The Optimist Print Edition: 01/15/2010

Optimist the

Vol. 98, No. 30

Cameron’s Masterpiece

PAGE 5 1 section, 8 pages

Friday, January 15, 2010

acuoptimist.com

BREAKING NEWS, VIDEOS, PHOTOS, DISCUSSION AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ENROLLMENT

Application deadlines in effect Chelsea Hackney

Beginning in August, ACU decided to switch Copy Editor from its rolling admisThe entering class of 2010 sions process to one may have an edge on the rest based on deadlines. Unof the student body, thanks der the previous policy, to ACU’s new – and stricter – students could apply anytime within a period admissions process.

ARTS

of months, and the university accepted applications on a first come, first served basis until all the spaces were filled.

However, in the past few years, ACU received an increasing number of

applications, and places filled up too quickly for a rolling admission.

The deadline-based process allows university administrators to view the entire pool of applicants and select the most quali-

fied. As a result, the average ACT score of incoming freshmen admitted so far is 25.29, as opposed to last year’s average of 24.91, said Dr. Jeanine Varner, provost, in an e-mail.

Instead of providing

letters of recommendation, applicants for the fall 2010 will also have to respond to essay questions as part of the application. see POLICY page 4

CAMPUS

Masters of Their Craft

Student Success numbers decline Colter Hettich Editor in Chief

According to The Weather Channel, Christmas Day was the coldest day in Abilene in December as the temperature plummeted to 15 degrees and winds screamed by at 40-50 mph. The average high for December was 51

The safety net for students who violate their academic probation is quickly disintegrating.

Academic policy requires the university to suspend any student who violates his academic probation. Scott Self, director of university access programs, said students on probation must earn at least a 2.5 in the mandatory UNIV 011 class to be restored to good standing. Students scoring lower than 2.5 may appeal their suspension after fall grades are released, but the number of successful appeals dropped by almost 50 percent this semester.

“The faculty chose not to re-admit a good number of students who were below a 2.0,” Self said. “It’s something we didn’t know was going to happen until the last minute.”

Although Self cannot speak on behalf of the committee, he acknowledged the ethical dilemma of re-admitting students – and taking their tuition dollars – who failed to demonstrate the desire or ability to succeed while

see CHILL page 4

see DROP page 4

KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

Robert Green, professor of art, looks at colleague and instructor of art Nil Santana’s piece, entitled “Green Strip of Paper.”

CLIMATE

Students bundle up to weather the weather Sondra Rodriguez Managing Editor Although the phrase won’t usually mark you as the life of the party, it might be a legitimate conversation starter this season.

This winter season has broken weather records, gracing Abilene

with its third white Christmas since 1914 and promising more icy weather before the end of the month.

According to the National Weather Service, a white Christmas occurs about once every 14 years; a blizzard warning – issued just this past Christmas Eve

– had not been in effect since 1947.

Cody Brown, senior criminal justice major from Abilene, experienced the recordbreaking weather this Christmas.

“I woke up and wasn’t expecting anything but looked outside and saw a few inches of snow,”

he said. “I remember it snowing in Abilene but never so close to Christmas like this.”

Brown said he was hesitant to drive in the morning but did so later in the evening Christmas Day. “It was bad that night; I was sliding everywhere,” he said.

HEALTH

H1N1, seasonal flu vaccines now available Linda Bailey

to get the seasonal flu and the H1N1 vaccines, said MiOpinion Page Editor chelle Drew, family nurse In accordance with Na- practitioner at the ACU tional Influenza Vaccina- Clinic.

“People this year, to be tion Week, the ACU Medical Clinic is encouraging stu- fully protected, need to get dents to stop by for a flu two vaccines,” Drew said.

The typical flu season shot – or two.

Because of the preva- lasts from the beginning of lence of the infamous H1N1 November through somevirus, students are advised time in May; however, with

Forecast Fri

48° 37°

H1N1 on the scene this year, Drew said some flu strain has been circulating in and around Taylor County since last May, and its end is impossible to predict.

So far, Drew said the clinic has administered four times as many seasonal flu vaccinations on campus as in previous years because of H1N1.

The clinic has roughly 2,100 H1N1 vaccines and 1,500 seasonal vaccines on hand. Drew said if the clinic runs out, the staff will do everything they can to meet the needs of students and faculty.

“The seasonal is the harder to get a hold of because

Inside Sat

58° 36°

Sun

63° 43°

SCHLOTSZKY’S DELI will fill the vacant building that was a Burger King on Judge Ely. Find out when students can begin dining at the new sandwich shop.

Page 3

Image courtesy of PHIL.CDC.GOV

see SHOTS page 4

H1N1 is a novel strain of the influenza virus.

Online ACU’S PRESTIGIOUS Track and Field program welcomes an equally prestigious coach. Meet first-year head coach Roosevelt Lofton.

Page 8

VIDEO

LOUDandCLEAR

Did you like James Cameron’s Avatar ? a. Yes, it blew my mind. b. No, what is everyone raving about? c. I don’t support films with Papyrus subtitles.

Presidential finalists named

Visit acuoptimist.com to join the discussion.

2

Campus Day Friday, January 15, 2010

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

15

16

FRIDAY

11 a.m.

Praise Day led by Sam Souder 5:30 p.m.

Spaghetti supper at Abilene Adult Day Care

SATURDAY

2 p.m.

ACU women’s basketball vs. West Texas A&M 4 p.m.

ACU men’s basketball vs. West Texas A&M

17

About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@jmcnetwork. com.

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

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

SUNDAY

Military Appreciation Day 2 p.m.

Godspell Junior at The Paramount Theatre

Chapel Checkup

Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:

5 68

Last day for 100 percent refund

Volunteer Opportunities

Last day to register for classes

Abilene Empty Bowls Project, a community initiative to end local and global hunger, will take place Feb. 20 at Highland Church of Christ. For more information, call 673-5295.

CAMPUS

Speaker to confront racism Liz Spano Arts Editor Acceptance to the college of choice; a dream job and a stable income; fair treatment at a grocery store or doctor’s office. If you are a white person living in America, you may have come to expect these things in life.

This concept is defined as “white privilege:” the advantages of life that Caucasians living in the United States typically enjoy as compared to those of a different race or ethnicity.

Tim Wise, a prominent anti-racism author and speaker, is coming to campus in March to address this issue and provoke discussion among faculty, staff and students. The author of numerous books condemning racism, including White Like Me and his newest, Between Barack and a Hard Place, Wise has spoken in 48 states and on 400 college campuses, according to his Web site.

This topic is a part of a larger discussion concerning racial reconciliation, which Abilene’s United by Faith group has been discussing for the past five years.

The group is composed

mostly of faculty, particularly from the College of Biblical Studies, who read, pray and talk about race relations and reconciliation once a month.

The group decided to bring Wise to campus to educate the community about this delicate issue and potentially spark change.

“We tend to almost always talk about race in our contrast: this is how one group is and how another group is,” said Dr. Jeanene Reese, associate professor of Bible, missions, and ministry and member of the group.

“What Tim Wise is saying is there are just some rights that we have been born with … we don’t even know that they are privileges or rights, but they are just our life.

He pushes you to think about it – to examine your own life.”

Reese said the issue of race is pervasive in our society, and students should recognize and understand it, especially as part of a Christian university striving to promote racial equality.

In preparation for his visit, ACU faculty and staff have been encouraged to pray and prepare themselves and students by integrating the topic

into classroom discussions, events and coffeehouse talks, which are still being organized.

“I would say there will even be some quite resistant to it because there are always parts of our life that we want to leave unexamined,” Reese said. “I don’t think it’s going to be incredibly difficult; I think it will be challenging. I think we should really put ourselves out there and see what we receive and what we can learn.”

Reese said the group and the university are working to get the Abilene community involved by targeting civic, educational and religious leaders.

“Were trying to make this an areawide conversation,” she said. “Our main purpose is to get know each other, understand each other better and to bring that out into our community schools and churches.”

Dr. Jerry Taylor, assistant professor of Bible, missions and ministry, is also a member of the United by Faith Abilene group, and he is one of many people preparing for Tim Wise’s lecture.

“When you’re dealing with the issue of race, it is always a difficult subject to talk about. I think it will be difficult if we don’t approach it with the right understanding in mind from a spiritual perspective,” Taylor said. “Having been en-

couraged in the past few years in respectful conversation here as faculty and students, I think that the strength of this institution will provide the kind of environment where a difficult subject or matter like this can be adequately addressed, and people can remain Christian and civil toward each other as we talk about that.”

Taylor said he encourages those who will attend the lecture to maintain an open mind and use the event as an opportunity to do some self-examination and exploration. He said the presentation – although it is about white privilege – should be relevant to students of all races because the topic is one that everyone can understand.

“It can be helpful to everybody, not just white people,” he said. “It’s for all of us to develop a better self-understanding – our own attitudes our own basic paradigms. I think we’ll come out a lot better off than we would be had we not.”

Tim Wise will speak at 7 p.m. March 2 in Moody Coliseum. More information about the event and others leading to it can be found at www.unitedbyfaithabilene.com.

contact Spano at

eas07a@acu.edu

The Noah Project needs volunteers to cover the domestic violence crisis hotline between 6 and 10 p.m. Monday-Friday.

For more information, call Yvonne Myers at 6767107.

Breakfast On Beech Street serves breakfast to homeless and low-income members of the Abilene community and is in need of volunteers. Breakfast is served from 6:30-7:15 a.m. at the First Christian Church at 3rd and Beech Street. Volunteers must arrive at 5:30 a.m.

Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and 5 a.m. Tuesdays. If interested, visit the First Christian Church’s Web site at www.fccabilene. org/outreach.html.

The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature needs volunteers to assist with art activities, greet visitors, give tours, sell books

and create a welcoming environment from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.

Tuesday-Saturday. For more information, contact Debby Lillick at 673-4586.

Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to deliver hot meals to seniors and adults with disabilities each week. Volunteers may work once a week, Monday-Friday, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information, contact Elisabeth Rodgers at 6725050.

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

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

Announcements Monday is Martin Luther King Day. Classes will be canceled.

Friday is the last day to register for classes.

Godspell Junior will play at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $10 for students. For more information, call 6769620.

The 2010 Summit Student Art Contest is accepting submissions. Interested students can submit original photography, artwork or drawings to summit@acu. edu by Jan. 31.

A Mac OS X Snow Leopard Demonstration will

take place in the McGlothlin Campus Center Living Room from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Jan. 19. Refreshments will be provided.

The Cover to Cover Book Club will meet at 7 p.m.

Jan. 15 at the Abilene Public Library main branch auditorium.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy is now available to staff, faculty and students through the Counseling Center. For more information, call 674-2626.

January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. To get involved, contact Jen Rogers at jen.rogers@acu.edu.

Campus News

January 15, 2010

Page 3

LOCAL

‘Serious sandwich’ replaces Burger King Kelsi Williamson Chief Photographer Schlotzsky’s Deli is moving back into the neighborhood. Plans are in effect for a new restaurant to open at the northwest corner of Judge Ely Boulevard and 10th Street no later than June. The national franchise already has one location in Abilene on South 14th Street.

Schlotzsky’s new location will feature the franchise’s updated look along with a Cinnabon inside.

“It’s fun, with new colors and new furniture,” said Debbie Gardner, Schlotzsky’s senior director of franchise communication.

“The Abilene market is a

great market to go into with a new look.”

Jon Herod (’77) is the owner of the Schlotzsky’s on South 14th and the new location. Herod decided to expand because of overcrowding at the current deli. Herod is confident the new Schlotzsky’s will be successful because of the restaurant’s unique product and broad customer base.

“I expect a base of ACU and Hardin-Simmons students to come and eat with us,” Herod said.

Will Morgan, junior accounting major from Longview, is a long-time fan of Schlotzsky’s Deli.

“I think it would be great to have a Schlotz-

sky’s close to campus, especially when students are looking for cheaper places to eat,” Morgan said.

The new restaurant may bring more competition to established fastfood chains in the area, but some people hope it will also bring more business.

Randall Young, owner of Sharky’s Burrito Company, has been open just north of the future Schlotzsky’s location since 1996.

“I believe in competition,” Young said. “I wish them the best of luck.”

Herod hopes to begin construction Feb. 1.

contact Williamson at

kkw07a@acu.edu

KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

A Schlotzsky’s Deli will soon exist next to Rosa’s Cafe on North Judge Ely Boulevard.

LAW

Texting in a school zone banned by House bill Heather Leiphart Staff Photographer A generation of texters will have to put away their cell phones or face legal consequences.

Last June, Gov. Rick Perry signed House Bill 55, which prohibits drivers from talking or texting while driving through a school zone, unless the vehicle is stopped or the driver is using a handsfree device. The Abilene Police Department started enforcing the law in early November after

signs were placed around local schools.

The average university student probably isn’t aware of the new law, but because it is being enforced in school zones citywide, they need to be paying attention, said ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison.

“We all know why it’s intended; when you’re on the phone or texting, you’re obviously distracted, especially texting,” he said. “You just have to adjust to the fact that when you’re

in a school zone, you can’t use that device for conversation or texting. You’re not disrupting your life’s routine; you’re just terminating a conversation.”

The new law is a class C misdemeanor, along the same lines as a speeding citation or a stop sign violation, with a fine of up to $500.

Though there haven’t been many incidents related to cell phone use in Abilene school zones, distractions within the car are the root cause of

STUDENT LIFE

The debate of the decade Linda Bailey Opinion Page Editor Another decade has begun; and people have been asking one question, “How do you pronounce 2010?”

Dr. Nancy Shankle, chair of the English department and professor of English, said no single pronunciation of the year is correct, but the choice is based on personal preference.

“Both pronunciations are in common usage right now, and both patterns may continue for a while,” Shankle said. “My recommendation is to pronounce 2010 as ‘twenty-ten.’”

Her reasoning is “twenty-ten” uses fewer syllables than “two thousand-ten.”

Plus, it follows the pattern of pronunciation for most

of the 20th century. For example, most people said “nineteen-sixty” instead of “one-thousand-nine-hundred-ninety-two.”

When the new millennium started, Shankle said people had to adjust their pronunciations because “twenty-one” or “twentyoh-one” didn’t work. Now that the new decade has begun, most people have reverted to the previous pattern – “twenty-ten.”

Mitchell McLean, sophomore electronic media major from Abilene, agrees with Shankle.

“I say ‘twenty-ten’ because that is how I’ve heard it said most often, and it is easier to say,” McLean said.

Other students, such as Meredith Platt, use both pronunciations.

“If I’m talking to an adult, a boss or a professor, I say ‘two-thousand-ten,’ Platt said, “but if I’m talking with friends, I’ll probably say ‘twenty-ten’ because it sounds more casual.”

Glen Geib, junior exercise science and health promotions major from Philadelphia, Penn., said he pronounces 2010 as “twothousand-ten” because of the familiar sound.

“I’ve been so used to saying ‘two-thousand,’ that now ‘twenty-ten’ just doesn’t sound right to me,” Geib said.

Shankle said as the decade progresses, one pronunciation will likely prevail. contact Bailey at

ljb07a@acu.edu

almost all accidents, said Sgt. Doug Wrenn of the Abilene Police Department’s Traffic Division.

“Almost everybody talks on their cell phone when they’re driving … and college-aged kids are more prone to be using their devices in the car,” he said.

Edsel Hughes, elementary principal at Abilene Christian Schools, said the law’s effectiveness is yet to be seen. Although he said he is not aware of any previous accidents

related to cell phone use, as a school administrator, he is strongly in favor of the law.

The law is only in effect when school is in session and during the hours listed on the school crossing sign.

The law does not apply where no signs are posted or if the cell phone is used to make an emergency call.

James Elliott, senior organizational management major from Abilene, said, as a parent, he’s grateful for the

law. However, he said this law should be just the beginning.

“I also think the government could have done more, like ban cell phone use in the mornings and afternoons altogether,” Elliot said. “A lot of kids don’t just walk straight to school; some of them have to walk a couple miles before they get to the school crossing zone.”

contact Leiphart at

hal08a@acu.edu

From Front

Page 4

NATIONAL

Catch Me If You Can

Drop: Students lose jobs Continued from page 1

on probation.

Successful appeals allow students on the condition they attend a second, mandatory skills class. In addition to the increase of rejected appeals, the number of students involved in the Alpha Scholars program increased. Alpha provides tutors and resources for “disadvantaged” students and students with disabilities, according to www.acu.edu.

“We didn’t know we were going to have fewer students in the first place, and we didn’t know how many of them were going to be in Alpha,” Self said. “We are trying to integrate those two programs to make sure the students in both programs are best served.”

Alpha students will go to Alpha staff for required, weekly peer-advising sessions. James Scudder, as-

sistant director for the Alpha Scholars program, said the change is one of several to help struggling students sooner and more effectively. Alpha also plans to incorporate financial guidance, such as finding and applying for scholarships, into its peeradvising program.

The surprise shift in numbers forced Student Success to make some changes, as well. For a few student workers, unfortunately, it meant losing their job. On Tuesday, several student peer advisers were called into the office for the news.

“I just wish I would have known to search for jobs before school got back,” said Trevor Cochlin, junior Biblical text major from Belton.

Because of the nature of the appeals process, Self and other Student Success administrators found out only days before and told the students as soon as the decision was made.

QUICK FACTS Students enrolled in UNIV Spring ’08 - 59 Spring ’09 - 62 n Spring ’10 - 39 n n

Student workers/peer advisers Spring ’09: 9 Fall ’09: 6 n Spring ’10: 4 n n

“We didn’t run out of money, we just ran out of students,” Self said. “We really appreciate our peer leaders, and it’s frustrating that we don’t get to employ them.”

David McMichael, junior English major from Abilene, lost his position at Student Success but was able to find a job by Thursday.

“It was definitely frustrating, but I think they handled it the best they could,” McMichael said.

contact the Optimist at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

Policy: Deadlines a must Prospective students have the option to take “Early Action” and apply by Nov. 1 or wait until the regular deadline of Feb. 15. Students who apply by the early deadline but fail to meet minimum admissions requirements will be deferred until the regular deadline.

“These students have been encouraged to retake

the ACT or SAT I, send a new transcript at the end of the semester and keep us updated on any new significant achievements,” Varner said in an e-mail.

Acceptance letters will be mailed to early decision applicants Nov. 20; regular decision applicants will be notified by March 15. Those accepted have until May 1 to submit their enrollment deposit and intent to enroll forms, but students are en-

KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

Philip Kramar, freshman undeclared major from Flower Mound and Alex Hamilton, freshman undeclared major from Fort Worth, play frisbee on campus Thursday afternoon.

LOCAL

ENROLLMENT

Continued from page 1

January 15, 2010

couraged to do so sooner, if possible.

“Because of the increased student demand this year, the admissions office is planning to stop accepting freshman applications at some point this spring,” Varner said in an e-mail, “possibly as early as February 15.”

contact Hackney at

ceh05c@acu.edu

Chill: Temp unpredictable Continued from page 1 degrees, while the average low was 30, and two more 15-degree-low days are predicted for this weekend.

Typically, the high for December is 57 degrees and the low is 34, according to accuweather. com. The temperature is expected to increase as the month progresses, but the low will hover around the mid-30s; snow and ice may still be possible this month.

However, with temperatures predicted to reach the 50s this week and the rest of the month, students constantly find themselves

I don’t like waking up to cold weather and walking out of Chapel to hot weather. I’d rather be hot or cold.

TRAVIS MOORE Senior sociology and nursing major from Fort Worth

unprepared for the weather — even after checking the forecast.

Travis Moore, senior sociology and nursing major from Fort Worth, said he enjoys the snow and usually the winter season, but he is getting frustrated with the ever-changing weather.

“I don’t like the coldhot,” he said. “I don’t like waking up to cold weather and walking out of Chapel to hot weather. I’d rather be hot or cold.”

According to the Weather Channel, students can expect showers, a high of 55 and a low of 34 on Saturday and mostly sunny skies with a high of 62 and a low of 41 on Sunday.

contact Rodriguez at

sar06g@acu.edu

HEALTH

Shots: Spotlight on flu Continued from page 1 all of the manufacturers stopped producing the seasonal in order to start making the H1N1,” Drew said. “We will continue to order as long as we can get it. It is all about supply and demand.”

H1N1 vaccines are provided by the state for free, but seasonal vaccines are $15. Students have the option to charge that fee to their Banner account.

No appointment is needed to get a flu shot;

students can just walk into the clinic and request one or both vaccines. Drew said one is injected, and the other is an intranasal spray.

Students must fill out a brief consent form and answer a few questions to make sure they are good candidates for the vaccines. Then they get their vaccines and go on their way. Drew said it takes a matter of minutes.

Ashleigh Banda, junior nursing major from Dallas, said she received her first-ever flu shot

last semester. Banda said she decided to get a flu shot because it was convenient and better than contracting the flu.

She said the shot was painless, and it worked.

“It was really quick and easy.” Banda said.

“I just signed a piece of paper, and they sat me down and swabbed me. I would say it was over in 10 seconds.”

contact Bailey at

ljb07a@acu.edu

January 15, 2009

FILM

Arts

Page 5

Celebrated film deserves praise but lacks depth Lizzy Spano Arts Editor It seems filmmaker James Cameron thought we’d had enough of alien invasions on Earth. He decided the rest of the universe had more to offer – especially with the magic of animation on its side.

Filmmakers frequently use CGI and 3-D in an attempt to dazzle viewers, but rarely are intense technological efforts and visuals paired with an equally captivating and imaginative story.

Cameron, whose last epic movie was Titanic, made an ambitious and noteworthy effort to pair technology with plot in his imaginative science-fiction 3-D film Avatar, which broke box office records with a gross revenue of $ $430.8 million and is still a constant presence in theatres and media.

Although written as a screenplay, the premise of the movie seems like something pulled from a novel. The mixture of a technologically advanced society combined with life on a fantastical alien moon seems like something any science-fiction author – or any filmmaker, for that matter – would love to claim as his own creation.

Cameron included plenty of explosions and mind-blowing graphics in the film, but he seemed to want more than that. People are lapping up science fiction these days, and Cameron’s alien versus predator/romance/save the planet approach was apparently just what we were looking for – judging by the four Golden Globe nominations and box office statistics. The story of humans creating hosts in the form of aliens, and the tragedy, love and betrayal that result from their actions is entertaining and compelling.

With that said, the movie lacks background explanations of each character’s personal story and the purpose of their mission on the alien planet Pandora. This is partly what led me to believe more of

Photo Courtesy of AHOLLYWOODNEWS.COM

With blue skin, elongated stature and and large humanoid eyes, the Na’vi aliens’ beauty compensated for the weak characters portrayed in Avatar. the story was hiding away in a book but had to be condensed for screen time. I was hoping the actual creation of the avatars would be further explained or that main character Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his deceased brother’s past would be more than just mentioned. The stock characters also made me feel I’d seen this movie before -- maybe a few times.

As the movie progressed, I felt more of a connection to Neytiri and her alien tribe than to the human characters, including Jake, a paraplegic ex-Marine who is intended to be lovable in his hardheaded fearlessness. Of course, that could be exactly the response Cameron was hoping for, or it could be the human characters were neglected and underdeveloped in the thorough creation of the Na’vi aliens

– their features, their dress and even their language, although not necessarily their individual personalities.

The Na’vi tribe was fascinating in its gracefulness and humanoid beauty. They were weird and blue and zebra-striped, but not Martianlike, which was refreshing. The feelers that extended from their braids were an interesting touch as well.

Their respect for nature and ties to their ancestors made them relatable, and their sensuality and emotion provided passion to the movie.

What was most captivating, however, was the breathtaking scenery and the imagination apparent in Pandora’s landscape throughout the entire film (credit due to Weta Digital). Twinkling shrubbery, exotic and vibrant flora and

fauna, floating mountains and terrifying teethed animals made the explosions and machines durable. If the plot at all threatened to fall short, the beauty and wonder portrayed in spirit-willows and pterodactyl-horse creatures made up for it. All of these, it should be noted, were computer-animated creations, although they were surprisingly realistic, if one could describe floating dandelion spirit seeds as realistic.

As my 14-year-old brother said after sitting breathless for almost three hours in the theatre – it takes quite a movie to have you cheering for the aliens and hoping for humankind’s demise during the climax of the story. By the end, my heart wrenched for the grieving Na’vi and their beloved forest, and I hoped for a merciless and bloody end to the soulless Colonel Miles Quaritch, played by the talented and convincing Stephen Lang.

Sure, the yellow Papyrus subtitles were cringe-worthy and the battle scenes somewhat unconvincing at times, but all the hype and recognition is still deserved. Not only did Cameron direct and write the screenplay, but he invented a language for the alien inhabitants of Pandora, which is dissected and explained in James Cameron’s Avatar: An activist survival guide, a companion book to the movie written by Dirk Mathison and Maria Wilhelm. You don’t need 3-D glasses to feel absorbed in the beauty of this movie or the theme of protecting what you love no matter the cost. Effort will usually be recognized in the quality of a piece of art, and Cameron’s effort (ten years worth) resulted in a remarkable action thriller.

contact Spano at

eas07a@acu.edu

Opinion

Page 6

EDITORIAL

January 15, 2010

Student input requires student action spectus was developed, students were somewhat out of the loop.

Yes, we got e-mails once a month about where the committee was in the process, but at no other time were we asked for our input or told about potential candidates until we were presented with the final two.

Selecting the president of a university is a difficult task; there are many things to consider, and most students are not in a position to judge whether a particular applicant is qualified – American Idol may be

announced his retirement. Student participation, however, began with an e-mail in August inviting students to participate in a survey of what leadership qualities they were looking for in the next president – only 161 participated.

And that was the end of it, as far as most students were concerned.

The search firm in charge of the process did meet with the Students’ Association Cabinet as representatives of the student body later that month, but after the presidential search pro-

In the scope of presidential elections, the search for the 11th president of ACU has been fairly short and straightforward. We saw no mudslinging campaigns, heard no rousing speeches; in fact, we couldn’t even name any of the candidates.

Unfortunately, this led to many students feeling as though they’d been left out of the process entirely – which, while understandable, is not entirely true.

Officially, the presidential search began May 19, when Dr. Money

a great show, but texting “vote” to ACU-IDOL-01 is not the best way to pick a president.

It is possible the university or the search committee could have made a greater effort to involve students in the later stages of the process, perhaps by placing a second student on the committee or notifying the student body of more than simply the last two finalists.

However, at some point it becomes the students’ responsibility to take advantage of the opportunities they

Mac-n- Tex

By Aaron Cavitt

THE ISSUE

Student involvement in the presidential search process has been limited.

OUR TAKE

The university could offer more opportunities for student involvement, but students should take advantage of the opportunities presented. are given to participate.

Only 161 students out of a student body of nearly 5,000 responded to the survey. If the prospectus didn’t reflect our opinion, can we blame the process?

As the Board of Trustees considers the finalists, we have an-

other chance to make our voices heard. So, go to the interview session.

Talk to the candidates.

And yes, fill out the survey.

Email the Optimist at:

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

COLUMN

Gies exemplifies humility, bravery E–Span Lizzy Spano

COLUMN

Scandals should not be celebrated Self–Examination Ryan Self Even those of you who have been living under a rock have likely heard the saga of Tiger Woods and his affairs.

What began with Woods mysteSelf riously crashing his car into a tree a few yards in front of his house ended with a long line of mistresses coming forward claiming to have a relationship with the professional golfer.

Within weeks, Woods, who earns an estimated $110 million from endorsements, lost his sponsorship deals with Accenture, Gatorade and most recently AT&T. Woods has lost millions of dollars, his public image and possibly his marriage.

What was he thinking? No one but Tiger can really answer that

question. Perhaps Tiger wasn’t thinking about the consequences at all.

That is sure to change in the coming weeks and months.

What Tiger Woods did was wrong. It was selfish, and it smacked of arrogance. His actions hurt not only himself but his family and his business partners, and he deserves to suffer the consequences. And while the consequences are many, the ongoing media frenzy and public scrutiny surrounding the Woods scandal is likely to be one of the more difficult things to endure.

Tiger Woods is a public figure who has built a squeaky-clean image as a stand-up guy. When that public image of Tiger Woods contradicts who Tiger Woods is in private, an outcry is understandable. But when the person behind the persona is scrutinized endlessly on late-night talk shows and becomes a staple of gossip entertainment news sites, a

Woods’ right to privacy does not include a right to immunity from consequences. But his crumbling life should not serve as our amusement. certain vindictive quality starts to surface in the national discussion of Woods’ life. Woods’ right to privacy does not include a right to immunity from consequences.

But his crumbling life should not serve as our amusement.

We are fascinated by the downfall of Tiger Woods. We were fascinated by the downfall of Britney, the divorce of Jon and Kate, the addictions and heartbreaking lives of countless other celebrities who have had their flaws broadcast across the world. To be fair, some celebrities actually do seek the spotlight with outrageous behavior, but when they do, we should not be so eager to give them our attention. Celebrities are people, too – something

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we learn with each new scandal. While their athleticism, movies and music provide us with entertainment, their misery should not.

The ongoing media attention surrounding Tiger Woods will not last forever. Soon there will another celebrity or public figure who will be thrust into the spotlight for all to watch as their life falls to pieces.

And after that has died down, another scandal will arise because when it comes to public figures whose lives are falling apart, there seems to be an endless supply.

And when the next scandal arrives, we will all be glued to our televisions to watch every moment.

contact Self at

rcs06g@acu.edu

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Everyone knows the name Anne Frank. Most recognize or have read the diary she wrote in hiding during W o r l d War II. However, the name M i e p Gies may Spano not be quite as familiar. The brave and equally humble woman who hid Anne Frank in her home and later published her journal died in a nursing home Monday night as a result of a fall last month; she was 100 years old.

While Anne Frank’s diary serves as a heartwrenching and honest reminder of the horrors of World War II, Gies stands for the bravery and selflessness shown by those who dared to defy the oppressors in such a hopeless time.

The risk of hiding Jews was enough to keep many in fear and submission; yet she took not one person but an entire family in her home.

In her memoir published in 1987, Gies insisted what she did was what many others had done at the time, refusing to receive glory for her act of selflessness.

“I am not a hero,” she wrote in Anne Frank Remembered. “I stand at the end of the long, long line of good Dutch people who did what I did and more – much more – during those dark and terrible times years ago … ” I didn’t really think about what this statement meant when I first read of Gies’ death in the news. I read Anne Frank’s diary twice when I was younger, fas-

cinated and saddened by her secret life in the annex; by the constant terror her family lived in; by Anne’s innocence and teenage reflections.

However, I never really considered what bravery and constant sacrifice it took for anyone to act in defiance to Hitler’s ruthless power by making their home a haven for harbored Jews.

To say what Gies did was nothing remarkable is to say others would do the same – and many did. But the bravery of those selfless few makes me wonder what I would have done in their position. Would I throw away my safety and possibly my future for the lives of a few people out of millions who would inevitably die?

I may never have to make such a momentous decision. However, Gies’ life may be an inspiration to me just the same. It is the actions of people such as this woman, whose life and heart were dedicated to helping others, which provide an example for us in even the smallest situations.

None of us will probably ever harbor a Jew in our home, but we may still learn from those who refused to let fear keep them from doing what was right. Gies’ death is something for our world to grieve, as a person of such honor and as one of the remaining few who remember such a significant time in history. But it is her life that may motivate and inspire us to love those who are hated and give without any desire of receiving something back.

contact Spano at

eas07a@acu.edu

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From Sports

January 15, 2010

Page 7

TRACK AND FIELD

Goals: Quest for another national title commences Continued from page 8

he hopes with the assistance of a great staff and talented athletes, they they prepare for their first will accomplish their meet Jan. 15 at the Leon- goals for the season. ard Hilton Invitational in And maybe those goals will be enough to add a Houston.

“I don’t want to pre- 58th national champidict how the season is onship to the program’s going to be, but I do tremendous history. know that we have two good teams competing here,” Lofton said.

It will not be an easy route to the final destination: the National Championship.

With schools like St. Augustine, Adams State and Lincoln competing, LofKELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer ton predicts a rough contact Bartee at Discus thrower Nick Jones practices his toss Jan. 13.

Jones was the national discus champion in 2008. road ahead, but he said skb09a@acu.edu

TRACK AND FIELD

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Lofton: Second coach Conference: Late-game with no prior ACU ties surge comes up short Continued from page 8

Before accepting the position at ACU, Lofton served as the CEO of Kinetic Sports in Arizona, where he also worked as a performance coach.

Lofton takes over one of the most dominating sports programs in collegiate history. In its November 1999 issue, Texas Monthly named ACU the “Texas Sports Dynasty of the Century” – impressive, considering the

state’s rich football tradition. He also inherits a program that has won 57 national titles in track and field.

“It means a lot to be here. It’s a great program with a lot of tradition, legacy and great coaches and athletes,” Lofton said. “I am going to do the best I can to fulfill the athlete’s dreams and follow in the footsteps of the great coaches.”

Lofton’s first test as head coach will be Friday, when he takes the squads to the University of Hous-

ton for the Leonard Hilton Invitational. Lofton will truly be settled in when his family, including his two children, ages 6 and 11, arrive in the fall.

Lofton said he is thrilled to be back in coaching – his “first love” – and he values the opportunity to participate in the rich tradition of ACU track and field.

contact Craig at

jrc07d@acu.edu

Ten track and field athletes to watch in 2010

MEN

1. Andrew McDowell - senior from Kansas City, Mo. 2. Amos Sang - senior from Eldoret, Kenya 3. Landon Ehlers - senior from Slaton 4. James Hardin - senior from Longview 5. Nick Jones - junior from Amarillo

WOMEN

1. Wanda Hutson - senior from Trinidad and Tobago 2. Chloe Susset - freshman from France 3. Jessica Withrow - senior from Muleshoe 4. Jessica Blair - senior from Liberty Hill 5. Paige Newby-junior from Colorado City

Continued from page 8

Victor Reed led all scorers for the Greyhounds with 20 points.

“We came back, and I thought we had them.

It would have been an epic comeback,” Warton said. “It’s a tough place to play. Any conference road game is tough. It just didn’t happen. It is a tough one to swallow but we have to put it behind us and look forward to WT.” ACU drops to 7-9 overall and 0-1 in conference,

NUMBERS GAME

13.8

Guard Eddie Thompson’s pointsper-game average, putting him at the head of the Wildcats.

while the Greyhounds improve to 6-9 and 1-0.

ACU will play its next game against West Texas A&M at 4 p.m. Saturday in Moody Coliseum.

Copeland said he expects the Buffaloes to be a tough team in the paint.

“They are going to be very physical. Our three post players will have to

step up this weekend,” he said. “We just have to keep working. I felt that our shot selection was a lot better Wednesday night; we just need to find ways to get the ball in the basket.”

contact Cantrell at

jrc07f@acu.edu

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

ENMU: Meyer scores 25 in win Continued from page 8

Courtney Laing, who came off the bench to provide a spark for the Wildcats.

“We are playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Lavender said. “If we get behind, we keep plugging along. We expect to win every game.”

ACU will need that confidence going into the next game: a showdown with the ninthranked West Texas A&M

Lady Buffs. The Lady Buffs are 17-1 after a win Wednesday against Texas A&M-Kingsville, and have the best record in the LSC. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday. The Wildcats’ will look to use their home-court advantage against West Texas – and fortunately, history is on their side.

ACU has beaten WT the last two times they’ve met in Moody Coliseum. ACU will go

for its 11th win against a tough opponent. contact Gwin at

agg07a@acu.edu

Sports

Page 8

Standings MEN'S BASKETBALL Ovrl.

Div. Team MSU Tarleton St. TAMU-K WTAMU Angelo State ENMU ACU

1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1

10-6 9-6 6-9 12-3 14-1 10-6 7-9

TRACK AND FIELD

New coach, same goals First-year head coach Lofton leads track and field team into new season

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Ovrl.

Team Div. WTAMU ACU Angelo State Tarleton St. TAMU-K MSU ENMU

1-0 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1

17-1 11-5 8-7 12-2 12-4 6-8 5-11

WEDNESDAY Women's Basketball ACU 71, ENMU 55

Men's Basketball ACU 65, ENMU 78

SATURDAY Women's Basketball ACU 72, East Central 65

Men's Basketball ACU 86, East Central 79

HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS

Upcoming FRIDAY Track and Field ACU at Leonard Hilton Invitational

SATURDAY Women's Basketball

Sam Bartee Sports Reporter

ACU vs. WTAMU, 4 p.m.

HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS

Briefs n Students can sign up for team intramural basketball until Wednesday. The cost is $75 per team, online registration can be found at www.acu.edu/campusoffices/intramurals/.

KAT KUNDMUELLER Kat Kundmueller is in her fourth season with the Wildcats, perhaps her best season ever. The senior 5-4 point guard from Fort Worth leads the Kundmueller Lone Star Conference in assists-per-game with 7.8, three more on average than the second-place assists leader. A graduate of Fort Worth Christian High School, Kundmueller led her Cardinals to the TAPPS 5A State Championship in 2005. That same season she was named Offensive Player of the Year.

see GOALS page 7

TRACK AND FIELD

Lofton brings passion, experience Jeff Craig Sports Editor

Lofton is not a typical Wildcat track and field coach. As the 17th coach in program history, Lofton is only the second in the past seven decades with no prior ties to ACU. Only Jon Murray who coached the Wildcats in 2000 and from 2002-2005 has that distinction.

Along with his fresh perspective, Lofton also brings a successful NCAA Division I pedigree to Abilene.

He served as the head coach at Grambling State University from

A certain aura of mystique surrounds ACU track and field. The program is a sort of family, filled with champions and Olympians alike.

With the d a w n ing of a Lofton new decade, a new era of track and field begins under first-year head coach Roosevelt Lofton.

1987-1996, and he also coached Virginia Tech’s women’s team from 1999-2001. Lofton says the time he spent at the Division I level gave him experience that will translate into success at ACU. “With the experience I have from Division I schools, I bring a different perspective on training,” Lofton said. “ACU is a Division II team, but they are not Division II caliber. They are more Divison I caliber.” see LOFTON page 7

KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer

Michelle Ratliff of Amarillo trains for hurdles. Lofton says he will bring Division I-caliber workouts to ACU.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Player Profile

ACU track and field has won 57 team national championships, including 52 at the NCAA Division II level.

The men's team has 35 national championships to its credit, (30 at the NCAA level), while the women's team has won 22 NCAA Division II national titles.

The programs have also combined to win 48 Lone Star Conference championships, including 16 in a row by the men's team.

ACU track and field athletes have competed in and won some of the most prestigious events around the globe, including the Olympics, World Championships, U.S. Championships, Penn Relays, Texas Relays, Drake Relays, Kansas Relays and Mt. SAC Relays. Eyes are on Lofton and his athletes as

ACU's track and field program is well-established; it's coach, however, is brand new.

Roosevelt Lofton is in his first season as the Wildcats' track and field head coach – only the second man in the past 71 years to do so with no prior affiliation with the university. During his career, Lofton has been voted conference Coach of the Year four times, and he has coached teams to eight conference championships.

He has also coached 82 conference champions and three Olympians.

A graduate of Temple University and former head coach at Grambling State and Virginia Tech, Lofton is ready to continue building KELSI WILLIAMSON Chief Photographer his legacy in one of the Pole vaulter Parker Petty practices Jan. 13. The Wildcat Track and Field season opens Friday nation’s top track and in Houston at the Leonard Hilton Invitational. field programs.

ACU vs. WTAMU, 2 p.m.

Men's Basketball

January 15, 2010

Greyhounds grab Wildcats blow past Zias conference-opener If we get behind, we keep plugging Austin Gwin Assistant Sports Editor

Ryan Cantrell Assistant Sports Editor After a dramatic nearcomeback, the men’s basketball team dropped the ball in its divisionopener against Eastern New Mexico, 78-65.

The Wildcats trailed by 16 with 12:06 left in the game, but after a 7-2 run that cut the deficit to 55-44, they started to force turnovers and execute on offense. ACU continued to press the Greyhounds, tying the game at 57-57 and again at 59-59. However, it wasn't meant to be; the Greyhounds closed the final four minutes of the game, outscoring the Wildcats 19-6.

"I thought we would come out better in the first half. We let one of their kids score 18 points," said Coach Jason Copeland. "We couldn’t get a basket when we needed it down the stretch. We just did not capitalize."

The Greyhounds, on the other hand, were able to execute, hitting their last 14 free throw attempts to put the game away.

Eddie Thompson led the Wildcats with 13 points, while Marcus Washington added 11.

All five of Eastern New Mexico’s starters finished in double figures. see CONFERENCE page 7

ACU’s stars continued to shine as the women’s basketball team smoked the Eastern New Mexico Zias 71-55 in Portales, N.M., Wednesday night.

“It’s never easy playing in Eastern,” said head coach Shawna Lavender.

“You have to come out and play well right away, and I think we did that.”

The win is the fourth in a row for the Wildcats and their ninth in the past 11 games; that puts them at 11-5 overall and 1-0 in conference. Incidentally, it is also ACU’s 17th-straight victory against Eastern New Mexico, dating all the way to 2001.

Jamie Meyer again put up huge numbers de-

along. We expect to win every game.

SHAWNA LAVENDER Head Coach

spite a slow start, moving her up to fourth in the nation in scoring.

Meyer started 0-5 from the floor but connected on five of her next six shots on her way to a game-high 25 points.

“As soon as she hits one, she gets her confidence going,” Lavender said. "I got her out of the game and told her to keep shooting, and they will eventually fall.

We got her some close looks, and she got hot.”

Another big performer on a night highlighting the Wildcats' talent was point guard Kat Kund-

mueller. Leading the nation with 7.7 assists per game, Kundmueller added to that lead with nine assists Wednesday.

“Kat is one that keeps us going,” Lavender said. “She doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, and her basketball IQ is really high. She does a great job of getting the right people the ball at the right time.”

The Wildcats got down early in the game, trailing 12-4, but got the lead for good at 27-25, thanks to 8 points from see ENMU page 7