The Optimist - Nov. 7, 2008 by ACU Optimist

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Pg. 8: Perfect Season? ACU seeks win No. 10

Friday, November 7, 2008 :: Vol. 97, No. 22 :: 1 sections, 8 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com

Inside This Issue:

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Christimas Carousel to offer load of options for Christmas gifts

Controversial presidential biopic fails to meet expectations

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One and Done: Soccer team knocked out of LSC Tournament

Registration begins for spring semester Vocal professor By Michael Freeman Managing Editor

With the fall semester coming to a close, students already can register for classes for the 2009 spring semester. Registration for graduate students, Honors Program students and students at Study Abroad sites began Wednesday. Seniors, who have accumulated 90 or more hours, can register Monday; juniors, who have completed 60 to 89 hours, can register Wednesday.

On Nov. 17, sophomores with 30 to 59 hours completed can sign up for classes, and on Nov. 19, freshmen with fewer than 29 hours will be able to register. New for this year is the 2009 summer registration, which will be Feb. 25, 2009 instead of in the coming weeks. Registration for each date begins at 3 p.m., as long as no holds are on student accounts. If a student has a See

Choose Your Classes Registration for Honors Program students and students Studying Abroad has already begun. Here is a list of when students will be able to register for classes: n Seniors (90 or more hours) — Monday n Juniors (60-89 hours) — Wednesday n Sophomores (30-59 hours) — Nov. 17 n Freshmen (0-29 hours) — Nov. 19 Source: www.acu.edu

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Officials: Ad Options Coming

to retire in ’09 By Lydia Melby Arts Editor

After teaching music for 40 years and vocal coaching 37 ACU Homecoming Musicals, Jeanette Lipford, assistant professor emerita of voice at ACU, announced she will retire in May 2009, Lipford making the recent All Shook Up her last Homecoming Musical. Although Lipford officially retired in 1992, she stayed to teach part-time and be involved with the musicals. Lipford, an ACU alum, began teaching music and voice immediately after receiving her master’s degree and has given lessons privately, as well as teaching at the elementary and university levels. “Music was what I always wanted to do,” Lipford said. Lipford has worked in the ACU Department of Theatre for 37 years said Adam Hester, director and chair of the Department of Theatre, and she

has been an invaluable addition to the department. “Jeanette is an amazing person who brought a skill set to the theatre department that we needed to enable students to go to the next step in their professional aspiration,” Hester said. “She also brought a real sense of confidence to students who often feel vulnerable and intimidated when they sing… I’ve had students tell me that they learned just as much about themselves and their goals in her sessions as they did about singing.” Hester, who began directing ACU musicals in 1986 with Annie, has worked with Lipford on every production he has directed. “She has been a great colleague for me to share the directing responsibilities with. It’s hard to imagine doing a Homecoming Musical without Jeanette,” Hester said. Although many have expressed their dismay at her upcoming retirement, Hester said she leaves the department with a capable successor, Kari Hatfield, who was hired last year. See

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Students sign to serve during spring break By Molly Byrd Page 2 Editor

Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Mary Reyes, special projects coordinator in the Executive Vice President’s office, explains the administration’s plans to purchase and build kiosks that student groups and students can use to advertise events. The kiosks are meant as one of several new venues for students to advertise events.

SA Congress briefed on plans to build kiosks By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief

The Students’ Association Congress unanimously passed two bills at its weekly meeting Wednesday. It also was briefed about the university administration’s plans to reshape the venues and methods student

groups and students can use to advertise events. University officials told the SA Congress of their plans to purchase kiosks that would be strategically placed around campus in areas that receive a lot of traffic. On Oct. 22 Dr. Royce Money, president of the universi-

ty, implemented a new policy that prohibited the posting of ads on campus doors, walls and sidewalks. Money said the policy was an attempt to mirror other universities and maintain a professional looking and clean campus. Mauri Westbrook, director of Student Organizations and

Activities, and Mary Reyes, special projects coordinator in the Executive Vice President’s office, told the Congress the kiosks and other methods of advertising were part of the university’s effort to find new ways for students See

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She looked at him with a tear in her eye and said, “Thank you for bringing God to our country.” Although Chris Herrington, junior pre-architecture and interior design major from Abilene, does not speak perfect Spanish, he was able to understand bits and pieces of the 14year-old Nicaraguan girl’s appreciation. Herrington used his spring break last year to join others in a Spring Break Campaign to Nicaragua, and like the more than 300 students who signed up Thursday night to travel to 30 locations around the world

for spring break, he said he will serve again this year. “The best part of the trip was the interaction with the locals,” he said. “I’m going back this spring break for the people.” He set out with the intention to help his team build a school and assist others in need, but he was in for more than he bargained. He said he quickly recognized the trip was not only meant for building schools and improving the Nicaraguans’ quality of life. It was about building relationships and sharing God’s love with everyone. Herrington said the thankful eyes and constant appreciation was overwhelming, See

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Nearby shop offers caffeine connection By Elizabeth Coffee Student Reporter

In the strip center in front of Wal-Mart between Dr. J Express Care and Alltel Wireless is Abilene’s newest coffee shop, Brew.Net Internet Cafe. Its grand opening is Friday until 11 p.m. The Brew.Net offers free Wi-Fi, as well as a wide variety of beverages and food. Opening the coffee shop was a seven-year dream for Dale and Stacey Scaief, owners of Brew.Net. After they

returned from their missions work in Brazil, with no extra money to begin a business, they struggled to make any headway with their dream, Dale said. “God has a bigger picture, and sometimes it’s to hold things off, but when it’s time, God puts people and circumstances together to make it work,” Stacey said. Dale and Stacey, along with their co-owners Gary and Sandy Grisham, designed their business around college

students and their interests. With free Wi-Fi, weekly classic movie nights and weekly Bible studies, these owners intend to reach out to their college community, Dale said. “Our anticipation is that our main line of business is ACU students,” Dale said. With 25 percent of the shop’s revenue going to Lar Efrata, an orphanage in Paulo, Brazil, the establishment also serves as a ministry tool. “Our mindset was something that could be more than

just a coffee shop,” Stacey said. “Our heart is ministry whether in Brazil, in Africa or here in Abilene.” The Scaiefs and Grishams have done mission work with Lar Efrata and lead annual trips every spring break. They also sponsor Vacation Bible School and do numerous building projects. The walls of the small coffee shop are lined with photos of children from the orphanage and the See

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Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer John Laughlin, Damien Villanueva and Leonard Laughlin make a stop at Brew.Net Internet Cafe, a new coffee shop on State Highway 351.

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