acuoptimist.com
Optimist the
A World of Friendship, page 3
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Vol. 99, No. 51
1 section, 6 pages
STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Hart takes SA vice presidency junior political science major from Sacramento, Editor in Chief Calif., and next year’s SA Julianne Hart will serve as Treasurer, Carson Henley, next year’s Students’ As- junior biochemistry major from Colleyville, in the sociation vice president. Hart, junior political new SA executive cabinet. Hart said the three years science major from Austin, will join next year’s she’s spent working with Best SA President, Connor Best, and Henley on SA will in-
Linda Bailey
JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor
Julianne Hart, junior political science major from Austin, will serve as Students’ Association vice president.
crease their chances of working well together next year. “I really think the three of us will work well in the office together. We have a pretty good knowledge of each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Hart said. “Our teamwork and ability to work effectively will
just increase over time.” Current SA Vice President Jared Elk, senior political science major from Savoy, said nearly 380 students voted, approximately 80 percent of the 2-day general election. see HART page 4
ALUMNI
Tea Time for Change
Alumni Relations appoints director Christina Burch Page 2 Editor
Glenn Addison, 2012 Senate candidate, speaks at the Taylor County Tea Party in the Windsor Hotel Friday evening.
JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor
Alumnus speaks at local Tea Party, prepares Senate campaign
A
Jeff Craig, Managing Editor
CU alumnus Glenn Addison, a candidate for Kay Bailey Hutchison’s soonto-be vacated U.S. Senate seat, was among the featured speakers at a Tea Party rally in Downtown Abilene on Friday. The Taylor County Tea Party event originally was scheduled to be conducted in front of the Windsor Hotel, but the rally had to be moved inside the lobby because of blustery winds Friday afternoon.
Joy Ellinger, co-founder of the Taylor County Tea Party and candidate for mayor of Abilene, said the rally was planned to get people organized and ready for the next election. “We have 571 days to end an error. We have 571 days to the next presidential election. We have 571 days until the next congressional election,” Ellinger said. “It can’t be done without your help.” Addison, a 1983 graduate with degrees in business and political science,
spoke to a crowd of about 50 individuals, telling them modern politicians are out of touch with their constituents. “My heart is burdened, and your heart is burdened, or you wouldn’t be here,” Addison said. “That has caused me to run for this election.” He told the crowd he would change the career politician mindset currently dominating politics. He promised see TEA page 5
The university has hired Craig Fisher, president and chief executive officer of Abilene Christian Schools, as the new director of alumni relations and annual projects. The position, which he will fill Fisher starting June 1, will combine alumni relations with university advancement. Fisher said he believes this new partnership is a great concept. “We’re going to create a new environment, where both departments will be working together with common goals,” Fisher said. “I believe there will be a stronger commitment to each other and to the university.” Fisher said he is excited to work with the two departments. “This builds a cohesive unit,” Fisher said. “I’ll be able to engage alumni, current students, families and be a part of ACU and other areas that bring more students to the school and give alumni new jobs.” see ALUMNI page 5
CAMPUS
National walker makes ACU pit stop Samantha Sutherland Contributing Reporter
A year and a half ago, George Throop departed from his home in Vancouver, Wash., and set out on a walk that would take him all the way to Washington, D.C. With almost 3,000 miles already behind him, Throop’s arrival in Abilene marked the half-way point in his “Walk of Inspiration” across America.
Throop said he wants to use the walk to encourage people to live healthier lives and to engage in activities that will pull them out of the monotony of everyday life. “You may have to give some things up – some comforts or luxuries – to radically change things, but if you follow that voice of intuition inside you, down the road, you will see it was the best thing you could ever do,” Throop said.
Doug Timmons, senior information systems major from Weatherford, met Throop on Friday and was able to hear a lot of his story. “He is the manifestation of the desire for change that is inside our generation,” Timmons said. Throop carries signs on the road as he walks and, frequently, people stop to inquire about his journey. see JOURNEY page 5
website
inside feature Two friends who have traveled the world together recently visited the Middle East and returned to ACU to share their experience. page 3
After quitting his job in January of 2007, Throop bought a ticket to Latin America and spent five months touring and volunteering. He said it was there he decided he would come home and do this walk. “I’ve served my time. I’ve served my sentence, and I feel as if I’ve been sort of liberated, and I’ll continue my path to keep my freedom,” Throop said. “I’ll never go back to the way it was.”
sports A minor league baseball team soon will grace local fields as Abilene’s once popular Blue Sox make a comeback. page 6
SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND // Contributing Photographer
George Throop visits ACU campus as his half-way point of his “Walk of Inspiration” across America.
weather news Notable jazz performer Christian McBride, will make a guest appearance at ACU’s Spring Jazz Concert, Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium
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