ACU Today is published three times a year by the Office of University Marketing at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. Staff Editor and Graphic Designer: Ron Hadfield (’79) Associate Editor: Katie (Noah ’06) Gibson Sports Editor: Lance Fleming (’92) Contributing Writers This Issue: Paul A. Anthony (’04), Katie (Noah ’06) Gibson, Chris Macaluso, Dr. Charlie Marler (’55), Deana (Hamby ’94) Nall, Lauren Peterson, Robin (Ward ’82) Saylor, Tamara (Kull ’77) Thompson Contributing Photographers This Issue: Pat Arrabito, Steve Butman, Lindsey (Hoskins ’03) Cotton, Dr. Kyle Dickson (’92), Jeremy Enlow, Jason Jones, David Leeson (’78), Paul Reeves, Gary Rhodes (’07), Kim Ritzenthaler, Amy (Daugherity ’96) Warren, Paul White (’68) Contributing Graphic Designers / Illustrators This Issue: Greg Golden (’87), Holly Harrell, Jack Maxwell (’78), Mallory Ming (’14), Todd Mullins, Amy Ozment Proofreaders: Vicki Britten, Rendi (Young ’83) Hahn, Scott Kilmer (’01), Robin (Ward ’82) Saylor, Kailey Rhoden (’13), Bettye (McKinzie ’48) Shipp
ADVISORY COMMIT T EE Administration: Suzanne Allmon (’79), Dr. Allison Garrett, Dr. Gary D. McCaleb (’64), Dr. Robert Rhodes Advancement: Phil Boone (’83), Billie Currey (’70), Paul A. Anthony (’04) Alumni Relations: Craig Fisher (’92), Jama (Fry ’97) Cadle, Samantha (Bickett ’01) Adkins Alumni Association: Randy Pittenger (’80) Marketing: Jason Groves (’00), Grant Rampy (’87) Student Life: Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson Ex-officio: Dr. Phil Schubert (’91)
corre s pon denc e ACU Today : hadfieldr@acu.edu ACU Alumni Association: alumni@acu.edu Record Changes: ACU Box 29132, Abilene, Texas 79699-9132, 325-674-2620
ON THE WE B Abilene Christian University: acu.edu ACU Today Blog: acu.edu/acutoday Address changes: acu.edu/alumni /whatsnew/update.html ACU Advancement Office (Exceptional Fund, Gift Records): acu.edu/giveonline ACU Alumni Web Site: acu.edu/alumni Find Us on Facebook: facebook.com/abilenechristian facebook.com/ACUsports Follow Us on Twitter: twitter.com/ACUedu twitter.com/ACUsports Join our Google+ circle: gplus.to/abilenechristian
ON THE COVER Dr. Billy Curl and Larry Bonner were recently together on campus for the first time since they were students and racial integration pioneers. (Photograph by Jeremy Enlow)
Fr om the President
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odly difference-makers. That’s the essence of what we intend for our students to be. Our faculty and staff model that each day as they prepare young men and women for careers
and purposeful lives in our communities and churches. Our mission and our Promise reflect that, and I believe you will see evidence of it as you read through the pages of this issue. A few examples include: • Our annual alumni awards (pages 32-40), which profile exemplary men and women who reflect our recognition of their accomplishments back upon the university and our God. The winners provide inspiring examples for our students to follow. • Abel Alvarez, an extraordinary alumnus, trustee, community advocate and student recruiter who goes to great lengths to make ACU’s name known throughout the Rio Grande Valley. And he succeeds in amazing ways, including a unique role pairing our mobile-learning experts with a school district eager to prepare its students for future success (pages 50-55); • ACU at CitySquare, a new initiative brought about by Larry James and other visionary supporters of his remarkable, longtime and successful urban ministry in Dallas (pages 30-31). This evolving partnership has captured the imagination of our innovative faculty and students, who recognize the ways we can help solve the problem of poverty with powerful engagement opportunities across many academic disciplines. • Brittany Partridge and Samantha Sutherland, whose inspiring story of founding the Red Thread Movement is told in “Threads of Hope (pages 42-49). Our cover story chronicles the journey Dr. Billy Curl and Larry Bonner made through ACU as its first full-time African-American undergraduate students in 1962. It was moving to see them receive a standing ovation from the packed Moody Coliseum crowd during our annual Opening Assembly as we recognized a historic moment in our heritage. Their reflections of integrating Abilene Christian are sometimes painful to read and surely were difficult to recount for this story, but I appreciate their candor and kind words. Upon returning to Maryland in August, Larry sent a touching note back to several people on campus, acknowledging that he unknowingly carried home what he termed “a wound” with him after earning his degree in May 1964. “I have always encouraged family and friends to attend ACU for their education,” he wrote. “Being invited back to ACU as a guest revealed my wound, but my ACU family cleaned, closed and healed that wound for me. I am so touched and at peace.” What a testament! What courage it took for him and Dr. Curl – one of our trustees – to be trailblazers on ACU’s often difficult road to civil rights and equal opportunity for people of all colors on our campus. And what faith it takes to forgive our past failings and forget our shortcomings. The 50th anniversary of integration at ACU has been a fascinating study of history and human nature, and the determined work of this university community to right wrongs and build bridges to true racial reconciliation and peace. Thank you for contributing to the important Partnering in the Journey campaign (page 60), which helps make ACU as affordable as it is attractive to increasing numbers of new students from around the world. Your support sustains us, and your prayers give us strength and inspiration to be godly difference-makers in the lives of our students. 䊱
DR. PHIL SCHUBERT (’91), President The mission of ACU is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. AC U TO D AY
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Fall 2012
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