ACU Today Fall Winter 2026

A Passion for Precision

Entrepreneur Dr. David Dean Halbert (’78) leads innovative personalized medicine company, adding years to patient lives

HORIZONS

Run it Back

ACU football had another memorable season in 2025, winning a second straight United Athletic Conference championship and earning another spot in the FCS playoffs under head coach Keith Patterson. The Wildcats now have a 30-20 record over his four seasons leading the program. The recently concluded season featured several memorable moments, including a home victory over thenunbeaten and second-ranked Tarleton State, a 29-point third-quarter surge in the title-clinching win at Central Arkansas, and a home win against Lamar in the first round of the national playoffs.

The program’s pillars – character, discipline and toughness – defined the season. Never were those characteristics more evident than in the closing stretch of the regular season. After opening the year 4-4, ACU surged through November, winning four straight must-have games to secure the UAC title.

In the Nov. 22 win at Central Arkansas that clinched the UAC title and a berth in the playoffs, the Wildcats outscored the Bears 29-0 in the third quarter, turning a 21-13 deficit into a 42-21 lead going into the fourth quarter.

In the first round of the FCS playoffs, ACU beat Lamar 38-20 at Wildcat Stadium, earning a spot in the second round. The season ended with a 41–34 loss to rival Stephen F. Austin, a close game typical of these teams, with 10 of 14 matchups since 2014 decided by one score.

Despite losing several key players, the program’s standard under Patterson remains championships and playoff appearances. The effort to build a roster that meets and surpasses that expectation in 2026 has already started.

Teammates lift kicker Brandon Perez on their shoulders in celebration of the Wildcats’ Homecoming win over Tarleton State. Perez hit a 47-yard field goal as time expired in a dramatic 31-28 victory Nov. 1 on Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium.

SKYLER

BLANTON

From the PRESIDENT

One of the consistent joys of my job is the opportunity to build relationships with students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Connecting with people who are pursuing excellence and Christian character in their lives inspires me. As you’d expect, ACU alumni excel in all manner of careers, intellectual pursuits and creative enterprises.

For example, Dr. David Dean Halbert (’78) joined the Forbes 400 this year, after the biotech company he founded successfully completed its initial public offering in June 2025 with a current market capitalization of $8 billion. An ACU graduate achieving this level of success is a great story, but it’s not the whole story. The research of Caris Life Sciences is changing the world for the better, which has been David’s focus his entire life. His passion is helping people, and that passion is being rewarded by a market that valued his innovation and his philosophy of putting the patient first. You’ll be intrigued and amazed by Caris’ groundbreaking advances in diagnosing and treating cancer on Pages 14-21.

With careers in Major League Baseball, the Texas judicial system, higher education, NCAA athletics, corporate leadership and ministry, this year’s alumni award winners (Pages 28-32) provide even more diverse examples of our graduates pursuing their callings with excellence, in the context of a grounded faith.

That’s the standard we set for our students as well, and they regularly rise to the occasion. Students such as senior Poppy Teague who took first place in her division of the National Association of Teachers of Singing conference auditions – for the third consecutive year. And teams of students who earned top honors among high-level competitors, including at the National Collegiate Consulting Championship at Baylor University and the Water Environment Association of Texas student design competition (Page 9).

We’ve been educating students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world for nearly 120 years, and as we welcome another semester and a new calendar year, there’s no place I’d rather be than in the midst of this inspiring community. 

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 Editor: Jonathan Smith (’06)

Contributing Writers This Issue: Allie Brandon, PA-C (’21); Craig Fisher (’92); Lance Fleming (’92); Katie Noah GIbson (’06); Jamie (McDaniel ’00) Thomas

Contributing Photographers This Issue: Aly Bayliss, Ally Bishop (’21), Skyler Blanton, Neal Coates, Colorado State University, Kyle Cooper, Daniel Curd, Scott Delony (’06) Jeremy Enlow, Sarah Eunyoung, Amos Gutierrez (‘19 M.A.C.M.), Hendrick Health South, Ella Kelso, M.C. (Hayes ’91) Jennings, Kim Leeson, Renae Miller (’25), Jeff Montgomery, Mary (Wiley ’87) Perry, Saulo Rodriguez, Emily (Shafer ’22) Rose, Madi Sipe (’24), Kelley Sweet, Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, Texas House of Representatives, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas, Emily Yerge, Earl Young’s Team

Contributing Graphic Designers/Illustrators

This Issue: Stephanie Dalton Cowan, Holly Harrell, Colin Martinek

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; Jim Orr, J.D. (’86); Blair Schroeder

Alumni Relations: Craig Fisher (’92)

Athletics: Zack Lassiter

Marketing: Sharon Ayala

Student Life: Dr. 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

Abilene Christian University: acu.edu

Address Changes and EXperiences: acu.edu/alumni

ACU Advancement Office (Exceptional Scholarship Fund, Gift Records): acu.edu/give

ACU Alumni Website: acu.edu/alumni

Find Us on Facebook: facebook.com/abilenechristian facebook.com/acusports

DR. PHIL SCHUBERT (’91), President

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

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EMILY ROSE

Dr. Phil and Brooke Schubert

BY WENDY KILMER

Student experience honors continue in 2026 U.S. News rankings

Studying abroad, volunteering, living and learning alongside mentors, and finding a welcoming environment in which to launch a college experience are baseline expectations for the ACU community – a given. The 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings serve as a reminder that these experiences go above and beyond the nationwide norm.

For the seventh consecutive year, the respected annual assessment of higher education placed the student

experience at Abilene Christian University among the nation’s best in several categories. According to U.S. News’ methodology, the Programs That Enhance Student Experience are a national benchmark of “outstanding examples of academic programs that are believed to lead to student success.” In the 2026 lists, ACU placed in four categories – and in the top 15 nationally in three of them.

The university has been recognized in multiple categories

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Number of years ACU has been recognized by the Great Colleges to Work For survey. In the 2025 edition, the organization honored ACU in four categories: Job Satisfaction and Support, Professional Development, Supervisor/ Department Chair Effectiveness, and Faculty and Staff Well-being. 16

each year since the benchmark’s debut in 2020.

One of the pillars of Abilene Christian’s strategic plan is to “provide a vibrant student experience that strengthens ACU’s commitment to spiritual formation and leverages ACU’s national leadership in student success,” so the external report provides confirmation of the university’s progress in this area of focus.

$1 million

Amount of grant funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the Graduate School of Theology’s Ministry Residency Program. The grant is part of Lilly’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative.

“A

national research university that is intentional about spiritual formation, impactful co-curricular experiences and forming lifelong relationships is unique in the higher education marketplace, and we’re thrilled when others recognize the value of what we see happening every day here at ACU,” said Dr. Phil Schubert (’91), president.  #36

27

Number of consecutive weeks ACU football was ranked in the Stats Perform FCS Top 25. The AFCA FCS Coaches Poll ranked ACU in the Top 25 for 26 consecutive weeks.

A Center for Sports Leadership brings in Houston Texans

n NFL franchise is the latest in a growing list of high-profile sports organizations to partner with ACU for online educational resources, consulting and professional development.

The Houston Texans join the Texas Rangers, Endebrock Talent Management, the Society for American Baseball Research, and the National Amateur Fall Baseball Federation, among others working with ACU through its Center for Sports Leadership and Learning.

The center collaborates with professional, collegiate and scholastic sports organizations nationwide to equip athletes, coaches and executives for success in every arena. The partnership with the Houston Texans is ACU’s first with an NFL franchise.

“With a group that exemplifies leadership at every level, we are privileged to provide products, services and continuing education opportunities to this first-class organization,” said Ben Baroody, executive director for the Center for Sports Leadership and Learning at ACU.

As part of the agreement, the center will provide tailored support to the

Texans in areas such as organizational development, team enrichment and wellness resources. In addition, all Texans personnel receive a discounted tuition rate on ACU’s online degree and certificate programs.

“Our focus is always on finding ways to best support our players, and that requires a constant commitment to learning, innovation and the development of our people,” said Nick Caserio, executive vice president and general manager of the Texans.

This partnership underscores the Center for Sports Leadership and Learning’s growing role as a thought leader and solutions provider in sports leadership and organizational development.

“We are very excited to solidify our partnership with the Texans, an organization that is committed to investing in the holistic development of their people for growth, well-being and flourishing on and off the field,” said Dr. Stephen Johnson (’90), chief executive officer of ACU Dallas.

Learn more about ACU’s Center for Sports Leadership and Learning at sportsleadership.acu.edu 

336,391

Student engagement activities logged by students in 2025 in the university’s Compass app, which helps track experiential learning, including Chapel attendance, service projects, departmental gatherings, club meetings, internships and more. The activities follow a four-year “roadmap,” with intentional themes for each year: community, hospitality, calling and wisdom.

JEREMY ENLOW

NEXT Lab research propelled by recent state appropriations, DOE fuel allocation

The Texas Legislature and the U.S. Department of Energy have made recent moves to support the groundbreaking work of ACU’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing (NEXT) Lab and its sponsor, Natura Resources.

In late June, the 89th Texas Legislature’s budget appropriated $120 million to benefit the NEXT Lab and Natura partnership, in conjunction with Texas Tech University and the Texas Produced Water Consortium.

According to the Water Environment Federation, produced water is acquired from wells during crude oil drilling and production. It contains soluble and non-soluble oil/organics, suspended solids, dissolved solids, and various chemicals used in the production process.

The Natura Resources MSR-1, a liquid-fueled molten salt reactor licensed in 2024 by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to be constructed on ACU’s campus as a university research reactor – the

nation’s first in more than 30 years – is the first step toward commercial deployment of technology that could provide both energy and beneficial use of produced water in Texas’ Permian Basin.

The funding is directed to Texas Tech to accelerate produced water research, in partnership with ACU and Natura Resources, and to complete the construction of the Molten Salt Research Reactor in Abilene. NEXT Lab will receive about $112 million as a subaward for research, development, permitting, licensing and construction of the MSR-1.

Later in the summer, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a plan to provide high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) to ACU and Natura Resources. Access to HALEU is essential for advancing the design and testing phases of the project.

Because HALEU is not yet commercially available from domestic suppliers, the DOE established a process for nuclear developers to request the material. 

$120 million

to benefit the NEXT Lab and Natura partnership

Kylie Davis (’25) works in the molten salt chemistry lab.

SKYLER BLANTON

SKYLER BLANTON

Five-time Grammy Award-winning artist Chandler Moore headlined a concert and worship event Aug. 23

ACU hosted the Christian Scholars’ Conference June 4-6 with a theme of “Curating Community: Recovering our Connections in a Divided World.” Plenary speakers included Drs. Robert George (left) and Cornel West, alongside more than 60 concurrent sessions. George and West spoke about civic dialogue with prophetic, philosophical, operatic and jurisprudential power, offering an inspired picture of Christian higher education.

Mike Cope, director of ministry outreach for Pepperdine University, addressed students, faculty, staff and guests Aug. 25 in Moody Coliseum at Opening Assembly.

Cope began work at Pepperdine in 2012 following a 34-year career as a minister, including 18 years as the preaching minister at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene.

CAMPUS VOICES

Speakers at the 119th annual Summit, a three-day conference for Christian leaders and church members, included Dr. Naomi Walters (’10 M.Div.), dean of the School of Theology and Ministry at Rochester Christian University; Dr. Jerry Taylor, associate professor emeritus of Bible, missions and ministry at ACU; Dr. Nathan Burrow (’25 D.Min.), preaching minister at Hillcrest Church of Christ in Abilene; and Dr. Nijay Gupta, author and Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary.

Renowned eye surgeon Dr. Ming Wang, M.D., was the featured guest Oct. 10 at ACU’s Pruitt Speakers Series. He presented in classes and Chapel, met with students, and spoke following a screening of Sight, a film based on his work restoring sight to blind orphans around the world.

Dr. John M.G. Barclay, noted British biblical scholar and Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at Durham University, was featured speaker Oct. 16 at the 2025 Carmichael Walling Lectures.

Ted Poe, J.D. (’70), former judge and U.S. congressman, visited his alma mater Oct. 1. While on campus, he spoke at a pre-law Chapel and a Lynay meeting, stopped by the ACUTV Orr Studio, and visited with The Optimist staff, Jack Pope Fellows and other government and criminal justice students. Poe received ACU’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award in 2009 and is a former university trustee.

The Community of Women Ministers dinner Oct. 8 at Summit honored Dr. Jeanene Perkins Reese (’74). The university officially named the Dr. Jeanene Reese Center for Women in Christian Ministry in recognition of her advocacy for women in ministry, and profound impact on the spiritual formation of students, faculty and the Christian community. She is associate professor emerita and former assistant chair of Bible, missions and ministry.

Austin Browning (’19) spoke to students Oct. 22 as part of the TimelyCare Entrepreneurship Speaker Series, offered through the Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy. Browning is co-founder and CEO of Faros Health. The speaker series is bringing 24 entrepreneurial leaders to campus this year to share their insights and experiences with students across all majors.

Jake Watson (left) and his father, Aaron Watson (’00), performed a free outdoor concert Nov. 1 for Homecoming attendees. Jake Watson is a freshman at ACU, and sophomore Luke Powell opened for the father-son Watson duo.

SKYLER BLANTON

in Moody Coliseum as part of Wildcat Week.

SARAH EUNYOUNG

Cope

Poe

Wildcat fans heard from WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield (’89) Sept. 20 in Wildcat Stadium’s Brown Family Club Level.

Dr. Naomi Walters

Academic NEWS

BY WENDY KILMER

Halbert Center for Missions celebrates 20 years of missional engagement

ACU’s Halbert Center for Missions and Global Service celebrated its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades of helping students think creatively about missions at every stage of their lifes.

In 2005, the former Institute for Missions and Evangelism received an endowment gift from Jon (’82) and Linda (Ellis ’83) Halbert and other members of the Halbert family honoring Jo Ann Walling Halbert (’54), who spent much of her life supporting and encouraging mission work and in her later years ministered specifically with a congregation in Sydney, Australia.

“Jo Ann’s legacy was one of love and affection for those around her,” said Halbert Center director Zane McGee. “That attitude and disposition inspired her children to engage in the work of establishing the Halbert Center, and it continues to manifest in how we’re teaching students to engage with people, serve out of self-sacrificial love and demonstrate Christ’s love for others.”

Over the course of 20 years, the center’s programs have evolved and

adapted to best prepare students for a missional lifestyle. Most recently, its efforts center around integrating missions into the academic sphere, joining with departments and programs to build on skills students learn in the classroom. In the 2024-25 academic year, the Halbert Center organized 13 trips in partnership with nine academic groups, two student organizations and two ACU athletics teams, working in 11 locations (two domestic and nine international).

“The majority of ACU students are not going to be long-term missionaries, so our purpose is helping them connect with the work of God in a meaningful way right where they are,” McGee said. “We emphasize that we can all participate in the mission of God to redeem and restore creation, no matter where we are or what our career is.”

Through today’s Halbert Center, that happens in three primary ways:

Wildcat Academics on Mission fully integrates missions and service into academic degree plans. In collaboration with

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departments across campus, teams work on projects with an off-site international ministry, culminating in a three-week trip to implement the project.

Global Service Trips are led by ACU faculty and staff, with locations ranging from the U.S. to Asia. Many of these experiences also take place in partnership with academic departments and other campus groups.

Worldwide Witness offers students a longer-term experience. These are internship-based trips of 10-12 weeks in the summer, when two or three students work with a partner overseas.

This approach, prioritizing academic integration, helps more students engage in missional thinking as a part of their life.

“We see a lot of growth in students,” McGee said. “They take a spring course before their trip, and many begin that course feeling they don’t have enough Bible or missions knowledge, but then some really incredible growth comes by putting their faith into practice and wrestling with questions they didn’t even know they had.”

McGee said an area of increased focus for the future is local service opportunities in Abilene. “Initially, it’s just taking small steps into the community to explore needs and resources, but in three to five years I could see the Halbert Center becoming a staple in serving Abilene – desiring the best for our neighbors and contributing to their betterment.”

MacKenzie Jones (’16) reads with a child in Uganda while leading students on a WAM trip.

M.C. JENNINGS

ACADEMIC DIGEST

Janet Donaldson named vice president for research

Dr. Janet Donaldson began work in January as ACU’s vice president for research.

Donaldson comes from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where she was associate vice president for research and professor of microbiology, overseeing sponsored research administration, student research and innovation, commercialization, research development, and research analytics.

She earned her B.S. and Ph.D. in microbiology and biological sciences from Mississippi State University and completed postdoctoral fellowships at the National Institutes of Health and Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Donaldson has held leadership roles at Mississippi State and the University of Southern Mississippi, including department chair of biological sciences and associate dean for research and graduate education. Her research career has focused on exploring the mechanisms by which food-borne pathogens cause infections, especially Listeria monocytogenes. She has helped garner more than $50 million in research funding, has published extensively, and has contributed as a national and international reviewer and editor in microbial sciences.

“Dr. Donaldson is passionate about the faith-based mission of ACU and is excited to assist us in advancing our support of faculty and student scholarship and research activity,” said Dr. Robert Rhodes, senior vice president for academic affairs. 

ACU’s nursing program is ranked No. 3 in the state by resisterednursing.org in its 2026 Best Nursing Schools in Texas report.

Dr. Mark DeHart from Idaho National Laboratory has been hired to lead ACU’s new graduate program in nuclear science and engineering, including the university’s first nuclear science Ph.D. degree program.

DeHart brings more than 36 years of experience, including 15 years at Idaho National Laboratory and 17 years with a significant influence on criticality safety, reactor physics and nuclear engineering topics at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

In July, ACU senior vocal performance major Poppy Teague took first place in her division (Upper Classical Treble Voice) of the National Association of Teachers of Singing Conference auditions – for the third consecutive year.

“No one has ever won their NATS category in back-to-back years, and Poppy has done it back-to-back-to-back – a truly remarkable feat,” said Dr. Rick Piersall (’90), professor of music. ACU has had at least one finalist (two on four occasions) at this event for nine out of the last 10 years. Piersall has coached a NATS record six students to the finals.

Senior civil engineering students won first place in the Water Environment Association of Texas student design competition in August, beating out two graduate student teams from The University of Texas at Austin and Texas Tech University, as well as teams from the University of Houston and a team from Mexico.

At the National Collegiate Consulting Championship at Baylor University in October, two teams of ACU students – including accounting, finance, management, marketing, information systems and computer science majors – competed against top business schools, claiming first and second place overall. ACU students also took home top prizes in the Quantum Quiz and Viral Competitions, and one earned the top individual score across the entire field.

The short film Assassin Trainee, produced by students in the journalism and mass communication and theatre departments, won Best Comedy at the Texas Short Film Festival in October. The film came about as part of the L.A. Film Experience with Greenhouse Studios in Los Angeles in the summer of 2024, when students worked with Netflix executive Sommerly Simser (’10)

JEREMY ENLOW

Donaldson

DeHart

Teague

Wildcat SPORTS

BY LANCE FLEMING

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One-of-a-kind development program equips ACU coaches for spiritual leadership

Not long after Zack Lassiter arrived at Abilene Christian in 2022 as the new vice president for athletics, he was faced with an important question: How could ACU Athletics fully live out the university’s mission to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world?

His answer led to what is now a first-of-its-kind,comprehensive spiritual and leadership development program for coaches: the ACU Advantage.

The program helps coaches live out ACU’s mission authentically, even though many didn’t attend the university themselves.

“In a world that’s increasingly transactional,” Lassiter said, “we’re taking the approach of transformation

– and still having success.”

ACU Advantage equips coaches to become spiritual leaders of their programs through intentional mentorship, small group conversations and an annual Foundations Retreat. It also connects them with leadership experts such as Travis Wyckoff of Kingdom Coaching, who facilitates one-on-one and group sessions focused on spiritual growth and competitive excellence. Lassiter believes this creates a support system few other NCAA Division I programs can match.

“Few people really know the pressures of serving the university’s mission and winning championships in the modern era,” he said. “These coaches need community and encouragement to reinforce that mission.”

ACU Advantage has become a model of consistency in a rapidly changing NCAA sports landscape shaped by NIL, collectives and the transfer portal.

“We’re showing that transformation and competitiveness can coexist,” Lassiter said. “And when former coaches such as Wes Kittley (’81) and athletics director Jared Mosley (’00) return to share how ACU changed their lives, it inspires our current coaches to keep that legacy alive.”

For Lassiter, the goal has never changed.

“This can’t just be about me or one coach’s passion,” he said. “It has to be a legacy program that lives on – no matter who’s here. We’re not just building teams. We’re building people.” 

SKYLER

BLANTON

The Wildcat soccer team prays Oct. 2 before a match against Utah Tech. The ACU Athletics Advantage program is designed to support coaches as spiritual leaders and mentors.

Naismith family honors ACU, game inventor’s legacy with gift

The name of Dr. James Naismith, M.D., is synonymous with basketball, as inventor of the game, author of its first rule book, founder of the University of Kansas basketball program and mentor to legendary Kansas Jayhawks coach Phog Allen.

His name may not be synonymous with ACU, but the connection is all in the family. Jim Naismith, grandson of the game’s founder, is married to Beverly (Mozeney ’57) Naismith, and they live in Corpus Christi, Texas. Beverly’s mother, Mary Mozeney (’31), and four of her siblings graduated from ACU, and Jim and Beverly’s daughter, Anne Naismith (’82), played basketball for the Wildcats of head coach Burl McCoy (’54)

That multigenerational legacy inspired the family to make a special gift to ACU Athletics during halftime of the Wildcats’ thrilling 82-81 overtime win over Grand Canyon last March: a framed copy of Naismith’s original basketball rules. The piece will soon be displayed in Celebration Hall of the Teague Center.

The late elder Naismith shares another connection to ACU Athletics – his focus on using sport as a platform for faith – once writing, “My life work is to do good and serve God wherever I can do that.” Jim and Beverly have spent the past decade sharing James’ story with universities across the nation in that same spirit.

“We’ve been to so many places, but ACU is home to me,” Beverly said. “We wanted to thank the coaches for what’s happening in ACU men’s and women’s basketball. Dr. Naismith wanted to help people be the best they could be – and that’s what is happening at ACU.” 

Podcast shares sports stories in new ways

Wildcat fans have a new way to connect with the student-athletes and coaches they support through the ACU Sports Podcast.

“We are committed to telling our student-athletes’ stories more frequently and in new ways,” said Evan Nemec, ACU assistant athletics director for media relations. “This format with longer conversations will allow fans to learn more and get to know our Wildcats on a different level. We have incredible stories on our teams, and we are excited to share them.”

Listen and download for free at acusports.com/podcasts

New Wildcat Annual Fund focuses on scholarships, spiritual growth

In late June, ACU Athletics announced the launch of the Wildcat Annual Fund as the program’s revamped giving initiative. The new model replaces the Wildcat Club and aims to support ACU’s mission in the current intercollegiate athletics environment.

The Wildcat Annual Fund centers on two pillars vital to the mission: scholarship enhancement and faith development. The initiative represents a bold step forward in aligning ACU’s athletics fundraising with the rapidly changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics and the university’s Christ-focused values.

As expectations evolve through landmark rulings like the House v. NCAA settlement and conference realignment, ACU Athletics reaffirms its mission to build champions in Christ by adopting a philanthropic approach rather than incentive- or benefit-based giving.

“Transitioning to the Wildcat Annual Fund helps position us for continued growth and success,” said Zack Lassiter, ACU vice president for athletics. “After opting into the House settlement and as part of our championship expectations in the United Athletic Conference, this new arm of fundraising will be critical in our journey.”

The fund ensures that all donations support ACU student-athletes in achieving athletic, academic and spiritual excellence. The model features two distinct strategic components:

• The Scholarship Enhancement Fund directly supports student-athlete scholarships and revenue-sharing initiatives.

• The Faith Development Fund is committed to the spiritual growth of student-athletes and supports faith development programs.

Wildcat Annual Fund donors will receive exclusive insights into student-athletes’ journeys and experiences at ACU. 

Bowman takes on student-focused position with Athletics

Longtime Abilene Christian staff member Ryan Bowman (’06) moved from director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs to associate athletics director for student-athlete experience and life skills. Bowman has worked at ACU for 15 years in various roles, including Title IX investigator and case manager, recruiter for the College of Biblical Studies, and associate director of spiritual formation. His new role involves building relationships with student-athletes, helping them adjust to ACU and Abilene, and connecting them with resources to grow spiritually, academically and socially.

FROM LEFT: President Dr. Phil Schubert, Anne Naismith, Jim Naismith, Beverly (Mozeney) Naismith and vice president for athletics Zack Lassiter with the Naismith family gift to ACU.

Bowman

Game-changer: Faith journey of Cubs’ draft pick defines his and ACU’s historic season

When Dominick Reid transferred to Abilene Christian from Oklahoma State University for his final season of college baseball, he was looking for more than just a mound to call home. He was searching for growth as a pitcher and as a person.

“After talking with [ACU head coach] Rick [McCarty] and [assistant coach and recruiting coordinator] Blaze [Lambert], I knew immediately that ACU would be the place for me,” Reid said. “I wanted to take the next step in my faith, and I knew this was where I wanted to do it.”

That step led to one of the most memorable single seasons in Wildcat history. Reid, a right-handed ace from Little Elm, Texas, anchored the rotation as its Friday starter, posting a 6-3 record, 3.26 ERA, and 112 strikeouts in 88⅓ innings. He became the first ACU pitcher in the Division I era to surpass 100 strikeouts in a

season and led the team in nearly every statistical category.

His dominance drew national attention, and on draft night 2025, the Chicago Cubs called his name with the 90th overall pick in the third round – the second-highest draft slot in ACU history. Watching the moment unfold at home, Reid wore a Wildcat baseball shirt that read “Jesus Won.”

“Dom is and will continue to be a great ACU story,” McCarty said. “He was on a mission from the minute he stepped on campus. He was the best competitor on the field every Friday night and a huge part of our WAC championship run. He was able to leave his mark here in a very short amount of time. I’m looking forward to watching him begin his journey to the big leagues, where I know he will represent us well.”

Reid’s faith and fire became the heartbeat of the Wildcats’ 34-23 season in 2025, capped by a share of the WAC regular-season title and a run to the tournament championship game.

Looking back, Reid says Abilene Christian changed him in ways that extend beyond the playing field. “Being at ACU allowed me to take the next step in my faith,” he said. “It helped me grow as a person more than anything, and reminded me that God always has a plan.” 

KAYLEE KAHN

Join us for an exciting visit event or schedule your personalized visit at acu.edu/visit. The Office of Admissions offers daily personalized tours in the morning and afternoon. Families of high school students are also encouraged to attend a Wildcat Preview Day and get a glimpse of all the action taking place on campus!

SPRING 2026 PREVIEW DAYS

• Monday, March 2

• Friday, March 27

• Monday, April 6

See the world with ACU Rising Scholars!

Don’t wait to experience college – be challenged academically while discovering God’s calling in your life.

If you’re a high school sophomore or junior, join Abilene Christian University for a week of international travel to sites such as England 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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BY WENDY KILMER ILLUSTRATIONS BY STEPHANIE DALTON COWAN

r. David Dean Halbert (’78) set out to prove Benno Schmidt, J.D., wrong, which was no easy task. Schmidt was, after all, a legendary lawyer, financier and New York City civic leader.

The late Schmidt, born and raised in Abilene, Texas, has been credited with coining the term “venture capital” (shortened from the word “adventure”) to describe high-risk, high-reward investing. He was an early leader in the concept, with a focus on medical and biotech, and he served as longtime chair of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and as an informal health-policy advis0r to several presidents. Schmidt knew a thing or two about business and health care.

He had a policy, however, that he wouldn’t invest in a for-profit health care provider because he didn’t want to risk compromising patient care for profit, Halbert said.

Entrepreneur Dr. David Dean

Halbert leads innovative personalized medicine company with laser focus on patient care

Although Halbert understood the concern, he didn’t think the two outcomes had to be mutually exclusive, and he set out to prove it.

Fast forward 17 years, and Caris Life Sciences, founded by Halbert in 2008, was recently valued at $8.46 billion and to date has added 1.8 million total years of life to its patients.

“I proved Benno wrong. And I proved him right,” Halbert said. “We successfully built a for-profit company where every employee knows we don’t cut corners – as we say, ‘We go deeper, not cheaper.’ But he was also right. Because no one else is doing this; no other company is following us. So he was right in a sense, because not just anyone can do this. I had to be my own investor and pour hundreds of millions into the company for many years to get to this point.”

Although Schmidt didn’t live to see it, J.H. Whitney, the company

JEREMY ENLOW

“

I STARTED CARIS WITH THE IDEA THAT IT WAS JUST GOING TO BE DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND EXTENDING LIFE. I THOUGHT IF WE COULD MAKE PRECISION MEDICINE A REALITY AT THE BEDSIDE, THAT WE WOULD HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE.”

– DR. DAVID DEAN HALBERT

he led as managing partner for much of the second half of the 20th century, was one of Caris’ first investors.

Entrepreneurial Beginnings

In 1987, Halbert started what became Advance PCS, a leading pharmacy benefits management company. Under his guidance, the company grew into the largest of its kind, serving more than 75 million people – one in four Americans – and managing 600 million prescription transactions annually. It went public in 1996, and in 2004 he sold it to Caremark for $7.5 billion.

At age 48, Halbert found himself with a fresh start to decide what the second half of his life would be. He started four companies, three he knew he could quickly make profitable. And one company that was a passion project.

Caris’ tissue lab is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and the research and development lab (left) is in Tempe, Arizona. Administrative headquarters and offices are in Irving, Texas.

CARIS LIFE SCIENCES

“I started Caris with the idea that it was just going to be dedicated to improving the quality of life and extending life,” Halbert said. “I thought if we could make precision medicine a reality at the bedside, that we would help a lot of people.”

Ultimately, Halbert ended up selling the other three companies for $1.2 billion collectively, giving him the resources to fund his new explorations into precision medicine, even for many years when it wasn’t profitable.

There was an up-front problem, however.

“I didn’t know anything about DNA or proteins or RNA or anything about molecular science,” Halbert acknowledged.

Initially, he thought he could simply hire scientists to do it. That turned out to be wrong, he said. “I had to get an education about it. I had to learn it all myself. We had a lot of good people, but the scientific way of thinking is not particularly entrepreneurial. And so I started learning.” Now, Halbert is conversant not only in the business world but in terms like microvesicles, exosomes, nanoparticles and transcriptomes.

A New Kind of Science

In 2011, the science of Next Generation Sequencing came about, allowing for DNA to be sequenced more efficiently by reading multiple smaller sections of DNA simultaneously. This meant the entire genome, with upwards of 20,000 genes, could be sequenced within one day – as opposed to one individual gene per day. The groundbreaking new technology also allowed for multiple sequencing – pooling and sequencing many samples together in a single run – improving the accuracy of the data generated.

Caris jumped in on the advancement, invested in the

necessary equipment and started learning sequencing, and soon was able to take cancer cells from a biopsy, interrogate them for proteins, DNA and MRNA, and then predict which therapy will or will not work for that particular cancer.

Through this comprehensive molecular profiling, Caris created the MI Cancer Seek, a tumor blueprint test designed to capitalize on three key technologies – cloud computing, AI and advanced gene sequencing – to create disease “signatures.” Starting with blood samples from a large study group, Caris’ technology sequences every gene from these samples and uploads all the data to the cloud. A two-step AI system identifies genetic features that are different between the cancer and non-cancer groups, then scores the selected

features on how well they identify the disease.

“So then, with that score, it selects features that become a signature. And now that’s a signature for that particular disease,” Halbert said.

“No one else in the world has ever done anything like this.”

In November 2024, the FDA approved MI Cancer Seek as a companion diagnostic, which means it helps doctors seek and select the specific, targeted drugs most likely to work against that patient’s unique cancer. A related product, Caris Assure, is a blood test that provides molecular analysis of tumor biomarkers when the use of tumor tissue is not feasible.

A newer, related technology currently being launched is a direct-to-consumer blood test

identify the true cancer mutations, this test can detect several different types of cancer in their earliest stages – a multicancer early detection test (MCED). And all of that can take place via a simple blood test, rather than the more invasive biopsy.

Along the way, to encourage greater implementation of these technologies and further research on the topic, the company formed the Caris Precision Oncology Alliance. It now includes more than 97 leading cancer centers and research institutions – The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Mass General, Johns Hopkins University, Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering and UCLA among them.

called Caris Direct. Like MI Cancer Seek, it also scans all the genes and gene activity, but it does so by finding tiny particles of DNA and RNA in

Crucially, it can distinguish between three different types of DNA – cancerous mutations that come from a tumor, genetic variants the patient was born with and harmless non-cancerous mutations. Because of that ability to filter and

The alliance provides members with access to Caris’ data, and it also has working groups across various oncology specialties where members focus on research strategies, publication activities and protocol development related to specific diseases.

Accidentally On Purpose

In June 2025, Caris launched a successful IPO raising about $494 million. Looking back on the journey from his early exploration into molecular profiling, Halbert can’t say that he knew all along where he would end up. But he didn’t get here by chance either.

“If you’re an entrepreneur, you’re gonna embark on something with an intent of what you want to do, but there’s no way you’re going to know what’s going to happen along the way,” he said. “You have to be smart enough and lucky enough and risky enough to know what changes you

Halbert’s innovative thinking is reflected in a unique academic collaboration between Caris and ACU – an online Master of Science degree and an online certificate in precision medicine.

WILDCATS IN PRECISION MEDICINE

hree years ago, Dr. Jon Wiener had filed his retirement paperwork and was happily preparing to spend his time playing guitar and watching birds in his backyard. That’s when ACU’s then-vice-president for research Dr. Rusty Kruzelock called him and said “I’ve got a job for you.”

At age 70, with a distinguished career under his belt as an administrator at MD Anderson Cancer Center and dean of an allied health program at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Wiener wasn’t in the job market. But Kruzelock was convincing, and Wiener couldn’t resist the idea of building a new program in an innovative field – teaching graduate students the theories and skills required to implement precise treatment protocols for patients confronting severe illness.

Wiener

In the ensuing three years, 35 students have graduated from ACU’s precision medicine program, which includes a Master of Science and a certificate, with another 40 or so currently enrolled.

“The field is still in its infancy,” Wiener said. “There are only 12 precision medicine programs in the country, and we are the only one that’s fully online.”

Many of the students and graduates are Caris employees, as are many of the adjunct faculty who teach courses. The program itself was the brainchild of Kruzelock, Dr. David Dean Halbert and Caris president Dr. David Spetzler, designed to fulfill a gap in training among Caris employees.

“We realized that some basic understanding of precision medicine would tremendously increase our employees’ value and their ability to help the company,” Spetzler said. “The program has been exceptionally successful. It’s a nice model, I think, for both institutions. There’s so much career benefit for our people. It makes them better employees at Caris, and it makes them more competitive if they go elsewhere.”

Emily Talley (’23 M.S.) – a member of the pilot precision medicine cohort – began at Caris as a molecular technician six years ago. She’s now a genetic researcher, interpreting sequencing results, ensuring that patients align with their matched therapies and researching novel variant findings.

Talley

“The degree helped me immensely,” she said. “The amount of molecular and variant interpretations included in the learning was very helpful, as well as learning the navigations of molecular resources. These are things I do and resources I use daily in my job, so the program taught me a lot.”

About a third of the students enrolled are not Caris employees, and the program helps them prepare for work in a hospital, biology lab or pathology lab, Wiener said. It also makes for a good adjacent program to accompany a medical degree.

Although it’s cut into his time watching birds and strumming the guitar, Wiener couldn’t be happier that he took that call from Kruzelock three years ago.

“I’m so proud to be a part of this,” he said. “It was a brilliant idea of Dr. Spetzler and Dr. Kruzelock. I honestly believe this is the future of medicine – individualized, personalized, precision medicine.”

should make based on the new information you get all the time. That’s why I always say ‘Things happen accidentally on purpose.’ ”

Part of Halbert’s “on purpose” came from the experience of walking through a cancer patient’s difficult process and frequently inevitable outcome when his mother, Jo Ann Walling Halbert (’54), died of multiple myeloma in 2003. In addition to sparking his interest in better technologies and methods, it also inspired an underlying philosophy at Caris known as the Mom Rule: treat every patient the way you would if it were your own mother.

IF YOU’RE AN ENTREPRENEUR, YOU’RE GONNA EMBARK ON SOMETHING WITH AN INTENT OF WHAT YOU WANT TO DO, BUT THERE’S NO WAY YOU’RE GOING TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN ALONG THE WAY. YOU HAVE TO BE SMART ENOUGH AND LUCKY ENOUGH AND RISKY ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT CHANGES YOU SHOULD MAKE BASED ON THE NEW INFORMATION YOU GET ALL THE TIME. THAT’S WHY I ALWAYS SAY ‘THINGS HAPPEN ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE.’ ”

– DR. DAVID DEAN HALBERT “

“That’s why we run every gene and nobody else does – because that’s what we would do for our mom,” Halbert said. “It’s the very purpose for the company’s formation: that we would spend more money, not less money, never cutting corners. I have to do that, because how could I look myself in the mirror every day if I didn’t believe that I was providing better services to the world?”

The rule is known and embraced company-wide. For Caris president Dr. David Spetzler, it’s one of the reasons he’s thankful to have partnered with Halbert for the past 15 years.

“Since the beginning, David’s vision has been to ask, ‘What if you could create a for-profit company with discipline and resources but with a primary mission to do the highest quality of patient care?’ ” Spetzler said. “So the single most important question that we demand everyone ask themselves every day is, ‘Are we doing the best possible thing for the patient?’ That’s all we care about. It doesn’t matter what it costs, how much effort it

Spetzler

takes; if it’s not the best, we shouldn’t be doing it.”

Beyond Biotech

David, his wife, Kathy (Gay ’78), and his family have long held a passion for philanthropy.

Even before founding Caris Life Sciences, David and Kathy established the Caris Foundation – its name derived from the Greek word for grace – to help people in need and alleviate as much human suffering as possible.

Today, Kathy is president of the nonprofit with a small staff in their Colleyville, Texas, office and onsite staff members internationally. Projects in Haiti and Kenya, along with operations in other countries, provide medical care, support for hospitals, mentorship and education programs, and more. Thousands have received surgeries to treat cleft lips, cleft palates and cataracts and relief after natural disasters. ACU named Kathy its 2022 Outstanding Alumna of the Year for her service and leadership of the foundation.

Alongside this global mission, the Halberts have remained deeply invested in their alma mater, following a family legacy dating back to Abilene Christian’s early days.

David is the grandson of the late Dean (’30) and Thelma (Bernard ’33) Walling. Dean was a visionary founding director of ACU’s National Development Council during the Design for Development campaigns that built Moody Coliseum, McGlothlin Campus Center, Brown Library, Don H. Morris Center and Walling Lecture Hall, among other iconic buildings on campus. David’s mother, Jo Ann, is the namesake of ACU’s Halbert Center for Missions and Global Service. His father, Dr. David Halbert (’55), and his siblings, Jon Halbert (’82) and Belinda (Halbert ’75) Harmon, are all

longtime supporters of the university. And David and Kathy’s three children – Kristen (Halbert ’04) Barstad, Patrick Halbert (’07) and Michael Halbert (’11) – are all alumni.

Through the Caris Foundation, the Halberts made one of the largest gifts in ACU history – $15 million – to spearhead construction of the Halbert-Walling Research Center, a state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2017, where students across the sciences prepare to be Christ-centered leaders in their fields. Over the years, the Halberts have loyally supported the university and its students in numerous ways, including endowed scholarships and funds to help build the Hunter Welcome Center and the Chuck Sitton Tower at Wildcat Stadium.

Most recently, Halbert is providing use in Granbury, Texas, of his private 7,500-yard championship course, Halbert National, as the venue for ACU to host a new annual collegiate golf tournament: the Abilene Christian Intercollegiate in honor of the late Johnny Perkins (’76). A native of Granbury, Perkins was a classmate of Halbert’s and a standout wide receiver who remains the highest Wildcat drafted by an NFL team – second round, 32nd overall in 1977 – and played seven seasons for the New York Giants.

“I’m a big fan of ACU,” Halbert said, “and I really like to help any way I can. I’m proud of the work Phil [Schubert, ACU’s president] has done at the school, and I’m hopeful to have a fifth-generation student from our family there very soon.” 

Learn more about Caris Life Sciences and its research at carislifesciences.com

ACU’s Halbert Center for Missions and Global Service, named for David Dean’s mother, Jo Ann Walling Halbert, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year. Read more about the center and Jo Ann’s legacy on Page 8.

Halbert-Walling Research Center

JEREMY ENLOW

Halbert

INTRODUCING THE

Rebranded conference brings new competition, alliances to Wildcat sports

BY WENDY KILMER

s the Western Athletic Conference, Abilene Christian’s sports home for the last five years, becomes the United Athletic Conference in 2026-27, an alliance with the Atlantic Sun Conference and additional conference members bring new opportunities and challenges in the evolving world of intercollegiate athletics.

In July 2025, the WAC announced its rebranding as the UAC, bringing Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, West Georgia and Central Arkansas to join ACU, Tarleton State and Texas-Arlington. In October, the UAC announced the addition of University of Arkansas-Little Rock, making for a nine-member conference.

Emerging alongside the rebranding, a strategic alliance between the UAC and ASUN will strengthen and provide long-term stability for both conferences. The connection between the two similarly situated conferences is intended to better align membership, reduce expenses, collectively leverage assets such as media rights, provide members of both leagues with nonconference games against regional opponents, and position both conferences for streamlined decision-making.

“This is a strong move for ACU, greatly benefiting the university, our fans and all of our student-athletes, coaches and athletics administration,” said Dr. Phil Schubert (’91), ACU president. “The United Athletic Conference and

SKYLER BLANTON

ALY BAYLISS

AUSTIN PEAY

STATE UNIVERSITY

Location: Clarksville, Tennessee

Founded: 1927

Enrollment: 11,185

Carnegie Classification: Mixed Undergraduate/ Graduate -Master’s Large/Medium

Nickname: Governors

Mascot: The Gov

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Location: Conway, Arkansas

Founded: 1907

Enrollment: 9,962

Carnegie Classification:

Professions-focused Undergraduate/ Graduate-Doctorate/Medium

Nickname: Bears and Sugar Bears

Mascot: Bruce D. Bear and Sugar Bear

EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

Location: Richmond, Kentucky

Founded: 1874

Enrollment: 15,673

Carnegie Classification: Professions-focused Undergraduate/ Graduate-Master’s Large/Medium

Nickname: Colonels

Mascot: The Colonel

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK

Location: Conway, Arkansas

Founded: 1927

Enrollment: 8,026

Carnegie Classification: Professions-focused Undergraduate/ Graduate-Doctorate/Medium

Nickname: Trojans

Mascot: Maximus

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA

Location: Florence, Alabama

Founded: 1830

Enrollment: 10,730

Carnegie Classification: Professions-focused Undergraduate/ Graduate-Master’s Large/Medium

Nickname: Lions

Mascots: Leo and Una

TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

Location: Stephenville, Texas

Founded: 1899

Enrollment: 21,000

Carnegie Classification:

Professions-focused Undergraduate/ Graduate-Master’s Large/Medium

Nickname: Texans

Mascot: The Texan Rider

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON

Location: Arlington, Texas

Founded: 1895

Enrollment: 42,710

Carnegie Classification: Professions-focused Undergraduate/ Graduate-Doctorate/Large

Nickname: Mavericks

Mascot: Blaze

UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA

Location: Carrollton, Georgia

Founded: 1906

Enrollment: 16,072

Carnegie Classification: Professions-focused Undergraduate/ Graduate-Doctorate/Medium

Nickname: Wolves

Mascot: Wolfie

INDEPENDENCE: The UAC and ASUN will remain separate conferences, maintain independent governance structures and offices, and – crucially – have their own automatic qualifying bids to the NCAA postseason for conference champions.

LEADERSHIP: Current ASUN commissioner Jeff Bacon will serve as executive director of the alliance. Bacon has served as executive director of the current football-only UAC. WAC commissioner Rebekah Ray will also have a leadership role within the consortium.

TIMING: Effective date of the conference transition is July 1, 2026.

HISTORY: ACU has been a member of the WAC since July 2021 and of the football-only UAC since its inception in 2023.

alliance with the ASUN reflect a commitment to excellence and innovation in an ever-changing NCAA landscape. Most importantly, this positions us well to continue developing student-athletes for lives of Christian service and leadership, and competitive success.”

If the UAC name sounds familiar, it’s because ACU has participated in the football-only United Athletic Conference for the past three seasons. Now, all of ACU’s athletic programs will be housed in the rebranded UAC, with the exception of men’s tennis, which will compete in the ASUN. In football, ACU will continue to compete with Tarleton State, Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, North Alabama, Central Arkansas and West Georgia. Those seven teams are current members of the football-only UAC and competed against each other during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

“The nine UAC members beginning in the 2026-27 athletic season are like-minded institutions, including two fellow Texas universities, reducing travel demands for our student-athletes during regular season play and maintaining our access to NCAA championships in all sports,” said Zack Lassiter, vice president for athletics. “Our existing football partnership with these schools has already built strong relationships with these new conference peers, and we are excited to expand our competition to all our athletic programs.”

STUDENT SP TLIGHT: INTERNSHIPS DAISY STRINE

BY WENDY KILMER

S

enior journalism major

Daisy Strine got an early start on her future career, eagerly signing up to help with daily announcements in fourth grade. Her love for broadcast news hasn’t wavered, and this past summer an internship with TV station KSAT 12 in San Antonio took her practical skills to the next level.

“I’ve always loved sports,” said Strine, who grew up in the Atlanta area. “My dad was a football coach, and I always wanted to be on the sidelines with him. So, that became a dream of mine.”

Strine is one of many ACU students who get a jump on applying their skills in a career setting through internships, which are required in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, among others. In 2022-23, 62% of seniors reported they had completed an internship or fieldwork experience.

In preparation, Strine began reaching out to companies in December of her junior year, applying to 12 news stations – and initially, she didn’t hear back from any. Fortunately, a friend had a connection and got her a phone call with someone at KSAT 12. He wasn’t hiring for internships, but Strine impressed him in their conversation, and he passed her name along to those who were.

“You have to be bold and be willing to make the calls,” Strine said. “Internships are competitive because they’re required by a lot of universities. You have to make phone calls, send follow up emails, put out requests to your network – go the extra mile.”

KSAT interns spend their first six weeks getting a taste of all areas of the operation –

social media, content gathering, digital team, web team, crime reporting, producing and sports. In their last six weeks, they choose their area of focus.

Early in the summer, Strine covered San Antonio’s mayoral runoff election, tracking polling site numbers coming in and sharing late breaking updates.

“I got to see the importance of reporting accurately even if it means not being the first,” she said. “In the JMC department, we put together a show for the 2024 presidential election, so I went into the mayoral one with some knowledge of how it worked, and that really set me apart from other interns.”

In the second half of the summer, Strine pursued her interest in sports reporting, visiting the San Antonio Spurs facility, interviewing new draft picks and covering San Antonio FC soccer.

Perhaps most notably, her internship placed her in the middle of major national news when the Texas Hill Country experienced unprecedented and deadly flooding in July.

“The newsroom was turned upside down, and it was a big focus for much of the summer,” Strine said. “I really got to learn about reporting on a tragedy. ”

Strine was also conscious of how her faith played out in the workplace, even as an intern.

“Keeping my faith at the center of what I was doing was really important to me, and it was cool to apply the spiritual formation I’ve experienced at ACU in my internship,” she said. “It was a good reminder for me to be intentional about growing in my faith.” 

INTERNSHIP Q&A

What surprised you about the experience?

I really enjoyed working with the web team. Getting to publish web stories with a byline as an intern was a cool opportunity. I also learned that most of the script writing happens with the producers, and then the anchors review it. Anchors need a lot of skill to be able to smoothly read a script they didn’t write. At ACUTV, we write our own scripts. Overall, I was surprised about how large the role of producer is.

What did you enjoy most?

I really enjoyed getting to work alongside the sports team and shadow sports anchor and reporter Mary . She really went the extra mile and gave me a lot of great opportunities. She wanted to help me learn because she could tell that I really wanted it. When you’re showing how much you want something and being open about exactly what you want to learn, you find people are willing to go the extra mile.

What parts of your ACU studies were you able to apply?

Especially on the sports side, ACUTV helped me go into the internship really knowledgeable, and that set me apart from other interns. I was ready to learn on a deeper level and go past the surface. At ACUTV, you get a lot of reps in, you can work a lot of games as students, and that’s really valuable.

How has the internship shaped how you’re thinking about your remaining coursework and career?

I appreciate what we’re doing in class more because I see how it will benefit me in a career. I think the journalism and mass communication department and my journalism major helped to sharpen my writing, and my internship experience with the web team helped me write well-rounded stories. This experience confirmed that broadcast journalism is what I want to do.

What advice would you give to students preparing for or considering an internship?

Even if it’s not required for your degree, it’s really helpful and a great way to spend the summer. It helped me come into this year very knowledgeable about what’s next, and there’s comfort in that. If you feel stressed about your internship, know that you’re not alone. Follow up with everyone, show that you want it, and don’t be afraid to apply all over. It can be really cool to have an internship at a new place. You’re only there for a short time, so don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone. 

2025 Alumni Awards

Outstanding Alumnus of the Year

Provides timely recognition of the lifetime achievement of an individual who has brought honor to ACU through personal and professional excellence and service to the university, the church or the community.

Young Alumnus of the Year

Recognizes professional achievement and/or distinguished service to ACU. To be eligible, a recipient must not be over 40 years of age at the time of selection.

Distinguished Alumni Citation

Recognizes distinctive personal or professional achievement that has merited the honor and praise of peers and colleagues.

alk to Greg Feasel (’81) long enough and he might share the mantra he lives by: Do what others won’t do. See what others won’t see. Hear what others won’t hear.

Whether in his personal life or in his work as a longtime front-office executive for the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club, these words have served ACU’s 2025 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year well. And if they sound a little bit like a biblical proverb, there’s a good reason for that. He’s read them all – a lot.

The practice started with some advice he received from fellow classmate and friend Raymond Lunsford (’79) as Feasel was having trouble adjusting to life at ACU after transferring from a junior college in his hometown of Barstow, California.

Lunsford suggested that Feasel take the 31 chapters in Proverbs and read one chapter a day. Repeat month after month.

“All of a sudden, those words will stay in your heart and in your life,” Lunsford said.

For nearly 50 years, Feasel has followed that advice, one of many lessons he credits to people from his days at ACU.

Perhaps as influential was the lesson he learned from Willard Tate, head men’s basketball coach at ACU from 1973-80 who then continued a successful career as a beloved teacher, minister and motivational speaker. Tate’s own career path served as a reminder not to tie identity into any one career. God may have bigger plans.

Feasel isn’t afraid to forge a new path. Despite not playing a down of high school football, he transferred to ACU, where he was part of the 1977 national championship team and earned All-American honors as an offensive lineman, as did his younger brother, Grant (’85). Greg turned that success into a career in professional football from 1983-87, playing for the NFL’s San Diego Chargers and Green Bay Packers.

But football was hard on his 6-foot-7 body – he’s had two dozen orthopedic surgeries over the years – and Feasel knew it wouldn’t last forever. So, each offseason, he would experiment with other career paths.

“I was trying to figure out what Greg Feasel 2.0 was going to look like,” he said.

He taught school, sold cars, and earned his real estate and broker’s licenses. Once his playing career ended, he joined Coca-Cola in Denver, starting as a truck driver and working up to division director of sales and marketing. While there, he cultivated sponsorships and partnerships, including a relationship with Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies, which had begun playing in 1993.

Feasel joined the Rockies ahead of the 1996 season as vice president of sales and marketing. He earned promotions to chief operating officer in 2010 and club president in 2021, overseeing baseball and business operations.

His time with the Rockies is filled with great achievements and memories – hosting two All-Star Games and a trip to the World Series come to mind – and it thrills him to make the lives of countless fans a bit better every time they walk through the ballpark gates.

After 30 years with the club, Feasel recently handed over the reins of the presidency, stepping down at the end of 2025. He’ll remain with the organization in 2026 as a special assistant to help with the transition. He plans to retire at the end of the year, though it seems like he’s already considering what Greg Feasel 3.0 might look like.

His upcoming book – Not on My Resume: From Barstow to the Big Leagues – should be released this year. And he’s also exploring ways he can pass on his knowledge by working with college students. He’s had a head start on that latter front over the past several years.

Feasel and his wife, Lynn, watched their daughter, Zola (’25), graduate from ACU in May. A lifelong fan of the Wildcats, Feasel could see professors and other mentors taking his daughter under their wing, doing for her what so many once did for him.

He also made sure to pass along some helpful advice he once received.

“Whenever I call him in crisis, he always says, ‘Just remember to continue to read Proverbs every day,’ ” Zola said. “Read. Take to heart. Repeat.”

Wise advice, from one Wildcat to another. 

– JONATHAN SMITH

Justice April (Ward ’06) Farris has always been a storyteller. From writing for her high school newspaper to building a career in appellate law, telling stories effectively has been a lifelong passion and pursuit.

“Even as a teenager, there were a lot of issues I cared about,” says Farris, who grew up in Big Spring, Texas. “I saw the law as a way to make a difference.” She discovered a love of journalism as a high school student, when she served on the staff of her school paper and also worked at her local newspaper. Recognizing the difficulty of making a living in journalism, Farris wondered if she could combine her two interests – and realized that a law career also relies on telling stories well.

“That’s a huge part of being an effective lawyer,” she says. “As an appellate lawyer, you have to fit your case into the matrix of the law, but you also need to humanize your client for the judge, and make a compelling case for why they should win.”

Shortly after graduating from ACU, where she participated in multiple activities – joining the staff of The Optimist , the Big Purple Marching Band, and GATA, among others – Farris moved to Massachusetts, where she attended Harvard Law School, graduating cum laude in 2009. She and her husband, Ben (’06), soon moved back to Texas, where Farris clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit before moving into private practice. Her grandfather, a teacher and school superintendent, shared her passion for the law, avidly reading the briefs and opinions Farris wrote as a law student and a new associate.

“That kind of encouragement from someone I loved was incredible,” she says.

After several years at Yetter Coleman and a stint as an assistant solicitor general for the state of Texas, Farris became a partner at Yetter Coleman, where she handled appellate litigation for energy, technology and government clients. In 2021, she was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to Texas’ First Court of Appeals, and in 2024, Abbott appointed Farris to the newly created 15th Court of Appeals.

“Every case I get to work on is interesting,” says Farris of her work. “It feels like a puzzle to solve, as well as a story to tell.”

The 15th Court has exclusive intermediate appellate jurisdiction over appeals involving disputes brought by or against the state and its officers, and challenges to the constitutionality of a state statute. It also reviews judgments from Texas’ business courts.

For Farris, practicing law is an important way to live out her faith. “There are all kinds of scriptures about the importance of justice,” she says. “I think my career fits in well with the education I received at ACU.” 

An accomplished author, speaker and CEO of WatchHerWork, Denise Allen Hamilton (’02) has two ACU degrees: a B.S. in social work and an M.S. in communication. She is a nationally recognized inclusion strategist whose work spans the United Nations and WNBA, and Fortune 500 organizations such as Meta, ExxonMobil, Hines, Amazon and Shell.

BY JAMIE THOMAS

Hamilton focuses on the people side of change. Leveraging 25 years of executive experience, she describes her unique approach as planting seeds of empathy and mutual respect. Her ability to discuss challenging topics resulting in positive direction and solutions hinges on her belief in each person’s ability to solve problems.

“Denise never fails to make me stop and think,” says Adam Grant, author and host of the “ReThinking” podcast. Her book, Indivisible: How to Forge Our Differences into a Stronger Future, establishes her as a preeminent thought

Jared Mosley (’00) exemplifies a career built on pursuing enduring significance rather than chasing fleeting victories.

He left an indelible mark on ACU from 2004-14 as a young director of athletics, just a few years past his own college experience. After playing Wildcat basketball and coaching, he took the helm for the Wildcats at age 27, demonstrating a level of purposeful leadership that continues to define his success today as the vice president and director of athletics at the University of North Texas.

leader, with Grant calling it a “force for unity.”

At the core of Hamilton’s teaching is the belief that resilience is a mindset and that lasting change begins internally.

“Profound humility is the anchor of my work,” Hamilton says. “A deep gratitude for humanity and belief in God’s provision guides me to seek truth in the stories we tell.”

She is also passionate about cultivating hope and agency among young people who feel hopeless facing the AI era. “The power of life and death is on your tongue,” she says. “How you speak about your future is so, so powerful. If you have that re-imagining, that let-the-story-change skill, then you can navigate any kind of change.”

Hamilton’s career is a model for the Christ-centered values ACU instills in its students, living out servant leadership and advocating for peaceful change. 

Mosley adopted a philosophy espoused by leadership author and speaker John Maxwell: “Success happens to you. Significance happens through you,” a core belief that fit well with values instilled at ACU.

Perhaps his most strategic talent was aligning the ACU community’s passions with the athletic program’s vision, focusing on helping fans plug into something they felt excited about. This approach drove an extraordinary surge in fundraising momentum, laying the foundation for

ACU’s Division I transition and on-campus football stadium.

“You just never know as you’re planting those seeds when people’s interest and excitement will align with a vision – that’s when magic happens,” he said.

With his wife, Trish, and three children, the Mosleys give back to ACU with gratitude. His ACU years were a foundational experience, and he is now transforming it into a distinguished career, dedicated to developing future leaders of character.

He credits his early success to mentors such as former football head coach and athletics director Wally Bullington (’53), former ACU vice president Dr. Gary McCaleb (’64), former men’s basketball head coach and athletics director Shannon Hayes, former men’s basketball head coach Mike Martin, and especially for the faith and risk taken by then-president Dr. Royce Money (’64) back in 2004.

“I would not be here had Dr. Money not taken a chance on a young administrator,” Mosley said. 

Jared Mosley

Denise Hamilton

Larry Autrey (’18 MBA) served more than 20 years as CEO of accounting firm Whitley Penn and is celebrated for a career built on strategic action and faith-driven leadership.

Inspired by his mother’s frugality, Autrey adopted a relentless work ethic early in life. “If I could actually work 3,500 hours in my first decade, I would get two years of experience for every year,” he said.

He planned his family life with equal diligence, noting he intended to get married at age 30, and things fell into place as planned when Tiffany came along at the right time.

Under his leadership, Whitley Penn grew from 50 to nearly 900 employees, expanding to nine offices and

Dr. Dudley Chancey Jr. (’92 M.S.) has dedicated his life to empowering the next generation, a calling rooted in his education at ACU, where he learned deep truths and applicable skills from faculty members such as Dr. John Willis (’55) and Dr. Tom Milholland

After earning his Ph.D., he served as a respected professor of youth ministry at Oklahoma Christian University from 1998-2023 and is now executive director of the National Children’s and Youth Ministries Conference.

completing over a dozen acquisitions. Autrey’s commitment to lifelong learning continued when he earned an MBA in data analytics from ACU at age 56.

The ACU experience reinforced the Christian leadership that guided his firm and his career, where he promoted work-life balance by telling employees, “I don’t want you to miss a kid’s play … but you do have to get the work done.” The work he led included top-notch customer service and staying one step ahead of growth demand.

Now retired, Larry and Tiffany split their time between North Carolina and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and he remains dedicated to servant leadership, trusting God to reveal his next mission. 

For more than 25 years, Chancey pursued his mission to “raise up the next generation now,” putting this into action by leading the annual Winterfest gatherings and

family mission trips to Honduras. His commitment drives his research with Oklahoma Christian’s Intergenerational Faith Center, where he equips families to share their faith in Christ and studies its transmission across generations. Today, this focus is deeply personal. Chancey, married to Vicki, with two adult children and three grandchildren, finds his greatest joy in sitting with his grandkids, opening the scriptures. This emphasis led to his book Leaving a Legacy, published by ACU Press, where he urges that “the most important inheritance your children receive comes while you are still alive,” modeling a faith that shares his testimony and disciples others to find theirs. 

Dr. Larry Long (’72) spent four transformative years at ACU, finding his passion for academic excellence in Christian higher education. Mentored by former Bible professor Dr. Tom Olbricht, Long’s ACU experience launched his distinguished 40-year career at Harding University.

Long served Harding in multiple key roles, including as a recognized English professor and leader. He was instrumental in establishing the university’s Honors College, taking it from a study committee of 19 students to a full college with 500 students annually and membership in the National Collegiate Honors Council. The program’s

Dr. Larry Long

success stemmed from his belief that “scholarly students benefit from creative, complex academic approaches.” He later transitioned into university administration, serving his last 12 years as Harding’s first provost. Long’s ascent was driven by service; he notes he never applied for his advanced positions but was simply asked to step into them. He retired in 2016 to spend more time with his family, including Donna (Odom ’72), his wife of 53 years, at their home in Searcy, Arkansas. Long’s career stands as a testament to the power of a faith-informed education and a commitment to service. 

Larry Autrey

Dr. Dudley Chancey

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

Gold and Grace

THE HIGHER PURPOSE OF AN OLYMPIC CHAMPION

By Earl Young (’62)

ISBN 978-1684264025 • 224 pages acupressbooks.com

An Olympic gold medalist at age 19, Young was diagnosed at age 71 with leukemia. He recovered, thanks to stem cells from a stranger. His faith led him to help other genetic twins find one another and defeat blood-borne cancer; their inspiring stories are woven between chapters in Young’s memoir.

The Secure Leader

DISCOVER THE HIDDEN FORCES THAT SHAPE YOUR LEADERSHIP STORY AND HOW TO CHANGE THEM

By Dr. Jaime Goff (’01 M.M.F.T.)

ISBN 979-8891384316 • 192 pages amazon.com

True leadership in today’s world begins with understanding who you are and why you lead. Your transformative journey of self-discovery includes embracing the opportunity to lead with authenticity, purpose and resilience.

Stories for Your Soul

ORDINARY PEOPLE. EXTRAORDINARY GOD.

By Max Lucado (’77)

ISBN 978-1400339624 • 224 pages thomasnelson.com

Life is hard and its difficulties can dampen anyone’s spirit. Buoy your soul and renew your confidence in others by allowing master storyteller Lucado to share short profiles of everyday people who do extraordinary things with God’s help.

On a Midnight Clear

A 3-IN-1 CHRISTMAS NOVELLA COLLECTION

By Karen (Gaskin ’93) Witemeyer, Tracie Peterson and Misty M. Beller

ISBN 979-0764245732 • 304 pages bakerpublishinggroup.com

Rediscover the joy of Christmas with this festive novella collection inspired by the Nativity story. From shepherds to an overcrowded inn to a trio of wise men traveling from Harvard to Texas, you’ll find tales filled with faith, promise and romance.

Art of Sainthood

TRADITION AND INNOVATION IN CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY

By Dr. J. Omar Palafox (’15 M.Div.)

ISBN 979-0764245732 • 208 pages amazon.com

Palafox – ACU assistant professor of Bible, missions and ministry – explores how spiritual practices rooted in cultural hybridity can lead to personal growth and communal transformation.

The BOOKCASE

Becoming Her

A YOUNG WOMAN’S GUIDE TO THRIVING IN SCHOOL, CAREER AND LIFE

By Essie Charles Childers (’75)

979-8298585224 • 112 pages • amazon.com

Educator, speaker and mentor Childers guides young women ages 13-21 on a journey to discover their greatness, create a winning mindset and step boldly into their potential.

Doing Good, Well

A BEST PRACTICES GUIDE TO HUMANITARIAN MISSIONS

By David M. Vanderpool, M.D. (’82)

979-8283001050 • 292 pages • amazon.com

A comprehensive field guide for humanitarian leaders, volunteers and mission-driven organizations who want to make a lasting impact in the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Strategic Rest in Leadership

THE NAP FRAMEWORK

By Dr. Erin Wilson (’21 Ed.D.) and Dr. Kellie Dickson

ISBN 978-8218515676 • 148 pages • amazon.com

A guide for leaders seeking to balance well-being and productivity without burnout. Wilson facilitates leadership development experiences for corporate, nonprofit and higher education organizations.

Barnabas

A HISTORICAL NOVEL ON THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A FIRST CENTURY CHRISTIAN

By Yann Opsitch (’07 M.A.C.M.)

ISBN 978-8990802513 • 212 pages • amazon.com

Former missions coordinator and French faculty member Opsitch explores the accomplishments of Barnabas and other early Christians who served Jesus faithfully through their lives and teachings.

The Higher Desire Wife

UNDERSTANDING AND HELP FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN NAVIGATING MISMATCHED SEX DRIVES

By Julie (Glover ’90) Parker

ISBN 978-1540904416 • 288 pages • bakerbookhouse.com

Parker’s book pairs extensive research and personal stories to help the higher-desire wife nurture healthy and holy intimacy in her marriage.

BOOKS FOR YOUNGER READERS

The Curse of Castillo Bay Lighthouse

By Sarah Denning (’09)

ISBN 978-1509260058 • 184 pages • amazon.com

In this mystery novel for middle schoolers, Ian visits a local lighthouse on a field trip, learning about pirate treasure and discovering that the ghost stories he’s always heard may be more real than he imagined.

Thirty to Sixty Days

THE PARASITE IS GROWING ON THEM

By Alikay Wood (’15)

ISBN 978-1662680359 • 320 pages • store.abramsbooks.com

Wood’s “hilarious and irreverent” book for young adults examines the ways three teens grapple with the threat of imminent death – and how each ultimately discovers what life ought to be.

Quotables

“We live now about 2,000 years after the cosmically upending events of Pentecost. … I wish I were as bewildered as the crowd witnessing Pentecost, but to be honest, I’m just tired. Too much bad news, too many distractions, too many emails to read or send, too much paperwork, too many bills to pay, and sometimes it feels like I’m too distracted and tired to really encounter God. Do you feel that, too?

But here’s the good news. The same Spirit, the living God, that was active in Moses is here empowering us today. The same Spirit that made David sing psalms of lament and praise is still empowering us today. The same Spirit that filled the temple with God’s glory is still empowering us today. The same Spirit that propelled Jesus into his ministry is still empowering us today. The same Spirit that reactivated Jesus’ dead body in that tomb is still here empowering us today. The same Spirit that filled someone’s house with wind and fire on the day of Pentecost is still here empowering us today.

So what do we do? I propose we follow the playbook of Pentecost. … Pentecost reminds us God came to us first. No matter where we are or who we are, God chose to come to each and every one of us. He closed the gap. He took the first and most important step. So all we can offer is our loving response to the God who moved towards us.” – Dr. Nijay Gupta, Julius R. Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, speaking at the 2025 Summit gathering on campus Oct. 9.

Gupta is author of the award-winning and bestselling books Tell Her Story and Strange Religion, and his latest book is The Affections of Christ Jesus: Love at the Heart of Paul’s Theology. He serves as a senior translator for the New Living Translation, and he co-hosts the podcast “Slow Theology.”

MARCH 11-14 – WAC Basketball Tournament Orleans Arena • Las Vegas, Nevada

APRIL 7 – Baseball vs. TCU Crutcher Scott Field

APRIL 14 – Baseball vs. Texas Tech 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

• Alumni Day Luncheon, March 29

• ACU Theatre Showcase and alumni event in New York City, March 30

• Class of 1976 Golden Anniversary Reunion, April 22-24

• Alumni and Friends event at Timberview Farmstead in Fort Worth, April 25

• ACU Night at the Rangers, June 5

• ACU Night at the Astros, July 31 Visit acu.edu/alumni for more information about events, volunteering and sharing ideas with us!

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

EX PERIENCES

The majority of obituary information in the EXperiences section of ACU Today is available in our online edition at acu.edu/acutoday or by scanning this 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 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 –43, 46 and 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/obit

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!

1965

Dr. Charles Coulston and his wife, Darlene (Wright ’67), moved from Southlake, Texas, to a small ranch near Azle, Texas. They are retired and still involved with Made in the Streets, a ministry they co-founded in 1995 to street-connected children in Nairobi, Kenya.

1969

Eddie Gooch retired in April 2024 after 24 years of full-time church-related ministry, followed by 21 years in a private practice as a counselor and marriage and family therapist. He and his wife, Mary, live in Longview, Texas, where he has also served as an elder at the Alpine Church of Christ.

BY RON HADFIELD

1970

Terry Touchstone has moved to Plano, Texas.

1973

Clifton Fuller, LMFT, LPC, LCSW, who also earned an M.M.F.T. degree from ACU in 1984, provides telecounseling from his home in San Antonio, Texas. He recently published a second book about narcissistic personality disorder (NPD). The first book was written for Christian women, and the second broadly pertains to men and women, marriages for Christians and non-Christians, and to adult survivors of NPD parents or relationships. His wife, Jeanne (Kite), has authored a series of gratitude-themed journals with inspiring quotes and information about the power of journaling and thankfulness in daily lives. Their books are available on Amazon.

1979

After serving as missionaries in American Samoa for 20 years, David and Danna Willis have moved to Canyon Lake, Texas, where he is minister for the Canyon Lake Church of Christ.

1986

David Crouch recently earned a Master of Biblical Exposition degree in Old Testament studies from Andersonville Theological Seminary. He lives in Spring, Texas.

Don Kotulan retired in December after more than 31 years in the Air Force. He and his wife, Carol (Odom ’88), have a new address in New Braunfels, Texas.

1995

Dr. Craig Carroll, who earned a M.A. in communication from ACU, is in his second year as co-host of “Communication Breakdown,” a weekly podcast available on all platforms with Steve Dowling, former chief communications officer of Apple and Open AI. He lives in New York City.

The University of Texas System honored Dave Fuller, M.D., with the Regent’s Outstanding Teacher Award for excellence in medical and graduate education. He is professor and distinguished educator in radiation oncology at MD Anderson Cancer Center. He and his wife, Dr. Amy (Berry ’95) Fuller, live in Houston, Texas.

2003

ADOPTED

By Arthemon and Lydia (Blasingame ’10) Sindayigaya, a boy, Ross Andrew Blasingame, Dec. 15, 2023, and born July 29, 2020. They live in Abilene, Texas.

2005

BORN

To Bradley and Abigail (’27) Brooks, a boy, Robert Lincoln, July 11, 2025. They live in Sherman, Texas.

2010

BORN

To Chandler and Janna (Kasinger ’12) Harris, a boy, Abel Jude, Oct. 24, 2024. They live in Wylie, Texas.

To Lukas and Kiara (Benson) Deem, a girl, Avery, Jan. 17, 2025. They live in San Tan Valley, Arizona.

To Cory and Lydia (McAnulty ’11) Moore, a girl, Maggie, Feb. 21, 2025. They live in Abilene, Texas.

To Blake and Jody (Meyer) Bennett , a boy, Jack, May 17, 2025. They live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2011

BORN

To Chris and Mary (Swantek) Duran, a boy, Nolan Jayde, May 2025. They live in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

2012

BORN

To Cody and Courtney (Terry ’15) Bowden, a girl, Cora, July 11, 2021. They also have a son, Cash, and live in Livingston, Texas.

2014

BORN

To Coleman and Emilee (Beyer) Hammond, a boy, Hudson Fulton, Dec. 14, 2023. They live in Lubbock, Texas.

To Garrett and Chelsea (Bankes ’16) Langthorp, a boy, Karlon, May 7, 2025. They live in Conroe, Texas.

2015

BORN

To Reagan and Jaclyn (Barker) Doyal, a girl, Violet Rachelle, Sept. 25, 2024. They live in Lubbock, Texas.

To Ryan and Carey Anne Chessher, a boy, Calvin Thomas, July 29, 2025. They live in Fort Worth, Texas.

2016

BORN

To Jonathon and Abby (Altom) Boyd, a boy, Jedson Cavanaugh, July 21, 2025. They live in Hawley, Texas.

To Coleman and Emilee (Beyer) Hammond, a boy, Hudson Fulton, Dec. 14, 2023. They live in Lubbock, Texas.

2017

JoLynn Villarreal and her new daughter live in Robstown, Texas. JoLynn is a Motor Crimes Unit investigator with the Corpus Christi (Texas) Police Department.

BORN

To Zhaojia Xi, a boy, Leon Stansbury, Jan. 8, 2025. They live in Plano, Texas.

To William and Kelly (Shelton) Cooper, a girl, Emery Wynne, Oct. 20, 2020, and a girl, Millie Kate, May 12, 2025. They live in Fredericksburg, Texas.

To Ben and Alexandra (Thomas) Revell, a girl, Jane, and a boy, Emerson, May 13, 2025. They live in Justin, Texas.

To Shane and Bandi (Harris) McCaughan, a boy, Palmer Lee, May 22, 2025. They live in Hobbs, New Mexico.

To Lane and Riley (Cruson ’19) Luttrell, a girl, Mia Lane, Aug. 7, 2025. They live in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

To Joshua and Riley (Thannum ’15) Olson, a girl, Lucy, Aug. 10, 2025. They live in Fort Worth, Texas.

To Benton and Mikayla (Beebe) Orr, a boy, John Barrett, Aug. 18, 2025. They live in North Richland Hills, Texas.

To Conner and Kristin (Kass ’18) Mills, a boy, Jones John, Sept. 27, 2025. They live in Apex, North Carolina.

2018

BORN

To Hayden and Bailey (Armstrong) McHan, a boy, Cooper Andrew, Sept. 29, 2024. They live in Columbia, Tennessee.

To Mason and Anna (Hornell ’19) Andrews, a boy, Silas, March 26, 2025. They live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

To Darren Jones II and Jocelyn Villanueva, a girl, Amelia Villanueva-Jones, Sept. 17, 2025. They live in Abilene, Texas.

To Schyler and Airam (Sosa-Castillo ’19) McNeese, a boy, Matthew, Oct. 10, 2025. They live in Fort Worth, Texas.

2019

BORN

To Joshua and Emily (Adams ’18) Thompson, a boy, Remington Louis, Jan. 5, 2023, and a boy, Everett Samuel, June 11, 2024. They live in Leander, Texas.

To Isaiah and Devanie (Lail ’20) Mendoza, a girl, Meadow Reese, Sept. 3, 2024. They own and operate a commercial construction and concrete company in Abilene that serves western regions of Texas, and live in Tuscola, Texas.

To Jack and Abby (Robles) Franke, a girl, Gemma, Jan. 13, 2025. They live in Fort Worth, Texas.

To McKennon Cecil and MaKenna (Long) Long-Cecil, a boy, Maddox Ray, May 1, 2025. They live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

To Matt and Laurel (Drain) Herron, a boy, Brooks, May 5, 2025. They live in Midlothian, Texas.

To Keaton and Makayla (Jones ’18) Kerrigan, a boy, Kanan, June 23, 2025. They live in Abilene, Texas.

To Kory and Kennedy (Hayes) Murdock, a girl, Henry Jane, June 23, 2025. They live in Rhome, Texas

Continued on Page 43

ALUMNI CONNECTIONS

Without fail, when alumni return to ACU – especially if they have not been back for a while – they comment on our amazing campus.

Compliments pour in about the manicured green spaces, colorful and fragrant flowers and other plants, the areas that are well lit at night, and the more than 2,500 trees that thrive on and shade the Hill.

No matter the time of year guests return home, they appreciate the striking appearance of their alma mater. We hear from those who work here every day or visit regularly as well.

This experience does not happen by accident. Teams of employees dedicate their gifts and diligent work to making ACU’s physical location a place of peace, joy and beauty. Corey Ruff and his facilities team, along with Scott Warren and his landscape and grounds team, go above and beyond each day.

They come to work early, devote extra hours on nights and weekends, and are always willing to go the extra mile. These servants are the backbone of our university, and we are blessed to see their passion to create and maintain inviting spaces for everyone to enjoy.

They bless the students who live and learn on our campus and call it home. They bless the faculty and staff who invest their careers here. And they bless our alumni, parents and community who visit.

Next time you are back at ACU, please thank those you see on our facilities and grounds teams. They are some of the best people I know. 

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

Fisher

KAMRYN

KELLEY

BORN TO BE A WILDCAT

The Alumni Relations Office 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.

Bennie June Elise Smiley, daughter of Hayden (’16) and Michelle (Lytle ’16) Smiley of Abilene, Texas.

Alexander William Duta, son of Dr. Andrei (’97) and Apurva Duta of Georgetown, Texas.

Lex Timothy Wallnau, son of Lance Wallnau Jr. and Jamie Lyn (Spires ’09) Wallnau of Fort Worth, Texas.

Brooke Baggett, daughter of Tracy Baggett (’11) of Katy, Texas.

Drew Dhus, son of Alex (Cullen ’20) and AJ Dhus of Glendora, California.

Emma Jane Perry, daughter of Whitney (Stevens ’14) and Andrew Perry of McKinney, Texas.

Beckham Bosley, son of Josh (’16) and Nicole (Kass ’17) Bosley of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina.

Sunny Wrapp, daughter of Trey (’14) and Chelsea (’15) Wrapp of Schertz, Texas.

Ivy Hill, daughter of Bryce (’20) and Madison (Morte ’20) Hill of The Colony, Texas.

Jude Murata, son of Jonathan (’11) and Alyssa Murata of Austin, Texas.

Jenna Murata, daughter of Jaime (Gordon ’15) and Michael Murata of San Antonio, Texas.

Walker Cole, son of Austin (’15) and Katelyn (McLarty ’14) Cole of Fort Worth, Texas.

ACU NEWSMAKERS

Nine Wildcats were in the 2025-26 class inducted at Homecoming to the ACU Sports Hall of Fame:

• Mack (Lankford ’15) Feaster, who was a three-time first-team All-Lone Star Conference, leading the women’s basketball team in scoring each of those seasons;

• Leon Morgan (’57), who starred in football and men’s basketball, earning first-team All-Gulf Coast Conference and leading his teams to league titles in each sport;

• Record-setting decathlete Camille Vandendriessche (’09), who was inducted into the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches NCAA Division II Hall of Fame;

• Three-time All-American Hans Hach Verdugo (’13), a world-ranked doubles tennis player and the first Wildcat to play in a professional Grand Slam tournament (he has competed in the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open).

• Charcandrick West (’16), who played five seasons (2014-18) as a running back with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs after becoming one of only three Wildcats in history with at least 2,000 career rushing and 1,000 career receiving yards; and

• Women’s tennis star Jaclyn (Walker ’11) Withrow, a three-time NCAA Division II All-American in singles and twice in doubles. Also inducted as Lifetime Achievement Award winners were:

• Texas high school football coaching legend Sam Harrell (’79), who retired with a career record of 241-87 and three state titles, and has won five different coach of the year awards and the Tom Landry Award from the Texas High School Coaches Association.

• Twin sisters Tippy Browning (’67) and the late Patty Browning (’67), who devoted nearly five decades to co-coaching volleyball teams at Lamesa (Texas) High School, winning 937 matches.

Caleb Orr, J.D. (’16), was confirmed Nov. 5 by the Senate as U.S. assistant secretary of state for economic, energy and business affairs. Orr was Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s senior policy advisor and projects director when Rubio served in the Senate. He has also served as deputy staff director for the Senate’s Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.

The late Dr. George W. “Bill” Knight (’55), a pioneering chemist at Dow Chemical Company, was inducted Oct. 7 into the international Plastics Hall of Fame during ceremonies in Dusseldorf, Germany. Knight taught chemistry at ACU for three years before beginning a 35-year career with Dow, which presented him with its H.H. Dow Medal in 1991 for contributions to polymer science. In 1994, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Patents,

Copyrights & Trademarks recognized his team of five researchers as National Inventors of the Year for their creation of a new family of plastics. In 2015, he was named a Hero of Chemistry by the American Chemical Society for his contributions to the innovation of technology that led to the creation of novel polyethylene elastomers and resulted in 56 patents. He mentored several generations of scientists who became key innovators in the plastics industry, while his work resulted in 56 patents. He was ACU’s 1989 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, served from 1996-2004 as an Abilene Christian trustee and died in 2019 at age 85.

Longtime higher education executive Brad Cheves, J.D. (’84), was named president and CEO of Dallas Regional Chamber, the chamber of commerce promoting economic development and public policy to represent businesses and institutions in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Cheves was previously senior vice president for development and external affairs for more than 21 years at Southern Methodist University, where he directed a $1.64 billion campaign that also helped secure the George W. Bush Presidential Center for the SMU campus.

Minister and bestselling Christian author Max Lucado (’77) led a prayer and spoke at “Strait to the Heart,” a July 27 event in Boerne, Texas, that raised more than $6.25 million for relief efforts on behalf of those affected by July 4 flooding in the Texas Hill Country. Musical guests included George Strait, Garth Brooks and Ray Benson. Proceeds benefitted the Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund and were distributed directly to families affected by the tragedy and established recovery efforts in the region.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed two alumni to state leadership roles:

• Pamela Williams (’11 M.S.) was named to the Texas Municipal Retirement System Board of Trustees for a term that expires Feb. 1, 2027. The Board oversees the Texas Municipal Retirement System, which is responsible for providing a secure retirement benefit plan for eligible employees of more than 800 cities. Williams is director of human resources for the City of Abilene.

• Stewart McGregor (’14) was named to the Advisory Council on Cultural Affairs for a term that expires Feb. 1, 2029. The Council advises the Office of the Governor on issues resulting from changes in demographics in the state. McGregor is executive director of the Kaufman Economic Development Corporation and co-chair of the Texas Economic Development Council’s Legislative Committee.

Education honors and appointments

• Krista Darden Conner (’14), who teaches sixth-grade world cultures and geography at Craig Middle School in the Abilene (Texas) ISD, was honored Oct. 31 with the annual Morlan Medal award from ACU’s Department of Teacher Education. In addition to her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from ACU, she earned an M.Ed. from the university in 2018. Her commitment to students and colleagues has earned her the Teacher in the Limelight award at Craig and the Edwin & Agnes Jennings Teaching Excellence Award.

• Conner and Jennifer (Money ’93) Crisp of Taylor Elementary School were named Abilene ISD Teachers of the Year and received the Edwin and Agnes Jennings Teaching Excellence Award. Crisp serves as the Accelerated and Enrichment teacher at Taylor and leads the school’s Makerspace.

• Janaye (Batiste ’05) Wideman was named principal of Bowie Elementary School in the

Conner

Orr Knight

Crisp

Cheves

KIM LEESON

Harrell

Tippy Browning

Patty Browning JEREMY ENLOW

Abilene ISD, after serving as interim since January 2025. She joined the district as a fourth-grade teacher in 2007, has held various leadership roles, including assistant principal and principal, and most recently served as the AISD’s director of assessment and accountability.

• Leslye Roberts (’11 M.Ed.) was named principal of Martinez Elementary School in the Abilene ISD. She was previously principal of Taylor Elementary School. In 2024, Roberts was named Region 14 Principal of the Year by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association and elected the region’s president.

• Dr. Tammy Allen (’14 M.Ed.) was named principal of Decatur (Texas) High School after serving as associate principal of academics and instruction. She has 18 years of classroom and administrative experience and earned an Ed.D. degree in organizational leadership from ACU in Fall 2025.

• Dr. Donalyn Alexander (’95 M.S.N.) was named dean of Tarleton State University’s School of Nursing. She had been dean of the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing since 2019 after nearly 20 years in the Department of Education and Professional Development at Hendrick Health in Abilene.

• Dr. Debbie Thorne (’88) was named executive vice president and provost of Florida Gulf Coast University. She was previously senior vice provost of Texas State University (2001-25) and director of the Center for Ethics at The University of Tampa (1997-2001).

ACU associate head coach and co-offensive coordinator Graham Harrell was inducted Dec. 9 into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame. On Oct. 25 he also was inducted into the Texas Tech University football Ring of Honor, the 12th Red Raider honored as such. Harrell won the Sammy Baugh Trophy in 2007 as the nation’s top quarterback, and in 2008, he was AT&T All-America Player of the Year and finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy. His 5,705 passing yards in 2007 rank third all-time in FBS history.

In May, play-by-play announcer Grant Boone (’91) won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event as part of NBCUniversal’s presentation of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Boone, who got his start calling Wildcat games during his senior year and is now in his 18th consecutive season on the mic for ACU TV and radio broadcasts, is a veteran commentator on a national level with more than two decades as an announcer for more than a dozen sports and multiple networks, including CBS Sports, ESPN, Turner Sports and Fox Sports. Currently, Boone is the primary live tournament host for LPGA coverage on NBC Sports and Golf Channel. And in 2026, he will once again be the play-by-play voice on the “Amen Corner” channel at The Masters golf tournament.

Martin Perry (’83) recently won the sixth Lone Star Emmy of his career for La Porte Musicals, an episode of the long-running “Texas Country Reporter” TV show he has produced and photographed since 1999. The entry won in the Education/Schools – Short Form or Long Form Content category. Perry won a Gutenberg Award from ACU’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication in 1999.

• Dr. Marcia (Rives ’93) Straughn, RN, CNP, was named dean of McMurry University’s Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing. She is former dean of ACU’s School of Nursing and most recently was a professor and programs director for PHSSN.

Former football letterman Gary Fleet (’84) was inducted Sept. 5 into the Tyler (Texas) ISD Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing his 29-year career coaching football, baseball and track and field in the school district. He is the son of Wildcat track and field and football letterman Robbie Fleet (’62), brother of track and field letterman Randy Fleet (’88) and father of track and field thrower Tyler Fleet (’11).

Former ACU men’s head basketball coach Dr. Klint Pleasant was inducted Oct. 5 into the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Fame. Pleasant, who coached the Wildcats from 2002-05, is senior vice president, men’s basketball coach and special assistant to the president at Rochester (Michigan) Christian University.

At Homecoming, the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences recognized Dr. Laura (Jacobson ’04) Goodman as its Alumna of the Year and Riley Morrow (’16) as its Young Professional of the Year. Goodman is associate professor and extension specialist for rangeland ecology at Oklahoma State University. Morrow has been manager of the university’s Rhoden Farm since 2018.

Ronnie Dunn (’76) was inducted Nov. 13 into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. A native of Tulsa, the country music artist formed Brooks & Dunn in 1991 with Kix Brooks. Together, they have sold more than 30 million albums with 24 No. 1 singles on Billboard and have more Country Music Association awards and Academy of Country Music awards than any act in history. Dunn has 15 Grammy nominations and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. While an ACU student, he performed with the Hilltoppers musical troupe.

Howard T. Horii (’83 M.S.) was inducted Oct. 10 into Colorado State University’s Stalwart Ram Wall of Fame, which honors alumni who have left a lasting mark on CSU’s Air Force and Army ROTC programs. At the U.S. Air Force Academy, Horii was the first Japanese American to serve as chief of cadet summer training programs and chief of military training scheduling and plans. Later, he was a command pilot with the 89th Airlift Wing, flying Air Force Two and other VIP aircraft. After retiring as a lieutenant colonel, he flew planes for Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and charters for professional sports teams. He earned a master’s degree in management and human relations from ACU while serving in the Air Force.

Wildcats in professional sports

• Late in the 2025 season, linebacker Jack Gibbens (’20) was among the leading tacklers for the NFL’s New England Patriots, and Derron Montgomery (’11) was in his fourth season with the Minnesota Vikings as offensive quality control assistant coach.

• Halfway through the 2025-26 season, forward Jaren Lewis (’19) was the leading scorer (14.8 points per game) and rebounder (6.4 per game) for Avellino in the Italian Serie A-2 professional basketball league.

MARY (WILEY) PERRY

Perry

Horii

Goodman Morrow

Boone SKYLER

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, plans alumni gatherings and works with volunteers in 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

Craig Fisher (ARO) • 325-674-2244, craig.fisher@acu.edu

WEST TEXAS AREA

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

Craig Fisher (ARO) • 325-674-2244, craig.fisher@acu.edu

AUSTIN AREA

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

Craig Fisher (ARO) • 325-674-2244, craig.fisher@acu.edu

FORT WORTH AREA

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

Craig Fisher (ARO) • 325-674-2622, craig.fisher@acu.edu

DALLAS AREA

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

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

Craig Fisher (ARO) • 325-674-2244, craig.fisher@acu.edu

HOUSTON AREA

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

Craig Fisher (ARO) • 325-674-2244, craig.fisher@acu.edu

SAN ANTONIO / SOUTH TEXAS AREA

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

Craig Fisher (ARO) • 325-674-2244, craig.fisher@acu.edu

NASHVILLE AREA / EASTERN U.S.

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

Recent scholarship endowments created

• Kurt Poe Endowed Scholarship in Government and Criminal Justice

• J.O. and Marian Patton Endowed Scholarship

• Claudia Sowell Endowed Scholarship in Psychology

• Barry Llynn Gober Memorial Endowed Scholarship for Music

• Dale Family Endowed Scholarship for Nuclear Science and Engineering

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

Schroeder named VP for advancement

ACU announced the appointment of Blair Schroeder as vice president for advancement and external affairs in October.

The position opened following Dan Macaluso’s departure in July after serving as vice president for advancement since 2021. Macaluso accepted a position as the chief development officer for Edify, a global Christian education nonprofit organization, which allowed him to live closer to his family.

Schroeder joined ACU in 2021, serving as chief planning officer and then chief strategy officer. He also took on the role of interim vice president for marketing and communications during the 2022-23 academic year.

As part of the transition, ACU’s Advancement division expands to include not only fundraising, alumni relations and university events but also strategic communications, and government and community relations.

“This role represents an important step forward,” said ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert (’91). “The expanded model allows us to tell our story with greater impact, strengthen alumni and donor engagement, and build even stronger relationships with community and government partners.”

Schroeder has nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, business, communications and public affairs. Before coming to ACU, he served in leadership roles at Duke Energy and Cincinnati (Ohio) Children’s Hospital and was named one of Cincinnati’s “Great Leaders in Business Under 40.” He also served as a district director in the U.S. Congress, managing district operations and constituent services. Schroeder attended Lipscomb University and is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati.

“Blair has provided invaluable leadership in advancing our strategic plan and strengthening university partnerships. His efforts were instrumental in ACU’s success during the last Texas legislative session, helping secure more than $100 million in support of the NEXT Lab research initiative,” Schubert said. “I’m thrilled to see him step into this expanded role where he will help advance our mission and continue building relationships.”  –WENDY

Continued from Page 37

To Connor and Morgan (McLeod) Lamberth, a boy, Nolan Barry, Sept. 29, 2025. They live in Katy, Texas.

2020

Cheri McElroy earned an MBA in 2020 after two decades of missions and church planting work around the world. She recently discovered additional biographical information on acu.edu about Frederick Dunglison “F.D.” Power, her grandmother’s grandfather who was an early Church of Christ minister and pastor to U.S. President James Garfield. Cheri lives in Waco, Texas.

BORN

To Cecil and Jamie (Kennedy) Banks, a girl, Nalah Jay, Sept. 8, 2023. They live in Beaumont, Texas.

To Mark and Hannah (Scherr) Luebe, a girl, Elizabeth Sophia, Aug. 8, 2025. They live in Lakewood, Colorado, where they have recently planted Crown Hill Church and Mark serves as its lead pastor.

In Memoriam

2021

BORN

To Tanner and Jenny Terrell, a girl, Ava June, Nov. 16, 2021, and a boy, William Thomas, July 4, 2024. They live in Gainesville, Texas.

To Jacob and Cassey (Poole) Reicheneker, a girl, Oaklyn, June 8, 2025. They live in Abilene, Texas.

To Craig and Amanda (Bondy) Morris, a boy, Myles, Oct. 28, 2025. They live in San Antonio, Texas.

2022

BORN

To Hunter and Karissa (Claire) Pitaniello, a girl, Charlotte Jo, July 30, 2024. They live in Lubbock, Texas.

To Branden and Julia (Pogue) Combs, a girl, Ella, June 26, 2025. They live in Fort Worth, Texas.

To William and Lauren (Bueter) Clevenger, a girl, Josie Lyn, June 19, 2025. They live in Sunnyvale, Texas.

Cecilia “Celia” Ann McDonald Davis (’68) died Dec. 19, 2024, in Lampasas, Texas. She was born Jan. 15, 1946, in San Angelo, Texas, and grew up on a ranch her family homesteaded since the early 1900s. She competed on ACU’s speech and debate team before finishing her bachelor’s degree at Texas Tech University. She co-owned a women’s clothing store and taught high school English and speech in Ozona, Texas, before moving in 1979 to Dallas and marrying Adolphus Merrell Davis. They moved in 1986 to Abilene, where she worked for the Abilene Reporter-News, and later, was vice president for Hendrick Health System, a member of the Abilene City Council and served on numerous boards, including United Way, Leadership Abilene and Leadership Texas. She was named 2004 Citizen of the Year by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, honoring her instrumental role on its Dyess Air Force Base Military Affairs committee. McDonald also served on ACU’s Alumni Advisory Board from 2003-06. She and Merrell retired to Lampasas to live near their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Chesley McDonald (’40) and Cecile Irene (Reed ’40) McDonald, ACU’s 1989 Christian Service Award recipients; and Merrell, her husband of 32 years. Among survivors are a daughter, Jena Allen Price (’91); sons Will Davis and Wesley Davis (’09); four grandchildren; a brother, Don McDonald, D.V.M. (’65); and a sister, Jeanie McDonald (’70)

Jack Allen Goble, 87, of Abilene, Texas, died Dec. 24, 2024. He was born Oct. 2, 1937, in Callahan County, Texas, and grew up in Baird and Clyde. Goble was 18 years old when he entered the U.S. Navy in 1956. He served in Navy Hospital at Camp Pendleton before assignment with the 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan, as petty officer third class hospital corpsman. He left active service in 1960 for the Navy reserves and started a career in public service. He attended one of the first police academies in Abilene and became the city’s first safety cruiser officer. He completed his B.S. degree at Sam Houston State

ADOPTED

By Dane and Emily (Crawford) Crass, a boy, Shepherd James, August 2025, and born July 10, 2025. They live in Fort Worth, Texas.

2024

Tym and Elizabeth (Harris) Rosenthal live in Mansfield, Texas. She is a leadership support associate/executive assistant for Sparks Financial in Fort Worth.

BORN

To Autry and Whitney (Marshall) Monk, a girl, Emory, May 28, 2025. They live in Howe, Texas.

2025

BORN

To Tanner and Melissa Coker, a boy, Darby, March 31, 2025. They live in Hawley, Texas.

2026

BORN

To Delilah Flores, a girl, Yahreli Candela, Sept. 2, 2025. They live in San Angelo, Texas.

University and later, earned a master’s in social work and psychology. He became the chief of police at George H. O’Brien Jr. VA Medical Center in Big Spring, Texas, and later, served 13 years as superintendent of Cherokee Home for Children. Goble served from 2001-05 on ACU’s Board of Visitors. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman Goble and Thelma Connel Goble; his son, Jeffrey Allen Goble; and a brother, Tom Goble. Among survivors are Donna, his wife of 57 years; children Amanda Monsey and Jaclyn Goble Jones (’93); four grandchildren; twin great-grandchildren; and sisters Linnie Branton, Joy Norris and Chiggy Cato.

Edward Junius Bailey, J.D. (’67), 79, died Feb. 1, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. He was born March 21, 1945, in Mobile, Alabama, and grew up in New Orleans. He earned a B.A. degree in speech communication and biblical studies, an M.A. in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University, and his Juris Doctor from the University of NebraskaLincoln’s College of Law. He married classmate Annette Freeman (’67) and the couple served four years in missions in Pisa and Florence, Italy. Later, he became a professor of journalism at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and professor of law at Pepperdine University, and served as vice president and chief operating officer of World Christian Broadcasting Corporation. He also practiced law serving immigrants through his private practice in Nashville, Tennessee, and while social responsibility director for the YMCA International Legal Counseling Services in Houston. He served on numerous boards, including as a U.S. delegate to the World Radio Communication Conference in Malaga, Spain; a school board member in Williamson County, Tennessee; legal officer to the Coast Guard Auxiliary; founding member and president of the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters; and trustee of York University. Bailey received the ACU Department of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Alumnus of the Year award in 1985 and served on JMC’s Visiting Committee. He was a deacon and elder at Churches of Christ in Lincoln, Nashville and Houston. He was preceded in death by his parents, Junius Bailey and Jane Bailey; and Annette, his first wife of 11 years. Among survivors are Dr. Louise (Moyers ’79) Bailey, his second wife of 44 years;

Davis

Goble

Bailey

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

Joshua Lloyd, a senior from Franklin, Tennessee, became the most recent Wildcat to meet the recipient of his life-saving blood stem cells. A Presidential Scholar who majors in accounting and finance, Lloyd recently met for the first time Dianne Wright , an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) survivor and physical therapist from Georgia who received his stem cells to cure and provide her with a second chance at life. The meeting took place Oct. 30 in Dallas at the second annual Earl Young’s Team Breakfast of Champions. Lloyd initially participated in a swab drive when he was a freshman. The nonprofit Earl Young’s Team has organized swab drives at ACU and other college campuses in tandem with DKMS, a global blood stem cell donor center. Since 2015, EYT has added more than 39,000 people to a database of potential donors, identifying genetic matches between strangers and saving the lives of more than 170 patients. Young, a 1962 graduate, is ACU’s 2025 recipient of the Dale and Rita Brown Outlive Your Life Award and a former Olympic gold medal quarter miler and world record holder. He overcame AML in 2011, thanks to a stem cell transplant made possible by a woman from Germany. For more information, visit earlyoungsteam.org

1) FROM LEFT: Elizabeth Le’anani Coffee (’11), managing director at Lake Institute on Faith and Giving in San Antonio, Texas; ShaVonne Herndon (’06), sideline reporter and sports journalist for the Dallas Wings and ESPN, Houston, Texas; and Matt McKinney (’93), brand content manager at Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas, received Gutenberg awards from the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Homecoming.

2-3) FROM LEFT: Cara (Gilbert ’75) Speer, Essie Charles Childers (’75) and Elaine Hartless (’75) attended their Golden Anniversary Reunion along with other classmates on April 23-25.

4) Professor emeritus of education Dr. Joe Marshall (’50) made a brief unplanned visit to Hendrick Health South in mid-September with one of his daughters, Julie Marshall Neill (’82). But his 100th birthday during that time did not escape the medical staff, who helped them celebrate his big milestone.

HENDRICK

FROM LEFT: Earl Young, Dianne Wright and Joshua Lloyd

2

4

DANIEL CURD

EARL YOUNG’S TEAM

Several with ACU connections were among those featured at Una Noche De Honor: Celebrating Champions of Hispanic Leadership, an Oct. 16 dinner in the McCaleb Conference Center of the Hunter Welcome Center recognizing local champions of Hispanic leadership. The event was sponsored by ACU’s Office of Intercultural Engagement and Belonging.

• Jose Moore (’98) was named ACU Entrepreneur of the Year. Moore, CEO of Moore Clean LLC, a facilities maintenance and erosion control business serving the Austin and San Antonio areas of Texas, also serves as CEO and coach for Austin United, a nonprofit youth basketball program. He became an ACU trustee in 2023.

• ACU Servant Awards recognized Jorge Daniel Garcia Santiago (’94) and Elena Rhodes. He is college assistant professor of management sciences and she is the wife of ACU senior vice president for academic affairs Dr. Robert Rhodes

• Abraham Enriquez (’18) was named ACU Leader of Tomorrow. He is founder and president of Bienvenido Empresarios in Lubbock, Texas.

5) ACU Department of Theatre chair Dawne Swearingen Meeks (’06) met her former student, Eean Cochran (’14), backstage in New York City, where Cochran is dance team captain in Broadway’s Ragtime, playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in the Lincoln Center. This is Cochran’s third Broadway role, following A Wonderful World and Hamilton.

6) Texas Reps. Caroline Fairley (’22) and Stan Lambert (’75) paused in August for a photo during deliberations of the House of Representatives at the state Capitol in Austin. Fairley is serving her first term as representative of District 87 in Amarilo, and is the youngest-ever Republican woman to be elected to the House. Lambert –first elected to the Texas House in 2016 to represent represent a district (71) in West Texas anchored by his hometown of Abilene – recently announced his retirement, calling serving in the Legislature “one of the greatest honors of my life.” On Sept. 18, he was honored by the Abilene Chamber of Commerce as the city’s 2025 Outstanding Citizen of the Year.

7) Former Abilene mayor and ACU vice president emeritus Dr. Gary McCaleb (’64) greeted Abraham Enriquez (’18) and his mother, Betty Cardenas, at an Oct. 16 event recognizing Hispanic leaders at ACU and in Abilene (see caption at lower left).

8) In October, longtime professional anglers Gary Klein (left) and Kelly Jordon (right) inducted Rick Clunn (center) into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. All three are longtime successful tournament bass fishermen – Clunn is tied with Kevin Van Dam with the most Bassmaster Classic wins (four) in history – and Jordon (’94) is the hall’s selection committee chair. The Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame is housed at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens.

SAULO

RODRIGUEZ

Continued from Page 43

daughters Kate (Bailey ’92) Crawford and Erin (Bailey ’93) Crawford; a son, Greg Bailey; three grandchildren; one great-grandson; and sisters Marilyn Hare (’78 M.Ed.) and Susan Coffey.

Carrol D. “Buck” Hood (’73), died Feb. 1, 2025, at age 93. He was born Sept. 7, 1931, in Watonga, Oklahoma. He served as an aerial photographer in the Navy during the Korean War and earned a B.S. degree in business. A talented tradesman, he devoted his career to working for the City of Abilene’s purchasing and building and zoning departments, and in several roles at ACU, including regional director of development. Buck was active in the community and an umpire and coach of youth baseball, and served as an elder at Woodlawn Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Asberry Neely and Cassie Gertrude Cannon Hood; and 10 siblings. Among survivors are Bonnie (’91), his wife of 74 years; children Stephen Hood (’82), Cheryl (Hood ’77) Travis, Karen (Hood ’82) Blackwell and Vicki (Hood ’84) Madden; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Former psychology professor Dr. Robert Stanley Sturgeon (’59) of Nashville, Tennessee, died Feb. 9, 2025, at age 92. He was born July 4, 1932, in Twin Falls, Idaho, growing up on his grandmother’s farm while his father fought in the Army during World War II. He served in the Air Force and earned three degrees in psychology: a B.S. from ACU, an M.S. from Oklahoma State University (1961) and a doctorate from Brigham Young University (1968). He taught psychology at Lipscomb University (1961-73), Middle Tennessee State University (1973-79) and ACU (1979-89). He was preceded in death by his parents, Stan Sturgeon and Betty Sturgeon; his wife, Geri (’60); a son, Doug Sturgeon; and a brother, Joe Sturgeon. Among survivors are sons, Russ Sturgeon, Paul Parris and Clay Sturgeon (’88); seven grandchildren; sisters Julie Nye, Betty Bishop, Donna Morris and Ruth Garrison; and many great-grandchildren.

Ellen “Fran” Moser Winkles (’49), 97, died March 5, 2025. She was born Aug. 23, 1927, in Frederick, Oklahoma; and wed classmate Walter “Dub” Winkles (’48) on Feb. 8, 1947. She worked several years for the ACU Credit Union and had a distinguished career at Abilene State Supported Living Center, where she coordinated activities for blind residents. She was a longtime member of the Abilene Watercolor Society and president for two years of the Creative Arts Club. Winkles was named 1983 Woman of the Year by Women for ACU, an organization she served for many years. She was preceded in death by her parents, K.C. Moser and Ardis Moser; Dub, her husband of 60 years; a sister, Louise Moser Newman (’37); a brother, Duane Moser; and a granddaughter, Keri Frances Bass. Among survivors are daughters, Susan Winkles Lindsey (‘71 M.Ed.) and Sara (Winkles ’75) Bass; a son, Shane Winkles (’79); five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Robert “Paul” Sprague (’53), 93, died March 25, 2025, in Lake Lady, Florida. He was born Aug. 21, 1931, in Lawton, Oklahoma, and left ACU near the end of his freshman year when his father had a heart attack. The family closed the grocery store their father had owned, then opened a furniture store in the same location, the first step in a lifetime of entrepreneurial endeavors. Paul was a business pioneer, expanding the concept of “big box” discount stores and establishing Trade Mart discount department stores in Oklahoma. This success led him to purchase other companies, before selling their interests to a private equity firm. Ultimately, Paul established his own private equity firm that bought and sold even larger businesses. He was active in the Young Presidents’ Organization, the world’s largest leadership community of chief executives, serving YPO as president of its New York City chapter, and as a worldwide conference speaker. He also served in the Army Reserves, earning the rank of captain before retiring. In recent years, he and his wife, Margarita, were benefactors of major renovations to ACU’s Mabee Business Building, in gratitude for a career difference-making accounting class Paul audited as a freshman. He was preceded in death by

his parents, Robert Samuel Summers Sprague and Zelpha Carter Sprague; siblings Mary Ruth (Sprague) McNayr, David Carter Sprague (’50) and Martha Mariam Virgina Violet Mitchel. Among survivors are Margarita, his wife of more than 40 years; children William Timothy Sprague, Melissa Ann (Sprague) Kirk and Jennifer Mary (Sprague) Fryer; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Former staff member Ava Irene “Chic” Chipman Owens (’57), 89, of Abilene, Texas, died April 20, 2025. She was born June 25, 1935, in Holdenville, Oklahoma, and lived most of her school years in Liberty, Texas. She wed classmate Mervin F. Owens Jr. (’55) on June 9, 1956, and moved to Denison, Texas. After a relocation to Abilene in 1974, she worked for Christian Homes of Abilene then in the Registrar’s Office and the Department of Teacher Education at ACU until retirement. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Monroe Chipman Jr. and Ava May Woods; her husband, Mervin; a brother, Jesse M. Chipman III; a daughter, Donna Kay (Owens ’81) Nichols; and a grandson, Anthony Nichols. Among survivors are her son, Ralph W. Owens; a daughter, Tammy G. (Owens ’92) Salisbury; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Bernadette E. Hamilton-Boglin (’97), 63, of Johns Creek, Georgia, died May 5, 2025. She was born Dec. 5, 1961, in Lansing, Michigan, and earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in 1984 and an M.A. in mass communication from ACU. She wed Dr. Major L. Boglin (’88 M.R.E.) in 1992. She served as a morning news anchor and host of a talk show for KRBC TV in Abilene, and was the inaugural director of ACU’s Upward Bound program. She also served as an adjunct professor of communication at Abilene Christian. Hamilton-Boglin authored two children’s books, An Unforgettable Trip to Dinosaur Town and Gracie, the Little Gray Squirrel, through her company, Book Barrel Publishing. She was preceded in death by her mother, Eunice Calhoun-DeMyers; her stepfather, James DeMyers; and her father, Ruye Berkley Hamilton. Among survivors are her husband, Major; sons Samuel “Berkley” Boglin and Joseph “Alex” Boglin (’22); and a sister, Bernel “BJ” Hamilton-Harris.

William Preston “Pres” Parker Jr. (’54), 92, of Granbury, Texas, died June 25, 2025. He was born Oct. 19, 1932, in Harlingen, Texas, and grew up in Nocona. He wed Frankie Butlar (’54) on Oct. 23, 1953, and earned a B.S. in education and in 1958, an M.Ed. degree from ACU. He served in the Abilene ISD from 1954-90 as a sixth grade teacher/coach for seven years, and for 29 years as a principal at Madison Junior High, and Locust, Travis, Reagan, Jane Long and Johnston elementary schools. After retiring in 1990, he supervised ACU student teachers from 1991-2002 as an adjunct faculty member and was a longtime member of the Abilene Founders Lions Club. He was an elder at Abilene’s South 11th and Willis Church of Christ, where he had a strong interest in missions and was a driving force behind Sam’s Place, an orphanage for deaf children in Kenya named for former longtime ACU mathematics professor S.E. “Sam” McReynolds Jr. Following Frankie’s death in 2013, he wed Margaret McPherson. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Preston Parker Sr. and Oida Parker; Frankie, his wife of 59 years; and a sister, Gay McFarlin. Among survivors are Margaret, his wife of 10 years; children Cindy (Parker ’77) Earles, Candy (Parker ’81) Henderson and Bill Parker (’85); nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and stepchildren Anne Seaberry, David McPherson and Bill McPherson.

Harold Michael “Mike” Reese, 85, of Fort Worth, Texas, died Aug. 17, 2025. He was born Jan. 3, 1940, in Abilene, Texas, and attended Texas A&M University before playing golf for and earning a B.S. degree in accounting from ACU. His career in business and finance spanned more than 50 years, including roles with Arthur Andersen, Leonard Enterprises, Euratex Oil and Gas, Gerad Petroleum, ESL Investments, HBK Investments and as partner and compliance officer for Highside Capital Management. Reese was

Hamilton-Boglin

Parker

Sprague

Winkles

instrumental in the formation of North Texas Community Foundation and served on ACU’s Board of Development, Centennial Development Council and President’s Venture Council. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold D. Reese and Mildred Cox Reese; Betty Gail Reese (’62), his first wife of 49 years; a brother, David Reese (’72); and a grandson. Among survivors are his second wife, Lauren; her daughter, Blair Blanco (’07); and two grandchildren. He is also survived by sons Dan Reese (’84) and Tim Reese (’87); his daughter, Dr. Cindy (Reese ’92) Melancon; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Influential Pepperdine University board chair and law school leader Thomas Glen Bost, J.D. (’64), 83, of Santa Monica, California, died Aug. 23, 2025. He was born July 13, 1942, in Oklahoma City and grew up in Roswell, New Mexico. He earned a B.S. degree in business from ACU and his juris doctor degree from Vanderbilt University (1967). In 1968, he began a 31-year legal career at Latham & Watkins in Los Angeles, where he became a partner in 1975, serving as chair of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Standards of Tax Practice and the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Taxation Section. He was a longtime member of the faculty at Pepperdine’s Caruso School of Law, where he served as a tenured professor, associate dean of academic affairs and interim dean, retiring in 2016. He was a member of the university’s Board of Regents (1974-2001), including nearly two decades as chair (1981-2000), and also served on the Board of Trustees at Fuller Theological Seminary. Bost was a member of ACU’s National Development Council and received Abilene Christian’s Distinguished Alumni Citation in 1998. Among survivors are Sheila (Pettigrew ’64), his wife of 58 years; children Amy Bost, Luke Bost, Emily Bost and Paul Bost; 12 grandchildren; and a brother, Bryan Bost (’69)

Dr. Orneita Gray Burton, 68, longtime ACU professor of management sciences and information systems, died Oct. 5, 2025. She was born April 6, 1957, in Blytheville, Arkansas, one of 12 children. An engineering and enterprise technology consultant, she earned a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Arkansas (1980), an M.S. in

Second Glance: How did I end up here?

management information systems from Texas A&M University-Central Texas (1986), and a doctorate in business administration from Arizona State University (2006). She began her career as a process control engineer for Phillips Petroleum Company (1980-82); a quality and productivity manager, systems engineer and manager and process engineer for Mobil Chemical Company in Temple, Texas, and a research and systems engineer in Rochester, New York (1982-93). Burton began teaching in 2000 as an instructor in ACU’s College of Business Administration, eventually earning joint roles as a professor in the Department of Management Sciences and School of Information Technology. She also served various teaching and research roles in Arizona State’s Department of Information Systems (2001-06) and the graduate faculty in energy management and the Master of Energy Business program at the University of Tulsa (2012-18). In 2014 she taught COBA students in a summer Study Abroad experience in Oxford, England. She received the college’s Service Award in 2011 and was named COBA’s Online Teacher of the Year for 2023-24. Burton served as associate editor, special issues editor and on the board of the Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion, and was active in research and publication, and in presentations at professional conferences. She served in several roles for the Academy of Management and was respected for providing leadership for colleagues on the topic of faith in business. She was deeply involved in church and community, serving on the board of ACU’s Carl Spain Center on Race Studies and Spiritual Action and as a member of numerous other organizations. Burton also was the principal agent for the startup in 1987 of Central Texas Christian School in Temple, Texas, and was involved in the development of Southwest Christian School in Phoenix, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rennie Gray and Everlena Gray; brothers Rennie Gray Jr. and Vernon A. Gray; and a sister, Emma Jean Gray-Banks. Among survivors are Dwain Burton Sr. (M.S. ’08), her husband of 39 years; sons Jonathan Burton (’13) and Brian Burton (’18); five grandchildren; brothers William E. Gray and Michael R. Gray; and sisters Evelyn Fisher, Janett Gray Hardaway, Denice Bland, Lisa Hun, and Treva Gray.

Continued from Page 48

Because my parents, Tim Brandon, M.D. (’90), and Milayna (Burch ’92) Brandon, instilled in me a deep love and empathy for God and his people.

Because Samantha Buller-Young (’19), the peer leader of my freshman Cornerstone group, modeled what it looked like to step up when a leader is needed.

Because the ACU classmates who attended PA school with me sharpened and forged me as we pursued the heart of Christ together, as iron sharpens iron.

And because of the self-confidence I have in how the Lord has prepared me.

As the delivery progressed, I was blessed to hold a hurting mama’s head in my hands, telling her that she was doing a good job. Even as her baby, fully delivered now, was cared for by the NICU team, I looked in her eyes and reminded her to breathe deeply. Even with alarms and monitors sounding off, I was fortunate to be with her as the tears rolled down her cheeks.

Suddenly, I heard another small whisper, prompting a question. “Do you believe in Jesus?” I asked the couple, as they watched their baby whisked off to the NICU.

When they said “Yes,” I reminded them that the Lord is El Sanador y Dios todopoderoso, the healer and almighty God, capable of so much more than we could ask or imagine, a worker of miracles.

They wholeheartedly agreed, and for a few moments, we sat together in the trauma bay in both the brokenness of the world and the hope of healing.

Never let a lack of preparation prevent you from saying “Yes” to an invitation. The same is true in our walk with the Lord. Trust that he is training you for a future moment.

And keep a pair of gloves in your pocket so that when he invites you to the head of the bed, you can wholeheartedly accept, knowing he has provided in the past and will provide every step of the way. 

Burton

Bost

BONUS COVERAGE

1949

Francis Eldy Davis, 96, died Feb. 28, 2022. He was born Oct. 17, 1925, in Arkansas City, Kansas, and later moved to Wichita, Kansas. He served in the Navy during World War II as a radio technician aboard the USS Wren in the Pacific. He wed Marjorie Sipe (’50) on June 13, 1948. He was a lifelong amateur radio enthusiast who worked for Boeing on the B47 and B52 aircraft as an electrician and then was contracted to NASA at Huntsville, Alabama, during the start of space exploration projects in the 1960s. He was part of a crew that worked on the computerized homing device for the Lunar Roving Vehicle and another that helped the crew of Apollo 13 return home after an emergency. Later, he worked as an outside plant engineer in Green Bay for Wisconsin Bell, and retired from Ameritech in 1990. He served as an elder at one of the Churches of Christ he and Marjorie attended. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eldy Davis and Helen Hargett Davis; and sisters Sylvia Davis and Roberta Kohl. Among survivors are Marjorie, his wife of 73 years, a son, Jerry Davis; a daughter, Virginia Ducommun; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; and a sister, Alberta Bruner.

Hubert Fred Olson, 95, died Jan. 12, 2024, in Houston, Texas. He was born Aug. 20, 1928, in San Antonio, Texas; played basketball at ACU; and served in the Army during the Korean War. Olson was a Farmers Insurance agent for more than 50 years and an elder in the Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence G. Olson Sr. and Lucretia Agness Cabiness; Anna, his wife of 65 years; an infant daughter, Teresa Lynn; a sister, Alice Jean; and brothers Charles and Clarence. Among survivors are his daughter, Debe; a son, Michael; and a granddaughter.

1950

Marjorie Jean Sipe Davis, 96, died Feb. 16, 2025. She was born March 20, 1928, in Winfield, Kansas, where as a freshman she attended Southwestern University. She met Francis Eldy Davis (’49) as a sophomore at ACU, and they wed June 13, 1948. They lived in Dodge City and Wichita, Kansas; Huntsville, Alabama; and Green Bay, Wisconsin, before retiring in Neenah, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Albert Sipe and Leota V (Black) Sipe; Francis, her husband of 73 years; and sisters Lucille Christiansen and Ruth (John) Hogue. Among survivors are a son, Jerry Davis; a daughter, Virginia Ducommun; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-crandchildren.

1951

Wilma Rose Farmer, 98, of New Braunfels, Texas, died Jan. 25, 2025. She was born July 11, 1926, and earned two degrees from ACU: a B.S. degree in secondary teaching and in 1962, an M.Ed. Her teaching career spanned 37 years across five decades. One of winningest girls’ high school basketball coaches in Texas

history, Farmer coached teams to 889 wins in 25 seasons at Oplin, Eula, Duncanville and Clyde. Her Duncanville teams lost only eight district games in nine years, with state tournament appearances in 1959, 1962, 1966 and 1967. Her Eula teams lost just two district games in eight years. She was instrumental in helping found the Texas Girls Coaches Association in 1952, and served as its president in 1957-58. Among survivors is a sister, Annabeth Farmer Favor (’56). She was preceded in death by her parents, Loyd and Cynthia Miller Farmer; and sisters Loyd Welch and Alene Witte.

Dennis Odle, 95, died Aug. 18, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. He was born Sept. 30, 1929, in Crowell, Texas. He earned a B.S. degree in education and wed classmate Ann Stewart (’61) on Mar. 11, 1950. He enlisted in the Army during the Korean War in 1951, concluding his service as a staff sergeant before briefly teaching high school history. He earned an M.Ed. from ACU in 1958, worked for the Harris County (Texas) Board of Education in 1959, and began a 25-year career as elementary school principal in the Sheldon (Texas) ISD in 1960. He married Dorothy Lewis in 1970 and retired in 1985. Dorothy died in 2016. He moved to Kerrville in 2021 to be closer to family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Guy Odle and Callie Jane McEwin; his first wife, Ann, and his second wife, Dorothy; a son, Kevin Hames; a granddaughter, Lindsay Williamson; brothers Leon Odle and Lewis Odle; and sisters Thelma Odle Kemplin and longtime ACU English professor Dr. Zelma Odle and Thelma Odle Kemplin. Among survivors are children James Odle, Jeanne (Odle ’78) Atkinson, Landon Odle (’84), Douglas Odle (’85) and Holli Hames; nine grandchildren; six greatgrandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a sister, Mary (Odle ’57) Harris

1952

Audrey Frances Miller Hastings, 93, died May 14, 2025, in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. She was born April 21, 1932, in Clovis, New Mexico, and earned a B.S. degree in business. She worked in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, and taught school in Texas and New Mexico before moving in 1967 to Mount Vernon, Washington, to be near family. She was employed by the Burlington-Edison (Washington) School District for 25 years before retiring as an assistant superintendent in 1994. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hardy Wm Miller and Jane Ann Cunningham Miller. Among survivors are a daughter, Beverly Hastings Dooley; sons Rick Hastings (’82) and Robert Hastings; five grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Eugene Miller.

George Winston McMillan Jr., 94, of Midland, Texas, died Oct. 6, 2025. He was born Nov. 4, 1930.

1953

Iwanda Beatrice Bonnett Blesing, 92, of Ballinger, Texas, died Dec. 31, 2023, in Yukon,

Oklahoma. She was born Sept. 18, 1931, in Leander, Texas. She earned a B.S. degree and wed Martin Leon Blesing on Dec. 19, 1953. She worked for a local bank after her children were born, as well as a public school district where she taught physical education, shorthand and typing. She worked alongside Martin as a ranch hand and as distributors for Amway. She was preceded in death by Martin, her husband of 64 years; her parents, Marion Malcolm Bonnett and Blanche Beatrice Turner Bonnett; brothers Herschell and Norman Bonnett; and a sister, Reba Bonnett Siegmund (’60). Among survivors are children Dana Blesing, Randle Blesing, Rondle Blesing and Jana Barnes; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Ulma Grace Alexander Hogg, 94, died Dec. 25, 2024. She was born Nov. 22, 1930, in Burnet County, Texas; grew up in Pleasanton, Texas; earned a B.S. degree; and wed Farrell Hogg (’59) in 1957. A lifelong educator, she taught fourth grade in public schools in Taylor, Crane and Abilene, Texas, retiring in 2005 after 19 years at Bowie Elementary in the Abilene ISD. Hogg also taught Bible classes, wrote curriculum and served in myriad local ministries for Abilene’s Hillcrest Church of Christ, where she was a member for more than 50 years. She also was a busy community volunteer at Hendrick Hospice and in the Reading Rainbows program, among others. She was preceded in death by her parents, Cleborn Lester Alexander and Era Delle Howell Alexander; her husband, Farrell; and three brothers. Among survivors are children Theresa Hogg Taylor (’81), Kenneth Hogg (’83), Kevin Hogg (’84) and Kerek Hogg (’91); 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dr. Laquita (Alexander ’60) Higgs

Ethel Marian Todd Patton, 84, died July 1, 2025, in Denton, Texas. She was born April 18, 1931, in Pecos, Texas, and grew up in Clovis, New Mexico. She earned a B.S. degree in elementary education, and in 1972, an M.Ed. degree from Arizona State University. She wed James Grady Stegall and when he was discharged from the Navy in 1956, they moved to Scottsdale, Arizona. They moved in 1973 to Plano, Texas, and divorced in 1975. Marian had a long career as an elementary school teacher who specialized in remedial math and reading instruction, devoting the majority of her career to schools in Plano, Texas, before retiring the first time in the early 1980s. She wed James Patton on July 1, 1978, and they lived in Plano and Richardson, Texas, where he worked as an engineer and she continued her career as an elementary school teacher. When they retired, they moved to Carlsbad, New Mexico. She was a longtime benefactor of ACU and Lubbock Christian University. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Judson Todd and Loraine McGarry. Among survivors are sons Scott Stegall (’78), Mark Stegall (’80) and Penn Stegall; stepsons William Patton II, Mark Patton and James Patton; stepdaughter Betty Lawson; 19 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

1954

Thomas William Pickard, 90, of Springfield, Missouri, died Feb. 28, 2023. A member of the Cherokee Nation, he was born May 16, 1932, in Bristow, Oklahoma, and wed Martha Ferree on June 27, 1952. He earned a B.A. in Bible, and master’s degrees from Missouri State University (M.S. in 1977) and Drury University (M.Ed. in 1987). After a long career as a minister in Churches of Christ and the Christian Church, he continued work as a Licensed Professional Counselor until fully retiring in the early 2000s. The Pickards established the Thomas and Martha Pickard Charitable Trust at ACU. He was preceded in death by his parents, D.C. Pickard and Katie Pickard; a brother, Dewey Pickard; and a sister, Betty Pickard Lyle. Among survivors are Martha, his wife of 70 years; children Becky Lane and Larry Pickard (’77); five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

1955

Anna “Bernice” Bourland Scott , 92, died Nov. 12, 2025, in Abilene, Texas. She was born July 8, 1933, at home on her family farm outside Itasca, Texas. She earned a B.S. degree in education and wed classmate Dr. Robert Edward “Bob” Scott (’56) on June 24, 1955. The Scotts lived in Syracuse and Albany, New York, where they started their family and served in church-planting ministries until returning to Abilene in 1967 for Bob to begin work with Herald of Truth. In 1971 they moved to California for Bob to preach in Santa Ana and work on a doctorate at UCLA, then returned to Abilene in 1975 for good. Bernice worked for several years in ACU’s Office of Admissions and Placement and earned her M.Ed. in 1988 from Abilene Christian. She then returned to the classroom, teaching second grade at Buffalo Gap (Texas) Elementary for a decade before retiring to various volunteer roles around Abilene. She was preceded in death by her parents, Anna Hamilton Bourland and George Carl Bourland; and Bob, her husband of 63 years. Among survivors are children Jerry Scott (’81), Susan Scott (’82) and Lisa (Scott ’86) Johnson; and three grandchildren.

1956

James Conaway Haller, D.D.S, 91, of Abilene, Texas, died Oct. 26, 2025. He was born June 10, 1934, in Abilene, graduating from Abilene Christian High School and earning a B.S. degree in chemistry and an M.S. degree in chemistry in 1959 from ACU. In 1964, he earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with a specialty in orthodontics from The University of Texas Dental School. He wed Barbara Ann Black on Aug. 20, 1960. For many years he taught dentistry at The University of Texas Dental School in Houston, later becoming director of dental services at the Big Spring State Hospital. In retirement he pursued ranching and raised Angus cattle for more than 20 years. Haller devoted many years to Health Talents International, including 51 medical missions trips to Guatemala. He was preceded in death by his

parents, Carson and Clora Haller; and Barbara, his wife of 61 years. Among survivors are sons David Haller (’84) and Robert Haller; and four grandchildren.

1957

Bohn Euell Hilliard Jr., 91, died Aug. 7, 2024, in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. He was born Oct. 10, 1932; served as a Marine in the Korean War, earning two Purple Hearts and a Presidential Unit Citation; and earned a B.S. degree in physical education. He participated in track and field and was a two-way starter at fullback and linebacker for the Wildcats when they won the Gulf Coast Conference football championship in 1955. He was a teacher, coach and administrator for 48 years (1957-2006) in the San Antonio ISD, the “Voice of Alamo Stadium” for 32 seasons and was inducted into the district’s Athletic Hall of fame in 2023. In retirement he won numerous medals while competing in tennis, and track and field (shot put, discus, hammer throw and javelin) in the Texas Senior Games, and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2013. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bohn Evel Hilliard Sr. and Sally Reyes Hillard. Among survivors are his wife, Silvia Sue Denard Hilliard, a son, Bohn Lance Hilliard; a daughter, Susan Smeby; and three grandchildren.

Charles Glenn Anderson Sr., 94, died Nov. 5, 2024. He was born in a tent on Sept. 20, 1930, in Oklahoma on a Native American Reservation. He grew up near Mount Pleasant, Texas, worked for two years in Arizona copper mines and was stationed near Munich, Germany, while serving in the Air Force. Following his tour of duty, he enrolled at ACU and wed classmate Margie Newhouse (’56) in 1955, and earned a B.S.Ed. and in 1958, an M.Ed., both from Abilene Christian. He taught speech and English for four years in the Snyder (Texas) ISD before becoming a middle school and junior high school principal until his retirement in 1990. Anderson also raised cattle on a small ranch near Snyder, served as board president of the Snyder ISD and served as a Church of Christ elder. Charles and Margie moved to Abilene in 2002 to live closer to their family. A prolific writer, he wrote articles for the Abilene Reporter-News and authored four books on the history of West Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margie. Among survivors are sons Charles Anderson Jr., M.D., (’79) and Marcus Anderson (’82); eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Charlene Wasson Swaim, 89, died July 6, 2025. She was born March 20, 1936, in Lamesa, Texas; grew up in Big Spring; and earned a B.S. degree in elementary education. She wed Dr. Robert L. Swaim while he was stationed at Webb Air Force Base. They moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he pursued his doctorate at Ohio State University, and then spent 11 years in West Lafayette, Indiana, before settling in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She was an elementary school teacher before her children were born, and later, became director of Rainbow Preschool. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles

H. Wasson and Emily Marshall Wasson; her husband, Bob; a son, Greg Swaim; a daughter, Debby Swaim; and sisters LaVelle Maynard and JoBeth Lightfoot. Among survivors are a daughter, Suzy Roderick; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

1959

Loretta Marie (Peugh) Kelm, 84, of Plainview, Texas, died March 31, 2021. She was born Feb. 22, 1937, in Big Spring, Texas; earned a B.A. in education; and married Donald T. Kelm on Dec. 22, 1965. She was an elementary teacher for many years in the Daingerfield-Lone Star, Plainview and Olton (Texas) ISDs, and a former Scouting America leader. She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin Obie Peugh and Allie Fern Peugh; her husband, Donald; and a brother, Phillip Martin Peugh. Among survivors are children James Kelm, LaDonna Mooney, Brittany Kelm and Julie Lenart; a brother, Melvin Hall Peugh; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

1960

Frank Eugene Dotson, 94, died Nov. 18, 2025, in Del Rio, Texas. He was born Sept. 17, 1931, in Abilene, Texas; attended Odessa College, Riverside City College, University of North Texas and Sul Ross State University before earning a B.S. degree in education from ACU; and wed classmate Joyce Potter (’61). He served 17 months with the Marines at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii as an airport serviceman. His postmilitary work included teaching and coaching in West Texas schools, auto sales in Ohio, and serving as a park ranger and tour guide at Fort Sumter in South Carolina. Following his teaching career, Frank and Joyce founded the Lobo Center variety store and Dotson Rentals, and he managed investment properties until age 94. He was involved in Scouting America from boyhood until age 90, establishing a troop in Monahans, Texas, serving as a commissioner, and receiving the Silver Beaver Award for a lifetime of distinguished service. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luis Oliver Dotson and Myrtle Ivy Dotson; and Joyce, his wife of 61 years. Among survivors are a son, Mark Dotson (’82); a daughter, Autumn Nichols (’85); four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

1961

Rita Gayle Bumpus Poteet , 84, of Idalou, Texas, died Feb. 27, 2023. She was born Jan. 22, 1939, in Spur, Texas; earned a B.S. degree in office management; and wed Don Poteet (’68) on Aug. 22, 1965. She lived and worked in Texas, Louisiana and Alaska as a substitute teacher, secretary and salesperson. She retired in 2009 as an executive administrative assistant in Texas Tech University’s Office of the Dean of Students. She moved to Idalou in 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents, Whit and Myrtle “Cummings” Bumpus; and a brother, Joe Bumpus. Among survivors are her former

husband, Don; daughters Katherine Shelton (’91), Charlotte Poteet (’94) and Cynthia Brunner (’95); two granddaughters; and one great-grandson.

1962

Jim Bob “J.B.” Cavender, 84, of Odessa, Texas, died Jan. 3, 2025. He was born July 18, 1940, in Eastland, Texas; earned a B.S.Ed. degree in social science; and wed Judy Keefer on July 29, 1962. He taught 35 years in the Ector County (Texas) ISD and he and Judy fostered more than 70 children. He was a leader in the community through Scouting America, the Elks Lodge, coaching youth baseball and softball teams, and tutoring students in the People Pride after-school program. Cavender was also active in community theatre. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Leona Cavender; his first wife, Judy Cavender; his second wife, Carol Arnold-Cavender; sons Scott Arnold, Bill Cavender, James Cavender, Shawn Cavender, David Arnold and Eric Arnold; daughters Shelley Bruton Cavender and Maribell Sanchez Cavender; 24 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Dr. Gary Dwayne Verett , 84, died Jan. 21, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. He was born June 15, 1940 in Ralls, Texas; and earned a B.S.Ed. degree in social science and an M.Ed. in 1964 from ACU, and a Ph.D. in counseling and psychology in 1970 from the University of North Texas. He taught for three years in Long Island, New York, before joining the faculty at Dallas College El Centro, where he was a division dean. Verett eventually became a professor at Dallas College Richland, teaching U.S. history and psychology and serving as president of the Faculty Association. He retired in 2015 and became an adjunct professor. He was preceded in death by his parents, Argie Estelle Hillin and Paul James Verett. Among survivors are a brother, James Allen “Jay” Verett (’63); and a sister, Pauletta (Verett ’64) Smith Kathryn (Matthews) George, 85, of San Antonio, Texas, died July 17, 2025. She was born Jan. 17, 1940, in Marlow, Oklahoma, the 12th of 13 children. She earned a B.M.Ed. degree and wed classmate and fellow ACU band member Dr. Ed George (’61) on Sept. 5, 1960. She was a longtime employee of Busch Jewelers in Abilene. A gifted soprano vocalist, she was also known widely for her love of quilting and benevolence, and served from 2014-18 on the national board of Women for Abilene Christian University. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Matthews and Lillian Steele Matthews; and siblings Kathleen Matthews, George Matthews, Edna Johnson, Billy Gene Matthews, Harry Matthews (’50), Mary Helen Dungy, Leslie Matthews, John Matthews, Glenna Mae Matthews and Glen Matthews (’59). Among survivors are Ed, professor emeritus of music and her husband of 64 years; children Melinda (George ’84) Hancock, Glenna (George ’86) Miranda and Gregory George (’90); 10 grandchildren;

siblings Juanita Clark and Shirley Parsley; and several great-grandchildren.

Darol Albert Bell, 86, died Dec. 6, 2025, in Abilene, Texas. He was born Oct. 10, 1939, in Elk City, Oklahoma; earned a B.S. degree in office management; and wed classmate Peggy Thompson (’62) on Sept. 1, 1962. He was a Church of Christ pulpit minister for congregations in Oklahoma (Maysville) and Texas (Knox City, Archer City and Bowie), and preached Gospel meetings in both states. He also was a church elder who served on mission trips to South Africa, Australia and Peru. He devoted his career for most of the last 40 years to the insurance business, specializing in working with churches, and founded the independent Darol Bell Agency in 2001 in Abilene. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Bell and Leona Bell; and sisters Florissa Burtnett and Carolee Paolino. Among survivors are Peggy, his wife of 63 years; sons Don Bell (’99) and Brent Bell (’92); a daughter, Sonya (Bell ’85) Covalt; and nine grandchildren.

1963

Laudis Ann (Cotton) Adams, 83, died Feb. 19, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas, one day after her husband. She was born March 29, 1941, in Jacksonville, Texas; earned a B.S. in business; and wed Otis Adams on Aug. 29, 1970. She worked at Gulf Oil in Midland as an administrative assistant (1963-73), and from 1995-2006 at Petroleum Strategies. She and Otis moved to Fort Worth to be with family in 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Jessie Cotton; Otis, her husband of 54 years; and a brother, Dave Cotton. Among survivors are her daughter, Anda (Adams ’95) Brown; seven grandchildren; and a brother, Mike Cotton (’67)

Claudia Chambers Sowell, 83, died July 14, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was born April 5, 1942, in Abilene, Texas; earned a B.A. degree in English literature; and wed classmate David S. Sowell III, M.D. (’62), on July 13, 1963. She taught English at Irving (Texas) High School while her husband was a medical student, then followed him during military service, including Birmingham, Alabama, where she worked in the personnel department of US Pipe Company. The Sowells lived in Dallas, Texas, for 46 years before moving to Tulsa in 2015. Claudia participated in 17 medical missions trips to Guatemala with Dallas’ Prestoncrest Church of Christ, where she was a longtime instructor in the congregation’s FriendSpeak ministry to people new to the U.S., teaching them English through study of the Bible. She was preceded in death by her parents, William Henry Chambers (’36) and Marjorie Griffin Chambers (’40). Among survivors are David, her husband of 62 years; daughters Laura Caroline (Sowell ’91) Dennis and Elizabeth Ann Sowell; three grandchildren; a brother, William Henry Chambers Jr., M.D. (’67); and a sister, Marjorie (Chambers ’79) Rozell

1964

James Ralph Pruett , 78, died Aug. 27, 2020, in Jacksonville, Texas. He was born March 11, 1942, in Alabama; attended ACU and earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Stephen F. Austin State University. He taught at Jacksonville Junior High School for many years before moving in 1978 to Fort Worth, Texas, to assist his sister and brother-in-law in their heating and air conditioning company. After 14 years, they returned to Jacksonville and taught science in the Big Sandy (Texas) ISD until his retirement in 2001. He was preceded in death by his parents, D.O. Pruett and Verla McLeroy Pruett; a son, James Matthew Pruett; and a sister, Alice Joyce Pruett Clark. Among survivors are June, his wife of 46 years.

Dr. Duane Kendall Hale, 82, of Cisco, Texas, died July 27, 2025. He was born Aug. 4, 1942, in Abilene, Texas; and earned a B.S.Ed. in mathematics education and an M.A. in history (1972). Hale played football four years for the Wildcats and co-captained the 1963 team. In 1977 he earned a doctorate from Oklahoma State University. Hale taught mathematics in Texas public schools (1965-72 and 198182), and American Indian history at Navajo Community College (1977-79) and the University of Minnesota (1979-81). He was a consultant, researcher and writer for the University of Oklahoma’s American Indian Institute from 1982-2007, leading dozens of tribal history workshops in the U.S. and Canada, working with more than 500 tribes as an instructor in research and writing techniques for the preservation of their histories. He was professor of history at Cisco College from 1993 until his retirement in 2022. A prolific writer and public speaker, he was widely published in articles and papers, and authored several books, notably The Chickasaw: Indians of North America and Researching and Writing Tribal Histories. He also was founding director of the Lela Latch Lloyd Museum in Cisco, where he was beloved as a community leader. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Dealon Hale and Oleta Dunaway Hale; his former wife, Dr. Kathy Dawkins Hale (’70); an infant son, Cabot Hale; and a daughter, Lee Alyssa Hale. Among survivors are a son, Bracken Hale.

Charles Lee McCook, D.D.S., 83, of Post, Texas, died Oct. 10, 2025. He was born Feb. 20, 1942, in Ballinger, Texas; earned a B.S. degree in biology from and played football at ACU; and wed classmate Dorothy Bryan (’64) on March 27, 1964. McCook earned his doctorate in 1970 from Baylor College of Dentistry and lived in Post since 1974. He was preceded in death by his parents, Woodson Elmo “Mose” McCook (’38) and Mary Alice (Leathers ’37) McCook. Among survivors are Dorothy, his wife of 61 years; children Leigh (McCook ’88) Rhyne, Jay McCook (’92), Dr. Matt McCook (’95) and Colt McCook (’03); 12 grandchildren.

1965

Larry Martin Pierce, 79, of Amarillo, Texas,

died Sept. 5, 2021. He was born Sept. 20, 1942, in Hollis, Oklahoma. He served in the Navy and was co-owner of Pierces Boatel in Logan, New Mexico, for many years. A boat mechanic for more than 70 years, he was a volunteer rescue diver and EMT. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie Pierce and R.G. Pierce. Among survivors are his wife, Terry; sons Matthew Pierce, Michael Pierce and Tim Pierce; a brother, Alan Pierce; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Sara Offutt Eggleston Wagner, 82, died Aug. 29, 2025. She was born March 31, 1943, in Munday, Texas; and earned a B.S.Ed. in elementary education and later, a M.Ed. in 1978. Sara married Franklin King Eggleston, D.D.S., in 1982 and he died in 2021. At age 80 in 2023, she wed retired 93-year-old Brig. Gen. Donald Bert Wagner. Her more than 30-year career in education began in the Abilene (Texas) ISD and concluded when she retired from the Katy (Texas) ISD. While she taught fourth, fifth and sixth grades, most of her career was served as principal of Katy’s Pattison Elementary School, which achieved state and national recognition for excellence. She was named a National Distinguished Principal in 1995, the same year she was presented the Morlan Medal award from ACU’s Department of Teacher Education for distinguished service. After retiring in 1998, she became a speaker and international marketing director for the Juice Plus+ company. Sara also served on the board of the Nic Finnegan Counseling Center and was a member of the Houston West Emmaus Community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie Denver Offutt and Sara Smith Offutt. Among survivors are Don, her husband of two years; a daughter, Camille Eggleston Hailey; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and siblings George Offutt (’62), Dan Offutt (’70) and Joe Offutt (’73)

Becky Anne Courington Westmoreland, 78, died Oct. 5, 2025. She was born Oct. 27, 1946, in Abilene, Texas; attended ACU; and wed classmate Elliott Olvera (’66) in 1968. He died in 1969 and 10 days afterward, she gave birth to her first daughter. In 1971, Becky married widower Gene Westmoreland. She was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Delmar Courington and Delta Ree Kniffen Courington; her first husband, Elliott; and a sister, Dr. Sunny Stephens-Stout (’75). Among survivors are Gene, her second husband; daughters Rebekah Green (’03) and Bonnie Yang (’93); stepchildren Marsha (Westmoreland ’75) Morgan and John Westmoreland (’82); eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and brothers Jerry Courington (’71) and Sammie Courington.

1966

James “Jim” Clark Jacobs, 77, of Merkel, Texas, died Jan. 4, 2021. He was born Dec. 21, 1943, in Memphis, Tennessee, and earned a B.S. degree in range science, a few months before he was drafted by the Army and began two years of service during the Vietnam War. He was a second lieutenant before serving from 1969-79

in the Army Reserve, where he was promoted to major. Jacobs wed Ann Muse (’71) in March 1970 and they lived for five decades on the farm where he was reared as a boy. He served the Merkel Church of Christ as a deacon for 31 years and elder for nine years, while founding and leading the congregation’s Joy Bus ministry for three decades. He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Jacobs and Jessie Jacobs. Among survivors are Ann, his wife of 50 years; children Collin Jacobs (’95), Leslie Jacobs and Jeff Jacobs (’04); four grandchildren; a brother, Charles Jacobs (’61); and sisters Jo Ann (Jacobs ’63) Doan and Linda Jacobs Looper Weatherspoon (’72)

Covey Leroy Smith, 82, died July 21, 2025. He was born Sept. 13, 1942, in Lubbock, Texas, attended ACU before graduating from Sam Houston State University. He wed Nancy Knox in October 1966 and his work in the insurance industry took him and his family to Pennsylvania and Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Smith and Cleva Smith; Nancy, his wife of 51 years: a sister, Robyn; a brother, Zane Smith; daughters Faith and Alison; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Wista.

1967

Ronnie Mack Dent , 81, of Lubbock, Texas, died June 6, 2025. He was born July 29, 1943, in Littlefield, Texas, and earned a B.S. degree in business. He owned and operated Dent & Co. from 1977-2005. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lavoyd “Chubby” Dent and Pansy (Banks) Dent; Peggy, his first wife of 52 years; a sister, Jenelle Price; and brothers Mike Dent and Tuffy Dent. Among survivors are Regena (Hawkinson), his wife of 10 years; a son, Monty Dent (’89); a daughter, Michelle (Dent ’96) Rader; stepsons, Jason Clarkson and Jared Clarkson; a stepdaughter, Audra Caldwell; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Beth (Dent ’69) Moudy; and a brother, Dale Dent (’67)

1968

Jon Reed Omdahl, 79, of Tyler, Texas, died Feb. 13, 2025. He was born Jan. 2, 1946, in Boston, Massachusetts, and wed classmate Becky Parker (’68) in 1966. He attended one year at Michigan State University before transferring to ACU, where he earned a B.S.Ed. degree and in 1972, an M.Ed. His 47-year teaching and coaching career began in 1968 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He and Becky moved in 1976 to Lubbock, Texas, where he devoted the majority of more than two decades to Coronado High School, teaching history, government and economics, and coaching boys’ and girls’ cross country and track and field. He retired from public schools in 2002 and moved to Tyler, Texas, then came out of retirement in 2003 to teach and coach at East Texas Christian Academy until 2014. An avid runner, Omdahl was a veteran of 18 marathons, including most of Texas’ major races in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. He also devoted many years as an official at the UIL

regional championship track and field meet. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell Omdahl and Virginia Omdahl. Among survivors are Becky, his wife of 58 years; children Larry Omdahl and Jennifer Rumsey (’94); four grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and sisters Mary Gudikunst and Sally Omdahl. David Thomas Broadus, 79, died Aug. 22, 2025. He was born Oct. 16, 1945, and earned a B.A. degree in English.

1969

Tom Wallace Ewing, D.O., 78, died Oct. 14, 2025. He was born Dec. 17, 1946, in Abilene, Texas; and earned a B.S. degree from ACU and his medical degree from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was a hand surgeon in Oklahoma City, Norman and Duncan, Oklahoma, for nearly 50 years. Ewing also practiced family and emergency medicine in Jacksboro and Wichita Falls, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, professor emeritus of English Dr. George W. Ewing (’48) and Mellisse Ewing; and his second wife, Tammy Green Ewing. Among survivors are his first wife, Julie Waldrip Ewing (’69); children April (Ewing ’97) McBride, Dax (Ewing ’01) Segers, Jonathan Ewing (’03) and Kevin Ewing; 10 grandchildren; and siblings Kathy Campbell, Virginia Whitmire, Patricia Ewing and Hope Ewing.

1971

Jerry Don Reese, 75, of Abilene, Texas, died Nov. 22, 2024. He was born Feb. 11, 1949; and earned a B.S. degree in accounting from ACU and in 1974, a juris doctor degree from Texas Tech University School of Law. His 45-year practice started in Lubbock, Texas, while specializing in oil, gas and real estate title law, and concluding with 17 years at Security Title of Abilene. He served as an elder at Winters (Texas) Church of Christ before a move to Abilene. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse Jerome Reese and Crystell Head Reese. Among survivors are Linda (Alpers ’88), his wife of 44 years; children Christopher Reese (’94), Jeffrey Reese and April Reese Crocker (’96); five grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a sister, Karen (Reese ’66) Stout. Lee Thomas Smith, 76, died June 27, 2025. He was born April 12, 1949; earned a B.S.Ed. degree and in 1982, a master’s from Wayne State University. He was wed to Linda Brooks (’68) before marrying Vickie Lee Smith. Lee was a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot in the Army who achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel and served in Alabama, Texas, Germany, Hawaii, Saudi Arabia, Korea and Kansas. After retiring from the military, he was a medevac pilot, taught high school biology, and was a golf and soccer coach. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Harwood; his stepfather, Thomas Smith; his mother, Letha Haynie; a son, Wilson Lee; and a brother, Howard Smith. Survivors include Vickie, his wife of 40 years; a son, Dr. Lane Smith; a daughter, Dr. Lynn (Smith ’92) Garza; stepsons Michael Ward and TJ Ward; 10 grandchildren; and siblings Michael

Smith, Howard Smith, Amy Smith, Tammy Smith (’81) and AJ Harwood.

Betty Marie McCormick Wilson, 85, of Bedford, Indiana, died Oct. 21, 2025. She was born Feb. 17, 1940, in Livingston, Tennessee; attended ACU before earning a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis; and wed classmate Kenneth Earl Wilson (’70) on Oct. 18, 1964. She retired after more than 20 years of work as a State Farm insurance agent. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alvis McCormick and Carrie (Neal) McCormick; Kenneth, her husband of 53 years; and sisters Wyeath Crumley and Wiletta Fletcher. Among survivors are her daughter, Diana Kay Leader; two grandsons; and four great-grandchildren.

1972

Cleatus Glenn Lemmons Jr., 72, died July 26, 2021, in his hometown of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was born May 27, 1949; earned a B.S. degree in agronomy; and ran his family’s multigenerational Lemmons Farm. He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleatus Glenn Lemmons Sr. and Marjorie Thomas. Among survivors are Nancy (Parker ’73), his wife of 50 years; sons Glenn Barrett Lemmons (’97), Logan Parker Lemmons and Benton Ross Lemmons; a daughter, Brooke Deal (’98); nine grandchildren; a sister, Gay Lemmons (’69); and a brother, Thomas Grant Lemmons (’77)

Timothy Lewis Deveny, 77, of Abilene, Texas, died June 4, 2025. He and his twin brother were born Nov. 25, 1947. He grew up in San Diego, California; earned a B.S. degree in psychology; and wed classmate Vicki Allen (’69). He worked in the automotive sales business his entire career. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lewis Deveny and Mary Kathryn Lawyer (’48). Among survivors are his wife, Vicki; daughters Nicole (Deveny ’95) Dickey and Elissa Farah; a son, David Deveny (’99); eight grandchildren; a twin brother, Jim Deveny; and another brother, Denny Deveny.

1973

David Michael Songster, 76, died Oct. 17, 2024, in Abilene, Texas. He was born Jan. 18, 1948, in Friend, Nebraska. He served in the Nebraska National Guard; attended York College and graduated from ACU with a B.S. degree in psychology. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Songster and Thelma Weiss Songster. Among survivors are his sisters, Joan (Songster ’61) Irvin and Susan (Songster ’70) Hall; and a brother, Dan Songster (’63)

Judith “Judie” Lynn Yates Hill, 74, died Sept. 1, 2025. She was born Oct. 11, 1950, in San Angelo, Texas; earned a B.S.Ed. degree; and wed classmate Jick Hill, D.D.S., (’73), in 1974. They moved to Irving, Texas, while he pursued dentistry at Baylor College and she taught elementary school. Upon graduation, Jick served in the Air Force, taking them to Phoenix, Arizona, and later, Midland, Texas, where he opened his dental practice. In 1989,

the family relocated to the Houston area, where Jick attended law school. Judie later returned to teaching elementary school and in 2009, they retired to Tuscola, Texas. She began working again and traveling internationally with nonprofit Eternal Threads, and when Jick died in 2017, she retired once more to New Braunfels. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold Yates and Delphine Lively Yates; and Jick, her husband of 42 years. Among survivors are daughters Jendi (Hill ’00) Haug and Jacy Hill; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Joan (Yates ’75) Foster John Levi Estes III, D.D.S., 74, of Abilene, Texas, died Sept. 26, 2025. He was born April 8, 1951, in Rosebud, Texas; earned a B.S. degree in biology and played on the freshman basketball team; and wed classmate Angela Clovis (’73) on July 20, 1973. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1976 from The University of Texas Dental Branch and began a nearly 50-year career in his father’s practice in Abilene. He was a member of the dental staff at Hendrick Health, volunteered as a dentist for the Christian Service Center and for more than two decades, led the dental team to Africa each July for the Zambia Medical Mission team. Estes was an avid community volunteer, coaching youth soccer and Little League baseball, and served on the board of Abilene Christian Schools, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, Boy Scouts Texas Trails Council, and the Zambia Mission Fund. He received the Silver Beaver Award from Scouting America for a lifetime of distinguished service. A fifthgeneration Texan, he was also devoted to his ranch in Callahan County. He was preceded in death by his father, John L. Estes Jr., D.D.S. Among survivors are his mother, Melba June Linn Estes; Angela, his wife of 52 years; children John Levi Estes IV (’01), Gwin Estes Huey, D.D.S. (’01) and James William Estes (’08); four grandchildren; and siblings Jill Estes Bailey (’74), Jane Estes Weatherbee, D.D.S. (’82), and Jay Linn Estes (’80)

1975

Clemens Augustus “Korky” Kathman III, 71, died Nov. 10, 2024. He was born Dec. 27, 1952, and earned a B.S. degree in biology, and a M.S. in molecular genetics from The University of Texas at Dallas. He was president and chief technology officer from 1997-2010 at Entropy Dynamics LLC before starting a career at UTD, where he became senior cloud engineer and team lead, among serving in other roles, for 15 years. Among survivors are Sarah (Bankhead ’76), his wife of 47 years; children Jason Kathman, Kim Kathman and Jon Kathman; and seven grandchildren.

Jackie Earl Clower, 86, died Nov. 20, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. He was born Sept. 13, 1938, in Van Zandt County, Texas; entered the Army after high school and served until 1969. He attended the University of North Texas before graduating from ACU with a B.S. degree in criminal justice. He joined the Dallas Police Department in 1965 and retired in 1992, then worked several years as a private investigator. He was preceded in

death by his parents, Earl and Clovis Clower; his wife, Melinda Clower; a brother, James Clower; and sisters Janice Bynum and Wanda Wilson. Among survivors are his son, John Clower; and a grandson.

1976

Marilynn Bock Jackson, 88, died Sept. 6, 2025. She was born Aug. 22, 1937, in Jefferson County, Texas; and wed William Donald Jackson on June 21, 1957. She earned a B.S. in clinical psychology from Howard Payne University in 1973 and a M.A. in psychology from ACU. She was a licensed Psychological Associate, a Certified Social Worker and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Jackson taught psychology courses at HPU and Ranger College, and served HPU as director of counseling and testing, director of placement and acting chair of its Department of Psychology. She provided counseling services for persons referred by area churches and served as counselor for First Baptist Church Brownwood and First Baptist Church San Antonio. She was founding trustee of Good Samaritan Ministries, chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Bethphage Ministry for the mentally disabled, chaired her area United Way board. She was also president of volunteers at Brown County (Texas) Regional Hospital. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew and Linnie Bock; her husband, William; and a brother, Leonard Bock. Among survivors are a son, Stephen Jackson; a daughter, Laurie Sellers; and three grandchildren.

1978

Charles Alan “Chuck” Palmer, 69, of Burlington, North Carolina, died Nov. 19, 2025. He was born March 9, 1956, in Abilene, Texas; earned a B.A. in biblical text; and also studied computer science. He worked for many years with SAS Institute as a systems architect until his retirement in 2024. He grew up chiefly in Zimbabwe and in his later years, devoted himself to annual vocational missions trips there, helping high school students learn computer skills and in projects supporting Mutare School of Preaching in Dangamvura. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Roy Virgil Palmer Sr. (’40) and Iva Jaxie (Lewis ’40) Palmer; and brothers Roy V. “Bub” Palmer Jr. (’66) and Richard H. “Rick” Palmer (’79). Among survivors are Elizabeth “Beth” Reeves Palmer (’78), his former wife of 47 years; sons Brent Richard Palmer and Nathan Charles Palmer; sisters Jerrell Dean Palmer (’63), Carroll Jean (Palmer ’63) Duvall, Mary Etta (Palmer ’72) Hobbs and Rebecca (Palmer ’74) Michaud; and a brother, Philip Palmer (’82)

1979

John Leroy Eason, 68, died July 24, 2025. He was born Sept. 11, 1956, in Abilene, Texas, attending Abilene Christian from kindergarten through his graduation with bachelor’s degrees in industrial management and electrical safety engineering. He briefly left Abilene for the

Dallas area, only to return to his hometown, where he was self-employed for many years as a general contractor. He was preceded in death by his parents, longtime ACU staff member William “Bill” Henry Eason Jr. (’54) and Marguerite Braddock Eason; a brother, Lesley Howard Eason; and a daughter, Laura Sherrie Ingram Caldwell. Among survivors are his wife, Christine “Chris” Pierce Eason; and sons Jason Michael Ingram and Tommy Allen Ingram.

1982

Cynthia Lynne (Fenner) Craig, 65, died Sept. 26, 2025. She was born July 25, 1960, in Abilene, Texas; attended the University of North Texas briefly but earned a B.B.A. degree in marketing from ACU; and wed classmate Jeff Craig (’82) in 1984. She worked in Arlington, Texas, for Lone Star Gas before marrying Jeff, and years later, served in various roles in the Arlington ISD until retirement in 2025. She was preceded in death by her brother, David Fenner. Among survivors are her parents, Ed Fenner and Sharon Fenner; Jeff, her husband of 41 years; children Bree (Fenner ’16) Beasley and Cameron Craig (’16); a grandson; and a brother, Steve Fenner.

1983

James Robert Huskin, 61, of Abilene, Texas, died Feb. 12, 2022. He was born Jan. 7, 1961, in Abilene, Texas; and wed Janet Maris Dods (’91) on March 24, 1984. He was preceded in death by his parents, Claude “C.F.” Fitzgerald Huskin Jr. and Lillian Jean Huskin; and brothers Allen Huskin and Carl Huskin. Among survivors were Janet, his wife of 37 years; sons Josh Huskin, Jeremy Huskin, Jake Huskin and Jayden Huskin; daughters Jessica Huskin and Jillian Huskin; seven grandchildren; and sisters Cindy Boyd and Debbie Huskin-Moot. Janet died Aug. 20, 2025 (see Class of 1991).

1984

Brett Alan Porter, 63, of Lexington, South Carolina, died Sept. 2, 2025. He was born Oct. 18, 1961, in Memphis, Tennessee; earned a B.B.A. degree; and wed classmate Sheila Cofield (’86) on July 27, 1985. He earned a master’s degree in information systems from The University of Texas at Dallas in 1994 and worked 18 years as a systems analyst, most recently at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Porter and Dorothy Porter. Among survivors are Sheila, his wife of 40 years; children Jacob Porter, Joey Porter, Carolyn Porter and Ben Porter; two grandchildren; and siblings Melanie White, Brian Porter (’77) and Scott Porter, M.D. (’77)

1986

Gladys Mae Conner Cozby Riggs, 87, of Abilene, Texas, died Feb. 22, 2025. She was born Nov. 22, 1937, in Haskell, Texas; and wed Grady Ray Cozy Jr. on June 1, 1956. Thirty years later, after her two children were reared, she earned a B.F.A. in art with a 4.0

GPA as co-valedictorian of her class. After her first marriage ended, she worked as an administrative assistant at Noah Project Inc. for 12 years, and married Charles Riggs on May 27, 2000. She was a 23-year member of Abilene Garden Club, serving one year as vice president. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd Conner and Mamie Oates Conner; brothers H.L. Conner and Rev. Jack Slater; a sister, Nellwyn Graham; one grandson; and one great-granddaughter. Among survivors are a son, Grady Ray Cozby III; a daughter, Gladys Kathleen Hargis (’85); a brother, David Conner; a sister, Janet Stephens; four grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and honorary daughters Melinda Neves, Terri Hargis, Ila Cozby and Leslie Cozby.

1988

Cindy Renee (Mullican) Goodspeed, 60, of Dallas, Texas, died Sept. 24, 2025. She was born Sept. 16, 1965, in Lubbock, Texas; earned a B.S.Ed. degree at ACU, where she was member of Sigma Theta Chi sorority and a 1988 Sing Song hostess. She wed classmate Chris Goodspeed (’88) on June 17, 1989. She served as children’s minister for more than a decade at The Branch Church in Farmers Branch, Texas, where she launched a popular children’s summer camp and Spotlight, a music program, and led several other ministries. She was preceded in death by her parents, William “Frank” Mullican Jr. and Doris Bourn Mullican. Among survivors are Chris, her husband of 36 years; sons Garon Goodspeed (’16), Jaxon Goodspeed (’18) and Trey Goodspeed (’21); five grandchildren; and brothers William “Bill” Franklin Mullican III (’79) and Bryan Edward Mullican.

1990

Julie (Cleek) Hibbard, M.D., 56, of Kaysville, Utah, died Dec. 3, 2024. She was born Sept. 4, 1968, in Dallas, Texas. She lived most of her childhood in Oklahoma, earned a B.S. degree in biochemistry from ACU, and a master’s degree in molecular biology and a medical degree from Vanderbilt University. She wed Bruce Hibbard in 1992 and they moved to Salt Lake City for her residency at the University of Utah Hospital. She was a family medicine physician, most recently in Farmington, Utah, and served on a financial team at Elevation Church. She was preceded in death by her stepdaughter, Melanie Hibbard. Among survivors are her parents Charlie Cleek (’66) and Joy (Stovall ’67) Cleek; her husband, Bruce; a stepdaughter, Melissa Hibbard; and sisters Dr. Laura (Cleek ’88) Phillips and Amy (Cleek ’94) Keltner

1991

Janet Maria Huskin, 62, of Abilene, Texas, died Aug. 20, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. She was born Nov. 21, 1962, in Jackson, Tennessee, and grew up in Canada; and earned a B.S.Ed. degree. She wed James “Jimmy” Huskin (’83) on March 24, 1984. She was preceded in death

by Jimmy, her husband of 37 years. Among survivors are her parents, Glen Dods and Gwen Dods; sons Josh Huskin, Jeremy Huskin, Jake Huskin and Jayden Huskin; daughters Jessica Huskin and Jillian Huskin; seven grandchildren; brothers Tim Dods (’83) and Dan Dods (’87); and a sister, Jacki (Dods ’84) Hathorn

1994

Virginia “Ginny” Glynn Breland, 72, died Dec. 24, 2023, in Abilene, Texas. She was born July 24, 1951, in Stamford, Texas; grew up in Abilene; and wed Darrell Gene Breland (’71) on Aug. 4, 1972. They founded Darrell Breland Motors, where she worked as a bookkeeper and business partner. She volunteered many years in the Junior League of Abilene. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph “J.V.” Van Buren and Betty Trammell Van Buren. Among survivors are her husband, Darrell; children Cody Breland and Haley (Breland ’04) Tabor; four grandchildren; and a sister, Linda Scott.

2001

Edward Wardlaw Stasney, 83, died March 30, 2025. He was born Aug. 10, 1941, in Ballinger, Texas. He was an outstanding tennis player who won a national doubles title at Tarleton State University before serving in the Army and earning a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering from Texas A&M University. Stasney wed Suzanne Mitchell (’01 M.M.F.T.) on Nov. 21, 1973, and adopted her two daughters. In 1975, they moved to Tehran, Iran, where he worked with Brown & Root as the chief estimator for the Chabahar Naval Base in the Persian Gulf. They returned to Houston in 1977. During his career in Texas he oversaw offshore drilling materials and transportation for Pemex at the Port of Galveston, and later worked on prominent projects, including the Superconducting Super Collider in Dallas and DART’s light rail system. He also managed the Tren Urbano light rail system in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In retirement, he pursued a passion for psychology, earning a master’s degree in 2001 from ACU, teaching blended family classes and leading state-mandated programs such as Batterer Intervention and Prevention and anger management workshops. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Worth Stasney and Malcorine Wardlaw Stasney. Among survivors are his wife, Suzanne; daughters Kelly Stasney Howell and Donna Stasney Long; a son, Edward Wardlaw Stasney Jr.; eight grandchildren; and a sister, Anne Stasney Pierce.

2013

Bryan Scott Evans, 38, of McKinney, Texas, died Oct. 5, 2025. He was born Sept. 26, 1987, in Houston, Texas, and earned a B.S. in child and family services. As a student, he worked in the Call Center, was a member of Pi Kappa fraternity, and participated in Spring Break Campaigns. Survivors include his parents, Steve Evans (’82) and JoAnn (Travis ’13) Evans; and a brother, Brent Evans.

Second GLANCE

BY ALLIE BRANDON

How did I end up here?

Allie Brandon, PA-C (’21), earned a B.A. degree in biology from ACU and works in the emergency department at St. David’s North Austin (Texas) Medical Center.

Irecently found myself at the head of the bed in a trauma bay, wondering in a spare moment how I ended up there.

As a physician assistant in a busy emergency room, no two days are alike. It’s only been four years since graduation, but through my medical training, I’ve learned I never know who or what situation will come through the doors. I’ve learned to keep a fresh pair of gloves in my pocket because I never know when the next opportunity will arrive.

In my short 16 months since finishing PA school, I’ve seen several precipitous births or Code Storks, our terms for the moms who arrive at the ER in active labor. There is no time to take them to the labor and delivery floor, so we have to prepare to deliver the baby in the ER and pray the OB-GYN doctor on call arrives quickly. A room full of nurses, paramedics and techs calmly provide a safe and prepared environment to bring a new life into the world, despite having only minutes – or seconds – to prepare.

So today, when a woman arrived in active labor, I ran out with my supervising ER doctor to assess the patient. We quickly called a Code Stork on the intercom to alert the labor and delivery team of the baby’s imminent arrival as we helped the mom onto a stretcher and wheeled her into a room.

Another attending ER doctor who speaks Spanish more fluently stepped around the corner, asking if we needed help. The urge arose to ask him to replace me, the small voice of my inner critic saying, “You are not qualified to do this. Someone else would do better.” But I sensed an even smaller voice, a whisper, inviting me to stay.

After a quick physical exam, it became abundantly clear that she was in labor, and the baby was coming now. The most important question: How far along are you? Her answer made my heart sink, as she was not yet in her third trimester. Her baby had a long uphill battle ahead. So, how did I end up here? On my graduation day from ACU four years ago, I could never have imagined it. But the answer came into sharp focus. It’s because the first Chapel in August and last Chapel in May sent me out with the charge to become a Christian servant and leader, wherever life took me.

The woman’s wide eyes showed she did not speak English. While I am not a native Spanish speaker, I have practiced enough for basic conversation with patients.

Taking the mother by the hand as we pushed her into the room, I began speaking with her in Spanish, asking the most essential questions about her pregnancy and health history, knowing we had to act fast. Without time to pull up a virtual medical translator, I quickly became the primary bridge between a fearful couple and our medical team in a room of now 15 doctors, nurses and techs, all preparing to deliver a breech baby on short notice.

Still new to emergency medicine, I am keenly aware each day of my limited knowledge and abilities, and humbled by how much there is to learn. I am quick to find my attending doctor, step out of the way and let someone more experienced take the reins as needed.

But I’m also blessed to have discovered my strengths and in this particular moment, we needed a communicator, a translator – a need I knew I could fill.

Because I spent eight weeks on a World Wide Witness internship in Honduras after my sophomore year, working in a rural community clinic where we treated and cared for pregnant women.

Because Larry Henderson (’73) and Anne Hocking (’21 M.L.A.) imparted to me the beauty of saying “Yes” to the ways God invites me to join his story, modeling the importance of career as mission work and helping me fall in love with cross-cultural relationships.

Because of the hours Dr. Diana Flanagan devoted to revising my application to PA school and our conversations on the importance of professing Christ in my career.

Because Dr. Perry Reeves (’65), who taught my dad General Chemistry in 1986, also taught me those same principles in 2018, laying a foundation on which to build.

Because Dr. Janine (Paden ’77) Morgan and Dr. Jeanene Perkins Reese (’74) discipled me in a Wednesday small-group Chapel, teaching me the importance of breath prayers and praying scripture when I feel in over my head.

Because Dr. Paul Roggendorff taught medical Spanish to me my sophomore year at ACU and fostered a conversational environment in which I could practice my new vocabulary.

Because the missions program sent me as a junior on a Global Service trip to Guatemala, where I learned medical translation skills.

A LEGACY OF Faith and Wisdom

Dr. Vera Campbell-Jones (’19 DNP) grew up in a family that valued learning. None of her parents or grandparents completed high school, but they instilled in her a love of education. Vera remembers her grandmother saying, “Get all the education you can – no one can ever take that away from you.”

Those words became her compass. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO), Vera built a distinguished career as a registered nurse, healthcare leader, author and educator and decided to pursue her Doctor of Nursing Practice through ACU Online. She benefitted from donors who provided scholarships over the years, helping to honor her grandmother’s advice.

Following three decades serving as an RN, Vera now teaches at SEMO. And, with some deliberate planning, she is paying forward the support she received.

Through ACU’s Office of Gift Planning, she established the Dr. Vera Campbell-Jones Endowed Scholarship in memory of her parents, Walter and Willie Mae (Bush) Campbell Sr., and her grandparents, Donner and Sadie (Patterson) Campbell and Bob Willis and Rose (Dansen) Bush. Scholarship awards will be based on character, high academic standing, financial need and completion of one academic year at ACU, with preference toward socioeconomically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.

Vera has pledged five annual installments for her scholarship to reach minimum funding in 2029 – serving as a tribute to past generations and a gift to the student recipients.

“I may not be wealthy,” Vera says, “but I can give wisely. This is my way of using what I earn to make a lasting difference. To know my family’s love and encouragement will live on long after I’m gone is a gift I’m so excited about giving.”

The Office of Gift Planning at ACU assists alumni and friends in designing gifts that reflect

Dr. Vera Campbell-Jones

BONUS COVERAGE

Hannah Taylor, senior communication sciences and disordersmajor from Richardson, Texas, carries the Texas flag in the Homecoming Parade. Taylor is vice president ofthe ACU Riding Team.

PHOTOGRAPHY B Y S K YLER BLANTON

WILDCATS WILDCATS

OCT. 30 – NOV. 2

OCT. 30 – NOV. 2

Makeda Marquardt, a senior accounting major from Abilene, was crowned Homecoming Queen for 2025 during halftime of the Homecoming football game. She is escorted by her father, Dr. Dennis Marquardt, assistant professor of management sciences.

Wildcats of all generations gather Oct. 31 on the front steps of the Hardin Administration Building for a time of worship by candlelight.

Wildcat Wranglers help keep the Goetz-Beauchamp Bell ringing during Homecoming weekend.

Brenna Haynes, junior finance major from Granbury, Texas, performs with the Women of Ko Jo Kai as part of their Toy Story -themed float in the Homecoming Parade.

Cameron Traylor, senior accounting major from Weatherford, Texas, chants and marches with the men of Frater Sodalis in the Homecoming Parade.

Taylor Harvey, a senior child and family services major from McKinney, Texas, rides on the Tri Kappa Gamma parade float, which honored the sorority’s founding year of 1986.

Members of Sigma Theta Chi march alongside their parade float with the theme “Bloomin’ with Sigma Theta Chi.”

Members of ACU’s Big Purple Marching Bandperform Nov. 1 in the Homecoming Parade.

Reece Rhoden (‘09) and daughter CJ enjoy the Homecoming Parade on Nov. 1.

ACU’s cheer team and pom squad kept enthusiasm high in the Homecoming Parade.

Fritter, the official mascot of the ACU Police Department, cruises in his own personalized police vehicle. Follow him on Instagram @k9_fritter.

FROM LEFT: Paige (Henson ‘91) Cawyer, Erin (Knight ‘08) Wessel, Ko Jo Kai president senior Makeda Marquardt, Holly (McLeod ‘92) Brown and Marcy (Beard ‘92) Edwards at the sorority’s Homecoming breakfast and Kojie Park dedication.

and gathering spaces.

The women of Ko Jo Kai circle up Nov. 1 after the dedication of the new Kojie Park. Located between McKinzie Hall and the McGlothlin Campus Center, the park includes permanent swings with overhead pergolas, a bench area, a memorial garden

members of of

Lewis Irwin, senior biochemistry major from Canton, Texas, prepares to Pie-A-Moonie as part of the Galaxy Homecoming tailgate. The fundraiser benefits Galaxy’s Kirk Goodwin Run.

Student

Tri Kappa Gamma enjoy tailgate festivities.

FROM LEFT: Grace Blair, senior child and family services major from Lubbock, Texas; Bree Rundle, senior Bible and ministry major from Weatherford, Texas; and Chloe Daugherty, senior child and family services major from Albany, Texas, join Willie the Wildcat at the Big Country Tailgate before the Homecoming football game on Nov. 1.

The men of Trojans cook hamburgers for friends and fans at the Big Country Tailgate.

The ACU football team runs onto Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium in front of a sellout crowd before the annual Homecoming game on Nov. 1. ACU defeated Tarleton State 31-28.

ACU fans and players react to kicker Brandon Perez’s game-winning, 47-yard field goal on the final snap to beat Tarleton State, which was ranked No. 2 in FCS at the time.

From left, sophomore running back Deonte Dean (21), junior tight end Bryan “Itty” Henry (87), senior defensive back T.J. Marshall (7) and junior defensive back Tyson Williams (4) join the ACU student section to celebrate ACU’s win over Tarleton State.

Noah Mangham, junior defensive back from Frisco, Texas, leaps in celebration in the locker room after the Wildcats’ Homecoming win.

Aubrey Pearce, senior theatre major from Saint Paul, Minnesota, stars as Fiona.

Collin McKean (right), senior theatre major from Fulshear, Texas, plays Lord Farquaad in the Homecoming musical.

The Three Bears and other fairy tale creatures are banished to Shrek’s swamp by Lord Farquaad.

FROM LEFT: James Bradshaw, senior theatre major from Sachse, Texas, and Evan Owens, senior theatre major from Hurst, Texas, entertain audiences as Donkey and Shrek in Shrek the Musical

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

70th Sing Song

Alumni Day Luncheon

Class of 1976 Golden Anniversary Reunion

ACU Gives

May Commencement

Wildcat Week for Freshmen

121st Opening Assembly

March 27-28

March 29

April 22-24

April 28-29

May 8-9

August 18-21

August 24

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Wildcat Wranglers

Armed with chants, megaphones and an abundance of purple pride, the Wildcat Wranglers debuted at ACU’s Homecoming football game, leading the student section in energy and sheer volume. The group plans to bring their signature overalls and enthusiasm to various sports events throughout the year. From left to right: Parker Schell, Reaghan White, Keenan Wolf, Hayden Powell and Keaton Melvin.

SKYLER BLANTON