Features Page 7
Beyond the Plate: Local eatery vol. 101, no. 29
wednesday, january 16, 2012
not your typical Abilene restaurant
1 SECTION, 10 PAGES
student life INSIDE OPINION The Editorial Board, and the Optimist, adjusting to staff turnover
Dean of students to leave post staff report The university is beginning a national search for a new vice president for Student Life and dean of students. Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson will remain in the po-
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I wish ACU the very best, and it is my deepest prayer that she will grow and thrive in Godly wisdom.”
Faulkner University, also a Church of Christ-affiliated university, in Montgomery, Ala. Dr. Allison Garrett, executive vice president of Dr. jean-noel thompson the university, sent an vice president for student life and dean of students email to all students on thompson Friday to announce that sition until March 8, when gin work as vice president the university will appoint he will leave ACU to be- for student services at an interim director of Stu-
graduation
dent Life while it searches for Thompson’s permanent successor. “Jean-Noel has been an integral part of the ACU management team, and has done a wonderful job assembling and leading one of the best student see thompson page 5
administration
SPORTS
Provost appoints CEHS dean
Men’s basketball team giving back to the community
mark smith
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editor in chief The school year began with three inter im deans leading three colleges in snider the university. Soon after appointing the permanent dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, the provost named Dr. Donnie Snider the dean of the College of Education and Human Services. The search committee for the CEHS dean named Snider, who had been serving in the position in an interim capacity since the summer, as the only final-
SPORTS Women’s basketball coach Goodenough snags 300th victory
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SPORTS Throwers Kerjean, Lakey win at Tech Open on Saturday
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FEATURE Sibling rivalries thrive in ACU athletic competitions Page 4
The Commencement began at 7:30 p.m. with a reception immediately following the ceremony in the Hunter Welcome Center. Dr. Andy Little, assistant professor of business law see commencement page 5
see snider page 5
Ag department moves from Zona Luce to make way for School of Nursing Page 4
NEWS ACU installs statue as part of Lunsford Trail near Hardin Page 8 mandy lambright chief photographer Lauren Fjordbak, December graduate, grins as she moves her tassel over after accepting her diploma.
Partridge named Marshall Scholar before graduating Page 8
NEWS Honors College offering spring break colloquium in New York City Page 5
SPORTS For a full game recap of last night’s men’s basketball game, go to:
Ceremony sends off seniors marissa jones oxford correspondent Nearly 200 undergraduate students received their diplomas on Dec. 14 in Moody Coliseum. “It’s really strange gradu-
ating a semester early, because a vast majority of my friends still have a whole semester to spend together,” said Carrie Baker, senior psychology major from Plano. “That’s probably the saddest part about it, that I have to leave my friends
administration
Three to interview for CBS dean josh garcia managing editor
acuoptimist.com
PHOTOS Our camera staff documented some of the finals week festivities
behind. On the other hand, I’m definitely excited about being able to experience ‘real life.’” Baker plans on working with public relations for a small jewelry company in the London area now that she’s graduated.
dr. robert rhodes provost
ist near the end of last semester. Snider interviewed with faculty on campus at the beginning of finals week and, after hearing faculty feedback, the search committee unanimously recommended Snider to the provost, Dr. Robert Rhodes. Rhodes then appointed Snider to the permanent position, effective Jan. 1. Snider has worked for 30 years in public education, 20 of which as a school administrator before accepting a faculty position at ACU about six years ago. “He brings in a wealth of public education experience,” Rhodes said. “He understands the needs in teacher education and human services. He is a good listener and someone who looks for the best interest of the staff, faculty and students.” As dean, Snider will oversee five departments: Kinesiology and Nutrition, Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of
NEWS
NEWS
He brings in a wealth of public education experience.”
The College of Biblical Studies Dean Search Committee has selected three candidates for campus interviews. On Jan. 8, Provost Robert Rhodes announced in an email to faculty and staff that the search com-
ACUOPTIMIST.COM
cukrowski
Hamilton
mittee would be interviewing Dr. Ken Cukrowski, Dr. Mark Hamilton and Dr. Eddie Sharp for the position
of dean of the College of Biblical Studies. Hamilton is associate dean of sharp the Graduate School of Theology and professor of Old Testament. Sharp received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate de-
The Optimist
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Abilene Christian University
grees from ACU, was the preaching minister at University Church of Christ for 30 years and is a member of the Board of Trustees. Cukrowski has served as interim dean of the College of Biblical Studies since Marchand is an associate professor of New Testament. Rhodes said that while the qualifications for all deans are fundamentally
@acuoptimist
the same, the CBS dean plays an important spiritual role for the university. “It is a unique college on the campus in the sense that it is one that we all feel kindred ownership with, in the sense that it represents a core aspect of who we are and in many ways why we’re here,” Rhodes said. see candidates page 5
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