The Optimist - 01.15.14

New Year, New You 2014 means new resolutions Features Page 7 vol. 102, no. 29

wednesday, january 15, 2014

1 SECTION, 10 PAGES

ACU events rescheduled after ice storm

INSIDE

Treadaway Kids had planned a Christmas party for mentors and their kids the night of Dec. Several social clubs and 5 but had to cancel the campus organizations event because the roads are planning rescheduled were too slick to travel events after harsh weath- with the kids. er conditions before the “Our big thing was Christmas Break forced safety,” said Mary Beth many to cancel their par- Cuevas, associate directies and socials. tor of ACU Leadership

kirsten holman

SPORTS

copy editor

Head football coach, Ken Collums, agrees to a four-year contract extension

Camps. “We didn’t want our college students to be put in a rough spot between a rock and a hard place with taking care of kids and for anything to happen. I trust those college kids, they are so good and have all gone through training and I trust them.

I just don’t trust other drivers out there or the

ice. So that’s why we made that decision.”

Cuevas had expected between 50 and 60 people to attend the Christmas party and hopes for a good turnout at a rescheduled party.

“We are going to make it a winter party, and do something in January or early February with the

kids,” said Cuevas. “We are definitely going to make it up to the kids because it’s fun and we like to have a party too.”

Zeta Rho’s Christmas social, which was going to be at the Courtyard Marriott, was also canceled during the ice week see rescheduled page 5

Page 10

NEWS Plans are in the works to rennovate Bennett Gym into a space for engineering and physics students Page 4

NEWS A man trespassed and set off the fire alarm in ACU’s conflict resolution center

Page 8

OPINION Meet the new members of the Editorial Board

Page 6 deanna romero chief Photographer

Dr. Jan Meyer, interim vice president of Student Life and executive director of the CCSL, welcomed students back to a new semester during her talk in Chapel. Meyer also prayed for students leaving for study abroad.

SPORTS Assistant sports editor Collin Wieder takes a look back at the last year of the BCS era Page 8

NEWS A rash of car burglaries occured near the ACU campus over winter break

Page 3

OPINION Marissa Jones disputes the complaints that are often aimed towards the Millennial generation Page 6

ONLINE VIDEO Relive the top ten plays of ACU football’s 2013 season

Search continues to fill interim positions New semester begins with interim VP of Student Life, director of ResLife and VP of Advancement Brittany Jackson Managing editor

Candidates for the vice president of Student Life, director of Resident Life and vice president of Advancement positions continue to be evaluated.

The process of finding a VP of Student Life began in March 2013 when Jean-Noel Thompson took a post at Faulker University in Montgomery, Ala., and remains ongoing.

Dr. Jan Meyer filled the position two weeks before

Thompson left and continues to serve as interim. During her time served, Meyer has dealt with a range of issues, such as dealing with budget cuts and communicating between students and the university.

Meyer also continues to serve as executive director of the Center for Christian Service and Leadership.

In the meantime, Mark Lewis, assistant dean of Spiritual Life, assumed some of the responsibilities Meyer was previously in charge of.

Dr. Allison Garrett, ex-

ecutive vice president of the university, formed a search committee for the position in February. The first meeting was on Feb. 25, with Anthony Williams as the head of the committee.

The search committee has been screening resumes and interviewing candidates for about 10 months.

Several candidates have been invited to campus for interviews.

A post of director of Residence Life also opened up when John Delony left the position for Texas Tech in June. Curtis Smith, associate director of Residence Life and area coordinator for Edwards Hall, was appointed as the interim of the position.

Meyer has appointed a

search committee for the position, which continues to screen applicants.

“With respect to the director of residence life process, I have great confidence in the search committee and the work that the search committee is doing to identify the best candidate to lead the Residence Life area,” Garrett said. “Curtis has done a really fine job as our interim director of Residence Life and we’ve been very appreciative of his willingness to step into that role.”

Lastly, the VP of Advancement, which opened up in the summer of 2013, is still looking to be filled.

A search committee was not formed, but President Schubert said several

“

I have great confidence in the search committee...”

Dr. Allison garrett Vice president of university

people would be consulted in the evaluation of candidates.

According to an Optimist article in August, President Phil Schubert said, “If it takes a week, a month, a year – we’ll take however long to find the right person for this position.”

contact jackson at bkj12a@acu.edu

Former McMurry student found dead in San Antonio Marissa jones Editor in chief

A former McMurry student was found dead in a San Antonio park on New Year’s Eve. The body of 24-yearold Lauren Michelle Bump was found inside O.P. Schnabel Park with multiple stab wounds.

Bump’s death was ruled a homicide by the Bexar

ACUOPTIMIST.COM

C o u n t y Medical Examiner’s office according to San Antonio’s news s t a t i o n bump KENS 5.

29-yea rold Christian Ivan Bautista was arrested on Jan. 4 by SAPD homicide and faces a murder charge for the death of Bump. Po-

lice arrested Bautista at the same park three days after Bump’s death. Police told the news station there doesn’t appear to be any connection between Bump and Bautista.

Bump graduated from McMurry University in 2010 with a B.S. in Biomedical Science. She was in her final year as a Physician’s Assistant at Harding University.

A run in Abilene’s Red

The Optimist

Read more at acuoptimist.com

Abilene Christian University

Bud Park and two runs in San Antonio were organized in memory of Bump.

Kimberly Salazar from San Antonio, organized a silent run in O.P. Schnabel Park. Salazar said she decided to put on the run spur of the moment and the amount of people who participated amazed her.

“When I heard about the tragedy, it hit close to

@acuoptimist

home,” Salazar said. “Me and lots of friends run at OP Schnabel Park. At first I was sad and afraid, and then quickly realized that wasn’t going to help.

I didn’t know Lauren or anything about her but when I saw how many people showed up to honor her life, I knew God had bigger plans.”

Salazar also created a

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

see Bump page 5

Wednesday 01.15.14

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Wednesday 6:33 p.m. Beltway

16 Thursday

College Park at the Abilene Civic Center

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Friday

5:30 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. Oral Roberts

Last day to register for class

18

Saturday

7:30 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Oral Roberts

Chapel checkup To date:

2

1 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs.

University of Central Arkansas 3 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs.

University of Central Arkansas

Around Abilene

Remaining:

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Jan. 15

Jan. 16

Jan. 17

Jan. 18

12 p.m. - 1 p.m. The Center for Contemporary Arts is hosting the Mid-Month Movie Matinee. Admission is free. For more information, contact Bird Thomas at 325-677-8389.

8 p.m. Monks Coffee Shop is hosting an Open Mike Night.

7:30 p.m. The Paramount Theatre is presenting a production of “The Little Mermaid, Junior.” Student tickets are $10.

8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Students are invited to run a 5K in honor of passed Marine GySgt Keller.

For more information contact Nicole Keller at 254-723-3661.

The Optimist optimist@acu.edu Police Log Announcements Students interested in working ACU The ACU A Cappella Chorus is perform- Pre-production for ACU Filmfest has Camps can apply at acucamps.com. ing at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 at the William begun and filming will begin Feb. 17.

Applications are due by Jan. 31.

Arts Performing Center Recital Hall.

The theme is “Shift.” For more information, like the ACU Filmfest Facebook Team registration for Intramural Bas- ACU Theatre is perfoming Mark Twain’s page. ketball is from Jan. 2 - 22 at imleagues. “Is He Dead” at 7:30 p.m. at Fulks Theatre com/acu. Cost per team is $100 and on Feb. 7 - 8, 14 - 15, 21 - 22.

ACU Filmfest submissions are being acteams will play 5 games per season. cepted now through Feb. 1. Students Students can form their own teams or ACU Roller Hockey is having an interest can pitch ideas to Flim Fest teams for a attend a scrimmage from 6 - 8 p.m. on meeting from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the Core chance to receive feedback from profesJan. 23 at the Wellness and Recreation Classroom on Jan. 21. Both hockey play- sional filmmakers. Submissions must be a Center. ers and fans are welcome. For more infor- 100 word synopsis and sent to ajp09c@ mation, contact Ryan Podany at rap10c@ acu.edu. acu.edu.

Women who would like to donate their old prom dresses, accessories and shoes can email aet12a@acu.edu for more information on how to donate to the charity Prom Queen. Donations will be accepted until Feb. 7.

The Undergraduate Research Festival is accepting abrstracts until Jan. 31. For more information on writing abstracts, visit blogs.acu.edu/researchfest.

Volunteer Opp0rtunities JUMP @ Abilene North Apartments is seeking students to asssist in teaching the Gospel to at-risk low-income children. Students must be avaliable to volunteer from 4 - 5:30 p.m. on Mondays. Service opportunity begins Jan. 27 and lasts until April. 28. For more information, contact Caroline Thompson at 281-782-2956 or crt12a@acu.edu.

Friends for Life is seeking volunteers to help with both elderly residents and independent living elderly. Nursing home service opportunities include visiting, playing games, reading to the blind and assisting in arts and crafts. Independent living service opportunities include mowing lawns, grocery shopping and changing light bulbs. To volunteer contact Cecilia Barahona at 325672-2635 or cecilia@friendsforlife.org.

The Noah Project is seeking volunteers to help with tasks such as answering phone calls, providing child care and doing maintenance and housekeeping. To volunteer call 325-676-7107.

Love and Care Ministries is looking for volunteers to help with sorting clothing, stocking their food pantry, assisting in prayers in their prayer room and serving food to the homeless. For more information call 325670-0246.

Volunteers are needed at the BCFS Abilene Transition Center for event planning and setup, assisting in teaching life skills classes, accompanying transport, visiting homes and/or assisting in construction of facilities for assisting in the betterment of male and female youth ages 15 - 25. This opportunity is open each morning Mondays through Fridays. Students interested must contact Johnny Nguyen at 325-6920033 or jnguyen@bcfs.net.

The Betty Hardwick Center is seeking volunteers for the Human Resources Center to help with filing and organizing. This job requires someone with attention to detail who wishes to learn more about Human Resources. The job is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you are interested, please contact Martin Walker at 325-690-5235 or mwalker@bhcmhmr.or.

House of Faith is an organization that seeks to take Jesus to neighborhood children. Volunteers are needed to help with the various programs they do throughout the week. Backyard Bible studies are hosted Mondays and Wednesdays and a youth program takes place on Thursday evenings. The organization is seeking volunteers who can commit to a specific day a week.

House of Faith lasts from 3 - 5:30 p.m. To volunteer or gain more information contact Amy Jeffers at abj09a@ acu.edu or call 832-331-5324.

Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to work at the adoption center performing a variety of tasks, from playing with the animals to working in the office. For more information visit their website at http://www.rescuetheanimals.org/volunteer.

The Abilene Zoo is looking for volunteers to help with general labor such as grounds cleanup and painting any weekday at any time between 12 - 4 p.m. The Zoo is located at 2070 Zoo Ln. Contact Joy Harsh at 325-676-6487 for more information.

Breakfast on Beech Street is seeking volunteers to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income folks any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at 5:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 5 a.m. B.O.B.S. is located at First Christian Church on 3rd St. and Beech St. Service times must be scheduled in advance. To serve on Mondays contact Jody Depriest at 325-669-3312 or jody.depriest@ gmail.com. To serve on Tuesdays contact Allen Daugherty at 325-660-6949 or ale.al@suddenlink. net. To serve on Wednesdays contact Jane Harvey at 325-695-0092 or jharvread@aol.com. To serve on Thursdays contact Margaret Beasley at 325-692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net. To serve on Fridays contact Rachel Brown at rdb08a@acu.edu.

The Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help with filling requests for items such as clothing and bedding from the donation center, sort and organize donations and occasionally pick up donated items. Volunteers are needed every weekday and the first Saturday of each month between 9 - 12 p.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. For more information contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 orrobertabrown51@hotmail. com. Visit http://www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc. htm.

The National Center For Children’s Illustrated Literature is looking for volunteers to greet patrons, assist with art activities, sell books and make visitors feel welcome. Help is also needed for special events like Artwalk and exhibit openings. The NCCIL is located at 102 Cedar St. For more information on times and dates contact Debby Lillick at 325-673-4586 or visit http://www.nccil.org/ index.htm.

University Place is seeking volunteers to help with resident birthday parties for residents on the third Wednesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. For more information contact Linda Tijerina at 325-676-9946.

Christian Homes & Family Services is seeking volunteers to do minor landscaping such as raking, trimming bushes, minor apartment repairs and general upkeep Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information contact Shaylee Honey at 325677-2205 or Shoney@ChristianHomes.com.

The International Rescue Committee is asking for Digital TV Converter Boxes to accompany several older televisions for refugees within Abilene. Drop offs are requested at the office located on 3303 N. 3rd Street, Suite D from 2 - 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesday. This is a helpful way to make a difference in the lives of refugees who recently resettled into the local community. For more information, contact Marie-Pascale Manishimwe at 325-675-5643.

The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to help sort and stock food and other items any weekday Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

The Food Bank is located at 5505 N. 1st St. For more information contact Janice Serrault at 325-695-6311 or abfoodbk@camalott.com.

Meals on Wheels Plus needs volunteer drivers to deliver afternoon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities Monday - Friday between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Training is provided. For more information contact Samantha Barker at 352-672-5050 or visit http://mealsonwheelsplus.com.

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for a variety of needs such as sorting and pricing items in the thrift store, helping in the kitchen and/or doing yard work. Times are flexible and volunteers are needed Monday - Saturday. The Salvation Army is located at 1726 Butternut St. For more information contact J.D. Alonzo at 325-677-1408 or visit www. satruck.com.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters offers two volunteer programs. Lunch Buddies pairs volunteers with a little brother or sister to have lunch with once a week for 30 minutes. Lunch Buddies has a preferred time of 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. The Community Based program pairs volunteers with a little brother or sister that they will hang out with two to four times a month. Both programs require committment to the program for 12 - 18 months. To sign up stop by the Big Brothers/Big Sisters office at 547 Chestnut St. or contact Randy Woods at 325-674-3102.

Christian Ministries Food Pantry needs volunteers to help with tasks such as cleaning up, stocking shelves and bagging flour. It is looking for students who can make a commitment of 1 - 3 hours a week. For more information contact Becky Almanza at 325-673-5295 or balmanza7@sbcglobal.net.

The Center for Contemporary Arts needs a gallery assistant to greet partons, answer phones and answer basic questions about the Center and its programs.

Volunteer opportunities are 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Tuesdays - Fridays. For more information contact Jennifer Parks at 325-677-8389 or jennifer@center-arts.com.

For additional volunteer opportunities visit: www. acu.edu/campusoffices/ccsl/ministry-service/volunteer-opportunities/

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news

Wednesday 01.15.14

Warnings issued after winter break-ins linsey thut

features writer The ACU Police Department is encouraging faculty, staff and students to lock their car doors and be safe after a rash of auto burglaries over the Christmas Break. Thieves burglarized five vehicles in the neighborhoods surrounding the campus during that time, and ACUPD reported that all cars were unlocked at the time of the burglaries.

Three of these burglaries took place on Dec. 9 on EN 20th Street, EN 21st Street and College Drive, and the other burglaries took place on Jan. 9 on EN 23rd Street and Westheimer Street.

Valuables stolen from the cars include wal-

lets, checks, a Broadband Hotspot valued at $200 and the woofer speakers.

ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said 51 out of the 69 car burglaries reported across the city of Abilene in December were reported unlocked.

“We are simply making it easier for our cars to be robbed,” Ellison said. “We aren’t even locking our doors, let alone hiding our valuables.”

Abilene Police Department public information officer George Spindler said the APD sees this kind of crime often.

“Patrol Division officers and Criminal Investigation Division detectives are all too familiar with criminals that go around checking door handles to see what vehicles are left unlocked,” Spindler said.

Spindler and Ellison said besides locking car doors, students can guard themselves against car burglaries by hiding valuables or taking them with them when they leave the car, even if it is only for a few minutes.

“The most typical things taken from car burglaries are females’ purses and wallets,” Ellison said. “They immediately take out the money and credit cards and then discard wallet somewhere else.”

Students should also keep a look out when they are out late at night or early in the morning, Ellison said.

“If you see someone suspicious walking around streets or parking lots, get a description of that person and call

ACUPD or ACPD,” he said.

Spindler said students should remember to inventory their important valuables by make, model, color and serial number because this information is crucial to recovering stolen goods in the event their car is burglarized.

“Everyone, including our university students, need to realize that they really are the first line of defense in preventing crime,” he said.

Ellison said while ACU students are getting better at reporting suspicious activity, he encourages them to continue.

“We’re kicking off a new year and semester and we really want our campus community to be alert and be aware and report suspicious activity whenever they see it

image from RAIDS 24/7,” Ellison said. cidents in and around the Students who would ACU campus. like to learn more about crime in Abilene can visit contact thut at www.raidsonline.com to lct10a@acu.edu take a look at specific in-

Chick-’Phil’-A day to support Dynasty’s Robertson allison brown staff reporter

Duck and chicken fans alike will gather at Chick-filA locations nationwide on Tuesday to show support for Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson.

After a recent controversy regarding the popular A&E show, a grassroots movement has been organized to support the values that Chickfil-A and the Robertson family stand for, according to a Facebook page for the event. On what’s now being called National Chick-Phil-A Day, supporters of both are encouraged to put on their Duck Commander or camouflage apparel and eat at Chick-fil-A. According to the Facebook page, the effort is independent of the Chick-fil-A and Duck Dynasty brands.

However, more than 37,000

Facebook users have liked the page and more than 66,000 have confirmed they will eat at a Chick-fil-A in their area on the day of the event.

With the motto “Stand for free speech. Sit for good food,” and a still-increasing number of attendees, the event is likely to generate continued coverage of Chickfil-A and Duck Dynasty’s runins with the media over the issue of homosexuality.

Parker Lawson, junior pre-med biology major from Denton, said he is not going to participate in the event.

“I personally disagree with Phil Robertson’s comparisons of homosexuality to more harmful behavior; however, I support his right to voice that opinion as well as A&E’s right to fire or hire whom they please,” he said. “This ChickPhil-A day, though, seems to confuse supporting hurtful anti-homosexual remarks and a profit-seeking busi-

ness with supporting freedom of speech and religion which were never in danger.

To quote Phil Robertson from that infamous interview, ‘it’s just not that logical.’”

Mason Smith, junior business management major from Midland, expressed support for the values that both Chick-Fil-A and the Robertson family hold.

“Time and time again, Chick-fil-A has impressed me with its call to wholesome values and understood liberties,” said “I am excited for the discussion on campus that is bound to start as we approach the Duck Dynasty event and the Chick-Phil-A day.”

At the end of the fall semester, ACU announced Faith Calls, an evening with Duck Dynasty’s Si, Alan and Lisa Robertson that will take place on campus April 13.

Shortly after the event was announced, A&E suspended

Phil Robertson from the reality show in response to his criticism of homosexuality in GQ Magazine. He was reinstated a few weeks later.

Despite the negative press the show received over the holiday season, many students say they look forward to the local event.

Mary Kate Rotenberry, freshman kinesiology major from Abilene, said she is as ready as ever to see Uncle Si. “My view hasn’t changed about the Duck Dynasty crew coming. I think it is a great opportunity for ACU to team up with the Abilene community in order to see some great and funny Christian role models and support a fantastic organization at the same time,” said Rotenberry.

“I think it’s a good thing they are coming,” said Matt Atchley, sophomore accounting major from Keller.

“They have a lot of wisdom to share.”

Some students, however, question if the Robertson family’s visit to campus lines up with ACU’s mission statement.

Rodney Johnson, junior finance pre-law major from Odessa, doubts the benefit of the family’s appearance at ACU. “When I first heard about them coming, I really wasn’t really too excited to begin with. After reading the article about Phil Robertson’s statements, my immediate thought was, ‘Do we really want to associate ourselves with a person who would say these type of things, in any context?’” he said. “My biggest concern was whether or not ACU reevaluated our relationship with this organization. Even if Phil Robertson isn’t coming to our campus directly, his family represents those statements and that is where I find a problem.”

Caleb Orr, freshman po-

litical science major from McKinney, views the visit as a learning opportunity.

“I take issue with the event in the extent that Phil’s family fully supports Phil’s statements on a variety of issues from racism to homosexuality. All of his statements I think are very anti-intellectual and kind of contrast with the mission of ACU, preparing us [students] for leadership and intellectual achievement in the world,” Orr said. “I think the event has benefits in the respect that with this controversy, perhaps it sparks conversation among students, sparks a debate within the university about what is the Christian response to homosexuality? Is it acceptance, is it rejecting? I think that has a very good chance to be a benefit of the event.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Phishing continues through break rachel fritz page 2 editor

Further phishing attempts in mid-December led the ACU Police Department to send a second email within a month to students and faculty warning them not to respond to the messages.

The faux email was sent on Dec. 20 encouraging students, faculty and staff members to reset their passwords and directing them to an off-campus website. An email from ACUPD was sent hours later.

ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said the university wanted to head off any problems after similar attempts earlier in the fall.

“A number of ACU users were fooled by these phishing attempts and clicked on and followed the links, then provided their username and passwords,” he said.

“These types of cyber-related crimes and fraud-based offenses are, unfortunately, becoming very frequent everywhere and becoming increasingly complex from a technical perspective.”

After earlier phishing attempts targeting faculty and

optimist@acu.edu

staff in November, six employee payments were rerouted to out-of-state bank accounts, and a total of 17 myACU accounts had been accessed illegally.

Like those earlier emails, the mid-December phishing attempts are not specific to ACU, and their source is still unknown. No reports of stolen information have been made this time, however.

“Because of the complexity of these cases and the nationwide footprint of the cases, this is why we bring the FBI in and ask their cyber crimes investigators to lead the investigations,” Ellison said. “ACUPD will continue to work with IT to help keep users informed and aware of phishing attempts.”

The university is taking steps to communicate the issue to students and employees to prevent information from being stolen.

“IT has communicated the dangers of phishing to our employees through several means; emails, blogs, newsletters, computer screen pop-ups and messages at login,” Reeves said.

“However, the best way

The Optimist

to stop it is for users to be aware and not fall victim to in the first place.”

Here are a few things to remember: Official messages from ACU regarding password changes, etc., will always include instructions for making account or password changes - official ACU messages will never include a link to click on as a means of gathering or changing your information.

Never respond to any emails that request personal or financial information.

Report suspicious emails by clicking on the arrow in the top right of the message (the Reply arrow drops down a menu) and choose “Report Phishing” If you did click the link in this most recent phishing attempt email, and did enter your information, please change your password now by using the “Change your password” link on MyACU and also contact the ACU Helpdesk to make Information Technology aware that you entered your informa-

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contact fritz at ref11a@acu.edu

ACUOPTIMIST.com

news

WEDNESDAY 01.15.14

4

Bennett Gymnasium undergoes changes james eldred

staff reporter The university’s Board of Trustees is reviewing plans to renovate and repurpose Bennett Gymnasium as an engineering laboratory in response to considerable growth in the Department of Engineering and Physics over the past two years.

Dr. Rusty Towell, chair of the engineering and physics department, said although the idea of refitting the building has been around for several years, it only gained traction in the past two months. He said the additional space would offer opportunities for the burgeoning program.

“We’re thrilled that we’re going to be able to meet the needs of our growing program and preserve the appearance of this historic building on campus,” Towell said.

Constructed in 1929 to support academics and athletics needs, Bennett Gymnasium was one of the first buildings on the university’s second campus. In recent years, it

has been used to host a number of Student Life events. However, at the beginning of December, club sports using Bennett were told they needed to find a new place to meet as crews measured and prepped the building for possible rehab.

Dr. Jeff Arrington, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said Dr. Jan Meyer, interim vice president for student life, and Tom Craig, director of student activities, have played a role in finding new locations for groups that had previously used Bennett.

“Tom Craig and Jan Meyer have been instrumental and gracious partners in considering these two sorts of needs: academic program needs, student activities and support needs,” said Arrington, associate professor of engineering and physics. “Working with them and others, we found that this was the alternative on campus that could provide support for a growing engineering program.”

However, the new lab won’t be exclusive to the

engineering program, Towell said.

“It’s being motivated by the engineering program, but it’ll also be used by physics students and professors for research space,” he said.

The renovated building will include a number of large, open areas for project construction and equipment, Towell said.

The renovations will support some engineering courses and activities and allow department faculty to perform on-campus research.

“The things that will be housed in the new building will be big and loud and create vibrations,” Towell said. “It’ll have areas for large research projects like senior capstone projects, where a student needs access to tools and space to build something and the ability to work on it throughout the week.”

Towell said because of the machinery in the shop area, the use of advanced tools will be limited and supervised.

“We don’t want someone going in and using a welder or a cut-off saw

deanna romero chief Photographer

Bennett Gym is to be repurposed for the Department of Engineering and Physics. that doesn’t have the proper training for it,” Towell said. “So there will definitely be safeguards in place to ensure that people that don’t have the right training, whether they’re engineering students or not, don’t get hurt.”

Arrington said if the

project is approved by the board, the first phase will be to remove any asbestos in the gymnasium.

“The only thing staying there is the shell of the building,” Arrington said.

“All of the bleachers and plumbing - everything inside that shell will be taken out.”

Once work is started on the building, it will continue swiftly.

“Our objective is that this facility will be completed and ready for use by the Fall 2014 semester,” contact Eldred at jFe11a@acu.edu

Powells head to Haiti with students for break maggie marshall copy editor

A group of ACU students will be spending their spring break in Haiti for a medical mission trip.

Cynthia Powell, assistant professor in chemistry and pre-medical advisor will be accompanying students on the trip. It will be her second trip to Haiti with her husband, Greg Powell, professor of chemistry.

“A group of ACU students are joining a larger

medical team that will be going,” Cynthia Powell said.

All the students are pre-health majors, including pre-med, pre-PT and pre-dental students.

Students will assist and support a staff of physicians and nurses doing anything from handing out food to holding babies and praying over those waiting in line at the medical station. The team is also planning a construction project and community outreach project.

Like any week-long mission trip, there are limitations to what can be done.

“I think it’s important to realize in one week we’re not going to change the country of Haiti, we’re not going to convert a bunch of people but we can go and support the medical staff that is on site year-round,” Powell said.

The trip is no longer affiliated with Spring Break Campaigns, but is sponsored by Live Beyond/Mobile Medical Di-

saster Relief, founded by ACU alumni David and Laurie Vanderpool. It began when students got in touch with the Vanderpools and suggested the trip. For the past few years, between 15 and 20 students have attended each year. The Haiti trip is a recent addition to the Guatemala trip that has been offered to ACU students for many years.

“It’s an important experience for students to be in a third-world setting, to see how poverty impacts people,” Powell

“

I think it’s a great reminder of how incredibly blessed we are.”

Cynthia powell assistant professor in chemistry

said. “I think our students come back understanding a lot of the challenges relating to poverty and health care in the world.”

Students often leave the trip and ACU determined to make a difference in their community

or to return to a medical mission or clinic full time, Powell said.

Students have the opportunity to talk about their experiences together upon their return to ACU. “I think it’s a great reminder of how incredibly blessed we are,” Powell said. “I always tell my students that I am changed.”

contact marshall at mxm10d@acu.edu

Cynthia powell contributor

Cynthia and Greg Powell are returning to Haiti for their second medical mission trip.

ACU students will be accompanying them during Spring Break.

CCSL prepares for 2014 campaigns melany cox

online managing editor The coordinators for Spring Break Campaigns are working to increase participation in the upcoming trips.

Mary Beth Cuevas, SBC coordinator and associate director for ACU Leadership Camps, said four people have applied for leadership positions. She said these people will help in the office and she hopes they will be able to lead campaigns as well. She also said a graduate student was hired as an assistant coordinator and has been working to promote the campaigns.

Matt Anderson, graduate student in New Testament and Ancient and Oriental Christianity from Waco, is the new assistant coordinator of Spring Break Campaigns. He said he worked in the Center for Christian Service and Leadership for a year and began his new position in January.

Cuevas and Anderson said one of their goals is to get more students involved.

“We are focused right now on recruiting students for the trips,” Anderson said, “Given some of the uncertainty about campaigns last semester, many students may not have taken the opportunity to apply.”

He said less than 20 people have signed up so far, which is enough for at least one campaign.

“We are still planning on going,” Cuevas said. “We have four places, but if we only have enough for one place, then we’ll go to one place. And that place will more than likely be Seattle, just because they’ve got an incredible program that they have going on there.”

Cuevas said preparations for the campaigns include helping participants raise money, making travel arrangements and beginning training.

She said the campaigns could cost between $800 $1,500, depending on the location. While there is not an exact deadline, she said the goal would be to have the campaigns set by the middle of February.

“I personally would like to know who our people are that are going by

Feb. 1,” she said. “That’s a personal goal for me, if not sooner, because I’d like to be able to build these relationships because I want the people who are going to have a cohesiveness before they go.”

Anderson said students should sign up for a campaign because SBCs have been a huge part of the ACU experience.

“It gives students a chance to get out and see more of the world than the ‘ACU Bubble’ while also giving them an opportunity to make a difference with their time off from studying,” he said. “Education can sometimes feel like a time in which one is not contributing to society or to life beyond oneself. SBCs offer a chance for students to take part in a service that goes beyond their selves.”

This year’s campaign destinations are St. Paul, Minn., Seattle, Wash., Chicago, Ill. and Fairfax, Va. Students interested in signing up for a campaign can do so on the Center for Christian Service and Leadership website. contact cox at mkc09b@acu.edu

5

news

Wednesday 01.15.14

Baylor professor to discuss religious identity JC Peeples

staff reporter A history professor at Baylor University will come to campus to conduct two lectures for faculty, staff and students.

Dr. Barry Hankins, professor of history and church-state studies at Baylor, will ref lect on the religious identity question at Baylor University and address the univer-

sity’s choices. A lecture for faculty and staff is schedu led for noon on Jan. 23 in the Adams hankins Center for Teaching and Learning.

A second lecture, called “The Scopes Trial, Prohibition, and Obscenity Wars: Shifting Alliances in Roaring Twenties Culture War,” is sched-

uled for 7 p.m. Jan. 23 in Hart Auditorium and will be open for the public.

Students who attend the full lecture will receive double Chapel credit.

Hankins, who also works as a graduate program director at Baylor, is the author of “Uneasy in Babylon: Southern Baptist Conservatives and American Culture.”

Hankins visit will be in conjunction with CHARIS, the Center for Heri-

tage and Renewal in Spirituality. Dr. Doug Foster, coordinator of CHARIS and director of the Center for Restoration Studies, said faculty and students will enjoy Hankins presentations.

“Dr. Hankins is an insightful church historian who has written some excellent material to help people like us understand better the way Christianity in America has been shaped,” said Foster, pro-

fessor of church history.

Dr. Ron Morgan, chair of the Department of History, met Hankins at the Conference on Faith and History years ago. He said the topics Hankins has done research on are relevant to current issues at ACU. “One of those issues is about ACU’s policy to only hire Church of Christ staff,” said Morgan.

Morgan said ACU has a mission to help students

receive a worldclass education while maintaining its religious obligation.

“I believe Dr. Hankins will shed light on to this issue,” said Morgan. “He has a unique presentation that will capture people’s attention.”

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Leeches discovered in Barret Hall shower linsey thut

features writer A pair of sophomore women returned to campus after the Christmas Break to find some unwanted visitors in their A.B. Barret Hall shower – leeches.

Cheryl Bell, sophomore musical theatre major from Austin, said she went in to take a shower and was disgusted to find many of the creatures all over her shower f loor.

Her roommate, Kren Fernandes, sophomore piano performance major from Wichita Falls, said they

thought someone had spilled something at first.

“It just looked like random specks or whatever,” Fernandes said. “Then we looked closer to see they’re moving and alive and not dead.”

Ten leeches were spread out around the shower f loor, not just near the drain, they said. The women said they weren’t sure it was leeches but they fit the description.

“They’re slimy and black and they’re like an inch long and they wiggle,” Bell said.

Abbey Moses, sophomore political science major from McKinney

and their resident assistant, said that when the women told her about the leeches in their shower, Bell assumed everyone had them.

“She said, ‘Hey are we supposed to have leeches in our showers?’ and I said, ‘Excuse me, what?’”

Moses said.

Moses said she and the women tried a number of things to get rid of them, including turning on the shower but nothing helped.

“They didn’t stop moving when we sprayed them with Windex, which was weird,” Moses said.

Finally, Fernandes said

she wiped up the bugs, put them in a cup then threw them away. However, another crawled out of the drain within an hour. The students called maintenance, hoping they would fumigate the bathroom, Fernandes said. They were told maintenance would be out no later than Wednesday.

“I will be showering in my R.A.’s room until they come and fix it,” Bell said.

Bell said she was a little shocked to find the bugs in their bathroom because of where their pod is.

“When you’re on the second f loor, you don’t

usually have a problem with animals or creatures,” Bell said.

However, Bell said the leeches haven’t spoiled her view of dorm life at Barret.

“It’s also college, and it’s also a dorm room,” Bell said. “I wouldn’t be like ‘I wanna live in Sikes now because Barret has leeches.’ It could be anywhere.”

Moses said the leeches provided a fun experience for her and her residents to look back on.

“If anything, it was a bonding moment for Barret residence,” Moses said.

“

The bathroom can quickly turn into not as safe a place as you thought it was.”

Kren Fernandes Sophomore piano performance major from wichita falls

Fernandes said her advice to her fellow students is to watch their showers.

“The bathroom can quickly turn into not as safe a place as you thought it was,” she said.

contact thut at lct10a@acu.edu

Bump: Harding grad student found dead in park from page 1 Facebook page, Live Like Lauren. The page includes posts from Bump’s family and friends, stories related to Bump, prayer requests and giveaways with the condition the winners do a good deed in honor of Bump.

“It has nothing to do

“

She cared for people and genuinely wanted to help everyone.”

son Lauren was and the way she lived her life,” Salazar said.

The page has more than 1,400 likes Gabriella Jimenez, a Gabriella Jimenez close friend of Bump from San antonio San Antonio, said Bump’s story has continued even after her death and has with me, and everything touched many people. to do with the kind of per“Lauren was a lot of

things, loving, caring, compassionate, kind and silly... the list goes on, but one thing you were able to notice right away was her fire and passion for the Lord,” Jimenez said. “Her life ref lected how God wants us to be.

She cared for people and genuinely wanted to help everyone.”

Rescheduled: Snow disrupts from page 1

time for the event before Thanksgiving. Andrews because of unsafe road never suspected a drastic conditions. change to the plans, but Kelsie Andrews, se- decided to reschedule the nior nutrition major from Christmas social for Jan. San Antonio, and presi- 17. dent of Zeta Rho said the “I thought it would club had set the date and make the event uncom-

fortable by walking Zeta Rho rescheduled around in short dresses their Christmas social to and heels in such cold Friday weather,” Andrews said.

“But I had no idea that the weather would actually create a safety hazcontact holman at ard to where we couldn’t mnj10a@acu.edu travel down the street.”

RESCHEDULED EVENTS

noah kitts contributor

During the last week of school, an ice storm caused classes to be cancelled. ACU students played hockey in a parking lot.

Frater Sodalis Christmas Social

TBA

Sigma Theta Chi Christmas Social

Saturday

Zeta Rho Christmas Social

Friday

Notes & Joe Benefit Concert

Feb. 21

Bump’s obituary re- Church in San Antonio on membered her as a loving Jan. 9. More than 700 peoperson who often volun- ple were in attendance. teered her time to Guatemalan mission work and multiple charities. contact Jones at A service for Bump was mnj10a@acu.edu held at Community Bible

Opinion Who’s new on the Editorial Board

New year, new faces, more chances to be heard The new year brought some changes to the Editorial Board.

We said goodbye to Chief Photographer Mandy Lambright, who decided to pursue her studies before she graduates in May. We also said a temporary farewell to Managing Editor Madeline

I’M SORRY, MS. JACKSON

BRITTANY JACKSON MANAGING EDITOR

Classification: sophomore MAJOR: convergence Journalism HOMETOWN: Mission Viejo, Calif.

6

Wednesday 01.15.14

Orr, who is in Austin working on an internship.

Some new faces have been added to our creative council. Brittany Jackson, who is serving as managing editor, is the latest permanent addition. Readers can also look forward to frequent guest columns from Adrian

Patenaude, senior Ad/PR major from Phrae, Thailand.

The new semester also provides students and faculty with more opportunities to have their opinions featured in the Optimist. Letters to the Editor are always welcome. Twitter users can send a tweet to @acuopti-

mist to see their 140-character opinions featured in the hashtagACU section of the Opinion Page.

Don’t hesitate to let your voice be heard. contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

DAILY doodle dosage

Ben Todd

Brittany has a tendency of becoming over-involved in extra curricular activities (primarily working with the Optimist) which is probably why you haven’t seen her face until now. Hello.

Column

It’s not just the millennials THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

MARISSA JONES EDITOR IN CHIEF

If you were smart, you came up with a game plan before Christmas break. You knew it was inevitable you’d be asked questions like “so what are you planning on doing after college?” or “what graduate programs are you looking at?” or even “is there a special boy/girl in your life, yet?”

Often, it can be difficult to think of something to talk about with distant family members or old family friends, so if you didn’t figure out how to respond to those questions, the conversation probably got awkward pretty quickly.

But there was more on the line than carrying on a mature conversation with Great-Aunt Betty.

The reputation of your generation was on the line.

The millennial generation, our generation, has been complained about practically since we were born. We’re worrying our elders with our delayed marriages, multiple career changes and heaping debt. TIME magazine declared us the “ME, ME, ME Generation.”

We’ve been accused of being lazy, self-absorbed, entitled and immature.

Sounds like a sideeffect of being a human rather than being born a Millennial.

The New York Times called the Baby Boomers the “Me Generation,” which does have less me’s than our generation has been accused of.

The 1970s was declared the “Me Decade” by New York magazine. In an Op Ed for The New York Times, Jon Grinspan shows how the problems of the Millen-

nials are similar to those born at the beginning of the 19th century – delayed marriage and difficulties finding jobs to name a few.

Heck, Hesiod, a Greek poet in 750 B.C. said, “I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today....”

Doubt in the youth seems to be a reoccurring theme throughout history. Which makes sense because, of course, 20-somethings are going to be more narcissistic and reckless than our elders. Older generations have had the time and life-experience to gain perspective and maturity.

But there is hope – Millennials have been labeled with positive attributes, as well. Research done by The Pew Research Center says we’re the most educated, the most accepting, the most self-expressive generation so far.

The most important priority for our generation is being a good parent and the second is having a successful marriage. Despite a large percentage of us being unemployed and in debt, we’re optimistic about the future and our ability to change it.

So if over the break you worried your relatives with your vague ideas about your future and your lack of interest in marriage, I’m sure you dazzled them with your knowledge, openness and optimism. But I’m sure Great-Aunt Betty loves you no matter what. contact Jones at MNJ10a@acu.edu

Column

New Year’s wipeout and realizations no problems. But on this particular run, fate decided I needed to take one last tumble.

One second I was heading down a steep slope at break-neck speed. The next thing I knew I was flat on my back, sliding backwards down the hill.

I careened to a stop in the middle of the slope and looked up in time to see my dad ski away, unaware of my plight. I laughed in spite of myself and tried to pull myself up.

No luck.

Every time I moved, my skis would slide out from under me. After 10 minutes of this it was no longer funny. I did the worst possible thing I could have done in that situation: burst into tears.

I was so embarrassed and shocked by the fact I was crying that I proceeded to weep harder.

So much for my mental image of being a tough, seasoned skier.

I truly believe that when you fall, you should

DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE

MELANY COX OPINION PAGE EDITOR

After feeling like I accomplished a lot during 2013, on New Year’s Day I learned a valuable lesson.

I was with my extended family in Wolf Creek, Colo. on our bi-annual ski trip.

First, let me point out that I’m no novice skier. I had my first lesson when I was three years old and have been skiing every other year since. I’m also no black diamond skier, but I know my way around the slopes and can get on and off a crowded lift without taking out innocent bystanders. I’ve had my fair share of spills and even sprained my thumb during a misadventure several years ago.

I love skiing. I love kicking up a trail of snow as I fly down the mountain, the wind stinging

my eyes and whipping my hair behind my back.

I love to ski fast... maybe a little too fast.

It was the end of our third and final day on the slopes. My arms were sore from hauling poles and skis and boots up and down the mountain.

My ankles and shins were bruised from my ski boots (which were not designed with comfort in mind).

But without the necessary equipment, I wouldn’t be able to race down the mountain, powder flying in my wake.

I went up the lift with my dad for what would be my final fun of the trip. We headed down one of our favorite trails, ironically named “Tranquility.” I’d already been down it several times with

get back up and try again.

But sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get up without help.

Finally, I succumbed.

I took off my skis, walked to the edge of the slope and put them back on. I carefully made my way to the end of the trail where my dad was waiting, skis in hand, preparing to hike back up the mountain to find me.

As I sat in the lodge, alone, nursing my pride with a cappuccino, I experienced a sudden reality check: you’re never too old to fall.

Maybe if I had slowed down and proceeded with a little more caution, I could have prevented my tumble. But I think I needed to learn this lesson. My aching knee still serves as a reminder that I need to think before rushing blindly ahead.

Happy New Year to me. contact Cox at MKC09B@acu.edu

hashtagACU Jan. 13 4:09 p.m.

Jan. 12 7:10 p.m.

Jan. 01 7:13 a.m.

My New Years resolution? Getting in #acu in the @acuoptimist

@wyatt_trevor_tw Jan. 13 2:17 p.m.

An ACU student with a flip phone... That seems pretty impossible at a school that practically gives away iPhones @overheardACU #ACUdifference

@sydneyelaine94

Just packed my backpack for school tomorrow...like I’m a 5 yr old or something..

@kendram34 Jan. 13 3:53 p.m.

Hey people that are “too blessed to be stressed”: get back to me finals week and tell me how that’s going for you.

@LilyAuker

Jan. 09 11:00 p.m.

This break has taught me how much I love truly ACU and how I’m now a stranger in my hometown. #revelations #acu

@briclose

Jan. 13 12:54 p.m.

This guy seemed cool to sit by till he posted a selfie on Instagram.

@DillonReed21 Jan. 14 11:23 a.m.

All the girls around me are wearing sweaters for their social club and I’m wearing a sweater with cats on it. #firstdayofschool #ACU

@cmarehm

Jan. 14 11:32 a.m.

Jan. 14 11:10 a.m.

Plot twist. Chapel speakers now paid to advertise for fast food chains around Abilene.

65 students going Abroad? 65 more seats in the Bean @overheardACU

@peymos21

@shelblurbs

published by the department of journalism and mass communication editorial and management board

Jaci Isham

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cade white

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Rachel Fritz

cara lee cranford

Daniel Zepeda

Paige Otway

Laura Benson

Kara Stutesman

Deanna Romero

Kirsten Holman

Shera Niemirowski

Garon GoodSpeed

Ben Todd

JP Festa

Jarred Schuetze

opinion page editor online managing editor

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gabi powell

newsroom (325) 674-2439

Guy 1: “Where’s the Core classroom?” Guy 2: “I think it’s in the library.”

Guy 1: “Oh. Is that what they LIB stands for?” #facepalm @overheardACU

Marissa Jones managing editor

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

@jannaakayee

Jan. 13 8:27 a.m.

editor in chief personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

It’s that time of year again where we all fight for a chance to be in the @acuoptimist #maytheoddsbeeverinyourfavor

First question asked when class started: “So how many people got engaged over the break??” That’s the #ACUdifference

@jNAV12

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

Jan. 13 9:20 a.m.

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featureS

Wednesday 01.15.13

SUCCESS THAT

STICKS Claire Lynch, senior art major from Greenville, works out in the Money Student Receation and Wellness Center. “Staying Fit and Healthy” is the fifth most cited resolution this year. | jarred schuetze staff photographer

J

am-packed g yms, penny-pinching and trashed ashtrays are signs of the season for stopping old habits and starting new ones.

“Focus on time management at work and get back into my workout routine,” said ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison.

“Laugh more,” said Janine Morgan, a Core instructor.

“Read the Bible more and then do what it says with a good attitude,” tweeted Shaobeny Johnson, sophomore, Ad/PR major from Odessa.

“To finish the KGR Run the West Half Marathon,” wrote SA President Dylan Benac.

W hatever the goal, many in the ACU community have made their vows to be a little better in 2014.

And in two months time, individuals can have achieved success that sticks, said Dr. Richard Beck, associate professor of psychology.

“Research suggests that if you do something ever yday, it takes about two months to form a new habit.”

Gabi Powell Features Editor

|

contact powell gmp10b@acu.edu

But few of us are ready for that sort of effort, he said.

Studies support his claim; only eight percent of people successfully keep their resolutions, according to 2014 research by the University of Scranton.

Psychologically speaking, Beck said resolutions are hard to keep for a few different reasons.

The key thing to note is that the brain has two different ways of processing information, System 1 and System 2.

“Simply stated, System 1 is what craves stuff and System 2 is what make decisions, like a New Year’s Resolution,” Beck said. “Unfortunately, as we all know, System 1 and System 2 often don’t agree. You can resolve to lose weight this year (System 2) but that doesn’t mean you aren’t going to crave sweets (System 1). System 1 and System 2 can want different things.”

Biblically speaking, Beck likened the resolution-keeping challenge to Apostle Paul’s description of System 1 and System 2- the conf lict between the “spirit” and the “f lesh.”

Romans 7:15-20: “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my f lesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”

The New Year’s Eve ball dropped in Time Square and many resolutions followed soon after.

Here’s the key, Beck said, “System 2 needs to do more than make a Resolution. System 2 also needs to create and commit to a habit-formation regimen. Two months of doing something everyday, and sometimes a bit longer. But few of us are ready for that sort of effort.”

American’s Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions 1

lose weight

3

spend less, save more

5

2

get organized

4

enjoy life to fullest

6

learn something exciting

8

45 percent of Americans who usually make New Year’s Resolutions

staying fit & healthy

percent who are successful in achieving their resolution

7

quit smoking

9

8

help others in their dreams

10

fall in love spend more time with family

75 46 percent who maintained resolution through first week

percent who maintained resolution past six months

10 Tips for Keeping New Year’s Resolutions 1 2 3 4 5

set short-term goals make your resolution about the journey, not outcome schedule time for your resolution employ the buddy system state your goals

6 7 8 9 10

keep records get an app celebrate little victories reassess your resolutions don’t give up so easily statistics: University of Scranton 2014 study tips: Huffington Post

8

news/Sports

Wednesday 01.15.14

Police respond to trespasser in Duncum brittany jackson managing editor

Police and fire officials responded Monday to an incident at the Duncum Center for Conf lict Resolution after a man described as “unstable” created a disturbance at the offices.

A Duncum Center employee called police Monday at around 11:40 a.m. after the man walked through the center lobby and into a nonpublic area of the building, said ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison. He said center employees were concerned because the man appeared unstable.

Ellison said the man placed a wooden item into a microwave in the building’s kitchen and turned the microwave on, causing a fire in the appliance that set off the

“

To the naked eye it looked a lot more ominous than the reality of it.”

pending on the outcome of the evaluation.

“Today’s incident was a good example of staff people recognizing a problem and calling it Jimmy ellison in immediately,” Ellison Chief of ACUPd said. “It was called in quickly, it was handled quickly, contained quickbuilding’s fire alarm. ly, and we will be moving The smoke has since forward however we need been cleared with no per- to once we determine his manent damage to the mental capacity.” building, he said.

Ellison said the inciAs of 1:30 p.m. Mon- dent appeared more omiday, the man was under- nous than it was. going the process of a “It looks like a spectamental health evaluation. cle because you have two For that reason, his name to three fire trucks, fire has not been released by department supervisor’s ACUPD. vehicles, two to three The Abilene Fire Mar- ACUPD police cars, and shal is assisting ACUPD a few Abilene Police Dein deciding whether to partment cars that came file criminal charges in to assist,” he said. relation to the microwave fire. Ellison said the case is active and uncontact jackson at der investigation, with bkj12a@acu.edu the final decision de-

Brittany Jackson Managing editor

ACUPD and AFD responded to a call on Monday from the Conflict Resolution Center.

An unauthorized man entered the building and set the fire alarm off.

The BCS era saved its best games for last WIED ‘EM AND WEEP

COLLIN WIEDER SPORTS REPORTER

The NCAA’s final year under the current BCS system came to a close last Monday. This year’s slate of games had perfect matchups as every game came down to the wire.

Unfortunately, the state of Texas saw a pretty mediocre bowl season with blow-out losses and close wins. The record for the seven schools from the state was just 3-4.

The bowl season started for the state of Texas with a UT Oregon matchup in the Alamo Bowl.

Mack Brown coached his final game for the Longhorns and it wasn’t pretty.

Oregon dominated Texas on defense, forcing two pick sixes and pressuring quarterback Case McCoy all night. Oregon’s offense put up 469 yards but only 16 points, which proved to be enough for a decisive 30-7 Oregon win.

Texas Tech followed up Texas’ performance that night with a dismantling of Pac-12 South champion Arizona State. Davis Webb had his best game of the

year throwing for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Red Raiders rolled to a 37-23 victory.

New Years Eve featured two Texas schools in bowl games. Rice vs. Mississippi State was the first of the two. Rice couldn’t stop Dak Prescott and the Mississippi State offense all night. Prescott totaled 5 touchdowns as the Bulldogs bulldozed over Rice 44-7.

The second game of New Years Eve might have been the brightest spot of the bowl season for Texas.

Texas A&M played a wellcoached David Cutcliffe Duke team in the Chickfil-A Bowl. This Bowl was arguably the best bowl game of season. A&M fell behind 38-17 at half, but with one last magical

performance by Johnny Manziel, A&M overcame the deficit and won 52-48.

The sophomore from Kerrville had 455 yards of offense and 5 touchdowns to cap a magnificent college career.

The new year started off right for North Texas as they defeated UNLV in

“

ning game.

Michigan State came roaring back with a gutsy performance from sophomore quarterback Connor Cook. Cook put together a wonderful performance against one of the top defenses in the nation going 22 for 36 for 322 yards with 2 touchdowns.

The BCS season might have been the best one in recent history and featured many unlikely opponents in the NCAA.”

the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

UNT and UNLV were tied at half 7-7, but the Mean Green came alive in the second half and outscored the Rebels by 22. The result was a North Texas 36-14 victory in their first bowl appearance in nine years.

The final non-BCS bowl game for the state featured Vanderbilt and Houston.

Vanderbilt came out with a roaring 24-0 run. Johnny O’Korn and the Houston offense didn’t lay down as they came back to tie Vandy 24-24 entering the fourth quarter.

The Vanderbilt running game put the game to rest with a 17-point fourth quarter and a 41-24 win.

The BCS season might have been the best in recent memory and featured many unlikely opponents in the NCAA. The first BCS game of the year pitted Michigan State and Stanford in the Rose Bowl. The Big Ten winner and the Pac12 winner engaged in a throwback for the ages.

Stanford took the lead early on, 10-0 through the legs of Tyler Gaffney and the strong Stanford run-

optimist@acu.edu

Stanford put a late drive together in the fourth quarter, but on a fourth and one backup linebacker Kyler Elsworth made a Troy Polamaluesque tackle to stop Stanford for the win 24-21.

The day was not over ecause Baylor and UCF played in the Fiesta Bowl that night. A game that many people had already decided the outcome even though neither of the teams had ever played in a BCS bowl. The consensus pick was Baylor and some polls even had the bears winning by 17.

The game quickly turned into a shootout with two of the top QBs in the country. The black knights were too much for the bears as they crumbled late in the fourth quarter to lose 52-42.

Alabama and Oklahoma met in the Sugar Bowl for the final BCS game of the night; a bowl that, in many people’s minds, was decided before it even started. Alabama, the winner of the last two national titles came in heavily favored against the offensively-confused Sooners.

The two teams looked

The Optimist

like they switched roles.

Redshirt freshman Trevor Knight looked composed and in control against the tough Tide defense, while A.J. McCarron looked uncharacteristically rattled by a stout Sooners’ defense. Oklahoma had the lead for most of the game and rode the momentum to a shocking 45-31 upset of Alabama.

Ohio State and Clemson kept the high scoring frenzy going in the Orange Bowl. Two of the nations top dual-threat QBs, Tajh Boyd and Braxton Miller, showed off those abilities throughout the game.

Tajh Boyd’s final game saw him account for all six touchdowns and 505 yards. Miller didn’t play quite at that level but did account for four touchdowns. He also threw two costly interceptions in an otherwise great game.

Clemson hung on in a nail-biter 40-35.

The national title came down to two teams with completely different identities. Florida State came in 13-0 with the Heisman Trophy winner with quarterback Jameis Winston.

Auburn came in as a team of destiny with a 12-1 record.

Florida State started off slow which allowed a 21-3 halftime lead. Jameis Winston showed why he deserved the Heisman in the second half. The Seminoles were down 3127 with 1:19 remaining.

Winston, with the season on the line, came up big and with 13 seconds left threw the game winning touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin.

The current BCS system ended on a high note with a true national champion this season. It didn’t have to be decided through a playoff system to see that the only undefeated team left standing was Florida State.

@acuoptimist

contact wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu

ACUOPTIMIST.com

9

sports

wednesday 01.15.13

Salas promoted to new assistant coach Emily Seidel

sports reporter ACU women’s soccer goalkeeping coach, Stephen Salas, has been promoted to full-time assistant coach, head coach Casey Wilson announced last Tuesday.

Salas was hired by coach Wilson summer of 2013 after six years with the soccer program at Hardin-Simmons University. Since coming to ACU, he has helped the coaching staff guide the team to a 13-5-1 overall record, an impressive feat for a rookie team in Div. I competition.

Salas’s main job as a goalkeeping coach has been to work with freshmen goalkeepers Kelsey Dombrowski and Sydney Newton. Both women finished in the top eight of the conference in goals-against average under his direction and combined for 81 saves, a .827 save percentage and a 0.88 goalsagainst average.

As assistant coach, Salas’s responsibilities will widen to recruiting, game analysis and player development.

Coach Wilson believes Salas will bring a lot to the table in

his new position next season.

“His knowledge of the game goes beyond goalkeeping,” said Wilson. “He understands the game in many different levels. After getting to know him over the first few months of the season and the way he stepped up his role in the latter part of the season there was no doubt about whether I wanted to retain him full-time.”

Salas had a noteworthy playing career as the HSU goalkeeper before he began coaching. He played for the Cowboys from 2008-2011 and helped his team win the 2009 American Southwest Conference Tournament and reach the NCAA Championships’ Sweet 16 with an overall record of 12-3-6.

After finishing his NCAA career, Salas became the assistant coach for the HSU women’s soccer team, helping the Cowgirls earn 38 wins and a spot in the 2012 NCAA Sweet 16, along with two conference regular season and tournament championships. His goalkeepers allowed just eight goals (0.36 GAA) in each season and combined for 33 shutouts.

In his two seasons as assis-

Deanna romero chief Photographer

Stephen Salas was promoted to a full-time assistant coaching position over Christmas break. Salas was hired in in the summer of 2013 from Hardin-Simmons. tant coach, HSU extended its regular-season conference unbeaten streak to a NCAArecord 157 matches.

Salas spent six years with the HSU soccer program making his decision to leave a difficult one, but after much prayer he knew

it was the right one to make.

His goal has always been to become an assistant coach at the Div. I level, and he believes ACU has provided him with the best opportunity. He now hopes to help the Wildcats earn their first Southland Conference

Championship in the upcoming 2014 season.

“I have studied a lot of soccer programs throughout the United States and the world, and I want to bring it all back to ACU,” Salas said. “I have always enjoyed teaching the game to play-

ers, so there is nothing better than doing it at the highest division of women’s soccer and at such a great program as ACU.” contact seidel at eks13b@acu.edu

Mosley sends first Wildcat Notes Letter price bahcall sports reporter

File Photo

Director of Athletics Jared Mosley discusses the move to Div. I at a press conference last year.

The ACU Sports department has sent out its first Wildcat Notes letter. The Wildcat Note intends to provide insight to fans and alumni on stories that might not make the headlines throughout the year.

Athletic Director Jared Mosley and Sports Information Director Lance Fleming teamed up to discover a way to keep ACU sports fans updated with the program beyond the headlines.

“We have so many wonderful things happening everyday and we have a number of fans who are always looking for more information,” Mosley said.

Mosley and Fleming discussed a way to provide more insight and perspective to fans that are not necessarily the biggest stories that will be on the front page. Wildcat Notes is a way to keep advocates of ACU sports, financial

supporters and fans in the loop about the direction the program is going.

“Great advocates in helping us tell our story tend to be fellow alumni, friends and donors,” said Mosley.

Wildcat Notes has been in the works for a couple of months and it will continue to grow in the future as more people follow. Each month will be slightly different as far as the topics covered, said Mosley. The letters want to address fan questions and concerns as the product moves forward and gains followers.

There are some set materials that will be seen in each issue such as Meet the Staff, Compliance Corner and Where Are They Now?, which will take a former ACU student athlete and update readers on where their life has taken them.

contact bahcall at prbpmb09a@acu.edu

Biggio, Piazza among BBWAA casualties SLOAN RANGER MATTHEW SLOAN SPORTS DIRECTOR

Ever y Januar y, the Baseball Writer’s Association of America casts their votes to induct the newest members of the baseball Hall of Fame. After this year’s vote, it is clear that the voting process needs to be changed.

Let me preface this by saying that Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas are all deserving candidates.

However, the BBWA A clearly has too many voters that don’t know anything about the game of baseball.

Maddux won 355 games in his 23-year career, posting a 3.16 ER A and punching out 3,371 batters. He won four Cy Young awards and won 18 gold gloves in his career. Yet 16 voters decided to leave Maddux off of their ballot entirely.

This isn’t one guy who made a mistake and left Maddux off by accident. There are actually guys that vote for the most prestigious Hall of Fame in sports that don’t think he belongs in Cooperstown.

Now on to the man with a statue erected in his honor in front of Minute Maid Park: Craig Biggio.

The only man in baseball histor y to make an All-Star Game as a catcher, second baseman and outfielder fell just two votes short of being elected

to the Hall of Fame. Biggio won six Silver Slugger awards, hit 668 doubles, stole 414 bases and had 3,060 hits. But he isn’t worthy of the Hall of Fame? Give me a break.

Of course he will get in next year, or at least that’s what the writers say. But there is no reason he should have missed out on ever y kid’s lifelong dream twice because these jokers never watched an Astros game.

Mike Piazza also got hosed. I won’t run through the numbers for him too, but for goodness’ sake he may be the best hitting catcher ever.

Piazza is on the outside looking in by 74 votes.

That is utterly asinine.

Meanwhile, Jacque Jones and Armando Benitez got a vote each.

J.T. Snow got two votes.

The first person to email me with the teams that those guys played for will get $10. I am sure

“

they had ver y nice careers and were able to support their families and make a great living, but they are not Hall of Famers.

Currently, a player needs to be voted for in 75 percent of the ballots cast by the BBWA A writers in order to be elected to the Hall of Fame.

Voters are allowed to vote for a ma ximum of 10 players a year, but are not required to vote for anyone.

Players that receive at least 5 percent of the votes are eligible to remain on the ballot for another year, for as many as 15 years before they are removed.

All of this criteria is fine with me. However, there needs to be more rules to hold the writers accountable.

A committee of former players and managers that know and love the game should be assembled to keep these writers accountable.

Men such as Joe Torre, Tony LaRussa, Nolan Ryan and Jim Leyland would make up the committee.

The committee would

Jacque Jones and Armando Benitez got a vote. J.T. Snow got two votes. The first person to email me with the teams that those guys played for will get $10.”

be in charge of going through each ballot that is cast and deciding if the person that submitted the ballot still deserves a vote the following year.

For example, if some schmuck votes for Jacque Jones and not Tom Glavine, his vote is immediately revoked forever if the committee deems it necessar y.

If someone submits a blank ballot because “guys that used steroids are listed as options,” the committee banishes the writer from even looking at another Hall of Fame ballot.

The baseball Hall of stor y can be told corFame is a museum that rectly. tells the stor y of America’s Pastime, and changcontact sloan at es to the voting process mes10b@acu.edu need to be made so that

sports

WEDNESDAY 01.15.14

Hawkins, Williams score 59 in loss daniel zepeda sports reporter

The Wildcats men’s basketball team dropped its first two games of conference play last week during a road trip to Louisiana, losing to New Orleans and Southeastern University. Now 0-2 in conference, the team is 6-10 overall but an impressive 4-0 on its home court in Moody Coliseum.

“The fact that we were in both games until the end really says a lot,” said head coach Joe Golding. “To go out and play your first two Southland games on the road is tough to do. We took care of the ball and when we played our style, we were the better team on the court.”

ACU took on the New Orleans Privateers Thurs-

day, and despite keeping the contest competitive for the majority of the game, the men in purple were not able to catch up, taking the loss 87-81.

Junior guard Harrison Hawkins led the way for the Wildcats with 19 points and five assists.

Sophomore guard Parker Wentz added 16 points including four threepoint makes.

New Orleans entered the game as one of the Southland’s worst shooting free throw teams. But its consistency at the line was the real difference maker in its win. The Privateers shot 32-45 from the charity strike, while the Wildcats shot 18-25 as a team.

The Wildcats then traveled to take on the Lions in a game that turned out to be a classic.

Despite trailing 40-25 at halftime, ACU was able to

hold SELU to just 30 percent shooting from the field and force overtime in Hammond, La. Both

“

high 30 points and nine rebounds. Hawkins had an impressive 29 points on 8-17 shooting with

We took care of the ball and when we played our style, we were the better team on the court.

teams scored eight points in the first overtime which forced a second overtime. The Wildcats, exhausted and fatigued, could not keep up as they were outscored 13-5 in 2OT, and lost 85-77.

Junior guards LaDarrien Williams and Hawkins had their best game of the season against SELU. Williams finished with a game-

Joe Golding Head coach acu basketball

eight boards. Combined, the dynamic guards went 20-27 from the free throw line.

Sophomore forward Austin Cooke registered a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Golding praised Williams and Hawkins for being efficient in taking their shots.

“They got into the paint, were great at the

line and it really gives us a lift,” he said. “It’s a mindset of making sure you get to the paint, and once you do that, you’re usually effective in putting up points.”

The men’s squad will play in conference teams in all but three games for the remainder of their schedule. The Wildcats now prepare for the University of Central Arkansas, after Oral Roberts was forced to forfeit its game against ACU originally scheduled for Thursday.

The game against UCA is the first of three straight home games for ‘Cats who will look to improve their home dominance and conference record.

contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu

Collums inks 4-year deal

10

standings Men’s basketball

Team

Div.

Ovrl

SFA SHSU Nicholls St. TAMU-CC MSU ORU SELU UIW UCA NO NSU HBU ACU Lamar

4-0 3-1 3-1 3-1 3-1 2-1 2-2 1-1 1-2 1-3 1-3 1-3 0-2 0-4

15-2 11-5 6-7 6-11 5-11 8-8 7-8 13-2 4-10 4-8 5-10 4-12 6-10 1-15

woMen’s basketball

Team

Div.

Ovrl

SFA ACU Lamar UCA ORU MSU NSU Nicholls St. SELU UIW TAMU-CC SHSU HBU NO

4-0 3-0 3-1 2-1 2-1 2-2 2-2 2-2 2-2 1-1 1-3 1-3 1-3 0-4

10-6 11-6 8-7 8-6 3-10 9-6 9-7 7-8 3-13 7-7 8-7 6-9 5-10 0-15

matthew sloan sports director

Head football coach Ken Collums has signed a 4-year extension to remain with ACU. The announcement of the agreement came just a day after he interviewed to be head coach at the University of Central Arkansas.

Collums just finished his second year as ACU’s head coach, leading the Wildcats to a 6-5 record. Collums was 13-9 over his first two seasons as head coach of the Wildcats.

“Ken and I have been in conversations over the last few days about the future of our program and I made it clear to him he is the coach I want directing our team now and in the future,” said Jared Mosley, director of athletics. “Ken’s vision and direction for the ACU football program is in line with the mission of the university and the athletics department, and I certainly appreciate everything he’s done in that regard.”

Collums arrived at ACU in 2005 as the offensive coordinator and helped put together some of the most explosive offenses in the country.

He has coached two quarterbacks that left ACU with over 12,000 passing yards and also served as the offensive coordinator when Bernard Scott won the Harlon Hill award, which is given to the best Div. II football player in the country. Collums took the head coaching job at ACU in 2011 when Chris Thomsen left and has lead ACU to two straight winning seasons.

“I certainly appreciate the trust placed in me by [ACU president] Dr. Phil Schubert and Jared Mosley,” Collums said. “This has been a long haul to get this program to where it is, but we still have work to do and I’m excited to be the guy leading the way. At the end

who’s hot Junior guard Harrison Hawkins has played exceptionally in the first two men’s basketball Southland Conference games. In their game against New Orleans, he scored 19 points and five assists. Then against Southeastern Louisiana, he scored 29 points and eight rebounds.

briefings Former ACU great sprinter Bill Woodhouse passed away on Thursday, Jan. 9. Along with setting numerous world records in the 1950s, he was ranked fourth in the world in the 220 and tenth in the 100 by Track and Field News in 1958.

Senior wide reciever Taylor Gabriel and senior running back Charcandrick West both participated in the Medal of Honor Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 11. The game included players from all over the country who are eligable for the upcoming NFL draft.

The football team schedule was announced on Friday, Jan. 10. The Wildcats of the day, my family and I a future Wildcat Southland two days after Collums next season with Collums will kickoff their 2014 love ACU and this is where Conference foe. signed his extension when at the helm after complet- season against Georgia we want to be now and in Collums played football they named Steve Camp- ing their first Div. I season State.

File Photo

the future.”

December 18th, several media outlets linked Collums to the coaching vacancy at Central Arkansas, which is his alma mater and

for Central Arkansas in the early 1990s and won a NAIA National Championship as its starting quarterback in 1991.

UCA hired a new coach

bell the head coach. Camp- this fall. bell left Missouri Gulf Coast to take the job with Central Arkansas. contact sloan at The Wildcats will enter mes10b@acu.edu the Southland Conference

Wildcats leave Tech fans guns down reese gwin

sports reporter While the ACU student body was home for the holidays, the women’s basketball team was hard at work.

They won five games over the break, but none compared to the 58-57 victory over Texas Tech University in Lubbock.

It was the ’Cats fifth game in six days. Despite their empty tanks and exhaustion, their adrenaline and passion prevailed.

Aside from the historical significance it had for the program, it also had special importance to head coach Julie Goodenough.

“That was my ninth time to play against Texas Tech as a head coach and my first time to beat them. It really made it sweet to win at Texas Tech,” Goodenough said.

The game was also monumental for Lubbock natives and twins Suzzy and Lizzy Dimba.

The twins had more than a few friends come out

to cheer them on and they lived up to the hype. Suzzy had 16 points and 3 steals, while Lizzy had 9 points and 2 steals. The Wildcats were led in scoring by Renata Marquez with 17 points.

“For me, it was awesome going to Lubbock where I’ve lived my entire life and beating a team that I’ve grown up watching,” Suzzy said.

Goodenough was thoroughly impressed by how the Dimba twins performed and the production they provided in the box score.

“They both performed so well in that game,” Goodenough said. “They had huge baskets and huge rebounds for us.”

ACU has now entered the Southland Conference portion of their schedule.

They are off to a 2-0 start, but their second win came at the hand of a forfeit.

Southeastern Louisiana University made a scheduling error and was File Photo forced to give the win to the ’Cats. While missing a Freshman guard Alexis Wilson drives to the basket. game is never fun, the team

Women’s basketball has added Lakeitha Alston to be an assistant coach.

Alston is a former Charleston Southern allBig South Honoree.

Be sure to follow @OptimistSports on is choosing to look on the Twitter for the latest bright side of things.

ACU sports news.

“Starting off [Conference play] 2-0 is a huge accomplishment regardless of how the wins came about,” Suzzy said.

ACU will be facing conference opponents from here on out. Despite the fact that the competition will be harder and it is Goodenough’s teams’ first year in the Southland, she does not feel there is any added pressure on her girls.

“No one has put any pressure on us,” Goodenough said. “We want to be a program that has godly women seeking excellence.

If we are seeking excellence, then we want to win as many conference games as we can, regardless of postseason.”

The Wildcats will continue their Southland schedule on Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum against Oral Roberts University. contact gwin at erg12a@acu.edu

Upcoming Women’s basketball will take on Oral Roberts on Thursday at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. On Saturday, they will host the University of Central Arkansas at 1 p.m.

The men’s basketball squad will play the University of Central Arkansas Saturday at 3 p.m. following the women’s game.

The track and field team will travel to College Station over the weekend to compete in the Texas A&M 10-team invitational.