The Optimist - 03.28.14

Sports Page 6

Welcome to Southland ACU baseball prepares for Incarnate Word vol. 102, no. 47

friday, march 28, 2014

1 SECTION, 6 PAGES

INSIDE ARTS ACU student Lexi French writes for a fashion blog

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OPINION The Editorial Board explains why it matters that students vote for SA Congress members

‘TIL THE

COWS

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COME HOME

NEWS The Winery is changing its name after students’ request

ACU’s 54th Annual Rodeo deanna romero chief Photographer

Top: Students participate in the steer saddling competition at ACU’s annual rodeo. Students, faculty, staff enjoy the ACU Rodeo put on by the agriculture department at the Expo Center. Left: A group celebrates after catching their goat. Right: Scott Delony, digital media specialist at ACU, rides a calf during the 54th annual ACU rode.

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SPORTS Abilenean and Brazilian find common ground on the tennis court

Johnson named Dean of Graduate School emily seidel sports reporter

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OPINION Ben Todd talks about his first time to participate in or attend FilmFest Page 4

Dr. Stephen Johnson, dean of the Honors College, has been named dean of the Graduate School. He will step into the position at the beginning of the summer, replacing Carly Dodd, professor of communication, who has been serving in the position.

Johnson has been a faculty member since 2001. He is an associate professor of ministry and director of contextual

Changes are made to this year’s graduation fair Page 3

NEWS Spring Fest is scheduled for April 3 to showcase student bands Page 3

jimmy isbell

The School of Nursing asks students each spring semester to assist Health Talents International, a group who promotes medical evangelism in developing countries.

This year’s group will work as a health team to promote women’s health.

Meghann McLeskey senior nursing major from Burnet, Allie Greco junior nursing major from Allen and Christina Ponomarenko junior nursing major from

VIDEO Watch the JMC Newscast for an update on the latest news on campus

Read more at acuoptimist.com

to teach one or two courses in the fall in addition to his new responsibilities.

Jason Morris, the current associate dean of the Honors College, will replace Johnson as dean of the Honors College when the summer begins.

Dodd has been a professor of communications here since 1981 as well as the graduate dean 1991-1998 and 2010-2014. He is vacating the position to take a paid retirement, but he is still scheduled to teach a few classes in the Department of Communica-

tion next year.

Johnson said he has a concept of what he hopes to accomplish as dean.

“It will be important for ACU to grow and enhance its graduate programs,” he said.

“We will be developing the strategies and growth of the professional programs, but I can’t say right now exactly how we’re going to carry that out. It’ll take a little time.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

League City are attending this year’s trip to Guatemala.

They will work alongside Executive Director of HTI Rick Harper to gain experience in the field of nursing.

“It’s a really cool experience, especially for nursing students to get exposed to our field,” Greco said. “We’re going to be able to do things there in Guatemala that we could not do as a student nurse at Hendrick Hospital.”

Dr. Hammack, dean of the School of Nursing, said while these young women are in Guatemala, another group of seven nursing stu-

dents will go to Haiti with an organization called Live Beyond, an organization that provides medical mission work for students as well.

The trip was planned because only 11 spots were available for the spring break medical mission trip to Guatemala, therefore lessening the opportunity for many students to go. The students who helped during the spring break mission trip came back and shared their experiences with the girls.

For McLeskey, her minor in missions is a reason behind her decision to go to

Guatemala.

“It’s just something that has been on my heart my whole life,” McLeskey said.

“Specifically medical missions are what I would like to do, so I jumped at the opportunity to go to Guatemala.”

For Greco, she always wanted to study abroad, but her time at ACU was too fleeting.

“I knew there would be a lot of opportunities coming to ACU, but study abroad was a far-fetched idea for a nursing student,” Greco said. “This is my chance to experience a different cul-

ture, learn more about the field and do God’s work in the process.”

An average day for the nursing students will be to wake up around 6 a.m. and assist in surgeries from 7:30 a.m. until 9 p.m., a full day in which they will receive a lot of experience.

The girls leave from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Saturday and will return on Saturday, April 5th. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Cyclists to tour Abilene in first Criterium kirsten holman

ONLINE

for me, but about the faculty and the opportunities I’ve received here at ACU.” Since starting at ACU, Johnson has been a part of the Senior Blessing, a tradition that started in 1999. He has also taken part in the Freshman Blessing since it started three years ago. In addition to all the work he did at the university, he was also the preacher at Buffalo Gap Church of Christ for the last five years before stepping down in December 2013.

Johnson is still scheduled

ACU nursing majors to travel to Guatemala sports reporter

NEWS

education in the Graduate School of Theology.

Jo h n s o n said he feels blessed to be able to johnson give back to the school that gave him so much.

“ACU was significant to me in shaping my life as an undergraduate student and forming my career,” Johnson said. “And now, it’s not so much about the programs

copy editor Men and women from colleges across the state, including seven members of the ACU Cycling Club, will compete in the first-ever, ACU-organized cycling race in Abilene: the Tour of Abilene. The race will take place 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday, beginning on campus.

Dillon Fowler, freshman business and marketing major from Keller and president of the ACU Cycling Club, created the Tour of Abilene event and

hopes to compete alongside his ACU teammates.

The first race in the tour is called the Criterium race, which Fowler said is a fast-pace race, and it will take place around campus.

The race will start on Campus Court by the Library and Mabee Hall parking lot, said Fowler. The race will continue and take a right at Ambler Avenue, then a right onto Judge Ely and then another right onto EN 16th st.

“If the wind is right and Abilene is blowing full wind, there may be a section – if it’s on Ely or if it’s on Campus Court – of

going 35 to 40 miles an hour,” he said.

Only half of the street of each of these locations will be blocked off, allowing oncoming traffic to pass. However, students should expect several changes to parking and traffic around campus.

The Sunday race in the tour is a road race around Lake Fort Phantom, starting at Johnson Park on the north side of the lake.

Colleges represented by students in the Tour of Abilene cycling event include University of Texas

Abilene Christian University

see race page 3

nicholas holloway contributor

Dillon Fowler, president of the ACU Cycling Club, and Vice President Conor Steward bike before the Tour of Abilene.

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5 p.m. Hindsight: A Senior Art Show at Shore Art Gallery 6 p.m. Men’s baseball vs.

University of the Incarnate Word

monday

8 a.m. Tour of Abilene

8 a.m. Tour of Abilene

2 p.m. Women’s sofball vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi

1 p.m. Women’s sofball vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi

2 p.m. Men’s baseball vs. University of the Incarnate Word

1 p.m. Men’s baseball vs. University of the Incarnate Word

3 p.m Fall 2014 registration: juniors

Announcements

Chapel checkup To date:

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Remaining:

66 34 @acuoptimist The Optimist optimist@acu.edu

The ACU Kinesiology Club will have a pickle ball tournament.

Teams of two may enter for $10 and first and second place winners will receive a prize. The tournament will be from 5-11 p.m. on April 4-5 in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. For more information, email nas08a@acu.edu or ggh11a@acu.edu.

The ACU Undergraduate Research Festival will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. on April 1 in the Hunter Welcom Center. Visit http://tinyurl.com/urf2014program to view the full schedule.

Sigma Tau Delta is sponsoring a poetry contest with a first place award of $100.

Students may submit up to three poems, or three pages, to participate. Submissions should be turned into Chambers 308 by 5 p.m. on March 31.

Upward Bound Summer Academy is seeking students to work as student advisors this summer. For more information, contact D’Angelo Sands at 324-6742514.

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.

ACU Theatre will perform the Glass Menagerie at 7:30 p.m. pn April 10-12 and 24-26 in Fulks Theatre. Tickets cost $15.

To purchase tickets, visit acu. edu/theatre or call 325-6742787.

SpringFest 2014 will be from 7-11 p.m. in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center outdoor basketball court. There will be a live concert and Cajun Cones will be selling snowcones.

The Spring Graduation Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

March 31 and April 1 in the Campus Center Living Room.

The ACU Jazz Ensemble Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium on April 8.

SHADES Step Squad will perform in their spring show at 7 p.m. on April 11-12 in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets will be on sale in the Campus Center on Monday.

Police log

SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 03/18/2014 2:30 p.m. Three students reported the theft of money from their dorm rooms on 3/17/14.

03/18/2014 9:30 p.m. A student reported to ACUPD that someone had placed a racially offensive fake/prank parking citation on his vehicle.

Investigation determined that there were several similar sexually offensive fake/prank citations placed on other students vehicles in and around the Gardner Hall Lot. Investigation ongoing.

03/20/2014 10:13 a.m. ACUPD received calls of subjects running throughout the mall area throwing pizza. Unable to locate.

03/20/2014 4:00 p.m. ACUPD investigated a suspicious person who had been harassing the resident for several days. Criminal trespass warning issued.

03/21/2014 2:08 p.m. A non‑ACU area resident reported the theft of a wallet was taken from her car parked in a driveway in the 600 block of College.

Weekly Stats For Week of March 18 - March 25, 2014 - Total Events: 326 911 CALL 1 ABANDONED VEHICLE 1 ACCIDENT 2 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY 5 ALARM 4 ANIMAL CALL 1 ASSIST 1 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK 14 BURGLARY (MOTOR VEHICLE) 1 BURGLARY (RESIDENCE) 1

CHECK BUILDING 175 DISORDERLY CONDUCT 1 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE 1 ESCORT 2 EVENT SUPPORT 1 FOOT PATROL 10 FOUND PROPERTY 5 INFORMATION REPORT 6 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP 6 LOST PROPERTY 1

MAINTENANCE:UNIVERSITY ASSETS 2 MEDICAL EMERGENCY 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: INFLATE TIRE 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART 8 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK 9 NOISE VIOLATION 1 OTHER 11 PARKING LOT PATROL 10 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE 7 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 5 RANDOM PATROL 16

REPORT WRITING 3 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 1 SUSPICIOUS PERSON 4 THEFT (NON VEHICLE) 5 TRAFFIC STOP 1 WELFARE CHECK 22 Warmer weather means more opportunities for walking/jogging/biking. For added safety, always use the lighted and patrolled Lunsford Trail. Motorists should use caution and watch for pedestrians crossing streets and driveways.

Volunteer Opp0rtunities Beltway 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.

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 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 325695-0092 or jharvread@aol.com. To serve on Thursdays, contact Margaret Beasley at 325-692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net. To serve on Fridays contact Terry Stremmel at terry.stremmel@acu.edu.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 325-6771408 or visit www.satruck.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.

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 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.

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

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news

friday 03.28.14

SpringFest to feature ACU student bands linsey thut features writer The Student Alumni Association will host SpringFest at 7 p.m. on April 3 on the basketball courts outside of the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

SpringFest will feature free performances by eight bands, including The Dogwoods and Sunset at Ivry.

Drew Ritchie, junior biblical text major from Lake Jackson and vice president of Student Alumni Association, said the event will also feature $1 Cajun Cones.

Ritchie said students will be impressed with the bands performing this year.

“People underestimate what college students can do with in-

struments,” Ritchie said.

“These students are really incredibly talented.”

SAA will sell SpringFest shirts next TuesdayThursday in the Campus Center for $5. Students who purchase shirts will receive a ticket for a free Cajun Cone to use at the event.

Caroline Nikolaus, senior psychology major from Nashville, Tenn., is part of The Dogwoods, along with Jake Hall, senior secondary English education major from Springtown. She said SpringFest is where they got their start.

“Our first gig, we were both freshmen and we kind of randomly decided to do SpringFest,” Nikolaus said. “We made the audition, and that was the first time we really performed publicly.”

Hall said The Dog-

woods’ 30-minute set will include a few surprises.

“We’ve got some good ideas for mash-ups, but you have to come to find out,” Hall said.

Hall said he enjoys SpringFest because it is a good way to take a break from studies at the end of the year.

“We’re kind of in the funnel right now where everything’s speeding up and kind of cramming in,” Hall said. “It’s good that we have a kind of time where we take a Thursday afternoon and hang out outside.”

Nikolaus said this will be the last SpringFest performance for The Dogwoods that have performed all four years.

“ACU has definitely kick-started our band,” Nikolaus said. “Most of our gigs have been ACU

mandy lambright Contributor

The Dogwoods perform at a past SpringFest. The even will begin at 7 p.m. on April 3 outside the Rec Center. affiliated so we’ve loved it.”

Hall said he invited students to come see the band perform at Spring-

Fest one final time. thing,” Hall said.

“We’ve loved the opportunities, loved the contact thut at memories and just the lct10a@acu.edu support more than any-

Winery renamed, students can host formal meigan gardner student reporter ACU Student Life turned down the venue for GATA social club formal, The Mill and Winery, because of its reference to alcohol.

However, after a change to the name of the winery, GATA social club was approved to have its formal at what is now called The Mill.

“Isabel Lee was the first one to tell me about The Mill,” said Jennifer Ellison,

director of University Events and GATA social club sponsor. “She said that she was interested in hosting GATA formal there. So I drove by and it looked great so that’s why we started looking into it.”

GATA filled out the proper paperwork and turned in a contract to Mark Jackson, director of Student Organizations and Programs “Student Life needed to be clear what the Mill Winery was,” Jackson said. “Once that became clear, we came

back and told GATA that the location would not work.”

Isabel Lee, junior art major from Abilene and GATA social director, did not give up easily.

“First I tried to fight the decision, arguing that ACU events are held at many venues with open bars such as the country club,” Lee said. “Student Life and Legal Services still said no on the bases that “winery” was in the venue’s title. When we went to talk to The Mill, they told us that they were already

in the process of changing their name and could create a new contract without the word winery in it. Since they were so willing to work with us, I sent in the contract again to get approved.”

This time it worked.

“Student Life first did not approve of the location,” Ellison said. “Once they dropped the ‘winery’ from their contract and from their location, we resubmitted the contract and the contract has gone through Student Life and Legal Services and has

been approved.”

GATA will host their formal at The Mill located in downtown Abilene.

“It’s crazy to think that one of our clubs had a pull in a place like this, changing what they are about,” Jackson said.

This is not a new problem; clubs on campus have run into similar complications.

“Every now and then venues will get denied,” Jackson said. “Typically it will because one of two reasons.

The first being that Student Life feels that the location

doesn’t represent ACU. Second, a venue just doesn’t want to budge on language in a contract.”

Ellison is pleased with how the venue handled the conflict, she said.

“The Mill has been very cooperative,” Ellison said.

“They have gone above and beyond for us, and we are thrilled that they took those steps.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Bookstore reworks annual graduation fair jesse harper student reporter The Campus Bookstore is introducing changes to the upcoming Graduation Fair.

This year, the Graduation Fair will take place on March 31 and April 1 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Campus Center Living Room, and is hosted by the bookstore for the second consecutive year.

Bradley Campbell, assistant bookstore director, answered some of the most common questions seniors have about the fair and revealed some new things that will take place this year.

Campbell said one question he receives at graduation fairs is, “Can my purchases at the fair be put on my student account?”

“Yes, the things that you purchase at graduation can be put on your account and only at Graduation Fair,” Bradley said. “This way it gives the students time before the graduation date to resolve their finances by setting up payment plans and what not.”

Campbell said he is asked about the ordering of graduation announcements, class rings and other graduation related items.

“This is a big reason why

seniors should not miss the Graduation Fair,” Campbell said. “The university’s Jostens representative, Beth Pope, will be in attendance and will gladly help the students with all of that.”

Two new party vendors will be introduced during the Graduation Fair. Pepsi and Candid Campus Photography will attend, which will make Graduation Fair more than paperwork.

Campbell said Candid Campus Photography gives students the opportunity to take early graduation photos to go with their newly purchased cap and gown.

“Instead of waiting un-

til graduation or going back home to take photos, students can knock them out along with the rest of their graduation errands,” Campbell said.

Pepsi Cola will be a thirdparty vendor at the graduation fair, giving away free soda. Campbell said that this will help the students enjoy the experience at the fair and not envision it as an errand before graduation.

The registrars’ office, student financial service, alumni records and the career center will be at the fair, which will keep students from going office-to-office handling graduation business.

Long-time professor’s passing has campus mourning tommy evans student reporter Dr. Alvie Davis, both an alumnus and professor at ACU, died last Thursday after battling cancer for more than 10 years.

Davis attended ACU in 1955 to study agriculture, but not long into his studies, he fell in love with both chemistry and the community at ACU. Davis went on to teach chemistry at ACU for 50 years, impacting the lives of students far beyond the classroom, say former colleagues.

Dr. Eric Hardegree, a professor of chemistry at

ACU and one of Davis’ close friends, remembers him as a gentle and loving professor with a great sense of humor who was considerate of his students.

“Alvie was extremely knowledgeable in his subject and very loving of his students,” Hardegree said. “He helped the students excel, and go on to medical school and graduate school. You knew if you had Avlie Davis for chemistry, you were going to know your stuff.”

Hardegree, who was also a student under Davis in 1978, reflected on the memory Davis had in not only retaining knowledge in his field of study, but re-

membering each student he taught thorough the years. A notable story Hardegree told was during the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, he was able to instantly remember the name and year he taught a former student that happened to be rescued from the rubble of the building that day.

“His ability to retain these incredible details about students he taught was incredible,” Hardegree said. “He could tell you where we went for lunch on a field trip 30 years ago and how many students we had with us. That was Alvie.”

Davis contracted prostate cancer in the early 90s,

Race: University hosts cycling tour from page 1 in Austin, Texas Tech, A&M, Oklahoma State, University of Oklahoma, Louisiana State, University of Arkansas, Corpus Christi A&M, West Texas A&M, Midwestern State, The University of Texas at Dallas and Baylor University.

Right now, 60-70 people are registered to compete, but Fowler said he hopes about 100 people will be able to participate.

“One of our biggest rivals is Baylor,” Fowler said.

“Baylor has more than 10 riders coming.”

Cyclists from each of these schools will stay in University Park Apartments and eat at The Bean during their stay in Abilene.

“Hopefully, we will have

a lot of spectators,” Fowler said. “And that’s our main goal – to show ACU that they have a cycling team because all of the students don’t know about it. It’s really exciting to tell people about it.”

A well-developed collegiate cycling team could also be a new incentive for incoming students to attend ACU. “One of my main goals for ACU cycling is ... to develop a bigger cycling community, not just at ACU but in Abilene in general,” Fowler said.

The ACU cycling team has local support from Bike Town, The Whitten Inn, Lawrence Hall, Mad Coffee, Specialized Bikes, The Racing Post, Top Gun Velo and Scratch Labs.

Students’ Association

also helped fund the race, with its contribution totaling $3,050.

The money from SA will go toward funding the race.

“Police officers is about one third of it. We have official fees for people who officiate it and permit fees and other fees we had to pay to shut off roads,” Fowler said.

Fowler said he hopes this race and races to come will help ACU Cycling make a name for themselves on each course they compete.

“If people are afraid of us when we go to nationals, that’s our main goal, is to be like guess what, we are ACU and you better watch out,” Fowler said. contact holman at keh09c@acu.edu

and although it was properly treated, the cancer recurred in the early 2000s and spread to his bones. Davis lost his battle with cancer early in the morning March 20 at the age of 83.

Visitation for Davis will be Friday at Elmwood Funeral Jome from 6-8 p.m. The funeral will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at University Church of Christ. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Ashton Thomas, senior make the graduation process sociology major from Hous- a memorable experience,” he ton, said that he is looking said. forward to the graduation fair “Not only am I excited contact the optimist at for graduation, but I think jmcnetwork@acu.edu it’s cool that ACU is trying to

Opinion

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Friday 03.28.14

editorial

Students should not neglect SA elections the issue Student participation in past SA elections has been meager and does not reflect the significance of the institution.

our take SA is vital to the student body and it is important for everyone who can participate to do so.

Only 618 students voted in last year’s Students’ Association elections. That’s about 14 percent of the student population. Fourteen Congress positions only had one person run; three positions had to have students appointed to them; and the election of senior class president

was won by only two votes.

As cliche as it sounds, your vote matters.

Voting for competent representatives matters because Students’ Association is in charge of issues that directly affect the student body.

Most importantly, SA is in charge of a budget that

funds student organizations. This budget consists of a portion of your tuition.

This budget funds groups such as the Shinnery Review, Wishing Well and the International Students’ Association – groups that are vibrant assets of ACU’s culture.

SA officers also decide what student groups receive money to attend conferences throughout the year. They have a direct say in what formative experiences the groups will have.

It matters who is elected to Congress because they have the ability to be a

voice for the student body.

They can, and do, work to make changes students want to see on campus.

For years, SA worked with the university to allow

“

Collegiate Cards that offer student discounts. Recently, they’ve worked to make Wildcat Cash available offcampus and to organize a candlelight devo for graduating seniors.

Elections for next year’s SA cabinet officers are approaching and officer campaigns will begin soon.

Though SA doesn’t leave much time for candidates to build platforms and convey them to students, attending the SA debate and reading Optimist coverage of the race can help you have informed opinions. With the new, online

As cliche as it sounds, your vote matters.”

dancing on campus. They organized events like the dodgeball tournament and SpringFest, and in the past, Congress has purchased

voting system, even the laziest students don’t have an excuse not to vote in the upcoming SA elections.

SA calls themselves an “extension of the ACU student body.” But if ACU’s campus continues to neglect sharing their opinion through votes, Congress will struggle to act as that extension. SA is spending your money on student groups that affect campus – make sure they do it responsibly. contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

DAILY doodle dosage

Column

Ben Todd

Grueling glory days of college I’M SORRY, MS. JACKSON

BRITTANY JACKSON MANAGING EDITOR

Without a doubt, you’ve heard your parents gripe before, “Back when I was a kid...,” and thought the same thing as me: Stop. Those days have long since passed, and the world has changed.

Yes, gas prices have more than doubled. A hamburger isn’t as thick as it used to be.

No, movies aren’t just a dollar with a fifty-cent soda.

And, believe it or not, college has changed, too.

Besides having to sell a kidney on the black market to pay tuition, college is not all it’s cracked up to be.

If you were raised like me, you heard one of your parents, multiple teachers or even family friends reminisce about their “glory days” in college.

These glory days were full of friends, late night dancing and what I’ve gathered as not too many nights hitting the books.

Today?

Yeah, that doesn’t work as well for us.

There are classes to go to, there is homework to get done and jobs to do. Oh, and don’t forget to apply for that internship. And maybe think about doing undergraduate research, that looks good. You’re not in any extracurricular clubs?

Well, you must hate people.

As important as it is to have fun, college is also a place to buckle down and form some habits you’ll keep for the rest of your life.

Your work ethic, attitude in stressful situations and relationships with people/God can all be solidified here.

But, as any JMC major can tell you, it’s essential to start building your career now.

“

Spend your fleeting moments and ever-depleting energy on what you believe is important.”

College has become a slightly more anxious high school experience.

We’re all vying for that company, firm or organization’s attention, always trying to top our classmates’ achievements.

Because, let’s be honest, these days it’s all about branding yourself.

You’ve seen it in your classes: one girl already runs her own fashion blog, another student sells products on Etsy and yet another interns in town while taking 18 hours.

Everyone is trying to set themselves apart.

So, can you have fun in college? Yes, of course.

Everything from here on out is about time management. Spend your fleeting moments and ever-depleting energy on what you believe is important. Try to maintain a balance.

That lesson takes a lifetime to learn, but it’s teachings are invaluable.

I may not be the poster child for time management, but I’m making progress. I start new each day with the grueling wake up call of reality and a tug on my heart to live more and to work more efficiently. contact Jackson at bkj12a@acu.edu

Column

Tips from a first-time FilmFest-er a very insignificant part compared to the rest of the film. With only thirty seconds of airtime, I thought I’d be easily forgotten, but days after the premiere, I was still getting a few comments about the movie and my character too. It was flattering the first few times I received compliments, but hopefully it dies down. There are other things I hope to be known for at this college besides “Sir Ancient”.

To end on a more serious note, storytelling is a very difficult art to master, and praise should be given where it is due.

Whether it is in writing, speech, art or film, we often get caught up in the story and forget how much work had to be

DAILY DOODLE DOSAGE BEN TODD CARTOONIST

Just last issue, there was a guest column talking about the lessons learned from ACU’s FilmFest.

So now it’s my turn.

This is the first time I’ve ever participated or attended a festival like this, and I have a few things to say about it.

Firstly, take any opportunity you can to dress up nicely. In general, there should be more events to show off our wardrobe’s finest attire. FilmFest was a great excuse to put on a suit and tie and act like

a celebrity. I felt sophisticated, classy and confident, and I’m sure that the ladies felt the same way in their beautiful dresses. I’d hope that ACU will have more occasions for students to look like royalty, but that may alienate others who don’t have an interest in formal wear.

Before committing to anything, know what you’re getting yourself into. I committed to a small part in a short film as the wise, old guy who gives the hero a quest. It was

done beforehand. Technically, a great story will manipulate your emotions for events and characters that may or may not exist. The funny thing is that we have started to pay to have our feelings manipulated by a movie, song, book or art piece.

So the next time you feel happy about a hero saving the world, be sure to acknowledge what goes on behind the scenes. No matter how big their camera, how perfect their script or how big their budget was, be sure to remember the cast and crew that had to learn how to tell a good story. contact Todd at bat12A@acu.edu

hashtagACU Just won $5 in English class for knowing how to format an MLA citation I’d like to thank the modern language association, also the academy.

I feel SO confident about that test...which means I either got a 100 or bombed it...

March 25 9:48 a.m.

Forgot my iPad. Now I have to pay attention in class. #firstworldproblems

@emjmuhl

@RAR_Wildcat15

March 26 3:53 p.m.

March 26 11:06 a.m.

March 26 10:27 a.m.

@DillonReed21

Sir, no. Just no. Nibbling on your girlfriend’s nose is not acceptable in chapel...or society... because cannibalism. #jesusiswatching

@Twtrless_Mandy

And then the class disintegrated into a “DONT TALK ABOUT MAH MOMMA” argument. Joing me next time for #acudifferenceCOREstyle

@shelblurbs

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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

“How will you ‘let it go’ and deal with fear of confrontation as a therapist?”

“We could build a snowman!”

Conceal don’t feel!”

March 25 9:54 a.m.

@Allie_Kate Finding a formal date is a lot like bobbing for apples... Everyone else seems to know how to do it except me. #acudifference

March 26 4:25 p.m.

March 25 8:51 a.m.

March 25 11:18 a.m.

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

Pretty sure I just saw Freddy Kruger walking around campus #overseenatACU

@Hannasuzanna

Food Science with Dr. Jones: “A cannibal wouldn’t eat me, they would eat you.” #acudifference

sports desk (325) 674-2684

@CHughes_38

March 26 2:07 p.m.

March 25 4:15 p.m.

Forever awaiting the day in Greek where we finally learn what “ko”, “jo”, and “gata” mean.

@lukeschumann

@jordn_g

The “B” in BCORE stands for “beating.” This class never ends. #pointless @overheardACU

@joe_burnam64

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5

arts

Friday 3.28.14

Beauty and the blog

This Week Friday, March 28 The 4th Annual Outlaws and Legends Music Fest will take place on Clack Street. Gates open at noon and tickets are $65 per person at the gate.

Saturday, March 29 HSU Theatre presents “Sweeney Todd” at 7:30 p.m. The show will take place in the Van Ellis Theatre and ticket prices range from $5-10.

The 4th Annual Outlaws and Legends Music Fest will take place on Clack Street. Gates open at 9 a.m. and tickets are $65 per person at the gate.

Ashlyn Anthony staff Photographer

Lexi French turned her passion for fashion into a blogging opportunity with up and coming fashion app, 99 dresses.

ACU student writes for 99dresses fashion blog Alikay Wood arts editor The questionable attire of female students at ACU (the morality of wearing leggings as pants is a hotly debated topic on campus) has never been an issue for Lexi French, a junior English major from Palestine. French is passionate about fashion and blogs for 99dresses, an up-and-coming fashion app.

French first experimented with fashion in high school and her involvement in theatre required her to be in costume much of the time.

“I didn’t want that to define me,”

French said. “So I tried to find a sense of self through fashion.”

French’s love of fashion expanded in college and hit a new high when she discovered 99dresses.

99dresses is an app created by Nikki Durkin, designed to allow users to swap clothes. The app uses a button system to rank the value of clothes. Users can earn buttons by “selling” their clothes and use those buttons to buy something else. The only actual cost involved is shipping and 7 percent of the original item.

French fell in love with 99dresses’ innovative system and became one of the people to provide feedback on how they

could improve the app.

“They are constantly monitoring content and user interaction to make it the best experience for everyone,” French said.

After providing feedback on the app, French was asked if she would be interested in blogging for the company. She accepted and currently writes one blog post a week, typically covering topics like fashion and makeup.

“Fashion is so important to my sense of individuality,” French said. “Self-esteem is one of the most important qualities we can encourage in people, in women especially, and I think fashion is something that can help with that.”

In the future, French would like to start her own blog and maybe even work in the fashion industry, but for now, she is content with

“

Bree Hembree will be presenting her senior recital in the Williams Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.

Entrance is free.

Thursday, April 3

I didn’t want that to define me, so I tried to find a sense of self through fashion.”

Lexi french junior english major from palestine

her work for 99dresses. Fashion is something she is truly passionate about and she is grateful to be a part of the 99dresses community.

“What sets 99Dresses apart from other fashion apps, besides that you get things super cheap, is the tireless community service by their handful of employees,” she said.

Broadway in Abilene presents “Hello Dolly!” at the Abilene Civic Center. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. and ticket prices range from $30-55 per person.

OUT

NOW MOVIES

contact wood at akw10a@acu.edu

Film Fest Review Film Fest delights with original productions brantly houston arts reporter ACU’s 10th annual FilmFest held its gala last Friday evening.

The event showcased excellence in film among current students.

Lucius Patenaude’s Best Picture-winning film, For Always, is a delight to watch.

The characters come to life in the short 10 minutes allotted to the piece and allow actors Matthew Silar, Rachel Faulkner and Jon Tlapek to shine. Every shot of the film is clean and crisp, allowing for an overall aesthetically-pleasing feel.

The film’s compelling message serves as a reminder to cherish the ones you love and make the most of the time you have with them.

Kyle Knapp swept the awards for Best Director and Best Screenwriter with his film It’s Locked. The film had audiences on the edge of their seats during last week’s FilmFest Gala. The suspenseful writing is just enough to frighten without causing panic. The setting of an empty college rental home resonated with the ACU audience. Knapp has definitely found his niche with suspense.

While congratulations are in order for all FilmFest winners, there were some some stand-

out films that got little to no recognition. David Porter’s film Wedded Wiket Residents was a beautiful, stirring piece with characters clearly developed far beyond what the short film portrayed.

Zach Carstens’ nearly f lawless film Key of L was a truly touching film in which love is expressed in different musical styles.

Other snubs include categories that do not have an award. Many of this year’s films had an original score and one should have been awarded Best Original Music.

Standouts include Alex Carstens and Claire Warlick for Key of L, Joel Edwards for Wedded Wiket Residents and Caroline Nikalous for Just a Glimpse.

With a growing number of films, awards for Best Supporting Actor and Actress would not go amiss. Jon Tlapek should have received recognition for his brief, yet hilarious appearance as Brad in For Always and Hailey Hendricks should have recieved a nod for her role in It’s Locked.

Other potential winners of these would-be awards include Haleigh Motz for Houdinis and Andrew Koenig for Key of L.

Rated PG-13

138 min.

Noah

100 min.

Rated R

The Grand Budapest hotel

MUSIC

contact houston at arts@acu.edu

AM Christina Perri Head or Heart

Shakira Austin Kilcullen staff Photographer

Above: outside the Paramount Theatre where Film Fest was held. Left: Film Fest host, Caleb Pierce gives Denzil Lim his award. Right: Pulse Acapella performs.

Shakira

sports

friday 3.28.14

Baseball welcomes UIW to the Crutch collin wieder assistant sports editor The ACU baseball team will host it’s first Southland Conference opponent of the year with a familiar face in University of Incarnate Word.

ACU enters this weekend with a 10-12 record while Incarnate Word enters with a 6-15 record. The three-game series starts with a game on Friday at 6 p.m. and it begins both team’s Southland season.

The Wildcats will enter with momentum from their two-game sweep of Texas College. ACU overwhelmed the steers in seven innings during the first game by run ruling them 10-0. The complete performance for the Wildcats included 13 hits from the offense, and a fivehit shutout game from pitcher Austin Lambright.

only allowing one run.

Head coach Britt Bonneau said he the two wins help the team heading into the weekend.

“It felt good to win two games,” Bonneau said. “It felt good to come off the field after competing and having that kind of high energy and overall it was a good day for us.”

ACU’s bats will look to continue this success as they have four players with a batting average over .300 including conference leader Seth Spivey, who is batting .427.

The Wildcats lead all Southland teams in batting average with a .308.

Even with the great sweep austin kilcullen Staff Photographer against Texas College, ACU Freshman pitcher Aaron Draper winds up in his delivery still ranks toward the bottom in game against Texas College for the Wildcats. of the Southland in pitching. A rough stretch of Div. I The second game of the ‘Cats scored their six runs on games this year has dragged series continued ACU’s dom- eight hits and the bullpen the Wildcats era down to 5.34, inance with a 6-1 win. The pitched a solid six innings, which ranks second to last in

the Southland.

The Wildcats still have a bright spot with their pitching woes in sophomore pitcher Garrett Demeyere. Demeyere leads the Wildcats in innings pitched with 41 and is first among the starters in earned run average with 2.41 “I feel I’ve been successful so far,” Demeyere said.

“As long as I hit my spots and change speeds there’s a good chance for success.”

Bonneau said, “We are still struggling as far as finding the right third pitcher to throw.

We have used a few different guys, but we are still going to use Nathan Cole and Garrett Demeyere. We are just going to keep running guys out there until somebody steps up and they show that they deserve to start.” contact wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu

Combining two Worlds

6

standings Baseball Standings

Team

Div.

Ovrl

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

5-1 4-2 4-2 4-2 4-2 3-3 3-3 3-3 2-4 2-4 1-5 1-5 0-0 0-0

13-13 14-8 14-8 15-9 12-11 17-8 12-9 12-15 11-12 10-13 14-11 7-14 10-12 6-15

Team

Div.

Ovrl

Lamar MSU UIW SFA NSU HBU UCA SHSU SELA ACU TAMU-CC Nicholls St.

7-1 7-2 2-1 5-3 5-4 5-4 4-4 4-5 3-6 1-2 2-7 1-7

12-10 21-9 13-16 14-15 13-14 9-14 14-20 15-17 9-12 12-18 7-23 9-24

Softball Standings

Who’s Hot Senior softball star Lyndi Smith has performed well at the plate for ACU Giusti over the last five games. Smith has averaged a .375 batting average, collected four runs batted in, along with two runs, a double and a walk. The Wildcats have gone 2-3 over those games.

briefings Freshman softball pitcher Hannah Null set the ACU record with 17 strikeouts in their 1-2 loss to Hardin Simmons on Tuesday afternoon.

Follow @OptimistSports on Twitter for more stories and the latest ACU sports news. wyatt morgan Staff Photographer

Freshman Nico Agritelley (left) and junior Guilherme Gesser come from worlds apart, but have become ACU’s elite men’s tennis doubles team.

Together, they have led the Wildcats with a 9-5 record, and a team overall record of 7-7.

jimmy isbell sports reporter Guilherme Gesser and Nico Agritelley never played together, but ever since head coach Hutton Jones paired the two for the spring season opener against Metropolitan State, the two have been like the strings in a tennis racket: inseparable.

“I was nervous,” Agritelley said. “I had just come here to ACU not knowing what to expect, but when G and I were paired together, we really clicked.”

Gesser, a three-year player and Agritelley, the lone freshman, came from opposite sides of the world.

Gesser is from Florianópolis, Brazil and Agritelley is from Dallas. Gesser started playing when he was eight years old. His inspiration

came from watching the No. 1 player in the world at the time, Gustavo Kuerten, a native of Gesser’s hometown.

Agritelley began playing when he was three years old after his dad bought a well-known tennis club, TBar- M. His father brought Nico to the tennis club every summer.

The two share something in common that no other doubles team at ACU share this season. They both played on red clay.

Gesser grew up playing on the hot red clay of Brazil while Agritelley finished his senior year taking the rest of his classes online. He played on the clay courts in Asia, Europe and South America, winning multiple 18-under tournaments. He would play tennis during the day and go home and

hit the books at night.

“It was difficult for sure, but it let me focus on my tennis,” Agritelley said.

The two spend their free afternoons hitting with each other at the Teague Special Events Center, learning the way each other plays. Gesser’s strength comes from his turns and his returns, while Agritelley attacks the net and is quick to react.

“We make a good team because my weakness is his strength and his weakness is my strength, so we do our best to compensate for each other’s play,” Gesser said.

Since the two paired up in late January, they moved from the No. 2 spot to No. 1 Wildcat doubles team with an overall 6-4 record. Agritelley is currently ranked No. 1 among doubles matches at 9-5.

“When I met the guys, they were all great, but when I started to hang out with G and watched how he played I always thought we could be a great doubles team,” Agritelley said. “I’m happy coach Jones had the same idea.”

Agritelley and Gesser were shocked when coach Jones put them on the court together because they played with different partners throughout the entire fall season. Gesser paired up with three-time All American Borja Cortes and Agritelley shared the court with sophomore Jason Proctor.

“I think we were both confused at first because coach had never paired us together, but when we did well against Metro and got on a hot streak at the beginning of this season we

started to hang out more often,” Gesser said. “I had always played with Borja and to pair me up with a new freshman on the team threw me off a bit.”

Gesser and Agritelley are known to their teammates as the class clowns, but on the court the two become eager to win. Both spoke highly of their abilities on the court and said they depend on each other in more than tennis.

“We eat together, practice hitting outside of practice together, hang out on the weekends and just goof around,” Agritelley said.

“He’s someone I can depend on—someone who I trust.”

contact isbell at jri10a@acu.edu

Wildcats send nine to Texas relays emily seidel sports reporter Track and field athletes are split this week between two major meets: the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin and the Bobcat Invitational in San Marcos.

The Wildcats will send nine standout athletes to the Texas Relays at Mike A. Meyers Stadium. One of the largest meets in the NCAA, the Relays bring in dozens of top teams including University of California Los Angeles, University of California, Baylor, Auburn, Duke and Oklahoma to name a few.

ACU is entered in two men’s relays. Johnathan Farquharson, Maliek Golden, Osie Alleyne-Forte and

Daniel Block will run in the spring medley, while senior Darian Hogg will compete in the 4x100 in Block’s place on the anchor leg. Block is also entered in the 1,500-meter run. Senior Baptiste Kerjean rounds out the men’s entries for ACU with the hammer throw.

Only three female Wildcats traveled to the University of Texas with the team.

Senior hammer thrower Shalaina Lakey and senior javelin thrower Amelia Mitchell will compete on the field, while junior sprint hurdler Lexus Williams will represent ACU on the track.

Several of these athletes have previous experience in the annual Relays. Kerjean placed third in the hammer in both of the last two Re-

lays, and fell only to UCLA’s Alec Faldermeyer and Oregon’s Greg Skipper last year.

This is also Farquharson’s second year in attendance, following last year’s impressive fourth-place performance in the 4x100. Mitchell brings the most experience to the women’s team with last year’s sixth-place finish in the javelin throw. Block, Hogg, Lakey and Golden all make their Texas Relays debut this week.

The Relays began on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m., with only the women’s heptathlon and men’s decathlon taking place. The Wildcats were not entered for either event and began competition on Thursday. The final event of the meet begins at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Upcoming Track continues its competition at the University of Texas in Austin and at Texas State in San Marcos over the weekend.

Baseball begins its three-game series against the University of Incarnate Word at 6 p.m. Friday at Crutcher Scott Field.

Softball has a doubleheader scheduled with Texas A&M- Corpus Christi. First pitch is set at 2 and 4 p.m.

Saturday at Polly Wells Field.

Men’s tennis travels to Waco to take on Temple College at 8 a.m and Baylor at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Golf will compete in the ULM/Wallace Jones Invitational tournament on Meanwhile, 25 other track showing in their opening Monday and Tuesday.

and field athletes will compete at Texas State University from Thursday to Saturday this week. The Wildcats are entered in 15 events, beginning on Thursday at noon and wrapping up on Saturday with the men’s 4x400m at 4:45 p.m.

Players to watch include freshman Kenzie Walker, who has excelled at pole vaulting in her rookie season, Luke Woods, a seasoned veteran in the men’s decathlon and Lauren Hartwick, who is entered in the women’s hammer throw. Sophomore Jeremy Tatham, in the middle of a solid season, leads the Cats in events with the 400m, 110 hurdles and triple jump.

This week’s events follow the Wildcats’ impressive

outdoor competition last weekend. They earned six victories at the McMurry War Hawk Classic, placing fourth out of 12 teams. Junior Emily Hill earned the only firstplace victory on the track in her 800-meter run, while the other five were all won on the field. Walker won the women’s pole vault, Lakey and Kerjean swept the hammer throws, while Mitchell and Aaron Bynum took home the javelin events.

The track and field season will continue next week on April 5 at the Texas Tech Open.

contact seidel at eks13b@acu.edu