The Optimist - April 17, 2009

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Friday, April 17, 2009 :: Vol. 97, No. 50 :: 1 section, 8 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com

Inside This Issue:

Pg. 3

Pg. 7

SpringBoard winners to be announced at Friday dinner

Pg. 5 A tad short: ‘Shorts’ entertaining, but lacks consistent quality

Faculty and staff take on students in wheelchair basketball game

Pg. 8

Wildcat pitcher hurls no-hitter against UT-Permian Basin

Maymester participants to design iPhone applications

By Heather Leiphart Staff Photographer

The School of Information Technology and Computing will offer a new Maymester class that potentially could pay for itself and more.

Dr. Fortune Mhlanga, professor of information technology and computing, and Dr. Brian Burton, assistant professor of information technology, will teach mobile computing, a course in which students will learn how to create their own

SHADES clocks into ‘The Office’ for annual show

By Megan Haggerton Student Reporter

Fans of The Office can enjoy a special treat this weekend when SHADES performs its annual show, also titled The Office, which is a play off the popular television sitcom.

SHADES performed a preview of Step Show the show in Chapel SHADES will on Wednesday, and perform its the actual perforannual show mance will be 7:30 in Cullen p.m. on Friday and Auditorium this Saturday in Cullen weekend.

Auditorium. n Where: Cullen For all their perAuditorium formances, SHADES n When: 7:30 members choreop.m. Friday and graph their own Saturday moves without outn Cost: $5 in advance; $6 at side help. They credoor ate their own stomp routines, making their shows unique.

Denarco Howard, junior fine arts major from Houston, has been a member of SHADES since his freshman year.

“The Office is about two main characters who have an attraction to one another but are too shy to say anything,” Howard said. “The rest of the cast will play co-workers who try their best to boost the soon-to-be couple’s confidence in order to help them start a relationship.”

The Office cast consists of five men and nine women, 12 of which are brand new to SHADES. This year the members of SHADES are all newcomers, except for the two captains, Jasmine Jones and Howard, who are returning participants. Emily Blacklock, freshman marketing major from Temple, said she practiced each week for the show to make it entertaining.

“The Office will be a very interesting and entertaining show that will showcase ACU’s diversity as a student See

iPhone and iPod touch applications.

ACU obtained educational licenses for students and faculty to create and test applications, and students who want to sell their creations will need to purchase a $100 commercial license, Burton said.

they’re going to make, they could potentially create something that they could market on the Apple Web site.”

What students learn will be applicable to other devices such as

“I would love to see all of the students develop an application that they can sell and make a little bit of money off of,” Burton said. “The final project for the course is to make an application, and depending upon how much interest and commitment

See

Online poll discloses uneasiness with core

Not Their Cup of Policy

By Tanner Anderson Page Designer

Dr. Brent Reeves, chair of the Faculty Senate sent out an e-mail two weeks ago asking a hypothetical question to ACU’s faculty: Would you fund the new curriculum with your retirement?

Eighty percent of those who participated in the survey responded with no.

The survey sent to faculty members was not meant to distinguish the implementation of the new core curriculum, but was created to discover the faculty’s opinion of the relationship between recent university decisions and the cost of implementing the curriculum, said Reeves, associate professor of management science and computer science.

As part of a plan to cut back costs, the university will reduce the amount it matches in faculty retirement percentages from 8 to 6 percent, and there is a freeze on faculty raises. These changes would loosen the current budget belt enough to implement the new curriculum, Reeves said.

Heather Leiphart :: staff photographer Tommy Walden, dressed as the American symbol Uncle Sam, stands on the corner of North 4th and Pine streets at the Big Country TEA Party, a local protest organized in conjuction with similar protests throughout the nation to voice distaste with the government.

Residents protest ‘wasteful’ government

By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief

See

There was no harbor and no Native American disguises, but that did not stop more than 1,000 Big Country residents from sponsoring a TEA party protest to acuoptimist.com voice their opposition to what they call unnec- Videos and a slideshow of essary spending by the photographs from Wednesfederal government and day’s Big Country TEA Party socialistic policies.

The TEA — an acronym for Taxed Enough Already — party participants gathered at all four corners on the cross roads of North 4th and Pine streets from 6-8 p.m. Big Country residents of

SHADES page 4

See

Class page 3

Protest page 4

Survey page 7

Study Abroad adds German site to options

By Katie Gager Student Reporter

Heather Leiphart :: staff photographer

The Study Abroad program will be expanding its global experiences by adding Leipzig, Germany, as an additional location that students may choose to study at in spring 2010.

The program now includes two locations in Oxford, England, and Montevideo, Uruguay, and hopes to see the Leipzig location as a new opportunity for students to learn about the world through studying abroad,

Above Right: Bob Kazma signs a petition at the Big Country TEA Party on Wednesday. Hundreds of protestors signed a petition that will be sent to the White House in Washington, D.C. Right: Mary Ross, an organizer of the Big Country “Taxed Enough Already Party,” voices her criticism of the spending policies of the federal government. The mother of three led a crowd of more than 1,000 in chants of “No More!” and “Enough!”

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer

See

Germany page 4

Business faculty explore student opportunities in China

By Colter Hettich Features Editor Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Emily Blacklock, freshman undeclared major from Temple, dances Wednesday during a preview performance of SHADES annual show.

Three faculty members of the College of Business Administration returned from China after spending 10 days examining in-

ternship and career opportunities for students.

Dr. Rick Lytle, dean of the College of Business Administration; Dr. Jonathan Stewart, associate professor of finance; and Mike Winegeart, assistant professor of marketing

and director of COBA’s global programs, met with Dr. Richard Chang, CEO, president and founder of Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corps, SMIC, in Shanghai and discussed the potential for a working relationship.

ACU weAtheR

“If we were to say we were missionaries, we’re not getting into the country,” Lytle said.

“But as business people, the door is wide open.”

See

China page 4

Online Poll :

a. China b. Mexico c. Australia d. I’m fine staying in Abilene.

40%

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

High: 74 Low: 48

High: 78 Low: 47

High: 72 Low: 48

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

Abilene Christian University

What other country would you want to Study Abroad?

acuoptimist.com ::

Serving the ACU community since 1912

2

ACU Police Tip of the Week

Campus Day Friday, April 17, 2009

Calendar and Events

17

Friday

4-7:30 p.m.

The Beach Bash will take place in the Mall area. The free event will feature music and volleyball.

7:30-9 p.m.

Shorts! will be presented by the Department of Theatre in Culp Theatre. For more information, call 674-2787.

18

Saturday

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ACU for Abilene 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

YMCA Healthy Kids Day will take place at Redbud Park. For more information, call 695-3400.

7:30-9:30 p.m.

The Office will be presented by SHADES in Cullen Auditorium.

Tickets cost $6.

19

Sunday

2-5 p.m.

The Vintage Baseball Exhibition Game will take place at the Buffalo Gap Historic Village. For more information, call 572-3365 or go to www.buffalogap.com.

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.

20

Monday

4-8 p.m.

Abilene’s Regional Medical Center’s Healthy Woman Expo and Dinner will take place at the Country Club. For more information, call Julia Belcher at 428-4952.

8-9 p.m.

A percussion concert will take place in Cullen Auditorium. For more information, call 674-2199.

‘Millie’ to be this year’s Homecoming Musical

By Shelby Holt Student Reporter

Theatre majors at ACU are getting ready to audition for the 2009 Homecoming Musical, which will feature a production of the Tony Awardwinning musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Millie is about a young woman, Millie Dillmount, who moves from a small town in Kansas to New York City to become a stenographer and find and marry a wealthy man.

Laura Wetsel, sophomore musical theatre major from North Richland Hills, has been preparing for her audition for a few weeks.

“I’ve read over the script several times and I listen to the soundtrack every time I get in my car,” Wetsel said.

Wetsel will be auditioning for the role of Millie and said she must convey to the director Adam Hester that she

“

I have been obsessed with this musical since I was 15, and I am beyond excited that ACU is putting it on. :: Carlee Cagle, sophomore musical theatre major from Arlington

channel’s Millie’s boldness, determination and willingness to stand her own ground.

This popular musical may capture the attention of a large variety of people.

“I have been obsessed with this musical since I was 15, and I am beyond excited that ACU is putting it on,” said Carlee Cagle, sophomore musical theatre major from Arlington.

Hester said Millie is a highenergy show that will appeal to alumni, students, faculty, staff and community patrons.

Cagle plans to audition for the role of Mrs. Meers, a white hotel owner who pre-

Announcements ACU for Abilene will take place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students who are interested can sign up in the Campus Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

to harm the animals and will reduce the potential exposure to scratches, bites and fleas. Avoid all contact with the cats and leave those captured in the traps.

Humane traps have been set up to catch feral and stray cats on campus. The traps are intended not

Social club rushes will take place until Thursday. For more information, visit myACU.edu.

”

tends to be Chinese, and Muzzy van Hossmere, a wealthy cabaret singer.

“During the audition, it’s important that I act the song as much as sing it,” Cagle said. “It’s musical theatre, not choir.”

Tap dancing is a key element for some of the characters and chorus members, Hester said. But both Cagle and Wetsel, and many other theatre students, have been attending tap classes.

Although students can only audition for one role during general auditions, they can be considered for more than one role by indi-

cating their preferences on their audition forms. They then may be called back for more than one role.

The first round of singing auditions will be Tuesday in the Williams Performing Arts Center.

“After the initial auditions for singing, acting and dancing, we will have call back auditions,” Wetsel said. “And the cast will be revealed before the end of the semester.”

Students who are interested may sign up to audition in the Williams Performing Arts Center.

The Homecoming Musical Thoroughly Modern Millie will be Oct. 15-18.

E-mail Holt at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Be respectful of neighbors by ending gatherings and lowering noise levels at a reasonable hour.

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

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

63

Credited Chapels remaining:

10

Volunteer Opportunities The Ben Richey Boys Ranch needs volunteers to help with the shooting stations and other various tasks during a dinner and auction.

Volunteers will receive free dinner. For more information, call Jama Stacy at 338-3547.

The Holliday Hills Neighborhood needs volunteers for its cleanup day April 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in West Abilene. For more information, contact Robert Lily at 864-8439.

ACU for Abilene will take place Saturday. This will be the final service day of the semester, and students will work alongside faculty and staff to serve the community. The day includes a kick-off at 8 a.m., service projects and a picnic lunch at noon with live music and several social justice vendors. Students interested can sign up in the Campus Center or the Volunteer Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.

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.

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 6771408 or send an e-mail to cecilia_ barahona@uss.salvationarmy.org.

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.

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 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.

Communities in Schools at Fannin Elementary School needs volunteers for one to two hours beginning at 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Volunteers will give extra help to students in an after-school tutoring class. For more information, call Joe Cunningham at 675-7008.

The Abilene Youth Sports Authority needs volunteers Saturday and Sunday to help with a basketball tournament at the Wylie Junior High School. Volunteers are needed from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Volunteers will sell tickets and work at the concession stand.

For more information, call Jessica Owens at 692-2972.

The Center for Contemporary Arts needs volunteers to give free art lessons to kids, while providing the opportunity to learn about art through the ArtReach program. Volunteers do not have to be artists and are needed Monday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. For more information, call Katherine Trotter at 677-8389 or e-mail katherine@center-arts.com

Find out volunteer opportunities by visiting the Volunteer and ServiceLearning 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.

acuoptimist.com n Beach Bash to kick off summer n Highland CoC Autism workshop spreads awareness, precedes workshop on campus n Students’ Association Congress works to install recycling bins

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, April 17, 2009

Page 3

Theatre students cheer ‘Shorts!’ productions Class: iPhone course creates educational lab

By Linda Bailey Student Reporter

The Department of Theatre will produce a 10-minute play festival this weekend that will involve most of the students in the department.

For the Shorts! festival, students will direct and perform 11 10-minute plays shown back-to-back at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and April 23-25 in Culp Theatre.

The department most recently put on this short play format in spring 2005. Brittany Murphy, junior theatre major from Mesquite, said the format of the show should keep the audience entertained.

“It’s different than just a show that we are doing because there are 11 of them, so if you don’t particularly enjoy one of them, there is another coming in a few minutes,” Murphy said.

The show also will give students in the advanced directing class the opportunity to direct and act in the plays,

said Sam Wolfe, senior theatre major from Abilene. Wolfe is directing the dramatic comedy Game Theory by Peter Segal.

“It gives our advanced directing class an opportunity to direct because each play is student-directed,” Wolfe said.

“Whereas normally a student would only get to direct a show maybe once every other year, this allows several students to have directing opportunities.”

Murphy said Shorts! also allows incorporation of the entire theatre department.

“It’s a way of bringing our department together and a way to be able to show the work that we have done.”

Eric Hampton, junior theatre major from Tacoma, Wash., will direct What I Came For by Alice O’Neill. He also has a role in Foul Territory by Craig Wright. He said a major difference between Shorts! and other productions at ACU is the abundance of casting opportunities that Shorts! provides.

“In a large-cast pro-

Continued from page 1

Heather Leiphart :: staff photographer From left: Seth Bazacus, senior theatre major from Ocean City, N.J.; Blake Rogers, freshman theatre major from Athens; Jefferson Ferguson, freshman theatre major from Houston; and Melanie Godsey, freshman theatre major from San Antonio, toast their futures in the short, New York Actor.

duction such as Shorts!, a lot of people are able to be involved. It’s a more group-oriented process,” Hampton said. “It’s more similar to the Homecoming musicals where almost the entire department is involved. It’s very much a group mentality.”

Hampton said Shorts! will provide something everyone will enjoy.

“I think there is so much diversity in the different plays,” Hampton said. “There is a lot of very funny comedy and there is a lot of good drama as well.”

E-mail Bailey at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Palm Pilots and Blackberries, but the course will focus on Apple’s software developer kit, or SDK, for the iPhone and iPod touch, which “seemed appropriate” with the Mobile Learning Initiative, Burton said.

Jacob Poulette, senior information technology major from Thayer, Mo., said he plans to create educational applications, which ACU could use for the Mobile Learning Initiative, but his main focus in the class will be games.

“I haven’t thought of anything concrete yet; I want to see what the SDK is like before I decide what I want to make,” Poulette said. “I’m a transfer student, so it will be nice to get to play with the mobile technology in the class and evaluate whether I want one.”

Burton said that often students who have the technical skills to develop the

application might not have “that great idea that’s going to take off,” so ACU’s American Marketing Association offered to collaborate with the mobile computing students to develop ideas and marketing concepts.

“They have ideas for programs but not the skills to develop them, so we bring the two groups together,” he said.

In addition, the English department offered its Macintosh computer lab for the class to use.

“It’s been very exciting to see the support for this across campus,” Burton said.

“I try to encourage as much collaboration like that as possible between all of the departments because it takes a team to build anything that’s really good, or you’re never going to get it out the door.”

E-mail Leiphart at: hal08a@acu.edu

Harvard graduate provides entrepreneurial perspective to SpringBoard

By Laura Acuff Opinion Page Editor

Harvard graduate and entrepreneur Dr. Chris Kersey will speak at the second annual SpringBoard Ideas Challenge awards dinner April 25. Challenge winners will be announced at the dinner and subsequently awarded up to $40,000 for business plan submissions.

Kersey serves as managing member and partner of Camden Partners, a national private equity firm, and will speak on the topic of “What they don’t teach at Harvard about entrepreneurship,” a subject that should be relevant to students

of all majors, said Ryan Stephen, senior finance major from Houston and SpringBoard student planner.

“Regardless of what you get into, small business and business in general plays a role in pretty much anything you’re going to do that’s going to send you a paycheck every month,” Stephen said.

Kersey’s bachelor’s degree from Stanford University, master’s degree from the Harvard Business School and M.D. degree from the Emory University School of Medicine combine with more than 11 years of experience in the health care and life science industries to pro-

vide an entrepreneurial expertise valuable to awards dinner attendees, said Matt Boisvert, assistant dean for marketing operations and instructor of marketing.

“He’s bringing not just a business perspective, but also as a medical doctor, he has a background in health care; it’s a very rich background,” Boisvert said.

Stephen believes whether students or community members, all people want to live life to the fullest, a goal that requires turning passion into adequate funding and a job, he said.

“That’s something that Chris Kersey is great at, is

capturing that passion and turning that into the way that you support yourself,” Stephen said. “He’s taken something that he’s passionate about, and he’s very experienced and turned that into business.”

Open to students and faculty and the Abilene community, Stephen said the dinner should offer interns and contest entrants valuable exposure to potential investors and individuals who could offer constructive advice.

“It’s also good for those students that community members know ACU is excited about innovation, excited about being on the cutting

edge of things, specifically in this case of entrepreneurship,” Stephen said. “That’s beneficial for the community’s view of us.”

The awards dinner will take place at 7 p.m. on April 25 in the Hunter Welcome Center, with the doors opening at 6 p.m. to allow attendees to view this year’s entries.

Tickets cost $15 per plate and may be purchased online at http://www.springboardchallenge.com/index.php/awardsdinner. Contest participants’ tickets are included in the registration fee.

SpringBoard Ideas Challenge is an annual mini-business plan competition open

to students and faculty and the Abilene community.

Boisvert said he hopes the contest and awards dinner will contribute to Abilene’s local economic condition.

“Fundamentally, the desire is to keep the students that we train here, to keep them here in Abilene to help them grow this community,” Boisvert said. “I love this event because it really brings these people together.

What’s fun is actually what happens in the following months as creative students come together and build on each others’ ideas.”

E-mail Acuff at: lka06a@acu.edu

FROM THE FRONT

Page 4

Friday, April 17, 2009

Protest: Party draws hundreds China: Trip Germany: Students motivates can register for spring Continued from page 1

Continued from page 1 said Kevin Kehl, executive director of the Center for International and Intercultural Education.

“It’s central to the east and the west,” Kehl said. “Not only is there great access to Western Europe, but it is in the heart of Central Europe with great access to the east and offers a really different experience than Oxford does.”

Former Provost Dwayne VanRheenen said in 10 years time the percentage of students who have graduated from ACU who study abroad has increased from 5 percent to 25 percent of the student body. The university’s goal within the next 10 years is to increase that to at least 50 percent.

“We want our students to be globally, critically and missionally minded,” VanRheenen said. “There has been a great foundation that has been laid in Leipzig, so our hope would be that the courses that are offered there will draw on all the opportunities in that region of the world.”

The process of selecting Leipzig began in 2007 through correspondence with connections in the local chamber of commerce as well as several trips to Germany made while visiting Oxford, Kehl said.

In the summer of 2008, Dr. Richard Beck, chair of the psychology department, led a group of psychology students to Leipzig for summer courses.

“This brought back a critical mass of information and experiences that led us to believe this would be a place with a very enriching experience,” Kehl said. “We then decided we wanted to offer students a semester-long experience.”

This summer, Mike Winegeart, assistant professor of marketing, will be leading a group of four business students to Leipzig for summer courses.

“One thing that strikes me about Leipzig is that they have made it a strategic initiative of the city that education will lead to the next century,” Winegeart said. “The city has invested a lot of money into their university and is willing to partner with us.”

For the spring of 2010, Ron and Janine Morgan, currently site directors at the Oxford location, will be serving as the initial directors of the Leipzig location to help launch the program.

Other professors for the initial semester have not been selected but likely will be from the Bible and music departments.

Courses offered would be basic general education courses in Bible, international studies and fine arts, as well as German language courses as an essential part of the learning experience, Kehl said.

The cost of the program will be the same as that of Oxford and will provide the students with flights to and from the United States as well as group trips throughout the semester.

Students will be living in rented flats with classroom space and easy access to the city center.

Students may begin signing up now for the spring semester.

The program will be accepting 15 to 18 students.

“Leipzig was considered by some the center of peaceful resolution in relation to the fall of the Berlin Wall,” Kehl said.

“What better place for students to consider the roll and responsibilities that Christians have about peace?”

E-mail Gager at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

of all ages held homemade signs denouncing the federal stimulus packages; others hung teabags from their signs and eyeglasses. Some even dressed up for what organizers said was a nonpartisan gathering.

Tommy Walden, 69, stood on the curb, donning a metallic blue jacket, a patriotic top hat and red and white pinstripe pants. Coupled with his white hair, Walden resembled a clean-shaven Uncle Sam, an age-old symbol for the country he said was on the wrong path. Walden, who said he tends to vote Republican, said he opposed all forms of federal spending to bailout failed banks and companies; he said he came to the TEA party because he is a concerned citizen.

“The reason I am out here is because our country is in dire straights,” said Walden, the director of the Discovery Center. “We’re not just saying, ‘Oh, Obama is bad.’ It’s not a Democrat or Republican thing; we’re all grass-root Americans, and we’re standing against spending.”

Walden and hundreds of others pointed their signs toward cars driving by on Pine Street. Some drivers honked their horns, and some motorcyclists revved their engines, acts of apparent approval that energized the crowd that

burst into chants of “Enough, Enough, Enough!” and “No more, No more, No more!”

The Big Country TEA party was joined by fed-up taxpayers throughout the state and nation who simultaneously planned TEA parties on Tax Day, the last day a citizen is able to file income tax returns.

Big Country protestors signed a petition, and organizers handed out envelopes and Xeroxed copies of a picture of a tea bag that would be sent to the White House, said Heather Hodges, event organizer.

“The No. 1 thing I hope this accomplishes is that we show that we’re tired of them spending our hard-earned money,” Hodges said. “I want the public to get involved and wake up…our nation is being ravished by liberalism.”

Not only the liberalism associated with the Democrats in power, but any politician, “Republican, Democrat or Libertarian,” who sees government spending as the answer to the economic downturn, Hodges said.

“I really do feel the bailout and stimulus is not a good thing, so I wanted to put my voice out there and wanted to step up,” said Margaret Moore, freshman interdisciplinary major from Houston.

Jimmy Pickens (’81) showed a picture of his 9-month-old great-granddaughter while speaking from a podium to illustrate how unfair it was to

place the federal deficit in the hands of future generations.

“She is facing a life of slavery to the federal government to pay off this deficit,” said Pickens, a 73-year-old veteran.

Octogenarians Bill and Helen Lail held hands, while Pickens’ speech blasted through nearby speakers. Each held an American flag, and the retired Abilenians who have been married for more than 64 years said Pickens’ message was on point.

“I don’t want my grandchildren to ask me for money to pay the debt,” Bill said.

“They don’t know what they’re doing in Washington,” Helen added soon after.

Virginia French, 66, and Darlene Williams, 63, tied tea bags to their eyeglasses. The friends, along with Darlene’s husband, Daniel, drove more than 60 miles from Eastland to Abilene to join the TEA party.

“It’s time people stood up and said enough is enough,” Darlene said. “All of our freedoms are being taken away from us.”

Soon after 8 p.m., the crowd dispersed and left behind more than a dozen pages signed by protesters for the petition that will be sent to the White House.

“To us, this is a kickoff to what we hope will be an American revolution,” Hodges said.

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

SHADES: Tickets available before show Continued from page 1 body, as well as show off the many different dance styles SHADES has to offer,” Blacklock said. “This show is something that we want everyone to enjoy and something that we have put our hearts and

souls into for quite sometime in order to make this the best show it could possibly be.”

The SHADES team has been practicing for this show since February. In addition to their annual show, they performed in Sing Song and at other local events.

The Office will last approximately 90 minutes, including intermission, and tickets for the show will be $5 if bought in advance and $6 at the door.

E-mail Haggerton at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

professors Continued from page 1

Their time with Chang was well spent: Chang, who has been featured in Forbes and Business Week and received China’s 2005 IT Person of the Year award, agreed to visit ACU and participate in COBA’s Distinguished Speaker Series. A date for his arrival has not been set.

Lytle traveled to China two-and-a-half years ago with the specific goal of learning how business in China compares to American business.

“For the last five years, I’ve known if we’re going to be in the business of training students for the world, we need to be in China,” Lytle said.

Throughout the 10-daytrip, Winegeart was awestruck by the omnipresence of visible growth.

“It was hard to look anywhere without seeing scaffolding or construction,” Winegeart said. “It’s easy to see how the next 100 years is going to be driven and led by what’s happening in China.”

Last summer, COBA’s administration attempted to organize a student trip as a working model of what they hope to create, but Lytle said their plans “fell through” due to a lack of planning and other factors. COBA has not scheduled their next visit to China, but Lytle said it will be soon.

“I can’t imagine us not being in China over the next year,” he said.

E-mail Hettich at: clh05d@acu.edu

ArtsFriday

Page 6

April 17, 2009

True Variety Show: ‘Shorts!’ gives time to good and bad

By Lydia Melby Arts Editor

The Department of Theatre is serving up something different with its newly opened show Shorts! that runs Friday and Saturday and April 23-25 in Culp Theatre. Shorts! is a collection of 11 10-minute plays that are completely student directed, acted and produced.

This is a unique form of theatre because it offers a glimpse into its characters’ lives and situations, meaning it has to begin with a bang and build quickly, or it will lose valuable time and the audience’s attention.

However, most of the actors and directors are equal to the challenge of the time and plotlength constraints and provide the audience with some delightful bites of entertainment.

The production starts off with a bang, beginning with Foul Territory, a well-directed and fun piece about the dangers of life and baseball. Although it has only two characters and is not the best written piece I have come across by any means, Eric Hampton and Caitlyn Taylor display boundless amounts of energy and a great connection in their portrayal of two friends dealing (or not dealing) with the obstacles life throws at them.

New York Actor is another high-energy production about a group of struggling actors who have a quiet, eventful night at a restaurant. Not only does this short feature fabulous costumes and witty dialogue precisely delivered by the principal actors, but the fast-paced humor that finally ends in a slapstick freefor-all is a welcome break

Heather Leiphart :: staff photographer

Clockwise from top left: Seth Bazacas invites Ashley Parizek to enjoy dinner with him; Carlee Cagle stimulates the antennae of her new acquaintance, Grant Scott; Eric Hampton tries to catch a fly ball at the encouragement of his friend, Caitlin Taylor; Josh Tumblin and Rachel Propst share a moment of tension and grief. from some of the plodding pieces preceding it.

Following New York Actor is That Midnight Rodeo, a beautifully understated story that is a showcase in even-handed directing by Kamilah Holtz. Rachel Propst and Josh Tumblin handle what easily could have been trite subject matter with realistic, subtle performances that transfix the audience and make their scene one of the best of the night.

When writing a short play, humor is definitely the way to go, since the flash-style of the performance needs to be fast paced and simple in order to succeed. And Shorts! certainly includes a fair amount of quality comedy pieces. Jasmine Richardson and Michelle Alexander together are a hoot in their hilarious-yet-poignant

short Miss Kentucky; Hold For Three gives the audience a ride through the fantastical world of one girl’s riotous imagination; and The Philadelphia, a manic study in how to deal, surely will have you rolling with its rapid-fire dialogue and preposterous events. Time Flies takes the idea of a short

Student Reporter

Students can showcase, buy and sell artwork at the sixth biannual Arts and Crafts Fair on Friday in the Bean Sprout from 7-10 p.m.

The craft fair, titled Rock, Paper, Scissors, is a free event for students and community members to listen to live music, eat free homebaked goodies and purchase artwork, including photographs, pottery, jewelry and T-shirts.

“The Arts and Crafts Fair was started as a way of encouraging people to create and make things on their own,” said Will Reid, sophomore art major from Abilene, who is organizing the fair. “It’s not necessarily about making money off your crafts as much as shar-

ing with others what you do and teaching others things that they can also do on their own.”

The event will feature three bands: Virgil Caine and Stone Wall Cavalry, a recently created band from Abilene; Jody Feabody and the Whirls, from Houston; and local musician Jennifer Fuentes.

“All of the bands have their own styles and ranging from experimental rock to folk to indie, and they are all very talented at what they do,” Reid said.

He said about 25 people will set up booths at the craft fair, and two student organizations, Wishing Well and Fair Trade, also will be there.

He said he expects between 200-400 people to attend.

Sarah Boyd, junior graphic design major from

The Facebook event for Shorts! promises “a night of fail-safe theatre,” and while this probably would be an oxymoron in reference to a more traditional play, the diverse offering is as close to “fail-safe” as a production can get. Since every play is only 10 minutes, if one is terrible, the audiencedoes

E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu

Students showcase art, music

By Lizzy Spano

comedy to an entirely different level. This whimsical satire about the human condition and seizing the day simply buzzes with over-the-top antics and the funniest (and only) portrayal of mayfly-erotica I have ever seen. Everything — acting, directing, lighting, the set and costumes — is fabulous.

not have to suffer too long.

While the short running time is tragic for some of the scenes you want to have more of, a few of the shorts seem to drag on much longer than their supposed 10 minutes and might have you watching the minute hand tick by. However, the less than perfect productions barely tip the quality scale and are bearable, especially when you know exactly how “short” it is going to be.

Shorts! is a perfect chance to experience a fun side of theatre not seen as often as one might like. Some of the great things about this format would not be included in a normal play, like the soundtrack choices that open and end each scene and the charismatic scene changes (because really, you will not often see a stagehand perform a flip while hanging from the third story of the prop platform). Shorts! is one more example of the quality of our theatre department. While no show is ever perfect, this one has a little something for everyone.

Abilene, also is helping to organize the fair. She will be submitting her own artwork, including photographs from her time studying abroad in Europe.

Boyd said she encourages students to come to the fair because it is a chance for students to explore and engage in the artistic market field, as well as appreciate peers and artists’ homemade artwork.

Students still may enter their artwork and reserve a booth at the fair for no fee by e-mailing Reid at wbr90a@ acu.edu. Participants are encouraged to bring a surge protector or lamp to help provide enough light in the basement of the Campus Center to display the crafts.

E-mail Spano at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

ViewsFriday

Page 6

April 17, 2009

VanRheenen’s dedication leaves long-lasting effects

F

ew students know what a Provost is. Any definition given by a faculty member translates as academic jargon that students recognize is important, but that is about it. In student-friendly terms, the Provost oversees all department chairs and is responsible for scholarship programs and student and academic sections at the university.

For example, the Provost makes sure your scholarship covers those classes for which he or she also approved the academic content. His job includes being intimately involved in overseeing the academia of the university, making his position significant to all students, whether they know it or not.

It is quite a significant position and one that Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen has

“

…the quality of the faculty, individuals who have direct interaction with students, is the result of VanRheenen.

held for the past 13 years.

Last October, VanRheenen announced his planned retirement at the end of the 2008-09 school year.

Dr. Rick Lytle, dean of the College of Business Administration, worked in proximity to VanRheenen.

“He transformed ACU academically,” Lytle said. “He understood what it meant to be a quality academic institution.”

Lytle said this is exemplified through his encouragement of the Study Abroad program and undergraduate research, his development in the Hon-

”

ors Program, his emphasis on establishing a level of diversity on both the faculty and student body and his constant striving for academic excellence.

Montevideo and Oxford alumni, he made all facets of that experience possible for you.

Culturally inquisitive students, his dedication to achieving ethnic diversity on campus has helped provide you with first-hand experience interacting with peoples from rich and beautiful cultures from across the globe.

Students who have an admirable professor they consider a role model and friend, he was a major contributor in hiring that individual.

Dr. Foy Mills, chair of agricultural and environmental sciences and professor of agribusiness, mirrored Lytle’s comments of excellence and said VanRheenen’s dedication to service on and offcampus helped build a foundation for the university.

“We all stand on the shoulders of others. There were foundations before Dr. VanRheenen, and he has continued to build on those,” Mills said. “He’s taken us to a new level of quality.”

It still is easy for students to get lost in faculty achievements as they are not directly related to the paper due Monday at 8 a.m.,

The issue:

After 13 years of service to the university, Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen plans to retire from his position as Provost at the end of the 2008-09 school year.

Our view:

The position of Provost impacts students and faculty on a daily basis through its significant responsibilities involving academics and scholarships.

The solution:

As VanRheenen prepares to retire, students and faculty should remember the exceptional contributions the Provost has made to the university through his years of service. the roommate issues or any other thought occupying students’ minds.

However, Mills said he believes the quality of the faculty, individuals who have direct interaction with students, is the result of VanRheenen. This bridges the gap between students’ rec-

ognition and appreciation of VanRheenen’s dedication and his impact on each and every one of them. It is felt in the classroom every day.

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

Fox broadcasts deplorable bias It pains me to say this, especially as someone who was glued to Fox News his freshman year, but I recently have come to the conclusion that much of the political commentary on the cable news channel is biased.

Or at the very least, not fair Self and balanced.

Examination Fox News

By Ryan Self initially was created by Roger Ailes, a Republican political strategist for the Nixon, Reagan and Bush Sr. campaigns, in order to seize on a market that traditionally catered to political stances left of the center. It often receives some of the highest ratings on cable because it gives a voice to conservatives who often feel slighted by the “liberal media.”

Before Fox News, viewers were subjected to the rantings of on-air personalities like Keith Olbermann, who actually blogs on the far left Web site, dailykos.com. Anyone who has seen his show, Countdown, might be confused as to whether he was discussing the United States’ public policy or the atrocities committed by the Nazi party or communist Russia.

Now they have the option to listen to the likes of Sean Hannity or Glenn Beck if they want to see rants of the conservative variety (sorry, “libertarian” rants if you are talking about Beck).

For years, Fox was able to point to Hannity and Colmes as an example of fair and balanced reporting. The issues of the day were discussed by a conservative on the right and a liberal on the left. Even that premise had flaws. The show featured the charismatic, jovial and telegenic Sean Hannity, who resembled someone you might see at your church family picnic opposite the crypt keeper. Now the crypt keeper has passed, it is just Hannity. Not exactly fair or balanced.

Along with the show formerly known as Hannity and Colmes, few shows have bolstered Fox’s ratings more than the O’Reilly Factor. Although Bill O’Reilly’s political stance is debatable

SA Congress’ effectiveness requires student input The votes have been cast, and the student body has new leadership for the Students’ Association Congress. But now what?

Next year’s Congress has, admittedly, the undesirable task of following a student government marked by My Take controversy.

By Tanner The closed Knauth meetings and impeachment have been well chronicled, and recanting those transgressions would be a waste of time. However, next year’s Congress undoubtedly will be looked at in the light of this year’s Congress.

SA Congress should be the voice of the students. However, only 813 ballots were cast in the recent elections versus the more than 4,500 enrolled stu-

dents. This screams one thing: students have stopped caring about their student government. Can the new Congress change this trend?

This year’s Congress, led by now impeached President Daniel Paul Watkins, had the perception of being ineffective and shrouded in secrecy.

SA Congress has lost much of its credibility. A major priority for next year’s Congress and its members is to restore the trust between the student body and its leaders.

SA Congress, in recent years, has done a poor job of reaching out to students, listening to their problems and then proactively finding solutions.

SA Vice President-elect Tony Godfrey, junior English major from Burleson, had the right idea when he said in an Optimist interview, “No longer are we going to be saying, ‘Come down to our office and talk to us.’ We’re going to be getting out and talking to them.”

Letter to the Editor Chapel should be optional I never understood the reason behind making attendance mandatory.

I understand that ACU has the right to make people go to Chapel since it is a private school, but that

doesn’t answer the question of why you would want people in Chapel who do not want to be there in the first place.

Furthermore, if we cannot complain about hav-

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

However, with all due respect to Godfrey, SA Congress cannot be taken at its word anymore. Action is needed.

Student-led government is a difficult task. Few students understand the time, patience and hard work it takes to be a successful member of Congress.

SA Congress and its members make promises, but often are unable to navigate through the obstacles to bring those promises to fruition. If the 2009-10 SA Congress is to move past the stigma of its predecessors, it must follow through on the promises made to the student body. For example, some of us are still waiting on more student-friendly library hours.

SA President-elect Charles Gaines, junior criminal justice major from Cedar Hill, has promised a more “Christcentered” administration. A Christ-centered administration is fine, but students will need more if Congress is to be relevant again.

This is a two-way street; students need to hold their Congress members accountable.

If promises are not kept, then students need to talk to their Congress representatives. The Wednesday meetings should be filled with students ready to ask questions. If a Congress member reaches out to students, students should be ready and willing to offer their opinions on how to make their college experience better.

SA Congress members have been charged with an unenviable task: how can they become relevant again? They have to deal with replacing a controversial Congress and serving a disinterested student body.

I want to wish all the new SA Congress members good luck and advice: do not give up on your constituents, and we will not give up on you.

ing to go to Chapel, the administration should not complain about noise being made during Chapel services because, again, you are making people go to Chapel who do not want to be there.

There is a simple answer to this Chapel “problem.” If you want a more quality Chapel experience, make Chapel optional so only the people who want to be there will be there.

P.S. Thank God that ACU has the Chapel “complainers” because without them the school would be about 1/3 the size it is now and would have a hard time paying those expenses without the extra tution money they get from the complainers.

E-mail Knauth at: txk07a@acu.edu

Zach Monority Optimist reader

Optimist the

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Newsroom: (325) 674-2439

Sports desk: (325) 674-2499

(and he will debate you on it), his guest hosts’ political positions are not. First there is frequent guest host Laura Ingram, former Reagan speechwriter and prominent conservative talk radio host.

The late Tony Snow, former White House Press Secretary under George Bush and regular guest host to the Rush Limbaugh Show, became a permanent fill-in host for the O’Reilly Factor in early 2008.

However, Tony Snow was not the only former member of the Bush administration to frequently appear on the O’Reilly Factor and Fox News. Karl Rove, infamous Republican strategist and Deputy Chief of Staff under George W. Bush, is now a prominent contributor to the Fox News Channel.

“

For years, Fox was able to point to ‘Hannity and Colmes’ as an example of fair and balanced reporting. The issues of the day were discussed by a conservative on the right and a liberal on the left.

Even that premise had flaws.

”

Of course there is also Mike Huckabee, who after running for the Republican nomination for president found his own hour-long primetime show on the news network. Have you noticed a pattern? They are all conservative. Do not worry though, there is always Alan Colmes to balance it out... oh wait, never mind.

It is impossible to argue that any news organization can be completely “fair and balanced.” Every journalist, despite his or her best intentions, has some level of bias.

But it seems as if Fox News is not even trying, but do not tell Bill O’Reilly that; he might cut off your microphone.

E-mail Self at: rcs06g@acu.edu

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SPORTS JUMPS / CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, April 17, 2009

Baseball: Schmitt leads LSC in hits, RBIs Continued from page 8 team with 66 RBI, 67 hits and a .379 batting average. His 12 home runs are second to Powell, who is tied for second in the LSC with 13 home runs and has a .333 average. Dicker ranks second on the team with a .358 average and has 52 RBI and 12 home runs this season.

“They are a very well hitting team, and we just have to try and play our game,” head coach Britt Bonneau said. “In my opinion, they are a regional team, and we might face them a lot over the next four weeks.”

On the mound, starting pitchers Brad Bichel (9-1, 4.54 ERA) and Logan Grimes (7-1,

4.88 ERA) will lead the Aggies who rank fourth in the LSC with a 5.68 ERA. Bichel has thrown five complete games and is tied for first in the LSC with nine wins, joining relief pitcher James Maxwell. Maxwell (9-0) leads the team with 58 strikeouts and ranks No. 1 in the LSC in wins and ERA (2.41).

But while the Aggies look to outhit the Wildcats this weekend, ACU has some impressive offensive statistics of its own, as well as one of the top pitching staffs in the LSC. ACU boasts four players in the top 10 in batting average in the LSC, led by Bumpass, who ranks No. 1 with a .424 average. Shortstop Willie Uechi (.412), Schmitt (.409)

Track: Athletes travel to California for meet Continued from page 8 Brivule recorded the greatest javelin throw in women’s NCAA Division II history, qualifying for the NCAA Championship meet along the way. Brivule is not the only Wildcat to qualify for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championship Meet in San Angelo; she will be joined by a group of teammates as well.

On the women’s side, Wanda Hutson, Azraa Rounds, Amanda Clemons, Paige Newby, Kim Prather and Callie Young have earned individual nationals’ spots, while on the men’s side, Desmond Jackson, Jordan Johnson, Andrew McDowell, Ramon Sparks, James Hardin, Camille Vandendriessche, Amos Sang, Cleophas Tanui, Landon Ehlers, Stephen Toler, Corey Altenberg and Nick Jones have gained individual spots. Hood said he views this weekend’s competition as a great opportunity for more individuals to qualify.

Qualification for nationals can take place in one of two ways: automatically or provisionally. To qualify automatically, a participant must reach a set qualification score; however, any score below that mark will qualify as a provisional score. If a certain

number of competitors fail to reach the automatic score, those spots can be filled by competitors who reached the provisional score throughout the year. While things have been going well for the team so far, Hood said he hopes his team can improve on some specific areas.

“We’re hoping that the men’s 4-by-400 and men’s 4-by-100 improves,” Hood said. “We’ve botched some exchanges recently that we need to get around, and those are big events for us.”

The Michael Johnson Classic is one of the season’s final meets with only a relay event in Philadelphia and the Oliver Jackson Open at ACU remaining before the conference meet.

Hood feels the competition at Baylor will be stiff and serve as a good challenge for the team.

The Wildcats will be up against major collegiate programs like Baylor, Texas Tech, Colorado and Sam Houston State universities among others, which will prepare the team for the LSC Championship meet May 7-9 in Kingsville.

E-mail Craig at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Cowboys: First game forces Rangers move Continued from page 8 the Cowboys’ neighboring sports franchise, the Texas Rangers. The Rangers also will play a game Sept. 20, and because the teams share parking lots, two games happening in one day is logistically impossible. Of course the Cowboys take precedent, and the Rangers are planning to move their matchup with the Angels.

No matter how expensive this stadium or a ticket inside may be, the new Cow-

Stadium Facts n Seating capacity: 80,000 with ability to reach 100,000 n Square footage: 3 million n World’s largest retractable roof: 661,000 square feet n World’s largest LCD screen: 60 yards long

boys Stadium will turn heads this summer when it opens its gates for the first time.

E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu

and Hall (.394) join Bumpass in the top 10, while Schmitt (74), Uechi (73) and Bumpass (70) rank No. 1, 2 and 3 in the LSC in hits. Schmitt also ranks No. 1 in RBI (76), while ACU ranks No. 1 in hits (543) and batting average (.353) in the LSC. Looking to keep the Aggies’ offense in check this weekend will be starting pitchers Cameron Aspaas (7-1, 3.64 ERA), Preston Vancil (2-3, 4.48), Sullivan (3-2, 6.80 ERA) and Cooper Page (1-1, 5.98 ERA). Aspaas ranks fourth in the LSC in ERA, while Vancil leads the LSC with 77 strikeouts. Closer Brad Rutherford (9-3, 3.30 ERA) also will be key to the series as he is tied for first in the LSC in wins and tied

for first with eight saves.

“This time of year you’re trying to get everyone on the same page and get everybody focused on our goals that we set forth at the beginning of the year,” Bonneau said. “If you do those things, you tend to play better and stay focused, and that’s key to this team: one, get healthy; and two, focus on the ultimate goal, and that starts this weekend with Cameron.”

The Wildcats’ four-game series with Cameron will begin Friday at 3 p.m., followed by a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The series will conclude Sunday at 1 p.m.

E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu

Page 7

Golf: Campbell relying on seniors’ experience Continued from page 8 with 36 holes to be played.”

Campbell is counting on the experience of the team’s two seniors, Patrick Hanuer and Hilton Funk, to carry it at the conference tournament.

“Patrick and Hilton have been through this time of year before and know how important these tournaments are,” Campbell said.

Campbell said Cyril Bouniol also will be one of the team leaders in the upcoming tournaments.

“Basically at the Dallas Baptist tournament, I thought we

played well,” Campbell said.

“At the UCO tournament, we had bad weather on the first day and didn’t play to our capabilities.”

All 10 schools in the LSC with golf programs will compete at the LSC Championship Tournament at the WinStar Golf Course.

ACU is ranked No. 27 in the most recent Nike/Golf World NCAA Division II poll, while LSC opponent Central Oklahoma is ranked third in the nation.

E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu

Softball: Sweep could move Cats to first in LSC Continued from page 8 Benedict walked two batters, and only one was allowed to advance to second. With the victory, Benedict improved to 4-4 on the season. The Wildcats scored eight runs in the first game, which forced the run rule, and the game ended after five innings. The offense was led by Melissa Rodriguez, who had a pair of solo home runs. Three others had RBI singles, and then Shelby McElvain hit a two-run homer to extend the lead to 7-0. The game ended early when Katie Cornelison hit a bases-loaded single that

scored Brooke Whittlesey in the fifth.

The second game, Kim White continued where Benedict left off, pitching well and only giving up one hit in four innings with one earned run.

The Wildcats would use a balanced offensive attack to put up eight runs again against UTPermian Basin. Six players for the Wildcats drove in runs, and the Wildcats won 8-2.

ACU is looking to conclude its season with a three-game series against Eastern New Mexico. The Lady Zias have struggled this season in conference. They sit at the bottom

of the standings with a 2-12 record, while the Wildcats enter the series with a 12-3 record.

Despite their poor record, the Zias still can hit the ball well. The team is led by Kristen Cruickshank, who leads the team in hits and RBIs. Cruickshank also has hit an impressive 14 home runs on the season, which is four more than any ACU player.

“They are a good hitting team, so we are going to have to hit well at the plate,” Wilson said. “We are going to try to get runs in every inning and win the run battle every inning.”

The series is important to

the Wildcats because if they can take care of business and sweep, it gives them a chance to finish first in conference.

Currently, ACU is tied for first with Angelo State. A Wildcat force Angelo State to sweep Texas A&M-Kingsville team.

If both teams sweep, Angelo State would win conference because it won the series against ACU earlier in the season.

“We know we need to go out there and sweep and hope Kingsville can steal one so that we end up in first alone,” Wilson said.

E-mail Cantrell at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Survey: Faculty hopes drop does not remain intact Continued from page 1 According to a recent faculty survey, 80 percent of faculty members who contributed to the survey hoped new core curriculum changes would not result in a permanent decrease in retirement percentages.

“The survey is actually about the budgeting process,” Reeves said. “The question was whether the faculty believed in [the new

curriculum enough] to put forth their own retirement.

Because in the future, funds for curriculum will raise.”

Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, responded to the survey and concerns of the faculty in a e-mail saying that economic situations frustrated efforts toward implementing ACU’s 21st Century Vision.

Money wrote administrators will discuss recent budget decisions with the faculty

and Faculty Senate, so that budget complexities, strategies and contingencies are better understood.

The core curriculum, when implemented, will not change the number of hours required to graduate, but students will take a 3-hour cornerstone course, instead of the 1-hour university seminar course.

The new core curriculum will only affect incoming freshmen.

“The new curriculum is a new look at what every student in [each department] should know and share and create a broader perspective,” Reeves said. “I’m not against the new curriculum; I would like my students to have a broader conceptual perception. My goal was to ask faculty: what do you think about the trade-off that was made?”

E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu

Teams to face off in wheelchair basketball game

By Lezlee Gutierrez Student Reporter

To close off Disabilities Awareness Week on ACU’s campus, faculty and staff will face off against students in a wheelchair basketball game Friday at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. The game will be a fullcourt basketball game between a team of students and a team of faculty and staff.

All of the players will play in wheelchairs, and the game will be played on 10-foot high regulation-size basketball goals. Scott Self, director of the Alpha Scholars Program, will be the team captain for the faculty and staff team and will play alongside Robert Oglesby,

instructor of Bible, missions and ministry, who will remain in a wheelchair the entire day in recognition of Disabilities Awareness Week.

The game will have rules, like personal fouls and traveling, that are the same as a regular basketball game. The basketball game will be free of charge for everyone, and door prizes will be offered.

“I would like to see many barriers broken this week,” said Bryan Evans, freshman youth and ministry major from Angleton and captain of the students’ team. “I hope people will come away from this experience understanding how to associate, approach and interact with others differ-

ent from them.”

Art also will be on display in the Learning Commons to recognize Disabilities Awareness Week. Students in the Department of Art and Design created drawings, paintings, architecture and other forms of art, portraying the many visible as well as hidden disabilities of several people at ACU. “We hope to shed light on the many things people living with disabilities can do, not just what they can’t,” said Mattia Bray, Disability Services Coordinator. “I think everyone can learn to appreciate and respect students who live with these physical disabilities, as well as those who must overcome hidden disabilities such

as dyslexia and other learning disabilities.”

The learning disabilities class taught by Dennis Cavitt, instructor of education, will display posters in the Campus Center this week as a project to promote disability awareness.

Virginia Bailey, associate professor of library science, also will present a book display in the Learning Commons, providing literature about the numerous forms of disabilities.

The week is observed not only to acknowledge various physical and learning disabilities, but also the accomplishments of those who have triumphed in their life while living with them.

E-mail Gutierrez at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu

SportsFriday

Page 8

SCOREBOARD

Cats travel to Okla. for LSC Championship Cowboys

Standings

By Chandler Harris

Div. 27-9 25-11 24-12 20-16 18-18 Tarleton St. 17-18-1 Central Okla. 17-19 SE Okla.

16-19 TAMU-K 15-21 NE State 12-23-1 WTAMU 12-23 East Central 11-25 ACU Cameron Angelo St. SW Okla.

ENMU

Overall 35-12 34-12 32-15 26-18 23-22 20-24-1 22-24 19-22 19-27 17-28-1 19-27 12-32

Softball Team

Div. Angelo St. 12-3 ACU 12-3 WTAMU 9-8 TAMU-K 7-8 Tarleton St. 7-8 TX Woman’s 4-11 ENMU 2-12

Overall 36-7 36-11 32-17 28-18 25-20 24-24 22-20

Golf

Assistant Sports Editor

Baseball Team

April 17, 2009

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Charles Levitte swings during practice Feb. 18 at Diamondback Golf Club.

The golf team is preparing for the Lone Star Conference Championship Tournament in Thackerville, Okla., on Monday and Tuesday. The team will conclude qualifying rounds Friday, and the top five Wildcats will make the trip to compete.

“Going by records, we are pretty solid to go to regionals,” head coach Mike Campbell said. “We are looking pretty good.”

The team currently is ranked fifth in the region as the top 10 teams will advance to the NCAA Division II South Central/Midwest Super Regional Tourna-

ment in Allendale, Mich., on May 4-6. The winner of the LSC Championship Tournament will earn an automatic berth to the regional tournament.

The LSC tournament will be played over two days with 36 holes Monday and 18 holes Tuesday.

“We need to come out strong on the first day and have a good start,” Campbell said. “Hopefully, the momentum of the first 36 holes will carry us and put us in a position so that we can win. That first day will be a long day See

Golf page 7

Cats Run Over Rams

Scores Saturday Softball ACU 5, Tarleton State 4

Baseball ACU 5, Northeastern State 3 ACU 4, Northeastern State 3

Women’s Tennis ACU 8, Northeastern State 1

Tuesday Softball ACU 8, UT-Permian Basin 0 ACU 8, UT-Permian Basin 2

Wednesday Baseball ACU 8, Texas Wesleyan 3

Upcoming Friday Track & Field Mt. SAC Relays, noon

Softball ACU at ENMU, 1 p.m.

ACU at ENMU, 3 p.m.

Baseball ACU at Cameron, 3 p.m.

Saturday Track & Field Mt. SAC Relays, noon Michael Johnson Classic, 9:30 a.m.

Women’s Tennis ACU at Seminole State, 9 a.m.

ACU at East Central, 2 p.m.

Men’s Tennis ACU at SE Oklahoma State, 9 a.m.

ACU at East Central, 3 p.m.

Softball ACU at ENMU, 1 p.m.

Baseball ACU at Cameron, 1 p.m.

ACU at Cameron, 3:30 p.m.

Sunday Baseball ACU at Cameron, 1 p.m. :: Home games listed in italics

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Center fielder Thomas Bumpass swings at a pitch during ACU’s 11-4 win over Angelo State on Feb. 28. The Wildcats are first in the LSC with a 27-9 record.

Baseball team picks up non-conference win before Cameron

By Grant Abston

Baseball

Sports Editor

Before traveling to Oklahoma for a pivotal Lone Star Conference matchup with Cameron University this weekend, the Wildcats took care of business Wednesday in a non-conference matchup versus Texas Wesleyan, defeating the Rams 8-3 and improving to 35-12 overall.

Led by third baseman Steve Camillucci and starting pitcher Kevin Justice, the Wildcats scored two in the third and three more in the fourth to take 5-0 lead that proved too much for the Rams. Texas

Wesleyan cut the lead to 5-2 after the top of the fifth, but ACU scored three runs over the next two innings and ended any comeback threat.

“I felt like today was one of our best games offensively that we have had,” second baseman Chris Hall said. “There were not a lot of runs, but we had 12 hits which is good, and we found ways to have big innings after having trouble last weekend with one-run innings.”

Justice improved to 6-1 after pitching five innings, allowing two runs on three hits, while relief pitchers Matt Sullivan,

Corey Kelly and Andrew Yacek pitched the final four innings and combined to allow just one run on four hits. Offensively, Camillucci led the team, going 3-3 and matched Hall with a game-high 2 RBI. Catcher Cameron Bankston and center fielder Thomas Bumpass each added two hits as ACU outhit the Rams 12-7.

“The pitchers threw well, and we got a good start from Justice, and he kind of set the tone for the whole day,” Hall said.

The ninth-ranked Wildcats will now turn their attention to Cameron University, who sits in second place and two games

behind ACU for first in the LSC. The Aggies (34-12, 25-11) are ranked No. 21 in the nation and No. 5 in the first regional rankings, three spots behind No. 2 ACU, and could take over first place with a series win in the biggest conference series of the season for either team.

The Aggies, who split last weekend with Texas A&MKingsville, are ranked first in the LSC in runs scored (423), RBI (387) and home runs (74), and are led by designated hitter Nate Arevalo, shortstop Thomas Dicker and second baseman Clint Powell. Arevalo leads the See

Baseball page 7

Stadium in league of its own

The new Cowboys Stadium is taking the future of sports’ venues to the next level, but at a hefty price.

I recently toured the new palace of a stadium that is under construction in Arlington, and words Thoughts from do not do the Bleachers justice to how masBy Chandler sive it is.

T h e Harris new facility, which cost $1.1 billion, boasts some of the world’s largest structures, including the longest single-span roof structure and the largest LED screen, which is backed by 10 levels of catwalks.

My tour guide was Brett Daniels, director of corporate communications for the Dallas Cowboys, and he said the brunt of the stadium’s price tag would be passed along to its patrons rather than Arlington’s taxpayers, who already have footed $325 million of the bill.

With some single-game tickets as high as $349 and parking priced at $75$90 per car, many middleto-lower class Cowboys’ fans will not experience the new stadium due to the harsh economic times.

Daniels said Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ owner, and his family modeled the new stadium after others in Japan, China, Australia and London, including Wimbley Stadium. It is evident the Jones’ are targeting a wealthier audience for the new stadium as they installed five levels of suites, including the first ever, on-field suite.

This stadium, however, is more than just a football stadium. The Jones family has marketed its palace as venue for any and all events big enough to fill the 100,000-seat capacity.

It will all begin in June with the first ever event, a George Strait concert, which sold out in fewer than 30 minutes. This is to be followed by concerts by U2 and the Jonas Brothers, not to mention a soccer game between Chelsea FC and Club America. The Cowboys will play their first game against the NY Giants on Sept. 20.

This game, which was announced Tuesday, already has presented a scheduling conflict with See

Cowboys page 7

Track and field team Benedict leads ACU with no-hitter looks to add qualifiers

By Ryan Cantrell

Briefs n The Wildcat football team will begin next season by playing Northwest Missouri State at Shotwell Stadium on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m., according to the 2009 schedule which was announced Monday.

The Wildcats defeated the Bearcats in the season opener last season, but Northwest Missouri State ended ACU’s season in the playoffs.

n The baseball team is` ranked No. 2 in the first NCAA Division II South Central Regional poll behind No. 1 Emporia State. Angelo State is ranked No. 3 in front of No. 4 Nebraska-Omaha and No. 5 Cameron. The top eight teams in the region at the end of the regular season will be invited to the regional tournament.

Sports Writer

By Jeff Craig Sports Writer

With a slew of national qualifications already in hand, the ACU track and field team will head to Waco this weekend to compete in the Michael Johnson Classic, hosted by Baylor University, lookHood ing to qualify more athletes for the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championship meet.

Most of ACU’s sprinters, hurdlers and throwers will compete in the meet, while

Track & Field their long-distance teammates will race in the Mt. SAC Classic in Walnut, Calif. Head coach Don Hood hopes to see his squad continue to progress as the Lone Star Conference Championships and the NCAA Championships quickly approach.

“We just want to keep getting better and stay injury free,” Hood said. “This year, the sprints are really competitive, and hopefully we can improve without hurting ourselves.”

The Wildcats already have gained national attention this season. On April 4, Linda See

Track page 7

Britney Benedict joined an elite group in ACU’s record book Tuesday, becoming only the fifth player in the school’s history to throw a no-hitter.

Benedict’s pitching led the Wildcats to an 8-0 victory Tuesday.

Another strong pitching performance by Kim White in the second game led the Wildcats to sweeping the doubleheader against UT-Permian Basin.

“We did a great job coming out and playing,” head coach Chantiel Wilson said. “Britney mixed up her pitches and kept her focus. She wasn’t thinking about the no-hitter and kept her composure and pitched a great game.”

See

Softball page 7

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Second baseman Jackie Gentile tosses the ball to shortstop Melissa Rodriguez during ACU’s 4-1 win over Tarleton State on April 10.