The Optimist - 03.07.14

Lubbock bound Softball team prepares for game against Tech Sports Page 6 vol. 102, no. 43

friday, march 07, 2014

1 SECTION, 6 PAGES

INSIDE NEWS ACU students study abroad this summer to study war and peace in Europe Page 3

FEATURES Stuck here for spring break? We offer some fun options of things to do in Abilene

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OPINION The Editorial Board talks about the lost art of fasting in this season of Lent

“Many of the students passing by became curious and started asking me what they were for.”

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SPORTS Baseball prepares for rematch with Missouri State Page 6

NEWS Jeffrey Wendling spoke to ACU students on the importance of a major in criminal justice Page 3

NEWS COBA graduate students create a start-up business that is already attracting attention Page 3

OPINION Mandy Lambright reflects upon her impending graduation

Read more on Page 3 paige otway Staff Photographer

Sticky notes cover the doors of the Campus Center. For National Philanthropy Day, students showed their appreciation to people who have contributed to the campus.

Energy conservation to save $6M allison brown staff reporter ACU’s school color is purple, but a new partnership with Cenergistic Energy Conservation Company is looking to make campus little more green.

ACU has entered a fiveyear contract with EnergyCAP in an effort to conserve energy on campus.

EnergyCAP is an energy conservation company that works within schools, churches and healthcare institutions to save energy and money on their campuses.

Renata Marquez wraps up her storied ACU career Saturday in Moody Coliseum Page 6

ONLINE

denzil lim student reporter Students’ Association and the Association for Computing Machinery collaborated to change the voting system on campus from ballots to an online site. Rather than heading to the Campus Center in person, students will soon be able to vote during elections through the

Read more at acuoptimist.com

Corey Ruff, executive director of facilities and campus management, said EnergyCAP has a proven track record with other institutions like ACU, focusing mainly on behavioral changes toward energy use rather than equipment replacement.

“They basically just help

hold each of us accountable, very much like a personal trainer helps motivate their trainee to be successful at reaching their goals,” Ruff said.

Jan Noel-Smith, EnergyCAP’s media correspondent, said EnergyCAP projects ACU will have a net savings

everything on ACU’s campus that uses energy, from the biggest air conditioning units to the printers and fax machines.

These energy specialists will conduct audits at various times to look at all of the systems on campus and see how they are running. Each utility bill paid by ACU will be evaluated and inputted into software called “Energy Cap” to identify opportunities for savings.

“Without this type of analysis, the bills just get paid,” Noel-Smith said. “This see conserve page 3

internet.

The ACU voting website is still in beta testing but will be implemented either this semester or the next. The site allows students to log-in through ACU single sign-on. Users will then be able to vote for elections occurring on campus.

Dylan Benac, SA president and senior political science major from Boerne, began planning

for the move from paper to technology two years ago.

Benac had to plan and obtain approval from the university, working alongside the former Association for Computing Machinery president, Allen Taylor, senior information technology major from Austin and vice president Travis Cramer, senior computer science major from Flower Mound. Be-

cause online voting is new to campus, Taylor and Cramer were tasked with programming the system from the ground up but encountered issues with the code.

Taylor searched for a voting software available for public use.

“I spent about a week dissecting the program’s code and slowly studied how it worked,” Taylor said.

By making some tweaks and adding and removing code to the software, Taylor and Cramer were able to set up the voting system that has recently gone online for tests. Servers were purchased and the university allowed the site to be registered under acu. edu. Taylor also designed an ACU themed interface see voting page 3

Students rope up for 54th annual rodeo

VIDEO The International Students’ Association hosted a food fest to promote culture

corey ruff executive director of facilities and campus management

of $6.4 million over the next 10 years.

“This is very exciting and will help assist ACU in addressing the affordability question that much of higher education is facing,” Ruff said. “This will allow ACU to use millions of dollars, which would have been sent to the utility companies, for other, more strategic initiatives to help further the mission of ACU.” Noel-Smith said most students will actually begin to notice a lot of changes around campus in the future.

Within the next few years, energy experts will inspect

Campuswide voting moved to online site

Page 4

SPORTS

“

This is very exciting and will help assist ACU in addressing the affordability question that much of higher education is facing.”

jimmy isbel sports reporter The ACU Rodeo is back again for another year of steer saddling and calf scrambling.

Members of Alpha Epsilon Sigma club, part of the Agriculture and Environmental Science department, will be in the Campus Center after Chapel until 1 p.m. encouraging students to register.

The 59th ACU Rodeo

will take place at the Taylor County Expo Center on Thursday, March 26.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. and the entry fee is $100 for each four-member team.

“This year we are focusing on making the rodeo safer for participants and spectators as well,” said Morgan Ruble, registration coordinator.

“As opposed to last year, we are asking spectators to sign a medical release form due to the safety

measures we are taking in order to prevent an accident in the crowd.”

For the past few years the rodeo consisted of the same three events for men and women. This year, there will be two events for a four-man team, two separate events for a twoman team and the crowd favorite, the single Queen and Roughie event.

The Queen event consists of one member of

Abilene Christian University

see rodeo page 3

mandy lambright

ACU students are thrown from a steer during the 2013 ACU Rodeo at the Taylor County Expo Center.

friday 03.07.14

07

08

friday

11 a.m. Men’s Baseball vs.

Missouri State University

1 p.m. Women’s Basketball at University of the Incarnate Word

5:30 p.m. Women’s Softball at Texas Tech University

10

monday

Spring Break

12 p.m. Women’s Tennis at University of the Incarnate Word

3 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs.

University of the Incarnate Word

Chapel checkup To date:

09

sunday

saturday

2

Announcements Remaining:

57 43 @acuoptimist The Optimist optimist@acu.edu

Springboard Ideas Challenge registration is open.

Teams must submit an application along with a minibusiness plan online. Registration costs $10, and all submissions must be turned in by 5 p.m. today. For more information, email griggscenter@acu.edu.

ACU Rodeo registration is open in the Campus Center.

The rodeo will be hosted by the Agricultural and Environmental Science Club at the Taylor County Expo Center Horse Barn on March 27. Cost is $100 per team of four. General admission is $5 or $8 for two.

Registration for the Kirk Goodwin Run is open. Applicants can register for the Run the West half marathon for $80 or the classic 5k for $20. The race will be on April 26. To register, visit www.kirkgoodwinrun.com.

Women for ACU is offering a $2,000 scholarship for men and women. All applications and materials must be submitted by March 21.

For more information, visit www.acu.edu. WACUscholarship.com.

The Images of Aging Photo Contest deadline is March 15.

For more information, visit blogs.acu.edu/imagesofaging, email imagesofaginf@acu.edu or call 325-674-2350.

Upward Bound Summer Academy is seeking students to work as student advisors this summer. For more information, contact D’Angelo Sands at 324-674-2514.

ACU Film Fest’s first annual screenplay writing competition ends at 5 p.m. today.

Submit scripts to bcs10b@ acu.edu.

Law school scholarship applications for Baylor and Pepperdine Law Schools are available through the political science department in Room 220 of the Hardin Administration building. Application deadline is at 4 p.m on March 26. For more information, email Carmen Price at cjp11a@acu.edu or call 325-675-2005.

Abilene Civic Center will host the Collegiate Career and Internship Fair from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on March 20. Students are encouraged to bring multiple copies of their resume and professional dress is required.

Police log SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 02/28/2014 3:30 p.m. An ACU staff member reported having received sexually inappropriate text photos and messages from an unknown sender.

03/01/2014 9:40 a.m. ACUPD located a driver who knocked down a light pole on North Judge Ely. 03/01/2014 9:49 p.m. An area resident reported ongoing barking by a neighbor’s dogs. ACUPD officers found the dogs entangled in their leashes. Once the dogs were freed, they stopped barking.

03/03/2014 9:30 a.m. ACUPD investigated a report of a disgruntled student making threatening comments to an administrator.

03/03/2014 12:28 p.m. ACUPD investigated a resident student’s suicide attempt.

ACCIDENT 2 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY 7 ALARM 3 ANIMAL CALL 1 ASSIST 1 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK 15 CITATION ISSUANCE 2 CHECK BUILDING 183 DISTURBANCE 1 EVENT SUPPORT 5

Weekly Stats For Week of Feb. 25 - March 04, 2014 - Total Events: 362

FIGHT 1 FIRE 1 FOOT PATROL 11 FOUND PROPERTY 6 HARASSMENT 2 HIT & RUN 1 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP 7 LOST PROPERTY 2 MONITOR FACILITY/LOT 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: INFLATE TIRE 1

MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART 5 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK 5 NOISE VIOLATION 3 OTHER 7 PARKING LOT PATROL 14 PARKING VIOLATION 2 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE 4 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 8 RANDOM PATROL 9 REPORT WRITING 6

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 2 SUSPICIOUS PERSON 3 TRAFFIC HAZARD 1 TRAFFIC STOP 3 WELFARE CHECK 1 Police Tip of the Week: College life can be stressful at times. Remember that ACU offers a full range of counseling services to all students.

Volunteer Opp0rtunities Belyway Park Baptist Church is seeking volunteers to help with special needs children in their program Kingdon Kids.

Volunteers would be needed on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. For more information, contact Sharla Sanders at 325-692-6540 or sharlasanders@beltway.org.

Grace Point Church is looking for creative students with craftsmanship skills to volunteer for Vacation Bible School.

Volunteers will be creating props, sets and decorations in preparation for the program. For more information, call Ruth Gregory at 325-675-5060.

The Center for International Education is looking for one male and one female volunteer to serve as conversation partners with ACU scholars who are looking to improve their English language skills. Volunteers will be required to spend one hour a week practicing conversation, but the day, time, and location are up to the students to decide. For more information or to volunteer, contact Leanne Moore at 325-674-2821 or lmm10b@acu.edu.

New Life Alliance is searching for tutors, Khan Academy coaches, junior acheivement teachers and volunteers for its upcoming Easter program. For more information, contact Ashley Parker at 325-672-1636 or aparker@newlifealliance.org.

The International Rescue Committee in Abilene needs your help in welcoming refugees to our community. We are seeking the following donations: hygiene and cleaning supplies, bed linen, towels and kitchen items (dishware, silverware, pots/pans etc). Donations are accepted Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m. or by appointment.

Their office is located at 3303 North Third Street Suite D in Abilene, Texas. For more information contact MariePascale Manishimwe at 325-675-5643.

Treadaway Kids is looking for more students and volunteers to join the group. For more information, contact Carly Henderson at cah10a@acu.edu.

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 325-672-2635 or cecilia@friendsforlife. org.

Volunteers are needed to help with daily activities organized by the staff at Chisholm House. This could involve playing board games, helping with arts and crafts and helping with a walking club. For some of these tasks volunteers may be asked to lead a group or work along side a staff coordinator. Volunteer opportunities are from 2-4 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. daily.

Contact Larissa Blankenship at 817-578-9296.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.org.

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.

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 Street and Beech Street 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 325-6950092 or jharvread@aol.com. To serve on Thursdays, contact Margaret Beasley at 325-692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net. To serve on Fridays contact Terry Stremmel at terry.stremmel@acu.edu.

Univerity 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.

The Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help with filing 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 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-4 p.m. For more information, contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 orrobertabrown51@hotmail. com. For more information on the program visit http://www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc.htm.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters offers two volunteer programs. Lunch Buddies pairs volunteers with a little brother or little 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 little 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.

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.

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

3

news

Friday 03.07.14

Alumnus returns to discuss major’s future brittany jackson managing editor Jeffrey Wendling (’71) visited campus on Thursday to advocate the expansion of ACU’s criminal justice major.

Wendling was the first person to graduate ACU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.

The programs has existed for more than 30 years, drawing in students and educating them to go on to various careers, in federal, state and national job positions.

He talked with students from a political science class focusing on terrorism studies, joined the political science department for a Departmental Chapel and at lunch with a select few criminal justice majors to talk about jobs in the federal government.

While talking to students, Wendling’s main goal was

to express the importance of Christ-centered persons in the police service and criminal justice areas of employment.

“Having Christians in law enforcement, I’m telling you, it’ll change the whole paradigm of what we do and how we do it,” he said.

“When you take leaderships courses, the practical aspect of a Christian view on how you lead people, how you how you interact with them, how you talk to them, and visit with them, is much different for us as Christians than it is for other that don’t share our faith and our core values and how we see the world.

He said the federal government work requires some sort of a degree, with many positions requiring a masters, but the police service is different. Wendling said the effect of this is more police officers being

want people to know.”

He agreed with Wendling on the importance of Christfollowers within the police positions.

“People who are Christians, who are in law enforcement, are a cut above in the service they provide, in the protection that they give to neighborhoods, and to states, and even our national government,” Coates said.

Wendling also enforced the importance of appreciating ACU’s Christcentered community.

“When you take the brittany jackson Managing editor opportunity as time goes Jeffrey Wendling eats lunch with several students to discuss employment in the fedon, to reflect through eral government. everything,” he said. “You’ll see the graciousness of our immature. To add to the Neal Coates, chair of the the bureaucratic arena, giving Lord and how he problem, he said police Department of the Political or city managers, but our protects us, and how there’s officers aren’t paid enough Science, brought Wendling department also wants to no equal.” for all they do. to campus to enforce that really help put out people He said Christian workers point within the major. in law enforcement and in the field bring another “We really feel called criminal justice fields,” contact jackson at level of energy and honesty not just to put out people Coates said. “We’ve got such bkj12a@acu.edu to police forces. in the political area, or a good program, and we

Students praise ACU through sticky notes jesse harper student reporter Student Alumni Association used student’s input in the celebration of National Philanthropy Day. On Feb. 27 the Student Alumni Association partnered with Case ASAP to celebrate National Philanthropy Day. This year, SAA set up three stations; in the Brown Library, Moody Coliseum and the campus center to involve students

by asking them to write down specific reasons why they are thankful for ACU on purple post-it notes. These notes were placed on the front entrance doors of the campus center to be read by the public.

Samantha Adkins, Assistant Director of the SAA, said they wanted to try something different this year that could involve the student body and give them a chance to show their appreciation to people who have contributed to campus.

“Without the gifts and contributions given to ACU, not everything would be available on campus,” said Adkins.

Drew Ritchie, junior Bible major from Lake Jackson, specifically asked students what they were thankful for on campus and got some positive feedback.

Students and staff could also post their thankful comments on Social Media.

SAA asked their peers to post “#iLoveACU” so they could identify each comment.

McKinley Musgrave, senior speech pathology from Abilene, said there were many admissions and that she discovered many more reasons to appreciate Abilene Christian University.

“This gave us a chance to let our peers know why they were doing it and figuring out there was a lot of reasons to love ACU,” said Musgrave.

“It was also a great way to connect the Alumni with students.”

Aubree Selinger, senior Family Studies major and

president of SAA from grapevine, said that the purple post-it notes received much attention while they were in the Campus Center last week.

“While I was placing them on the doorways many students interest were sparked,” said Selinger.

“Many of the students passing by become curious and started asking me what they were for. I thoroughly explained and that made students want to add their favorite things about ACU.”

Will Mack, senior accounting major from Boerne, said many students have similar subjects and objects they love about ACU. “I would say the Lunsford Trail, social clubs, the Bean and the Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center were the most mentioned by students,” said Mack.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Conserve: ACU partners with EnergyCAP from page 1 software allows us to really compare apples to apples.”

Noel-Smith called this look at ACU’s energy use an “energy safari” starting with the big items and working down to the small details.

“We want to look at how things are used, why they are used and how things should be used to be the most efficient,” Noel-Smith said.

Most energy analysis will occur when people are out of the buildings, but conservation efforts will affect how students, faculty and staff use the campus.

“We are in the early stages of the Cenergistic program,” Ruff said. “So far, we have been focusing our efforts on unoccupied times, so the campus

has not really noticed any changes. Eventually, the university will adopt some energy conservation guidelines that will help keep us on track.”

After energy audits occur, the engineers, along with ACU’s physical resource team, will devise an energy management action plan to reduce energy cost and maximize system efficiency on campus.

This push towards a greener campus will impact students, faculty and staff in practical ways.

“The great thing about sustainability initiatives is they cross all boundaries and allow everyone to participate and do their part,” Ruff said. “Being good stewards of resources that God has so graciously blessed us with just

naturally falls hand-inhand with the mission of ACU.” Students living in oncampus housing and dormitories will be asked to help save energy.

“We’re going to ask people do to things they would do if they were the ones paying the bills,” NoelSmith said. “We want to educate ACU’s campus on using energy wisely.”

Simple changes like unplugging dorm room devices when they aren’t being used could add to big savings in the future.

EnergyCAP has been nationally recognized for their work with their clients and the successful results they consistently produce.

On average, clients have about 27 percent savings in energy.

Though the contract with EnergyCAP is for the next five years, NoelSmith said it is a program that should never end.

Continued programs will still be provided to ACU at no extra cost even after the contract is up.

“The cheapest unit of energy is the one that’s never made,” Noel-Smith said. “The cleanest is one that’s never created.”

The team behind implementing these changes hope they will lead to more sustainable usage of systems and facilities on ACU’s campus, all while saving money and energy.

“Along with an exceptional education, we are equipping our students for Christian service and to be leaders in every aspect of their lives,” Ruff said.

Rodeo: 59th ACU Rodeo focuses on safety from page 1 a women’s team who is selected by her teammates to catch a wild goat and milk it. The Roughie event consists of one member of a men’s team who is selected by his teammates to ride a steer for the longest amount of time.

A lot of participation comes from the various social clubs, mainly because each team is

rewarded intramural points.

Bryce Gerlach, president of the AES club, and Sara Bishop, co-vice president, contacted each social club’s intramural directors and have attended their club meetings to inform them about the event.

“As usual, college students decide to sign up last-minute, but we expect a larger turnout for this year’s rodeo because

of the involvement of smaller clubs,” Bishop said. “I think we are going to have a high turnout for the Queen and Roughie event.”

For the men, the events include: calf branding, double mugging and steer saddling. For the women, the events include: catch those kids, calf scramble, chicken ‘n’ eggs and calf f lag tying.

The AES club will set up a booth outside of the

Voting: System allows groups to vote online from page 1

voting. Even if the user tries to submit different votes, only the first one that goes through will be counted.

With the use of ACU’s single sign-on and the onevote method, the voting system is well prepared for the coming elections.

In the past, most elections occurred in the Campus Center from noon to 5 p.m.

The time frame and location for collection ballots reached less than 25 percent of the student population, Benac said.

With the new voting system, students who rarely visit the Campus Center can simply go online and vote using their mobile devices.

interface for the website.

“The voting website is easy to use,” Benac said. “In the back-end of it, we can generate different types of elections for the campus to use.”

The system allows for the administrators to break down a voting election into positions, candidates, voters and even blocks.

Benac said the blocks will allow the voter list to be organized appropriately for use.

“The list has already been put together at Zellner by people who work to provide it,” he said. “All we need to do is to email them for a list.”

A list of voters prevents users from voting more Although ease of access than once and prohibits is a definite outcome from those who are not the system, Benac said undergraduates from students who wish to run for

office have to work harder to get students to vote, rather than just promoting themselves outside the Campus Center.

With the website holding valuable information, servers have been installed with security measures and firewalls to prevent hacking attempts.

Benac and Taylor said even if the servers were breached, the list of users and their information is anonymous.

“If anyone tried to steal a user’s information,” Benac said, “he will be faced with charges for identity theft.”

SA and ACM will continue to work together to confirm that the voting system will be operational for the future.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

barn to allow members of each team to sign in, sign the medical release form and receive their ACU Rodeo T-shirt after the event. The shirts will be sold to non-participants after spring break for $12.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

“If ACU can model for them for the rest of their our students what good lives.” stewardship truly looks like and have them partner with contact the optimist at us on this journey, then our jmcnetwork@acu.edu students can take that with

Opinion

4

Friday 03.07.14

editorial

Lent: How to make the most of your fast the issue The reasons for participating in Lent don’t always reflect the meaning of the season.

our take Participating in Lent should be a special commitment with the purpose of strengthening spiritual devotion.

Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of Lent, also known as spring training for Christians.

The 40-day fasting period is traditionally celebrated by Catholics to commemorate the 40 years the Israelites spent wandering in the wilderness and Jesus’ 40 days of fasting and prayer in the

desert. During this season, participants abstain from various indulgences, such as meat or alcohol, to strengthen their devotion and faith.

Christians in other denominations often jump on the bandwagon, refusing sweets, nixing Neflix and saying farewell to Facebook until Easter Sunday.

The practice of denying desires is about as counter-cultural an activity as it gets. However, the sacred time has morphed into a re-resolution-setting, new diet-starting excuse with a religious holiday as justification. In turn, Lent has lost its original reverence and essence.

The purpose of partaking in the fast is to experience the true meaning of sacrifice. Through the struggle comes a greater understanding.

A few tips for those participating in this Lent season: Do not compare your

Lenten fast to another.

Temptations vary by individual and spread across the spectrum of excess

“

But, should you struggle in choosing, take counsel from someone who knows your everyday routine. We are often unconscious to our own vices, addictions or dependencies.

Instead of fasting, consider replacing one selfindulging activity for one that serves someone else.

Or consider adopting a practice that will benefit your spiritual well-being.

This is a good alternative for those who are living on the bare minimum from day to day.

Resist publicizing and flaunting your chosen

The purpose of partaking in the fast is to experience the true meaning of sacrifice.”

or obsession. Self-denial involves examining your personal habits, struggles or excesses.

fast. If Lent is aimed at refocusing your attention and desires, His affirmation will be sufficient.

Fasting, by its nature, should be reflective, demanding and God-glorifying. Lent is not a mandated ritual for Christians and not the only opportunity for a lifestyle evaluation. For those choosing to take part in Lent for the next 40 days, participate in the spiritual discipline by giving Lent more than the lint of our pockets. contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

DAILY doodle dosage

Guest Column

Ben Todd

The ever-nearing headlights OLD DOG, SAME TRICKS

MANDY LAMBRIGHT

It’s finally March again, which typically means three things for me: college basketball has commandeered my television until April, baseball has once again graced this great country with its presence and my pasty-white legs will finally get to see the sun again.

This year is much the same as years past (although the weather is putting a damper on my shortswearing), until you factor in the constant heartattack that comes with the realization that in three months I will be a college graduate.

In three months I have to be an adult. In three months I have to get a big-girl job.

And heaven knows I have absolutely no idea where I’ll be in three months.

There is only one word that could come close to accurately describing how I feel about these next three months – terrified.

My only comfort is in knowing that I’m not alone.

This terror is plaguing not only me but most, if not all, seniors in the graduating class of 2014. It’s written across our faces, plain as day.

It’s in the bags under our eyes from late nights of senior projects, résumé building and job applications. It’s in the frazzled hair and sweatpants that have replaced our everyday wardrobes. It’s in the slight grimaces that cross our faces as someone asks, “What are you going to do when you graduate?” And it’s the blank stares that come over us as we rack our brains for a suitable, yet still noncommittal answer.

We are deer in the headlights…and the headlights

are ever-nearing.

If you know a senior who’s currently going through the process of becoming a bonafide adult, you may feel helpless. You can’t write their résumés for them. You can’t fill out their applications for them. And you can’t go to their interviews for them.

(Be honest, we all saw Stepbrothers – total disaster.)

Even though you can’t do the big things for them, you can do small things that will have a huge effect. First off, this is college. We all love free food. We love it even more when we’re stressed out. Bake cookies, offer to cook dinner or take a friend out for the night to escape their responsibilities. Offer words of encouragement or a shoulder to cry on during a busy or difficult week. The possibilities are endless and the impact it will have is indescribable.

And if you ARE like me, pulling your hair out a little more each week and preparing to curl up in the fetal position at any moment, just breathe. We are students at an incredible institution, with incredible professors and advisors that desperately want to see us succeed.

We are going to be just fine.

So, do what you need to do to get where you’re going, wherever that may be. But don’t forget where you are.

This is our last semester of college, our last chance to live it up with our closest friends.

Don’t get so busy preparing a life for the future that you forget to live in the now. contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Column

Thai celebration makes a big splash

– Songkran.

On the three hottest days of the year, Thailand decides to let off some steam by having a nationwide water fight.

It’s possibly more epic than you are imagining it right now. Let me go down the list of activities: getting together with your friends, put giant barrels of water in the back of your pickup truck, get your Super Soakers out, go to the center of town where you can find everyone has done the same thing and just start soaking people

with water. You can also buy blocks of ice on the side of the road to make the water in your buckets freezing, and it’s worth hearing the screams of people splashed with the frigid fluid. You can also have a competition with friends as to who can put out the most cigarettes and dilute the most beer, though you might get a swear word or two in return.

My hometown, Chiang Mai, celebrated Songkran more than any other city.

Apart from celebrating this Songkran the day before and after (making it five days instead of three), our city has a gigantic moat where there is unlimited squirt gun ammo. The moat is also where the water fight is the most crowded. Some

March 5 1:40 p.m.

March 5 11:26 a.m.

DAILY DOODLE DOSAGE BEN TODD CARTOONIST

I don’t understand why people call it spring break when it’s still an ice age out there.

Just to be safe, maybe spring break should be moved to a later date when it’s guaranteed to be warmer.

Back in Thailand, our spring break actually happened in April. Some of you may scoff at the thought of doing so much schoolwork before this break, but there is one reason in particular why this extension to vacation was worth it in Thailand

segments of the moat even have set up small dance concerts for the soaked citizens and tourists. Everyone is smiling, everyone’s having fun and if you’re soaked, you’re stoked.

This year is the first time I’m not back for spring break, and I’m going to miss out on this festival.

I’m bummed out, but who knows? Maybe I’ll bring a little culture to Abilene and buy myself a bucket for the holiday and soak some students between classes.

Imagine the faces of students watching me walk around with a bucket of water. Be afraid. Be very afraid. contact Todd at bat12A@acu.edu

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The chocolate chip cookies at the bean are my weakness..it doesn’t help that you walk right by them when you leave #wellplayedacu

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March 4 11:52 a.m.

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The Bean’s food is on point today. My plate is a murder scene.

@LeroyMay

Thought I had lost both of my favorite rings at the Rec yesterday BUT, by the grace of God, some nice person had turned them in! So happy!!

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There’s embarrassing, and then there’s sneezing in the completely silent Bible building and hearing it echo back at you....

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what’s the name for “the fear of walking under trees with chirping birds cus they might poop on you”? .... cus it’s terrifying

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Help needed: can’t keep eyes open while studying in collaboration room 3. #getmeanIV #coffeeIV

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I’ve waisted 7 minutes of my life watching someone try to back into a parking spot

My phone says the weather is “blowing dust” oh Abilene...

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

When i say Abilene is a nice place, i always mean the people. Now that everyone is leaving im not so sure. @ACUProbs #springbreak

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5

featureS

FRIDAY 03.07.14

ABILENE LINSEY THUT

|

features WRITER

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1

PLAY FAIRE PARK

Play Faire Park, located on North Second Street, offers a unique twist on putt-putt.

Angela Conway, junior math education major from Abilene, explained the draw of Faire Play Park.

“I like it better than Prime Time,” she said. “It’s kind of old-timey and all the different holes have homemade, cool obstacle courses to go through.”

She said she calls it the “Hippie Putt-Putt” Place.

“The man who owns it always wears a tie-dye shirt and his long hair is always pulled back in a ponytail,” she said.

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LUCY’S BIG BURGERS

Photos By | deanna romero chief Photographer Top: Larry’s Better Burger Drive-In is at 1233 N Treadaway Blvd.

Bottom: Candies by Vletas is at 1201 N First St.

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TOWN AND COUNTRY DRIVE-IN

S

tudents are sitting on the edge of their seats, nervously watching the clock. They wait anxiously for their teacher to dismiss them from class so they can jump in their car and drive. They’ll drive far, far away and watch as the Tower of Light fades in their rearview mirror.

But some students won’t. No, some students must watch sadly as their friends escape from the dullness of this small town. They dread hearing friends talk about their spring break tales of beach adventures in Galveston or musical journeys through Memphis while they recount twiddling their thumbs in their apartments.

What students don’t realize is that Abilene is full of exciting things to do. Tom Craig, director of student productions and connoisseur of all things Abilene, encourages students to get out and explore the town.

“A lot of students rarely journey off the beaten path, but when they do, they’re surprised at what they find,” he said.

From ghostly legends to quaint burger joints, this town has got something for everyone. So, ACU students, go, eat and enjoy.

ARTWALK

ArtWalk, a mini-arts festival presented

by The Center for Contemporary Arts in downtown Abilene, will be March 13. During ArtWalk, street vendors from businesses around the town give away free samples and all the art museums are free.

Mark Jackson, director of student organziations and Programs, said he loves getting to see the town gather for the festival.

“On nice days, it’s good to get out and enjoy the city,” he said.

4

ANSON LIGHTS

This mysterious phenomenon has been a puzzling must-see in Abilene for years.

While the legends differ, true to each story is that the lights belong to the ghost of a women from the 1800s searching for her lost children with a lamp.

To view these ghostly lights, travel east on U.S. Highway 180 until you reach a cemetery. Take a right at the country road near the cemetery and drive until you reach a crossroad. Turn the car back around to face the way you came. Turn off the engine and flash your headlights three times and watch the swaying light appear and disappear.

Dan Dudney, senior music education major who went his freshman year, says it’s a necessity.

“It’s some sort of rite of passage that everyone has to do,” Dudney said.

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1

Play Faire Park putt-putt golf is at 2300 N Second St.

2

LAKE FORT PHANTOM

If the weather is nice, you can always hit up Lake Fort Phantom, a short 15-minute drive from campus, to soak up some sun and fresh air.

Callie Houston, freshman nursing major from Abilene, said, “You can fish, swim, drive around, build a bonfire or go out at night and stargaze.”

2

THE HOMEPLACE RESTAURANT

3

This restaraunt serves southern food that might give your grandmother’s cookin’ a run for its money. And even more enticing is the fact that this homey eatery is in Tuscola, which is a 30-minute drive from campus.

Jackson, said it’s the perfect getaway from Abilene.

“It’s a good place to eat and feel like you’re out of town,” he said.

The Homeplace is only open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

LOLA’S MEXICAN FOOD CAFE

5

For a little taste of history with your burger, venture to Larry’s on North Treadaway. This charming little burger joint has been flipping burgers and serving fries with a smile for 50 years. And the best part is that you won’t have to pay a fortune.

“Larry’s is super cheap and hits the spot,” said Hershenroader.

Not only is the food cheap (you can get a full meal for about $3), it also has tasty desserts. Craig recommends the homemade Butterfingers ice cream.

CANDIES

BY VLETAS

Town and Country Drive-In movie theatre is at 2902 Vogel St.

4

This restaurant in Buffalo Gap is sure to satisfy those Mexican food cravings.

“Great food, fun atmosphere and big attitude,” Craig said about Lola’s.

He warns readers that anything can happen at this spunky café.

“The waitress might ask the men at the table to go get the women’s drinks,” he said.

Besides the friendly wait staff, this popular eatery also has delicious food. Hershenroader suggests students try the fried bread. Be sure and bring cash to this restaurant and get there early, as it gets packed around meal times.

LARRY’S BETTER BURGER DRIVE-IN

MINE BY DESIGN

Students feeling imaginative should grab some friends and head over to Mine by Design on Southwest Drive. Students can hang with friends as they create all things ceramic, from mugs to picture frames. Antwine said she’d love to discover her artistic side in one of the classes at Mine by Design.

“I am not extremely good at painting, but I think with someone telling me, I could create a masterpiece,” she said.

While a little pricey, Mine by Design offers classes as well as parties.

MONKS

Their signature shirts do say “Keep Abilene Boring,” but Monks does just the opposite. This is the perfect place to relax and chat with friends.

Anthony Hill, a junior music major from Godley and a regular at Monks, said what draws him to the coffee shop is its community.

“I really enjoy the various types of people there. I’m never completely in my comfort zone, which is always fun,” he said.

Students can catch two features for a mere $8, as well as munch on ridiculously cheap snacks from the concession stand.

Kendyl Antwine, senior family studies major from Mineral Wells, said she enjoys the privacy.

“If you go with a lot of friends, you can all hang out,” Antwine said. “You don’t have to be completely quiet.”

Be sure to arrive when the box office opens at 6 p.m. to get a good parking spot.

3

1

For those spring break burger cravings, head on over to Lucy’s Big Burgers on North Treadaway Boulevard and order yourself some homemade fries, a delicious burger and a mason jar of sweet tea.

Karissa Hershenroder, assistant director of the doctor of ministry program, said, “I’ve heard multiple people say Lucy’s is the best burger in town with really high-quality beef.”

6

This local candy shop, on North First Street, has been satisfying Abilene’s sweet tooth with homemade candies for more than 100 years.

Craig said the shop is one of his favorites.

“You’ve got to try the chocolate covered strawberries,” he said. “They’re the best.”

sports

Friday 3.07.14

Women conclude season at Moody Reese Gwin sports reporter The women’s basketball team will try to defeat the University of Incarnate Word for the second time in a month as the Wildcats play their season finale Saturday at 1 p.m. in Moody Coliseum.

Head coach Julie Goodenough’s team will return home for the first time in almost three weeks.

The ’Cats are coming off of a grueling, but productive road trip that took the team all across Louisiana. They return home with hopes of ending their inaugural Div. I. season with a victory.

“Our execution for high, percentage shots will be of utmost importance,” Goodenough said.

“Because we have aldeanna romero chief Photographer ready beaten them already, we know they will Sophomore guard Whitney West drives on a Sam Houscome here with revenge ton state defender in the Wildcats 73-67 win over the on their minds so we are Bearkats.

preparing extremely hard to get this sweep of UIW.” The Cardinals are also new to Div. I. However, they have not shared the success ACU has had.

UIW is 8-18 on the year and 2-11 in conference play. Sitting at 13th in the Southland Conference standings, they come to Abilene on a 10-game losing streak.

On the other hand, the 17-12 Wildcats are above .500 against Southland Conference opponents and have exceeded expectations. Still, it took a late second-half rally for the purple and white to pull out a 73-67 victory when the teams last met.

Senior Rose Whitehead leads the Cardinals in scoring with 12.5 points per game. Sisters, Infunanya (10.8) and Kosi Mora (9.7), are an athletic one-two punch that will challenge the Wildcat defense. Fortunately, ACU has a sister combo of its

own.

Freshmen Suzzy and Lizzy Dimba each average around the ten point mark as well.

The Wildcat’s lone senior Renata Marquez will conclude her ACU career Saturday, marking her place as one of the best athletes to ever come through ACU. She leads the team with 14.8 points per game, and her demeanor and experience is unrivaled.

“I think it’s very important to send Rae off with a win,” freshman Alexis Mason said. “I feel like since we know it’s her last game, that will help us come out with an even bigger reason to want to win it.”

The Wildcats will look for a win to not only wrap up a loyal senior’s career, but also cap a historic first season in Div. I. contact Gwin ERG13a@acu.edu

Wildcats seek revenge against Bears Collin Wieder

hannah little

ACU’s softball team is headed back to Lubbock this weekend to play in the Jeannine McHaney Memorial Classic.

After the cancellation last weekend because of weather, the Wildcats will get a second chance to play against Texas Tech on Sunday.

Other teams who will be at the tournament include University of Northern Colorado and University of Texas at Arlington.

Texas Tech currently ranks No. 4 in the Big 12 Conference and has an overall record of 13-6. Senior Coutney Flanary is mentally preparing to taking on a Big XII school.

“I am definitely looking forward to the opportunity to see how we line up with a Big 12 team,” Flanary said.

“Last weekend we played four games on their field and

Men’s basketball

Team

Div.

Ovrl

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

16-0 12-4 11-5 10-6 10-6 8-5 9-7 8-8 8-8 6-10 5-11 2-11 2-14 2-14

27-2 15-14 19-9 16-13 14-13 20-6 12-13 11-13 10-18 11-16 8-19 11-19 6-23 3-25

woMen’s basketball

Team

Div.

Ovrl

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

12-4 11-5 11-5 10-6 10-6 7-6 9-7 7-6 8-8 7-9 7-9 6-10 2-11 0-16

18-9 17-11 16-11 17-10 15-12 16-11 16-12 17-12 9-17 11-16 8-20 11-16 8-18 0-27

Who’s Hot

briefings Spring break baseball camps begin next week.

They will be Monday through Wednesday, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for ages seven through 13. See acusports.com for more information.

The football team has begun spring practices to help prepare for the 2014 season.

Follow @OptimistSports on Twitter for the latest ACU sports news. ashlyn anthony Staff Photographer

Senior infielder Kyle Giusti rounds first base after hitting the ball into the outfield gap for the Wildcats at home on Crutch Field. Giusti currently is hitting .242 with seven runs batted in 33 plate appearences.

Demeyere and Oklahoma’s Bullpen ended in a 4-1 win for Oklahoma. The Sooners scored two runs early to make a 2-1 game.

Demeyere pitched five innings, only allowing two earned runs on six hits with a walk and a couple of

strikeouts.

Offensively, the Wildcats struggled to score runs against four talented Oklahoma pitchers.

ACU scratched across one run on six hits in the contest. Gruczielanek lead the offensive charge for the

‘Cats by getting a couple of hits in the game. Spivey scored the lone run for the Wildcats and went one-forthree on the afternoon with a walk. Guisti and Kyle Forrester also had hits in the game.

ACU will be back in ac-

tion as they head to Arlington to participate in the UT-Arlington tournament this weekend.

contact wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu

Softball set to take on Big XII Tech sports reporter

standings

Senior forward Renata Marquez will play her final game marquez for ACU Saturday. This season, she has averaged 14.8 points per game, 5.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.0 steals.

Throughout her career, she has averaged 11.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and shot 43 percent from the field. Her career high 32 points came against Arlington Baptist on Feb. 18, which she also had eight rebounds and six assists.

Assistant Sports Editor ACU baseball continues its tough stretch of games this Friday in the UT-Arlington tournament.

The Wildcats start off the tournament with a familiar face in Missouri State University.

ACU played Missouri State last Friday in the Bourland-Ardoin Classic.

The ‘Cats were shut out 12-0 and will look to improve on their previous effort. First pitch will be at 11 a.m.

Saturday, the Wildcats will face off against Pac12 opponent Utah at 11 a.m. and finish out Sunday against UTA at 3 p.m.

UTA comes into this season with a WAC regular season Championship under head coach Darin Thomas.

“It’s not getting any easier,” head coach Britt Bonneau said. “Our next five ball games will be against some high, caliber competition, and we have no time to relax.”

ACU will depend heavily on their bats in these games, most notably on senior Seth Spivey who continues to lead the Southland Conference with a .576 batting average. Brandon Grudzielanek has also had a solid season for the Wildcats, hitting .471 on the season.

“It’s going to be fun to see where we stand at a Division one level,” Spivey said. “Playing against Missouri State, Utah and UTA, so we have some tough competition but it should be fun.”

The tough competition does not end with this tournament with the Wildcats traveling to Lubbock Tuesday to take on Texas Tech.

The Wildcats also finished up a game against Oklahoma on Wednesday.

A pitching duel on Wednesday between ACU’s Garrett

6

had a chance to watch a few of their games, so we know what to expect. It should be a good game.”

ACU’s softball team has been on the road for the past few weeks and have faced tough opponents. Needless to say, the Wildcats know the importance of staying focused and what it takes to maintain their game. Flanary said she knows how to handle the commitment it takes to balance a busy schedule full of traveling.

“There is no better feeling than going to another team’s field and winning,” Flanary said. “ We have been traveling for the last few weeks and I do think all of the hours on the bus and missing out on class time can effect us if we let it. The last few weeks we’ve been in a hotel for at least three nights a week and have not got back to Abilene austin kolcullen Staff Photographer until late Sunday night. It’s Freshman outfielder Taylor Brown trots down the first all about staying mentally base line for ACU. tough.”

The Wildcats have a 4-12 record and have struggled with being consistent on the field. The weather has also been difficult this season, causing practices to be altered.

“Most of our mistakes come from our defense,” senior Lyndi Smith said. “We haven’t been able to practice outside lately because of the weather, so it has been hard to make adjustments. I think that’s where we are hurting right now.”

The Wildcats look forward to making their mark this weekend as the tournament kicks off Friday against Northern Colorado at 12:30 p.m. The game Saturday against University of Texas at Arlington is scheduled for noon. The Wildcats will take on Texas Tech at 3 p.m. Sunday. contact little at hll12a@acu.edu

Upcoming Baseball travels to Arlington for a rematch against Missouri State at 11 a.m. Friday for their first of a threegame stint in Arlington.

Softball begins its first of three games in Lubbock against the University of Northern Colorado at 12:30 p.m.

Friday.

Women’s tennis hosts Cleveland State University Saturday starting at 10 a.m.

Men’s tennis will also compete against Cleveland State on Saturday at ACU. Women’s basketball finishes out its season against Incarnate Word at 1 p.m. Saturday in Moody Colisuem.

Men’s basketball takes on Incarnate Word Saturday at 3 p.m. to conlcude its season at home.