The Optimist - Jan. 16, 2009

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Pg. 10 Wildcats launch divisional play with home win

Friday, January 16, 2009 :: Vol. 97, No. 29 :: 1 section, 10 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com

Inside This Issue:

Pg 3

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Award-winning sports producer named outstanding alumnus

Pg 8

Leadership Summit teaches students about business, life lessons

Super Cut: Local barber devotes time, scisscrs to customers

Officials to award extra credits for good Chapel behavior

By Michael Freeman Managing Editor

“Changed” will be this semester’s Chapel theme, which will showcase people’s stories of how their lives were transformed since becoming

a Christian. The theme name could also describe the new Chapel credit process.

During Tuesday’s service, Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president and dean of Student Life, announced he would award students with an extra

feedback, Thompson will decide whether or not students should receive an additional credit for their behavior.

“While Moody [Coliseum] is a difficult place to hold

credit whenever they conduct themselves in a respectful and non-distracting manner.

Several staff members from the Student Life office will attend Chapel on a regular basis and report to Thompson how the service went. Based on the

See

Chapel page 7

“

I firmly believe that our students can rise to the challenge of respect and care... :: Dr. Jean Noel Thompson, vice president and dean of Student Life

Welcomed Completion

Mobile summit attracts host of schools

Hunter Center nears opening

By Colter Hettich Features Editor

By Laura Acuff Opinion Page Editor

Undergoing final touches and maintenance checks, the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center should contain all of its new furniture by the end of this week in preparation for a dedication ceremony Feb. 21.

Despite projections that the center would be finished and housing new occupants

by Jan. 5, slowed progress over the winter break delayed the move in of several ACU employees to the building, said associate vice president for Administrative Services Kevin Watson.

“We had an opportunity,” Watson said. “But over the holidays, we lost a week or 10 days of work time, just subcontractors not being here, things not getting done, so we weren’t able to meet that Jan. 5 deadline.”

Construction of the center began in Dec. 2007, and Watson said construction on the building will still finish before the contract date in February, a date set for project completion after which the contractor is penalized for incomplete work.

“We’re not there yet,” Watson said. “He’s got time, but we’ll still finish a little bit early but not as early as we See

”

Hunter page 7

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Construction of the Bob and Shirley Welcome Center is nearly complete more than two and a half years after university officials announced building plans.

Birth of a Welcome Center

Courtesy of Creative Services

Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, presents Bob Hunter, ACU vice president emeritus, with a hard hat and golden shovel at the ground-breaking ceremony in 2007.

August 2005

University officials chose to build a new welcome center, one of several that would be adjacent to the university’s main entrance.

Oct. 2005

The university began raising the more than $14 million needed to begin construction on the new center.

Feb. 2006

The center was named after former Texas Rep. Bob Hunter and his wife Shirley for their devotion to ACU.

Sept. 2007

ACU acquired all of the funds necessary to begin construction on the building.

Dec. 2007

After a ground-breaking ceremony, construction of the Bob and Shirley Welcome Center begins.

Feb. 2008

The center will be dedicated more than two and a half years after plans for the Welcome Center began.

Labyrinth built as site for contemplation for ACU community

By Lydia Melby

acuoptimist.com

Arts Editor

The ACU campus will soon feature yet another place for students, visitors and alumni to reflect and relax in the form of a circular stone labyrinth, which is currently under construction outside the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center. The labyrinth, which forms a limestone and granite plaza outside the Welcome Center, is intended to become a place of

See a video profiling final days of the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center. spiritual rest and meditation.

Although the word ‘labyrinth’ may evoke images of intricate mazes with high walls of stone or hedge, labyrinth is more of a symbolic

aCU WeaTHer

plaza and is modeled after a similar 11-circuit labyrinth design built circa 1100 A.D. at the Chartres Cathedral in Chartres, France.

“The labyrinth is another contemplative space like the Trail Heads on the Lunsford trail or Jacob’s Dream, but the labyrinth is an old style medieval space,” said Kevin Watson, associate vice president for administrative services.

See

Labyrinth page 7

More from the

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

High: 48 Low: 37

High: 62 Low: 33

High: 60 Low: 31

Heather Leiphart :: staff photographer Mason Rodriguez smoothes concrete on a section of the labyrinth in front of the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center on Wednesday.

More than the eyes of Texas are upon ACU this semester.

The eyes of the world will watch as hundreds of scholars, technicians and administrators from as far as the UK, Japan and Australia journey to ACU’s Teague Center in February.

Representatives from more than 80 schools are expected to attend FebNo CHarge ruary’s ConnectEd mo- ACU students bile learning who are chosen s u m m i t . as recipients of On Feb. 27, scholarships will C o n n e c t E d get to attend will provide the ConnectED mobile learning a place for summit on Feb. m e n t o r - 27. Applications ship, dis- are will soon be covery and available online c o l l a b o - at: www.acu.edu ration of ideas. Steve Molyneux, professor at Cambridge University, and a Harvard physicist are among the distinguished, presenting guests.

George Saltsman, director of the Adams Center for Learning and Teaching, said before the event was officially scheduled, between 55 and 60 schools expressed serious interest in attending such a conference.

“The purpose of the conference is for schools who want to deploy the iPhone and iPod touch to come and see what we’re doing,” Saltsman said. “And somebody cool — a high ranking person — from Apple will be here.”

AT&T and Apple representatives also will join ACU in welcoming and assisting attendees, and the university will offer a limited number of scholarships that will allow students to attend the conference.

“We want to make a number of scholarships available to students who want to attend with no cost,” Saltsman said. “We also expect that there is going to be some product announcements [during the conference].”

Faculty members of ACU’s Mobile Learning Initiative See

Online Poll : Log onto www.acuoptimist.com or www.youtube. com/acuvideo to see weekly News casts and Sports casts from the JMC Network News Team and videos profiling various events and stories around campus and Abilene.

Summit page 7

Are you a fan of the new Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center?

a. No. It was a waste of money. b. Yes. I plan to attend the dedication. c. Maybe, I need tour it first. d. When did they build that?

acuoptimist.com Department of Journalism and Mass Communication ::

Abilene Christian University

::

Serving the ACU community since 1912

2

Campus Day Friday, January 16, 2009

Calendar and Events

16

Friday

10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

A blood drive sponsored by the Meek Blood Center will be in the Campus Center Living Room.

5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

The All-You-Can-Eat Mexican Dinner will be at Abilene Adult Daycare. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children.

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Saturday

3 p.m.- 4 p.m.

A Jazz Band concert will be in Cullen Auditorium.

7 p.m.

“Aladdin Jr.” will be presented at the Paramount by the Abilene Performing Arts Company. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.

acuoptimist.com

Monday

8:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.

A blood drive sponsored by the Meek Blood Center will be at First Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Go to www.meekbloodcenter.org for more information.

2 p.m.

“Aladdin Jr.” will be presented at the Paramount by the Abilene Performing Arts Company.

Watch videos on the men and womens’ basketball against Eastern New Mexico, the upcoming track meet and the beginning of Sing Song rehearsals.

2 p.m.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day march held by the Black History Committee of Abilene will start at Cockerell Drive and Highway 80.

Webcast Log on to www.youtube.com/acuvideo next week to see a preview of the Welcome Center.

6:30-9 p.m. Volunteers will be served supper beginning at 5:30 p.m. and a brief training session will follow. Many prizes are given to volunteers, as well as a free ticket to the telethon Saturday night. Come by the Volunteer and Service Learning Center downstairs in the Campus Center for more information.

The West Texas Rehabilitation Center needs volunteers for its annual Rehab Phonathon. This takes place Wednesday through Friday, prior to the telethon Saturday. Volunteers will make calls for contributions to donors of the Rehab Center each day from

Meals on Wheels is always looking for volunteers to deliver meals to some of the homebound members of our community. The commitment is once a week.

Volunteers will pick up the meals from the Meals on Wheels building and deliver them to people

around Abilene. It takes one hour each week. Call Mitzi McAndrew at 672-5050 to volunteer. Remember that this project is approved as a Faith in Action chapel exemption project.

Noah Project, a center for victims of family violence, needs volunteers to answer its hotline from 6-10 p.m. Training will be provided and after completing training, volunteers can sign up for time slots. Volunteers can sign up as often as needed.

The Grace Museum is always in need of volunteers. Volunteers play a vital role in the daily oper-

Assistant Copy Editor

While skimming through the television channels, a cartoon caught Dustin Janssen’s eye, and he watched, fascinated, as the characters played a game similar to that of chess.

Janssen, freshman history major from Amarillo, had his interest sparked in the Chinese board game called

Go when he saw it on a cartoon called Hikaru Nogo.

He said he went online to find more information about the game and came across a Web site (www.usgo.org) describing where and when the game originated as well as its rules.

When Janssen began attending ACU last fall, he met other students who enjoyed playing the game so he decided to begin a club

for Go players. The Go Club meets every Sunday from 2- 5 p.m. Janssen typically begins the meetings by giving a short lecture on different aspects of the game.

Go is a board game that originated in China more than 4,000 years ago. To play, two players alternate in placing black and white stones on a 19-by-19 lineruled board with the aim of surrounding territory.

Stones are never moved and are only removed if they are completely surrounded.

The goal of the game is to collect the most territory.

The official Web site said the rules of Go can be learned in minutes, but it can take a lifetime to master the game.

“There are more Go variations than atoms in the universe,” Janssen said.

“The best part about the game is that it never repeats itself.”

Janssen began playing Go a little more than a year ago on a computer program.

He said computers can only reach the level of an

Monday, Jan. 5

Friday Jan. 9

12:20 p.m. A fire alarm sounded at Morris Hall because food was spilled on a stove.

4:45 p.m. ACU police assisted Abilene police with an assault at Wal-Mart.

3 p.m. Someone reported a theft at University Park apartments 11:19 p.m. Someone reported a noise violation at The Grove in Building 9.

Tuesday, Jan. 6

2:05 p.m. ACU police assisted Abilene police with a vehicle accident.

3:33 p.m. A burglar alarm sounded at the Conflict Resolution Center due to alarm testing.

8:45 a.m. ACU police assisted Abilene Police with a disturbance on Treadaway Boulevard.

8:20 a.m. ACU police assisted Abilene police with an alarm on Harwell Street. ation of the museum. The minute visitors walk through the door, the experience in the museum relies on capable and trained volunteers. For more information about volunteer opportunities at The Grace Museum, please call 673-4587.

Find out volunteer opportunities by visiting the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center’s Web site at www.acu.edu/vslc and clicking on Volunteer Opportunities. For more information or to sign up to help, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.

Freshman founds club for Go gamers

By Molly Byrd

Police Log

Wednesday, Jan. 7

Volunteer Opportunities Communities in Schools at Fannin Elementary School needs volunteers for one to two hours at 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Volunteers will give extra help to students in an after school tutoring class. Come by the Volunteer and Service Learning Center downstairs in the Campus Center for more information.

To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

Help prevent burglary and theft – lock your dorm room or house anytime you are away.

No classes

6 p.m.- 7 p.m.

MLK Candle Light will take place on the steps of Sewell Theatre.

Online Newscast

The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities.

Groups may send announcements directly to jmcnetwork@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at mab07d@acu.edu.

ACU Police Tip of the Week

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Sunday

About This Page

advanced beginner, and he desired more of a challenge.

The first game he played on a real 19-by-19 wooden board was during the 2008 U.S. Open, which is the largest U.S. Go tournament.

He wanted to work his way up to a higher rank. He said the Go ranking system works a lot like martial arts belts do.

“No one has completely mastered the game, so even the top players are still improving,” he said.

Janssen said his goal is to someday sponsor Go tournaments on campus when more people decide to become members.

Thursday, Jan. 8 8:05 a.m. Someone reported criminal mischief at the Vanderpool Building.

12:15 p.m. Someone reported a suspicious subject following a student to Sherrod Apartments.

4:15 p.m. Someone reported a theft at the police station.

Sunday Jan. 11 4:38 p.m. ACU police assisted Abilene police with a burglary at 600 E.N. 15th St. 8:05 p.m. Someone reported that the Hunter Welcome Center was unlocked, but ACU police did not have a key to secure the building.

Always report suspicious activity to ACUPD at 674-2305 or 674-2911.

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

05

Credited Chapels remaining:

68

Announcements Green Tip: Try tray-less dining at the Bean. Opting not to grab a tray means fewer dishes to wash, which uses less water and energy. Find a pdf download with more information at ACU Green Web site: www.acu.edu/green.

The Volunteer & ServiceLearning Center will host a Service Expo in the main area of the Campus Center Wednesday and Thursday. Representatives from area agencies will be available from 10 a.m.-12:20 p.m. to talk with students about volunteer opportunities in the community.

The Meek Blood Center blood drive will take place Friday from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. in the Campus Center Living Room.

E-mail Byrd at: mab07d@acu.edu

Saturday Jan. 10

Spring Break Campaigns have groups going to California, Canada, Oregon, Washington

D.C., Colorado and many more.

Find out more about spring break campaigns online at www.acusbc. org or stop by McKinzie Hall, Room 127.

Summer 2009 registration dates have been changed to Feb. 25. All classifications will begin registering for classes at 3 p.m.

The advising release codes will be the same ones used for spring registration. Talk to your advisor for more information or go to the Registrar’s Web site: http://www. acu.edu/campusoffices/registrar/ schedulebulletin/index.html.

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Banquet Dinner will feature Dr. Jerry Taylor, professor of Bible, missions and ministry, as the keynote speaker. The banquet will be at the Abilene Civic Center Monday, at 6 p.m. Tickets for open seating are $23 each and $250 for a table of 10.

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, January 16, 2009

Page 3

Students spend break helping hurricane victims

By Sondra Rodriguez Page 2 Editor

For many students, the first week of Christmas break was spent recovering from the fall semester. For nine students, faculty and alumni, Dec. 14-19 was spent on the Texas Gulf Coast, helping rebuild homes devastated by Hurricane Ike in mid-September.

Dr. Jim Cooke, professor of environmental science, led the group that worked with Clear Lake Church of Christ and Hilltop Rescue and Relief.

Hilltop Rescue and Relief is a California-based organization established in 2004 as a “ministry to provide relief for those suffering from natural disasters,” according to its mission statement. Both organizations supplied volunteers with food, lodging and supplies as they continued efforts

to rebuild after Ike, which was classified as the third most devastating hurricane to ever hit the United States.

Emily Garrison, AmeriCorps VISTA and staff member of the ACU Volunteer Service-Learning Center, went on the trip and said most work consisted of stripping and emptying damaged houses.

“We worked with the families of the houses,” she said.

“We took out their possessions, took out all the drywall and linoleum—we basically stripped the house to its frame.”

Garrison said despite numerous trips, a lot of work still needs to be done.

“There are still roofs on the side of the road,” she said. “Lots of people are still in need.”

For Mark Foster, junior information technology major from Abilene, it was his first trip to the Texas Gulf Coast as

a volunteer and he said he was shocked at the amount of devastation still in the area.

“Some of the houses hadn’t been touched,” he said. “We heard about it on the news for maybe a week or two, but the election and other news got more publicity.”

Kate Norris, senior exercise and sports science major from Kilgore also was a part of the group and agreed the area is still in desperate need of help.

“It’s so incredible how much devastation there still is so long after it happened,” she said.

Garrison said the next step for hurricane victims is to work out the damage with insurance companies and she expects the next trip to the area to consist of disinfecting homes and moving valuables back into the houses.

Editor in Chief

Various administrative departments throughout ACU hired new staff and saw old staff members take new positions, update their titles to better fit their duties or re-jiggered their responsibilities during this school year.

“We think all of these transitions, even though they are always difficult, overall in the end we are strengthened by our new people that are coming in,” said Dr. Royce Money, president of the university.

Kevin Roberts left his role as chief information officer to take the job as associate vice president for operations for the university. In his new position Roberts will oversee Information Services, Physical Resources, Retail Operations and The Depot.

Money said Roberts was promoted after Kevin Watson, former associate vice president for Administrative Services, announced he was leaving ACU to take a job as vice president of Operations at Texan Healthcare, LLP, a company based in San Antonio that constructs retirement homes.

Jim Trietsch, who worked with Roberts as the associate chief information officer, now works with Roberts as chief operations planning officer.

Roberts began working at ACU in 1999 when he was hired as director of re-engineering and was promoted to chief information officer in 2007.

Roberts, who works under Phil Schubert, executive vice president, helped in the planning, launch and oversight of the university’s Mobile Learning Initiative in which more than 950 students received either an Apple iPhone or iPod touch for use inside and outside of the classroom. Roberts will continue his work on the initiative and work closely with whoever is hired as the new CIO. “We don’t plan to take a back seat on that at all,” Money said.

University officials hired fifth-generation alumnus Ja-

son Groves as associate vice president for marketing, a job that oversees the areas of strategic marketing, public relations, creative services and Web communication. Groves left his post as vice president of marketing for First Financial Bank, the only publicly traded company in Abilene. Groves said he was happy to join the ACU staff and looks forward to using his skills to contribute to his alma mater.

“I see a lot of positive things taking place right now,” Groves said. “There are a lot of exciting things on the pipeline for the university.”

Suzanne Allmon, former Director of Human Resources, assumed the role of associate vice president of Human Resources, while Wendy Jones now serves as the director of HR. In the Student Life realm, Jan Meyer, former director of leadership education is now the Assistant Dean for Student Leadership Development and executive director of leadership camps.

In the Development office, Craig Smith was hired as director of development in the early months of the fall semester.

Smith oversees the 21st Century Campaign, major gifts, the stewardship office and research.

Phil Boone, who worked in the past as director of the Centennial campaign, returned to ACU and is serving as assistant vice president for development.

Renhi Hahn, who Money said has served in numerous roles for the university, now works as director of annual giving, where she oversees annual fund efforts at the university.

Lawrence Rugar was hired to work under Slade Sullivan, general counsel, as the university’s Risk Manager.

Money said the organizational changes would help carry out the vision and promise of the university.

“We see all this as a move forward,” Money said.

E-mail Johnson-Kim at: djj04a@acu.edu

“It’s hard for these people to see everything tossed to the curb,” she said. “It’s hard for them to see people going through all their stuff, and we learn to respect their decision

when they want to keep something we think is ruined.”

A Spring Break Campaign will go back to the affected area, but Garrison said she hopes to plan an earlier trip.

Students should look for details about all upcoming trips in Chapel.

E-mail Rodriguez at: sar06g@acu.edu

The Sound of Music

New year brings new staff changes

By Daniel Jonhnson-Kim

Photo courtesy of Emily Garrison

A group of faculty students and other volunteers pose outside the van in Galveston before helping reconstruct houses that have been damaged by Hurricane Ike in the fall of 2008.

Jozie Sands :: staff photographer

Tuba player Preston Watkins, freshman advertisement public relations major from Manassas, Va., plays with the Wind Ensemble, while director Steven Ward conducts the rest of the ensemble during Thursday’s noon rehearsal.

ACU names CBS producer outstanding alumnus

By Kelline Linton Chief Copy Editor

Lance Barrow, a 10-time Emmy award-winning producer and 1977 graduate of ACU, was named the 2008 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by the Alumni Association.

“This award is based on the professional and personal contributions to a person’s work, civic responsibilities and church involvement,” said Jama Cadle, alumni events coordinator.

The award is the highest honor annually given by ACU, and recipients are chosen by the Alumni Advisory Board based on nominations from students, faculty, staff and friends of the university.

Dr. Jeff Duncum, past president of the Alumni Advisory Board and friend of Barrow, said in an ACU press release, “Lance epitomizes the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.

He has been very active in his church, has maintained great

involvement at ACU and has become a pillar in the world of televised sports.”

Barrow is the lead game producer for CBS Sports and works as the coordinating producer of the NFL. J a r e d Mosley, ACU director of athletics, said Barrow always tries Barrow to brag about ACU when he is broadcasting.

“He frequently is putting in plugs about the university,” Mosley said. “He is always thinking of ways to help ACU.” Mosley, who has met Barrow on several occasions, said he unquestionably deserves the alumnus award.

“Lance has demonstrated love and passion to us over the years,” Mosley said. “He is one of the more active alums we have and is certainly deserving

of this recognition.”

Barrow is keenly involved with his alma mater. He serves on the ACU Board of Trustees, and when he visits Abilene, he always stops by the Athletics Department to encourage the coaches.

While at ACU, Barrow played football and baseball and served as the sports director at KACU-FM. During the summers, he worked as a spotter during ABC broadcasts or as a caddy at several PGA tournaments.

After graduating, Barrow joined CBS Sports in 1982 as a broadcast associate. He was promoted to associate producer three years later before becoming producer in 1994.

In 2001 and 2004, Barrow was the replay director for CBS Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XXXV and Super Bowl XXXVIII. In 2007, he worked as coordinating producer and lead producer during CBS Sports’ Super Bowl XLI broadcast.

Besides producing football

and golf on CBS Sports, Barrow earned several Emmy Awards for producing the Daytona 500, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship and numerous NFL games.

Mosley said Barrow is an outstanding example of what a student can do with an ACU degree.

“Lance is a champion for the education students receive here,” he said.

Barrow will accept the Outstanding Alumnus Award at The Alumni Day Luncheon on Feb. 22 in the Gary and Sylvia McCaleb Conference Center in the Hunter Welcome Center.

Tickets are $20 per person or $200 for a table of eight and can be purchased by calling 800-373-4220 or visiting www. acu.edu/alumnirsvp. Students are welcome to attend.

E-mail Linton at: krl04b@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Page 4

Leadership Summit draws 100 students

By Tanner Anderson Page Designer

To begin their new year, 100 students made their way to Frontier Ranch in Colorado. Surrounded by mountains and natural beauty and with no distractions like televisions, cell phones or other electronic influences, the ranch was transformed into a secluded spiritual sanctuary for the visiting students.

The students stayed in Colorado Jan. 2-8 to participate in the 11th annual Leadership Summit. The summit’s 12 guest speakers, all with prestigious business credentials, armed the listeners with advice, life lessons and information that focused on how to be a spiritual leader in the workplace.

“I didn’t know what to expect; I thought it was going to be another business class,” said Jonathan Navarro, senior business management major from Rowlett.

“The spiritual level amazed me; the first night hit us spiritually, and it made me realize that it wasn’t just about business.”

The Leadership Summit began 11 years ago, focusing on the leadership in the church and home. Now Mike Winegeart, assistant professor of marketing and director of COBA’s global programs, has prepared the event to focus on how to become a Christian leader at home and in the work place. Winegeart decided to create this year’s Summit over the question: if you could sit next to one of the Fortune 500 Christian business leaders, what would you ask them?

The speakers revealed the defeats and difficulties as well as the triumphs in their lives.

“All of the speakers had their own unique testimony; each speaker was great, and there was never a boring class,” Navarro said. “We learned how to focus on the business world and how to be good Christian role models and leaders in the business community.”

Some Summit classes and discussions ranged from creating and abiding a family budget to learning how to effectively manage your time as well as self-evaluation periods.

“It showed and shocked some people on how difficult it can be for a family to live on a budget; it was complicated to create a budget, and the issues we discussed went deep,” said Sylvia Tucker, junior accounting and finance major from Houston.

The class lasted only five days, but each day began at 9 a.m. and ended at 10 p.m. with meals and breaks scheduled throughout the day.

“It goes by so fast, but then again, you’ve done so much that you can’t believe all that you’ve accomplished through the week,” Tucker said. “I think every student should go on this; it’s just not about having a career, it’s about becoming a Christian leader.”

E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu

Friday, January 16, 2009

Poster Boy

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer

Ian Crowder, freshman computer science major from El Paso, looks at posters for sale in the Campus Center Thursday.

New program to help children with diabetes

By Camille Vandendriessche Assistant Copy Editor

The School of Social Work launched a program this semester to support children and families of children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

The first meeting was Monday night at Hillcrest Church of Christ under the supervision of Dr. Darrell Jordan, associate professor of social work, and Stephanie Daniel and Kristina Akers, two social work graduate students respectively from Fort Worth and Abilene, who coordinate the program.

Eight to nine children from five to 13-years-old attended the meeting with their siblings and parents, Daniel

said. The families are from Abilene and its surrounding areas, with the farthest coming from Sweetwater.

More than 15,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes every year in the United States, according to an ACU press release. Type 1 diabetes is an incurable disease that causes the pancreas to no longer produce insulin and requires lifelong treatment.

The disease affects one out of 400 to 600 children under 20, Akers said.

Initiated by a student’s midterm project in fall 2008, the diabetes support program addresses the social and emotional aspects of type 1 diabetes among children, Jordan said. He said it features three dimensions

of support for children with diabetes, their siblings and their parents, which is unique in Texas, according to researches made by the School of Social Work.

With the help of McMurry University, Hardin-Simmons University and Hendricks Medical Center, the School of Social Work plans for support groups to meet twice a month. Children, siblings and parents will attend separate group activities to benefit specific assistance.

As part of these meetings, professionals from Cooks Children Medical Center in Fort Worth will come to Abilene once a month to provide their services.

The goal of the group activities for children with

type 1 diabetes is to develop positive coping skills and habits and help them overcome the feeling of being limited, Jordan said.

The School of Social Work is looking for students with type 1 diabetes to volunteer and participate in the program.

Jordan said the diabetes support program will not stop when Daniel and Akers graduate; it will resume in fall 2009 with two new student coordinators and will continue in the future.

A golf tournament also is scheduled in March to support the program.

E-mail Vandendriessche at: cxv06a@acu.edu

ArtsFriday

January 16, 2008

‘Gran Torino’ showcases Eastwood’s sensitivity, skill

BOX OFFICE stats Top five movies with weekend gross for Jan. 9-11, 2009. n Gran Torino (R): $29.4 Million

By Blake Penfield Student Writer

Getting older brings a lot of changes in your life. You have to squint to be able to recognize the person waving ten feet away. Your hair loses all color and then completely secedes from the scalp union.

You begin to feel a growing resentment for all things new and different until, in a state of manic delirium, you come to the startling epiphany that you’ve become that iconic codgety old geezer who sits on his porch, screaming profanities at the kids on his lawn. I can’t wait for that to happen to me because Clint Eastwood makes it look so cool.

Move out of the way, grizzled cowboys, fearless space marines, brooding superheroes and swashbuckling pirates: old people are what all the kids are going to want to be this Halloween. Eastwood puts the hip back in hip injury and the style back in senile.

As indicated by that needlessly lengthy preamble, Gran Torino is a film about advancing in age. Don’t let the trailers fool you; this is not a film filled with gunfights or exciting car chases. The action is emotional rather than physical, depicting the battle between an elderly man staunchly set in his ways and his realization that he must learn how to change on a personal and relational level.

Eastwood directs himself in his final acting role as Walt, a bigoted, old Korean War veteran whose neighborhood has become populated with Hmong Americans.

Page 5

n Bride Wars (PG): $21 Million n The Unborn (PG-13): $19.8 Million n Marley and Me (PG): $11.3 Million n The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (PG-13): $9.2 Million

Music SCEne

Photo courtesy of PlayBackStl.com

Clint Eastwood’s character Walt Kowalski reaches out of his prejudice and isolation to connect with his young neighbor Thao, played by Bee Vang.

Like his previous directorial masterpieces Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, Eastwood crafts this film in a way that allows the audience to get to know the characters onscreen intimately.

Steady camera shots and extensive dialogue-heavy scenes dig deep into each of the characters, revealing complex motivations and reliable entertainment.

We all have met a person like Walt in our day-to-day lives, someone who is unapologetically rude and painfully insufferable, and have wondered what it is that causes that person to act that way. What could be going on in their minds that produce such belligerence?

More than once I heard fellow movie-goers comment to the person next to them that, “He’s just like my grandfather” or, “He’s just like Mr. So-andso.” And that’s what makes Gran Torino so good: we all know Walt and, consequently, we’re all emotionally invested in him.

Of course, none of this relatability would be possible without the sublime performance Eastwood turns in as the principle character. This is an Oscar-winning actor giving an Oscar-worthy performance. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly showed us that Eastwood could play a great tough guy, Million Dollar Baby showed us he could be

a fantastic sad guy, but who knew he also could be a terrific funny guy?

Gran Torino demonstrates a beautiful blend of all the staple Eastwood classics while keeping a smile on your lips and a chuckle in your belly. It should be noted that the supporting actors and actresses (including Eastwood’s son Kyle) also deliver commendable performances, but it’s obvious that most of them are completely out of their depths when they share any scene with Eastwood.

From directing and acting to cinematography and score, this is a movie that absolutely oozes excellence. While it may have been snubbed by

the Golden Globes, I would be very surprised if the Academy does not at least nominate this film for Best Picture or Eastwood for Best Director or Best Actor.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best films of 2008 (although it’s wide release was delayed until 2009). It is an experience to which movie-goers everywhere deserve to treat themselves. At age 78, this is reported to be Eastwood’s last starring film: he could not have picked a better one.

Gran Torino currently is being shown in Abilene at Carmike Theatres.

E-mail Penfield at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

n Saturday, Jan. 17: ACU Music Department will sponsor the ATSSB All Region Jazz Festival at 3 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. n Thursday, Jan. 22: ACU Music Department to welcome guest artist Samuel Savage in concert at 8 p.m. in the Recital Hall. n Saturday, Jan. 24: ACU student band Swing The Lead will be performing at The Door in Dallas for the final round of a Battle of the Bands. The competition starts at 6:30 p.m., and admission is $10 at the door.

Abilene Arts n Sat.-Sun., Jan. 17-18: Paramount Productions, in association with Abilene Performing Arts Company, present Aladdin Jr., Disney’s popular musical at the Paramount Theatre at 7 p.m.

Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.

Admission is $20. n Thurs.-Sat., Jan. 22-24: Abilene High School Departments of Choir and Theatre to present Oklahoma! in the Abilene High School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

ViewsFriday

Page 6

January 16, 2009

Inauguration marks traditional, unique national transitions

I

f one wishes to see a sign of the transformations throughout the history of the Unites States of America, look no further than the inauguration of past presidents.

On the eve of the Roaring Twenties, Warren Harding became the first president to ride in a car at his inauguration in 1921. When Calvin Coolidge placed his hand on the Bible in 1925, his oath of office was broadcast on the radio for the first time. Harry Truman took it up a notch in 1949 with the first televised inauguration.

Although these three inaugural firsts mark the evolution of technology and its effect on daily life in this country, they

pale in comparison to the political first this country’s citizens will witness on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 when Barack Obama stands in front of the U.S. Capitol and is sworn in as the 44th president and first black president of the United States of America.

Snapshots of our country’s embarrassments during its evolution of equality reveal how significant Obama’s presidency truly is.

Obama would have counted as only three-fifths of a man, according to the first draft of the Constitution that launched this democratic experiment we call America. The Chicago native’s race would have disquali-

fied him from voting for his leaders, suing in a court of law, or holding the list of rights that accompany American citizenship, had he lived in the time of Dred Scott. The term “separate but equal” would have defined the future Commander in Chief’s life if he had been born before the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its historic Brown v.

Board of Education decision.

Whether you supported Obama or not during the election, every American should stop and witness this historic step for our country. Democrats, Republicans, Independents, young, old, immigrants, natural born citizens and people from every background

imaginable must not miss this moment that proves the American dream is alive and well.

But even if Obama had lost, the peaceful transition of power in this country exemplifies the authority our democracy has in the world. Unlike the death and chaos that go handin-hand with leadership changes in other parts of the world, when Obama was elected there was no uprising, no war, only the continuation of our great country’s existence.

Obama’s supporters faithfully believe their man has the ability to face the laundry list of challenges — a global financial crisis and two wars to name a few — his administration will

The issue:

Sen. Barack Obama’s inauguration holds historical significance.

Our view:

Broken racial barriers and smooth transitions of power lend national and global importance to the occasian.

The solution:

Americans should pay attention to this historic moment in history. immediately face. Whether he flies or fails, Obama always will have his spot in history and the promise of infinite possibilities for anyone from any race in America Just like the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Neil Armstrong’s steps on the moon, the assassinations of John F. Ken-

nedy and Martin Luther King Jr. or the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, future generations of American children will ask their parents if they watched Obama’s inauguration.

Do not miss your opportunity to answer ‘yes.’

E-mail the Optimist at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Miscommunications spark relational dilemmas In today’s most popular romantic movies we watch as problems unfold with our favorite couples and what they do to try and overcome them.

One of the most evident struggles between a man and a woman in these movies is Love and the the differUniversity ence in how

By Sommerly they communicate.

Simser The relationship that Noah and Allie share in The Notebook is a perfect example of this. During the first part of their relationship, they fight constantly because they haven’t learned to communicate effectively.

Obviously theirs isn’t representative of every relationship. You may have one that resembles that of Harry and Sally in When Harry Met Sally. They were able to talk about everything, but even their ideal relationship had flaws. Harry was at times insensitive to Sally’s needs, and in turn Sally could be overly emotional about things.

A few days ago I was reminded how hard it can be to communicate with the opposite sex.

I found out that my boyfriend would not be coming home to Abilene as soon as anticipated. I acted as though this unexpected news felt like an atomic bomb had been dropped on my heart. My crying was followed by the thought of everything he would soon miss out on: Valentine’s Day, Sing Song and spring formal. I was completely crushed.

On the other end of the conversation, though, there was no reaction or emotion from him about the turn of events, which hurt me even more.

After the initial shock of the news wore off, he realized he hadn’t been sensitive to my feelings, and I realized I had overreacted and had only thought about how this delay affected my plans. Of course he wanted to come home when it was originally planned, but he realized that getting all worked up about it was a waste of energy.

Not every miscommunication is going to end in such a speedy resolution.

Let’s face it, it’s impossible for a woman to understand how a man thinks, and it’s just as difficult for

Optional attendance may check Chapel chatter Here we are again, joyfully reunited with both our friends and academic ups and downs. Now that we (hopefully) have our books, have our schedules finalized and memorized and are back into the swing of things, we can settle in Your (A)Typical for another Coffee Addict semester. As always, this

By Lydia semester will Melby be what you make of it, and there will always be things about school you don’t like. Most well-adjusted people seem to realize that, so we slog through pointless busy work, required ‘college-P.E.’ and especially Chapel.

I would be the first one to say that I do not always enjoy

Chapel. I do not generally enjoy the singing, I do not generally enjoy being crowded into a gymnasium with thousands of noisy people and although I do sometimes enjoy the speakers, there have been easily as many messages that I either didn’t agree with or didn’t care about as there were messages I felt were worth my time.

However, my problem with Chapel is my own personal problem, not because I think the normal, reasonable person should jump at the chance to attend Chapel, but because I think a reasonable person would have understood that Chapel was part of the ACU experience and would have decided whether or not to enroll with that fact in mind.

So here’s a confession: I hate Chapel whiners. I can’t stand those people that get worked up about it just be-

Letter to the Editor Christian arguments against homosexual marriage lack love Not every marriage in the US is based on religion. What about those who chose to leave religion out of their ceremony altogether? Plenty of American couples do this every year.

Does that mean their marriages don’t count either, because they’re violating a

supposed religious institution? I think that argument is bogus, personally.

Even further, what about all the Christian couples who marry, only to divorce later?

Isn’t our high divorce rate also cheapening the concept of marriage as it “Should be” according to this article?

Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous

information or invasion of privacy.

Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes.

Phone numbers will not be published.

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

cause it’s something they have to do. I don’t know, I thought that maybe normal, reasonable people would have not chosen to come here if it were something to which they apparently were so violently opposed. So know that while I may be sympathetic on the outside, I’m mocking you on the inside.

However, I also feel like I have a bit more realistic (and probably pessimistic) prediction for Chapel this year than Dr. Money seemed to hold in his message on Monday.

I agree that it reflects quite poorly on the religious atmosphere of our university for the Chapel crowd to be so disruptive and dismissive, but honestly, Dr. Money, that’s the way it’s always going to be unless Chapel is made optional so only people who want to attend will. And I think we all know how likely that is. Although it would

seem like asking adults to be attentive and polite for half an hour wouldn’t seem like too of a taxing or unreasonable request, there will always be those who don’t want to be there and will let the rest of us know it. There will always be people who are at ACU for reasons that don’t include religion and don’t want to participate in the practice of it.

And frankly, you had to know that handing every freshman an iPhone or iPod Touch was pretty much shooting Chapel in the foot.

So really, although I wish it could be different, I won’t be surprised when nothing changes. But go ahead, ACU community, surprise me.

Surprise us all, and surprise yourself, and maybe Chapel will be that much more enjoyable for all of us.

The idea that we as Christians shouldn’t support gay marriage is a little too legalistic for me. I see my role as a Christian as an opportunity to spread a message of love in Christ.

Homosexuality may be a sin according to the Bible, but so are plenty of things we practice every day -- Don’t tell me none of you have ever told a lie, or lusted, or any of the other things listed as abominations.

Jesus himself never mentioned homosexuality, but promoted peace and love. I personally choose

to listen to the Son of God and let his message take precedence over the writings of Paul. Not to lessen the goodness of many of Paul’s teachings, but I do think Jesus is the superior authority here.

Also, the separation of Church and State is an essential part of our nation’s history. What about that?

E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu

Kristin Wood In response to the Nov. 14, 2008, editorial “Marriage definition should remain one man, one woman”

Optimist the

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acuoptimist.com Log online to hear Simser podcast her column.

a man to understand how a woman thinks.

If only men were more willing to wear their hearts on their sleeves and women less likely to overreact, harmony would reign between the two.

Unfortunately, we don’t live in a perfect world.

All we can do to combat miscommunication is to be honest with one another. If a man asks a woman if she is OK, lying and saying, “I’m fine,” is just going to add insult to injury.

“

Let’s face it, it’s impossible for a woman to understand how a man thinks, and it’s just as difficult for a man to understand how a woman thinks.

”

Men need to be aware that even though they may feel something, they don’t always show it. That can frustrate or hurt women.

Both sides should be aware of their differences and put forth the extra effort to understand and meet the other’s needs.

In both The Notebook and When Harry Met Sally, each couple finally came to a point in their relationships where they weren’t focusing as much on the problem at hand. Instead they began to focus on communicating what they needed from the other and trying to meet the other’s needs.

It seems almost simple and easy, but when it involves dealing with a whole different mindset than your own, it can be complex. Still, if you look at Allie and Noah and Harry and Sally, the reward of communicating better is worth the extra effort.

E-mail Simser at: sas04d@acu.edu

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FROM THE FRONT

Friday, January 16, 2008

Page 7

Labyrinth: Dedication set for February Chapel: Thompson hopes for courtesy Continued from page 1

“It is a reminder of our Christian journey and will provide people with opportunity to slow down and think about their walk with God.” A large plaque set outside the plaza explains the purpose and meaning of the labyrinth, stating, “The Christian Life is a journey on the way of Jesus… this place pictures the way as a labyrinth… It is not a maze.

There are no false turns or dead ends. It is not a puzzle, but a guided path reminding the walker that we journey as pilgrims under the care of the Lord.”

The Rich Welcome Plaza and Labyrinth is dedicated in honor of Kenneth and Virginia Rich by their four children and their spouses: Jack Rich and his wife Karen, John Rich and his wife Cheryl, Allan Rich and his wife Janice and Gail Keker and her husband John.

“The idea for putting one on campus actually came from a conversation I had about ten years ago with Jan Meyer, the director of ACU Leadership camps,” said Jack Rich, senior vice president and chief investment officer of ACU. “At that point, Kevin Watson and I started looking for a place we could put it on campus.

We have had a design for a number of locations over the years, but for some rea-

Continued from page 1

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer

Stonemason Earl Zavala places stones for the labyrinth in front of the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center Wednesday. son or another, we never had the chance to actually do it, until now.”

Rich said although labyrinths of this sort are somewhat popular at churches and hospitals, he does not know of any other universities that may have a similar feature.

The plaza and labyrinth officially will be dedicated in February with the dedication of the center. The cost of the plaza and labyrinth is funded by the Rich family and is part of the estimated $15.7 million Hunter Welcome Center.

Rich explained that while he hopes it will become a place for spiritual reflection, it also is a versatile feature.

“It’s not just a labyrinth.

It’s also a plaza that can be used for a number of purposes,” Rich said. “People can just sit and enjoy the outdoors with the ACU lake nearby. I think it’s going to be a popular place for people to sit and relax, and it’s connected to the walking trail so it can be a place for people to rest, and it can be used for receptions and things like that as well.”

However, the labyrinth does find its principle purpose in religious symbolism.

“This is not a maze, but a path to follow, one that represents our journey from earth to heaven,” Watson said. “Hopefully it will be a place for people to sit and have their quiet time or devotional and think about what God has done for them.”

E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu

Summit: Research blossoms with results Continued from page 1 worked on much more than organizing the conference during the fall semester and Christmas break. Mobile Learning Initiative research fellows are

nearing the end of their allotted time, and much of their findings have been compiled into volumes ready for publishing.

Applications for the next round of research fellowships will be collected by Jan. 31 and the

recipients announced at some point this semester.

Several pilot programs, led by faculty members from departments across the campus, are also underway. The programs include faculty podcast-

Hunter: University makes transition into new building Continued from page 1 thought we were going to. As far as the building being complete, it’s 99.9% complete.”

Overseeing the project from conception to its approaching fulfillment, Watson said he’ll be glad to finish and will be “transitioning out” of the university after the center’s completion. Watson will leave his post after the project is completed to work as the vice president of operations at Texan Healthcare, LLP, a company based in San Antonio that constructs retirement homes.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time, so I’m glad to be able to finish this one, and I think that the school

Big Welcome Several departments will be moving into the Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center in the coming weeks.

The following represent some of the departments: n Career Center n Student Financial Services n Office of Admissions n Alumni Relations n Graduate Recruiting n The ACU Foundation n Investment Services n Office of the Vice President of the University

will be blessed by the building,” Watson said. “I hope the things that take place in the building will bless the school, be an honor to

God, and I believe that it will be.”

As for the Welcome Center’s namesake, ACU vice president emeritus and former Texas State Representative Bob Hunter, Watson said the building is an appropriate honor.

“Bob’s been a great blessing to the university,” Watson said. “It’s an appropriate acknowledgement of his dedication. It’s certainly a great family, great heritage.

Bob is a dedicated servant to the school, to the state.

He’s a great Christian man.

It’s a good thing to do so I’m glad that they were able to honor Bob and Shirley in that way.”

E-mail Acuff at: lka06a@acu.edu

ing, student response systems and mobile blogging.

E-mail Hettich at: clh05d@acu.edu

Chapel with respect to noise level and other distractions, I firmly believe that our students can rise to the challenge of respect and care here,” Thompson said in an e-mail. “I also believe that this requires students holding one another accountable, in addition to what we can do as staff, faculty and administration in this important process.”

Thompson thought of the Chapel credit incentive halfway through last semester. He said the incentive could result in students receiving five or more extra credits by the end of the semester based on how students act.

“With an overall Chapel experience, there are so many different pieces that go into it: the time of singing, reading the Scripture, prayer, the speaker and also the audience’s participation or lack thereof,” said Mark Lewis, assistant dean for Spiritual Life and Chapel Programs. “So, [Thompson] was thinking that might be an excellent way to affirm our student body periodically for an overall excellent experience in Moody.”

But the credit incentive was not the only change that was implemented to enhance students’ daily experiences in Chapel. A card reader was installed on the bottom rail of Sections G and H, bumping the total of available card readers to 24. The Campus Conversations topics also were altered for this semester. Of the eight sessions last semester, only two will continue this semester: the Prayer Chapel in the Chapel on Hill and NOOMA video Chapel in Cullen Auditorium led by Dr. Steven

Moore, associate professor of English. The Office of Spiritual Life will release details about the new topics before the first session of Campus Conversations Jan. 27.

“I think it’s important to be able to offer people a lot of different options, so they can find something that’s really going to fit them and make it worth their time,” Lewis said.

The first Chapel forum will be Thursday and will feature the results of last semester’s Chapel survey. A total of 21

“

I hope that our students will see that we do believe in them and are trying the best we can to make Chapel an amazing experience. ::

Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson,

vice president and dean of Student Life

”

Chapel credits will be offered outside of the 73 available in daily Chapel services.

“Building our students up as young adult people and rewarding outstanding conduct in the process is an approach I feel has real merit,” Thompson said in an e-mail.

“I hope that our students will see that we do believe in them and are trying the best we can to make Chapel an amazing experience.”

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu

FocusFriday

Page 8

January 16, 2009

A cut above the rest

The art of barbering has not died, thanks to the likes of Georganne Cole. Those in search of a hip or modern cut need not enter. This barber keeps it simple, and her patrons would not have it any other way.

Story by: Kelline Linton, Chief Copy Editor Nestled in a small shopping strip with stores like Kat’s Kleaners and Chic’s Hair Salon, Georganne’s Barber Shop, 1217 Mockingbird Lane, makes an impression. Red-and-white striped barber poles are painted on its one window, while the plain glass door welcomes all “walk-ins.”

Three brown wooden cabinets line the right wall, separated by two sinks. Although only one of the stations has an old black barber chair with a large chrome handle on its right side, 10 brown-cushioned chairs enclose two-thirds of the room, serving as a waiting area for customers.

Patrons converse about the latest high school football game, while Georganne Cole circles the barber chair, trimming and cutting with quick efficient movements.

She sweeps discarded hair off her customer’s shoulders and back with a wood-handled brush before giving him a massage with a palm-sized vibrating device. He hands her cash, says “thank you” and is immediately replaced with the next waiting client.

Georganne, 50, is a dying breed in Texas where only 35 barber schools compete with thousands of beauty and cosmetology schools, where 5,000 barbers contend with more than 100,000 beauticians.

The local yellow pages only claim nine barbershops in the Abilene area.

The numbers do not faze Georganne as she peers from her large black-framed glasses, combing and clipping 52 weeks of the year.

Her mousey brown hair, blue jeans and off-white tennis shoes match the casual attitude of her friendly Texan drawl. She talks with her clients and to the room at large while constantly moving, wielding scissors and clippers.

With her skill and speed, she finishes most haircuts in less than 15 minutes.

Georganne has never experienced a slow day at her barbershop.

“The most I ever had was 42 [customers], and the least I ever had was about 13,” she said. “I used to think they came because I was cheap but I had to go up in price, and they still come. I have not missed a beat.”

Photos by: Jozie Sands, Staff Photographer For ten years, Georganne charged $10 for a haircut but she increased the price last March.

A paper sign on the wall reads, “Haircuts are $12.”

“I don’t know why they come,” she confesses. “I really don’t.”

Emmet West, 79, has been a regular of Georganne’s for the last three years.

“Georganne is a hospitable

Christian lady,” West said. “She’s just friendly instead of grouchy.”

Twenty-six-year patron Randy Stevens, 82, agreed with West.

“It’s a good Christian atmosphere,” Stevens said. “She gives a great haircut; she knows all her customers and she takes pride in her work.”

Georganne was not always set on cutting hair. She attended ACU

as a physical education major in 1976 for one fall semester but left after discovering college did not suit her. After she returned home to Odessa, Mrs. Smitherman, a family friend, approached her in church one Sunday morning and told her, “You need to go to barber school.”

“I didn’t want to do women’s hair, colors or perms or anything

Left: The mirror across from Georganne’s barber chair is decorated with pictures of her son, Logan, and her daughter, Robyn. Above: Logan joins in the conversation as Don Cooper enjoys a trim. Right: Glen Caldwell sits in Georganne’s vintage barber chair. The chair has never been replaced since its installation more than 30 years ago.

like that,” Georganne remembered telling her, but the woman assured her barbering involved none of those skills.

So Georganne drove to Odessa Barber College for a tour and enrolled the same day.

“I’ve been barbering for 33 years. I love it,” she said. “I never doubted God allowed me to know where to go.”

After returning to Abilene in 1979, she worked at five different stores, including the Westgate Style Center, now a parking lot.

Georganne bought her namesake shop in 1982 from David Lanier and said it looked the same as it does now.

“There wasn’t a whole lot to redecorate,” she said.

Lanier, 80, and David Keefer, 79, worked for Georganne for a year before retiring. She has cut solo ever since.

Eighty-five percent of her customers are men, although she does trim the hair of both sexes.

She said fewer women attend barbershops now days.

“I’m a barber. I like clipper cuts, not the new styles,” she said. “I have no desire to do fancy stuff; I like to make a nice, clean haircut.”

Georganne’s daughter Robyn, 20, attends beauty school and may join her mother in the family business, but not anytime soon.

“It will be a while; she likes the perms and colors,” Georganne said. “I, on the other hand, offer a good ol’ fashion haircut, and as long as I’m here, it will be a barbershop.”

With one last clip, Georganne finishes her latest customer’s haircut and grabs the broom for a quick sweep during the lull.

The door bangs behind her as a man enters the shop.

Greeting him by name, she takes up her comb and scissors.

“God has blessed me,” Georganne said. “He is the reason for everything. No question, no doubt.”

E-mail Linton at: krl04b@acu.edu

SPORTS JUMPS

Friday, January 16, 2009

Page 9

Record: LSC South Offensive Basketball: Men 1-0 in conference POW Meyer sets scoring record Continued from page 10

Continued from page 10 performances of both teams and proud of how her Pioneers played in a losing effort.

“I thought both teams played exceptionally well; it was heartbreaking that either team had to lose,” Jillson said.

The game grabbed the national media spotlight on outlets such as ESPN and also broke many records.

The teams combined for 290 points, which set the NCAA record for points in a game in any division. ACU also set the NCAA record for points in overtime by scoring 58 points in the extra frames. The Texas Woman’s Pioneers also set the record for most points by a losing team by putting up 143 points on the Wildcats.

Numerous Lone Star Conference records also were broken during the game. Texas Woman’s forward Renee Renz scored an astonishing 63 points in the game. Renz also broke the LSC record for field goals made by making 22 shots throughout the game.

Along with NCAA and LSC records, many ACU records were overtaken. The team broke the school record for points (147), assists (40), field goals made (59) and field goals attempted (112).

Numerous individual marks were set. Junior guard Kat

Kundmueller set the ACU record for assists in the game with 16, while forward Kristee Davidson broke the school record for field-goal attempts by taking 32 shots. The show, however, was stolen by junior guard Jamie Meyer, who set the ACU scoring record by pouring in 49 points to lead the team to victory. Coach Lavender was not just impressed with Meyer’s golden touch but with her all-around performance in the game.

“It seemed like everything Jamie shot went in,” Lavender said. “She did a great job of getting to the basket and finding some open shots on the break.”

This quadruple overtime thriller was not Lavender’s first experience in the marathon-type game. In 1997, Lavender was playing for the SMU Mustangs when they beat the TCU Horned Frogs in four overtime periods. Lavender was in just as much amazement during her second quadruple overtime game.

“Every time I looked up at the scoreboard, I could not believe what was happening; it was fun to be a part of,” Lavender said.

As if the excitement from that record-setting night was not enough, Lavender added to the buzz surrounding her team by winning her 100th

game as ACU head coach.

The Wildcats defeated Eastern New Mexico (73-65) Tuesday to help their coach reach that historic mark. The game against the ENMU Zias also was the Wildcats’ LSC South Conference opener and it brings the team back on a positive note after two backto-back defeats against Central Oklahoma (68-67) Jan. 8 and Northeastern State (8362) Saturday.

Lavender was excited about her historic 100th win against ENMU and was pleased her team found victory in its conference opener.

“To me, it’s just another win,” Lavender said. “Having just started conference play, that’s my focus, and I’m glad to be 1-0. I guess I’m glad to get 100 wins before 100 losses.”

The Wildcats will play 11 of their next 12 games against LSC South opponents, so the squad is entering a crucial part of its season. The teams next game is Saturday afternoon against West Texas A&M in Canyon. The next chance to see the team at home will be when the Wildcats play host to the Rambelles of Angelo State Jan. 24. Angelo State, like ACU, has a 9-6 record and figures to be hungry for a victory in Moody Coliseum next weekend.

E-mail Craig at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Scott: NFL in sight for RB Continued from page 10 and he ranks second in ACU and LSC history with 73 total touchdowns.

While ending his ACU career with many awards and highlights, Scott’s most memorable performance might have come against West Texas A&M in the Wildcats’ playoff game Nov. 22. Scott rushed for 292 yards and six touchdowns while catching three passes for 61 yards and one touchdown as ACU won 9368. Scott’s six rushing touchdowns, seven total touchdowns and 42 points were all NCAA Division II playoff,

NCAA Division II, LSC and ACU single-game records, as ACU set the NCAA Division II record for most combined points in regulation with 161 and earned a spot on ESPN’s SportsCenter.

“We haven’t had anyone that makes an impact on a football game more than he does,” Thomsen said. “We have had some really gifted players like Johnny [Knox], Billy [Malone] and [Danieal] Manning, but he’s the guy that has had the biggest impact on games for us, and that says a lot.”

After winning the Harlon Hill Trophy, Scott signed

with agent Scott Casterline and moved back to Dallas to begin preparing for the NFL. Scott will play in the Texas vs. Nation all-star game Jan. 31 in El Paso and will look for an invitation to the NFL Scouting combine in February.

“Right now I’m just working out six days a week, boxing and conditioning before the all-star game on Jan. 31,” Scott said. “I’m just getting ready for the combine and working hard and hopefully I will get a chance to play ball and make a roster.”

ACU held off a secondhalf rally by UT-Permian Basin to defeat the Falcons 8883 Dec. 15. Dejan Sencanski led the team with 21 points, while the Wildcats also got a boost off the bench from Milos Kilmovic, who added 18 to their total.

The Wildcats three-game win streak was broken four days later when Southwestern Oklahoma State defeated ACU 82-77. The Bulldogs had a balanced offense with five players in double figures.

The Wildcats hurt themselves committing 24 turnovers in the loss.

The team bounced back, opening the new year with a commanding 99-61 victory over Howard Payne. The Wildcats went on a 16-0 run early in the first half and never took their foot off the gas in the 38-point blowout.

The victory improved ACU’s record to 6-4.

The team continued LSC play against Texas A&MCommerce Jan. 3. The Lions defeated the Wildcats 87-

Mexico brought the team’s record back to 7-7. ACU now also is 1-0 in conference, which is the only record that matters for seeding in the conference tournament.

The Greyhounds committed 21 turnovers, which allowed the Wildcat offense to attack and come up with a 10-point victory.

The Wildcats are looking to build on a victory against West Texas A&M at 8 p.m. in Canyon on Saturday.

The Buffaloes enter the game with a 10-5 season record. They have dropped their last two games and will be looking to get back on track against the Wildcats.

Saturday night’s game will be the Buffaloes’ LSC South Division opener. They are led by Kyle Shields, who averages 13.4 points per game.

“We got to go in there expecting to face a good defensive team,” Copeland said.

“We need to eliminate mistakes if we want to come out with a victory.”

E-mail Cantrell at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Track: Depth is Cats’ strength Continued from page 10 Six Wildcat men who previously won individual national championships are returning this year. In 2006, Jordan Johnson, junior from Mesquite, won the 400m and anchored the 4x100 relay team that won the championship. In 2007, Julius Nyango, senior from Aldai, Kenya, won the national title in the 800m. In 2008, Nick Jones, sophomore from Amarillo, placed first in the discus; Raymond Radway, senior from McKinney, won the 400m; Daniel Maina, senior from Nanyuki, Kenya, finished atop the field of the 3000m steeplechase; and Camille Vandendriessche, senior

from Antony, France, won the title in the decathlon.

Three Wildcat women with individual national titles will return in 2009. In 2008, Winrose Karunde, sophomore from Nyeri, Kenya, won both the 10,000m and 3000-meter steeplechase. As a freshman, she won a total of three individual national titles, including her indoor title in the 5000m. Linda Brivule, junior from Riga, Latvia, won the javelin title, and in 2007, Jessica Withrow, senior from Muleshoe, won the heptathlon title.

“This year is going to be fun,” Hood said. “This is the first time in 10 years that both the men and women’s teams are returning to defend national championships

simultaneously.”

Hood said that the women’s squad was down for a few years but has worked extremely hard to get to where it is.

“They are not as deep as the men’s team, but our talents covers a lot of event areas and gives us a chance to do some things,” Hood said.

“The men’s team is returning its core group of national champions, and we have quality depth all around.”

The team’s next meet will be at Texas Tech University for the Texas Tech Invitational on Jan. 24.

E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu

Intramurals: Volleyball begins Mar. 17 Continued from page 10

E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu

Emily Jorgenson :: file photo Senior running back Bernard Scott became the first Wildcat to win the Harlon Hill Trophy with his record-setting performance in 2008. In 2007, Scott was the runner-up for the award.

73. Texas A&M-Commerce had five players in double figures and controlled the glass, out-rebounding the Wildcats 54-30, on their way to a decisive victory.

The Wildcats tipped off against the fourth-ranked Bronchos of Central Oklahoma Jan 8. The Bronchos improved their record to 12-2 on the season, defeating the Wildcats 76-58. The victory also extended their home-winning streak to 20 at the Wildcats’ expense. The Bronchos had five players in double figures with three of them off the bench, allowing them to continue to win.

The Riverhawks of Northeastern State jumped on the Wildcats early in their 7250 victory over the Wildcats Saturday. The Riverhawks began the game with a 10-0 run. The Wildcats could not recover and dropped their third straight and below .500 for the season at 6-7.

The Wildcats only scored 50 points in the game, their lowest point total since 2005.

The Wildcats victory Tuesday night over Eastern New

substitutions must be made for the same gender, Kittley said.

Students can play on up to three separate teams, one 5-on-5, one 3-on-3 of the same gender and one 3-on-3 co-ed.

“The co-ed league allows students more opportunities to be active,” Kittley said. “That’s the method to my madness, to allow people to play more of the sports that they want.”

The sign-up deadline for the intramural basketball season is Thursday.

The volleyball season will begin Mar. 17. All vol-

leyball games also will be played in Bennett Gymnasium as opposed to some being played in the Gibson double gymnasiums like last year.

Also in March, a 7-on-7 soccer tournament will be played on the ACU women’s soccer field. The 120x75-yard field will give students a different format than the 4-on-4 style that they played in the fall.

April will bring a twoman golf scramble, the ACU rodeo and a track meet. This will be the first intramural track meet since 2003.

“That year we had 300 participants and we are looking forward to offering this

event again,” Kittley said.

He said the meet will be over a two-day span to allow runners to compete in multiple events without getting as tired.

The meet will consist of six relay races (4x100, 4x200, 4x400, 4x800, sprint medley relay and distance medley relay) and two individual races to be voted on by the club intramural directors later this spring.

E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu

SportsFriday

Page 10

January 16, 2009

SCOREBOARD

Women break NCAA records against Texas Woman’s

Standings

By Jeff Craig

Men’s Basketball Team MSU TAMU-K ACU WTAMU Angelo St. Tarleton St. ENMU

Div. 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1

Overall 12-4 11-5 7-7 10-5 12-4 12-4 4-12

Women’s Basketball Team TAMU-K ACU MSU WTAMU Angelo St. Tarleton St. ENMU

Div. 1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1

Overall 11-5 9-6 6-9 12-3 9-7 9-7 9-10

Sports Writer

While students were enjoying their Christmas break, the women’s basketball team celebrated the holidays by winning six of nine games, smashing NCAA records and achieving personal milestones along the way.

The Wildcats entered the Christmas holiday with a 3-3 record and an intense schedule ahead of them. However, ACU’s month-long hiatus from classrooms proved to be a time of great success for the team. Victories over Incarnate Word, Cameron University, Southwestern Oklahoma State, Texas A&M-Commerce, Texas Woman’s and Eastern New Mexico State have the Wildcats sitting now at 9-6, and head coach Shawna Lavender said

Scores

Basketball she sees potential for success in the rest of the season.

“We got some momentum with those four wins in a row right before break,” Lavender said.

“I’m excited about getting to some conference opponents.”

At this Lavender point in the season, the Wildcats are averaging 71.9 points per game while holding their opponents to 71.1 points per game. The low scoring differential indicates ACU thrives in close games. A major part of the squad’s success has been seen in the post area, where the Wildcats are averaging 45.9 re-

bounds per game, compared to an average 37.6 boards for their opponents. Much of the team’s post presence is found in senior forward Audrey MaxwellLively, who leads the Wildcats in scoring with an average of 15.2 points per game.

On Jan. 5, the team gained national attention after a record-setting game against Texas Woman’s University back at Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats defeated the Pioneers 147-143 in a quadruple overtime thriller. The Wildcats found themselves down by eight points at halftime but managed to climb back and take the lead at 8987 before Texas Woman’s tied the game sending it to its first of four overtimes. Texas Woman’s head coach Beth Jillson said she was amazed with the See

Record page 9

Richard Schissler :: staff photographer Guard Kelsey Darby takes a shot against Eastern New Mexico Tuesday. The Wildcats improved to 1-0 in conference after winning 73-65.

The Best Back

Saturday Women’s Basketball

Intramurals begin with six sports

Northeastern St. 83, ACU 62

Men’s Basketball Northeastern St. 72, ACU 50

By Chandler Harris Assistant Sports Editor

Tuesday Women’s Basketball ACU 73, Eastern New Mexico 65

Men’s Basketball ACU 68, Eastern New Mexico 58

Upcoming Friday Track Wes Kittley Invitational, 9 a.m.

Saturday Women’s Basketball ACU at WTAMU, 6 p.m.

Men’s Basketball ACU at WTAMU, 8 p.m. :: Home games listed in italics

NOTES n Forward Jamie Meyer earned LSC South Player of the Week honors after leading ACU to a 147-143 Meyer quadruple overtime win over Texas Woman’s on Jan. 5. Meyer scored a school-record 49 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for the second double-double of her career.

Meyer went 22 of 30 from the field and 4 of 4 from the free throw line. n The women’s basketball team set several NCAA records in its 147-143 quadruple overtime win over Texas Woman’s. The Wildcats help set the record for points by two teams (290), points in overtime periods (58) and points by two teams in overtime periods (112). The Wildcats also set school records for points, assists (40), field goals made (59) and field goal attempts (112).

The Wildcats were featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter for their record-breaking performance. Video of ESPN’s broadcast is available on lonestatconference.org. n Senior center Sam Collins capped his four-year career by winning the Gene Upshaw Award Collins given to the top lineman in Division II. Collins, a four-year starter, started a school-record 46 consecutive games for one of the top offensive lines in Division II. In his last three seasons, Collins and the offensive line helped ACU average 515.2 yards and 46 points a game, allowing just 28 sacks.

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Running back Bernard Scott makes a run against Midwestern State on Nov. 8. Scott became the first player in ACU history to win the Harlon Hill trophy, given to the top player in Division II. Scott also became just the second player in LSC history to win the award and helped lead ACU to an LSC championship.

Running back Bernard Scott wins Harlon Hill Trophy

By Grant Abston Sports Editor

After coming up short a season ago, running back Bernard Scott aimed to leave no doubt in voters’ minds to whom deserved the Harlon Hill Trophy this season. And it worked, as Scott became the 19th player to win the award on Dec. 12 at the 23rd annual awards dinner at the Florence Convention Center.

Scott became the first ACU player to win the Harlon Hill, Division II’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, earning 253 votes to beat out Central Washington’s Mike Reilly and North Alabama’s A.J. Milwee,

Football both quarterbacks. Scott’s 253 points were the thirdhighest point total in the history of the award, while Reilly and Milwee tied for second with 85 votes.

“It felt good to win the award and realize all the hard work paid off and I was just proud to be in that situation and proud that coach [Thomsen] and my dad came out and supported me,” Scott said. “It was a good feeling.”

After finishing runner-up to two-time winner Danny Woodhead of Chadron State in 2007, Scott became the fifth player to win the award the following

season. Scott also became just the second player in LSC history to win the award, joining Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Johnny Bailey, who won the award three years in a row (1987-89).

“I just think he came back from some situations that he put himself through and fought his way back onto the field three years ago at Blinn [College],” Thomsen said. “It meant a great deal to him and having to come back and get a second chance at doing something on the field, and he did it, so I think it meant an awful lot to him.”

Scott rushed for 2,156 yards this season, which ranked second all-time in LSC and ACU

history behind his 2,165 yards in 2007. Scott also scored 28 rushing touchdowns while catching 47 passes for 826 yards and six touchdowns. He led Division II in points per game (17.0) and all-purpose yards (256.8) and was second nationally in rushing, averaging 179.7 yards a game.

In his two seasons at ACU, Scott helped rewrite the record books. His 4,321 rushing yards are an ACU record, and he became the only player in LSC history to have multiple 2,000-yard rushing seasons.

His 63 rushing touchdowns are second in ACU history, See

Scott page 9

With a new semester comes a new schedule for intramural sports. The intramural department will offer six sports this spring for students, alumni, faculty and staff to compete in. The sports include basketball, volleyball, soccer, golf, a rodeo and a track meet.

“We are very excited to get back to school and hit the ground running with intramurals this semester,” said Danny Kittley, ACU director of intramural sports.

The intramural season will begin Jan. 26 with basketball. The department will offer two separate leagues for people to participate in. For the champ league, a 5-on-5 league will be offered for men and women. One 5-on-5 men’s rec league will be offered while all games will be played on Monday and Tuesday nights in Bennett Gymnasium.

In addition to the 5-on-5 leagues, three 3-on-3-basketball leagues (men’s, women’s and co-ed) will be offered.

These leagues will play halfcourt games with no referees. All calls will have to be made by the players themselves using the honor system, Kittley said.

“We hope that this will be a lot better for the girls,” Kittley said. “The girl’s rec league is usually more for fun than competition, so we think they will enjoy this. If they want more of a competitive game, they can play in the champ league.”

The co-ed 3-on-3 league will consist of two women and one man on the court at all times. Men will guard the men and women will guard other women. All See

Intramurals page 9

Cats defeat Eastern New Mexico Wildcats travel to Tech for first ’09 track meet

By Ryan Cantrell Sports Writer

The men’s basketball team opened the Lone Star Conference South Division play with a victory over Eastern New Mexico on Tuesday. The Wildcats capitalized on their opponent’s turnovers, allowing them to defeat the Greyhounds 68-58.

However, the Wildcats have had their ups and downs over the last month of play.

“We came back after the break and played our first game well,” said head coach Jason Copeland. “We then have been battling injuries and sickness. We got all our guys back for Tuesday’s game, and we won. Overall, we need to shoot the ball better to be able to beat more teams.”

See

Basketball page 9

By Chandler Harris

Track

Assistant Sports Editor

Richard Schissler :: staff photographer Forward Milos Kilmovic takes a shot against Eastern New Mexico on Tuesday.

The ACU track and field team will travel to Lubbock Friday and Saturday for its first track meet of the semester, the Wes Kittley Invitational. The meet will be indoors on the campus of Texas Tech University.

The first meet of the 2009 season will be used as a measuring stick of where the teams are in their training, said Don Hood, head track and field coach.

“This meet is a great opportunity to see how we stack up against good competition,” Hood said.

The meet will have partici-

pants from Division I, Division II and junior colleges.

Some notable teams scheduled to compete are TCU, Baylor, Texas Tech, HardinSimmons, McMurry and South Plains Junior College.

“It is a meet where we have trained all fall and now we can evaluate where we are,” said Abe Brown, assistant track and field coach. “We have so much experience returning that we should do fairly well.”

The men’s and women’s team won their respective NCAA Division II outdoor national championships in May. See

Track page 9