Optimist Print Edition 10.18.18 (Volume CVIII, Issue IX)

@acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist

OPTIMIST

As week eight of the semester comes to a close, students prepare for a three-day weekend.

Thursday October 18, 2018

M T W T

FALL BREAK

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

Volume CVIII, Issue IX

F S S

Feature

Sports

News

Savannah Mitcham is an award winning CrossFit athelete despite her disability, spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. Mitcham won awards at both Wodapalooza and Agoge Challenge Champion.......................Page 3

Wildcat football takes on Southeastern Lousiana Saturday at 7 p.m. after a historic upset last week. Jordan Henry has dominated in tennis, and now in her senior year, she plans to finish strong.................................Page 6

A new weekly Chapel aims to create an intentional Christian community and is welcoming new members. Honors offers a stand up comedy colloquium at Monks...................................................................Page 2

Photo by NICHOLAS CROMWELL | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Pledges of Ko Jo Kai sing during the Homecoming Parade last week. The NuNus received second place for their float.

CAMPUS NEWS

Interior design degree earns reaccreditation HOPE CORDES COPY EDITOR

After years of preparation, the interior design degree was recently reaccredited by The Council for Interior Design Accreditation.

Because accreditation involves extensive preparation, the Department of Art and Design has been preparing for six years – the standard time frame for accreditation.

To be accredited, the department is required to provide thorough evidence that the program, including professors and classes, meets all the CIDA standards.

“It gave us a really good understanding of where we are today and how well we actually are doing,” Kelly Mann, interior design instructor said.

“It’s basically like a nice self-assessment but to have it confirmed by someone else.”

In January 2017, the CIDA changed its standards and they had to work extensive hours to finish everything on time.

By December 2017, they turned in a 65-plus page program analysis report, including descriptions of every class and how they met the standards along with syllabi, project reports and student work for the evidence.

Ronnie Rama, director of interior design and architecture and associate professor in the Department of Art and Design, was in charge of the reaccreditation process, but relied heavily on help from students and instructor Kelly Mann.

“It was very helpful to have students on board because from a teaching perspective we see what we are trying to achieve but the reality is are

we actually achieving that,” Mann said. “So having the student perspective was a nice addition, because we know where we are heading and then were able to bounce that off the students.”

If the program was not reaccredited, then they would have gone on a two-year probation period to fix all of the inadequate standards. This not only affects the faculty, but the students would not have been able to become licensed Interior Designers.

Rama explained how amazed CIDA was with the interior design students, “They commented on how impressed they were of the students, because of how involved and the sense of community that the Interior Design program has and their sense of investment.

They understand the significance that this has for their professional careers.”

Annelise White, senior pre-architecture and interior design major from Abilene and organizer, helped take photos, contact students and proofread the report.

“My first main job was going through the massive report, making sure it answered all the questions and making sure it looked professional,” White said. “That was a lot of work, we worked on that for three or maybe two months. There were a lot of late nights and weekends.

I was going to professor’s houses and we would just sit at the dinner table working on the same google doc for three or four hours.”

SEE DESIGN PAGE 2

Completion of Onstead fulfills Vision

ideas for their donations throughout the campaign.

Dr. Schubert said these donors expressed a want to invest in those programs to help them achieve a new level of excellence.

“A saying I’ve heard a lot is, ‘we’re not only moving into Div. 1 athletics, but we’re also moving into Div. 1 academics’ in a whole host of areas by the invest-

ments we’re making,” Dr. Schubert said.

Dr. Schubert said before Vision in Action, university leaders considered expansion and development, but it was never a real possibility until receiving significant donations.

“This was a great balance of major academic facilities as well as embracing our move into Div. 1 athletics, with the stadium,” said Dr.

Phil Schubert, president of the university. “It brought donors in from a whole host of different areas and interests that really represented our constituency so well.”

Vision in Action is a $110 million plan, meaning that at least $10 million still needs to be raised to meet the goal. However, Dr. Schubert said he is amazed at the ability of the ACU community to contribute such generous donations.

“It’s just unbelievable,” Dr. Schubert said. “The willingness of our people, who signaled so deeply how they believe in this place and what we’re capable of, to come to the table with that kind of funding is so rewarding.”

Now that the key projects have been completed, Dr. Schubert said the greatest need for renovations moving forward is in residence halls. However, there is currently no plan to move forward with these updates.

leaders will take more members during the second round of auditions, beEthnos conducted open ginning in two weeks. auditions to students and memEthnos began in 1992 as bers of the Abilene community. the ISA Culture Show, ofThe event will be two fering an outlet for students days, featuring acts from to experience other cultures student groups and on-cam- by watching or participatpus organizations, showcas- ing in the acts. Ethnos was ing the cultures of various formerly one of the largest places through song, dance, student events, but it is now martial arts demonstration available outside of campus. or skit. ACU organizations Veronica Whitt, ISA Adparticipating include Swing visor and Coordinator of ISS. Cats, Shades, Omega Dance Veronica Whitt, ISA adviCompany and Sanctify. sor and coordinator of InterThough the first round national Students Services, said of auditions is over, act Ethnos is a fun, educational acuoptimist.com

and impactful opportunity.

“Ethnos is more than a student production,” said Whitt. “Becoming a part of it is like finding a new home, and I believe many other students who have been involved would say the same thing.”

ISA Vice President Brett Herman said Ethnos offers opportunities for students to get involved with other cultures both on and off campus.

“Ethnos is a culmination of different cultural dances and performances that come together to show the

diversity and unity of ACU and the Abilene community,” Herman said. “It is a beautiful thing to watch and be a part of.”

In the past, Ethnos had acts from Hardin Simmons University, the International Rescue Committee and Abilene High School.

The event is on Nov. 2, and Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. Early bird tickets go on sale on Tuesday and cost $5 each.

General Admission tickets are $8 online or in the Campus Center and $10 at the door.

ASHLEY ALFRED SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

Vision in Action continues to initiate the biggest transformation to ACU’s campus in more than 50 years.

Through donations exceeding $100 million, ACU has completed renovation and updates to the Onstead Science Center and engineering and physics laboratories in Bennett Gymnasium, along with the construction of the Herbert-Walling Research Center, Wildcat Stadium and Elmer Gray Stadium.

“When institutions make big investments in things that matter, it signals to the entire community to question what’s possible,” Dr. Schubert said. “And it gives people the boldness to live into their vision in a different way.”

While the new golf and tennis facilities were not a part of Vision in Action, many donors brought

Cultural groups complete Ethnos auditions DILLION DANIEL STAFF REPORTER

Page 2 | Campus News Events

Friday 10/19 1. Fall Break Saturday 10/20 1. Volleyball vs. Southeastern LA Monday 10/22 1. Missions Week Tuesday 10/23 1. Missions Week Wednesday 10/24 1. Missions Week Cookout Thursday 10/25 1. CABINET: X-Golf 2. Graduation Fair

1

day until fall break CAMPUS NEWS

Honors offers cruise as January short course LOGAN CHAPMAN STAFF REPORTER

The Honors College will offer Colloquium Cruise as a short course in January.

The colloquium, Astronomy at Sea and in the Mayan Culture, is a one-hour course available exclusively for Honors students.

The group will embark on an international cruise during which they will share memories and learn about astronomy, the Mayan culture and the relationships between the two.

The two professors, Dr. Rusty Towell, professor of engineering and physics, and Daniel Garcia, director of multicultural and international enrollment.

“The cruise’s first run was popular enough that we wanted to offer it again,” said Sarah Winkler Laster, academic manager and budget director of the Honors College. “We are always trying to create new, fun ways for our Honors students to engage in experiential learning” said Lester.

Laster said the Honors College is proving a unique experience not available at many other universities.

“You can take a cruise, but does it usually have a formal educational component where you can get college credit? Probably not,” said Laster. “And, sure, you can take a course on astronomy or about the Mayan culture, but wouldn’t you rather do it on a cruise ship?”

Laster said she hopes this will continue to be a popular tradition in the Honors College.

Thursday, October 18, 2018 CAMPUS NEWS

Design: Department surpasses reaccreditation standards FROM DESIGN PAGE 1

Once the report was turned in, they focused on prepping for the site visit.

The art gallery was set up as a student work exhibit which showcased everything they had put in the report.

They had to create binders for each class and a map so the inspectors could easily match the report with each class and find further proof that the program was up to standard.

Arlene Kasselman, administrative coordinator of art and design, helped manage the communication between people, plus supplies and hospitality. Her job includes helping students from their visitation day until the exit interview for graduation. She is a key contributor to the interior design community since she gets to see the whole picture and as such helps with communication and management of the department.

After years of preparation, three visitors from CIDA came to campus for a site visit in February.

Mann explained how the site visitors had already read the report and used the exhibit to cross-check certain things. They wanted to tour campus, especially the Maker Lab, so they could see all the resources available to students. She also said the visitors sat in on classes and met with students.

Hannah Scherr, junior pre-architecture and interior design major from Boulder, Colorado, said, “There were a few students chosen from every year to be on the student panel. We met every week for a month and half or so to study the standards and prepare for the CIDA people’s questions. When they came, we met them for an hour and answered their questions and told them about our program.”

Even though the visit took place in February, the official accreditation came through in August.

“When they left they shared their positive recommendation,” Rama said.

“The site visitors write their own report and make a recommendation to the council itself. The council meets and decides whether or not to uphold that recommendation.”

The recommendation included 13 program strengths.

Mann explained that most schools have three to four strengths, so it’s incredible how they went above and beyond in 13 areas. However, just because the program went above and beyond in this accreditation does not mean they will stop preparing for the next one.

“In six years when we have to go through the process again we want to take ACU up a whole other level,” Mann said. “We want to make sure we are not stagnating, we are proud of this

Photo courtesy of KELLY MANN Interior design accreditation report research and samples for the art gallery and CIDA visit

“

In six years when we have to go through the process again we want to take ACU up a whole other level.”

KELLY MANN INTERIOR DESIGN INSTRUC-

program, I’m proud of this program. Having that pride has been a good thing for our students. Knowing where we stand and having a goal for where we are heading to bigger and better things. To pro-

duce more students that are succeeding and doing well.”

White was thrilled that the CIDA visitors recognized the unique community of ACU’s design program. She said the department is like family, and any art and design students would agree.

“We understand each other’s passion for design in a way that no one else can,” Scherr said. “We don’t just support one another in design, but in life. We’ve walked through seasons of

trouble and seasons of joy with one another, prayed for one another, celebrated one another, and held one another when we’ve cried.

I don’t know if I could find a community like this anywhere else. When I visited the ACU Interior Design department as a high school junior, I could tell it was special, and now that I’ve been here for two years, I know deeply what special community it is, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.”

CAMPUS NEWS

Honors comedy colloquium performs standup EMMA CONATSER COPY EDITOR

Comedy lovers and coffee drinkers alike enjoyed Monday night, when Dr. Steven Moore’s honors comedy colloquium performed standup at Monks Coffee Shop.

Moore, associate professor of language and literature and Al Haley, professor of language and literature and writer-in-residence, have been wanting to offer this course for some time. “This culture’s in need of comedy,”

“

We’re just going through so much, as a nation and so we thought, ‘why not a class on comedy?’”

Moore said. “We’re just going through so much as a nation, and so we just thought, ‘why not a class on comedy?’”

Ryan Jones, alumnus and current comedian, was flown in from Portland for the event. He served as a judge

and provided feedback for the students as they did their standup routines. “I like ‘feedback’ a lot more than ‘judge’,” Jones said. He has been eager to bring some real experience to the class of beginning comedians.

With the recent rise of comedy from platforms like Netflix and Hulu, Moore and Jones have looked forward to guiding students to create standup of their own. “I think it’s always important to encounter art outside of your field,” Moore said. Though this

was the colloquium’s comedy debut, he hopes in future years to open the class up to all students.

Because Moore was looking for students to perform in a “neutral space” where their standup could be received by fellow students and the Abilene community, he chose Monks.

Andreelynn Stephens, manager at Monks, was equally excited for this event. Stephens has been wanting the coffee shop to do a monthly comedy event for a while. She’s eager to

do “anything to support the craft…so that it’s not just a flippant concept”.

Stephens plans to make a monthly tradition of standup at Monks, admitting that “this is a really new concept, but we really want to try and move forward”.

Having stocked up on muffins and coffee, Monks was ready for a big crowd to enjoy the night of laughter. Like other events for which the coffee shop plays host, a special drink was crafted specifically for the comedy night.

most people were either not exposed to God or had poorly formed ideas about God and did not truly know His character.

In the ‘80s, he began to find answers through a community of believers.

From this, sprang the idea that Christians need an intentional community of believers who could love and support each other.

“The most powerful evangelist in the universe is a vibrant community of God’s people, a vibrant family of Jesus,” said Smith.

“The beauty of how God has designed us ultimately is best experienced in joyful,

interdependent, intergenerational communities of God’s love and purpose.”

Smith discovered that his vision for intentional community aligned with Laura Callarman’s vision and together they formed ARC. The goal of ARC is to give students key tools for community formation. They work on spiritual practices to create believers who are “skilled attention payers” in community.

“The Church is supposed to be transformative and regenerative, and yet, so much of the time it’s not,” said Callarman, a CHARIS Fellow and adjunct pro-

fessor. “It’s not necessarily changing the world for the better and bringing gospel to the world, yet that’s what God has called it to be and asked it to be. This is essentially an apprenticeship in reclaiming some of those practices and values and relationships that allow for that to be the case.”

ARC is intended to transform individuals who can then go out and transform the world by building their own intentional communities after leaving ACU. “College is unique, being at ACU is unique, because you will never be in a place where you are with people

who are the same age as you, doing the same thing, at the same point of life,” said Jarren Longoria, one of the first ACU student to join ARC and a junior Bible missions major from San Antonio. “A big part of being intentional is realizing that intentional community starts right now. As hard as it is, you get the opportunity to grow with people who are different in many ways; age, stage of life and a lot more.”

Apprenticeship in Regenerative Culture meets for Chapel every Wednesday in Bible Studies Building 229.

DR. STEVEN MOORE ENGLISH PROFESSOR

ARC welcomes new members in weekly Chapel HOPE CORDES STAFF REPORTER

Apprenticeship in Regenerative Culture (ARC), is a group dedicated to creating intentional community.

The program is only three years old, but the founders both agreed the need for intentional community began when they were teenagers.

Dr. Kent Smith, a CHARIS professor, explained that he had an encounter with a young drug dealer who was questioning God. This led Smith to ask, “what will it take for ordinary people to know God?” Smith said he realized

POLICE LOG

SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK

10/12/2018 11: 56 pm ACUPD investigated a report of shots fired near the 600 block of EN 15th. Responding officers were unable to locate anything but patrolled the area through the night.

10/15/2018 11:00 am An ACU student reported the theft of his license plates from his vehicle in the Smith-Adams parking lot. Case open.

10/16/2018 9:56 am Chartwells Catering reported the theft of a camera fixture near their time-clock for employees. Suspect has been identified, case open.

10/16/2018 11:28 am Officers responded to Barnes & Nobles CAMPUS BOOKSTORE in reference to 2 students stealing clothing apparel. Suspects have been identified via surveillance video. Case open, charges pending.

911 CALL............................................................0 ABANDONED VEHICLE....................2 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY.......................................................27 ADVICE..............................................................4 ALARM.............................................................14 ANIMAL CALL.............................................6 ASSIST................................................................0 ATTEMPT TO LOCATE..........................0 BARRICADES...............................................3 BICYCLE PARTROL................................4 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK.......................................14 BURGLARY....................................................0 CART PATROL.............................................0

CHECK BUILDING............................299 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF...........................2 DISTURBANCE..........................................1 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE.............1 ESCORT............................................................2 FOOT PATROL............................................5 FOUND PROPERTY...............................5 HIT & RUN.......................................................1 INFORMATION REPORT...................4 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP...............................................14 LOST PROPERTY......................................2 MAINTENANCE: UNIV ASSETS.............................................14 MEDICAL EMERGENCY.....................2

MONITOR FACILITY/ LOT.......................................................................9 MOTORIST ASSIST: OTHER..............................................................5 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART.................................................8 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK..........................................................11 OTHER...............................................................2 PARKING LOT PATROL....................28 PARKING VIOLATION.........................14 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE.......................................9 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL..........................................................8

PROWLER...................................................3 RANDOM PATROL............................8 REPORT WRITING.............................14 SOLICITING.................................................1 SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT....................0 SUSPICIOUS PERSON....................7 THEFT..............................................................0 TRAFFIC HAZARD.................................1 TRAFFIC STOP.........................................3 VEHICLE COLLISION..........................1 WELFARE CHECK.................................1 TOTAL.....................................................563

Chief Ellison’s Weekly Tip Phone, email, and online scams are common and increasingly sophisticated. Be wary and never give callers personally identifying information or pay someone, especially if they threaten you with arrest.

Contact ACUPD for guidance.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Feature | Page 3

“

I was my coach’s first adaptive athlete and he did the best he could to figure out what would be best for me and how to adapt the workouts for me” SAVANNAH MITCHAM SOPHOMORE CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES MAJOR

Photos courtesy of Savannah Mitcham

CROSSFIT POWERHOUSE

How Mitchem overcomes cerebral palsey using competitive fitness ALLISON HARRELL STAFF REPORTER

Savannah Mitcham, Wodapalooza and Agoge Challenge Champion, uses CrossFit to overcome spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.

Savannah Mitcham, sophomore child and family services major from Lewisville, is a CrossFit powerhouse with multiple athletic achievements under her belt, that most of us could only dream of.

Mitcham has triumphed over many obstacles related to cerebral palsy that keep her muscles tight.

After a tendon lengthening surgery her sopho-

more year of high school, a family friend suggested she try CrossFit. She and her mother looked into the program and found a gym where she lived at the time, in Ohio. CrossFit became her physical therapy after release from the surgery.

“I was my coach’s first adaptive athlete and he did the best he could to figure out what would be best for me and how to adapt the workouts for me,” Mitcham said. “I might not have done the class workouts but he made specific workouts for me.”

After a move to Wisconsin, Mitcham went on to attend a Wodapalooza

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competition in 2016 in Miami, which proved to be a pivotal moment in Mitcham’s CrossFit journey. After competing in the international competition and adaptive CrossFit division, she received a third place medal.

During her time at Wodapalooza, she said she remembers having a conversation with the woman sitting next to her, proof of Mitcham’s friendly and outgoing personality.

“She asked where I was from and then we found out that we lived right next to each other in Wisconsin,” Mitcham said.

“She owned a gym with who, at the time, was her boyfriend, and they invited me. I ended up meeting the people that became my coaches there at Wodapalooa on accident.”

When she got back from the trip, she began training at the CrossFit gym in Wisconsin, still determined to progress in her athletic skills. Mitcham said she remembers getting hooked on CrossFit because of her new coach. “[My coach] really got me into doing CrossFit and all of the CrossFit movements,” Mitcham said. “He just told me that I was going to figure out a way to do it. He was my personal trainer for a long time and then I started taking classes because that’s what he wanted me to do.”

Mitcham also participated in the Agoge Challenge and placed third. Despite her various achievements through competition, she said the most rewarding ex-

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perience CrossFit has brought, was the opportunity to share her story with the CEO of CrossFit, Greg Glassman, at the CrossFit Games in 2017.

She recalls the once-in-alifetime experience to be an emotional one.

“He cried, and I cried because I was just so overwhelmed that the guy that made CrossFit was taking the time to meet me, learn about me, hear my story and learn about how CrossFit has helped me,” she said.

Mitcham said while she was in Wisconsin, CrossFit became her whole life. After school she would spend her time at the gym and she remembers it to be like a second home. When she made the move to Abilene to attend ACU, she quickly became involved with

CrossFit Abilene.

“My coach from Wisconsin actually talked to them before I came here and told them what I would need and how they could help me best,” Mitcham said. “My coaches made sure they knew that CrossFit was my life and tried their best to accommodate things, so it worked out well.”

Mitcham aspires to one day become a certified CrossFit trainer and help others to reach their full potential like her coaches did for her. She recognizes that CrossFit has taught her more than just how to workout and improve physical strength. The lessons she has learned can be applied to everyday life and has helped her in deeper ways than solely the physical.

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TWO OF ABILENE’S FINEST CHOIRS ARE JOINING FORCES!

Classical Chorus and Abilene Chamber Singers present

Franz Schubert’s

Mass in G Saturday, October 20, 2018 • 7 PM

at Aldersgate United Methodist Church

Conductors Dr. Clell Wright and Dr. Dee Romines

featuring guest orchestra and soloists Dr. Celeste Church, Dr. Greg Church, and Dr. Paul Piersall

$15/Adults | $10/Senior/Student/Military TICKETS AVAILABLE at the door, or 325-673-7464 or at www.ChorusAbilene.net

Student Media of Abilene Christian University | Part of the JMC Network

Page 4 | Homecoming Gallery

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Photo by NICK CROMWELL | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Tracey James is tackled at the 40-yard line.

Photo by NICK CROMWELL | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Sema’j Davis is brought down at the 10-yard line.

BETTER TOGETHER

students and alumni participate in Homecoming events this weekend

Photo by NICK CROMWELL | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Alpha Kai Omega pledges, Kudos, walked as Rachel from “Friends” in the parade.

Photo by NICK CROMWELL | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Frater Sodalis pledge’s, brats, show off their Better Together theme of Batman and Robin fighting Gothem crime.

Photo by CYNTHIA RANGEL | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Photo by NICK CROMWELL | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Tri Kappa Gamma’s pledges, Scrappies, walked as the moon and sun in the parade.

Maker Lab open house guests follow instructions while making a wildcat robot pin.

Photo by NICK CROMWELL | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Photo by NICK CROMWELL | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Photo by NICK CROMWELL | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Boys take turns throwing velcro balls at inflatable dart board.

Josh Fink and Luke Anthony celebrate after a touchdown.

Alli Dennis poses with her father after her being crowned Homecoming Queen.

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Opinion| Page 5

American social movements play important role THE ISSUE

OUR TAKE

Movements like Black Lives Matter and MeToo are receiving backlash for not being “all-inclusive.” Some are taking offense to protests, but others pereive them to develop our nation’s history.

Optimist Editorial Board | editor@jmcnetwork.com

Social movements are important because it gives people the opportunity to use their voice to make a change. No matter the position or belief, America is a country that provides a safe haven to share ideas and views.

While massively controversial social movements, such as Black Lives Matter and MeToo, are at the forefront of the media and our minds, social movements are a staple to the American way of life, and are a guaranteed freedom that citizens are granted by the Constitution.

The controversies surrounding recent social movements have painted a them in a negative light.

Whether good or bad, social movements give the average person a platform to be heard, bring issues to the table to be talked about and even change society no matter how minuscule the problem may seem.

When President Trump was elected, women all over America marched in their cities in solidarity for women’s respect and to stand up against Presi-

dent Trump’s past remarks about women. This movement gave a voice to regular women, and due to the massive scale of the marches, gave them a huge media platform.

While the movement lost traction, during its peak, women were able to raise concerns about how men treat women, and open the conversation for how women should be respected.

Ocean pollution has a been a problem that environmental reformers have battled, but over the summer they moved their focus from the broad issue of ending pollution to the small focus of ending the use of plastic straws.

The catalyst was a video that when viral of a turtle that had a plastic straw stuck in its nose which had to be pried out using pliers

and left the turtle bleeding and in pain. According to the Plastic Pollution Coalition, more than 500 million straws are floating around in the ocean.

The Plastic Pollution Coalition pushes people to move away from using plastic straws to lessen the plastic problem. The movement gained momentum, and companies–like Starbucks –– even joined the movement and designed straw-less lids for patrons to use. All of this, while the state of California banned the use of plastic straws.

A seemingly small movement was able to change society and work toward taking the plastic pollution of the oceans more seriously, eventually having legislation pass in favor of their mission.

This proves social movements can have a positive

impact on the world and shift people’s mindsets.

The issue of police brutality has been around for a while, however the recent Black Live Matter movement and the “taking a knee” movement have brought widespread attention to the issue in modern times. While these two movements are extremely controversial, it cannot be denied that both movements did bring up an issue to be talked about, and

have remained in the forefront of the media for a while, which in this age of 15-minute-fame is a difficult task to accomplish.

While it is worth noting that social movements can get out-of-hand in the issues they defend and in how they defend them, American citizens are allowed to the freedom of speech, assembly and petition.

Social movements are crucial to the American democracy, and bridge the

gap between lawmakers, big business and average citizens. While they can garner both good and bad responses, in the end they are all meant to further a cause that can drastically change the lives of people living in this country. If a person feel compelled to join a movement, no matter how small or controversial, they have the right to join. Allowing your voice to be heard can change the trajectory of society.

STAFF COLUMN

Stress an inherent part of being a college student FORD TOUGH ALLAYNA FORD MANAGING EDITOR

Sophomore convergence journalism major from Allen Pledging. Midterms. Jobs.

Volunteering. Extracurriculars. This is a trying time for students, and it feels as though everyone is having some sort of breakdown with the weight of school, or they have simply given up and are allowing their grades to take a dive off a cliff.

Walking around on campus, there are sunken faces which display the turmoil and strife occurring inside of a person, outwardly for all to see.

Illness creeps into the

population because of our stress, weakening immune systems and further lowering morale. How are students to cope during these tumultuous days?

Personally, I have healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, including stuffing my face with candy, trying to rest, trying to prioritize my homework and studying, online shopping, fervently praying to God for comfort and guidance on my tests and remembering that I am not

alone. Out of these, I believe the most important is prioritization and seeking God. It can be easy to get swept up in my pledging activities and in my multiple jobs, especially since my brain to wired to give 100% of my effort into anything I am involved with. However, I have learned that not everything can have all of my attention all of the time; that mentality was dangerous and led me down a dark rabbit hole of despair.

Instead, I have to prioritize every hour of my life and keep my education at the forefront of my mind.

Now that is not to say that I completely abandon every other responsibility in my life, but I now give ev-

erything else about 95% of my energy while I try to give school 98%. Yes, 98%, because I am worn down and need fall break to recover.

I am telling you right now, while I do try my hardest, keeping God in my life has opened doors for me to thrive. I am not trying to sound pious, but seriously, God can literally do anything and He can make a way for you to prosper because as He said, “I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

Most importantly, remember that you are not alone. One night I was incredibly miserable and I

just wanted to disappear, but then I was surrounded by my scrappy sisters who were also talking about their struggles and the realization that I was not alone turned my mood around.

While it sounds messed up, being able to be miserable together lessens the misery, and can pull you out of a dark place.

I have also learned that keeping stress to yourself is not healthy, which is something I still struggle with, even writing this and exposing myself is something I would have never even thought of doing two years ago, but coming to ACU and being surrounded by people who love me and care about me is forcing me out of that shell of

hiding how I am feeling.

You do not always have to seem put together and you do not have to plaster a smile on your face at all times. We are all going through something, and if you can find at least one person to confide in, do it. The more you attempt to bury your demons, the harder you will explode.

If there is one thing I know first hand, it is how ugly your life can become once the anxiety and stress swallow you whole. Do not keep that ugliness inside.

While this is a trying time, we will get through it together. There is hope just over the horizon: Christmas break is only nine weeks away.

GUEST COLUMN

Senate justified in Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation COLTON POWELL Senior finance major from Nashville

Two weeks ago, the Optimist included an opinion piece arguing against the confirmation of then Supreme Court nominee, Brett Kavanaugh. Since, as I’m sure you are aware, Kavanaugh was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a narrow margin of 50-48.

Given the magnitude and complexity of the situation, I believed it necessary to respond to give fair representation to both sides.

Aspects of last week’s

opinion piece I vehemently disagree with include arguments concerning Justice Kavanaugh’s: • Temperament • Truthfulness under

oath

• “Issues” with alcohol • Partisan nature In my full response, I thoroughly refute each of these points and explain why I believe the Optimist is completely unwarranted in their analysis. Setting those discrepancies aside, however, here is why the

Senate did, indeed, confirm Brett Kavanaugh and why I back that decision to do so.

Brett Kavanaugh has an exceptional record of public service including 12 years on the nation’s second highest court. This lifetime résumé, which is the reason Kavanaugh was nominated in the first place, is completely ignored by last week’s article.

Instead, the article draws conclusions based on a Senate hearing in which Kavanaugh was asked to respond to internationally publicized accusations of serial gang rape, sexual assault, and rampant alcoholism. You cannot create a better scenario to catch someone outside

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.

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Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

“

By confirming Justice Kavanaugh, the Senate has sent a powerful message going forward. Regardless of the severity of a crime, we as a nation still believe in the protection of every U.S. citizen with the presumption of innocence until that individual is proven to be guilty.”

COLTON POWELL SENIOR FINANCE MAJOR

of their normal character.

Regardless, Kavanaugh’s temperament throughout the hearing was perfectly acceptable and expected.

Assuming his innocence, which we have no evidence telling us to assume otherwise, he should have been upset. That is no valid justification for op-

THE

posing his confirmation.

Kavanaugh’s temperament in any rational situation is perfectly displayed in his outstanding performance as a federal judge.

Any actual apprehensions to the Kavanaugh’s confirmation unrelated to his professional record should regard the sexual assault allegations. Everything else is diversion tactics. Conveniently, this is the topic least evaluated by the Optimist. The FBI investigation found nothing.

Since confirmation, Dr. Ford has announced she will not be pursuing her allegations at the federal court level, even though the statute of limitations in Maryland is such that Kavanaugh could still be

convicted of sexual assault committed in 1982. Even if we do not go with “guilty beyond reasonable doubt,” the evidence does not even meet “preponderance of the evidence,” meaning “more likely than not.” It is nonsensical to suggest destroying the career of an individual and altering the totality of our judicial system at the highest level without the presence of evidence. Proclaiming one’s guilt without proof is not “rule of law,” it’s the absence of it. Given this, along with his flawlessly qualifying record previously mentioned, the Senate was absolutely justified in confirming Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court.

O PTI M I ST

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Sports | Page 6

Thursday, October 18, 2018

FEATURE

WILDCAT COMMITMENT Senior Henry looks to finish tennis career strong

BRIAN SWEET SPORTS REPORTER

As a senior on the tennis team this season, Jordan Henry is striving to finish her ACU tennis career strong.

Henry said for most of her tennis career in Moore, Oklahoma, her father was her coach.

“My dad’s been my coach for as long as I remember,” Henry said. “It was always me and him always out on the court together.”

In 2015, Henry won the Jim Thorpe High School Player of The Year award, which is the equivalent of a state-wide MVP award.

After graduating from Southmoore High School, she was ranked No. 1 in Oklahoma, 15th in the Gulf Coast states and 174th nationally.

She won the Class 6A singles championship to complete an undefeated senior season and toppled the twotime 6A champion in singles, 6-1, 7-6 in the semi-finals and won the championship 6-1, 6-0 over an opponent from Bartlesville.

During her junior and senior years of high school, Henry was recruited by several NCAA teams, including Emporia

State, Iowa State, Creighton and Drake.

“Whenever we were looking, he put a radius on the map. My dad drew a circle right around Oklahoma City and said, ‘I want you to look at schools in this radius,’” Henry said. “‘I want to come watch you play, I don’t want you to be too far away.’ So there were a lot of schools in that 500-mile radius.”

Henry said she chose ACU based on its atmosphere.

“ACU was my second college visit and whenever I came here, I was honestly blown away,” Henry said.

“I loved the atmosphere, I loved the people, I loved the fact it gave you a Christ-like environment. Nothing else after that compared to this.”

Henry began her college tennis career by winning six of 10 singles matches, including two at Air Force, SMU and Grand Canyon and recorded a 2-4 doubles record with Leah Davis, with both wins coming at Air Force against teams from Texas State and Northern Colorado.

Henry was named a member of Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll in the spring of her freshman year and posted an overall

Photo by NICHOLAS CROMWELL CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Senior Jordan Henry leads her team as the only Wildcat to play all four years with ACU.

singles record of 9-12. She went 8-11 in dual competitions with six wins coming at No. 6 and two at No. 5. She also finished conference singles play with a 4-4 record.

In the fall semester of her sophomore year, she returned to both Air Force and SMU invitationals and won her matches, defeating opponents from Utah State, Northern Colorado,

Northwestern State and UT Arlington and beat Texas A&M’s Mason Strickland, 6-2, 2-0.

She continued to dominate in the doubles with senior Autumn Crossnoe winning five double matches (two in Cincinnati, Air Force and one at regionals against Southland Incarnate Word).

In the spring of her sophomore year, Henry

was named an ITA scholar-athlete and was named a member of the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll. She was then awarded in doubles as a Southland Conference honorable mention at No. 3 doubles with Crossnoe.

In her junior year, Henry posted an 8-5 singles record, including wins over No. 46 Nebraska, No. 54 SMU and No. 30 Texas A&M. She made the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll and posted a 3-5 (1-2 vs. SLC) singles record at No’s 5-6. She recorded a 2-8 doubles record with two different teammates, including a 1-5 mark with Crossnoe and a 1-3 clip with Ileana Mocciola and posted wins over Wright State, DePaul and Stephen F. Austin in singles.

John Walker, women’s tennis coach said he appreciates what Henry does for the team day-in and day-out. “[Henry is] always a senior that shows the other ones the way a little bit and leads them through things,” Walker said.

“Whether it’s how to warm up, little things between matches, little leadership things like that.”

FOOTBALL

Football turns focus to SLU after historic upset win MAX PRESTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

After its upset win over now No. 20 Nicholls last week during Homecoming, the football team is tasked with a game against the team that made Homecoming miserable last year.

Southeastern Louisiana came into Wildcat Stadium last season and handed ACU its worst margin of the season, winning 56-21. This was also the most points the Wildcats gave up all season.

ACU, however, has momentum coming off its first victory against a top-20 team since going Div. I and will attempt to reach .500 in conference against the Lions.

Junior linebacker Jeremiah Chambers said his team has a lot of confidence after knocking off Nicholls.

“After that big win, we realized how good we can actually be when we execute and play hard for all four quarters,” Chambers said. “Realizing that all of our preparation throughout the week paid off on Saturday helped establish in our minds that when we practice right all week and execute on saturdays we are a hard team to beat.”

Coming into the game, SLU is over .500 in conference with a 3-2 record, with wins over Lamar, Northwestern State and Houston Baptist. The Lions lost to

two of the tougher Southland teams in Central Arkansas and Incarnate Word.

After finishing the 2017 season with a dominant rushing performance, leading the conference with 3,114 yards and 283.1 per game, the Lions now find themselves passing the ball more this year. They lead the conference with 2,142 passing yards after seven games.

Junior quarterback Chason Virgil is responsible for most of the passing production with 2,081 yards so far this season. He’s also thrown 13 touchdown passes and averaged 297.29 passing yards per game.

His leading receiver is junior Juwan Petit-Frere, who

has caught 31 passes for 566 yards and scored three touchdowns. His yard per game average is 80.86.

Chambers said the team knows what it has to do to avoid a repeat of last year’s game with the Lions.

“We are both two different teams than who we were last year,” Chambers said. “We know what we have to do as an offense and defense here at ACU and if we go out and do what we are supposed to do and take our preparation from practice to the game Saturday, we will get what we want out of that game.”

Chambers’s name has come up a lot for the Wildcats this season and headlines their defense going into the game.

He was named Southland Conference defensive player of the week after earning 14 tackles, three for a loss, and a sack against Nicholls. His season totals are now 77 tackles, 10.5 for a loss and three sacks.

Overall, the defense ranks third in the conference with 385.9 yards allowed per game.

The Wildcat offense has reamained succesful this season ranking first with 3,141 yards and being the only school with 3,000-plus yards on the year. They place second in yards per game with 448.7.

The game will begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Hammond at Strawberry Stadium Saturday. Coverage can be heard on 98.1 FM.

FOOTBALL MATCHUP PREVIEW

STANDINGS Volleyball Team

Ovrl. Div.

SFA UCA SHSU ACU McNeese NWSU UNO HBU TAMU-CC Lamar UIW SLU Nicholls

20-2 16-4 14-5 9-10 6-16 8-10 10-14 10-11 4-16 6-13 4-15 2-18 3-19

Soccer

Team

Ovrl.

UCA HBU Lamar McNeese ACU SLU TAMU-CC SHSU UIW SFA NWSU Nicholls

12-3-1 8-6-1 9-4-2 11-5-1 9-5-1 6-4-4 5-6-3 3-9-3 2-10-1 3-7-3 8-8 3-12

7-0 6-1 6-1 6-1 4-3 4-4 4-5 3-4 3-4 3-5 2-7 1-7 1-8

Div. 7-1 6-1-1 5-1-2 5-2-1 4-3-1 3-2-3 2-4-2 2-4-2 2-5-1 1-4-3 2-6 1-7

Football

Team

Ovrl.

McNeese UCA SHSU UIW Nicholls SLU ACU Lamar NWSU SFA HBU

5-1 4-2 4-2 3-3 4-3 3-4 3-4 2-4 2-4 1-5 1-5

Div. 4-0 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-2 3-2 2-3 1-3 1-3 1-4 0-4

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Football

Sadler Senior wide receiver Kalin Sadler had only two catches Saturday against Nicholls, but one of them was for arguably the biggest play in the game. He caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from Luke Anthony in the second quarter and made the score 14-12, which in the end proved to be the game winner. Sadler and the Wildcats will be back in action this week on the road against Southeastern Louisiana.

Volleyball

2018 SEASON 30 1115 2026 ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

POINTS PER GAME

29.4

RUSHING YARDS

810

PASSING YARDS

2142

28 POINTS ALLOWED PG 34.7

(3–4)

MAX PRESTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

RACHEL POE ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Every week, I tell readers I’m confused by our football team. ACU just beat No. 11 Nicholls Saturday and put a major roadblock in the Colonels playoff hopes. The Wildcats, however, lost the previous three games to SFA, UIW and McNeese. I’ve come to a conclusion for the team though: ACU is a top team in the Southland Conference. Two of the three losses were by three points, one being now No. 6 McNeese, and the other was by 10 points to UIW. If you take away the one bad quarter the Wildcats had in each of those losses, they’re 5-0 in conference right now. This week they hit the road to face Southeastern Louisiana, a team that’s had a similar outcome this season to us. Both SLU and ACU have 3-4 overall records, but the Lions have the edge in conference at 3-2 as opposed to the Wildcats’ 2-3. Jeremiah Chambers and the ACU defense will have its work cut out Saturday playing an offense with a Southland leading 2,142 passing yards, but I think the Wildcats come off the momentum from Nicholls and get the win.

ACU had an outstanding game this past Saturday against No. 11 Nicholls. Many fans were shocked by the f inal outcome of the game. Many people did not expect ACU to win, but they were all proven wrong.

ACU is a top team in the Southland Conference. This week the Wildcats will face SLU, which is also 3-4. Jeremiah Chambers, the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week based on his performance in Saturday’s game, and ACU’s defense will have to stop SLU’s offesnvie team this upcoming weekend. I believe if the Wildcats show up to play like they did just this past weekend, their new record will be 4-4.

FINAL SCORE: ACU 31 SLU 21

FINAL SCORE: ACU 27 SLU 24

Mueller

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY (3–4)

CARSON WRIGHT SPORTS REPORTER

The Wildcats had an impressive showing against Nicholls last week, beating an 11th ranked team.

Last week’s win showed the potential of this team, as Billy McCrary rushed for 91 yards on 15 carries. Luke Anthony also had quite the impressive game, spreading the ball to a number of different recievers for 209 passing yards and two touchdowns. Southland Defensive Player of the Week Jeremiah Chambers led the way for the defense, f inishing the game with 14 tackles, a sack and a critical fourth down stop. Southeastern Louisana has also shown talent on the offensive side of the ball, putting up 64 points on Houston Baptist. However, they have some lingering questions on the defensive side of the ball. The past two weeks, the Lions have given up 52 points a piece to Incarnate Word and Houston Baptist. I expect this to be a high scoring game that the Wildcats should win.

FINAL SCORE: ACU 43 SLU 24

LEXI KIRGAN SPORTS REPORTER

The Wildcats take on the Southeastern Louisiana Lions this Saturday. The Wildcats are currently 2-3 in conference play and the Lions are 3-2. Both ACU and SLU have lost against Incarnate Word and have won against Houston Baptist so it looks like it should be an evenly matched game. The only difference is that the Wildcats just won their last game against Nicholls State.

Winning that game gave the Wildcats their third win of the season which they have not done since 2015 which means they are feeling pretty good about themselves. One player that has stood out is Jeremiah Chambers. Chambers had 14 tackles, 3 TFL’s and 1 sack in the last game and is currently ranked eighth in the nation in overall tackles. If he can keep it up he will have a huge impact for the Wildcats against SLU. Like I said above, I feel like this is an evenly matched game but with the momentum the Wildcats have going for them I have no doubt that they will secure a win against SLU.

FINAL SCORE: ACU 35 SLU 17

Sophomore outside hitter Katelyn Mueller helped lead her team to complete a 3-0 week with victories against New Orleans Thursday and Nicholls Saturday. Mueller scored 18 kills against the Privateers and 10 in the Nicholls match. The Volleyball team was scheduled to face Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Tuesday and Northwestern State Thursday in Abilene.

Soccer

Johnson

Although the soccer team lost 1-0 in double overtime to McNeese Oct. 12, the team bounced right back with a 3-0 win over Lamar Sunday. Junior midfielder/ defender Shay Johnson assisted on two of the goals against Lamar. The first was to junior midfielder/ defender Brooke Lenz then her second was to senior defender/midfielder Caity Acosta. The Soccer team faces Sam Houston in Huntsville next on Friday.

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