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Optimist the
Hay Day, page 5
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Vol. 99, No. 49
1 section, 8 pages
STUDENTS
Some to further education post commencement taker said, but she is excited to dig into the years of reSenior Reporter search it will take to get her Rachel Whittaker, senior Ph.D. in organic chemistry. Whittaker is one of biochemistry major from Cartersville, Ga., sent in many graduating students her acceptance letter to who have, will or are curthe University of Texas at rently applying to graduate schools, medical schools Austin two weeks ago. The idea of graduate or law schools. Although school still scares her, Whit- not all students are cer-
Christianna Lewis
quick facts
sor of political science and pre-law adviser, said that Several students will continue their studies after approximately 33 seniors completing undergraduate programs. have asked to receive in• 20-30 graduates have gone to law school annually over past few years formation about going to • 15 students from departments of biology, chemistry and law school. About 20-30 physics plan to go to medical or dental schools graduates have gone to law tain about their post-grad- for graduate school said school annually over the uation plans, a good num- Brandon Lemley, graduate past few years, Hailey said, and he expects that number of ACU graduates are marketing manager. Dr. Mel Hailey, profes- ber to be similar this year. expected to return to ACU
The number of seniors pursuing further studies within the departments of biology, chemistry and physics are holding steady as well, said Dr. Cynthia Powell, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry and adviser of see SCHOOL page 4
FACULTY
Follow the Leader
Beck blog inspires book Zane Goggans
Contributing Reporter
JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor
Connor Best, junior political science major from Sacramento, Calif., sits on stage with the candidates for vice president and treasurer during Tuesday’s debate.
Students’ Association candidates compete for cabinet seats Linda Bailey, Editor in Chief from that without making mistakes but doing Students’ Association executive officer cansome of the things that brought success in predidates will spend the week campaigning Scan this QR code to vious years,” Best said. “I feel like I really know and debating to show students they deserve a watch candidates answer questions about issues a lot of the student groups and I can relate to chance at campus-wide leadership. facing students next year. different student groups at ACU, which will Candidates participated in SA debates help me lead them better.” Tuesday evening and will speak publicly once Best said he is writing legislation to restrucmore during Chapel on Wednesday. Students served on SA since his freshman year and can vote Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 said he has gained much insight into SA and ture senator seats into president, vice president and treasurer positions. Best said the plan will working with students. a.m.-5 p.m in the Campus Center. “I think there comes a knowledge of how help develop more structure, giving student Connor Best, junior political science major from Sacramento, Calif., is unopposed things work and how administrations have for the office of executive president. Best has done things. I’ve seen both and can move on see SA page 4
Dr. Richard Beck, professor of psychology and chair of the Department of Psychology, has written a new book reflecting on the idea of hating sin, loving sinners and m issiona l failure in Beck the church. The book is titled, Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality. Beck’s purpose for writing the book was to describe the effects of the psychology of purity upon the life and mission of the church, according to the description of the book on his blog, Experimental Theology. Beck describes the effects of becoming “too spiritual,” and the effect it has on people outside the church. The book suggests that the longing for purity and holiness tempts the church into practices of social exclusion, which makes some Christians flee from the world and those in it. “The church wants purity,” Beck said. “But it comes at the expense of people being excluded.” see BECK page 4
ALUMNI
Performer named Young Alumnus because he showed that people can succeed in their Contributing Reporter career while still balancing Aaron Watson, country mu- a healthy family life. “He’s doing something sic singer, will be honored on April 26 as ACU’s Young that’s pretty visible and he’s doing it in a Christian way,” Alumnus of the Year. Samantha Adkins, se- Adkins said. Watson travels quite a bit, nior alumni relations officer, said the Alumni Advi- but Adkins said he is very sory Board selected Watson active in his Abilene conout of the group of finalists gregation and considers his
Samantha Sutherland
success,” Watson said. “Colossians 3:23 says that whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as if working for the Lord. I think ACU is one of the few places where you can get that education and that’s what makes it special.” Determining factors in Watson’s future were an see WATSON page 4
website
inside news U.S. News and World Report ranked COBA as the No. 1 business graduate school for students attaining employment within months of graduating. page 3
family’s needs when choosing to go on the road. Watson said his music career started his junior year at ACU. In the 10 years since his graduation, he has released 10 records and played over 1,500 shows, including some festivals with audiences of over 40,000 people. “I think ACU itself gives students an edge on having
opinion Find more information on all the candidates in the race for executive officer positions and read who we endorse and why. page 6
PHOTO COURTESY OF AARON WATSON
Aaron Watson, ACU’s Young Alumnus of the Year, performs a song on stage.
weather photo gallery Check out more photos of Rhoden Farm on our website, acuoptimist. com and also our Flickr site, flickr.com/photos/ acuoptimist.
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