Almost Perfect
vol. 100, no. 38
Sunday, february 19, 2012
1 SECTION, 8 PAGES
Softball continues a winning streak
Sports page 8
university
University launches scholarship campaign Hannah barnes editor in chief Dr. Phil Schubert unveiled ACU’s Partnering in the Journey Campaign, a $50 million effort to equip ACU students with a more affordable education, at the President’s Circle Dinner Saturday night. “We want to bridge the gap between cost and higher education,” Schubert said. “We are trying to promote affordability and help students and families to be able to afford higher education.” Lead donors had already committed $15.5 million to the campaign before it was unveiled. “I expect to hear broad and significant support,” Schubert said. “We don’t want cost to be the reason that someone does not get to attend ACU.” Schubert and other
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YIPPEE
KAI-O’S
mandy lambright Chief Photographer
Leah Cameron, junior family studies major from Houston and director of Alpha Kai Omega, accepts her the overall winner trophy at Sing Song 2012. This is the first year Alpha Kai Omega has won Sing Song. Sing Song 2012 Winners
Overall Winners
Originality
Appearance
Entertainment
Vocals
Men’s Division:
Men’s Division:
Men’s Division:
Men’s Division:
Men’s Division:
1st: Gamma Sigma Phi 2nd: Trojans 3rd: Galaxy
1st: Gamma Sigma Phi 2nd: Galaxy 3rd: Trojans
1st: Galaxy 2nd: Gamma Sigma Phi 3rd: Trojans
1st: Gamma Sigma Phi 2nd: Trojans 3rd:Galaxy
1st: Gamma Sigma Phi 2nd: Trojans 3rd: Galaxy
Women’s Division:
Women’s Division:
Women’s Division:
Women’s Division:
Women’s Division:
1st: Alpha Kai Omega 2nd: Sigma Theta Chi 3rd: Ko Jo Kai
1st: Alpha Kai Omega 2nd: Sigma Theta Chi 3rd: Ko Jo Kai
1st: Alpha Kai Omega 2nd: Sigma Theta Kai 3rd: Ko Jo Kai
1st: Sigma Theta Chi 2nd: Alpha Kai Omega 3rd: Ko Jo Kai
1st: Ko Jo Kai 2nd: Alpha Kai Omega 3rd: Sigma Theta Chi
Mixed Division:
Mixed Division:
Mixed Division:
Mixed Division:
Mixed Division:
1st: Junior class 2nd: Freshman class 3rd: Sophomore class
1st: Junior class 2nd: Senior class 3rd: Freshman class
1st: Junior class 2nd: Freshman class 3rd: Sophomore class
1st: Junior class 2nd: Freshman class 3rd: Sophomore class
1st: Junior class 2nd: Freshman class 3rd: Sophomore class
The winning acts will donate their prize of $1,000 to charity of their choice. Alpha Kai will donate their winnings to Love 146. Emily Fleming, junior accounting major from Keller, said she enjoyed her time working on this Sing win in Sing Song history. Staff report “We had it once and Song and is already lookthey took it from us, so this ing forward to next year. “It was a lot of work one means even more,” The women of Alpha Kai Cameron said. “We had and there were a lot of late nights, but we had a blast Omega claimed their first fun and worked hard.” Brittany Polnisch, se- the whole time,” Fleming ever Sing Song title in club history Saturday night, nior art major from Bay- said. “I will definitely do while the class of 2013 town, said the win made Sing Song next year. I met won their third straight her decision to pledge in a lot of new people and it mixed voice title and the her senior year even bet- was a great way to branch out.” men of Gamma Sigma Phi ter. If the class of 2013 wins “This is really exciting captured their 10th title in to win my first Sing Song the mixed division next 11 years. Alpha Kai Omega direc- with these girls,” Pol- year, the class will have tor Leah Cameron, junior nisch said. “I’m proud of swept its entire four years family studies major from everyone and especially at ACU. Nick Tatum, famHouston, said she’s happy Leah. The experience was ily studies major from Lubbock, has directed the to bring the club its first great.”
Kaios win their first, GSP wins tenth out of 11, juniors sweep three
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We had it once and they took it from us, so this one means even more.”
roe, said the up-and-down results the club received proved to make the win more exciting. “It was a roller coaster of emotions after we got Leah Cameron second place for appearjunior family studies ance Saturday afternoon major from houston but then we came back and won everything that class acts the first three night,” VanSteenberg said. “We worked so long and years. “I’m totally humbled by hard, but all this work has another victory,” Tatum paid off.” Gamma Sigma Phi will said. “We’re pumped for donate their prize money next year.” The junior class will to Habitat for Humanity. Alpha Kai, Gamma donate their winnings to Osteogenesis Imperfecta Sigma Phi and the soonto-be seniors will defend Foundation. Gamma Sigma Phi their titles next year, claimed it’s fourth straight when the theme will be Sing Song victory and 10th “Sing Song Vacation.” win in the last 11 years. Connor VanSteenberg, contact optimist at sophomore business manoptimist@acu.edu agement major from Con-
I believe this cause is going to be championed by faculty and staff.” Dr. Phil schubert president of the university
members of the Senior Leadership Team worked together to put the fundraising plan into motion, Schubert said. “We talked about it and tried to assess the likely level of donor support,” Schubert said. “We tried to establish a goal that was reasonable and fundable.” The university administration hopes to have the full $50 million in place sooner rather than later through donations by alumni or others interested, he said. “I’d like to think in 18-24 months we will have secured the entire amount,” Schubert said. “Having one-third in hand is going to help us tremendously.” Just last semester, the university announced plans to implement block tuition beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year. “It not only improves the affordability of a degree, but it provides additional f lexibility for students,” Schubert said. Under the block tuition plan, students will be able to take a minimum of 24 hours and up to a maximum of 36 hours per year for a flat rate, including general fees. Students will be able to split their hours over both semesters as well as in summer. Schubert said the Partnering in the Journey Campaign is the university’s aggressive step toward further assisting students financially. “I believe this cause is going to be championed by faculty and staff,” Schubert said. “It is always on our mind.”
contact barnes at hab07a@acu.edu
inside news
opinion
video
news
Griggs Center blends entrepreneurship and philanthropy in learning
CFO Kelly Young explains why the new salon will benefit ACU
Sing Song 2012 winners celebrate their Saturday night victory
Images of Aging photo competition entries due Friday
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Abilene Christian University
acuoptimist.com
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