The Optimist - March 20, 2009

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Friday, March 20, 2009 :: Vol. 97, No. 43 :: 1 section, 10 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com

Inside This Issue:

Pg. 3

Pg. 4

Author, producer to sign books, screen film on campus

Pg. 8 Who should watch the Watchmen? Anyone with good taste.

Fire destroys maintenance truck near campus baseball field

Pg. 10

Top 10 Talent: Baseball team ranked in two national polls

Congress VP spot to remain vacant

By Michael Freeman Managing Editor

With less than three weeks before the Students’ Association Congress executive officer elections, Congress decided not to elect an interim vice president to fill the vacancy left after the impeachment of former SA Congress President Daniel Paul Watkins. SA Congress President Sarah Pulis spoke to the Congress on Wednesday in Hart Auditorium, detailing her

Jozie Sands :: staff photographer Students’ Association President Sarah Pulis, senior political science major from Longview, looks on as Parlimentarian Caleb Archer, senior political science major from South Lake, speaks during Wednesday’s Congress meeting.

Students pray over Malagasy conflict

efficient use of time.”

Instead, Congress utilized its time Wednesday to review what changes it plans to make to the SA Constitution before the elections begin April 6.

Potential alterations to the Constitution will include rewriting the ways amendments are incorporated into the Constitution, defining the roles of the SA advisers, Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president and dean of Student Life, and Dr. Jeff Arrington, associate dean

of Student Life, outlining conduct expectations for Congress members and embellishing on the impeachment process.

The SA By-Laws also will be examined, specifically the sections about positional responsibilities, Cabinet salaries and the incorporation of amendments. “[The By-Laws are] something that’s much worse off than the Constitution,” Parliamentarian Caleb Archer said.

See

Vacant page 7

This Year’s Films n Arrourus, directed by Alex York, senior art major from Tyler n Dead End, directed by Sommerly Simser, junior broadcast journalism major from Las Vegas n Fantasy Fight, directed

by Jacob Kitts, freshman information technology major from Round Rock n The Hunger, directed by Cody Vetteto, junior electronic media major from Tulsa, Okla. n North South, directed by Jordan Havens, freshman Bible major from Lubbock n Rootless Tree, directed by Jason Zahodnik, senior broadcast journalism major from San Antonio n The Remote Controlled, directed

by Cole Wilkinson, freshman biology major from San Antonio n Stamford Stampede, directed

by Kyle Moore, senior accounting major from Double Oak n Welcome to the World We Live In, directed by Christy Bright, senior art major from Cary, N.C. n Your Destiny, directed by Sandra Amstutz, sophomore information technology major from La Feria

By Colter Hettich Features Editor

In response to increasing conflict on the island of Madagascar, about 40 people gathered in Chapel on the Hill on Tuesday night for prayer and worship. More than a dozen Malagasy students attended the devotional, several of them with family near Antananarivo, Madagascar, the island’s capital.

“Our purpose tonight is not political; it’s spiritual,” said Dr. John Tyson, vice president for development. “Our time tonight is to reflect on our God, our king, His sovereignty and encourage one another.”

Between songs, Dr. George Pendergrass, director of Multicultural Enrichment, offered consolation and read a passage from the Bible.

“If there is any word of encouragement that can be given, I thank God for bringing all of you into our lives,” Pendergrass said. “God has a wonderful will for turning bad into good.”

Dr. John Willis, Burton Coffman Chair of Biblical Studies and professor of Old Testament, led a final prayer over the Malagasy students, who are more than 10,000 miles from See

reasons why the Cabinet felt it was unnecessary to fill the position she held before assuming the job of SA president two weeks ago.

“The way this election schedule falls, it takes about two and a half weeks to get the process started and finished, and so if we were to elect an interim VP, they would only be in office for about one week before the next election started,” Pulis said. “I didn’t know that that was the most

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Sara Potter, senior integrated marketing and communication major from Crowley, reminds Lucas Wright, sophomore electronic media major from Abilene, what the lyrics are to the song they will perform at FilmFest 2009 “Anonymous” during a dress rehearsal for on stage acts Wednesday in Cullen Auditorium.

FilmFest adds acts, hosts to competition

By Lezlee Gutierrez Student Reporter

A handful of students are preparing to showcase their hard work at FilmFest 2009 “Anonymous” this weekend.

The fifth annual student short film competition will be Friday at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress St. The host

Malagasy page 3

and hostess for the evening will be Byron Martin, senior psychology major from Mesquite, and Jamie Lyn Spires, senior communication major from Arlington.

Ten independent student-produced films will be shown at a free screening from 3-5 p.m., followed by a red carpet celebration at 7

p.m. that will showcase the top six films.

“This is a great way for the ACU community to have fun and experience the Oscars with an ACU twist,” said Christina Johnson, FilmFest co-chair and sophomore English major from Dallas.

A panel of four judges that consists of leading profes-

sionals in the entertainment, commercial and media industries will critique the films, according to a press release issued by Tom Craig, director of Student Productions and FilmFest faculty sponsor. The judges also will be available for feedback, development and insight into all facets of the entertainment industry.

The ultimate award for “Best Picture” is among the 13 awards given that night, including best writer, best producer and best director.

Some of the criteria for judging are creativity of writing, story, direction and technical direction.

FilmFest page 7

See

Tuition to jump 7 percent in ’09-10 Three options join ACU Tuition

By Tanner Anderson Page Designer

The university has raised tuition since the 1990-91 school year, and that pattern will continue for the 2009 fall semester.

For the past four years, the tuition has increased by 7 percent, and students will see another 7 percent increase for the 2009 fall semester, paying about $630 per hour, which is about $40 more of the current costs. With this cost increase, students will pay $1,200 more for 30 hours than they did this year.

See

Tuition page 7

2005-06

$487 per hour

2006-07

$521 per hour

2007-08

$557 per hour

2008-09

$596 per hour

2009-10 0

$638 per hour

“

We are working with the students to increase aid by working with local banks in town to ensure that students can borrow funds to stay in school... :: Kelly Young, chief financial officer

100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800

ACU WEATHER Friday

Saturday

Sunday

High: 78 Low: 54

High: 73 Low: 57

High: 75 Low: 58

foreign language list

By Linda Bailey Student Reporter

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The Department of Foreign Languages will offer Arabic, Japanese and Russian classes for the fall 2009 semester.

Dr. Harland Rall, associate chair of the Department of Foreign Languages, said the three languages were chosen after 36 students responded to an online survey.

“These languages were the ones that had the most students showing the best interest,” Rall said.

Abilene Christian University

See

Language page 7

Online Poll :

Are you going to attend this year’s FilmFest?

a. Yes. I already have my ticket. b. No. I’d rather rent a real movie. c. Maybe. Depends on my friends. d. Yes. I’m supporting my friends.

Videos :: Podcasts :: Slideshows Department of Journalism and Mass Communication ::

Paul Roggendorff, adjunct professor of Spanish, said available resources were another factor determining which languages were chosen.

The new languages are part of the program Dialektos. This two-year program features a supervising professor who creates learning objectives, but the bulk of the learning process is based on native speakers working directly with students.

Each language class has a five-student maximum, Rall said. The department will

acuoptimist.com ::

Serving the ACU community since 1912

2

Campus Day Friday, March 20, 2009

Calendar and Events

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Friday

11:30 a.m.

A Global IT Leadership interest meeting will be in the Campus Center Living Room. Lunch will be provided.

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Saturday

3-5 p.m.

Holi Festival of Colors will take place in the backyard of Smith Adams Hall. The event is free.

Sunday

9-10 p.m.

Nine O’clock, the weekly praise service, will be at University Church of Christ. Free drinks and snacks follow the service in the Family Room.

7-9 p.m.

FilmFest will take place at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets cost $5 with a student ID.

acuoptimist.com

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Monday

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A Graduation Fair will take place in the Campus Center Living Room.

8-10 p.m.

Purple State of Mind will be presented in Hart Auditorium. The event is free.

Watch videos about the Holi Festival of Log on to www.youtube.com/acuvideo to see an update on Students’ Association Congress.

Colors and the fifth annual FilmFest.

W Club plans tea to raise scholarship funds

By Lizzy Spano Student Reporter The W Club, a women’s academic honor organization on campus, will sponsor the “Silver Tea” on Saturday to raise money for its scholarship program.

The W Club, which Daisy Sewell started in 1920, is a club for women on campus who are sophomores, juniors or seniors and have a standing 3.5 GPA. The club is active on campus in providing speakers, sponsoring small group Chapels and giving scholarships each year to female students.

The “Silver Tea” was a tradition in the club’s past in which members sponsored a tea party during Lectureship week to raise money for the club’s scholarship fund. Guests were invited to socialize and contribute “silver” coins as a donation.

Although the club has not sponsored the Silver Tea in

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We decided to have a Silver Tea as a way of bringing together current ACU student members and the graduated members.

”

:: Dr. Caron Gentry, assistant professor of Honors Studies and political science. recent years, members have decided to make the tea a yearly tradition again, said Dr. Caron Gentry, chief sponsor of the W Club.

“We decided to have the Silver Tea as a way of bringing together current ACU student members and the graduated members that still live in the Abilene area…to raise money for our scholarship fund but also for the two groups to meet and mingle and talk,” said Gentry, assistant professor of Honors Studies and political science.

Anyone is invited to come, dress up and support the club,

Gentry said. Student admission is $5, and alumni are asked to donate $10. All benefits will be used for the club’s scholarship fund, which awards female students, both club members and non-members, on campus with two to three scholarships each year, she said.

The tea will be at the Swenson house, which is a historic structure in Abilene designed in 1910 and now owned by the Abilene Preservation League.

Built with Spanish Colonial Revival architecture elements, the house features detailed woodcraft,stained-glass

windows and architecture that make it a “magnificent setting” for weddings, receptions, parties, teas, meetings and other gatherings, according to the Abilene Preservation League’s Web site.

“I think it’s going to be so much fun [and] a really unique experience,” said Cynthia Michaud, vice president of the W Club and senior youth ministry major from Abilene.

Michaud said she encourages anyone wanting to dress up and have fun, build relationships with alumni and students, explore the Swenson house or simply support the club’s scholarship fund to attend the tea and enjoy refreshments provided

by Tuscany’s Coffee House.

The Silver Tea will be Saturday from 4-6 p.m. The Swenson house is located at 1726 Swenson St.

E-mail Spano at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Announcements Purple State of Mind, an awardwinning film that explores faith and diversity, will be presented in Hart Auditorium on Monday at 8 p.m. and Tuesday in the Williams Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. There also will be a discussion about the film with

directors Craig Detweiller and John Marks in the Campus Center after Chapel on Tuesday.

Talk to your adviser to receive your advising code. Registration begins at 3 p.m.

Registration for fall 2009 will take place Wednesday for graduate, honors and Study Abroad students.

FilmFest tickets will be on sale in the Campus Center until Friday at 5 p.m. Tickets cost $5 with a student ID

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 sar06g@acu.edu.

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.

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and $8 for the general public. Tickets also will be available at the door. For more information, go to www.acu. edu/filmfest, e-mail filmfest@acu.edu or call 674-2069.

Warmer weather means great weather for exercising. To stay safe while exercising, use the Lunsford Trail and try to walk or jog with a friend.

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

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

49

Credited Chapels remaining:

24

Volunteer Opportunities Walk Now for Autism, sponsored

by Autism Speaks, needs volunteers at the Abilene Zoo on April 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers will help with face painting, puppet shows, balloon twisting and maintaining air castles. For more information or to register, go to www. autismspeaks.org/walk_events/ west_texas_walk_2008.php.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake needs volunteers to work at a variety of tasks throughout the day. The event will take place at Abilene Bowling Lanes on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.bbbs.org.

The Day Nursery of Abilene needs volunteers during its annual Mexican Dinner fundraising event March 28 from 3-9 p.m. in the west cafeteria of Abilene High School. Volunteers will help with tasks in the kitchen.

For more information, go to www. daynurseryabilene.org.

The Salvation Army needs volunteers Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to sort and hang clothes, take donations, organize shelves and mark items. Open-toe shoes are restricted. For more information, contact Cecilia Barahona at 677-1408, or send an e-mail to cecilia_barahona@uss.salvationarmy.org.

The West Texas Rehab Center needs volunteers for the Clay Shoot fundraiser April 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers will operate simple, automatic outdoor clay machines for shooters and help set up decorations for the awards dinner after the Clay Shoot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided, and

volunteers may attend the awards dinner that evening along with a guest. For more information, go to www.westtexasrehab.org.

The Christian Service Center needs volunteers to file requests in the donation center, sort and organize donations and occasionally pick up donated items.

Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to noon or from 2-4 p.m. For more information, call Roberta Brown at 673-7531, or go to www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc.htm.

Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to deliver meals to some of the homebound members of the 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.

Abilene Hope Haven needs volunteers to provide childcare, while parents are in a class. Volunteers are needed Monday through Thursday from 6:45-8:15 p.m. For more information, contact Christine Spillers at 437-0611.

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 ServiceLearning Center in the Bean Sprout.

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, March 20, 2009

Page 3

Spring Break Campaigns serve homeless community

By Erin Mangold Student Reporter

Spring Break Campaigns have come to a close, and the students who were involved said they were eager to share their experiences.

One of the leaders of the group that traveled to Denver was Hailey Mueck, junior business marketing major from Robinson. She said there were 14 campaigners total, and they spent most of their time in Colorado, working with the Dry Bones homeless ministry.

“We worked on building relationships with the homeless kids by spending time with them,” Mueck said. “We took them to a movie, went bowling and even had picnics in the park.”

Although being a campaign leader was stressful at times, she said it was worth it.

“I was in charge of finances, like keeping up with receipts

and things like that,” Mueck said. “I was able to connect with the campaigners and have a good time too.”

A Seattle campaign also worked with homeless ministries. Rachel Koeller, sophomore elementary education major from Denver, said one of the most memorable moments from the campaign was when the group went on a search and rescue in correlation with the United Gospel Mission in downtown Seattle.

During search and rescue, the team delivered jackets, blankets, socks, gloves, hot chocolate and sandwiches to homeless people scattered about Seattle. The campaigners went under viaducts, empty lots and other places where homeless gathered.

“It was a really neat experience to help them and pray for those who are in need of a job or good health, ”Koeller said. “Someone even had us

pray for a woman who was an alcoholic, that she would overcome it.”

Another day, the campaigners split up into groups of three or four. Everyone was given $2 each and experienced what it was like to be homeless for a day on the streets of downtown Seattle.

Cell phones and credit cards were prohibited; they could only keep their IDs. Each group was given different scenarios and tasks to complete throughout the day.

“Some objectives my group had were to find somewhere to take a shower, make a long distance phone call to a family member, do laundry, go to an AA meeting and find food for lunch and dinner,” Koeller said.

Through this experience, campaigners were able to comprehend how hard it is to be homeless, she said.

“It makes you realize how tough it is just wandering the

media by Cody Veteto:: Chief Videographer Lezli Parrish, freshman math education major from Levelland, unravels paper towels while working with Kari Hailey, freshman nursing major from Lockhart, during a Spring Break Campaign.

acuoptimist.com: See a video profiling the Spring Break Campaign to Denver online streets without having a secure place to go,” Koeller said.

“You’re always wondering, ‘OK, now where do I go and what do I do with myself?’”

Spring Break Campaigns can be enriching to the lives

of those involved, in which serving the Lord and making new friends go hand-in-hand, she said.

“It was such a great experience,” Koeller said. “The church we worked with was

great, and it was awesome getting to meet new people.”

E-mail Mangold at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Malagasy: President Filmmaker and CBS Producer visit campus resigns after uprise

By Tanner Anderson Page Designer

Continued from page 8 their home, before a closing song.

Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, said this kind of response to troubling events is a defining characteristic of the ACU community.

“This is not the first international crisis that we have addressed here at ACU,” Money said. “We try to remain sensitive to what our students are going through, particularly those who are so far away from

home. This is very much part of ACU’s culture.”

The devotional was organized after reports reached newswires that militants in Madagascar had seized one of the presidential palaces and President Marc Ravalomanana had handed power over to the country’s military.

Ravalomana visited ACU’s campus twice and spoke at the May 2008 Commencement. He was first elected Malagasy president in 2002.

E-mail Hettich at: Clh05d@acu.edu

Monday and Tuesday, two men will enter ACU to have an intellectual cage match of the minds about God, religion, faith and how life events eventually lead to personal identity and choices.

Craig Detweiler and John Marks are both authors from different backgrounds and were roommates when they attended Davidson College in North Carolina. Each of their paths inevitably led them to Davidson; Detweiler had just begun his Christian beliefs, while Marks decided to set his aside.

Now after various experiences

Contact Ministries seek interns

By Tanner Anderson Page Designer

Matt Hurley graduated ACU in 2004 with a degree in psychology, but his academic plans changed after spending a summer in Tulsa, Okla.

After half a summer in Uruguay with Study Abroad, Hurley was looking for something that would occupy the second half of his summer break. Some of his family lived in Oklahoma, so his aunt introduced him to Contact Ministries. Now Hurley is studying for his masters of theology at Oklahoma Christian University and has been involved with Contact Ministries since his 2004 summer visit.

Contact Ministries is a relationship-centered group that focuses on building friendships and supportive groups in urban areas of Tulsa. Hurley and his wife Jennifer have been involved with the ministry for the past three-and-a-half years. It has six urban ministries in the Tulsa area, and its internships last from eight to 10 weeks.

Hurley said the ministry partners with local manage-

“

I personally think we do not grow unless we have summer activities and summer interns. :: Matt Hurley, Contact Ministries’ volunteer

ment and community centers to prepare different events for the ministry and serve as chaplains for those areas.

“Our summers are the busiest time,” Hurley said.

“We spend lots of time with kids by holding sidewalk church services and VBS; we also have two summer camps that we prepare.”

Besides ACU, Hurley has talked to other universities and said the college interns who volunteer with contact ministries, are extremely diverse, and he has received a great response from potential volunteers for this year.

“I personally think that we do not grow unless we have summer activities and summer interns,” Hurley said. “We have currently five apartment complexes that we work out of, and

”

our goal is to have four to five interns in each building.”

Hurley said although the goal is to have a certain amount of interns in each building, the amount the ministry service will take is unlimited, as long as volunteers pass the application process.

“I’m finishing my masters in theology and people ask me what I want to do after I graduate. I just tell them I’m already doing it; the people I work with are my friends, my family and my community,” Hurley said.

For more information about interning or the application process, students can contact Hurley through his e-mail at mph2157@yahoo.com.

E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu

with religion and faith, the two men are challenging people to find middle ground and consider others’ perspectives without compromising their beliefs in their film Purple State of Mind and the book by Detweiler, A Purple State of Mind.

Detweiler, who wrote A Purple State of Mind, is a filmmaker and cultural commentator. He and Marks, who is a novelist, journalist and former 60 Minutes’ producer, will give lectures, have book signings and show Detweiler’s film on campus.

Monday the men will speak at a fine arts Chapel at 11 a.m. on the topic: personal responses to two “dissonant scrip-

tures.” They then will speak at 3 p.m. in the Fulks Theatre for the first series of the Purple State of Mind discussions. The second discussion immediately will follow at 4 p.m., and the screening of the film will be at 8 p.m. in Hart Auditorium; this will be followed by an open post film panel discussion.

Tuesday a book signing featuring Detweiler will be at noon in the Campus Center, followed by a concert at 8 p.m. in the Williams Performing Arts Center.

The two-day event is a collaborative effort between the English, music and theatre departments.

Al Hailey, associate professor of English and writer-in-

residence, helped orchestrate the event and said these discussions are meant to bring outisde voices to ACU. The discussions will be based around personal experiences the two men had during their lifetime and how those experiences have transformed their faith; the issues the men discuss will go beyond faith and religion, Hailey said.

“We’re a very divided country; we’re divided by politics, views on culture and religion,” Hailey said. “The gospel behind Purple State of Mind is the hope people will consider different view points.”

E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Page 4

Friday, March 20, 2009

Social clubs elect leaders 3-on-3 tourney to benefit SHADES

By Shelby Holt Student Reporter

Social clubs on campus are undergoing a shift in power, as the clubs vote for new officers for the 2009-10 school year.

Every club on campus has its own different, unique way of electing officers for the new term.

“During our club meeting, we pass out ballots for people to nominate others for an officer position,” said Katie Findley, junior secondary education major from Houston, who was elected as the 40th president of Sigma Theta Chi on March 4.

After all the nominated women have a chance to think and pray about running for office, they accept or deny their nomination, Findley said.

At the next club meeting, the potential officers give speeches before the vote, “basically telling the club what they can offer,” she said.

“Our elections take place before spring break so that it gives the new and old of-

ficers a chance to get organized for the transition,” Findley said. “And it helps it all sink in.”

Galaxy’s elections, however, are quite different from the Siggie elections.

“Guys who want to become officers must get visits from all of the seniors,” said Taylor Sturgis, senior financial management major from Plano and current Galaxy president.

The candidates present their platforms and answer questions from the seniors during visits, Sturgis said.

But unlike most clubs on campus, Galaxy waits until after spring break to hold its elections.

“We choose to wait until after the break to give the guys running an adequate amount of time to get as many visits as possible,” Sturgis said.

After spring break, Galaxy’s seniors meet and choose two candidates for each office.

“Those two guys will be voted on by the rest of the club members during our

election night,” Sturgis said.

“On election night, seniors will not vote.”

Gamma Sigma Phi had its elections the week before spring break; Conner Halstead, junior youth and family ministry major from Odessa, was elected GSP president.

“Everyone who decides they want to run for an office must meet with the current officer of that position and one or all of the club advisers,” Halstead said.

All the candidates are allowed to give a speech before their club, and the vote then takes place.

“Once the new winner is decided, they, in essence, become an active officer at the end of the night,” Halstead said.

While some officer teams already have begun planning for next semester, the officers of every social club will have a joint officer-training workshop in late April.

E-mail Holt at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

By Ryan Elam Student Reporter

SHADES is organizing a basketball tournament in an effort to raise money for the squad’s Spring Show in April.

DeMarco Howard, junior fine arts major from Missouri City, said SHADES chose a basketball tournament because it would be a good way to bring students together to help the squad out while building community.

“We wanted to find a way for our group to have something on campus for our fellow stu-

dents to come out and have a great time playing the game of basketball,” Howard said.

The tournament will be Saturday at noon in the double gym of the Gibson Health and P.E. Center.

The tournament will be played in a three-on-three format. Teams can have up to five players and can be co-ed.

The cover charge is $30 per team. This money will benefit SHADES’ Spring Show. Donations also will be accepted, and prizes will be given to the winning team.

Megan Jeter, senior exercise science major from Chantilly, Va., said she could not think of a better way to raise money for the SHADES’ Spring Show than by bringing a little “March Madness” to ACU. Students interested in participating can register by e-mailing Howard at ddh05e@acu.edu.

Students also can register by e-mailing Jeter at jmj04c@acu. edu. Registration is available up to tournament tip-off time.

E-mail Elam at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Truck catches fire on campus

By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief

Physical Resources’ maintenance pickup truck caught fire and was destroyed near Crutcher Scott Field on Thursday.

The fire began when the utility trailer that was connected to a high-pressure washer malfunctioned and caught fire around 1:45 p.m., according to the Abilene Police Department.

ACU grounds’ crew worker Johnny Lopez was using the washer to clean a section of the Lunsford Trail parallel to Ambler Avenue.

ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said Lopez quickly responded and drove the truck off the Lunsford Trail and into an empty area in the parking lot in front of Crutcher Scott Field.

Lopez exited the truck, right as the fire spread from the at-

tached trailer to the pickup.

“The truck became fully engulfed in flames from the trailer fire,” Ellison said. “As far as fires go, this was a big one.”

The Abilene Fire Department responded to the fire and put out the blaze, but the truck was destroyed.

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

Class registration for 2009 to begin Wednesday

By Chelsea Hackney Student Reporter

Registration has arrived.

Those who barely have recovered from the last registration can find help in the Registrar’s office or on its Web site.

Graduate students and students in the Honors Program or Study Abroad can begin signing up for classes Wednesday.

Registration opens March 30 for seniors, those with 90 or more completed hours; April 1 for juniors, those with 60 to 89 completed hours; April 6 for

sophomores, those with 30 to 59 completed hours; and April 8 for freshmen, those with up to 29 completed hours.

Students will not be allowed to register at these times if a hold is on their account. Holds must be resolved with the department that placed it. Any hold can be found in each student’s Banner account under “Student Records.”

Once clear of holds, students can register by going to myACU and clicking on the Banner tab.

Then they choose “Student & Financial Aid” and click “Reg-

istration.” After selecting the term Fall 2009, students can look up, add or drop selected courses. Before registering, students must have an advising release code they have been given by each academic adviser.

Students can register for summer and Maymester classes in the same way, except they need to use the advising code they used for fall registration.

Each registration period begins at 3 p.m. Students should be warned that these will be times of high traffic.

Tips for a smooth registra-

tion can be found on the Registrar’s Web site, but the best way to avoid problems is to be prepared, said Melanie Wheeler, sophomore political science and history major from Abilene.

“Just do it on time and have a plan that reflects your fouryear plan,” she said.

Forgetting about registration is a problem plaguing the student body, Wheeler said.

“Few people say, ‘Oh, I have registration in four days.

I need to go sit with my counselor,’” said Ryan Mitchell,

junior political science major from Abilene. “Usually they do that after registration.”

Registration is one time when students may consider applying to the Honors Program or leaving the country just so they can choose their classes first.

“Because I’m part of the Honors Program, I get first pick of classes, which means I can graduate on time,” said Jason Sanchez, junior political science major from Hollis, Okla.

Also, registering first can mean the difference between 8

a.m. classes versus sleeping in every day of the week.

The Registrar’s office prepares for an increased number of calls on registration days, said Bart Herridge, registrar and director of academic records.

“Each of those offices does a fantastic job of supporting our students in the registration process,” Herridge said. “Our goal is to have as smooth of a process as possible for our students.”

E-mail Hackney at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Friday, March 20, 2009

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March 20, 2009

Rechartered Trojans offer alternative experience “ N o pain, no gain. The words headlined the Optimist’s front-page coverage of fall pledging and are true for almost every social club on campus — every club but Trojans, that is.

Because of a lack of familiarity, Trojans rechartered last September without causing much of a stir.

After all, what is so sensational about a social club that plays ultimate Frisbee and eats pizza on Bid Night?

The “hoods” — sisterhood and brotherhood — seem to be among the most enticing aspects of social clubs. Club presidents have raised the “hoods” in defense of their difficult pledging activities, but Trojans have cast traditional recruiting methods to the wayside. They promise

They promise nothing more than fellowship and a good time; anything more is a bonus...

nothing more than fellowship and a good time; anything more is a bonus, and its members claim to enjoy their share of bonuses.

Trojans’ president Matt Lambro, senior communication and youth and family ministry major from Grapevine, said last year several “pockets” of men around campus began vocalizing interest in rechartering the club. They slowly found each other and gained confidence with each new supporter.

“We saw a lot of animosity in the other clubs and we

”

didn’t like it,” Lambro said.

“We just want to give guys another option.”

Unfortunately, the Trojans’ organization is far too familiar with the rechartering process. Its history is not unlike the swimming pattern of a dolphin — in and out of visibility.

The club chartered in 1930, folded in 1954; rechartered in 1958, folded again in 1994; rechartered in 1995, folded in 2001; rechartered in 2003, folded in 2006; and most recently rechartered in 2009.

Lambro acknowledged the club’s history is not without blemish, but this crew of Trojans hopes to redefine the group’s image.

And Trojans’ non-aggressive approach to club life should not be mistaken for apathy. Bid Night bonfires and cookouts do not translate to indifference. The men of Trojans strongly emphasize participation and excellence in every club activity.

For example, the club rechartered too late to compete in Sing Song, but performed anyway on principle.

“We make it clear that we take everyone, but we said, ‘If you are going to be a part of it, here’s how it’s going to work,’” Lambro said. “Every guy right now shows up for everything. It’s supposed to be something you enjoy.”

Lebensgefahr

“

names of clothes, the car you drive, where you call home, whether you are focusing on your 401 K and how close you are to reaching and grasping the ever so falsely advertised American dream.

Not until recently did a true realization set in that these physical illusions of grandeur, when opened, overflow with inadequacy.

Now at 22 years young, I have dreams of leaving this university to begin my work force, tax-paying journey and have a hope that in whatever I pursue I will be able to leave

In Your Words

“I just went home and spent time with my family and got as much sleep as I could.”

How did you spend spring break? acuoptimist.com View videos of student responses for the “In Your Words” questions online at www.acuoptimist.com.

Steve Booker

Accounting major from Houston

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

”

something timeless and valuable for others. However, in the end I fear most individual achievements eventually will be forgotten.

Days that feel trivial will come. Stress and angst will come, and you may feel burdened by the constant dull of a daily routine. These inevitable hurdles will plague many graduates who pursue their respective careers. In whatever you pursue, not just in the career field but in life, please search for passion, search for inspiration and do not let fear hold you back.

It takes these daily, unrecognized achievements to better our nation and allow us to transition toward better times.

Because we are a nation founded on perseverance, millions of U.S. citizens were born and raised in difficult times but had the endurance and drive to create a better future.

Fads will change, economies will rise and fall and everyone at some point will become aggravated with their jobs. Times have been harder, and our ancestors still have succeeded; it is our time to succeed. It is our time to leave our mark upon the world and write the chapter of our generation.

E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu

“I went to Minnesota on a Spring Break Campaign. I got to meet a lot of the nice people; it was a really good time.”

“I got a chance to relax with friends and family.”

Chigusa Nagayama

Randi Morte

Elementary education major from Conroe

Accounting major from Japan

Optimist the

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Newsroom: (325) 674-2439

Sports desk: (325) 674-2499

Our view:

The Trojans’ successful, differing approach to the social club experience indicates an interest in adaptations to the current social club atmosphere.

The solution:

Students should be aware of the new option Trojans offer when pledging, and other social clubs should continue to look for ways to evolve and enrich the social club experience.

Clubs such as Gamma Sigma Phi and Sigma Theta Chi continue to thrive, proving the appeal of triple-digit “hoods” still lives. But the rechartering of Trojans, who claim 36 on-campus members this semester, proves something as well: strenuous bid nights and hundreds of members is

Never ask a woman her weight. I heard this saying so many times in my life that I believed the mindset behind it.

Women struggle with body image; how can we not? We see the idealized version of women on the television, Internet Got Your and our faGrammar Talk vorite magazines. We see

By Kelline fans flock to Linton Hollywood actresses who weigh about 100 pounds each. And we see the entertainment media, like tabloids, constantly ridiculing famous women who gain unflattering weight.

Self image and awareness of one’s own body is a daily obstacle for a majority of underweight, overweight and normal weight women on this campus.

In the March 4 issue of the Optimist, Cara Flanders, therapist in the University Counseling Center, said she sees a fair share of ACU students who struggle with eating disorders and appearance. In the same month, Flanders coordinated a workshop on campus that addressed issues such as exercise, healthy eating, eating disorders and body image.

This workshop was for us, the women who look in the mirror and see our tan, thin peers and find ourselves making a comparison. Or at least it was for me for my first three years at ACU. Instead of the “freshman fifteen,” I gained the “freshman thirty.” My body ballooned, and as I grew, my confidence shrunk.

The next three years I “extreme” dieted, eating salad for lunch and dinner and exercising for almost an hour a day. After three or four months, I would reach my ideal weight and then quit, having burned out.

Although I ate healthy and still exercised periodically, I again would gain 15-30 pounds and feel forced to begin the whole process once more.

Even as my body grew and shrunk, my self-esteem remained nonexistent because I mainly concerned myself with how I looked. While I worried

Inspiration powers future success ...search for passion, search for inspiration and do not let fear hold you back.

Men’s social club Trojans rechartered last fall, bringing additional options for male students interested in pledging.

not for everyone. If you are looking for a club with high standards, low stress levels and a passion for fun, give Trojans a call.

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

Body image undergoes refreshing makeover

By Alex York

After days of contemplating where I will go after graduation and how I will succeed in this economic rough patch, there is a naïve voice inside my mind that wishes me to pass on a simple statement: the loss of inspiration and the fear People Say I of pursuing a Talk Too Much dream is the destruction

By Tanner of success.

Anderson At times it may seem we are living in a world that merits accomplishment by economic value and status. Trivial physical statements attempt to define an individual, such as brand

The issue:

about the outside, my inside gathered dust.

This year, my senior year, I changed.

As most seniors approach graduation, their thinking changes from when they were freshmen. They focus on finishing school, planning for the future and moving on to the adult world. In my case, I am choosing law schools, finding housing for the summer and searching for work in a tight job market. I am volunteering, copy editing, writing papers, taking tests, reading books and making amazing friends.

I am growing, not physically, but mentally and spiritually.

And while my friends tell me I am skinny, the Wii Fit says I am an obese, 36-yearold woman. So, I guess I must be somewhere in between.

But the truth is: I don’t care.

“

I love my pepple shape.

It is unique and lovely...

”

Because this self-image is not the one I see in the mirror every day as I comb my hair, slide Chap Stick onto my lips and slip on my favorite shoes. I see what every woman should see — a gorgeous, confident person full of energy and personality, someone who can tackle anything through self-confidence that is built by relying on God’s will and not one’s own.

ACU is a beautiful fruit salad with pears, apples and bananas.

Of course, it also has the occasional celery stick. I myself am a cross between an apple and a pear — I’m a pepple. I love my pepple shape. It is unique and lovely, as is every woman’s body on this campus.

So my fellow female students, do not waste time worrying about how you look or how much you weigh.

God did not design us all to be celery sticks, and that is wonderful because he still is enthralled with our beauty.

For we all are beautiful and wonderfully made.

So feel free to ask me my weight, and I will tell you: 146 pounds and loving myself.

E-mail Linton at: krl04b@acu.edu

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E-mail: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

FROM THE FRONT

Friday, March 20, 2009

Page 7

FilmFest: Tickets to be available at door Tuition: Increases go toward course costs Continued from page 1

Clayton Stewart, sophomore Bible, youth and family ministry major from Spring; Daniel Hixon, freshman marketing major from Irving; Lucas Wright, freshman electronic media major from Abilene; Sara Potter, senior integrated marketing communication major from Crowley, and Fair Forms, which consists of Paul Knettel, senior management major from Boerne; Jacob Knettel, freshman finance major

from Boerne; and Claire Hardin, freshman English major from Lubbock, will provide entertainment between the awards presentation.

“We want to rebuild, renew and brand the name of FilmFest at ACU,” said Steve Cardona, FilmFest’s legal and PR chair and junior political science major from Abilene.

“We want to eventually make FilmFest the big film festival for southern universities.”

Co-chairs have been working to prepare FilmFest since June by including freshmen

from Welcome Week, Facebook groups, June and August Passports and Twitter feeds. They hope to make positive changes to FilmFest this year, such as increasing attendance and making it more comparable to the Academy Awards by incorporating entertainment.

“We hope to recognize talent at ACU and allow everyone to reap the rewards of the show,” said Jonathan Davis, FilmFest co-chair and senior marketing major from Carrollton. “Expect the unex-

pected and expect to be entertained; it’s going to be a great presentation this year.”

The event is open to the public; admission is $8 per person and $5 for students with a valid ACU ID. T-shirts and tickets can be purchased at the Campus Center on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by calling 674-2069. Tickets also will be available at the door.

E-mail Gutierrez at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Language: Excitement surrounds program Continued from page 1 offer three Japanese classes, two Arabic classes and one Russian class. Also, the department will continue to offer the Chinese class in session this year.

Rall said students would not be able to enroll for the classes by themselves because of the limited number of spots available. All students wanting to enroll in one of the new language classes must fill out the application form on the Web, which can be accessed by visit-

ing the Department of Foreign Languages’ page at www.acu. edu and clicking on the link labeled “Dialektos.”

Roggendorff said Dialektos is new to ACU, but the program has been used in other places for a number of years.

“Other institutions and universities have been doing it for a while, but the one we have modeled most closely is at Drake University,” Roggendorff said.

“However, in five years, we might have our own ACU way of doing it.”

Rall said Drake University was the most well-known institution to implement the program. He said as ACU uses the program, it could help other universities.

“Once we get some experience in this, we are going to share that with others,” Rall said.

The professors in the Department of Foreign Languages are not the only ones on campus that are excited about the new language courses. Students also are responding.

“One of the big things that

I’m picking up from students is that they are really excited about Arabic or Japanese because there is nowhere else in town for them to learn these languages,” Roggendorff said.

Rall said the expansion process is a challenge, but they will go into it prayerfully and courageously.

“When we learn a new language, that opens opportunities for the Lord to lead us in new directions,” Rall said.

E-mail Bailey at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Vacant: SA Congress grants rest of Request Fund Continued from page 1 Archer also said Congress will look at the SA Rules of Order, and they could perform a “complete overhaul” on the rules.

After Congress reviewed possible changes, Baron Smith, senior information systems major from Irving, and Jessica Johnson, senior education major from The Colony, both members of Swing Cats,

told Congress about their experiences at a swing dance conference in Houston during spring break and performed a brief dance.

“Y’all helped us go to a conference this past week, and we really appreciate it,” Smith said.

On March 4, the SA Cabinet met to grant conference funds to two groups because Congress was unable to do so the day prior as it dealt with Wat-

kins’ impeachment. Treasurer Spencer Hemphill reported to Congress on Wednesday that the Cabinet granted the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association $1,750 to go to a conference in Austin and granted the Broadcast Education Association $200.

More than $1,290 remained in the Student Request Fund, which was granted to Nathan McKenzie, senior political science major from Albuquerque,

N.M., Michael Roberts (’08) and Madison Saniuk, senior political science major from Arlington, all of whom are in the Jack Pope Fellows Program, to attend conferences. The vote was 29-0-2.

Brent Palmer, junior political science major from Durham, N.C., also was appointed unanimously to the office of junior senator.

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu

Continued from page 1 Kelly Young, chief financial officer, said several factors decide tuition costs.

“We start planning tuition costs early,” Young said.

“What we’re looking for is what families and students expect out of ACU and what our competitors are doing.

We determine the price with those mix of questions.”

With the upcoming tuition increase and the current state of the economy, Young said ACU is preparing to work with students and their financial situations.

“We are working with the students to increase aid by working with local banks in town to ensure that students can borrow funds to stay in school in order for our current students to be well taken care of,” Young said.

New additions on campus, such as the newly renovated “World Famous Bean,” Bob and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center and JMC Network Student Media News Lab, and plans for a new recreation center may explain the constant tuition rise, but ACU has been funding these projects through donations and other means besides tuition, Young said.

He said a good portion of the students’ tuition is invested into the courses they take and other factors, including utilities, health benefits, the Mobile Learning Initiative and Study Abroad.

“Some of our strongest programs are our pre-med, pre-dental, the College of Business and Biblical Stud-

ies. These are places where we want to focus our dollars and constantly keep improving,” Young said.

Although tuition costs steadily have increased, ACU also has seen an increase in students. With 890 enrolled freshmen in 2007, ACU received 84 more students this year, creating the third largest enrollment class in six years with 974 students, according to an ACU press release.

Hilary Standish, junior psychology major from Austin, comes from a single-parent home and is paying for most of her tuition.

“I’ve got one more year left; I thought about transferring to the University of Texas freshman year because of tuition, but the experience here is unlike anywhere else,” Standish said.

While some students are contemplating their futures, some parents are considering their children’s future academic plans.

Standish said the university does try to equalize the increased tuition with other scholarships, but she said not enough scholarships are available.

Tamra Frazier has a son who is a freshman at Wylie High School who is interested in attending ACU. “I’m not looking forward to the raises; it’s going to be sad in four years to see how the cost has grown,” Frazier said. “If he could get a scholarship, ACU would definitely be an option.”

E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu

Who should watch the

Page 8

Concept and Design by Daniel Johnson-Kim and Lydia Melby

ArtsFriday

March 20, 2009

Adaptation of ‘unfilmable’ novel surprises

By Blake Penfield Student Writer

The vindication of the comic book nerd continues. While the common folk were piling on the 300 bandwagon and The Dark Knight was smashing every conceivable commercial and critical record, the comic book nerds quietly were blowing a collective raspberry and touting, “I told you so!” to a world that had once mocked them for enjoying the sources of this new wave of entertainment. Despite its flaws, Watchmen continues the revenge of the nerds admirably.

Before I begin this review, you need to know I am a huge fan of the 1986 Watchmen comic book series

by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.

I have read the book more than a dozen times since my introduction to it seven years ago. Because of my intimate knowledge of the book, the culture that surrounds it, its authors and the esteemed place it has etched out for itself within the history of the comic book medium, I cannot really review this film for people walking into the theater with no idea about the story or the way it was conveyed in the comic book. While I can judge its merits as an adaptation of a book that I love, any attempt to critique the story or characters would be a review of the book and not the film.

With the major exception of the ending, this is an extremely faithful adaptation of the comic book masterpiece. Nearly every character in the film looks exactly like its illustrated counterpart, and those familiar with the book can almost quote the film’s lines before they are uttered because of how closely the script sticks to the book’s dialogue. The movie goes so far as to mimic the structure of the book almost perfectly. This is where many of the film’s problems arise.

Watchmen has long been called “the unfilmable work.” It turns out there is some truth to this. The story and ideas the graphic novel convey are so dense, so utterly colossal, that trying to thin it out to make it digestible for the screen is like trying to thin out a black hole with Drano. The final act of the film suffers most from this; it becomes a lumbering titan that cannot support its own weight. Even at two hours and 45 minutes, the movie just does not have enough space to allow the tension to escalate or the ideas to sink in for the audience.

The final revelations are sapped of their shock and impact because the audience is racing to catch up with events they have not yet had time to properly assimilate.

The look of the film is incredible.

Like his previous comic book movie 300, director Zack Snyder absolutely nailed the translation of the look of the graphic novel onto the screen. Dr. Manhattan alone is probably the most faithful visual translation of a comic book character that moviegoers have ever seen. Everything from the look of the New York City streets to the Martian glass castle is superb.

The songs the film uses to augment scenes are undeniably fascinating. Some of them work so well you would swear Snyder got music tips from Quentin Tarantino, while others are jarring and seem terribly out of place; it is really a mixed bag. Bob Dylan’s brilliant The Times They Are AChangin’ is adeptly placed into one of the greatest opening credit sequences I have ever seen. However, right when the film ends and all the audience wants to do is sit and think about what it has seen, Snyder blasts a loud and wild new song by My Chemical Romance. It makes no sense.

The performances range from excellent to mediocre. Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Comedian, Jackie Earle Haley’s Rorschach and Billy Crudup’s Dr. Manhattan are all fantastic interpretations of their comic book counterparts. Matthew Goode’s Ozymandias and Malin Akerman’s Silk Spectre do not fare as well. None of the lesser performances do anything to really distract from the film, but when they share the screen with the aforementioned excellent performances, the disparities become apparent.

Most everyone intimately familiar with the graphic novel will understand the difficulties that arise when trying to adapt the book to film. Zack Snyder is good, but he is not a miracle worker. What he has accomplished with this film is incredible– he has come closer to directly translating this behemoth than almost anyone else. He took the studio goodwill that he had built with the success of 300 and chose to tackle a project that everyone knew could never be 100 percent accomplished. He is like a man who chose to spend all his money trying to count every grain of sand in the Atlantic coast: it could never be done, but he got all the way to Maine.

Fans of the book who are willing to forgive these inevitable problems will find a lot to love in an incredibly faithful adaptation of one of the best comic books ever written. People who walk into the theater without any prior knowledge of the book may find a confusing, hulking mess of a movie that they really have to work at in order to understand. If you are a Watchmen fan and are trying to share your love of the story with others, give them the book. After they have read the book, show them the movie and let them marvel at just how close Zack Snyder got.

E-mail Penfield at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

SPORT JUMPS

Friday, March 20, 2009

Page 9

NCAA: Motives should be considered when handing out punishments Continued from page 10 Houston who committed to the University of Oklahoma, was shot and killed before stepping foot on Oklahoma’s campus. An Oklahoma booster immediately began to raise funds for Mitchell’s family to help pay for funeral expenses; however, Oklahoma officials told the booster his actions violated NCAA rules.

But despite the initial violation, the NCAA granted a waiver and allowed the university to help pay for funeral expenses.

Just recently, ACU was hit with different penalties after a number of violations that occurred with the track and field and football programs. One infraction committed by ACU occurred when members of the track and field team received money as a gift at two Christmas

parties. These gifts were given to many of the international student-athletes as well as international students who were not athletes. An ACU booster also provided transportation locally and outside Abilene and provided the student-athlete cash to cover medical costs and bicycle repairs. The difference: ACU was given no waiver.

While ACU’s situation cannot be compared to the ones that occurred at Clemson and Oklahoma, I think it is important to consider each situation in its own context rather than looking strictly at the rules that were broken. In Raymon and Mitchell’s circumstances, the traditionally cold-hearted NCAA decided to re-evaluate the situation, eventually granting waivers. Raymon was granted an NCAA waiver that al-

lowed him to accept monetary aid from the university and the public in the form of a trust fund for his brother, as well as receive home care for his brother from coaches’ families, while he was at football practice or class. At Oklahoma, the NCAA granted a waiver that allowed any funds raised by the booster to be transferred to the university to help pay for the funeral expenses. As we know, ACU was penalized for the infractions and is not considering an appeal for the track and field program. But should the above cases even have to request a waiver for charitable actions?

I write about these situations not to provide an excuse for ACU’s actions but to recognize the difficulties the NCAA can impose on universities that face unique situa-

tions. The NCAA enforces a number of rules for specific reasons, and many of these rules are in place to ensure student-athletes do not gain an illegal competitive advantage. Whether ACU committed infractions is not the question for discussion; rather, should ACU be penalized for displaying an attitude that is expressed in the title of the university — Christian?

Consider international athletes’ situations when looking at the context of the NCAA rulebook. Many of these students do not have the opportunity to return home throughout their ACU careers. These student-athletes do not typically celebrate Christmas, or any holidays for that fact, and do not have the opportunities the traditional student has to

spend time out of town or with family over the holidays, unless invited by an outside family.

While ACU was punished for these students receiving gifts at a Christmas party held at a church, I believe the NCAA has failed to look out for the best interest of its student-athletes.

The act committed by the international student-athletes at ACU in no way aided their academic or athletic performances.

These students were simply on the other end of a kind gesture extended to them at a church Christmas party.

Attending a Christian university poses many interesting questions, and one is the treatment of student-athletes.

The hosts of the Christmas party demonstrated a Christlike attitude in providing a meaningful Christmas for

a group of student-athletes who do not have the opportunity to return home, sometimes for a number of years.

As I stated earlier, I am not writing to give an excuse for the violations that occurred.

I am writing to say the NCAA should consider the motives behind every violation.

The NCAA Web site states the core purpose of the NCAA is to govern competition in a fair, safe, equitable and sportsmanlike manner, and to integrate intercollegiate athletics into higher education so the educational experience of the student-athlete is paramount.

In ACU’s case, the NCAA failed to do so.

E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu

Track: 16 earn honors Golf: Bouniol places Softball: Shiery leading

second in California team in hits, RBIs, HRs Continued from page 10

Continued from page 10

Heather Leiphart :: staff photographer Wanda Hutson leaps over the hurdles during practice March 5.

Continued from page 10 “Destinee Nixon will hopefully do well and have a breakout meet. I am excited to see Nick Jones get a chance to throw the discus this week and also to see our new sprinter, Oswald Ingraham, who has looked good in practice.”

Hood said the team also will take all of its distance runners to compete in the 1,500-meter, and Linda Brivule will look to begin the defense of her national title in the javelin.

“This week will show us what our supporting cast will look like this year,” Hood said.

The team will begin by having its athletes attempting to qualify in their respective primary events early, and then try to qualify for the secondary events afterward. The men’s team hopes to have most of its athletes in two to three events, while the women’s squad is not deep but has really good quality athletes, Hood said.

“If the women can stay healthy, they will have a real good run at it,” Hood said.

“The indoor season was a great springboard for the spring season.”

Sixteen athletes earned NCAA Division II All-America honors from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association on Tuesday for their perfor-

mances in the national indoor meet March 13-14.

“The percentage of our athletes that were named All-American is pretty high,” Hood said. “To me, it was a good indicator of the quality of our athletes.”

The women’s team boasted five honorees, including Kim Prather, who earned honors in three events: 200-meter, 400-meter and 4-by-400-meter relay. Wanda Hutson earned honors in both the 60-meter and the relay. Destinee Nixon and Azraa Rounds also earned honors in the relay, and Kelli Clements earned honors in the shot put.

The men’s team had 11 members who were honored, including national champions Camille Vandendriessche in the heptathlon and Andrew McDowell in the 60-meter hurdles.

The men’s 4-by-400-meter relay team of Harold Jackson, Desmond Jackson, Jordan Johnson and Ramon Radway earned honors in that event. Radway also earned honors in the 400-meter. Also earning honors were Julius Nyango in both the 800-meter and the mile, Amos Sang in the 5,000-meter, Cory Altenberg in the pole vault, Ramon Sparks and Gerald Chenyi in the triple jump and Nick Jones in the shot put.

E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu

of the tournament for a total score 225, just six shots behind the winner, Matt Edwald of Washburn University.

“In a tournament like that with a quality field like we had in a tournament in California, it is quite an accomplishment,” Campbell said.

“He played really well and he has continued to do well for us. He has been a solid player for us all year long” Bouniol has finished in the top 10 in six of seven tournaments this season. He also has placed in the top five in five of those tournaments.

Senior Patrick Hanuer finished in 27th place with a score of 237 (81-76-80).

Senior Hilton Funk finished in 31st place, just one shot behind Hanauer with a 238 (76-80-82). Freshman Zach Sadau improved his score on each round, shooting 8281-79 to place 44th with a total score of 242. Sophomore Jose Gutierrez rounded out the Wildcats’ scores

with a 251 (85-82-84) to place 62nd overall.

The team as a whole shot a combined 311-311-320 for a three round total of 942, 30 strokes behind the winning school CSU-San Bernardino, which shot a 912 (304-310298). The final round total of 298 shot by CSU-San Bernardino was the only round under 300 strokes by any of 15 schools in the tournament.

The team begins qualifying Friday for the Dallas Baptist Patriot Classic, which the team will compete in March 30-31.

“There will be a lot of teams from our region there,” Campbell said. “Also, Sonoma State will be there, and they are ranked in the top 10 in the nation. We need a really good tournament against our regions teams to secure a spot in the region tournament. This will be a really important tournament for us.”

E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu

offense, averaging nearly six runs per game and hitting .308 as a team this season. Catcher Jessica Shiery leads the team in hits (35), RBIs (29), home runs (7) and is second in runs scored (20). Outfielder Brooke Whittlesey is second with a .360 batting average, followed by first baseman Katie Cornelison (.348) and outfielder Caitlin Nabors (.330).

Jacque Gregoire is leading for the Wildcats in pitching on the season with a 12-3 record and a 2.59 ERA. Kim Partin also has been a major contributor for the Wildcats, and her effort last week earned her the LSC South Division Pitcher of the Week honors; Partin is 3-1 with a 2.33 ERA. The Wildcats are looking to build on what has been a good season and improve their conference record this weekend.

“We need to continue our high level of focus

Jozie Sands :: staff photographer Catcher Jessica Shiery swings at a pitch against St. Mary’s on Feb. 12.

throughout the whole game,” Wilson said. “That has allowed us to be successful thus far in the season. We don’t need to be overly focused to where we are nervous, but just come out ready every game and have fun.“

E-mail Cantrell at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Baseball: Bonneau asks for student support Continued from page 10 (2-2, 3.89 ERA). Vancil leads the LSC in strikeouts with 56, while Aspaas is fifth in conference with a 2.95 ERA. Relief pitchers Kevin Justice, Andrew Yacek and Brad Rutherford also will play an important role as the three pitchers have combined for 11 wins this season.

“I think the things we’re looking to do are the same things we have done all year,” Vancil said. “We fell behind hitters last weekend, and it’s not something we do a lot. We’re looking to get ahead of hitters, get

ground balls and hitting the strike zone a little bit better this weekend.”

Southeastern Oklahoma State enters the weekend 13-11 overall and 10-9 in conference; the Savage Storm stands in fifth place in the LSC after going 1-2 against Tarleton State last weekend. The team is third in the LSC defensively with a 5.02 ERA and is led by pitchers Reece Dodd (6-1, 2.39 ERA) and Blake Worthen (1-2, 3.65 ERA). Offensively, infielder Mike McCollum leads the team with a .404 batting average, and infielder Trey Wingo has a

team-high five home runs and 20 RBI. The series will begin Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a doubleheader Saturday at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The series will conclude Sunday with a game a 2 p.m.

“Hopefully we can get a lot of student body out there and we need some big crowds to help us through the four-game series so that we can hold our lead in the conference standings,” Bonneau said.

upcoming games The baseball team will play eight out of the next 12 games on the road. All 12 games are against Lone Star Conference opponents. n SEOU, March 20 @ 6 p.m. n SEOU, March 21 @ 2 p.m. n SEOU, March 21 @ 4:30 p.m. n SEOU, March 21 @ 2 p.m. n ENMU, March 27 @ 7 p.m. n ENMU, March 28 @ 3 p.m. n ENMU, March 28 @ 5:30 p.m. n ENMU, March 29 @ 2 p.m. n ASU, April 3 @ 7 p.m. n ASU, April 4 @ 4 p.m. n ASU, April 4 @ 6:30 p.m. n ASU, April 5 @ 3 p.m.

Home games in bold

E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu

SportsFriday

Page 10

SCOREBOARD Standings Baseball Team

Div. 16-4 15-5 13-7 11-9 10-9 SW Okla.

10-10 ENMU 10-10 East Central 10-10 Tarleton St. 8-10-1 TAMU-K 6-14 WTAMU 5-15 NE State 4-15-1 ACU Angelo St. Cameron Central Okla.

SE Okla.

Overall 23-7 21-8 19-8 14-12 13-11 16-12 14-12 11-17 12-15-1 10-16 12-18 9-19-1

Softball Team

Div. 5-1 5-1 5-4 5-4 2-4 TX Woman’s 3-6 ENMU 2-7 Angelo St. ACU WTAMU TAMU-K Tarleton St.

Overall 26-3 21-9 23-8 21-9 17-15 20-16 16-13

March 20, 2009

Cats looking to extend five-game winning streak

By Ryan Cantrell

Softball

Sports Writer

The Wildcats continue to surge through the season.

They are riding a five-game winning streak and have improved their record to 21-9.

The team is tied for first in the Lone Star Conference South Division with a 5-1 record and are looking to improve their conference record against Texas A&M-Kingsville this weekend.

The Wildcats will play a doubleheader Friday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will conclude the series Saturday at noon.

Both teams enter the series with records of 21-9 for the

season, while Texas A&MKingsville is 5-4 in conference and in third place.

“Kingsville has very good pitching, and they have had very timely hitting this season,” head coach Chantiel Wilson said. “Everyone picks up their game for conference play, so we expect three close and competitive games this weekend.”

The Javelinas have won five of their last seven games and will look to build on a two-game winning streak after defeating Newman University twice Tuesday.

Outfielder Cassie Anderson

leads the Javelinas in almost every offensive category. She is batting .533 and leads her team in runs (28), hits (48) and RBIs (17). She also is 2123 in stolen-base attempts and is hitting .744 in slugging percentage.

Courtney Rigamonti leads the Javelinas on the mound.

She has a 17-5 record with a 2.72 ERA and has posted three saves on the season. The Wildcats expect to see a heavy dose of Rigamonti this weekend as she has been decisive in 23 of the Javelinas’ 30 games.

The Wildcats have put together a good, balanced See

Softball page 7

Jozie Sands :: staff photographer Infielder Melissa Rodriguez tags St. Mary’s Arlynda Fores on Feb. 12.

Staying on Top

Golf team places sixth at SoCal tournament

Scores Saturday

By Chandler Harris

Baseball

Assistant Sports Editor

East Central 5, ACU 1 East Central 11, ACU 10

Sunday Baseball ACU 7, East Central 6 ACU 14, East Central 6

Softball ACU 5, Texas Woman’s 4 ACU 5, Texas Woman’s 0

Monday Softball ACU 7, Texas Woman’s 3

Upcoming Friday Track & Field ACU at ASU Spring Break Multis, 1 p.m.

Softball ACU vs. TAMU-Kingsville, 5 p.m.

ACU vs. TAMU-Kingsville, 7 p.m.

Baseball ACU vs. SE Oklahoma, 6 p.m.

Saturday Track & Field ACU at Dr. Pepper Inv., 10 a.m.

Softball ACU vs. TAMU-Kingsville, noon

Baseball ACU vs. SE Oklahoma St., 2 p.m.

ACU vs. SE Oklahoma St., 4:30 p.m.

Sunday Men’s Tennis ACU at Lamar, 2 p.m.

Baseball ACU vs. SE Oklahoma St., 2 p.m.

Monday Men’s Tennis ACU at Southern University, noon ACU at Louisiana-Lafayette, 6 p.m. :: Home games listed in italics

INDOOR TRACK ALL-AMERICANS Men

Dick Schissler :: staff photographer

Outfielder Ruben Perez dives back into first against St. Mary’s on Feb. 24. The Wildcats are 23-7 overall and first in the LSC with a 16-4 record.

Wildcats return home for series against Savage Storm

By Grant Abston Sports Editor

The baseball team returns home this weekend for a fourgame series against Southeastern Oklahoma State University, looking to build on a two-game winning streak and remain atop the Lone Star Conference standings.

Despite losing the first two games of last weekend’s series against East Central, the Wildcats won the final two games to earn a series split and improve to 23-7 overall and 16-4 in the LSC. ACU fell three spots to No. 8 in Collegiate Baseball Magazine’s national poll after last weekend but remains one

Baseball game ahead of Angelo State in the conference standings.

“Southeastern always has a great team, and they have great tradition there and always seem to bring out the best in us,” head coach Britt Bonneau said. “We had a good, hard-fought series with them last year at their place, and it will be a dogfight this weekend.”

Entering this weekend, ACU leads the LSC in batting average (.352), hits (343) and runs (247). The offense is led by catcher Jordan Schmitt, who is fourth in the conference with a .443 batting average, second in hits with

See

Baseball page 7

TEAM LEADERS Batting average

n Willie Uechi (.483) n Jordan Schmitt (.443) n Anthony Walsh (.410)

RBI

n Jordan Schmitt (53) n Willie Uechi (28) n Davis Page (21)

HITS

n Willie Uechi (57) n Jordan Schmitt (51) n Thomas Bumpass (41) n Chris Hall (41)

WINS n Kevin Justice (5) n Cameron Aspaas (4) n Andrew Yacek (3) n Brad Rutherford (3)

Teams looking to defend outdoor titles

By Chandler Harris

n Camille Vandendriessche (heptathlon) n Andrew McDowell (60-meter hurdle) n Raymond Radway (400-meter and 4-by-400 relay) n Harold Jackson (4-by-400 relay) n Desmond Jackson (4-by-400 relay) n Jordan Johnson (4-by-400 relay) n Amos Sang (5,000-meter) n Julius Nyango (800-meter and the mile) n Cory Altenberg (pole vault) n Ramon Sparks (triple jump) n Nick Jones (shot put)

Assistant Sports Editor

Women n Kim Prather (200-meter, 400-meter and 4-by-400 relay) n Wanda Hutson (60-meter and 4-by-400 relay) n Kelli Clements (shot put) n Destinee Nixon (4-by-400 relay) n Azraa Rounds (4-by-400 relay)

51 and leads the LSC with 30 runs scored and 53 RBI. Joining Schmitt will be shortstop Willie Uechi, who has a LSC-high .483 batting average and leads the conference with 57 hits. Infielder and pitcher Cameron Watten (.372), second baseman Chris Hall (.406) and outfielder Anthony Walsh (.410) all have averages above .350 for an offense that has averaged more than eight runs on the past two LSC series.

Defensively, ACU boasts a conference-high 4.64 ERA and is led by starting pitchers Cameron Watten (2-0, 1.15 ERA), Cameron Aspaas (4-1, 2.95 ERA) and Preston Vancil

Heather Leiphart :: staff photographer Nick Jones practices the shot put March 5 at Elmer Gray Stadium.

The track and field teams begin their outdoor season this week as they aim to defend their respective national titles from 2008. The men’s team began Thursday as it sent James Hardin to the Angelo State Spring Break Multis.

Fifteen men and 16 women will travel to Baylor University on Saturday to compete in the Dr. Pepper Invitational.

“We are sending James Hardin to compete in the decathlon and we are letting Camille [Vandendriessche] rest after the indoor national championship,” said Don Hood, head track and field coach. “The Baylor meet is

Track & Field usually not a real big meet.

A lot of the schools are on spring break and are letting their athletes rest after the indoor championships. Most of the athletes we are sending did not compete in the indoor championships.”

Hood said he is looking forward to seeing all of the pole vaulters compete and that they are ready to jump high.

He also said Paige Newby has had a great preseason in the discus and hammer throw and should do great things.

“Callie [Young] and Elizabeth [Buyse] are both looking better as well,” Hood said.

See

Track page 7

The golf team finished in sixth place overall at the SoCal Intercollegiate tournament in Mission Viejo, Calif., on March 9-10. Sophomore Cyril Bouniol led the Wildcats by finishing in second place individually.

The teams played 36 Campbell holes on day one and 18 holes on day two of the tournament hosted by the University of CaliforniaSan Diego.

“It was a real strong field, and a lot of the top teams in the nation were there,” said Mike Campbell, head golf coach. “I guess you could say we did alright but not as well as we wanted to. The course we played was the most difficult course I have ever taken a team to. The scores overall were higher than normal but that was for everyone, not just us.”

Bouniol began the twoday tournament strong by firing a team tournament-low of 72. He followed that with a 74 and 79 in his final two rounds See

Golf page 7

ACU faces unique situation In 2006, Raymon McElrathbey, football player at Clemson University, took over custody of Hot Sports his 11-yearOpinions old brother Fahmarr,

By Grant who had Abston been in and out of foster care in Atlanta, their hometown.

Their father was addicted to gambling, and their mother was a crack cocaine addict, according to a report on si.com. However, Raymon took matters into his own hands when he decided to give his brother a new life after receiving a scholarship to Clemson, becoming his legal guardian and allowing his brother to live with him after the NCAA granted him a waiver.

In 2007, Herman Mitchell, linebacker from See

NCAA page 7