STANDARD

BY LANCE FLEMING

he best and most memorable football season of ACU’s NCAA

Division I era ended Dec. 7 in a 51-31 loss at No. 2 North Dakota State in the second round of the FCS playoffs. But like many of the Wildcats’ games in 2024, the ga me against the Bison produced its share of plays that will be long remembered from a season that gave Wildcat fans everywhere reason to celebrate and much to look back on during the offseason.

They’ll remember the near-comeback victory at Texas Tech in the season opener; the walk-off field goal by Ritse Vaes to beat Northern Colorado; a great home win over Central Arkansas; a last-minute comeback win at Austin Peay; the game-winning, fourth-quarter drive at Tarleton State that sealed the United Athletic Conference championship and a spot in the FCS playoffs; and the 24-0 home win over Northern Arizona in the first round of the playoffs.

Those plays and others led to a 9-5 season, the program’s best of the Division I era. Head coach Keith Patterson believed his team would perform better than forecasted by UAC coaches, who picked ACU to finish sixth in the league’s preseason poll, and he was right. The Wildcats won seven of eight league contests, including their final four conference games, to secure the conference title and playoff berth.

The conference title was the first for the program at the Division I level and the first for ACU in football since the 2010 team captured a Lone Star Conference championship. The playoff victory over NAU was the first at the FCS level and the first for the Wildcats since a 2009 first-round win at Midwestern State in the NCAA Division II playoffs. But Patterson doesn’t want ACU to settle for first-round playoff wins and close-but-not-good-enough against national powerhouses like North Dakota State, which has won nine FCS national titles.

“Some of our local media asked me after the last game about this team setting the standard,” Patterson said. “I said, ‘No, no. These guys have raised the standard. They didn’t set it. The standard is to win the national

championship. We’re aiming for the highest cloud, which is a national title. And that’s been done here twice [1973 and 1977 NAIA Division I national championships].’”

Following the season, individual accolades poured in as the UAC champion Wildcats had four players who collectively earned nine All-American selections from various media outlets. Running back linebacker Will Shaffer, quarterback and placekicker Ritse Vaes received All-American honors. Hicks was recognized as a second-team selection by the Associated Press, FCS Stats Perform and FCS Football Central. Shaffer, who will return in 2025, was named a second-team pick by FCS Stats Perform, a third-team selection by FCS Football, a fourth-team pick by Phil Steele/Draft Scout, and earned honorable mention recognition by the AP. McIvor received a second-team selection from FCS Football Central, while Vaes was acknowledged as an honorable mention pick by the AP. ACU had 13 players earn allconference honors, and head coach Keith Patterson was named the UAC Coach of the Year.

Attention now turns to the 2025 season. Patterson and his staff have already begun working the transfer portal to acquire new talent to ensure the Wildcats don’t suffer a dropoff after their first championship season in 14 years.

“Recruiting is all about getting kids who are the right fit for ACU and our program,” Patterson said. “I want Texas kids who are team-oriented, committed to playing tough, gritty football with great intensity, and believe in ACU and what we’re doing. I want players here like Sam Hicks, who came in and told me he just wanted a chance to prove himself. He was team-oriented, competitive, and had great discipline, character and toughness. Those are the principles we’re using to build a program.”

See more images from this season of Wildcat football in our bonus coverage by scanning the QR Code or visiting acu.edu/acutoday

Head coach Keith Patterson and his team celebrate a 35-31 come-from-behind win over the Tarleton State Texans to secure the United Athletic Conference championship and a berth in the

Left: Senior running back Sam Hicks earned All-America honors from three media publications.

BONUS COVERAGE

Junior receiver J.J. Henry (4) and the Wildcats set the stage for a special season by going toe-to-toe with Texas Tech in Lubbock in the opening game Aug. 31. Despite being considerable underdogs, the Wildcats forced overtime and had a chance to win on the final play, falling just short, 52-51.

JOSHUA BEAM

Facing his former team, senior Maverick McIvor becomes just the third ACU quarterback to throw for more than 500 yards in a game (506) and first to do it against a Division I opponent.

A Wildcat touchdown with 4:55 left in the game knots the score for the first time since it was 0-0. The teams traded field goals down the stretch, including one by ACU kicker Ritse Vaes with five seconds left to force overtime.

Senior Blayne Taylor earned half of his 141 yards receiving against Texas Tech on a 71-yard touchdown in the closing minutes of the first half to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.

JOSHUA BEAM

After the nail-biter in Lubbock, the Wildcats earn their first of nine wins in 2024 with a Week 2 victory at home over West Georgia, 38-24. Wide receiver Nehemiah Martinez I had seven catches for 132 yards and two TDs, and rushed for another 55 yards.

SKYLER BLANTON

The third-largest crowd in Wildcat Stadium history (11,719) is on hand for the Week 4 game against Idaho on Sept. 21. The game represented the stadium’s first matchup of top 25 foes, as the No. 19 Wildcats’ second-half rally came up just short against the No. 4 Vandals, 27-24.

SKYLER BLANTON

Safeties Dorian Plumley (3) and Elijah Moffett and the Wildcat defense held Idaho scoreless for more than 28 minutes in the second half while the offense rallied for 21 unanswered points to nearly complete the comeback.

SKYLER BLANTON

ACU hosts another top 10 opponent when No. 5 Central Arkansas visits Abilene on Oct. 5. The offense jumped out to a fast start and didn’t let up, as Nehemiah Martinez (20) became the first Wildcat receiver in 11 years to record at least 200 yards receiving in a game and ACU toppled the Bears, 41-34.

SKYLER BLANTON

The Wildcats put their high-powered offense in the hands of senior quarterback Maverick McIvor, and he responds, throwing for 3,828 yards on the season – second-most in school history and most in ACU’s Division I era. In the Oct. 19 Homecoming matchup against Eastern Kentucky, he helped lead the team to 20 second-half points en route to a 34-20 win.

SKYLER BLANTON

Wide receiver Javon Gipson catches a second-quarter touchdown in the Nov. 16 matchup against Tarleton State in Stephenville, Texas. The back-and-forth thriller served as the de facto Western Athletic Conference championship game, which wasn’t decided until a Wildcat touchdown with 19 seconds remaining gave ACU a 35-31 lead and the defense batted down a last-second pass in the end zone to preserve the win.

JOSHUA BEAM

1) A rowdy contingent of Wildcats who made the drive to Stephenville celebrate the conference title with linebacker Cirby Coheley and the rest of the team.

2) Sophomore defensive lineman Chris Herpin and the Wildcats had plenty to celebrate in Stephenville. By clinching the United Athletic Conference title, ACU earned its first berth into the Division I FCS playoffs.

3) Senior running back Sam Hicks (6) scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns against the Texans, including the game-winner with 19 seconds left.

JOSHUA

ALY BAYLISS

Playing without injured quarterback Maverick McIvor, linemen Kaghen Roach (90) and David Oke (98), and safety Elijah Moffett (7) helped the defense step up in the Wildcats’ first FCS playoff game, shutting out Northern Arizona, 24-0, on Nov. 30 at Wildcat Stadium.

ALY BAYLISS

A 90-yard touchdown run by Sam Hicks (6) helps the Wildcats build a 17-3 lead in the second quarter and put the eventual national champions on their heels early in Fargo, North Dakota.

In the second round of the FCS playoffs, the Wildcats challenge No. 2-ranked North Dakota State in Fargo on Dec. 7. The Bison defeated the Wildcats, 51-31, and would go on to win their 10th FCS national title in 14 years.

KAYLEE KAHN

Dr. Jeremy Elliott stands on a bluff at Paint Rock. Over his right shoulder is a painting in the Pecos River style, estimated to be about 2,000 years old.

JEREMY ENLOW

BY ROBIN SAYLOR

Student researchers work to decipher, preserve centuries-old

Native American pictographs

r. Jeremy Elliott leads a group of students up a steep, rocky trail toward the base of a sprawling limestone formation on a private ranch just north of Paint Rock, Texas. Above, buzzards lazily circle against a backdrop of clouds that stretch across the plateau. It’s the autumnal equinox, and the group is hoping to see a solar interaction with one of the 1,500 Native American pictographs covering the layered ledges of rock, but the cloud cover on this particular day makes it unlikely.

The cloudy sky doesn’t, however, dampen Elliott’s enthusiasm for sharing the stories that centuries of nomadic tribes have told through their rock art as they’ve passed through the region. He points out paintings of animals, human figures, birds and geometric shapes, some dating back perhaps 3,000 years, stretching half a mile across the 70-foot-high bluff.

The drawings tell stories of Indigenous mythology – a woman giving birth to twins, victories in battle, failed crops, arduous journeys and violent deaths. If the weather cooperates, the group will see a shadow align perfectly with the feet of a funeral figure, interpreted to be walking up the sun line to heaven. That particular solar marker is one of more than 20 known to exist at the Paint Rock site, where pictographs were intentionally placed to interact with the sun’s rays, casting a shadow pattern at a specific time and date.

For the past few years, Elliott, an associate professor of language and literature, has headed a team working with Indigenous people to document the stories and ancestral knowledge connected to the pictographs. The project brings together experts and students from various disciplines, creating a unique learning environment spanning archaeology, chemistry, physics, history, education and storytelling.

Although the Paint Rock site is on private property, members of the Campbell family, whose descendents have owned the ranch for more than 150 years, allow access to the ACU researchers and their colleagues, and offer guided tours to the public by appointment.

For Elliott, whose background is in literature, the project offers an opportunity to explore ancient forms of narrative. “Looking at the paintings as stories and then understanding how the structure of those storytelling methods work – that’s fascinating to me,” he says.

The markings on the rock ledges are meant to be read from right to left and tell a multi-layered narrative that begins with the birth of twins conceived by the sun, marking the creation of the earth. Over the years, different groups of Indigenous people have added their own drawings and expanded on earlier ones. Even the graffiti on top of the native art has become part of the historical narrative. Much of it was added by U.S. Cavalry soldiers stationed at Fort Concho in the late 1800s.

Though Elliott’s interest in Paint Rock began as a way to explore the literary aspects, his research soon expanded to include other academic departments at ACU, as well as outside archaeologists and leaders from Indigenous groups in the area, who offer their help sharing and interpreting stories from their cultural perspective.

ACU’s Department of History and Global Studies was a natural partner. In March 2024, Elliott coordinated a four-day excavation at the site with students, archaeologists and Native Americans from Texas and Oklahoma. Dr. Amanda Biles, assistant professor and director of ACU’s public history program, brought 20 students from her public history class.

“So many of them had never touched an artifact before, much less seen it come out of the ground,” she says. “And there was just so much enthusiasm, so much excitement on their part to get to be a full participant in this kind of hands-on research.”

Students not only helped with the excavation, but also contributed in other areas, collecting oral histories from Indigenous elders, working with the children who accompanied the elders and assisting with video production.

“They let us be hands-on in a lot of different ways,” says Maddie Thompson, a senior public history major

from Keller, Texas. “We helped plot where we were going to excavate, and then actually helped dig up the dirt and sift through it to find artifacts. We also got to spend time with the Native Americans who were there, and watched an opening ceremony where they blessed the site with a prayer and a song.”

For Thompson, the experience has been invaluable. “I want to go into museum work, but I’d never had the opportunity to interact with the people whose stories we aim to tell within our museums,” she says. “It was a whole side of the profession I hadn’t seen.”

Connecting with culture

Indigenous elders have played a vital role in the Paint Rock research. Mary Motah Weahkee, a member of the Comanche Nation and Santa Clara Pueblo tribes and a retired archaeologist for the state of New Mexico, has been a key figure in the project for four years, offering scientific expertise and cultural perspective.

Elliott guides students in ACU’s English graduate program through the site. Many of the paintings tell stories that can still be interpreted.

“As an archaeologist, I was able to find connections between the oral histories of my grandparents and the places and sites I had the pleasure of working in,” she explains. “I shared my community’s stories with my scientist colleagues, and the advantage of being Native American helped with the interpretation of some sites.”

Weahkee says she appreciates the ACU students’ openness to Indigenous perspectives. “I was grateful for them listening with open minds,” she says. “I think these younger archaeologists and anthropologists understand

JEREMY

“

SO MANY OF THEM [STUDENTS] HAD NEVER TOUCHED AN ARTIFACT BEFORE, MUCH LESS SEEN IT COME OUT OF THE GROUND. THERE WAS JUST SO MUCH ENTHUSIASM, SO MUCH EXCITEMENT ON THEIR PART TO GET TO BE A FULL PARTICIPANT IN THIS KIND OF HANDS-ON RESEARCH.”

– Dr. Amanda Biles

J. Emmor Harston, an early ethnologist and author of Comanche Land , describes this pictograph as the marker for the Kotsoteka band of the Comanche people.

the significance of allowing Indigenous peoples to give their stories and interpretation.”

Gary Perez, who is Apache on his family’s paternal side and from the Coahuiltecan peoples of Mexico on his maternal side, underscores the values of this cultural exchange. “The students are critical,” he says, “because as elders we love people who pay attention to us – people who are eager to learn from us about what we think and what we want to say.”

Elliott credits one of his former students, Maddy Whitley (’21) – who has lived on Navajo reservations in Arizona and New Mexico – with an important insight that shaped their methodology: “Maddy told me the kind of stories that you’re used to hearing are written by an individual for an individual. You’re supposed to read them by yourself. But these [Indigenous] stories don’t work like that. These stories are written by a group of people, and they’re meant to be read as a group.”

At Whitley’s prompting, Elliott invited the elders to bring their grandchildren. Instead of asking the elders to interpret the stories for him, he had them share the tales with the younger generation. The dynamics changed immediately, he says. The storytelling became richer, more detailed and more personal.

Weahkee brought four of her grandchildren, ranging in age from 4 to 10.

“It is important to share these stories with young children so they understand where they have come from and what their ancestors did to survive and support each other through prayer and rituals,” she says. “If I, as a child, had not listened to my grandfather’s stories of the times past, I would not understand why I live in these times.”

Interweaving the disciplines

The project has grown each year and now involves students in academic disciplines ranging from the humanities to the hard sciences. Chemistry students are studying the chemical composition of the paint. Physics students are using multispectral photography to make the images more visible. Education students are creating curriculums that honor the Native American culture.

Melina Cripes, a senior English major from Dallas, says she joined the excavation to help with audio but became entranced with the storytelling. “A group of women would sit in a circle and get comfortable and

This star sequence is likely from the 19th century, and one of the most recent paintings at the site. The limestone surface was rubbed smooth before the paint was applied.

JEREMY ENLOW

As a paint specialist, Hanson is working to help identify pigments used in the paintings.

JEREMY

Elliott and Dr. Kelsey Hanson, archaeological chemist from The University of Texas at Arlington, discuss the hummingbird panel.

Elliott discusses a marker of the Penateka Comanches, or “honey eaters,” the southernmost band of Comanches whose range extended from the Edwards Plateau to the headwaters of central Texas rivers.

– Dr. Jeremy Elliot “

“WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS UNDERSTAND THIS SITE, NOT LIKE IT’S SOMETHING IN A LABORATORY, BUT LIKE IT’S SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN ALIVE AND DEVELOPING FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS AND STILL IS. IT’S NOT AN INACTIVE SITE. PEOPLE HAVE NEVER QUIT PRAYING HERE.”

Handprints are one of the most common elements in rock art worldwide, and many are found in Texas.

JEREMY ENLOW

PAINT ROCK PROVIDES CANVAS FOR ACADEMIC COLLABORATION

ne of the remarkable aspects of the research at Paint Rock is the broad interdisciplinary collaboration it has fostered. Faculty and students from diverse academic fields have teamed up with Indigenous communities to document and preserve the cultural heritage embedded in the ancient ceremonial site.

Here’s a closer look at how different departments have contributed to the project:

Language

and Literature

Dr. Jeremy Elliott and his students have been working since 2019 to map and interpret the pictographs representing generations of Indigenous stories and knowledge. Their work includes multiple site visits and close collaboration with representatives from the Comanche, Lipan Apache and Coahuiltecan peoples to better understand the narratives depicted in the art. In March 2024, Elliott led an archaeological dig at Paint Rock and is set to return for another excavation in 2025.

History and Global Studies

Dr. Amanda Biles, assistant professor and director of ACU’s public history program, brought 20 students from her Introduction to Public History class to take part in the excavation, where they worked with professional archaeologists and Indigenous elders, journaling their experiences and learning field techniques.

Journalism and Mass Communication/Communication

Journalism graduate Connor Mullins (’23) and communication graduate Ashlee Reed (’24) delved into a more personal side of Indigenous history. They interviewed Native Americans who attended the Fort Sill Indian Boarding School in Lawton, Oklahoma, as children. Their documentary, Generations of Healing, won Best Documentary at ACU’s 2024 FilmFest. Scan the QR Code to view the documentary online.

Isenhower

Engineering and Physics

Dr. Larry Isenhower (’05), associate professor of physics, is working with seniors Ben Camp and Sidney Osae-Osante on a project using multispectral photography to enhance the visibility of the pictographs. The technology, originally used to map details of the earth from space, captures wavelengths of color not visible to the human eye and may allow faded or obscured drawings to be studied.

Teacher Education

Darby Ice (’24), who is earning a master’s degree in teaching and learning, partnered with Dr. Carol MacAulayJameson, a retired Baylor University archaeology professor, to create an education program for Indigenous children who attended the excavation. The curriculum offered hands-on experiences, such as teaching the children how to identify local wildlife, take water samples and tell time without a watch.

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dr. James Johnstone (’17), a visiting faculty member at ACU, provided an on-site lecture about the role of chemistry in archaeology, focusing on processes such as carbon dating. By bringing his chemistry students to future digs, Johnstone plans to give them firsthand experience with archaeological chemistry by studying the chemical composition of the paint. 

SKYLER BLANTON

Dr. Amanda Biles (left)

start talking,” she says, “and they would tell us stories –some were related to the rock art, and some were from their homes and their tribes. I love folklore, so I really enjoyed that.”

The experience added context to what she has learned in her classes.

“It’s important to understand the history of this land and the history of people who have been here for a really long time, and how everything is really connected,” she says. “I think that helps us grow as people.”

Darby Ice (’24), who is earning her master’s degree in teaching and learning, says she gained a new perspective while developing educational activities for the Native American children at the dig site.

“They have a non-Western approach to understanding science and the meaning behind things,” she says. “I come at it with a Western approach of understanding that this artifact was in the ground for so many years, and we can carbon date it and catalog it. They’re like, ‘No, this is a ceremonial site where they spent time in solitude and prayer.’”

Showing respect for cultural interpretation along with respect for scientific methods is key, she says.

“We were in charge of giving them the scientific approach when it comes to archaeology, and then their spiritual elders gave them the significance of what the place means for them and their people,” Ice says. “So it was a nice bridge where the children were learning both.”

As the project continues to evolve, new layers are being added. Elliott has begun discussing with teacher education students a project to develop curriculum for Texas public schools aimed at providing a more nuanced and accurate portrayal of Indigenous history and culture.

“I know when my child did Texas history and brought home stuff, everything about the Comanche was in the past tense, like they don’t even exist anymore,” Elliott noted.

“What we are trying to do is understand this site, not like it’s something in a laboratory, but like it’s something that has been alive and developing for thousands of years and still is,” he says. “It’s not an inactive site. People have never quit praying here.”

In each of the disciplines, students are finding new ways to combine their academic research with real-world experiences, while learning the importance of preserving multicultural voices and perspectives.

Unearthing the past

As a historian, ACU’s Biles originally joined the project to study the site’s layer of graffiti from the 1800s.

“The graffiti often contains regiments, military unit numbers, specific names and specific dates that I am interested in digging into,” she says. “I’m trying to identify the people who were here and maybe even get a window into why they layered their own stories on top of these indigenous rock art stories.”

The physical layers of graffiti are a great reminder that history is always being built upon earlier foundations, Biles says. “For students to be able to see those layers in person and then also to think about the archeological layers in the dirt, of items building up over time, of dirt layering on top of those items – and then us coming along many years later to excavate those artifacts, but also to excavate those stories – that is an amazing object lesson I can describe in the classroom but they can only experience when they’re on site, participating in the research.”

Biles assigned her students to keep field journals during the dig. “Several of them wrote about how this was an absolutely transformative learning experience and exactly what they were hoping for when they came to college –but never expected to get.” 

Elliott and Dr. Joe Stephenson (left), professor of language and literature, lead students to the site of an archaeological dig near the Paint Rock bluff. JEREMY

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If you’re a high school sophomore or junior, join Abilene Christian University for a week of international travel to sites such as England, Italy and Germany or choose a residential program on ACU’s campus next summer. Students earn college credit, build community and expand their horizons with life-changing memories. Learn more at acu.edu/risingscholars.

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Alumni Awards

Outstanding Alumnus of the Year

Provides timely recognition

Scott ACTON

r. Scott Acton (’84) dedicated 24 years to developing the wavefront sensors on the James Webb Space Telescope. So, it’s not surprising he didn’t let a little thing like a quadruple bypass operation derail his 15,000mile bicycling trek around the globe. Whether it’s contributing to one of the most significant scientific discoveries of the century or setting out to bike around the world, ACU’s 2024 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year exemplifies dogged commitment and passion.

His 24-year journey as a scientist with Ball Aerospace led to his role as a wavefront sensing and controls scientist for the largest and most complex observatory ever built, serving astronomers worldwide: the James Webb Space Telescope. Its unprecedented sensitivity to infrared light is allowing scientists to explore the early universe, the formation of galaxies through time, the life cycle of stars and other worlds outside our solar system.

In early 2022, Acton was among the first to see images from the telescope after its launch. Though he had an idea what was coming, seeing it in action went beyond his expectations.

“These images profoundly changed the way I see the universe,” he said at the time.

They made him think of Job 38:7, which says during the creation of the universe “the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy.”

“I pictured these galaxies singing, maybe not in words humans could understand, but with emotion we could definitely understand,” he says. “I pictured God expressing joy that humankind, after all this time, could finally see the universe.”

A delay in the project in 2016 allowed Acton to embark on another adventure – fulfilling a lifetime dream of riding his bicycle around the world. But even that journey was not without challenges.

His goal was to spend a year bicycling about 15,000 miles around the globe, lecturing in communities, schools and colleges along the way. He was cycling about 200 miles a week in preparation for the tour when he started feeling pain in his chest as he would begin a ride. Despite being a healthy endurance athlete, just one month before his planned trek, he found he needed an emergency quadruple bypass operation to restore blood flow to his heart and save his life.

Delayed but undaunted, Acton recovered from the bypass and began

his trek by riding north from Boulder, Colorado, to Fairbanks, Alaska. Then he cycled across Europe – Spain, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary. He returned to Boulder and went south, including passing through Abilene, where he met up with Samuel Cook, a good friend and ACU associate professor of music, who rode with him to Brownwood. Later, he cycled through New Zealand.

Then it was back to work on the Webb.

“I’ve never worked so hard in my life,” Acton said. “My apartment door to the mission operation center [at NASA’s Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Maryland] was a 7-minute walk. I would continually be there in the control room, and we would be looking at images with a team of people. I’d say ‘OK, do this and do this,’ and then I’d go home and sleep a few hours and come back and do it again. If anything important happened, I wanted to be there.”

That commitment paid off, and on Christmas day of 2021, the Webb Telescope was launched. NASA publicly released its first images in July 2022.

“Now that it’s an operational telescope, it’s no longer about making it work; it’s about keeping it working and using it for science,” Acton said.  – ROBIN SAYLOR AND WENDY KILMER

David Todd HARMON

r. David Todd Harmon (’05) never expected to have a career in making peanut butter.

“The origin of our company sounds like a joke,” says Harmon, co-founder and chief operating officer of Mana Nutrition, a Georgia-based nonprofit that produces high-nutrition peanut butter products to feed malnourished children in the developing world. “A therapist and a missionary – that’s myself and Mark Moore – start a peanut butter company. We used to be embarrassed by our origins, and how little we knew. But now, we lead with that: our backgrounds and our story.”

After 15 years, Harmon and his team have built a successful business, working with multinational groups such as UNICEF, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Red Cross to distribute their products to children who lack access to adequate nutrition. The products, which don’t require refrigeration or cooking, are an effective, affordable way to help consistently undernourished children who often have other health problems.

“You can think about it in terms of boxes and numbers,” says Harmon, who lives in Abilene with his wife, Dr. Tera (Stidham ’04) Harmon, an assistant professor in ACU’s Graduate School of Theology, and their three children. “But we try to think of it in terms of feeding kids. Many of these children are born close to the edge, medically and nutritionally. Our products can help put them into a safer, healthier space.”

Harmon majored in youth and family ministry at ACU. At the time, he wasn’t sure about his career path, but he found value in his coursework and experiences. “I took unexpected electives,” he recalls. “Classes like business writing and sociology really made me think. My professors pushed me to think differently about the world and about things that matter.”

He later received a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degree from ACU, which he says was transformational. “I got to learn about systems and how things work, and think about complex problems and complex solutions. That degree – managing people, building consensus –

was probably the most helpful thing for my career.”

Harmon earned his doctorate from the University of Southern California and wrote his dissertation on the importance of “soft skills,” which he says are often the most difficult to find.

“How do you work within a team? How do you create a company culture?” he says. “Those things are so important. One of our core values at Mana is ‘We are the they.’ We believe there is no ‘they’; we’re all a part of the problem or the solution. Whether it’s picking up litter at our manufacturing facility or feeding children across the world, it’s about the ‘we.’ We’re all in it together.”

Harmon praises the dedication of his employees, some of whom have traveled abroad with him and Moore to see the impact of their products firsthand.

“That’s been so important,” he says. “Going into the field, seeing our products used can shift people’s mindsets and inspire them. But the vital thing is truly seeing these kids as our neighbors. That makes all the rest of the work worth it.” 

– KATIE NOAH GIBSON

Charles and Darlene COULSTON

Across the U.S. and East Africa, Dr. Charles (’65) and Darlene (Wright ’67) Coulston have touched thousands of lives and cared for those on the fringes of society. The couple has ministered in traditional church ministry, as well as in Nairobi, Kenya, where they founded Made in the Streets (MITS), a ministry serving children from the streets of Nairobi and the surrounding slums.

The Coulstons met at ACU and married shortly after graduation. They began a life of ministry that sent them to locations including Roswell, New Mexico; Portales, New Mexico; and Redwood City, California.

In 1989, the couple participated in a short-term mission trip to Kenya to help run a Vacation Bible School for children. The Coulstons loved their time there so much that when Charles later faced a job transition, the two took the opportunity to begin full-time international mission work in Nairobi.

The Coulstons worked with teenagers and conducted Vacation Bible Schools, and soon children living on the streets nearby heard about the new programs. In August 1995, they hosted an event designed for those children.

“We think maybe we’ll have 40 kids or so, but before it’s time to start, there are 200 kids at the gate,” Charles says. “They come in and spend the day with us, and at the end, we’re sitting around with the teenagers who taught the classes, and one of them says, ‘You know, they’re coming back. We invited them to come to church on Sunday.’”

When 55 kids showed up on Sunday, the Coulstons recognized a new opportunity laid out before them.

“As Darlene says, ‘We can’t say no to Jesus.’ It’s not us doing this. It has to be something that God is doing,” Charles says.

Now led by Brad Voss (’93) and a Kenyan team, the work of MITS continues with the mission to love and serve children from the streets of Nairobi, Kenya – meeting their physical, emotional and spiritual needs; loving them fully; equipping them to earn a living; and sending them out to a new life.

The Coulstons retired from working with MITS full time in 2019 and now reside in Southlake, Texas, serving in an advisory capacity for the ministry. 

– SYDNEY OSBORN

Michael and Dorris FORTSON

Michael (’65) and Dorris (West ’66) Fortson have ministered to babies and to college students, to widows and to new mothers, in a college town and in an impoverished African nation, consistently giving of themselves to share the good news of Jesus and care for those in need.

The couple met at ACU. During his time in college, Michael participated in a sixmonth mission trip to Tanzania where college students partnered with local missionaries to baptize 1,051 people and establish 52 churches, many of which still meet today.

After college, they married and, inspired by Michael’s experience, they immediately moved to Tanzania and served there from 1965-71. Upon returning, they began a more than 30-year career in ministry in the U.S., including 29 years in campus ministry at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Michael retired in 2005, but it didn’t take the Fortsons long to find a new calling.

In 2008, while visiting Tanzania with two of their four children, Rob and Bekah (Fortson ’90) Johnson, who were born there in the 1960s, all four were taken aback by the

poverty and devastation caused by the AIDS epidemic in the time since they had lived there. The Fortsons remember Rob saying, “Mom and Dad, you can do something about this.” And a new dream was born in a familiar location.

The Fortsons opened Neema Village in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2012, and they continue to serve as executive directors and lead the board of directors. Neema began as a rescue center for abandoned, orphaned and at-risk babies. Over the years, hundreds of children have been rescued, with many eventually being adopted or placed with members of their extended families.

The ministry has since expanded to offer additional programs to address the conditions that lead to children being abandoned or orphaned: helping women survive childbirth, care for their babies and themselves, provide income, escape abuse, and support the surrounding Maasai villages through water wells and medical care.

The Fortsons now share their time between Tanzania and Robinson, Texas. 

KIMLEESON

ERICGUEL

Katie (Banta ’99) Alford has been president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Abilene (CFA) for 15 years and has lived and served in the Abilene community since 1995 when she came to ACU as a finance major. She met her husband, Jason Alford (’01), and they were married the week after she graduated.

After working for an investment advisor, then as an accountant at Hendrick Health, Alford became finance director at CFA.

Katie ALFORD

Four years later, Alford says she was shocked but grateful when CFA selected her for the position of president and CEO. Under her leadership, the foundation

has moved into its own building in downtown Abilene and seen significant increases in grant-making impact. This year, annual grants totaled more than $19.6 million, and students received a record $1 million in scholarships.

Since its founding in 1985, CFA has awarded more than $100 million in grants to support charitable causes.

“We get to work with the most generous people in Abilene, and we get to work for the nonprofits who are carrying out the hard work of serving our community,” Alford says. 

Paula HARRIS

For more than 30 years, Paula Harris (’18 M.Ed.) has been involved in the Houston community – as an oil industry executive, with the Houston Astros and through civic engagement.

Harris received a bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering from Texas A&M University in 1987 and began as a field engineer working on offshore rigs. That job grew into a 33-year career with Schlumberger Oilfield Services, eventually leading to positions including director of community affairs and director of global stewardship.

In 2018, Harris earned an M.Ed. in instruction and learning from ACU Online. Just a few years later, she

joined the Houston Astros baseball club as executive director of the Astros Foundation and senior vice president of community affairs. Harris has served on the board for the Houston Independent School District and other education and outreach associations. She is passionate about advancing STEM education and career opportunities for all, but especially for women and underrepresented minorities. She received the Women Who Mean Business Lifetime Achievement award from the Houston Business Journal, the Women on the Move award from Texas Executive Women, and the United Nations Global Citizenship Award. 

JONATHAN SMITH

Tony ROACH Jr.

Tony Roach Jr. (’01) has worked and led in several areas at Southwest Airlines, and he credits his success to experiences and mentoring he received as a student at ACU.

“I worked for Dr. Gary McCaleb (’64), and he encouraged me to be a leader,” says Roach, who earned degrees in marketing and management. “His passion for building communities that were diverse, that were after the Kingdom of God, inspired me.”

Connections with classmates, faculty and alumni helped him land a position at Southwest as an administrative coordinator, and he then moved into various marketing roles. In 2009, he left briefly but missed the aviation industry and returned to Southwest working in loyalty. He was asked to start a customer

experience function and led several initiatives, including a COVID response program and rebuilding relationships following mass flight cancellations in 2023.

“It all developed into the role I have now as senior vice president and chief customer officer – the first chief customer officer we’ve ever had,” Roach says.

Southwest Airlines operates by the “Golden Rule” – treat others the way you want to be treated, Roach says.

“I want to operate in a workplace that represents that not only am I a leader, but I’m also somebody of faith,” Roach says. “You often have others watch you from afar that you never know about. You can represent Christ in the workplace.” 

SYDNEY OSBORN

SYDNEY OSBORN

We love our followers on social media. Here are just a few of the posts by and about Wildcats.

Joe Grace October 20

Hannah’s last Homecoming at ACU was a blast. She insisted that Mindy and I go do all the stuff. We danced Thursday night, went to Praise Day Friday morning, then ate lunch at the Bean. Then the parade, Wildcat Walk and the game on Saturday. Abilene Christian University has been a wonderful college for her and we’ve grown to love it too!

Jason Smith August 18

Why ACU? Because our head coach and athletic director are concerned about the Man being Completed in Christ. That’s why to come to ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.

August 27

The Polk Twins are starting year #3 at Abilene Christian University. We are so proud of you both!

Gordon E. Storey October 12

ACU alumni on CNN! Huge thanks to the MSSW program for giving me the skills to further assist our airmen.

Aiden Desjardins

July 22

Shoutout to @ACUedu and their Rising Scholars program. I enjoyed my week there and made so many friends and memories. Super pumped to be going back for their Football Prospect Camp this Friday to show I am worthy of joining the ranks of ACU.

Brian Thomas Jones

December 14

Yesterday, I had the incredible honor of participating in Commencement at Abilene Christian University, where I was hooded as I earned my Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership. The program started with a call to worship, scripture reading and ended with “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” My experience at Abilene Christian University was top notch from the start to the culmination of this accomplishment. It’s all by the grace of God, hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of so many that this is at all possible. To those who joined the celebration in person and those who celebrated online, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your encouragement and love have carried me through this journey, and I’m beyond grateful to share this milestone with each of you. Here’s to the next chapter!

Camp Able of Buffalo Gap

September 9

Grateful for the latest crop of Abilene Christian University nursing students who will be volunteering for this fall’s school riding programs. This year is one of our largest groups at 26! Here are a few shots of their recent orientation session. Thank you all! We can’t do Camp Able without our volunteers!

Melanie Cortez Polk

Smart Money

Campaign provides big boost to academics across campus

BY JONATHAN SMITH

y every measure, the Higher Ground campaign is raising the bar for what’s possible across campus, and perhaps no other area has benefitted more than academics.

As of Dec. 5, Higher Ground donors have committed $133 million specifically to strengthen and elevate ACU’s academic profile, a central pillar of the campaign. Those commitments have benefitted various areas, such as faculty, research, state-of-the-art facilities and student scholarships. Each gift looks different, but they are all impactful on the world-class education ACU students receive. Here are a couple of the ways donors are boosting academics across campus.

Advertising/public relations graduate Annie Kay Palasota (‘24); Jules Davis, junior graphic design major from Conway, Arkansas; and Daniel Curd, junior advertising/ public relations major from Littleton, Colorado, meet as part of the Morris+Mitchell student agency.

Karley Adrion (’16) when she returned to ACU full time in 2022 as an assistant professor of journalism and mass communication.

As a student, she considered her participation in the JMC department’s Morris+Mitchell student-run advertising and public relations agency a foundational educational experience.

“Morris+Mitchell turned out to be the work I was asked about the most and talked about the most in my job interviews because the opportunity to sit across the table from and work directly with clients as a 19-, 20- or 21-year-old student is not very common,” she said.

Several years later, Adrion and the department continue to benefit from the generosity of Elise (Smith ’83) Mitchell, half the namesake of the agency.

As part of the university’s Higher Ground campaign, Mitchell and her husband, Dr. Raye Mitchell, established the Mitchell Endowed Professorship in 2022. The endowment became fully funded in 2024 and now provides annual support for Adrion and her work as the department’s primary advertising and public relations professor and the advisor of Morris+Mitchell, which also bears the name of the university’s seventh president, Dr. Don H. Morris (’24)

support recruiting efforts as the department aims to bring in the best students and promote its nationally accredited program.

Mitchell, now in her 10th year as an ACU trustee and the university’s 2015 Alumna of the Year, is an exemplary product of that program. In 1995, she founded Mitchell Communications Group, which grew into an award-winning strategic communications firm with a client list including Walmart, Procter & Gamble, Marriott Hotels and Kraft Foods. She sold her firm in 2012 and became CEO of the Dentsu Aegis Public Relations Network. In addition to writing a best-selling book, Leading Through the Turn , she now advises clients through a leadership and business consultancy in Nashville, Tennessee.

For Adrion, that means support for opportunities like attending conferences to stay on top of the latest changes in her field. That’s particularly helpful as she works to update the curriculum in an ever-changing industry. Among other benefits, the professorship can

Mitchell is also no stranger to giving back to the JMC department.

“Any time we have said we have a need, she will step up and support the department,” said Dr. Kenneth Pybus (’89), professor and chair of journalism and mass communication. Her gift helped establish Morris+Mitchell, which officially launched in 2010, and an endowment she later created provides annual support for it.

“Being a giver changed me,” Mitchell once said, reflecting on her original gift to support Morris+Mitchell. “I felt empowered that my giving could change so many lives.”

The list of lives changed – which includes students, professionals and now professors – grows each year, thanks to Mitchell’s generosity. 

Elise Mitchell (center) visits with students

Nursing endowment supports vital lab experience

Visitors to the School of Nursing’s Zona Luce Building can’t miss the Lugar Simulation Lab. Centrally located on the first floor, the lab consists of five separate areas, each designed like a tidy hospital room with a practice mannequin in each bed.

More than just a centerpiece of a 2023 building remodel, this simulation lab is a central component of nursing education at ACU.

“Students aren’t able to practice every scenario at the hospital,” said Dr. Theresa Naldoza, executive director of nursing and associate dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. “They need a safe space to learn and make mistakes. Our simulation lab provides that.”

Not only is the lab an important part of the curriculum, but it is also filled with expensive equipment. The three highest-tech mannequins cost $60,000 to $120,000 each. With constant usage by the steady stream of nursing students working in the lab, the mannequins often need to be replaced every five to eight years.

But thanks to a recent endowment by the namesakes of the simulation lab – Steve (’77) and Gari (Brooke ’77) Lugar –equipping the lab is a much easier endeavor.

The Lugar Endowment for Nursing Simulation Equipment was established in 2023 and provides annual support for outfitting the lab, beginning in 2024 when the school used it to help purchase a new pediatric simulator. This child-size mannequin can be programmed to talk, make faces, respond to treatment and much more.

“The new pediatric simulator has added a whole new level of realism for our students,” said nursing instructor Kelsey Gesling. “From the facial expressions and real tears to being able to run fluids through the IVs, it’s a huge benefit for students.”

The lab experience is paying dividends for ACU nursing students.

In 2023, Bachelor of Science in nursing students achieved a 100% pass rate for the NCLEX-RN, the national licensing exam for registered nurses, and ACU was one of only six Texas universities with a perfect rate.

The Lugars met at ACU as freshmen in 1973. At the time, the university did not have a School of Nursing, and Gari ultimately transferred to The University of Texas at Austin to fulfill her dream of earning a B.S.N.

Since the university opened its own School of Nursing in 2013, the Lugars have supported the program that Gari once had to seek elsewhere. In 2017, they established the Lugar Endowment for the School of Nursing, which provides annual funding for faculty.

Thanks in part to their devoted support, the ACU School of Nursing can continue to grow and provide a world-class academic experience, and future nurses don’t have to look anywhere else. 

Final Climb

Higher Ground campaign enters closing months

ith less than half a year left before wrapping up this summer, the Higher Ground campaign is approaching a new milestone: $300 million.

As of Dec. 5, donors have committed about $299 million toward the university’s record-breaking campaign, well beyond the original goal of $250 million.

“Throughout this campaign, ACU has been extraordinarily blessed by the generosity of our donors, whose selfless giving has touched every corner of our university,” said Dan Macaluso, vice president for advancement.

Macaluso said the university will continue to look for ways to match donors’ passions with ACU’s Christ-centered mission.

If you are interested in supporting one of these opportunities or any other program, please reach out to the Office of Advancement at advancement@acu.edu or 325-674-2622 to discuss options. 

Read more bonus content about how the Higher Ground campaign has strengthened and elevated ACU’s academic profile by scanning the QR Code or visiting acu.edu/acutoday

Steve and Gari Lugar

JEREMYENLOW

Selections of books published by Abilene Christian University or those written, edited, compiled or contributed by ACU alumni, faculty, staff and students.

Circus Train at Sunrise

A COLLECTION OF MEMORABLE LINES, REGRETFUL REMARKS, AND SOULFUL SAYINGS ABOUT THE LONE STAR STATE

By Sarah Descamps Denning (’09)

ISBN 978-1509253746 • 402 pages barnesandnoble.com

A historical fiction murder mystery, Circus Train at Sunrise takes place along the Texas railroads –including Abilene – in the traveling circus in 1927. Charlotte Baxter is eager for the circus to come through her dusty Texas town on the railroad, but the exciting event turns deadly when a star performer dies in the center ring.

What Happens Next

A TRAVELER’S GUIDE THROUGH THE END OF THIS AGE

By Max Lucado (’77)

ISBN 978-1400260003 • 256 pages thomasnelson.com

We live in what seems to be an increasingly uncertain world, testing the confidence and nerve of even the most committed Christians. Best-selling author Lucado asks: Are we living in the end times? If so, what does that mean for me? His optimistic, encouraging guide to what the Bible says about heaven’s timeline is written to empower readers to face the future with faith.

The Mindful Marriage

CREATE YOUR BEST RELATIONSHIP THROUGH UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING YOURSELF

By Ron (’93 M.M.F.T.) and Nan Deal

ISBN 978-1546007388 • 240 pages hachettebookgroup.com

Backed by neuroscience and biblical principles, this book delivers a therapeutic model for couples who want to stop the painful patterns that harm their marriage so that they can build a stronger connection. The co-authors’ marriage was nearly destroyed by the devastating loss of their child, but through restoration therapy, they learned how to better care for themselves and each other in times of emotional distress.

For Everything There is a Season

A MEMOIR

By Dr. Jack Scott (’54)

ISBN 978-1684261031 • 176 pages acupressbooks.com

Scott, an admired public servant who celebrated his 70th class reunion at Homecoming in 2024, writes about life’s twists and even tragic turns throughout his distinguished career. He served in the California State Assembly and as a senator, but devoted most of his time to higher education, including chancellor of the California Community Colleges System, the nation’s largest system of higher education.

The BOOKCASE

Bubba Ephriam

BLACK TEXAS BASKETBALL TRAILBLAZER

By Garner Roberts (’70)

978-1684261239 • 256 pages • acupressbooks.com

ACU Sports Hall of Fame inductee Roberts tells the previously untold story of Ephraim, a basketball pioneer from Pecos High School who broke the color barrier in Texas basketball in 1955, then went on to a distinguished career in the U.S. military.

Letters to a Future Saint

FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH FOR THE SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY

By Dr. Brad East (’07)

ISBN 978-0802883872 • 220 pages • eerdmans.com

East’s book was named runner-up for 2024 Book of the Year by Christianity Today (see Page 31). It comprises 93 short letters to young people – who may be largely uninformed of the depths of faith despite growing up in Christian homes – an invitation into the life of the church and into a deeper relationship with God. East is associate professor of Bible, missions and ministry in ACU’s College of Biblical Studies.

Let’s Talk

ELEVEN CONVERSATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO TAKE LIFE, FAITH AND THE CHURCH SERIOUSLY

By David Blanchard (’08 M.Div.)

ISBN 979-8385213900 • 108 pages • amazon.com

Designed as a small-group resource, Let’s Talk offers thoughtful reflections on church life and discipleship, intended to stimulate meaningful dialogue among people who seek Jesus and care about the future of his church.

Building a Non-Anxious Life

By Dr. John Delony

ISBN 978-8887820019 • 304 pages • store.ramseysolutions.com

Former ACU faculty member Delony offers a manual to help anyone understand and manage anxiety in his or her life, unpacking the deeper reasons for it and providing actionable tools leading to lasting freedom. A mental and emotional health expert, he hosts “The Dr. John Delony Show” and co-hosts the “The Ramsey Show” with personal finance consultant Dave Ramsey.

Cloaked in Beauty

By Karen (Gaskin ’93) Witemeyer

ISBN 978-0764244070 • 344 pages • bakerbookhouse.com

Raised in isolation with only her grandmother and her pet wolf for company, Letty Hood must learn to trust the Pinkerton agent tasked with her protection as she embarks on a journey to face her destiny and the dragon who has sought her destruction for the last 15 years.

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Merry Christmas, Dear Mars

By Penny (Parker ’77) Klostermann

ISBN 978-1250870308 • 32 pages us.macmillan.com

Written for ages 4-8, Klostermann offers a Martian remix of the classic poem, “A Visit From Saint Nicholas,” with Santa visiting the red planet on Christmas Eve.

BONUS COVERAGE

New sculpture unveiled

The campus has a new landmark and sculpture, thanks to a generous gift from Dr. Neal (’87) and Susan (Roach ’90) Rickard Coates

Depicting an aged, well-worn tome and aptly named The Book , the sculpture represents the great works of literature from all disciplines and is carved out of a block of Texas pink granite, measuring 10 feet long, 6 feet wide and 3.5 feet tall.

The benefactors dedicated The Book in memory of their late spouses – Cynthia (Cannon ’87) Coates and David Rickard (’87), respectively, who died in 2021 and 2016 – and their avid love of reading.

The sculpture sits to the northwest of the Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center on the site of the former Taylor Elementary School, where Cynthia Coates once attended.

Endowment supports LSAT prep

An endowment established in late 2023 will soon begin helping law school applicants from ACU cover expenses related to law school admissions tests.

The Law School Admissions Endowment, established by Houston attorneys Dylan (’14) and Savannah (Hostetter ’15) Benac, is nearing its initial funding goal and will provide support for the often-expensive prospect of taking a preparation course for the LSAT or another standardized admissions test.

“When students take a prep course, they are statistically more likely to receive better law school scholarships and gain admission into more prominent law schools,” the Benacs said last year when announcing the endowment to alumni. “As a result, this initial investment in a course can impact a student’s life for years to come.”

Ministry residency launched

ACU’s Graduate School of Theology launched the Ministry Residency Program in Fall 2024, which aims to prepare the next generation of ministers through partnerships with host congregations.

The program places second-year Master of Divinity students in year-long residencies at local churches guided by a mentor minister. This mutually beneficial partnership provides ministry support for churches and offers students a substantial scholarship and the opportunity to integrate their theological education with real-life ministry.

The program received initial seed funding through a generous gift from Louie and Robin Werderich, parents of two ACU graduates. Three students are participating in the inaugural cohort, and the GST continues to seek funding to sustain and expand the program over time. 

Dr. Neal Coates, professor and chair of government and criminal justice, shows Dr. Kim Pamplin (‘91) a feature of the sculpture at its dedication ceremony Oct. 29, 2024. Pamplin is professor of chemistry and biochemistry. The pink granite tome represents the great works of all disciplines and symbolizes the impact of education.

HilltopVIEW

BY WENDY KILMER

For the latest visit acu.edu/news acu.edu/youtube acu.edu/facebook acu.edu/linkedin acu.edu/twitter acu.edu/instagram

U.S. News and Forbes rank ACU among top universities

Well-regarded higher education assessments have placed ACU among top universities for teaching, research, student experience and financial stability.

The Forbes 2024 College Financial Grades, announced in August, rated ACU with an A, placing it among the top 54 private universities in the nation for financial health. The list assessed 876 private universities based on financial data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Only 54 institutions received an A grade or higher, and

ACU ranked fourth among those in Texas, ahead of peers like Baylor University and Southern Methodist University.

“I’m incredibly proud of our administration, faculty and staff and their dedication to stewarding our resources in such a complex environment,” said president Dr. Phil Schubert . “This recognition acknowledges ACU’s solid financial foundation – allowing us to provide a world-class education and an exceptional experience for Abilene Christian students.”

ACU’s net assets reached $1 billion in 2023, thanks in part to the outstanding performance of the university’s endowment, which was valued at $823 million as of July 2024.

In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, released in September, Abilene Christian joined an elite group of colleges nationwide to be honored for both teaching and research. Only 26 U.S. institutions ranked in the top 50 nationally in both “Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects” and “Undergraduate Teaching,” including

New discipline-specific engineering degrees launched in Fall 2024: civil engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. These programs incorporate real-world problems from corporate, public and nonprofit organization partners in their junior and senior clinic projects, allowing students to learn from practicing engineers and acquire design experience for a client.

26%

The target reduction in energy consumption through ACU’s new Energy-as-a-Service partnership with Bernhard, a leader in energy infrastructure, to enhance the university’s campus energy efficiency and sustainability. The collaboration also aims to save more than $140 million in utility costs over the partnership’s term.

40,000

The weight in pounds of The Book, a granite sculpture installed on campus in October, near the Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center. The Book was provided by Neal Coates (’87) and Susan (Roach ’90) Rickard Coates in honor of their late spouses, Cynthia Coates and David Rickard

only two Texas universities – ACU and Baylor. Among other institutions on both lists were Carnegie Mellon, Dartmouth, Duke, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Vanderbilt and Yale. ACU is also the only member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to be named to both lists.

ACU also continued to rank among the nation’s best in the “Programs That Enhance Student Experience” benchmarks focused on the student experience and student success – placing in six of eight categories this year and in the top 25 in five of them, including Study Abroad. Abilene Christian has been recognized nationally in multiple categories each year since the benchmark’s debut in 2020.

In addition, the U.S. News & World Report rankings of online programs, released in January 2025, highlighted two undergraduate programs through ACU Online. The Best Online Bachelor’s Programs listing ranked ACU’s online Bachelor of Science in business management #79 nationally and the Bachelor of Science in psychology #18 in the country. ACU’s undergraduate psychology program was the only nationally recognized program in Texas.

ACU sets all-time enrollment record

More than 6,700 students enrolled at ACU in Fall 2024, marking the university’s largest-ever student body and seven consecutive years of record enrollment. The student total of 6,730 reflects an increase of 8% over 2023, more than 27% over the past five years and more than 48% over the past 10 years.

Included in that total are 1,104 new freshmen who come from every region of Texas, the continental United States and across the world with 21 valedictorians, two National Merit Finalists and 29 international students. Business, nursing, kinesiology, psychology, engineering, communication sciences and disorders, occupational therapy, and marriage and family therapy stand out as top programs of interest for incoming students.

The number of undergraduate students at ACU is up 10% compared to last year, and the freshman class increased by 8.8%, even with challenges presented by governmental delays in the processing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Both online and residential enrollment increased compared to last year.

Among residential students, the university achieved its highest-ever retention rate of first-year to second-year students at 81%. In addition, retention of Hispanic and Black students improved by 7% since 2019. 

4,630

3,132 Freshmen 1,104

2,100

NRC issues construction permit for Natura Resources molten salt reactor

In September, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued a construction permit to Abilene Christian University to build the Natura MSR-1, marking the first liquid salt fueled reactor licensed by the NRC in American history and the first U.S. university research reactor approved in more than 30 years.

ACU’s molten salt research reactor (MSRR) will be the first deployment of the Natura MSR-1, a 1-megawatt thermal molten salt reactor system. This construction permit is only the second ever for an advanced nuclear reactor – a new generation of nuclear power designed to be safer, more efficient and more cost-competitive than traditional nuclear reactors.

“If we’re going to meet the growing energy needs, not only in the State of Texas but in our country and the world at large, we must begin deploying advanced nuclear reactors,” said Douglass Robison, Natura Resources founder and president and member of ACU’s Board of Trustees. “The Natura MSR-1 deployment at ACU will not only demonstrate successful licensure of a liquid-fueled molten salt reactor but will provide operational data that will allow us to safely and efficiently design and deploy our commercial systems.”

Natura Resources brought together ACU’s NEXT Lab with Texas A&M University, The University of Texas at Austin and Georgia Institute of Technology to form the Natura Resources Research Alliance to license and deploy the MSRR, which will be located at ACU’s Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center, the nation’s first advanced reactor demonstration facility outside of a national lab.

“ACU is thrilled to have Natura as a partner as we work together to answer the world’s increased demand for reliable energy, medical isotopes, and clean water through the deployment of liquid-fueled molten salt reactors. With the NRC’s issuance of the construction permit, we are one step closer to making that a reality,” said Dr. Phil Schubert (’91), ACU president.

With the construction permit completed, Abilene Christian will continue working with Natura to submit an application for an operating license, while Natura will complete the detailed design of the MSR-1. ACU and

A – Reactor Trip Valves

B – Access Vessel

C – Pump

D – Heat Exchanger

E – Reactor Core

F – Shielding

Key features include:

• 1 MWth power output

• Molten salt cooled

• Liquid fueled (235U)

• Graphite moderated

G – Insulation

H – Reactor Enclosure

I – Drain Tank

J – Helium Tank (one of two)

Natura hope to submit the operating license application in the first half of 2025. The research reactor will be Natura’s first deployment and accelerates the development of Natura’s systems for commercial applications. 

The Molten Salt Research Reactor (MSRR) is the first advanced university research reactor.

RON FINGER

American indie folk band The 502s performed in Moody Coliseum during Wildcat Week in August.

At ACU’s 119th Opening Assembly on Aug. 26, Texas Supreme Court justice Jeff Boyd (’83) reminded the ACU community that Jesus is more about mercy than justice.

Chris Singleton, inspirational speaker, author, entrepreneur and former professional athlete, spoke at The Lytle Center for Faith and Leadership’s fourth annual Abiding in Christ Dinner on Sept. 3.

Warren

Tish Harrison Warren spoke at a fall fundraising dinner for the Faulkner Center for Marriage and Family on Sept. 19. Warren is the author of Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life and Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work, or Watch, or Weep.

A virtual Young Alumni Forum on Oct. 3, hosted by ACU’s Alumni Office, offered students an opportunity to hear from Capt. Hayden Hood (’19) with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Keynote speakers at the 118th year of ACU’s Summit Oct. 16-18 included Alejandro Ezquerra (’20 M.Div.), bilingual minister at the University Church of Christ in Abilene; Anna Carter Florence, the Peter Marshall Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia; Robby John, preaching minister for Saturn Road Church of Christ in Garland, Texas; and Josh Ross (’03), lead minister at Sycamore View Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee. Speakers focused on the theme of “Woven Together: The Power of Biblical Narratives.”

CAMPUS VOICES

Former participants in the ACU College of Business Administration’s Leadership Summit gathered in Dallas Oct. 25 for Refresh Dallas, hosted by the Lytle Center for Faith and Leadership. The dinner event focused on a Christ-centered vision for leadership in careers, homes, churches and communities with speakers Rick Atchley (’78)), former ACU trustee and Dr. Rick Lytle, former COBA dean.

Melissa Torres, president and CEO of The Forum on Education Abroad, and Alex Sosler, assistant professor of Bible and ministry at Montreat College headlined the Best Practices in Christian Higher Ed National Conference Sept. 29- Oct. 1 on campus in Abilene. Participants from faith-based colleges and universities engaged with colleagues and explored topics such as global learning, spiritual formation, retention, innovation in teaching, and diversity.

The Carmichael-Walling Lectures, presented Thursday, Nov. 7, by ACU’s Center for the Study of Ancient Religious Texts, featured Dr. Te-Li Lau of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, lecturing on the theme “Spiritual Emotions.”

On Nov. 14, the inaugural Big Country Conversations, hosted by ACU, featured renowned political strategists and commentators Paul Begala and Karl Rove speaking to students, faculty, staff and community guests in Boone Family Theatre, sharing stories from their public service careers and perspectives on the recent presidential election. The event marked the beginning of a new series designed to connect Abilene with national voices and global issues, following the legacy of Dr. Gary McCaleb (’64) and his impactful Center for Building Community speaker series.

SKYLER BLANTON

Atchley Lytle

SKYLER BLANTON

Academic NEWS

BY ROBIN SAYLOR

For the latest visit acu.edu/news acu.edu/youtube acu.edu/facebook acu.edu/linkedin acu.edu/twitter acu.edu/instagram

Dr. John Xu, professor of biology, consults with research assistant Maddie Conatser (’22) in the newly established ACU Bioanalytics Laboratory.

Bioanalytics Lab formally announced, earns CLIA certification

ACU has officially launched the Bioanalytics Laborarory within the Department of Biology, building on decades of pioneering research. In February, the lab received certification through the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA), recognizing high standards of laboratory quality and reliability.

Dr. Charla (McCaleb ’88) Miertschin, dean of the Onstead College of Science and Engineering, appointed biology professor Dr. John Xu as the laboratory’s director.

“This lab presents an opportunity for us to enhance our research capabilities, foster innovative scientific inquiry and provide students with invaluable hands-on learning experiences,” Xu said.

Since 1999, biology faculty and undergraduate students have conducted significant research on neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. Recently, the team achieved a major breakthrough by qualifying several protein biomarker assays using the advanced Ella platform by ProteinSimple.

“The biomedical research Dr. Xu and other researchers are doing –including faculty-mentored undergraduates – is improving health care protocols on a global scale.”

– Dr. Susan Lewis

sponsor for five years, and the establishment of a lab and CLIA certification will help the university attract additional sponsors and research partners.

In addition to neurodegenerative diseases, the bioanalytics researchers are involved in studies related to COVID-19 antibodies and the diagnosis and treatment of Crohn’s disease.

ACU has been working closely with a biopharmaceutical research

“This is another example of ACU’s commitment to research that matters,” said Dr. Susan (Lester ’92) Lewis, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The biomedical research Dr. Xu and other researchers are doing – including facultymentored undergraduates – is improving health care protocols on a global scale.”

The Bioanalytics Laboratory is located in the Halbert-Walling Research Center. 

Federal grant provides more than $3.6 million to ACU’s school psychology program

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded ACU $3.6 million through the Mental Health Service Professionals Demonstration Grant, the largest federal grant received by the university in 15 years.

Led by Dr. Rachel (Gamblian ’01) Team, associate professor and director of the school psychology program, and Dr. Brit’ny (Spain ’11) Stein, associate professor of psychology, the funding will be used by ACU’s school psychology program to support mental health services in local public schools. The grant also will provide financial support for recruiting and retaining graduate students in the program and help address the shortage of school psychologists across the nation.

In fiscal year 2025, ACU will receive an initial $662,758, with additional funds each of the next four years for a total of $3,672,972. ACU is the only Texas university to receive this grant and one of 30 institutions nationwide.

“World-changing research and projects take place at ACU every day, and this award from the Department of Education affirms and supports those efforts,” said Dr. Phil Schubert (’91), ACU president. “I’m so proud of our team and excited for the implementation of this program that will make a difference in our local community and have long-term influence to prioritize mental health nationwide.”

The initiative, titled Project SMILE (School Psychologists Molded into Interdisciplinary Leaders in Education), will expand school-based mental health services in Abilene and Wylie ISDs through a partnership with Communities in Schools of the Big Country. Dr. Tim Allen, associate professor of psychology, will coordinate school psychology training, focusing on diversifying the field by recruiting students from various backgrounds. 

ACADEMIC DIGEST

In its 2024 Book Awards, announced in December, Christianity Today honored the recent publications of two ACU faculty. Letters to a Future Saint by Dr. Brad East (’08), associate professor of Bible, Missions and Ministry, received the overall Award of Merit for 2024. In addition, Story, Ritual, Prophecy, Wisdom: Reading and Teaching the Bible Today, by Dr. Mark Hamilton (’89 M.Div.), professor of Old Testament, and his wife, Samjung Kang-Hamilton (’88 M.R.E.), was a finalist in the category of Bible and Devotional.

ACU is part of a 12-university consortium recently awarded $25 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration to advance nuclear security and nonproliferation science over the next five years. Led by the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Consortium for Enabling Technologies and Innovation 2.0 focuses on enhancing nuclear security through data science, precision environmental analysis and emerging technologies.

Longtime technology and business executive

Mike Willoughby (’86) has been named dean of the College of Business Administration. Willoughby spent 24 years at PFSweb, most recently as CEO and board director, where he guided the 2,500-employee public company with up to $340 million in annual revenue through complex changes and organizational realignment.

He also was responsible for returning a substantial increase in value to PFSweb’s shareholders through the 2021 sale of LiveArea to Merkle for $250 million and the 2023 sale of the remaining company to GXO Logistics for $181 million, for which he won D CEO Magazine’s Mergers and Acquisitions Award in 2024. He most recently served as CEO and principal owner of Three Creeks Advisors.

Two new graduate-level online programs are available through ACU Online: a Master of Science in sports leadership and a Doctor of Education in educational leadership. Two new certificate programs have been added as well: an online Pre-Health Professions Certificate that provides students interested in pursuing a nursing career with the required prerequisite courses for nursing school, and an online and on-campus Certificate in Practical Ministry designed for new ministers to enhance their skills.

Dr. Drew Jamieson, professor in the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy program, is the inaugural recipient of the ACU Online Teacher of the Year award. Students nominated instructors for this honor, and their comments highlighted his compassion, exceptional teaching and ability to inspire.

“Dr. Jamieson has been more than an outstanding professor; he has been an inspiration,” one student said. “He guides us in ways that make us not only better professionals but better people.

The Killing Plains, a new crime thriller written by Sherry Rankin, assistant professor of language and literature, was designated as one of Amazon’s First Reads for January 2025. These monthly selections are editors’ new book picks made available early through Kindle. “Rankin’s writing is exquisite,” one editor said, “and she has penned a compelling, simmering crime thriller which spans two decades and engulfs a small West Texas town.”

ACU has earned Research 2 status in the latest update from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education – a prestigious designation placing ACU among top research institutions in the nation. Look for more about this milestone in the Spring-Summer 2025 issue of ACU Today.

BLANTON Team Stein

Willoughby

Wildcat SPORTS

BY LANCE FLEMING

Baseball mission trip changes lives at home, abroad

Earlier this year, ACU head baseball coach Rick McCarty scheduled a mission trip to the Dominican Republic for his team. His prayer was that each player would return with a better understanding of why they were at ACU and what it meant to be part of the program.

Mission accomplished.

The Wildcat group – about 60 strong with players, coaches, support staff and donors – spent one week in the country, where poverty still affects more than 30 percent of the population. While on the island, the group fed 40 families through a church in San Pedro, hosted a baseball clinic for more than 100 young men in the capital city of Santo Domingo, donated education materials to an all-girls orphanage, played the Minnesota Twins’ Dominican Summer League team (won 5-1) and the Dominican Air Force Academy team (won 18-5).

But McCarty said the trip’s highlight was witnessing 19 players commit or re-commit their lives to Jesus Christ during evening chapel services.

“I will never forget that experience,” McCarty said. “My prayer leading up to the trip was that each guy would return home with

a different perspective and better understanding of our purpose. I have no doubt it occurred while we were in the Dominican Republic. I’ve never been prouder of a group’s willingness to serve in a different, uncomfortable environment.”

ACU graduate Rolando De La Cruz (’24) – a native of the Dominican Republic who pitched for ACU in 2023 and 2024 and signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels after the ACU season – joined the Wildcats in his home country, sharing his story and testimony in his homeland.

Donors funded the trip, with 11 players sponsored by a baseball program alumnus.

“The generosity shown by our ACU baseball family is unmatched,” McCarty said. “I’m so thankful to have the best seat to see the return on the investment into our program and the Kingdom.” 

For the latest visit acusports.com acu.edu/youtube facebook.com/acusports acu.edu/linkedin twitter.com/acusports instagram.com/acusports

Six inducted into ACU Sports Hall of Fame

In October, two of the greatest players in ACU football history, along with three other Wildcat standouts and a Lifetime Achievement Award winner who has chronicled the exploits of ACU teams and student-athletes for more than 40 years, took their place as the newest members of the ACU Sports Hall of Fame.

This year’s six inductees are Taylor Gabriel (’15) and Daryl Richardson (’14) from football, former track and field standout Steve Parker (’84), Jessica Withrow (’10) from women’s track and field, and Jessica Shiery (’10) from softball, along with former baseball letterman and the founding editor of ACU Today, Ron Hadfield (’79), who was named this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Taylor and Richardson went on to play in the NFL; Parker was one of the top sprinters and hurdlers in the country; Shiery was one of the greatest players in softball history; and Withrow was a national champion in the heptathlon. Hadfield is an award-winning designer and writer whose work, including in athletics, helped build the university’s brand and international reputation. 

Discover more images and inspiring quotes from the baseball’s trip, and see how the experience impacted their lives upon returning. Access our bonus coverage by scanning the QR code or visiting acu.edu/acutoday

Hadfield

KAYLEE KAHN

NIL brings new opportunities for Wildcat student-athletes

The NCAA transfer portal and name, image, likeness (NIL) deals for student-athletes have changed the face of intercollegiate athletics forever. Gone are the days of amateur athletes; most scholarship student-athletes participating in revenue-generating sports at Power-4 athletics programs are now earning salaries and signing endorsement deals to go along with their scholarships to attend school.

Those changes to the NCAA landscape have reached ACU and other mid-major universities, although at a slower pace. Some Wildcat student-athletes have signed endorsement deals with local businesses, and the men’s and women’s basketball programs have collectives to pay their players.

Last May, ACU Athletics launched “Strive On Cats,” powered by Student Athlete NIL (SANIL), the official NIL Collective for Wildcats Student-Athletes, to leverage their name, image and likeness.

SANIL is not officially affiliated with the university but acknowledged by the athletics program and will operate within NCAA, Western Athletic Conference and state of Texas parameters to market and manage NIL opportunities for ACU student-athletes.

“I’m excited to partner with SANIL to position our program to maximize name, image and likeness opportunities for our student-athletes,” said Zack Lassiter, ACU’s vice president for athletics. “I strongly encourage the ACU community to help support this important initiative.”

Strive On Cats will provide unique collaborations and partnerships with fans and businesses that contribute to the winning traditions of ACU’s athletic programs.

“This is our chance to seize the opportunity to be a part of the reform and improvement of the college athletics landscape,” ACU men’s basketball head coach Brette Tanner said. “Our collective will provide an avenue to support our student-athletes, not only on the court, but as they contribute to our community through engagement and service.” 

Men’s Basketball

SPORTS ROUNDUP

• Key returners in 2024-25 included senior guard Hunter Jack Madden, who led the team in 3-pointers, and redshirt junior forward Leonardo Bettiol, ACU’s top scorer (13.5 points per game)

• Newcomers Quion Williams, an Oklahoma State transfer guard, and guard Bradyn Hubbard, a first-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-American last year, fit in nicely, finishing the regular season as the team’s second- and third-leading scorers.

• Despite a slow start, the Wildcats ended the regular season on a 7-2 run to finish in fourth place in the Western Athletic Conference (8-8) and 16-15 overall.

• All nine league teams played in the Hercules Tires WAC Postseason Tournament, which took place during Spring Break in Utah and Las Vegas.

Women’s Basketball

• Despite injuries that, at times, sidelined three starters, the Wildcats finished the regular season in fourth in the WAC (9-7) and won 20 games.

• Senior guard Bella Earle capped an impressive career for ACU. She surpassed 1,000 career points in January and filled up stat sheets all season, finishing top seven in the WAC in scoring average (14.5), rebounding (7.3) and assists (4.27).

• The Wildcats missed sophomore guard Payton Hull – last year’s WAC Freshman of the Year – and senior guard Mia Rivers, who were lost for the season to injuries in mid-January.

• Sophomore center Meredith Mayes stepped up to fill the void, anchoring the frontcourt and leading the conference in field goal percentage (.634) during WAC play.

Continued on Page 34

Facility upgrades continue

Athletics facility additions and renovations continue in golf and baseball, providing the student-athletes in those programs with some of the best facilities in mid-major athletics.

The men’s and women’s golf teams recently began using the Leron and Nancy Blanks Family Driving Range, a new addition outside the Byron Nelson Clubhouse. Jeff (’88) and Crystal Blanks, as well as Mike (’86) and Lisa (Blanks ’86) Pipkin, funded the driving range in memory of Jeff and Lisa’s parents. In September, ACU hosted a grand opening celebration for the expansive driving range, allowing student-athletes from both teams to use the facility simultaneously.

Construction on Phase I of the renovation at Crutcher Scott Field continues and is on pace to be finished in time for the grand opening on April 12. This phase will address expanded player development, coaching and recruiting facilities; significantly upgrade the fan experience; and expand outdoor community space. Upgrades include a new concessions area, chairback seats, a press box and a pavilion offering shade along the first base side.

Lassiter appointed to NCAA DI Men’s Basketball Committee

Vice president for athletics Zack Lassiter has been appointed to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee, replacing former WAC commissioner Brian Thornton, who announced he was leaving the conference on Oct. 10. Lassiter will serve the remaining four years of Thorton’s five-year term, which expires in 2029, on the 12-person committee.

Lassiter

Madden

Earle

SKYLER

BLANTON

KAYLEE KAHN

Mission Accomplished

Wildcat

baseball team’s

trip

to

the

DR changes lives, connects cultures

BY WENDY KILMER AND VALERIE RUDD • PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAYLEE KAHN

In October 2024, ACU’s baseball team joined alumnus Rolando De La Cruz (’24) in the Dominican Republic for a five-day mission trip where the group conducted sports clinics, participated in local service projects, competed against Dominican baseball teams, and interacted with and learned from an international community. The trip was fully funded by generous donors.

De La Cruz, a native of the Dominican Republic, now plays in the minor leagues with the Los Angeles Angels, and he served as a translator during the trip.

Head baseball coach Rick McCarty worked through SCORE International to plan the travel and activities. SCORE placed local missionaries with the group throughout the week to help them share the gospel. Highlights of the trip included partnering with a local church to distribute food to more than 40 families, a 5-1 win over the Minnesota Twins’ Dominican Summer League team, a visit to the Dominican Republic Air Force Academy and an 18-5 victory over their team, a baseball outreach clinic for local Little League players, and a visit to Pasitos de Jesús, an all-girls orphanage, where the Wildcats discussed their faith, offered words of hope, and spread the message of Christ’s love.

Continued on Page BC35

ACU student-athletes Caden Greanead, Brady Gray and Holden Rook celebrate as a young baseball player catches a pop fly during outfield drills at an outreach clinic.

After distributing bundles of groceries to more than 40 nearby families, the team spends time praying with members of a local church.

“This was the first mission trip that I’ve been able to take, and I was super blessed to be able to take it with this program. It was eye-opening, not just for me but for my teammates as well, being able to spread the Word and connect over the game that we play here.”

– Zion Stephens • Sophomore • Infielder

“My

biggest takeaway was how sometimes I can get so caught up in materialistic things –I want X, Y and Z. We’ve very fortunate. Whatever they have, they’re happy and full of joy. The people in the community have smiles on their faces, living with what they’ve got. That translated to my life, and that’s something I want to strive to do – be full of joy and happy to be wherever I am.”

– Cade McGarrh • Junior • Pitcher/infielder

Sophomore Zion Stephens engages with children at a local church in San Pedro, Dominican Republic.

Dominican children show off ACU’s traditional W-C hand sign, thanks to a quick lesson from junior outfielder Christian Smith.

The Wildcats shake hands with their Twins opponents after the game.

Junior catcher Maddox Miesse and assistant coach Casey Demko leave the field talking and laughing with Minnesota Twins’ DSL players.

“I think I grew mentally on this trip just because you see how much joy they have. If I can go to work and baseball practice and play with the intent and joy that they have, that’s going to make me a better baseball player.”

– Maddox Miesse • Junior • Catcher/3B

Continued from Page BC29

During the trip 19 players committed or re-committed their lives to Jesus Christ during evening worship services, and after returning to Abilene, five student-athletes were baptized at the Jacob’s Dream sculpture site on campus by John Zeller, a minister with SCORE International. Zeller accompanied the ACU group on its trip, coordinating activities and leading daily devotional times, and he traveled to Abilene in January for the baptisms.

“I am sure that the mission trip to the Dominican Republic will be front of mind for our guys when everyone is reflecting on their time on campus,” McCarty said. “The intent of the trip was to help our guys develop a better understanding of perspective and our purpose, along with creating lifelong memories with teammates. I have no doubt that each of those boxes were checked throughout the trip and our time together.”

1) Zeller plunges junior Maddox Miesse into the chilly waters of the Jacob’s Dream baptismal pool in January.

2) Zeller leads a prayer before baptizing sophomore infielder Zion Stephens.

3) Junior pitcher David Jeon hugs Zeller as he comes up from the water.

4) Freshman infielder/pitcher Brady Coe prepares to be baptized by Zeller.

Zeller embraces junior infielder/pitcher Cade McGarrh after his baptism.

Continued from Page 33

• Season highlights included a nine-game winning streak to close out non-conference play before the Wildcats opened their WAC schedule.

• All nine teams played in the Hercules Tires WAC Postseason Tournament, which took place March 11-15 in Utah and Las Vegas.

Men’s and Women’s Cross Country

• The men’s team finished fifth at the WAC championship meet on Nov. 1 in Orem, Utah.

• ACU freshman Andruw Villa from Abilene High placed 10th at the meet, covering the 8-kilometer course in 23 minutes, 51.72 seconds to earn first-team All-WAC honors.

• Villa set a program record in the 8000 meters at the Arturo Barrios Invitational in College Station on Oct. 18, running 23:11.1 to break the record set in 2007 by all-time great Nicodemus Naimadu (’09)

• The ACU women finished seventh at the WAC championship meet. Freshman Audrey Chitwood was the Wildcats’ top finisher, completing the 6-kilometer course in 22:09.54.

• The men’s and women’s teams capped their 2024 seasons on Nov. 15 at the NCAA South Central Region championship meet in College Station. Villa capped a standout freshman season by finishing 26th in the men’s race, narrowly missing an all-region selection. The men’s team finished 15th in the team race, while the women were 25th.

Men’s and Women’s Tennis

• The fall season ended in late October at the WAC Fall Invitational, played at the Eager Tennis Center on the ACU campus.

• ACU’s doubles team of Ethan Scribner and Daniel Morozov entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed but lost to the fourth-seeded team of Yasiel Lahjomri and Pedro Sasso from Texas-Arlington in the semifinals. Morozov, seeded sixth in the singles tournament, advanced to the semifinals before losing to No. 6 seed Andres Medus, 6-4, 6-2.

• Earlier in the fall, junior Angela Del Campo defeated Ireland Simme from Texas State, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, to win her singles flight at the Wildcat Invitational.

• At the WAC Invitational, Olivia Sears reached the singles quarterfinals before dropping a fierce three-set match to Noelia Lorca from Tarleton State, 3-6, 6-3, 10-8.

Women’s Soccer

• The Wildcats finished the season 2-7-8 overall and 0-5-2 in WAC play, failing to qualify for the postseason tournament,

played at Elmer Gray Stadium in early November.

• The Wildcat defense allowed one goal or less in 10 of the team’s 17 matches. But ACU’s offense had trouble putting the ball in the net, scoring just 12 goals on the season while allowing 27.

Men’s Golf

• The Wildcats finished in the top three in two of their four fall tournaments, including a season-best second-place finish at the Bayou City Intercollegiate in Houston. ACU also finished third in its final fall tournament, the Florida Atlantic Invitational, played in late October at the Champions Course at PGA National Resort.

• Senior Jaime Lewis had the team’s best scoring average in the fall, posting an average round of 72.7 over 12 rounds.

• The Wildcats started the spring championship season with back-to-back fourth-place team finishes at the season-opening Vaqueros Intercollegiate in Mexico and then at the Bentwood Intercollegiate in Montgomery, TX.

Women’s Golf

• ACU posted three top-eight team finishes in four fall tournaments, including a season-best sixth-place finish in the first fall tournament, the Purdue Boilermaker Classic, in early September.

• Junior Ryann Honea — who last year qualified for the regional tournament as an individual player — had the best scoring average on the team in the fall, posting an average of 73.3 over 11 rounds. Her best finish was second at the Boilermaker Classic.

• Heavy winds prematurely ended the program’s inaugural tournament at the Abilene Country Club in March, but the Wildcats took the team championship, and Honea won the individual crown.

Volleyball

• The Wildcats qualified for the Western Athletic Conference Postseason Tournament in Arlington with a late-season push, including a home win over Southern Utah and a road victory at defending WAC champion Grand Canyon that secured their spot. In the first round, top-seeded and eventual conference champion Texas-Arlington knocked ACU out of the tournament, and the Wildcats finished 10-18 on the season.

• Senior outside hitter Bryley Steinhilber and freshman middle blocker Avery Thaler were honored by the WAC for their play during the 2024 season, earning spots on the All-WAC second team and All-Freshman team, respectively. 

Honea

Villa

Steinhilber

JOSHUA

BEAM

KAYLEE KAHN

APRIL 12 – Baseball vs. Utah Tech Grand reopening of renovated ballpark

APRIL 21 – Baseball vs. Texas Tech Crutcher Scott Field

MAY 2-4 – Baseball vs. Indiana Crutcher Scott Field

For complete Wildcat schedules and tickets visit acusports.com For more information on pregame events visit acu.edu/alumni

ACU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EVENTS

• Class of 1975 Golden Anniversary Reunion, April 23-25

• ACU Gives, April 29-30

• ACU Night at the Colorado Rockies, June 10

• ACU Day at the Houston Astros, June 13

• ACU Night at the Texas Rangers, June 27

• ACU Night at the Frisco Roughriders, July 31

• ACU Night at the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, Aug. 1

• ACU Night at the Round Rock Express, Aug. 2

• ACU Night at the San Antonio Missions, Aug. 5

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EX PERIENCES

Starting with this issue, the majority of obituary information inthe EXperiences section of ACU Today will be available in our online edition at acu.edu/acutoday or by scanning the QR code.

This follows a trend begun several years ago in alumni magazines published by other colleges and universities, and one we have studied at length in an effort to maximize the space in our printed edition for news and event coverage, and storytelling of all kinds.

We will continue, however, to devote several pages of the printed edition with memorial spotlights of faculty, staff and students; emeriti; trustees; award and honorary degree recipients; and major benefactors who have passed away since our last issue.

Several of those spotlighted here on our “In Memoriam” pages –39, 43 and 46-47 of this issue – are also profiled briefly at acu.edu/news.

Obituary news

We honor all requests of family members to publish obituary news for an alumnus or alumna, and the information we compose will appear in either the printed or online editions, or both. Submit obituary information at acu.edu/obits

It’s best for a member of the deceased’s immediate family to submit notification, preferably with a link to an official published obituary in a newspaper or on a funeral home website.

ACU Today is mailed twice a year, so depending on when we receive the obituary information in our production and printing cycle, the news could be delayed until we next publish.

To submit EXperiences news

Share your other news online at acu.edu/experiences

We welcome news about your life and career – marriages, births, adoptions, new jobs, relocations, retirement, academic degrees, awards and honors, published books – and know your classmates will enjoy keeping up with you and yours as much as we do.

To help ensure the privacy of our alumni, ACU Today no longer prints email or postal addresses of those whose self-reported news appears in EXperiences. So if you would like contact information for someone listed here, please call 800-373-4220 or email alumni@acu.edu for assistance. Thanks, and happy reading!

1961

Dan and Sandy Morton live in Abilene, Texas.

1977

Melinda (Wilson) Andrews received the Excellence in Teaching ward from Dallas

College in 2024. She teaches in DC’s School of Education. She and her husband, James Andrews, live in Richardson, Texas.

1978

Beth Reeves Palmer was named 2023-24 North Carolina Art Educator of the Year, emeritus division, for her community

BY RON HADFIELD

outreach work in the arts and healthcare. She was also recently included in the National Academy of Medicine Change Maker Cohort for Clinician Well Being at the organization’s recent celebration on Capitol Hill. She lives in Durham, North Carolina.

1979

Richard Mickowski retired in 2024 after a 43-year career with the New Castle Conservation District and chair of the Delaware Envirothon program. He is missions coordinator at the Greenbank Church of Christ in Wilmington, Delaware, and lives in New Castle, Delaware.

1983

Dr. Paul Colby’s new comic novel, When the Man Dances, is now available in paperback at lulu.com. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.

1998

Tianzhen Lin is a senior staff software engineer at Sandbox AQ. He and his wife, Daisy, live in Fairfax, Virginia.

2003

BORN

To Ronni Gregoire Peck, a boy, Vincent, Nov. 28, 2023. They live in La Verkin, Utah.

2004

MARRIED

Matthew and Kimberly (Smith) Vaughn, April 27, 2024. They live in Dallas, Texas.

2005

BORN

To Tim and Deb (Newsom ’04) Paden, twin girls, Julia Jane and Lucy Marie, July 16, 2024. They live in Temple, Texas.

2006

BORN

To Randy and Deanna (Cromwell) Sanchez, a boy, Zaxton Levi, Feb. 21, 2024. They live in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

To Jerry and Julianne (Batts) Kho, a girl, Rachel Elizabeth, March 2, 2024. They live in Houston, Texas.

2007

Dr. Calee (Varner) Follins earned a doctorate in organizational leadership with an emphasis in higher education leadership from Grand Canyon University. She and her husband, Jeffrey Follins (’10), live in Little Elm, Texas.

BORN

To Nate and Lauren (Hart) Day, a girl, Annabelle Goldberry, Aug. 28, 2023. They have three other children and live in Austin, Texas.

2008

MARRIED

Nick Rachko and Casey Cope, July 17, 2024, in Vail, Colorado. They live in Black Hawk, Colorado.

BORN

To Chess and Faith Cavitt , a girl, Tristen Ryleigh, Oct. 3, 2023. They live in Vienna, Virginia.

To Russell and Emily (Holloman) Williams, a girl, Emma Kay, Nov. 27, 2023. They live in Searcy, Arkansas.

2009

BORN

To Marco and Jenny (Tenbush) Abrego, a girl, Sophia Ann, Oct. 17, 2023. They live in Houston, Texas.

2010

BORN

To Clay and Tara (Tesseyman) Snyder, a girl, Margaret “Maggie” Holland, March 21, 2024. They live in Tyler, Texas.

To Dominic and Emily (Flatt) Gatti, a girl, Amelia Claire, Jan. 27, 2025. They live in Austin, Texas.

2011

BORN

To Tredrick and Tamrah (Williams) Moore, twin boys, Judah and Micah, Feb. 8, 2024. He is a voice over internet protocol administrator at Responsive Education Solutions, and she is a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children’s Medical Center. They live in Carrollton, Texas.

2012

BORN

To Scott and Shelby Powell, a girl, Saylor, May 1, 2024. They live in Midland, Texas.

To Taylor and Sherrie (Frierson) Miller, a boy, Braxton Lee, Aug. 13, 2024. They have another son as well, and live in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

2013 BORN

To Andrew and Juleen (Flint) Derton, a boy, Timothy Ezekiel, June 27, 2024. They live in Abilene, Texas.

2014 BORN

To Corey and Allison (Calvin) Self, a girl, Mary Michael, Dec. 14, 2023. They live in Dallas, Texas.

To Mac and Kayli (Huddleston) Freeman, a girl, December 2024. They live in Cedar Park, Texas.

2015

Ann Katagiri published a new children’s book, Den Chan: The Cat Who Crossed the Ocean, in three languages (Japanese and

English, English and Mandarin Chinese, and Mandarin Chinese and Japanese). She also is author of a trilingual blog ( halfiesrambles.com) providing ad-free content for language learners. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

BORN

To Trey and Ashley (Stroup ’13) Arnett , a girl, Jean Louisa, March 25, 2024. They have three other children and live in Haslet, Texas.

To Tyler and Dayna (Coppedge) O’Neal, a boy, Weston, June 5, 2024, and a girl, Julianna, Feb. 3, 2021. They live in Georgetown, Texas.

To Ethan and (Sarah (Winkler ’14) Laster, a girl, Miriam Kyle, July 10, 2024. They live in Ballwin, Missouri.

To Spencer and Alicia (Kirven) Hittle, a boy, Aaron Elliott, Sept. 12, 2024. They live in El Paso, Texas.

To Austin and Katelyn (McLarty ’14) Cole, a boy, Walker Barrett, Dec. 10, 2024. They live in Fort Worth, Texas.

2016

BORN

To William and Brandi (Framel) Chitwood, a girl, Lacy, Aug. 30, 2023. They live in Franklin, Tennessee.

2017

BORN

To Jody and Cheyenne (Barry) Spain, a boy, Stetson, May 15, 2023. They live in Wichita Falls, Texas.

To Braxton and Sheridan Wilks, a boy, William, Aug. 19, 2024. They live in Austin, Texas.

To Matt and Natalie (Throneberry) McLaughlin, a girl, Avery, Nov. 26, 2024. They live in McKinney, Texas.

2019

BORN

To Kenneth and Lauren (Hart) McLeroy, a girl, Texa Annielin, June 12, 2024, and a boy, Cord Cliff, May 5, 2023. They live in Abilene, Texas.

To Levi and Kaylee (Druce-Hoffman) Draper, a girl, Eliza, Aug. 31, 2024. They live in Tampa, Florida.

To Clay and Mariah (Sanderson) Gilbert , a boy, Anderson Dean, Jan. 12, 2024. They live in Sherman, Texas.

To David and Race (Terry) Anderson, a girl, Eden Woods, Feb. 23, 2024. They live in Lubbock, Texas.

To Austin and Abby (Heyen) Browning, a girl, Reese Everly, July 16, 2023. They live in Farmers Branch, Texas.

2020

BORN

To Zack and Brooke (Norman) Bishop, a boy, Brady, Aug. 3, 2024. They live in Fulshear, Texas.

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

Iwas recently walking through campus on an evening when most students were gone for a holiday break, and the quiet time allowed me to reflect on what a special place this university and campus are to so many.

Our time as students created lifelong memories, many of which occurred in physical places here on the campus: beautiful buildings, benches to sit and enjoy the surroundings, outdoor spaces for gathering with a group, shenanigans with friends, places where we joined in worship as a community, and memories of lasting friendships.

We are always thankful when you return to campus and bring your family to experience ACU. When you come back it may be difficult to find the time to visit all those places that are meaningful and bring back so many memories, but next time you are here, I encourage you to find time to slow down and take a stroll.

Revisit the places that carry strong meaning to you, and stay for a moment to enjoy the memories. Think of those who impacted you on your journey at ACU and have made a lifelong difference. Some of those who come to my mind are Dr. Royce (’64) and Pam (Handy ’65) Money, Bob Gomez, Dr. John Willis (’55) and Dr. Gary McCaleb (’64). Say a prayer of thanks for your mentors. Call them or write them a note or text. Share the places on this campus that are meaningful to you with your family and friends. Tell the stories of others who meant so much to your experience here.

This is a remarkable place to walk around – and a place to remember some beautiful memories.

– CRAIG FISHER (’92) Associate Vice President for Advancement and Alumni

Fisher

KAMRYN KELLEY

BORN TO BE A WILDCAT

The Alumni Association will send a FREE Wildcat BabyWear T-shirt (12-month size) to the alumni parents of each newborn or adopted infant in your family!

Complete the info online at acu.edu/experiences

In-focus, high-resolution digital images (minimum file size of 500kb; use your camera’s highest quality setting) of alumni children wearing their Wildcat BabyWear should be emailed to babywear@acu.edu

Call 800-373-4220 for more information.

Rachel Elizabeth Kho, daughter of Jerry and Julianne (Batts ’06) Kho of Houston, Texas

INSET: Jack Cavitt, son of Ashlyn (Stewart ’17) and Nathan Cavitt of Brooklyn, New York, and grandson of Dr. Jonathan Stewart, longtime professor of finance in ACU’s College of Business Administration.

Reese Everly Browning, daughter of Austin (’19) and Abby (Heyen ’19) Browning of Farmers Branch, Texas.

Aubrey Deanne Barber, daughter of Dylan and Courtney (Roberts ’16) Barber of Portland, Texas.

Eden Hurley, son of Sam Hurley (’11) and Ashley (Ohlhausen ’11) Hurley of Abilene, Texas.

Lacy Chitwood, daughter of William (’16) and Brandi (Framel ’15) Chitwood of Franklin, Tennessee.

Gavin Holland, son of Garrett Holland (’15) of Wichita Falls, Texas.

Georgia Lane Cawley, daughter of Christopher Cawley (’14) and Corri Anne Wesley-Cawley (’12) of Houston, Texas.

Madeline Jean Truxal, daughter of Matthew (’11) and Melanie (Kirkland ’11) Truxal of Denison, Texas.

In Memoriam

Larry Burton Pratt (’70) of Eliasville, Texas, died July 16, 2023, in Fort Worth at age 75. He was born July 28, 1947, in Abilene, Texas, earned a B.S. degree in animal science and was a leader in the state’s agricultural industry. He wed Karen Dyer on Aug. 22, 1970. He served the Young County Farm Bureau for 49 years, including 16 years (1990-2005) as vice president, and was elected in 2005 to the Texas Farm Bureau State Board of Directors. Pratt served on the Texas Beef Council (2006-12) and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (2010-16) and chaired the Global Growth Committee of the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Among his many honors were Texas Farm Bureau Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher Award (1976) and Aggie of the Year by ACU’s Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (1983). Pratt served on the board of Foster’s Home for Children for 45 years, and preached the last 23 years for the Graford (Texas) Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Pratt and Bennah (Burton) Pratt. Among survivors are Karen, his wife of 52 years; sons Gabe Pratt and Justin Pratt; five grandchildren; and a sister, Georgia (Pratt ’68) Cunningham

Former longtime staff member Bettye Sue Roberts Blay, 97, died April 7, 2024. She was born April 4, 1927, in Milan, Tennessee, and served in the ACU missions department from 1973-96. She was preceded in death by her mother, Stella Roberts; sisters Mildred Shepherd, Mary Hayes, Ann Roberts Hill (’53) and Evie Roberts Clovis (’51); brothers Dr. J.W. Roberts (’42), R.L. Roberts Jr. (’47) and Bill Roberts (’68); and two greatgrandchildren. Among survivors are her children, Merri Lynn Rideout (’80), Danny Blay (’73) and Jim Blay (’75); six grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Stuart Parker Hall (’76), former COBA faculty member (1989-94), director of the Caruth Small Business Development Center, and track and field athlete, died July 29, 2024, at age 70. He was born Jan. 31, 1954, in El Paso, Texas. He earned a B.B.A. degree, added a master’s in industrial engineering from Virginia Technological University (1978) and became a CPA. His professional life began in his family business, The Visador Company, and continued through CFO and other leadership roles with Haag Engineering, Rail Pros Parent LLC, David C Cook, and his own consulting business. He was preceded in death by his parents, former ACU trustee Robert Hall (’51) and Mary Ann (Parker ’53) Hall; and his daughter, Melody Claire Hall. Among survivors are his wife, Margaret Hope (Morgan ’89) Hall; daughters Erin Parker Hall and Ashley Hall Calhoun (’14); a son, Bradley Stuart Hall (’16); a grandson; and siblings Dianne (Hall ’73) Palmer, Kathryn “Kitty” Elaine (Hall ’77) Wasemiller and Michael Shannon Hall (’86)

ACU Alumni Advisory Board member Kyle David Cotton (’81) of Keller, Texas, died Aug. 19, 2024, at age 65. He was born Dec. 30, 1958, in Henrietta, Texas, and earned a B.S. degree in accounting. He was employed by Ameriprise Financial and was a financial advisor for more than 35 years. Cotton was a longtime elder at The Hills Church, and served on the board of Our Father’s Children. He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Harold Cotton. He is survived by Tammie Minton (’83), his wife of 43 years; daughter Rebekah (Cotton ’07) Goodman; sons Landon Cotton (’10) and Austin Cotton (’16); two grandchildren; his mother, Janice Cotton Blankenship, brothers Craig Cotton (’81) and Clay Cotton (’88); and a sister, Kelley Barnard.

Former staff member John “Paul” Dennis (’62) died Aug. 7, 2024, at age 83. He was born Sept. 5, 1940, in Marlow, Oklahoma, and wed Gloria

Jean McKenzie on July 28, 1961. Dennis earned a bachelor’s degree in business while working as a computer operator with Unitab Company in Abilene, taught computer programming at Abilene High School (1970-71) and was hired by ACU in 1971 to program a new payroll system and later, serve as its first director of business computer software. After work as a programmer for Citizens National Bank and AFCO, he moved to Bedford, Texas, to join Harkin Energy in 1987. He retired in 2008 after more than 13 years with Perot Systems in Dallas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Woodrow Dennis and Jamie Charlene Palmore Dennis; and a son, Mack Dennis (’90). Among survivors are Jean, his wife of 63 years; sons Jay Dennis (’85) and Jon Paul Dennis (’93); six grandchildren; and six great-granddaughters.

Major ACU benefactor Carol Gayle (Jenkins ’57) Dillard, 89, died Aug. 19, 2024. She was born April 2, 1935, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and attended ACU before transferring to Drums Business School and working for the Texas Railroad Commission in Austin, Texas. She married Max Murray Dillard in December 1957. She taught Sunday School and was a tireless volunteer to Lifeline Chaplaincy, Arms of Hope, Kanakuk and the Salvation Army, among others. She and Max are namesakes at ACU of Dillard Hall and Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Gayle Jenkins and Myrtle Ione Johnson Jenkins. Among survivors are Max, -her husband of 67 years; children Denise (Dillard ’81) LaPosta, Pam Dillard Minter (’82) and Julia (Dillard ’85) Hayashi; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and a sister, Annette Hale.

Former Morlan Medal award recipient Dr. Carrel Monroe Anderson Jr. (’52), died Aug. 20, 2024, at age 95. He was born Dec. 29, 1928, in Atlanta, Georgia, and served in the Marine Corps before enrolling at ACU. He married classmate Emma Jean Fincher (’51) on Sept. 5, 1949. He was a teacher and coach in the Breckenridge (Texas) ISD before beginning a ministry career that included congregations in Texas and Alabama, and nine years as a church planter in Oslo, Norway. He earned his doctorate in 1972 from the University of Alabama, which hired him to serve as an assistant dean and direct a graduate international program in its College of Education that produced hundreds of overseas school personnel who became school superintendents and headmasters. He received the Grover C. Morlan Medal in 1982 from ACU’s Department of Teacher Education; was inducted into the Association for Advancement of International Education Hall of Fame; and was international vice president and board member of education society Phi Delta Kappa. After retiring in 1990, he served his church as an elder, organized short-term medical mission trips and initiated a jail ministry. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carrel Monroe Anderson Sr. and Mary Grace Young Anderson; and a sister, Joan Rigney. Among survivors are his wife, Jean; children Robert Carrel Anderson, Bonnye Anderson Johnson, Mark Monroe Anderson and Signy (Anderson ’81) Givens; 10 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and a sister, Betty Bailey.

Former ACU trustee Steve Garcia Carrizal (’66) of Round Rock, Texas, died Sept. 22, 2024, at age 82. He was born Nov. 20, 1941, in Houston, Texas, and devoted himself for more than four decades as a congregational minister to churches in four Texas cities. He met ACU classmate Vera Jeanne Petty (’63) in December 1962. During their courtship, he became one of the first students at Sunset School of Preaching in Lubbock, Texas. The couple wed Aug. 14, 1965, as they began his ministry career, serving the first two years in Littlefield, followed by five years in Houston, then Corpus Christi before their final move in 1985 to Round Rock to start a new Spanish-speaking ministry in partnership with Round Rock Church of Christ. Carrizal finished his B.S. degree in Christian ministry at ACU in 1991, and

Pratt

Blay

Hall

Dillard

Anderson

ACU NEWSMAKERS

Caroline Fairly (’22) of Amarillo, Texas, won 79.3% of the District 87 vote in November and at age 25, will be sworn in Jan. 14, 2025, as the youngest Republican woman to be elected to the state’s House of Representatives. She will fill the seat of Rep. Four Price, who decided to not seek re-election after seven terms representing Carson, Hutchinson, Moore, Potter and Sherman counties in the Panhandle. Fairly, who earned a B.B.A. degree from ACU and was a member of Sigma Theta Chi sorority, has been a medical negotiator for The OccuNet Company.

Sandra (Juarez ’00) Fortenberry, O.D., FAAO, was named to the Latinos en Optometry Board of Directors, a nonprofit dedicated to gaining a broader representation of Latinos and Spanish-speaking professionals within the optometry and larger eye care professional community. She also was named 2024 Texas Optometric Association Optometrist of the Year. Camille Vandendriessche (’09) was a 2024 inductee into the NCAA Division II Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame. A native of France, Vandendriessche was the first person to win three consecutive NCAA multi-event national championships when he captured the Division II decathlon from 2007-09.

Paul J. Selva (’84 M.S.M.H.R.), retired Air Force general and former vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was named board chair of The Aerospace Corporation. Selva served as the 10th vice chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s second highest-ranking military officer. Prior to this assignment, he served as commander of U.S. Transportation Command,

responsible for overseeing all global air, land and sea transportation systems for the entire Department of Defense. Selva’s distinguished military career spanned 39 years and numerous positions in staff, leadership and command in nearly every operational tier of the Air Force.

Education honors and appointments:

• Dr. R. Gerald Turner (’68) is stepping down after 30 years as the longest-serving president in Southern Methodist University history. He became SMU’s 10th president in 1995 and will transition to its president emeritus role following the current school year. Turner was previously the chancellor of the University of Mississippi (1984-95).

• The University of California, Berkeley, began construction in 2024 of Heathcock Hall, named after noted organic chemist Dr. Clayton Heathcock (’58), to honor his contributions as former dean of its College of Chemistry. Heathcock, now professor emeritus of chemistry, was also editor-in-chief of the journal Organic Syntheses and the Journal of Organic Chemistry. He is one of three ACU alumni to be members of the National Academy of Sciences, along with the late Dr. James Womack (’64) and Dr. H. Jeff Kimble (’71)

• Dr. Brandon Tatum (’07) was named CEO of the Regional University System of Oklahoma (RUSO) after serving since 2022 as chief of staff for Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt Hewas previously executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Oklahoma Christian University and has three degrees from ACU, including a doctorate in organizational leadership.

• York University chancellor Dr. Steve Eckman (’84 M.A.) has been named interim president of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Eckman earned a master’s degree in biblical and related studies and a Master of Divinity (1988) degree from ACU, and was president of York for 11 years after 19 years as an administrator and faculty member at Lubbock Christian University.

• Dr. Tim Spivey (’10 D.Min.) was named vice president for spiritual life at Pepperdine University. He has 28 years of ministry experience and taught for several years as an adjunct professor in the religion and philosophy division at Pepperdine’s Seaver College.

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Bobbie Lynn Weir (’82) to the State Board for Educator Certification for a term set to expire Feb. 1, 2027. The board develops certification and continuing education requirements and standards of conduct for

EMILY (SHAFER) ROSE

(FROM LEFT) Joel Weckerly, Marjon Henderson and Ryan Cantrell

New and former Gutenberg Award winners from ACU’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication have been in the news:

• Ryan Cantrell (’11), Joel Weckerly (’04) and Marjon (Zabihi ’04) Henderson received Gutenberg awards Oct. 17 at Homecoming. Cantrell is digital and social media director for the Texas Rangers Baseball Club; Wecklerly is director of communication at the CypressFairbanks ISD in Houston, Texas; and Henderson is vice president for brand experience and special events at Neiman Marcus Group. She also served as co-chair of the 2024 Cattle Barons’ Ball in Dallas.

• Filmmaker Dominique (Garza ’06) Anderson, owner of Blissful Sky Studio, was named Businesswoman of the Year by the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

• Taylor Hemness (’04) won a Mid-America Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in the news anchor category for his work at KSHB 41 TV in Kansas City, Missouri.

• April (Ward ’06) Farris was named by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott as justice of the 15th Court of Appeals, a new court with statewide jurisdiction.

• Veteran TV broadcaster Wendell Edwards (’92) was named evening TV news anchor on WTVO 17 and FOX 39 in Evansville, Illinois.

• Doug Ferguson (’83), who has covered the PGA Tour for Associated Press since 1998, received The Memorial Golf Journalism Award in May 2024 at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The award was created in 1982 to honor golf journalists from electronic and print media “who have served their profession with conspicuous honor and made a major contribution and impact on golf journalism.” Previous recipients have included Jim Nantz, Frank Chirkinian, Jim McKay, Jim Murray and Grantland Rice Ferguson received a Distinguished Alumni Citation from ACU in 2019, the same year he received the PGA of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism.

Anderson (2022), Hemness (2020), Farris (2019), Edwards (2005) and Ferguson (1999) are former JMC Gutenberg recipients.

Turner SMU

Fortenberry

public school teachers. Weir is a career and technical education teacher for Richardson (Texas) ISD.

• Brian Aiken, a current Ed.D. student, was named superintendent of Corrigan-Camden ISD in East Texas. He was previously the assistant superintendent at Crockett (Texas) ISD.

• Sherry (Jones ’98) Gumm was named principal of Abilene (Texas) ISD’s Bassetti Elementary School. She was previously an assistant principal at Madison Middle School.

• Early (Texas) ISD named Dr. Joan Otten (’21 Ed.D.) its new superintendent. With more than two decades of teaching and administrative experience, her most recent role was as the gifted and talented program and advanced academics director at Katy (Texas) ISD.

• Current Ed.D. student Latisha Williams was named the executive director of girls’ athletics for Killeen (Texas) ISD. She was most recently principal of the district’s Robert M. Shoemaker High School, part of her long career that began in Killeen as a secondary school teacher, championship-winning girls basketball coach and assistant principal.

• In July, Fred J. Allen (’76) was named Texas Bandmaster of the Year and John Carroll (’77) was inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame in July 2024. Carroll, former president of the Texas Music Educators Association, is director of bands at Odessa College after teaching music for more than four decades in Texas high schools. Allen teaches music at The University of Texas at Arlington and is former director of bands at Stephen F. Austin State University and ACU.

• Dulce Mancine (’15) received the Future Shapers Award from the Abilene (Texas) Education Foundation in recognition for her work as a teacher in the certified nursing assistant program at Abilene’s Holland Medical High School.

• Bridgeport (Texas) High School girls head basketball coach Darryn Shearmire (’86) will be inducted May 10 to the Texas High School Basketball Hall of Fame as a former player. He was a standout four seasons for ACU after leading Archer City (Texas) High School to 113 wins and the state tournament in 1981 and 1982. Shearmire was the state’s leading prep scorer his senior year with 37 points per game before the 3-point line was created, and also averaged 16.5 rebounds per game. He began his 39th year of coaching basketball in 2024-25.

• Jessica Shelley (’16) was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 North America 2024 list in education. She is co-founder of Dailies, an interactive platform for identifying learning gaps in children in less time.

• Dr. Kelli (Cooper ’07) Moore was named assistant superintentent of Fairfield (Texas) ISD. She is studying toward an Ed.D. degree in organizational leadership from ACU.

• Neurosurgeon Leslie Pickett Hutchins, M.D. (’04), was inducted to the Abilene (Texas) ISD’s Cooper High School Hall of Fame. She has been an ACU trustee since 2021.

The Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences named Gilbert Tuhabonye (’01) its Alumnus of the Year and Morgan (Ruble ’16) Hilton, B.Vet.Med., its Young Professional of the Year. Tuhabonye leads Gilbert’s Gazelles, an award-winning running group in Austin, Texas, and is founder of the Gazelle Foundation, whose mission is to reverse the cycle of poverty by providing clean drinking water to people in his native Burundi. Hilton is an associate veterinarian in clinical practice at equine and mixed animal hospitals near Wichita Falls, Texas.

Ray Ferguson (’81), longtime partner at Condley & Company LLC, was named 2024 Citizen of the Year by the Abilene (Texas) Chamber of Commerce. An active leader in missions work through Hillcrest Church of Christ, he served from 1992-98 on the Abilene City Council, was chair of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce in 2014 and served a decade on the West Central Texas Municipal Water Board.

In April 2025, Sam Harrell (’79) and the late Don W. Hood (’55) will be among the 25th annual induction class of the Big Country

Designs by Ryan Feerer (’05) and Jeff Rogers (’02) were part of a Pinback stamp series released by the United States Postal Service. The pane of 20 stamps features typographic designs – “Sweet” by Rogers and “Yes!” by Feerer – by 10 different artists in their unique styles, each with a single word as the prominent element. Feerer is ACU professor of art and design, and Rogers is an award-winning illustrator and creative director at the Trace Element agency in Dallas, Texas.

Athletic Hall of Fame. Hood, who died in February 2024, coached Wildcat track and field teams to 10 NCAA Division II and NAIA national championships. Harrell starred at Brownwood (Texas) High School before beginning a long prep coaching career of his own. His teams won 240 games, including three state championships at Ennis (Texas) High School (2000, 2001 and 2004). Harrell has retired twice while battling multiple sclerosis since 2009.

The New York Cancer Foundation honored Dr. David Dean Halbert (’78) its Courage and Grace Award at the fourth annual Raising Hope Gala in New York City. Halbert’s pioneering work in precision medicine helps patients receive better quality care through individualized treatment. He is chair and CEO of Caris Life Sciences and was an ACU trustee from 2002-06.

Proceeds from sales of limited-edition prints of “Vase II,” a painting by award-winning artist Rolando Diaz (’79), will benefit ACU. Prints in two sizes (40” x 40” and 32” x 32”) can be ordered at bit.ly/4go7EPL. The original is displayed in Brown Library.

Wildcats in professional sports:

• Pro tennis star Hans Hach Verdugo (’13) of Mexico continues to compete on the ATP Challenger Tour in men’s doubles. He and teammate Szymon Walkow of Poland reached the quarterfinals of the Paine Schwartz Partners Challenger in November.

• Derron Montgomery (’11) is in his third year as offensive quality control assistant coach for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings. Jack Gibbens (’20), in his third year as a linebacker for the Tennessee Titans, was one of his team’s leading tacklers when an ankle injury in a Nov. 17 game versus Minnesota ended his season.

• Forward Jaren Lewis (’19) is averaging 13.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists for Avellino in the Italian Serie A-2 professional basketball league.

• Logan Britt (’27) was one of five pitchers in the Los Angeles Angels system assigned to the Arizona Fall League. An outfielder who hit .367 with 30 stolen bases and a slugging percentage of .600 for the Wildcats in 2024, Britt was selected in the 17th round of the MLB Draft.

Tuhabonye

Hilton

ROLANDO DIAZ

SERVING YOU ADVANCING ACU

Do you want to learn about giving opportunities, host an event, volunteer or just learn more about how you can be involved with ACU where you live?

To help foster relationships with alumni and future students, Abilene Christian has assigned personnel from its Advancement and Alumni Relations offices to major markets in Texas as well as Nashville, Tennessee, and other parts of the nation. An advancement officer (AO) assists prospective donors, while an alumni relations officer (ARO) assists with alumni connections, efforts to gather ACU alumni and to work with volunteers within the community.

Through this territory team approach, these dedicated professionals can provide exceptional service to those who so graciously and generously help advance the university and ensure it achieves its mission.

ABILENE AND THE BIG COUNTRY

Anthony Williams (AO) • 325-829-4328, williamsa@acu.edu

Taylor Fender (ARO) • 325-674-2804, taylor.fender@acu.edu

WEST TEXAS AREA

Anthony Williams (AO) • 325-829-4328, williamsa@acu.edu

Taylor Fender (ARO) • 325-674-2804, taylor.fender@acu.edu

AUSTIN AREA

Abby Easley (ARO) • 325-674-2627, abby.easley@acu.edu

FORT WORTH AREA

Cody Thompson (AO) • 817-706-3474, cody.thompson@acu.edu

Jim Orr (AO) • 214-733-3689, jim.orr@acu.edu

April Young (ARO) • 325-674-2244, april.young@acu.edu

DALLAS AREA

Brad Reeves (AO) • 214-728-4478, brad.reeves@acu.edu

Jim Orr (AO) • 214-733-3689, jim.orr@acu.edu

April Young (ARO) • 325-674-2244, april.young@acu.edu

HOUSTON AREA

Sherri Scott-Cook (AO) • 972-816-8598, sherri.cook@acu.edu

Taylor Fender (ARO) • 325-674-2804, taylor.fender@acu.edu

SAN ANTONIO / SOUTH TEXAS AREA

Abby Easley (ARO) • 325-674-2627, abby.easley@acu.edu

NASHVILLE AREA / EASTERN U.S.

Jim Orr (AO) • 214-733-3689, jim.orr@acu.edu

Recent operational

endowments created

• NEXT Lab Founders Endowed Fund

Recent scholarship endowments created

• Carol Kerr Poe Elementary Education Endowed Scholarship

• Scott Kinzie Memorial Endowment

To create your own endowed scholarship or contribute to an existing one, see acu.edu/give or call 800-588-1514.

Garrett Wade Cassidy, son of Jason and Emerald (Cardenas ’09) Cassidy of Abilene, Texas, models the Wildcat BabyWear T-shirt his parents received from the Legacy Program for his birth announcement.

Sharing news is an integral part of connecting with ACU and each other

Technology-wise, the world was a different place in the early 1970s, when “EXperiences” first became a featured component of ACU Today, back when the latter was a tabloid-size newsletter, before it became a magazine in 1991. It’s still the most-read section each issue.

Like every college and university, we have relied heavily on publishing “class notes” each issue to further enable graduates to communicate with us and with each other. Before personal computers, email, cell phones and social media, class notes served as a primary conduit for sharing news of address changes, new jobs, marriages, births, adoptions, career accomplishments and obituaries.

We still rely on this two-way conversation today.

Social media, in particular, has changed the ways we share news, photos and video – now instantly – with our families and friends. But as our tools for keeping track of one another’s lives increase and improve, nothing changes the importance of alumni staying in communication with their alma mater. And each other.

“In fact, it’s more important than ever, given how busy we are and how fast change occurs in our lives,” said Craig Fisher (’92), associate vice president for advancement and alumni. “We have made initiating those conversations as easy as possible, providing online forms, hosting Facebook groups and automating every process. We also are deeply committed to protecting our readers’ privacy.”

We will be reintroducing our Legacy Program in upcoming issues of ACU Today, now that the first toddlers to wear “Born to Be A Wildcat” BabyWear clothing in 2001 have graduated from Abilene Christian and are starting families and establishing careers of their own.

In the meantime, remember to tell us about the important life changes you experience – moves, marriages, births, adoptions and such – it’s still one of the best and most efficient ways to connect with former classmates and professors at your alma mater.

“ACU is known as a relational university for very good reasons,” Craig said. “Being a Wildcat means staying in touch with one another.” 

– RON HADFIELD

Continued from Page 39

served five years (1993-98) on his alma mater’s Board of Trustees. In retirement he was a hospital chaplain in Round Rock and Austin, a substitute teacher in the Round Rock ISD, and ministered with Vera Jeanne to two senior living communities before she died in 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents, Esteban Carrizal and Mercedes Carrizal; his wife, Vera Jeanne; a grandson, Thomas Wiginton; and a sister, Rosario. Among survivors are a son, Steven Carrizal (’89); a daughter, Janice (Carrizal ’91) Wiginton; six grandchildren; a brother, Manuel Carrizal; and a sister, Sandy (Carrizal ’69) Jennings

Stuart Craig Churchill (’91 M.S.) died Nov. 21, 2024, in Abilene, Texas, at age 62. He was born March 5, 1962, in Bryan, Texas, and married Anita Killough in 1986. Churchill earned a B.S. degree in elementary education (1987) from Texas A&M University, a B.B.S. (1989) from the Institute for Christian Studies, an M.S. in biblical and related studies (1991) and M.Div. (1992) from ACU, and an M.L.S. degree (1994) from The University of Texas at Austin. He began work at ACU in 1992, serving for more than 30 years as the university’s first and only dedicated theological librarian, building one of the nation’s finest theology collections. He taught courses in the Graduate School of Theology and was the only librarian in Abilene Christian history to serve as Faculty Senate chair (2007-08). He was known widely for having a big heart for small churches, preaching for many of them in Texas over the years, including Churches of Christ in Tye, Cottonwood and De Leon. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Churchill and Sue (Godwin) Churchill. Among survivors are Anita, his wife of 38 years; children Jon Churchill (’14), James Churchill (’16) and Laura Churchill; one granddaughter; and a brother, Chet Churchill.

Martha Ann (Smith ’58) Morris, a longtime ACU supporter and recipient of an honorary doctorate, died Jan. 2, 2025, in Abilene, Texas, at age 88. She was born July 28, 1936, in Terrell, Texas, and graduated high school there in 1954. She wed ACU classmate Tommy A. Morris (’55) on June 10, 1955. Martha and Tommy are major benefactors of the men’s basketball program at ACU, and namesakes of its team suite outside Anthony Arena in Moody Coliseum. In June 2024, they were surprised with honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from their alma mater. Friends established two endowments at ACU to honor them: the Tommy and Martha Morris Endowed Scholarship for journalism and mass communication (2018) and the Tommy and Martha Morris Endowed Basketball Scholarship (2010). She was preceded in death by her parents, Lamon Elmer Smith and Eva Jo McCracken Smith; and a son, Don Thomas Morris (’91). Among survivors are Tommy, her husband of 69 years; daughters Marka Morris Riddle (’78), Melinda Morris Stewardson (’80) and Patti (Morris ’82) Ensor; daughter-in-law Robin Reynolds Morris (’90); 15 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and sister Carolyn Shaffer.

Curtis was a trailblazer in women’s collegiate athletics

Dr. Joyce Mae Curtis, 87, pioneering women’s intercollegiate athletics coach at ACU, died Sept. 1, 2024, in Abilene, Texas.

Curtis was born Aug. 27, 1937, in Cleburne, Texas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in health, physical education and recreation (1959) and a master’s in physical education (1960), both from the University of North Texas. Her Doctor of Physical Education degree was completed in 1970 at Indiana University, where she helped organize and coach the first women’s tennis teams (1968-70, prior to them starting competition in the Big Ten Conference in 1974).

Among the longest-tenured ACU faculty or staff at 45 years, Curtis taught in the Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition from 1959-2004,

retiring as professor emerita of exercise science and health. She coached ACU badminton club teams in intercollegiate and open competition from 196062, served as founding head coach in women’s basketball (1971-76) and women’s volleyball (1971-79), and was the first assistant athletics director for women (1979-80).

Her Wildcat teams qualified for Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) state and regional tournaments while competing against universities such as Texas, Baylor and Houston, and her volleyball team in 1979 finished fourth in the state.

In 1984 she authored Pickle-Ball for Player and Teacher, the sport’s first textbook. She helped grow interest across Texas schools through presentations at annual state teachers’ conventions, where ACU students demonstrated the game.

Curtis was inducted into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, and received a Pathfinder Award from the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) in 2008 and American Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD, now Shape America) in 2009. The Dr. Joyce M. Curtis Center Court for pickleball, east of the university’s Royce and Pam Money Student Wellness and Recreation Center, was dedicated in August 2024.

“My Hall of Fame friend, master teacher and coach left her mark at ACU in so many ways,” said Deonna (Moore ’86) Shake, instructor of kinesiology and nutrition, and former Wildcat basketball standout and assistant coach. “Joyce championed the first women’s volleyball and basketball teams, mentored hundreds of educators, and introduced pickleball to her classes and to a wider audience around the world. I am honored to continue to grow that sport on our campus and live out her legacy.”

Kathy (Williams ’79) Moore was a standout player for Curtis and succeeded her as ACU’s second head volleyball coach and as coordinator for women’s athletics. “Joyce was proud of the role she played in bringing competitive women’s sports to ACU,” Moore said. “There is no way to ever measure the impact of her visionary leadership on generations of student-athletes.”

The Joyce Curtis Award went to the outstanding Wildcat women’s basketball player each year from 1997-2007. ACU head coach Julie Goodenough said her student-athletes have met Curtis and been amazed by her stories of the lean early days of women’s athletics, when she sewed her team’s first uniforms , packed sandwiches for road trips and drove vehicles to shuttle players to and from games. “Her perspectives on the importance of sport, exercise and education for women are applicable today,” Goodenough said. “She was a campus leader who created a legacy of service, work ethic and faithfulness in which we will revere her as a cornerstone of our program.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Maudie Curtis; and her brother, Bob Curtis. She is survived by a niece and a great nephew. Kimble was renowned for his physics expertise

Dr. Harry Jeffrey Kimble (’71), one of the top quantum physicists in the world and a former recipient of ACU’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award, died Sept. 2, 2024, in Austin, Texas, at age 75.

Continued on Page 46

Morris

Churchill

Carrizal

Curtis

JEREMY ENLOW

PURPLE PEOPLE

Whether flashing the WC, handing out hugs or simply enjoying time together, Wildcats gather on campus and around the world to share their stories and celebrate their common love for each other and for ACU. Here are just a few images we’ve saved since our last issue. Share others with us at acutoday@acu.edu

1) FROM LEFT: Among fans traveling Dec. 7 to Fargo, North Dakota, to cheer for the Wildcats in the second round of the 2024 FCS football playoffs were junior Jaden West and his father, Jason West (’93), of Snyder, Texas.

Derek

Tobie

INSET: Abilenians Kelly (’79) and Kathy (Williams ’79) Moore and Liz (Campbell ’75) and Judge Paul (’84) Rotenberry also attended the game.

FROM RIGHT: Head coach Sayon Cooper (’98) with four members of the Liberian Olympic track and field team – Ebony Morrison, Joseph Fahnbulleh, Thelma Davies and Emmanuel Matadi – in the Parade of Nations on the Seine River at Opening Ceremonies for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Cooper is ACU’s only five-time Olympian: twice as a sprinter and three times as head coach, all for his native country.

The Big Purple Marching Band, directed by Daniel Harbaugh during ACU’s home FCS football playoff game Nov. 30 in Wildcat Stadium, included students, alumni, family and friends from multiple generations. See story on page 48.

Former Wildcat track and field teammates

Hatfield (’87) and

Hood (’90) attended the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, in June 2024.

Proud father and former Wildcat baseball standout Manning Guffey (’94) watched his son, Caden, play in the 2024 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Caden was one of the stars of the team from Boerne, Texas.

2) ACU president emeritus Dr. Royce Money (’64) walks down Campus Court alongside his own big-headed doppelganger mascot in the 2024 Homecoming parade.

3) Homecoming queen Anahi King (’24), a child and family services major from Houston, Texas, receives a congratulatory hug from her father, Bobby King, at halftime of the Oct. 19, 2024, game in Wildcat Stadium.

4) FROM LEFT: Homecoming parade spectators seated along Campus Court on Oct. 19, 2024, included former longtime Admissions staff member Elaine Roberson (’92 B.A.S.), grandson Aven Roberson, and daughters Teena Roberson (’94) and Kristy Roberson Smith (’90)

MANNING GUFFEY

Continued from Page 43

Kimble was born April 23, 1949, in Floydada, Texas. He earned a bachelor’s in physics from ACU, where he also lettered in basketball. His master’s (1973) and doctoral degrees (1978) were earned at the University of Rochester.

He was a staff scientist for General Motors Research Laboratories (1977-79) and the Sid Richardson Regent’s Chair of Physics at The University of Texas at Austin (1979-89). In 1989 he joined the faculty at California Institute of Technology, where he became the William L. Valentine Professor of Physics and was founding director of the Institute for Quantum Information. He retired in 2021 and moved to Austin.

Kimble was one of three Abilene Christian alumni to be members of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, along with Dr. Clayton Heathcock (’58) and the late Dr. James Womack (’64)

He received many major awards, including the Einstein Prize for Laser Science (1989), the Julius Edgar Lilienfeld Prize of the American Physical Society (2004), and the Herbert Walther Award of the German Physical Society and the Optical Society of America (2013). Kimble also was the Distinguished Scholar for 2014-16 at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Garching bei Munchen, Germany.

In 2014, Caltech held “The Quantum Optics Frontier,” a symposium in Kimble’s honor coinciding with his 65th birthday. International participants traveled to Pasadena, California, to discuss advances in quantum optics which Kimble and his colleagues have pioneered, from the generation of squeezed light, to the realization of quantum measurement beyond the standard quantum limit, to the teleportation of a beam of light.

Dr. Charles Ivey (’65), Kimble’s physics professor at ACU, considered it a thrill to have such an inquisitive and exceptional student as one of his first at Abilene Christian, and recalled a defining moment when Kimble had an insight that impacted him deeply.

“In a Modern Physics class, students get their introduction to the mysteries of quantum mechanics. Jeff was both amazed and motivated by the seeming magic of this aspect of physics, and it seemed to me that he shifted gears into his lifelong pursuit,” said Ivey, who was the first chair of ACU’s physics department.

Years later, according to Caltech, “Kimble performed groundbreaking experiments in quantum optics and quantum information science. His achievements include some of the earliest demonstrations of quantum squeezing and quantum teleportation, among many other trailblazing experiments.”

Dr. Larry Isenhower (’05), ACU professor of engineering and physics, and director of physics, said Kimble was one of his inspirations in choosing graduate studies in quantum computing.

“It was reassuring to know I could be successful coming from ACU since he had already done it,” said Isenhower. “I still remember my first opportunity to hear Dr. Kimble speak at a conference and watched for the results coming from his lab. My work was closely related to his, so I often looked to see how their latest developments could be used as inspiration to solve the problems we faced in our own research.”

Kimble donated several pieces of important equipment to his alma mater’s Department of Physics and Engineering.

“I feel a sense of pride and expectation thinking about how the equipment he used to make such great leaps in quantum information science will be used while teaching future ACU scientists, in the hope that

they, too, will discover new truths about God’s creation,” Isenhower said.

Kimble received ACU’s 2016 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Kimble, O.D., and Joyce Kimble; and a brother, Joel Kimble. Among survivors are Margaret Smith-Kimball, his wife of 45 years; daughters Dr. Katherine Grooms and Megan Kimble; three granddaughters; and brothers Jim Kimble and John Kimble.

Of many ACU firsts, Godfrey was drafted by NBA, ABA

Sharp-shooting guard John Ray Godfrey (’68), one of the greatest allaround men’s basketball players in ACU history, died Nov. 17, 2024, at age 80.

Godfrey was born Sept. 21, 1944, near Aspermont, Texas; married high school classmate Barbara Smith in 1962; and graduated from ACU with a B.S.Ed. degree in history education in 1968 and an M.Ed. degree in 1977 from Sul Ross State University.

He grew up on farms in Swenson and Peacock, Texas, and led nearby Aspermont (Texas) High School basketball teams to state tournament berths in 1961 and 1962. In 1962 he tied the state’s Conference B single-game playoff scoring record of 43 points, and set the three-game mark of 93 points.

Godfrey still ranks 11th in Wildcat history in career scoring, finishing with 1,467 points (1964-68). He is eighth in single-season scoring (571 points in 1967-68) and tied for second for most field goals scored in a game (17 on Feb. 2, 1968).

Moody Coliseum’s opening game versus Arkansas State on Feb. 27, 1968, was also billed as John Ray Godfrey Night in honor of the last home game of his brilliant years at ACU. He rose to the occasion in the 96-93 overtime win. His 41 points that night – the second time to reach that mark in two seasons – stood as an ACU men’s arena record for 23 years.

“John Ray was a phenomenal basketball player, and he still would be today. If all ACU players were available, and I got first pick while choosing sides for a game, I would without hesitation pick No. 14. He was a gifted basketball player with track and field speed; in fact, he originally came to ACU for track and field, then he competed as a senior in track after his basketball collegiate career ended,” said Garner Roberts (’70), former Wildcat longtime sports information director and a member of ACU’s Sports Hall of Fame.

“He was equally effective as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent. In today’s terminology, he’s a GOAT,” Roberts said. “One of my prized possessions is a program from that first game in Moody, autographed by John Ray after he scored 41 points to lead the Wildcats to the Southland Conference championship – ACU’s third in four years. He was carried off the court that night on the shoulders of celebrating students in a jam-packed coliseum. When was the last time you saw that at an ACU game?”

Godfrey

Godfrey led the Wildcats of head coach Dee Nutt (’50) to the NCAA College Division national tournament his sophomore year (1965-66), where they lost to a University of North Dakota team on which future NBA coaching icon Phil Jackson played. He was named league MVP in 1967-78 after averaging 23.8 points per game, and three times was an AllSouthland unanimous

Kimble

PAUL WHITE

selection. He was the first ACU men’s basketball player to be named first-team All-American from Associated Press. He also earned All-American recognition from United Press International and the U.S. Basketball Coaches Association.

In 1968 following his senior season, Godfrey was selected in the 14th round of the NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and the third round of the ABA Draft by the Houston Mavericks. He was one of 48 collegians invited to the U.S. Olympic team trials, including Houston forward-center Elvin Hayes, LSU guard Pete Maravich, Kansas guard Jo Jo White, Louisville forward-center Wes Unseld and Niagara guard Calvin Murphy.

Godfrey was inducted in 1989 to the ACU Sports Hall of Fame and in 2011 to the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame. He wore jersey numbers 14 at home and 15 on the road, but his 14 is the only men’s basketball number to be retired by Abilene Christian (2018).

His career of more than 35 years in West Texas public schools included roles as a high school teacher and administrator.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Olin Godfrey and Ina Mae Godfrey; his daughter, Kelly Godfrey Jeffrey; a sister, Jimmy Dale Godfrey Teel; and a brother, Syl “Buddy” Godfrey. Among survivors are Barbara, his wife of 62 years; a son, Kirby Godfrey; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Money was counselor, mentor, ACU’s first lady

Former ACU first lady Pam (Handy ’65) Money, 81, died Nov. 25, 2024, in Abilene, Texas.

She was born Nov. 10, 1943, in Richmond, California, and earned three degrees from ACU: a B.S.Ed. and M.S.Ed. (1967) in elementary education, and a master’s in marriage and family therapy (1986).

A month after graduating in three and a half years, she wed classmate Dr. Royce Money (’64) on Jan. 23, 1965, in San Antonio, Texas, and they lived in Silver Spring, Maryland; Montgomery, Alabama; Springfield, Missouri; and Waco and Dallas, Texas, while he served in various ministry roles.

Along the way, she taught preschool and kindergarten, and first and second grade. Later, she taught part time as an adjunct instructor in ACU’s Department of Teacher Education – including as a supervisor of student teachers – and as adjunct professor in the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry.

They moved to Abilene in 1981 when Royce joined ACU’s Marriage and Family Institute faculty. He became director of the ministry program in Bible (1984), then director of the Doctor of Ministry program, chair of graduate Bible and ministry, and provost.

When Royce was inaugurated as their alma mater’s 10th president in 1991, they were the first U.S. university president and first lady to be licensed marriage and family therapists. She was a clinical member and he was previously an approved supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

She also served on the Abilene boards of Hendrick Health Hospice Care, Serenity House and Global Samaritan Resources Inc.

“Pam found ways to blend her experience and education into all the roles she embraced at ACU,” said Dr. Cheryl Mann Bacon (’76), professor emeritus of journalism and mass communication. “As an educator and counselor she brought professional insights to the often delicate role of university first lady. She tenaciously guarded Royce’s time with their family – summer sabbaticals to Vermont were sacred. Yet she embraced with enthusiasm and a smile her de facto roles of ambassador, hostess and friend to alumni and colleagues.”

They are namesakes of the Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center, a campus focal point and student-centric venue opened in 2011 that includes the Weber Medical and Counseling Care Center and is the home of a dynamic intramural program.

She and Royce hosted annual Walk With Money events to raise funds for Women for Abilene Christian University scholarships and projects; were presenters at the annual National Family Conference hosted by Herald of Truth; hosted “Fit to be Tied” marital preparation seminars, and “Positive Parenting” and “Divorce Recovery” workshops; spoke at the Pepperdine University Lectures on ministering to families in crisis, and at Abilene’s first “Saving Our Families: Family Outreach Training Seminar.”

The couple’s marital relationship was front and center in their daily

life, careers and in their unique joint ministry of Christian higher education.

“Royce and Pam were students with me at ACU in the early 1960s but I really came to know and appreciate them when they became president and first lady in the 1990s. They were a dynamic team and ideal partners to lead our alma mater,” said Don Crisp (’64), chair of ACU’s Board of Trustees from 1992-2007. “Pam took her role seriously, devoting much of her time to serving the university and was one of Royce’s most valued consultants. She loved Abilene Christian and contributed countless hours to its advancement.”

“One of our goals in a marriage is to help each other get to heaven,” Royce told The Optimist student newspaper in February 1992. “Pam is a true spiritual partner, and we are committed to helping each other on our spiritual pilgrimage. We pray together each night. It’s the last thing we do before we go to sleep.”

Their two daughters remember Pam as a strong and smart marriage partner for Royce.

“They brought out the best in each other,” said Jennifer (Money ’93) Crisp. “Mom saw people’s hurt and needs, and was a fearless advocate for what she thought was important. Dad trusted her intuition and acted to help create solutions.”

“She connected with and made everyone feel important, and was quick to offer encouragement, friendship, empathy or a word of advice,” said Alison (Money ’91) Elliott . “She opened her home and heart to people from all walks of life around the world, especially her grandkids as they came through ACU as students. She leaves a great legacy of family and friends who know what God’s love looks like from her words and actions.”

Pam eventually changed her focus from classroom education to her private practice at Child and Family Guidance clinic in Abilene, then to her relationships with college students, mentoring hundreds of young men and women. She eventually allowed her licensing credentials to expire, but not her work.

“I just didn’t abruptly stop my practice, I just didn’t add any new clients,” she said. “Now I talk to a lot of kids about their relationships. Instead of problem-oriented, it’s more solution-oriented. I act like a road map and help them decide where they want to go. I think my gift is mercy, and God lets me use that gift through counseling. It fits me. Some people long for service or evangelism. I’m a mercy person. My heart rules my head. I’ve learned how to combine the two – what my thoughts say and what my heart feels.”

The Pam Money Endowed Scholarship for Teacher Education was established in 2010 at A bilene Christian, where she also served on the President’s Council for the Centennial.

The couple’s last collaborative academic venture with students was in the 2010-11 school year, when they served as visiting faculty in Fall 2010 in Oxford, England, and Spring 2011 in Leipzig, Germany. During the latter, they led a weeklong excursion to visit sites of the “Seven Churches of Asia” mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Revelation, and scattered throughout modern-day Turkey.

“Pam was blessed with unique professional and people skills that complemented Royce perfectly,” said ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert (’91). “They especially modeled what it looked like to be a couple lovingly involved in the lives of our students. Their years in pastoral ministry helped them form a highly effective team committed to Christian higher education and our highest spiritual values.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Handy and Eula Handy Pruett; and a sister, Darlene (Handy ’65) Voss

Among survivors are Royce, her husband of 59 years; daughters Alison Elliott and Jennifer Crisp; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. 

Money

PAUL WHITE

BONUS COVERAGE

1945

Shirley Pauline Gardner Barber, 99, of McKinney, Texas, died Oct. 28, 2024. She was born April 4, 1925, in Anson, Texas. She loved teaching and helped found a Christian school where she taught first grade. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Gardner and Hattie Gardner; her husband, Jack; and a sister, Peggy Zimpfer. Among survivors are daughters Amy (Barber ’79) Brand and Betsy (Barber ’81) Davis; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

1946

Texas “Tex” Hughlan Stevens II died March 10, 2019. He was born April 9, 1925, in Yoakum, Texas, and grew up in Cuero, Texas. He attended Freed-Hardeman University before earning a B.A. degree in biblical text from ACU. Stevens also did graduate studies at SMU and the University of Houston. In 1973 he began work with Gospel Services Inc., serving as co-producer of Jule Miller Filmstrips, now known as the Visualized Bible Study Series of multimedia materials used for more than a generation of teaching and preaching the Gospel around the world. Stevens served in ministry roles throughout his life with Texas Church of Christ congregations in Dallas, Bloomington, San Antonio, Katy, The Woodlands and Houston, and also worked with choral groups and quartets, including Sounds of Glory and Northern Lights, and in various singing schools. Stevens married Danna Arnett on May 7, 2005, and retired in 2014 at age 89. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Stevens and Chloe Stevens; Pansy, his first wife of 49 years; sons David Mark Stevens and Dr. Texas H. Stevens III (’77); a stepchild, Phillip Brandon Moore; and a grandchild. Among survivors are his wife Danna; daughter Joe Ellen Hubert; three stepchildren; eight grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

Lois Irene (Reynolds) Pattillo, 97, died Sept. 21, 2024, in League City, Texas. She was born June 15, 1927, in Leila Lake, Texas, and grew up on her family’s farm. She married Navy veteran James “Jim” H. Pattillo Sr. (’50) in 1946. Following his 47-year career with Shell Oil, they retired in Tyler, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, JB Reynolds and Irene May Fryor Reynolds; her husband, Jim; son James H. Pattillo Jr.; and a granddaughter. Among survivors are her children, Nick Pattillo (’69) and Jerry Pattillo; three grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

1949

Jere Bass, D.D.S., 96, died May 28, 2024. He was born March 3, 1928, in Ridgely, Tennessee, attended Freed-Hardeman University for two years and graduated from ACU. He taught high school English and French in Midland, Texas, and became interested in dentistry while assigned to a clinic in the Army. He earned a degree in 1956 from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and

opened a dental practice in 1957 in Dickson, Tennessee, serving there until retirement in 1998. He married Anne Fussell in 1959. He served as a deacon and elder of Dickson’s Walnut Street Church of Christ, and for 26 years on the board of the Bank of Dickson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gertrude Baugus Bass and Bonnie L. Bass; and siblings Sarah Joe Wharey, Thomas Bass, Frank Bass, Robert Bass and James Bass. Among survivors are Anne, his wife of 65 years; a daughter, Susan Johnson; son John Bass; and four grandchildren.

1950

John Millard Pike, D.D.S., 91, died May 18, 2020. He was born Nov. 2, 1928, in Houston, Texas. Pike served in the Army Dental Corps during the Korean War (1952-55), earning a Bronze Star. He graduated from The University of Texas School of Dentistry and practiced dentistry from 1952-2017. Pike was president of two Optimist clubs in the 1960s and president of the Houston Gem & Mineral Society in the 1970s. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernice William Pike and Virginia Beuhring Pike, a brother, Beuhring Pike; a sister, Dorothy Pike Nash; and a daughter, Susan Sanford Pike. Among survivors are Patricia, his wife of 69 years; sons Herbert Pike, John Michael Pike and John Patrick Pike; daughters Theresa Jones and Mary Pike; a sister, Peggy Gordon; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Nina Patsy “Pat” Hill Kempe, 94, died March 18, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. Her husband, William W. “Bill” Kempe, M.D., 89, died Feb. 18, 2018. They met at ACU as freshmen. Pat was born July 28, 1929, in San Angelo, Texas, and earned a B.S. degree in chemistry. Her employment roles included the San Antonio (Texas) Health Department, the Analytics Lab at Dow Chemical in Freeport, Texas; and the Flavor Lab at the Dr Pepper plant in Dallas, Texas. Bill was born Dec. 28, 1928, in Dallas, Texas. He earned a B.S. degree in chemistry and his medical degree from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He served in the U.S. Public Health Service in Little Rock, Arkansas, and a family practice residency in Monroe, Louisiana, before starting his medical practice in Dimmit, Texas. In 1958 he began practice at Physicians & Surgeons Clinic in Dallas, Texas, and later opened Southwest Dallas Physicians before retiring at age 72. He also served on ACU’s Math and Science Visiting Committee. Pat lived in Tampa for six years following Bill’s death. The Kempes were generous benefactors of churches; Christian orphanages, camps and missions; Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Dallas Summer Musicals; and ACU. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto D. Kempe and Gladys Rich Kempe. She was preceded in death by her parents, R.C. “Red” Hill and Nina Beulah St. Clair Hill; and her husband, Bill. Among survivors are a daughter Kathi (Kempe ’78) Grist; a son, Paul William Kempe, M.D. (’81); four grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

Russell Harley Bankes Jr., 98, of Corsicana, Texas, died April 7, 2024. He was born Aug. 14, 1925, in New Lexington, Ohio, and attended Freed-Hardeman University before earning an education degree from Abilene Christian. A third-generation Church of Christ minister along with his brother, former longtime ACU trustee Robert D. Bankes (’45) He met Maxine Elizabeth Davis at a 1951 revival where was preaching in Shadyside, Ohio, and they were wed 62 years. The couple served in ministries at Texas churches in Pottsboro, Denison, Richardson, Irving and Corsicana; Oklahoma congregations in Shawnee and Oklahoma City; and in Weirton, West Virginia. He was a popular speaker at Christian universities, including his alma mater, and conducted gospel meetings throughout the U.S. and Canada throughout his long career. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell H. Bankes Sr. and Bertha Patterson Bankes; and his wife, Maxine. Among survivors are a son, Mark Lee Bankes; daughter April Lark Bankes Johansson (’77); six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

John Herbert Sikes, 97, died April 8, 2024, in Edmond, Oklahoma. He was born Feb. 26, 1927, in Cordell, Oklahoma, and wed Margaret Joan Woods on April 9, 1954. He co-captained the track and field team at ACU, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in physics. He also earned a master’s in chemistry (1953) from Texas Tech University. He retired after 33 years as a chemist for Phillips Petroleum in Oklahoma, Idaho and Texas, and again in 1997 following personnel management work. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Herbert Sikes (’22) and Olympia May Sikes (’23); and a brother, James “Jim” Klingman Sikes (’47). Among survivors are Margaret Joan Sikes, his wife of 70 years; children Margaret Denton, Daniel Sikes, Becky LaRue and Judy Sikes (’86); 10 grandchildren; and more than 10 great-grandchildren.

Bonnielyn Waters Francis, 94, died May 3, 2024. She was born Oct. 30, 1929, in Big Spring, Texas, and grew up in Corpus Christi. She earned a B.S. in education, and was a cheerleader and a member of Ko Jo Kai sorority. She wed classmate Bobby J. Francis (’50) on Aug. 24, 1951, and they moved in 1958 to El Paso, where she taught fourth grade in public schools. She and Bobby retired in 1984 and moved to Denison, Texas, where she volunteered with the Texoma Medical Center. She was preceded in death by Bobby, her husband of 66 years. Among survivors are a son, Blair Francis (’75).

Alvin Ray Jennings, 94, of Fort Worth, Texas, died June 3, 2024. He was born Sept. 3, 1929, in Canyon, Texas, and earned his B.A. degree in biblical text, followed by a M.A. in Bible and church history from Butler University (1951). Jennings planted a Church of Christ congregation in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, where he preached from 1951-56. He married Ellen Kristianson on Jan. 1, 1955, and encouraged young Dr. Lynn Anderson (’90 D.Min.) to pursue a career in ministry.

In 1956, the couple planted a second congregation in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and in 1959, a third in Burlington, Vermont. A trailblazer in using audio-visual and printed materials to help evangelize the world, Jennings developed a Bible Slides Library in 1958, and in 1963, he and his father formed a nonprofit, Star Bible Publications Inc. In 1965 the Brown Trail Church of Christ in Fort Worth invited him to move there to lead a direct-mail evangelism effort, initially under their support. From 1967-2006, Jennings’ The Star Magazine was mailed to more than 50 million U.S. homes. Through Star Bible, millions of printed materials, books, films, videos and audio cassettes were also distributed. Alvin served for several years as a trustee of Fort Worth Christian School, and he and Ellen held weekly Bible classes in their home for more than 35 years. In 1991 he began development of the five-acre Garden of Prayer outdoor contemplative space in North Richland Hills, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herschel Jennings and Thelma Jennings; his wife, Ellen; a son, Stephen Jennings; a grandson, Daniel Jennings; and brothers Neal Jennings and Carl Jennings. Among survivors are sons Mark Jennings and James Jennings (’51); daughters Bonnie Jennings Bell (’81) and Bethanie Cope; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; a sister, Donna Bolton; and a brother, Duke Jennings, M.D. (’63).

Joy Gail Petty Lugar, 95, died Sept. 20, 2024, in Leander, Texas. She was born May 14, 1929, in Paducah, Texas, and earned a business degree from ACU, where she met classmate Winston Lugar (’51). She worked for David S. Castle Architects and Engineers as a bookkeeper, and wed Winston on Aug. 20, 1950. They lived most of their married life in Enid, Oklahoma, where she was a full-time homemaker and deeply involved in community organizations. Once all her children left for college she worked full time as a bookkeeper for Lugar Oil. She was preceded in death by her parents, W.H. Petty Jr., and Fayne Petty; Winston, her husband of 74 years; and a son, David Lugar (’79). Among survivors are children Tanis Cornell (’75) and Steve Lugar (’77); seven grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Daisy Perkins Masch, 94, died Oct. 15, 2024, in Katy, Texas. She was born March 13, 1930, in Cherokee County of East Texas, one of 11 children on the family farm. She earned a B.S. degree in education from ACU and a master’s degree in elementary education from the University of North Texas. She wed Johnny Masch on April 16, 1954. She taught elementary students for 34 years in public schools in New Summerfield, Sanger, Carroll and Denton, Texas, and retired in 1987. She was preceded in death by her parents, Onnimus Perkins and Berta (Dotson) Perkins. Among survivors are John Masch, her husband of 70 years; daughters Melanie Collins (’78) and Janna (Masch ’82) Hirt; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

1953

Thomas Graves Gillentine, 90, died Sept. 26, 2022. He was born Feb. 29, 1932, and was a member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers who appraised commercial real estate throughout New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming. Among survivors are his wife, Jane (Proctor ’51); a daughter, Kay (Gillentine ’78) Britt; a son, John Gillentine; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Lloyd Gillentine Faulkner (’52)

Gwendolyn Maxine Bonner, 92, died Dec. 19, 2023, in Glen Rose, Texas. She was born May 19, 1931, in Strawn, Texas, earned a bachelor’s degree in education, and taught in New Mexico and Texas public schools from the early 1950s to the early 1990s, when she retired from the Hico (Texas) ISD. Bonner was also known as a skilled musician and seamstress. She was preceded in death by husbands James L. Wiley and Frank Bonner; and a brother, Bailey “Bubba” Woods. Among survivors are children Judy Wiley, James Wiley and Kelly Wiley; a sister, Cevellia Roberts and brothers Tim Woods and Floyd Woods; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Dr. James R. Wilburn, 92, died Nov. 29, 2024. He was born Dec. 6, 1932, in Wichita Falls, Texas, and grew up in southern California. He earned a B.A. in biblical text and a M.A. in Bible and church history; a Ph.D. in economic history from the University of California, Los Angeles, a master’s degree in history from Midwestern State University, and an MBA from Pepperdine University. His nearly 50-year career (1970-2015) at Pepperdine spanned strategic planning to build and move to its campus in Malibu, California; executive assistant to the president; vice president for university affairs; dean of the Graziadio Business School; founding dean of the School of Public Policy; and dean emeritus. In 2012, Pepperdine dedicated the Drescher Graduate Campus auditorium in his name. California Gov. Ronald Reagan appointed Wilburn to head the board of the Citizens for the Republic Education Foundation in late 1978, and he helped introduce capitalism to Russia as an adviser to former president Boris Yeltsin, serving from 1991-96 as co-chair of the U.S. Committee to Assist Russian Reform, a program funded by the U.S. Department of State. He authored books on American history, business management, and the relationship between faith and public policy, including a 2023 collection of essays, Character and the Future of the American University: A Pathway Forward with James Q. Wilson’s Moral Sense Among survivors are his wife, Gail; a daughter, Susan Wilburn; sons Greg Wilburn and Jonathan Wilburn; a step-daughter; a stepson; and eight grandchildren.

Dr. Mary Beth D’Spain Walker, 93, of Kennewick, Washington, died Dec. 25, 2024. She was born Jan. 22, 1931, in McLean, Texas. She earned a B.S. degree in music education from ACU, where she taught music from 1953-56 and wed Henry Walker (’56) in 1956. They

moved to Minnesota in 1957, then on to Kansas, Texas, Arizona and Washington. She also earned a M.S. degree in music education (1966) and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree – the latter from the University of Arizona in 1977 – and taught music most of her adult life, including briefly again in the 1960s at ACU. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harris D’Spain and Mary Elizabeth D’Spain, and a sister, Margaret D’Spain Horton (’64) Among survivors are her husband, Henry; children Wimon Walker (’79), Winette Riesenweber and Lt. Col. Weston Walker (’83); 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

1954

Cleveland David “C.D.” Moore, 91, died March 21, 2021, in Chiefland, Florida. He was born March 7, 1930. He served in the Army in Japan as a military policeman in the early 1950s, as a farmer, and retired in 1993 from Florida’s Department of Transportation. He was an elder of the Bethel Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleve Moore and Ethel Moore. Among survivors are Louetta, his wife of 65 years; daughters Debbie Love, Denise Johnson and Diane Pelaez; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Nancy Cloe (Barnett) King Cash, 91, of Sunnyvale, Texas, died Feb. 14, 2024. She was born Oct. 14, 1932, in Ranger, Texas, and studied two years at ACU before earning a bachelor’s degree from Lubbock Christian College (1980) and a M.L.S. degree from Texas Woman’s University (1982). She was a librarian in Dallas public schools for 20 years and did mission work in Asia, Europe and Scandinavia. She married Clarence “Clancy” King (’51) in 1952 and they were wed 57 years when he died in 2009. She married Paul “Gene” Cash (’54) in 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents, W.S. and Nedra Barnett. Among survivors are her husband, Paul; daughters Melissa (King ’76) Burka and Konni (King ’78) Tharp; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a sister, Vicki Barnett Dowdy (’59).

Richard William “R.W.” Pectol Jr., 92, died Sept. 4, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born Nov. 6, 1931, in Newark, Arkansas, and married classmate Ruby Vedagay Havens Gay (’54) on Sept. 12, 1953. He attended Fort Worth Christian College and Harding University, and earned a B.A. degree in Bible and a M.A. in New Testament (1966) from ACU. He taught classes at ACU Bible Lectureships, authored Sermons for the Seventies, and was chaplain to the State of Arkansas legislature. He was a minister for Churches of Christ in Texas, Montana, Arizona, North Carolina, Arkansas and Oklahoma, and made numerous missions trips around the world. Pectol was preceded in death by parents, Richard Pectol Sr. and Hazel (Cash) Pectol; a son, Thomas William Pectol; and a grandson. Among survivors are Ruby, his wife of 70 years; a daughter, Sylvia Lynn (Perry) Jinkerson; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Ben Pectol; and a sister, Barbara Carlile.

Annie Joy (Fitzgerald) Jackson, 90, died Sept. 16, 2024, in Artesia, New Mexico. She was born June 4, 1934, in Plains, Texas, into a pioneer ranching family in Yoakum County. She wed J.T. Jackson Jr. on June 9, 1952. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee Roy Fitzgerald and Lucia Vennum Fitzgerald; five brothers; and four sisters. Among survivors are J.T., her husband of 72 years; a son, Ronnie Jackson; daughters Janis (Jackson ’77) Champion, Rhonda Rich and Camille Menefee; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

1956

Larry Dwight Claborn, D.V.M., 90, died Sept. 18, 2024. Larry lived a life of selfless service to others and a life full of purpose. He was born April 5, 1934, in Overton, Texas. He earned a master’s degree from Baylor College of Medicine and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Texas A&M University. He worked briefly in a private practice in Conroe, Texas, before starting a 40-year career as professor of veterinary physiology and pharmacology at Texas A&M University where he retired as professor emeritus. He received the Association of Former Students Teaching Award, TVMA Faculty Teaching Award, and the Association of Former Students distinguished teaching award. He was an elder of the A&M Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde Claborn and Austice Claborn; and a brother, James Claborn. Among survivors are Ann (Higgins ’63) Claborn, his wife of 57 years; sons Matt Claborn, Brandon Claborn, Michael Claborn and Neal Claborn; seven grandchildren; and sisters Geraldine Cochran and Vicki Parks.

1957

Marca Lee Bryant Bircher, 87, died May 7, 2024. She was born June 8, 1936, in Bryson, Texas, and earned a B.S. degree in music education, followed by a M.M.E. degree in 1970 from the University of North Texas. She wed Norman Bircher on Aug. 4, 1961, and taught elementary school in the Abilene (Texas) ISD before moving to Dallas, where she taught music to students of all ages. She was a founding member and soloist of the Dallas Symphony Chorus who also performed with the Dallas Summer Musicals, the Dallas Theatre Center and the Dallas Opera. Her career was chiefly devoted to serving as director of choral activities and musicals at Woodrow Wilson High School in the Dallas ISD, where her awardwinning choirs performed across the nation, and she led students in renowned stage musicals. She retired in 2003 after 28 years. Her many honors included the Ross Perot Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award, Valley Forge George Washington Medal of Honor from the Freedoms Foundation, the Texas Higher Education Distinguished Service Award, and the Morlan Medal Award from ACU’s Department of Teacher Education. She was preceded in death by her parents, Choice Leach Bryant and Gladys Lucille (McClure) Bryant; her husband, Norman Walter Bircher; a son, Lance Clayton Bircher; and

brother, Riley Edgar Bryant. Among survivors are a son, Preston Lee Bircher; a sister, Brenda Louise Bryant; a brother, Norvel Ray Bryant; and two grandchildren.

Joel Timothy “Tim” Appleton, M.D., 88, died July 12, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. He was born Dec. 18, 1935, in Abilene, Texas, earned a B.S. in pre-medicine, and a medical degree from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School (1961), and completed an internship at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He served two years (1962-64) in the Air Force as a captain in the General Medical Corps in Goose Bay, Labrador, and Fort Worth, Texas, then opened a general medicine and surgery practice in Abilene, Texas. He wed Linda Rainwater (’63) in the lobby of ACU’s Gardner Hall. He also served on the Abilene City Council and as medical advisor for the Selective Service Board of Taylor County. He continued his medical education with a residency in pediatric medicine at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center, then became senior research fellow at the Texas Allergy Research Foundation in Houston and earned his Master of Public Health degree at The University of Texas School of Public Health. He became board-certified in allergy and immunology and returned to Abilene in 1974 to establish Abilene Allergy Associates. He retired in 2002 and he and Linda moved to Lubbock to live closer to family. He served as a trustee of Abilene Christian Schools (1978-91), and as an elder at Baker Heights Church of Christ and Oldham Lane Church of Christ in Abilene, and at Green Lawn Church of Christ in Lubbock. He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam Appleton and Ora (Carlile) Appleton; and a twin sister, Jenny Lou Batson. Among survivors are Linda, his wife of 58 years; children Amanda (Appleton ’89) Witt , Joel Appleton (’91) and Laurel (Appleton ’93) Collins; seven grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

1958

Joan Constance Cox, 89, died Dec. 12, 2023, in Midland, Texas. She was born June 19, 1934, in Monahans, Texas, and attended The School For The Blind in Austin, Texas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in voice education from ACU and a master’s in rehabilitation education at Western Michigan University (1969). She worked in Houston for the State of Texas as a rehabilitation educator for the visually impaired, and transferred in 1984 to serve in the same role in San Angelo. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Viola Cox; and a brother, Jack M. Cox (’52). Craig DeWitt Henry, 88, died May 20, 2024, in Mesquite, Texas. He was born April 14, 1936, in Nashville, Tennessee, and earned a B.S. degree in business. He served four years in the Air Force and more than 26 years as a civilian in the U.S. Department of Defense, earning numerous awards. He also was an elder in his church for more than 20 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard Forest Henry and Lois Mildred (DeWitt) Henry; and a sister, Harriet Henry Hobbs. Among

survivors are Maryse Henry, his wife of 63 years; daughters Anne-Brigitte (Henry ’84) Taliaferro and Chantal (Henry ’88) Johnson; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren. Claudena “Dena” Martin Tinkle, 88, died July 7, 2024. She was born Nov. 23, 1935, on a farm in Bell County, Texas, and earned a B.S.E. degree in elementary education. She taught second grade in public schools, chiefly in the Clyde (Texas) ISD. She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude Martin and Ida Martin; Nathan, her husband of 61 years; a brother, Ned Martin (’49); and a sister, Mary Ann Martin Lawhorn (’52). Among survivors are children Nathan Tinkle (’85), Kathy (Tinkle ’90) Harris and Diana Tinkle Marshall (’00); eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

1959

Forestine “Frosty” Hagan Sumner, 88, of Abilene, Texas, died March 11, 2024. She was born July 9, 1935, in Sioux City, Iowa, and attended Harding University before earning a degree and teaching certificate from ACU. She taught Spanish in Texas, California and Missouri junior high and high schools. She wed Darrell Summer on Aug. 10, 1968, and they devoted the next 47 years to teaching and to missions trips to Nicaragua, Honduras, Brazil and others. They retired in Abilene in 2002 and continued their trips around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest and Neva Hagan; her husband, Darrell; and a sister, Bernadine Egly. Among survivors are an adopted son, Jerry Heiderich, and many Bhutanese refugees who were brought to Abilene by the International Rescue Committee and whom she loved as family.

1960

Doris Jean (Blakeney) Davis, 83, died Oct. 2, 2022. He was born Oct. 3, 1938, in Alvord, Texas, and earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She was involved in theatre and was a member of Ko Jo Kai sorority, and wed classmate Billy Davis (’60) on July 1, 1960. She was preceded in death by her parents, C.A. Blakeney and Allie Blakeney. Among survivors are sons Don Davis (’86), Danny Davis (’87) and Dave Davis (’92); nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Sara Darlene “Sally” Deming Allen, 85, of Garland, Texas, died Sept. 18, 2023. She was born Jan. 18, 1938, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; earned a bachelor’s degree in vocational home economics; and wed classmate Michael D. Allen, D.D.S. (’61), on June 24, 1960. She was a school teacher during the years she helped support him through dental and orthodontic school. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerry Deming and Delores Deming; Michael, her husband of 61 years; and her brother, Jack Deming. Among survivors are her daughter Julie (Allen ’84) Clemons; a son, Mark Allen, D.D.S. (’86); two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Glenda Glover Johnston, 86, of Burnet, Texas, died March 21, 2024. She was born March 18, 1938 in Burnet County. She wed

Wilton H. Gene Johnston (’58) on June 6, 1959, and devoted her life to their family and supporting his work as Church of Christ minister in Texas (Rankin, Taylor, Freeport, Hamlin, Colorado City and Fredericksburg) and New Mexico (Portales). She was secretary and attendance clerk for more than 25 years at Fredericksburg High School. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Glover and Ima Glover (’29), and her husband, Gene. Among survivors are children Leah (Glover) Hewitt, Philip Johnston and Stephen Johnston; eight grandchildren; and brothers Don Glover and Rex Glover (’62).

Rev. Marvin “Marty” Robert Hooper Jr., 85, died June 11, 2024. He was born Sept. 9, 1938, in Lawton, Oklahoma, and earned four degrees: A.A. in Bible from Oklahoma Christian University, B.A. in biblical text from ACU, B.A. in music from Bakersfield College and M.A.R. from Pepperdine University (1974). He wed Maxine Payne on July 27, 1963, and they were married 46 years when she died in 2009. He married Rebecca “Becca” Duncan in 2013, and the couple led International Evangelism Ministry Inc., establishing orphanages in Africa and Asia while helping evangelize more than 20 countries. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin Robert Hooper and Edith Pauline Hooper; his first wife, Maxine; a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Wheat; and a brother, Paul Nathan Hooper. Among survivors are his wife, Rebecca “Becca” Duncan Hooper; children Montgomery “Monty” Hooper, Martha Johnson, Matthew Hooper (’92), Mark Hooper, Michael Hooper and Mikala Hooper; 24 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and siblings David Terry Hooper and Veda Gaye Crow.

Don Russell Freiling, 85, of San Antonio, Texas, died Aug. 27, 2024. He was born Sept. 21, 1938, in San Antonio. He played football at ACU, where he earned his B.S.E. degree and his M.Ed. degree (1961) and wed his classmate, Jeanette Hughes (’61). He was a teacher, coach and administrator at Jefferson High School, among others. Later, he worked in insurance, investment and real estate. He also preached on the weekends and served as an elder at West Avenue and University Oaks Churches of Christ for 40 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Virginia Mae (Harris) Freiling; and a brother, Wayne Freiling. Among survivors are Jeanette, his wife of 63 years; sons Russ Freiling (’89), Rynn Freiling (’88) and Reagan Freiling; a daughter, Amy (Freiling ’90) Roberts; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Mabel Ruth “Sam” Sims Vandestraat , 86, died Sept. 21, 2024, in Walnut Creek, California. She was born Feb. 25, 1938, in Shamrock, Texas, and married to chemistry classmate Dr. Clayton Heathcock Jr. (’58) from 1957-72. She wed Herman Vandestraat in 1974 and they were married for 19 years. She worked in real estate, and lived for 30 years on Orcas Island, Washington, where she operated Mt. Baker Farm and Campground from 2017-21. Clayton and Ruth reunited in July 2021 and were living in Martinez, California, when she died. She was

preceded in death by her parents, Roy Sims and Mary Alabam Sims. Among survivors are Clayton; children Cheryl Heathcock Jackson, Barbara Heathcock, Rebecca Heathcock and Steven Heathcock; and eight grandchildren.

1961

Michael Lance Deason, D.V.M., 84, died April 10, 2024. He was born Jan. 17, 1940, in Corpus Christi, Texas, and earned a bachelor’s degree in range science. He worked for the Soil Conservation Service in Wellington, Texas, and wed Margaret Rose Sisk on June 16, 1963. He graduated in 1968 from Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and began practicing at the Vidor (Texas) Animal Clinic, which he later bought then sold in 1977. He practiced until 2000 in George West, Texas, before transitioning to small-animal clinics in Austin, Boyd and Corpus Christi, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Winton Deason and Nettie Frank Deason. Among survivors are Margaret, his wife of 60 years; sons Bret Deason (’89) and Scot Deason; daughter Deanna (Deason) Jaeger; nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. John Milton Kirk Sr., 84, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, died July 31, 2024. He was born Aug. 9, 1939, in Muskogee, Oklahoma; wed classmate Bette Claire James (’64); and earned a bachelor’s degree in business and master’s in accounting. He retired as comptroller of Timex Corp. after a 30-year career spanning Abilene, Texas; Plymouth, Connecticut; and Little Rock, Arkansas. After retirement, he was a comptroller and consultant for Alliance Rubber Company in Hot Springs. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Kirk and Edna Kirk. Among survivors are Bette Claire (James) Kirk, his wife of 62 years; sons John Kirk Jr. and James Ripley Kirk; a daughter, Melissa Fugett; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

1963

John David Huddle, 83, died July 2, 2024. He was born Feb. 9, 1941, in Fort Worth, Texas, and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. After earning a master’s degree in chemistry from the University of North Texas, he began a 47-year career at CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) in Columbus, Ohio, where he became recognized as an expert in organic stereochemistry and substances derived from natural sources. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Huddle and Ruth Huddle. Among survivors are Cynthia Huddle, his wife of 38 years; children Michael “DJ” Huddle, Tim Huddle and Joanna Sheehan; three grandchildren; and a sister, Elaine (Huddle ’60) Townsdin

1964

Vicky Jan (Satterwhite) Mullican, 81, of Eagar, Arizona, died Jan. 20, 2024. She was born May 20, 1942, in Merkel, Texas. She majored in vocational home economics education, and was a cheerleader and 1963 Homecoming queen at Abilene Christian, and

wed Randall “Randy” Mullican (’59). She was preceded in death by her parents, Elvis Cline Satterwhite and Geraldine Sloan Satterwhite; and brothers Barry Satterwhite (’68) and Steve Satterwhite. Among survivors are her husband, Randy; a son, Mitchell Mullican (’90); a daughter, Marcie (Mullican ’91) Bafford; two grandchildren; and a sister, Gay Lynn (Satterwhite ’71) Testut

Carolyn Marie (Crenwelge) Endsley, 81, died April 11, 2024, and her husband, Albert “Al” Cummings Endsley, 83, died Dec. 9, 2024, both in Georgetown, Texas. They met at ACU, wed April 17, 1965, and were married 58 years, much of it while living in the countryside east of Georgetown, Texas, near Jonah, where they took on the restoration of an old farmhouse and a 300-tree pecan orchard. Carolyn was born July 1, 1942, in Houston, Texas, and earned a B.S.E. degree in elementary education. She taught elementary, junior high and high school students during her career, which spanned Texas public schools in Houston and Georgetown. She was an active church and community organization volunteer, leader and supporter. In the 1970s, she developed and published “Thy Children Shall Be Taught of God,” a children’s Bible school curriculum. She was a trustee of The Williamson Museum from 1999-2006 and as president from 2001-05, responsible for its fundraising. She also served many years as a trustee and president of Jonah Community Inc. Al was born Nov. 11, 1941, in Jackson, Tennessee, and earned a B.S. degree in accounting. During and following college, he served in the Texas Army National Guard. In 1965 he was recruited to work as an examiner for a then-new state regulatory agency, the Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner under the Finance Commission of Texas. There he spent his whole career, leading the agency as commissioner from 1986 until his retirement in 1994. He was the president of the National Association of Consumer Credit Administrators from 1991-92. He was a trustee from 1996-2011 of Foster’s Home for Children in Stephenville, Texas. In 2019, he received a Mission Achievement Award from Faith in Action Georgetown for his years helping disabled seniors with grocery shopping. He also served many years as a volunteer board member for Jonah Community Inc. and was on the board of the Jonah Water Special Utility District. She was preceded in death by her parents, John Theodore Crenwelge and Dorothy Irene Gray; and a brother. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Roy “J.R.” Endsley – ACU associate professor of biology from 1950-66 – and Lula Endsley; and a brother, John Roy Endsley Jr. (’55). Among their survivors are daughters Bonnie Endsley and Malissa (Endsley ’92) Todd; and two granddaughters. Al’s sister, Julia Ann “Julie” (Endsley ’68) Starling, also survives him.

Linda Kay (Hearn) Heard, 82, died Nov. 10, 2024. She was born Aug. 26, 1942, in Ranger, Texas; and wed childhood friend Robert Heard on Jan. 22, 1964. She earned a B.A. in mass communication, and enjoyed a

31-year career teaching speech and theatre before retiring from the Abilene (Texas) ISD. She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude Hearn and Mary Louise Hearn; and a grandson. Among survivors are her husband, Robert; sons Dr. Chris Heard (’89) and Phil Heard; daughter Amelia (Heard ’96) Emery; seven grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Goodner.

1965

Jeanne Kay (Irwin) Cowart , 69, of Henderson, Texas, died Nov. 4, 2022. She was born Dec. 11, 1952, in Terrell, Texas, earned a B.S.Ed. degree from ACU and a M.Ed. in 1980 from Stephen F. Austin State University, and retired after 38 years as a teacher for the Henderson ISD. She was preceded in death by her parents, Forrest H. and Hazel (Gray) Irwin; and brothers Stan Irwin and Joe Irwin. Survivors include Jim Cowart (’75), her husband of 49 years; and sons Matt Cowart and Craig Cowart. Dr. Dale Roger Sargent , 81, died Dec. 1, 2023, in Bryan, Texas. He was born April 23, 1942, in Madison, Wisconsin, and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of North Texas (1971). He taught chemistry for many years at Del Mar College and retired in 2001 from a second career of water treatment testing and specialty chemical sales. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick John Sargent and Ila Ruth (Clary) Sargent; and a sister, Bonnie Lou (Sargent ’63) Shake George Walter “Rocky” Rockwell, J.D., 81, died Nov. 29, 2024. He was born Aug. 14, 1943, in Port Arthur, Texas, to Mary Kathryn Brasher Rockwell and Jacob Harris Rockwell. He played baseball, was president of Galaxy fraternity and earned a B.A. in English at ACU. He wed classmate Vicki Beeman (’66) in January 1965, earned a juris doctor from The University of Texas Law School in 1968 and practiced corporate law for 56 years in Houston, Texas. Rockwell also served on ACU’s Board of Development. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob Harris Rockwell and Mary Kathryn Brasher Rockwell; and a sister, Dr. Rochelle Owens. Among survivors are Vicki, his wife of 58 years; children Brian Beeman Rockwell, Leanne Kathryn Taylor (’97) and Keith Wilson Rockwell (’99); and three grandchildren.

1967

Dorinda Duzan, 78, of Cimarron Trail, Carlsbad, New Mexico, died Jan. 11, 2024. She was born May 11, 1945, in El Paso, Texas, and earned a bachelor’s degree in history from ACU and a master’s in social work from The University of Texas at Austin. She taught school several years in Odessa, Texas, before starting a longtime career in child protective services in central Texas. She relocated to Carlsbad a few years ago and served as a social worker with Carlsbad Public Schools. She was preceded in death by her parents, Morris Dunagan and Ronda Clements Dunagan; her husband,

Tom McAuley; and a daughter, Shelly (Duzan) Roggendorff. Among survivors are her son, Kevin Duzan; son-in-law Dr. Paul Roggendorff, ACU assistant professor of language and literature; six grandchildren; a brother, Lane Dunagan; and a sister, Greta Wedepohl.

Amy Carolyn (Bailey) Bissell, 78, died April 2, 2024, in Pueblo, Colorado. She was born Sept. 17, 1945, in Midland, Texas; and earned a B.S.E. degree in history education. She taught at Western Christian College, Odessa Christian School, and was a substitute teacher at Natrona County (Wyoming) public schools. Later, she was a retail sales associate and department manager for Joslin’s and Dillard’s, retiring from the latter after 26 years. Bissel was a lifelong Girl Scout who served and mentored girls and women in Pueblo and beyond, and traveled to more than 30 countries. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed Bailey and Billie Jean Bailey, and a brother, Mike Bailey (’69) Survivors include Wayne Paul Bissell (’66), her husband of 56 years; a daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Epps; a son, Terry Bissell; and three grandchildren.

Jan (Kornegay) Crockett , 78, of Lubbock, Texas, died June 18, 2024. She was born June 23, 1945, in Abilene, Texas, and grew up in Winters and El Paso. She attended ACU and UTEP, graduating in 1987 from Texas Tech University with a B.S.Ed. degree. She taught children’s Bible classes at church for 60 years, and kindergarten and first grade at Lubbock (Texas) Christian School from 1986-95. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clifford N. “Buck” Kornegay and Marion (Smith) Kornegay; and a sister, Karen Ludwick. Among survivors are Bob Crockett (’63), her husband of 59 years; sons Cliff Crockett (’89), Kevin Crockett (’91) and Steve Crockett (’93); seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

1968

Barry Cline Satterwhite died Dec. 4, 2023. He was born Oct. 7, 1944, in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up in Abilene, Texas. He earned a B.S. degree in business marketing and joined the Army Reserves. He wed classmate Sandra Joyce Crawford (’67) on June 8, 1968, and his 35-year career with Halliburton took them to Texas, Colorado and Oklahoma before she died in 1997. He wed Ann Watson Rogers in 1999, briefly moving to Houston before they relocated to Calvert, Texas, where he served on the city council and was mayor pro tem. He also was a board member of the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural Science. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elvis Cline Satterwhite and Geraldine Satterwhite; his first wife, Sandra; a brother, Steve Satterwhite; and a stepson, Mark Rogers. Among survivors are his wife Ann; a daughter, Dawn Satterwhite; a son, Brandon Satterwhite; stepdaughter Pam Rogers, five grandchildren; and sisters Vicky Jan (Satterwhite ’64) Mullican – who died Jan. 20, 2024 – and Gay Lynn (Satterwhite ’71) Testut

1969

Michele Angela (Meeker) Rector, 74, died April 1, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas. She was born Sept. 7, 1946, in Austin, Texas, and grew up in Waco. She married Reid Rector in 1969. She earned a degree in elementary education and taught in Texas schools in Austin, Lubbock, Irving and Fort Worth, and specialized in helping students with their reading skills. She served in numerous PTA roles in Irving schools, and in leadership roles within Bible Study Fellowship. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Meeker (’36) and Cleo Meeker. Among survivors are her husband, Reid; a son, Ragan Rector (’96); a daughter, Jordan (Rector ’79) Hardt; four grandchildren; and brothers Dr. John Meeker (’66), Glen Meeker and Mike Meeker (’80)

Alan Wayne Wiese, 77, died July 10, 2024. He was born on May 27, 1947, in McGregor, Texas, and earned a B.A. degree in biblical text. He also earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from Harvard Divinity School and preached in several churches in the Northeast, including Brookline (Massachusetts) Church of Christ. He eventually returned home to work on the family farm while attending Baylor University, earning a master’s degree in information systems and starting a new career in information technology. He worked for more than 30 years for an electric utility company in Dallas, Texas, before retiring to McGregor to assist his aging father and work at Meals on Wheels Waco. He was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie Wiese and Eva Nell (Connally) Wiese.

1971

Randal Clay Ellison, 75, of Andrews, Texas, died Jan. 16, 2023. He was born Oct. 19, 1947, in Slaton, Texas, and wed Janith Ann Nicholson July 26, 1968. He attended South Plains Junior College and ACU on a baseball scholarship, and earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. He was a church elder and song leader. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert J. Earnest Ellison and Dora Lee Ellison; and a brother, Donald Clyde Ellison. Among survivors are Janith, his wife of 54 years; sons Donald Zane Ellison and Coy Layton Ellison; four grandchildren; and a brother, Albert Zane Ellison.

Janice Katherine (Miller) Moze, 79, of Elizabethton, Tennessee, died May 17, 2023. She was born Aug. 9, 1943, in Roan Mountain, Tennessee. She taught elementary school for many years in northern Virginia and retired to northeastern Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Allen Miller and Grace Birchfield Miller; and a brother, Allen Kent “Kenny” Miller. Among survivors are her husband, Garth; daughters Danielle Moze and Lauren Boone; five grandchildren; sisters Betty Farmer and Kimberly Miller; and a brother, Michael Miller (’76).

Kathy Boles, 75, died March 3, 2024, in Cleburne, Texas. She was born Nov. 25, 1948, earned a B.S.Ed from ACU and a M.Ed. (1976) from Texas Christian University, and taught

fourth and fifth graders in the Cleburne ISD for 36 years. She wed James P. Boles on Jan. 19, 1991. She was preceded in death by her parents, John William Beckham and Jessie Ilene (Newton) Beckham, and her husband, James. Among survivors are her daughters and five cousins.

1973

Elizabeth A. Young, 86, died Sept. 12, 2020, in Long Beach, Mississippi. She was born June 29, 1934, and earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics. She and her husband helped start three Southern Baptist churches while he was stationed with the Air Force in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy, and she was the first to teach home economics at the American School when it opened in 1974 at Aviano Air Force Base in Italy. She taught 18 years at Gulfport (Mississippi) High School before retirement. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Ashton and Ina Louise Johnson; Tech Sgt. William Edward Young, her husband of 50 years; and a great-grandson, Skylar McSpadden. Among survivors are daughters Elisabeth Magee and Lynda Howze; a son, William Young; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brothers Robert Ashton and James Ashton; and a sister, Francis Bishop.

Laura Ann Whitson, 71, of Cuero, Texas, died Jan. 15, 2024. She was born Jan. 30, 1952, at home on her family’s farm in the Texas Panhandle. Whitson earned a B.S.Ed. and a M.Ed. degree (1975), both from ACU, and did graduate work at The University of Texas at Austin. An educator for 39 years, she was a Texas elementary school teacher, principal and superintendent, serving in the Eula ISD, the Region 14 Education Service Center in Abilene, Liberty Hill ISD and Meyersville ISD. At the time of her passing, she was serving DeWitt and Lavaca counties on the board of the Region 3 Education Service Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, Al Stanley and Olas Williams Whitson; sisters Sue Whitson Pollard (’51) and Carolyn Whitson Baldwin (’53); and a brother, Wayne Whitson (’54). Among survivors are her sister, Doris (Whitson ’59) Billingsley; and a brother, Tom Whitson.

Richard Edwin Templeton, Pharm.D., 73, of Abilene, Texas, died May 7, 2024. He was born Nov. 25, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas; graduated from The University of Texas Pharmacy School in 1971 and married Judith May Rude (’73) on Dec. 23, 1971. He worked in Texas pharmacies in San Angelo and Sweetwater before returning to Abilene to take over Templeton/Kimbrough Pharmacy when his father died. He built a new building for Templeton Pharmacy on Judge Ely Boulevard, and eventually sold the business to Eckerd’s in 1997, and worked for them for a short time before joining Wal-Mart and Sam’s as pharmacy manager. He concluded his long career as a staff pharmacist for the Abilene State Supported Living Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Silas Edward Templeton Jr. and Evelyn (Cox ’46) Templeton Fletcher; and two infant children, Calvin Templeton and April

May Templeton. Among survivors are his wife, Judy; sons Jess Albert Templeton and Seth William Templeton; and a brother, Steve Templeton (’78).

Patricia “Pat” Wren (Breeden) Williams, 85, died Sept. 12, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. She was born Jan. 16, 1939, in Memphis, Tennessee; attended Draughton’s Business School (1958-59); and earned a bachelor’s in home economics from ACU. She wed Dr. James David Williams on Jan. 30, 1960; worked at Memphis Light & Power while he finished his master’s degree at the University of Memphis; and operated a home daycare, sewed costumes, and assisted in a catering business while he finished his doctorate at the East Texas A&M University. They moved to Abilene, Texas, in 1962 so he could begin a 38-year teaching career in the Department of English. She ran a licensed daycare in her home for 15 years, and worked a decade for Interior Design in Abilene. After a move to Midlothian, Texas, she co-founded The Wren’s Nest, an interior design firm. She also briefly served as a substitute teacher and full-time librarian at Venus (Texas) Elementary School. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin Woodrow Breeden and Kathleen Elizabeth Medlock Breeden; and David, her husband of 47 years. Among survivors are daughters Donna Williams Bullington (’85), Kay (Williams ’90) Pruitt and Michele (Williams ’93) Carroll; five grandchildren; and a brother, Wayne Breeden. Carrie Virginia (Johnson) Hays, 73, died Nov. 6, 2024, in Austin, Texas. She was born April 20, 1951, in Austin, earned a B.S.Ed. degree, and wed classmate Thomas “Doc” Hays (’75). She taught first grade for five years at Sunset Valley Elementary in Austin before becoming a full-time mother. An artist, musician and poet, she helped write children’s musicals and theatre plays for fifth-graders; performed in Fair Village Four, a quartet of Austin-area elementary music teachers; and sang in the Austin Civic Chorus. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clyde Johnson and Virginia Johnson. Among survivors are her husband, Doc; and sons Chris Hays (’03) and Patrick Hays (’04)

1974

Don Thomas Lawson, 72, of Trabuco Canyon, California, died Sept. 23, 2023. He was born Dec. 12, 1950, in Abilene, Texas. He earned a B.S.Ed. degree and was a P.E. teacher for more than 30 years in Orange County, California. He was preceded in death by his father, Bill “Shorty Lawson (’45); and his mother, Jackie Morris Warmsley (’46). Among survivors are his wife, Loryn; sons Sean Lawson and Scott Lawson; and brothers Bobby Lawson, M.D. (’80), and Jim Lawson (’69), J.D. Michael ¨Mike¨ Wynn Burk, 72, of Lubbock, Texas, died Oct. 3, 2024. He was born Oct. 2, 1952, in Lubbock, and grew up in Floydada. He wed Karen Ann Miller on Aug. 10, 1974, and earned a B.S.E. degree in industrial arts education. He played on the Wildcats’ 1973 national championship football team. He earned

a master’s degree from The University of Texas at Tyler in 1988, and became a kidney donor for Karen in 1994. He was a deacon and chaired the missions committee at South Plains Church of Christ. He taught middle school industrial technology in the Lubbock ISD for 39 years, and retired in 2014 to care for Karen until her death in 2020. He wed Sherry McDuff (’79) on May 14, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Newell Burk and Fara Burk; and Karen, his first wife of 46 years. Among survivors are Sherry, his wife of two years; a son, Shane Burk (’04); two grandchildren; sisters Janet Bruns and Nanette Soto; and stepchildren Sarah McDuff; Jeffrey McDuff, Rachel McDuff, John McDuff, Caitlin McDuff, Lauren Weibe and Clint McDuff.

Stephen William Carlson, 72, died Dec. 14, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born Oct. 29, 1952, in San Diego, California, and grew up in Duncan, Oklahoma. He earned a B.A. degree in Bible and Greek, and married Virginia Eileen Page on June 4, 1977. He spent his career in the freight and shipping industries, and served more than 25 years as the preacher for Rose Hill Church of Christ in Devine, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Carlson and Frances (Fitzgerald) Carlson; and Eileen, his wife of 43 years. Among survivors are son Daniel Carlson (’04), daughter Sarah Carlson (’06) and sister Deborah “Ruthie” Jones (’76).

1980

Julie Marie (Grasham) Blasingame, 65, died June 21, 2024. She was born Nov. 13, 1958, in Baldwin Park, California, and wed ACU classmate Guy Blasingame (’79) on July 6, 1979. She earned a B.S.Ed. in art education and taught in Abilene schools before moving in 1985 to Mesquite, Texas, where she was an afterschool home daycare provider. She returned to the public school classroom again in 1997, becoming an award-winning art teacher in the Dallas and DeSoto ISDs for 23 years, including being named recipient of the Rotary Club of Dallas’ 2008 “Service Above Self” award. In 2007 she became assistant director of The University of Texas Dallas summer chess camps and in 2021 was named supervisor of academic programming for Central New York Chess. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. William Grasham Sr. (’75 M.Div.) and Eleanor Grasham; and a daughter, Rachel Marie Blasingame. After Rachel’s tragic death at age 16 in a 2003 vehicle accident, Julie successfully campaigned for a cable barrier to be placed on Interstate 635 in Mesquite to prevent other crossover fatalities. For 15 years, she also helped organize an annual golf tournament to raise money for the Rachel Blasingame Memorial Endowed Scholarship, making it possible for students to attend ACU. Among survivors are her husband, Guy; children Josh Blasingame (’16) and Jubilee Johannah Mikhale (’11); two grandchildren; brothers Bill Grasham (’76) and John Grasham (’78); and a sister, Terri Lynn (Grasham ’83) Peterson.

1981

Bruce Edward Anderson, 77, died Jan. 29, 2024, in Plano, Texas. He was born Jan. 19, 1947, in Brockton, Massachusetts, earned a B.A. in English from Barrington College (1969) and a master’s degree in education from ACU as a reading specialist. He enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Dyess Air Force Base (1969-73) as an air traffic controller and parachutist. He wed Nancy Decker in 1970 and they divorced in 1975. He wed Karen Kay Johnson on Nov. 29, 1980. He taught elementary school in the Midland (Texas) ISD from 1980-98, reading on the Navajo Nation (1998-99), and reading and test-taking skills at Arlington (Texas) Nimitz High School (1999-2007). Later, he became certified as chaplain’s assistant for years of ministry at prisons in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Gustaf Anderson and Helen Matilda (Black) Anderson; a son, Joseph Gabriel Anderson; and a daughter, Aubrey Anderson. Among survivors are Karen, his wife of 43 years; sons Benjamin Anderson, Jason Anderson and Joseph Anderson; a daughter, Bethany Joanna Grainger; brothers Douglas Paul Anderson, Mark Richard Anderson, Stephen Douglas Anderson and Gregory John Anderson; and former wife Nancy Anderson Gingrich.

1982

Scott Anthony Kinzie, 63, died Oct. 19, 2023. He was born Nov. 12, 1959, in Houston, Texas, and grew up in Ennis, Texas. He earned a B.S. degree in biology and wed classmate Rebecca Douglas (’83) on Dec. 22, 1979. Survivors include his parents, William B. Kinzie, M.D., and Mary Ann Kinzie; Rebecca, his wife of 43 years; sons James Kinzie (’04) and Robert Kinzie (’05); three grandchildren; sisters Elaine (Kinzie ’85) Youngberg, Carol (Kinzie ’87) Spaniel and Ann (Kinzie ’91) Jones

1985

Steven Roger Defosses, M.D., 59, died May 16, 2020, in Baird, Texas. He was born March 10, 1961, and earned a B.S. in biology from ACU, where he participated in track and field and volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He competed independently in USA Powerlifting collegiate nationals, and was highly ranked in his weight class from 1982-84. He earned a medical degree in 1990 from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, served a residency in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and opened practices in Abilene and in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his father, Roger Defosses; and a brother, Donny Defosses. Among survivors are his mother, Melba Defosses; children Preston Defosses, Nicole Defosses and Catie Defosses; a sister, Donna Hanna; and a brother, Ricky Defosses (’86)

1986

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Jones, 90, of Jackson, Missouri, died May 8, 2024. She was born April 15, 1934, in Success, Arkansas. She

earned a B.S. degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University and devoted a decade to teaching before marrying Dr. Thomas Sparkman and serving as office manager for his practice. Later, she earned a B.S.N. degree from ACU and began a 17-year career as an RN in the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Waco, Texas. She wed Rex Jones in 1980, and he preceded her in death, as did her father, Albert Silas Jackson; mother, Velma Minnie Sharpe; a son, Thomas Kendall Sparkman; and brothers Howard Jackson and Al Jackson. Survivors include a son, Randall Sparkman; a daughter, Sherie Metcalf; and four grandchildren.

1988

Barry Dale Smoot , 66, died Sept. 22, 2024, in Abilene, Texas. He was born May 1, 1958, in Childress, Texas. He majored in theatre at ACU, served as artistic director of The Historic Paramount Theatre in Abilene for more than 30 years, and created the 24fps Short Film Festival, which celebrated its 25th and final year in November 2024. He was involved with numerous productions for Abilene’s first Young Audiences troupe, the McMurry University Summer Theatre, Abilene Community Theatre and The Mill Dinner Theatre. A creative director, choreographer, set and lighting designer, and actor, he also authored several plays, including “Revelations,” recently named a finalist in the Del Shores Foundation Writers Search.

1993

Steve Rothrock, 65, died Aug. 17, 2023, in Weatherford, Texas. He was born Aug. 3, 1958, and earned B.S. in Christian ministry and M.S. in biblical and related studies degrees from ACU. He preached at the Tin Top Church of Christ for 19 years and was a professor of speech and communication at Weatherford College for 18 years. He previously served as youth minister at the Azle (Texas) Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Lorraine Rothrock; and a grandson, Cannon Blake Rothrock. Among survivors are Grace (Hooten ’83), his wife of 34 years; daughters Dana Pierce, Jessica Williams, Bethany Rothrock and Kara Rothrock; four grandchildren; a sister, Karen Rothrock; a brother, Jerry Rothrock; and his former wife, Teresa Holladay.

1994

Geoffrey “Geoff” Joel Martin, 52, of Louisville, Colorado, died Aug. 21, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. He was born June 5, 1972, in Norman, Oklahoma, and grew up in Loveland, Ohio. He earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and after working in advertising in Dallas and in New York City, he began in 2004 a 20-year technology career with Dell. Among survivors are his parents, Ken Martin (’65) and Debbie Martin; his children, Andrew Martin and Sara Martin; and his brother, Mike Martin (’91)

2010

Karla Lyn Martin, 61, of Abilene, Texas, died March 21, 2024. She was born Feb. 18,

1963, in Abilene, and earned a B.A.S. degree. She married Joby Martin on Oct. 10, 1987, and was an administrative assistant for ACU’s Department of History and Global Studies and a records clerk for the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office. She was preceded in death by her parents, Billie Ray Smith and Leslie Smith (’50); a sister, Karen Smith; and a brother, Kevin Smith. Among survivors are Joby, her husband of 36 years; daughter Rachel (Martin ’06) Moxley; son Michael Martin; and several grandchildren.

2020

Brian “Bmillz” Christopher Miller Jr., 27, died Sept. 4, 2024, in Augusta, Georgia. He was born Oct. 24, 1996, in Queens, New York. He earned two degrees in kinesiology: an A.A. from Coffeyville Community College and a B.S. from ACU, and was working on a master’s in the same field at Texas A&M-Kingsville University. He was twice named Academic All-America at CCC before transferring to ACU to play football as a defensive end in 2019. Among survivors are his parents, Brian Christopher Miller Sr. and Tisha Nichol Robinson; siblings Ashley, Brandon, Nicholas, Briannah, Alaziah and Jordan.

OTHER FRIENDS

Shirley Jean Spivey Kellar, 88, died March 22, 2024. She was born Aug. 18, 1935, in Waco, Texas, attended Baylor University for two years and was married for 25 years to Air Force pilot George Kickliter, with whom she lived in many U.S. states and three nations. She was preceded in death by her parents, Iris Fay Spivey and Lindsey Garland Spivey; a daughter, Kim Kickliter Seavey; and a brother, Lindsey Garland Spivey II. Among survivors are Marshal Kellar Jr. (’54), her second husband of 22 years and an ACU trustee from 1975-93; a daughter, Karen Kickliter Witt; step-children Steve Kellar (’80), Gayla Kellar McGrew and Gina (Kellar ’92) Malaer; three grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Joan Phyllis Allison VanRheenen, 79, died May 17, 2024, in Everett, Washington. She was born July 30, 1944, in Pocahontas, Arkansas. In 1966, she wed Harding University classmate Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, who became provost of ACU in 1996. She was an active volunteer in her church and community when Dwayne’s career in higher education took them to live in Missouri, Maine, California and Texas: vice president of Maine’s League of Women Voters and a Maine delegate at the 1980 Democratic National Convention, the California Lutheran University library, and the Boys and Girls Club of Abilene. The VanRheenens retired to Anderson Island, Washington, in 2009. When Dwayne died in 2016, Joan moved to Marysville, Washington, where she was president of the Friends of the Marysville Library. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Zeta Allison; her husband, Dwayne; a brother, Dale Allison; and a granddaughter. Among survivors are children Nathan VanRheenen, Michele Westerholm and Derek VanRheenen (’00 M.S.); and six grandchildren.

President emeritus Dr. Royce Money (’64) and former first lady Pam (Handy ’65) Money led a Study Abroad excursion to modern-day Turkey in Spring 2011, showing ACU students the ancient sites of the “Seven Churches of Asia.” Pam died Nov. 25, 2024, at age 81. See story on Page 47.

RONNIE

RUIZ

RONNIE RUIZ

Second GLANCE

BY RON HADFIELD

Big Purple alumni rally to ensure the band plays on

Some Aggies in College Station have made a thing about being a 12th Man, a tradition about fearlessly facing the music, and volunteering to be there when your football team needs you most, despite the odds.

What they won’t tell you is the Wildcat thread in that 103-year-old Texas A&M University football legend: If Aggie quarterback A.B. Morris, the future athletics director and coaching legend at ACU, hadn’t been injured, the 12th Man volunteer – a former player sitting in the press box during a 1922 bowl game – may have been persona non grat a in their history.

Miles away on ACU’s Hill, the 140-member Big Purple Marching Band has a kindred spirit about answering a call to arms, except theirs is to trumpets, sousaphones, flutes and such.

The Big Purple has its own vernacular – YBP, for instance, means “Yay Big Purple” – yet it is not an exclusive club, as 80 percent of members major in subjects other than music.

It does comprise talented students from across the academic spectrum who devote their lunch hours each fall practicing on the “Stompin’ Grounds” lawn of the Williams Performing Arts Center, learning formations and dance steps for one more opportunity to wear a uniform, march in a band and make music with friends.

committed to being back home with family.

So the call went out to Big Purple alumni via social media. Its gist: ACU needs musicians for next Saturday’s home playoff game. We’ll provide the branded gear, the instruments, the music, lunch, and concessions in the stands. One practice together should do it. See you here.

Dr. Darby Hewitt (’08), ACU professor of engineering, was one who returned, on snare drum. He hasn’t played it much the last 16 years, although he has been a guitarist in a local band since 2019.

Alto saxophonist Jill (Cline ’05) Tidwell, a data entry specialist in Abilene, was another. She has only occasionally played it in 19 years, and admits to hating practice, which was OK because a one-hour run-through in Fry Band Hall was all the group needed to get back in tune.

Kevin Broome (’01), a director of award-winning high school bands for 20 years, the last 10 at Midland (Texas) Christian School, was on bass drum. And Alana Curley (’19), associate director of bands at Abilene High School, played clarinet.

They gratefully no longer ride “the big yellow dogs,” as music department icon Douglas “Fessor” Fry (’40) once referred to the school buses transporting high school bands across Texas highways each football season. But to be a musician in the Big Purple at ACU means revering its unique traditions and sharing a volunteer spirit.

You saw the latter in 2019 during March Madness.

That’s when alumni rallied to be musicians in the basketball band during the ACU women’s first-round NCAA Tournament game versus Baylor in Waco. The volunteers were needed when another 29-member band – including 15 freshmen – accompanied the Wildcat men’s team to Florida that same glorious week of the postseason to play the University of Kentucky while more than 3 million watched in prime time on CBS.

Fewer fans were in Wildcat Stadium to watch football history made on Nov. 30, 2024, but the need for help from the band was high and the response as noteworthy.

The scene was Abilene Christian’s first playoff football game in 13 seasons, with a national TV audience on ESPN+. The date, however, conflicted with the Thanksgiving holiday and the plans of many students

In all, 39 “guests” – most of them grads – performed that afternoon, the memories made only deepening what is already a profoundly life-changing experience in the famed ensemble, which through the years has performed at college and NFL games, in countless parades and other events, and even the inauguration of a Texas governor.

Alumni from the last six decades showed up, and out.

“I had so much fun. It was good to be back with some of the people I was in the Big Purple with but also to see that even in a different generation there is so much still relatable,” Tidwell said.

“Music is the universal language that brings people together from vast personal backgrounds and generations,” Curley said.

“I had a blast playing with the current members of the drumline,” Hewitt said. “Even so many years later, it still felt very similar to the game days I remember from when I was a student.”

“The Big Purple is, and always has been, a family to me,” Broome echoed.

The football team lost the following week to eventual national champion North Dakota State University.

But on Nov. 30, it won 24-0 and gathered afterward in front of the band to sing a spirited first verse of “ACU Fight Song” as a slightly smaller but still robust Big Purple led the way once more, serving all the while. 

FROM LEFT: Jill (Cline ’05) Tidwell, Dr. Kim (Molleur ’05) Hardin, Jesiree (Guerrero ’06) Driskell, Stephanie (Jarvis ’08) Walthour and Bradley Hardin (’05)

Extending the impact OF LIVES WELL LIVED

Brent (’86) and Starlyn (Thomas ’86) Barrow took advantage of every opportunity while students at ACU, and now an endowed scholarship and a charitable trust help provide those same experiences for today’s students.

Starlyn, an education major from Vernon, Texas, was an officer in Sigma Theta Chi, a finalist for Miss ACU, and Homecoming Queen her senior year. Brent, a business major from North Richland Hills, Texas, was skipper of Sub T-16, class president and runner-up for Mr. ACU. When they married in 1990, their community engagement continued to grow.

Starlyn and Brent put down roots in North Richland Hills, bought and grew the family business, worshipped and served at The Hills Church of Christ, and began a family. Their lives were full when Brent, at age 39, was diagnosed with a brain tumor from a rare, aggressive form of cancer. They began fervently praying for Brent to live long enough to help raise their young children. Despite overwhelming odds, Brent saw all three children graduate

To create or enhance your legacy through gift planning, contact the ACU Office of Gift Planning at 325-674-2508, giftplanning@acu.edu, or acugiftplanning.org.

from high school and walked his two daughters down the aisle at their weddings.

From his diagnosis until his passing in 2019, Brent and Starlyn did not let the disease squelch their spirits or their lives. Brent served as an elder at The Hills Church, and they were mentors in Bible Study Fellowship. Brent worked for ACU as a university relations manager, expanding and enhancing the university’s presence in the Tarrant County region. He served on community boards and was elected to the North Richland Hills City Council. Thousands attended his memorial service, and Brent’s legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of countless people.

Part of that impact is an endowment established by family and friends – the Brent and Starlyn Barrow Endowed Scholarship at ACU. This past year, Starlyn donated a rental house Brent had lived in during college and bought after graduation. The property went to a charitable remainder trust, and the interest benefits their endowed scholarship. Their generosity and lives of service are helping raise another generation. 

Starlyn and Brent Barrow

Abilene Christian University

ACU Box 29132

Abilene, Texas 79699-9132

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

COMING UP

Wildcat Visits See acu.edu/visit for available dates or check out our virtual tour

Class of 1975 Golden Anniversary Reunion ...................................... April 23-25

ACU Gives April 28-29

May Commencement May 9-10

Wildcat Week for Freshmen

August 19-22

120th Opening Assembly ................................................................... August 25

Football at Tulsa August 30

Winter Wonderland

On Jan. 9, a few days before most students returned to campus for the spring semester, Abilene received a light blanketing of fluffy snow.

Football at TCU (Fort Worth)

Abilene Christian University

September 13

Family Weekend September 19-20

Football at UIW (San Antonio) ...................................................... September 27 Summit

Homecoming

JMC Gutenberg Celebration

October 8-10

October 30 - November 2

October 30 Morlan Medal Award Reception ................................................. October 30

Sports Hall of Fame Dinner and Lettermen’s Reunion

October 31