Scholarly Swordsmen Student group embraces age -old form of martial arts
vol. 100, no. 49
wednesday, april 11, 2012
Features page 5
1 SECTION, 8 PAGES
university
Schubert names next provost Mark smith managing editor
CAMPAIGN
CRAZE
photos by adrian patenaude staff photographer
SA presidential candidate Rebecca Dial, junior political science major from Lexington, S.C., and Joseph Austin, junior accounting major from Abilene and treasurer candidate, share their thoughts in a debate in Moody Coliseum Monday night.
marissa jones page 2 editor The Students’ Association executive officer candidates have begun campaigning and debating to win votes as elections draw near. Students can vote Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m in the Campus Center. The SA debates were held on Monday night giving
each candidate the chance to express their goals and qualifications to the student body. Rebecca Dial, junior political science and financial management major from Lexington, S.C., is running unopposed for the position of executive president. Best has served on SA since his freshman year, this past year as the chief developmental officer. Dial feels that this has prepared her for the
president position. “I had the opportunity to work on different events like Christmas Slam, the SA dance and a bunch of other things, and through that I’ve been able to build relationships with administrators, other student organizations and different departments,” Dial said, “I’ll be able to build those that next year.” Dial has several specific ideas she would like to implement next year such
as the concept of a Greatest Idea Challenge, a way for students to present ideas they would like to see on campus. A winner would be picked and have his or her idea put into action. Dial said, “I think that would allow students to really thing about what they would like to see and put a lot of effort into that and also let SA gain some ideas.” Also, Dial desires for SA to begin focusing on long
term goals. She would like for a committee of students to plan goals for SA to accomplish down the road. Dial said, “It would create more of a system of accountability in SA because you would be able to judge where SA is in those long term goals.” Dylan Benac, junior political science major from Bernie, is also an uncontested candidate for the position see debate page 4
Dr. Robert Rhodes will be the next provost of the university. Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, has appointed Rhodes, associate dean for students and programs at New Mexico State University, as the university’s next chief academic officer. Schubert announced the appointment in an email to faculty and staff Wednesday, and introduced Rhodes and his family at Chapel on Monday. Schubert said Rhodes’ experience and abilities qualify him for the position. “He is a proven leader who has had responsibilities of significant scope with great results,” Schubert said. “He brings the perspective of mature aspects of a research institution, but he also understands ACU. He got his undergraduate degree at a faith-based university and is a member of the Church of Christ.” Rhodes, 43, earned a Ph.D. in school psychology from the University of Northern Colorado and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oklahoma Christian University. He has served as chair and professor in New Mexico State’s school psychology department and worked as a professional school psychologist before that. Rhodes said he will miss New Mexico State after working there for 17 years but ACU’s faith-based mission attracted him to Abilene. “I like the idea of not just educating students but developing them spiritually and focusing on making a real difference in the world,” Rhodes said. “I want to be a part of that.” The next provost said he wants to talk to students more and pay close attention to feedback from both students and faculty. “It’s important for the provost to be well informed, to sit down and talk to the students to see what’s going on and to eat in the Bean,” Rhodes said. “I know the relevancy and application of see provost page 4
obituary
Durrington, former Arts and Sciences dean, dies Hannah Barnes editor in chief Dr. Colleen Durrington, ACU trustee and former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, died Monday at the age of 75. Durrington served at ACU for 22 years in several roles, including coordinator of elementary and secondary certification programs, dean of the College of Professional Studies, director of University Seminar, chair of the Department of Education and the Division of Education, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Cheryl Bacon, chair of the department of Journalism and Mass Communication, worked for Durrington for a number of years, but
also considers her a good friend. “I have known her for at least 20 years,” Bacon said. “She was a mentor, as she was for many people on campus.” Bacon said Du r r i ng ton modeled leadership. “I think for women, she modeled Durrington how to be a woman who was an academic leader on this campus at a time when there were very, very few,” Bacon said. Dr. Jack Reese, dean of the College of Biblical Studies, agreed. “Strong, gentle, wise, precise, caring: those are the first words that come to mind when I think of Colleen,” Reese said. “She was truly a remarkable leader. More than anything, Re-
ese said Durrington’s greatest love was for the church. “As much as she loved the university, and I don’t know anyone loved the university more than she, she loved the church more,” Reese said. “She was a devoted Christian first and foremost in everything she did.” Durrington was born on March 23, 1937, in West Fork, Ark., the oldest of three daughters. She graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1954, and married Eugene Henderson in 1955. They were married for 31 years and had two children. Colleen married Victor Durrington Nov. 26, 1986, and they were married 22 years until his death in March 2009. In 1972, Durrington graduated from McMurry University with her bachelor’s degree in education.
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Strong, gentle, wise, precise, caring: those are the first words that come to mind when I think of Colleen.” Jack reese dean of the college of biblical studies
She continued her education at Abilene Christian University, earning masters degrees in 1977 and 1981. In 1984, she graduated from Texas Tech University with an education doctorate. “I think one of the most remarkable things about her is that she was in her 30s when she went to college,” Bacon said. “She was just a person who even though began a professional track later in life than many would, was incredibly competent and effective.” While pursuing her mas-
ters degrees, Durrington worked in education. She taught fourth grade from 1972-74 and served in the Abilene Independent School District as a teacher and later principal. Durrington began her work with ACU in 1985 as an assistant professor of education and director of reading programs. Durrington retired in 2007 and was elected to ACU’s Board of Trustees in 2009. She also served on the Presidential Search Committee and Academic Affairs Committee. “Faculty were so thrilled to have her there,” Bacon said. “We knew that she would represent the faculty and academic interests well. We also knew she would very quickly have the respect of her fellow trustees.” Durrington’s health began to decline after a trip to Israel in June 2011. Doc-
tors in Dallas and Abilene were not able to pinpoint a particular illness. After many tests, Durrington’s doctors found several blood clots, some which were in her lungs. Her condition worsened, and she was eventually admitted to the hospital on March 26. On April 5, Durrington was transitioned to home hospice care. Durrington was preceded in death by her mother, her husband, Victor, and his daughter Vicki. She is survived by her father, Loy Stockburger, her son Dr. Eugene B. Henderson, Jr., her daughter Teresa Brittain, her sons Vearl Durrington, Vance Durrington and Val Durrington. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren. contact barnes at hab07a@acu.edu
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Smith-Adams to remain open as Honors College dorm
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Abilene Christian University
acuoptimist.com
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