OPTIMIST_04.27.11

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Optimist the

High Fashion, page 3

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Vol. 99, No. 52

1 section, 6 pages

STUDENT GROUPS

STATE

Shinnery to debut Thursday that people have put into the magazine this year by showcasContributing Reporter ing all the work in a more strucThe Black Tulip release party on tured way,” Bradshaw said.

The creation of the Shinnery Thursday will mark the debut of is a year-long process. The Shinthis year’s Shinnery Review.

The event, which will differ nery staff accepts submissions from years past, will be focused of short stories, poetry, and all completely on the talent fea- types of art and then votes on tured in the Shinnery, Bethany submissions anonymously to Bradshaw, senior English major narrow down the entries.

This edition will feature 63 from Henderson, said.

“We want to make it into a pieces created by 30 different celebration of all the hard work individuals, Bradshaw said.

Samantha Sutherland

Texas fires scorch acres

“There isn’t really a venue to showcase the written word,” said David McMichael, senior English major from Abilene. “When people write, they want it to have the potential of being read, and the Shinnery provides that.”

McMichael, who is a coeditor of the Shinnery alongside Bradshaw and Tanner Hadfield, said the authors published in the Shinnery are invited to come

Zane Goggans

The Shinnery Review will be available at the Black Tulip release party on Thursday.

given in the code is often redundant.

Jeremy Foo, sophomore advertising and public relations and political science major from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, said he thinks the QR code initiative will be practical only if people actually use the codes.

“I think it has the potential to be very useful because you can compact tons of information into an entire link in a tiny box,” Foo said.

Wildfires continue to rage across Texas, leaving thousands of acres charred in their wake.

The fires are the result of low humidity, lack of rain and high winds sweeping across the Southwest. Red flag warnings extend from the San Antonio area to just outside Flagstaff, Ariz., covering all of West Texas and New Mexico. Yellow flags, which represent fire watches, stretch from Round Rock to Harlingen on the southern tip of the state.

Twenty-two fires are raging statewide, according to the National Interagency Fire Center website.

The closest fire to Abilene is the Wildcat Fire, a 159,308acre fire just north of San Angelo. Lightning started the Wildcat Fire on April 11, and it is 80 percent contained. The next closest is the more expansive PK East Fire that surrounds Possum Kingdom Lake. That fire covers 10,996 acres.

Other wildfires range from the Texas Panhandle to the Beaumont area.

Some speculate 2011 to be the worst year in Texas for wildfires, but Marq Webb, public information officer for Lone Star State Incident Management Team, said that is not necessarily true.

Webb said 2006 was much worse for Texas fires, with 1.976 million acres scorched and numerous fatalities.

This year, 1.838 million acres are burned with only two deaths, both volunteer firefighters. However, Webb said Texas is on track to pass the 2006 fires in acreage.

“I think we will easily surpass 2006 as far as acres in the next two days,” Webb said.

“But that’s just speculation.”

Sunday’s thunderstorms and hail provided

see READERS page 5

see BURNING page 5

see TULIP page 5

Touch and GO

photo illustration by JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor

Students use ACU’s QR code scanner app for the iPhone. The app is free to all ACU students, faculty and staff.

Students give scannable QR codes mixed reviews

T

Bailey Griffith, Copy Editor

he future of QR codes is yet to be determined as students and faculty attempt to integrate this technology with daily life.

Dr. James D. Langford, director of innovation and implementation, said he always is hearing of new ways people are using the codes. Some stores are offering more product information through QR codes. At ACU, some instructors have

students scan the codes to link to faculty evaluations on their mobile devices, thus eliminating errors.

“It’s the nature of innovation and the diffusion of it that it starts small and grows and gets big,” Langford said. “The goal is to understand, is this going to be a useful innovation and what are the creative ways people are going to come up with to use it?”

Many students don’t use QR codes or see the practicality of them when the information

Contributing Reporter

Photo Courtesy of Bethany Bradshaw

FACULTY

Faculty chooses seven new senators, chair-elect Ashlock, assistant professor and chair of the Managing Editor Department of Bible, MisDr. Rodney Ashlock has sions and Ministry, will been elected as the chair- serve as chair of the Facelect of the Faculty Sen- ulty Senate in 2012-13. Dr. ate, and several other Rusty Towell, professor faculty members were and chair of the Departelected for the first time ment of Physics, will serve as chair of the Faculty to the Faculty Senate.

Jeff Craig

bilities of being chair of the quick facts Faculty Senate in preparation for when he becomes The Faculty Senate added seven new faculty senators. n Dr. Neal Coates, chair of the Department of Political Science chair in fall 2012. n Dr. Brad Crisp, assistant professor of management sciences “It’s mainly a listening n Dr. Houston Heflin, assistant professor of Bible, and learning period where missions and ministry I’m trying to get back into the n Dr. Kenneth Pybus, associate professor of journalism groove of Faculty Senate and and mass communication n Dr. Shelly Sanders, assistant professor of English n Dr. Allen Teel, professor of music see SENATE page 5 n Brandon Young, assistant professor of art and design

website

inside feature Bennie’s Attic, a local thrift shop featuring high fashion, vintage clothing at reduced prices offers student discounts. page 3

Senate in 2011-12. Dr. Kim Pamplin, associate professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, will serve as past chair in 2011-12.

Ashlock served as a faculty senator from 2006-09.

He said he looks forward to learning the responsi-

sports The ACU baseball team lost four games this weekend, putting the Wildcats in jeopardy of not reaching the playoffs.

weather news The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will conduct a run/walk in an effort to send a 4-year-old leukemia patient to Disney World.

page 6

Abilene Christian University

Wed.

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Campus Wednesday, April 27, 2011

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Day

calendar & events

Wednesday

11 a.m. Come to the Quiet Chapel in Moody Coliseum 5 p.m. Applications for Students’ Association officer positions due in the Students’ Association office

28

Thursday

11 a.m. Small group Chapel on various locations across campus 5 p.m. Alpha Kai Omega rush 5 p.m. Frater Sodalis rush

7 p.m. Sub T-16 rush

29

Friday

11 a.m. Praise Day in Moody Coliseum

30

Saturday

9 a.m. Celebration of Service around Abilene

2 p.m. Baseball at Southwestern Oklahoma University

12 p.m. Baseball at Southwestern Oklahoma

7 p.m. Softball vs. Tarleton State University

1 p.m. Softball vs. Tarleton State University

7 p.m. Gata rush 9 p.m. Delta Theta rush

3 p.m. Softball vs.

Tarleton State

7:30 p.m. Black Tulip Shinnery Review release party

4 p.m. Anne Marie Rauscher and Arielle Collier vocal recital

8 p.m. ACU Bands concert featuring the works of David Maslanka

7:30 p.m.

Dimensions in Blue Jazz Ensemble of the US Air Force Band of the West in Cullen Auditorium

follow us on Twitter: @acuoptimist // become a fan on Facebook: The Optimist

announcements Student’s Association positions Applications for Student Association positions are due at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the Student’s Association office. The available Student Association positions are chief development officer, who works with the vice president on internal affairs and helps members of congress formulate and implement ideas to improve student life; chief communications officer, who is in charge of all advertising and communications on behalf of Student Association; and chief financial officer, who assists the treasurer with formulating the budget and other financial matters. The special election will take place 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 2-3 in the Campus Center. For more information on the Student Association Constitutional Amendments visit acustudents.com/?p=962.

Service Saturdays Students can serve the Abilene community during Service Saturday on April 30. Contact Rita Harrell at 674-2932 for more information.

Study Abroad Fall 2011 Spaces still are available in the Oxford and Montevideo Study Abroad Programs for Fall 2011.

Students can enroll in CORE 120 and CORE 220 in Oxford, and $1,000 scholarships are available for the Montevideo Study Abroad Program. For more information, visit the Study Abroad Office in Room 124 of the Hardin Administration Building.

Upward Bound Summer Advisers Students interested in helping disadvantaged high school students now can apply to become Upward Bound summer advisers from May 29-July 8. Advisers will receive free room and board, plus $925.

For more information, call 674-2529 or 674-2713.

Grief Group The University Counseling Center is sponsoring a grief group on Thursdays in April. Each session takes place from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Hunter Welcome Center conference room.

Contact steve.eller@acu.edu for more information.

Team Tatum Walk/Run for a Wish The ACU StudentAthlete Advisory Committee is raising funds to help fulfill the wish of Tatum Kate Flaming, a local girl who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2009. Students can help support Flaming by participating in the Team Tatum Walk/Run for a Wish 5K on May 7. Pre-registration is $15, and walk-up registration costs $20. To learn more about Tatum’s story, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/tatumkate.

Swing Cats The Swing Cats meet every week 7-9 p.m. on Sundays in Cullen Auditorium. No partners or experience are required.

Relay 4 Life The Freshman Action Council is selling Relay For Life shirts in the Campus Center. Shirts cost $10 and are available in four colors: pink in support of breast cancer, blue for prostate cancer, gold for childhood cancer and purple for general awareness.

All-school Chapel The Chapel Office encourages students to participate in “Bring Your Professor to Chapel Day” and invite their professors to Chapel as a part of the campus-wide effort to attend Chapel every Monday.

FCA The ACU chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes meets at 9 p.m. every Thursday in the Campus Center Living Room.

Online Summer Courses Registration for online summer courses now is open.

Students can choose from 15 courses, and each course is three weeks long. For more information, visit www.acu. edu/summeronline.

ACU Police Tip of the Week Always keep a record of the brand name and serial number of all electronics, such as laptops, cameras and iPads, to help police recover the property if it is stolen.

Police Log Edited for space

11 p.m. The Abilene Wednesday, April 13 6:36 p.m. ACU police Police Department notireceived a call about a fied ACU police of 6-8 suspicious person sit- armed men dressed in ting in a green Volkswa- camouflage in the open gen behind Christian field at Garfield Avenue Village on 633 E.N. 19th and Campus Court. The Street. The individual men were Dyess United was an employee of a States Air Force soldiers transportation company in full uniform preparA log of by the ACU Village Police ing De-for a paintball war. hired Christian partment’s activities will Police reminded to survey daily the number of Abilene be printed this enter page of the airmen of Abilene’s individualsonwho the Optimist.

Thearea first no air gun discharge muand exit the back of Police Village.Friday. nicipal ordinance, and Log Christian will appear they agreed to relocate.

Friday, April 15 4:45 p.m. ACU police Friday, April 17 received a report from a 1:35 a.m. Abilene police student that his laundry notified ACU police of had been stolen from a a noise violation from a dryer at Smith Hall some- party at 420 College Dr. time between 11:45 p.m. Officers issued the tenand 7:45 a.m. the follow- ant a citation. ing morning.

Report all suspicious activity to the ACU Police Saturday, April 16 12:23 a.m. The ACU Department at 674-2305.

Police Department was notified of a loud noise coming from a party at 942 E.N. 19th St. Officer contacted the tenant and issued a warning. The tenant complied.

Weekly Stats April 13-17 1 Accident 11 Administrative Activity 1 Animal Call 1 Armed Suspect 3 Assist 3 Boot/Unboot Vehicle 14 Building Lock/ Unlock 18 Check Building 2 Found Property 4 Investigation Follow Up

1 Lost Property 3 Patrol Vehicle: 1 Medical Maintenance 5 Patrol Vehicle: Emergency 2 Monitor Traffic Refuel 4 Motorist Assist: 1 Public Service 1 Report Writing Jumpstart 3 Motorist Assist: 1 Stolen Vehicle 4 Suspicious Other 19 Motorist Assist: Activity 1 Theft Unlock 4 Noise Violation 20 Traffic Stop 5 Other 2 Welfare Check 15 Parking Violation 1 Escort

Chapel Checkup 66 07

Credited Chapels to date

Credited Chapels remaining

correction

The co-founder of the Taylor County Tea Party an mayoral candidate was misidentified in Wednesday’s issue of the Optimist. The co-founder is Pat Hippely.

We regret the error.

STUDENTS

Grad student presents word study at conference Christianna Lewis Senior Reporter

Joshua Alkire, graduate student from Abilene, has been studying and presenting the use and misuse of the word “literally” for more than a year.

He gets a little tired of the topic now and then, but he could not pass up

an opportunity to present his research once again. He was one of the 74 students out of 700 applicants who were accepted to present in Washington, D.C. at the Posters on the Hill event sponsored by the Council On Undergraduate Research, said Dr. Joseph Stephenson, assistant dean of the Honors College.

“I’m very proud that Joshua was able to represent ACU at this major national research event,” Stephenson said. “Joshua’s research, which actually was part of his Honors Capstone project, was top notch, and there was always a crowd of people around his poster.”

Alkire was the first ACU

student to present at this event, Stephenson said.

Alkire was a graduate student at the time of his presentation, but he performed the research while getting his bachelor’s in English and family ministries. He graduated December 2010.

Alkire’s presentation focused on the legal rami-

fications of literal language. The current ruling is that witnesses cannot be charged with perjury for truthfully answering the literal meaning of the question, Alkire said. If a prosecutor asked a witness, “Did the dealer give you drugs?” the witness could answer “No,” and be protected, even if his reasoning was that the drugs were bought, not given.

Alkire was impressed by all of the great undergraduate projects in one room, he said. He was also encouraged by a Yale professor’s speech on the importance of art and humanities. It reminded Alkire that the research in these studies serves to keep people in touch with what it means to be human, he said.

Alkire also has studied the modern use of “literally” as an intensifier as

well as its use in the realm of theology, which he presented in the formats of PowerPoint and paper, respectively. The poster presentation he made in D.C. was Alkire’s favorite platform for presenting his work so far, he said. It was the most interactive way to communicate and allowed audiences to ask questions freely.

The questions listeners raised opened Alkire’s mind to the possibilities for more papers in his research, he said. He said there is a small possibility he may use the study in his thesis to finish an MA in theology and history.

But for now, Alkire said he is taking a break from the topic, literally.

contact Lewis at

cll09a@acu.edu

Focus

April 27, 2011

Page 3

JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor

Bennie Frazier, owner of Bennie’s Attic, opened her shop on South Leggett Drive to give Abilene residents a unique selection of clothes varying from vintage to modern.

ATTIC FASHION Bennie’s Attic offers Abilene shoppers a large selection of sophisticated, secondhand clothing and collectables Lizzy Spano

Contributing Writer

‘‘ ’’

The word ‘attic’ normally conjures up thoughts of dust and spider webs, and while the contents of Bennie’s are certainly old, they are anything but dark and dusty.

In fact, they are downright glamorous.

Bennie’s Attic, a high-end resale clothing and collectable shop located at 216 South Leggett Dr., opened last month after relocating from Sweetwater. The store offers vintage and contemporary clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry, collectibles, kitchenware, books and electronics for women, men and children.

The shop’s variety of inventory is comparable to thrift and consignment stores, but Bennie Frazier’s sophisticated taste, eye for design, and commitment to organization and ambience sets it apart.

“I like things that are basically unusual,” Frazier, who owns and runs the store, said.

And by unusual, she means reversible two-piece suits; fully-working, collectible portable telephone purses; and antique powder sets. She means scarves of every color and pattern; wide-brim hats of every shape and size; and vintage pink aluminum cake carriers.

She means children’s outfits and furniture, oriental outfits, scrubs and real suede shoes for men.

Customers can meander through neatly-organized racks and rooms of consignment pieces while smooth jazz or Will Smith’s Summertime pipes through speakers in what used to be a popular hair salon. Frazier’s taste for the unusual decorates the walls and gives the store a colorful and glamorous city-shop feel.

And the charming Frazier is always ready to share her favorite items with high school, college and older customers who appreciate her unique, refined taste.

Leather heels, buttoned boots and leopard swing coats – she knows every single item in her store and calls most of it ‘hot, hot, hot’ or ‘just too cute.’ Pick up a top and she knows just the belt that will complete the look.

Working alongside Frazier is Richard Greg, who helps run the store. Greg spends time organizing mechandise and helping customers. Greg is just as accommodating and welcoming as Frazier while customers browse the shop’s inventory. The two make customers’ experience pleasant and pain-free.

I like things that are basically unusual.

BENNIE FRAZIER // owner of Bennie’s Attic

Frazier’s collection of everything from authentic vintage designer shoes to working antique toasters is constantly updated and restocked. Her merchandise comes from dealers in San Francisco, various private estate sales and her own closet, which she’s accumulated over years of working and soaking in the high-end fashion world.

Frazier said fashion is something she’s been passionate about since she was young. Her aunt worked in Oklahoma City for an aff luent family whose daughter was Frazier’s age and, fortunately, her size. As their daughter cycled through her yearly fall and summer designer wardrobes, Frazier would receive her handme-downs and castoffs.

“Needless to say, I was always the best dressed girl,” Frazier said.

Between that and watching Rita Hayworth and other celebrities on TV, Frazier quickly developed a taste for high-end fashion. This led her to work for several clothing boutiques and eventually to become the manager of Casual Corner, a boutique in California. This is where Nordstrom’s discovered Frazier – and later made her the fashion consultant and special event coordinator for their store in San Francisco.

“I was what you call a pace-setter in the company … the top sales executive,” Frazier said. “Which is neat, because you get a 30 percent discount as opposed to 20 percent.”

Having her own boutique was always her dream, however, so Frazier opened Bennie’s Attic in Sweetwater.

She sold vintage clothing and collectibles to local shoppers and several out-of-town patrons for six years before deciding to change locations. She looked into moving to Abilene and decided it would be the perfect place.

“I know my customers, I know my products, I know what’s out there, so I was confident that nobody was really out there in Abilene that could offer the customers what I had to offer, at the price,” Frazier said. “And with the economy being the way it is, women, we still want to look sharp. We want to look trendy and fashionable,

but we don’t want to break the bank. I felt like I could offer the customers all those things at super affordable prices, not only for themselves but for their families.”

Frazier’s shop offers designers like Coach, Nieman Marcus, Escada and Ralph Lauren for prices significantly less expensive than what shoppers would find online or at other boutiques. Styles range from casual to dressy and the era from the Victorian era to the present. Dresses from After Five share the same rack with dresses from Forever 21.

“I tend to mix retro with contemporary things,” Frazier said. “And the reason I do that is because sometimes when you ask people if they like a particular era, they’ll say ‘No, no,’ but then they don’t really know. And you mix it, it’s like, ‘Oh I love that.’ So I do that a lot.”

Every suit, gown and blouse is in excellent condition, so customers don’t have to worry about buying vintage pieces that only will fall apart after one wear.

“As a rule, if you can come in here and you can fit into the dress, the outfit or the shoe, you can go home with it,” Frazier said.

That’s why Frazier dry-cleans, restores and alters items for customers.

She also is working on getting her website up and running, which will offer even more consignment pieces.

She said she has more than 500 designer scarves that will be available online, as well as coats, books and other apparel and collectibles that just can’t fit in the store.

And the best part: Frazier offers a 30 percent discount to college students every Friday.

“It’s important for me to let students know that hey, you don’t necessarily have to travel to Austin or Dallas to find the really nice stuff. You know I’m here,” Frazier said.

She said several students from the surrounding universities already are faithful in visiting every Friday.

Bennie’s Attic is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., but Frazier said she’s not the type to kick customers out who want to peruse past closing.

“If you’re in here at 5:30 or if you walk in the door, I’m not going to say. ‘Nope, get out of here; I’m closing,’” Frazier said. “No, no, no … I appreciate my customers and I want them to know that I value their business.” contact Optimist at

jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Opinion

Page 4

April 27, 2011

EDITORIAL

Speakers should make Summit a success Summit 2011 will create positive memories for attendees, thanks to a simple, yet powerful, theme and notable key speakers.

The theme for next year’s Summit, “Enough,” calls for Christians to examine the “talk-the-talk” and “walk-the-walk” maxim. The Summit website asks us for an “examination of whether our practice matches our belief.”

The 2011 theme exhibits particular value because it calls Christians to action.

We believe that by calling people to action through self-examination, the theme will serve as a rubric for thought and force attendees to undergo evaluation and ponder the words of the speaker. “Enough” will allow Christians to hear the message and respond accordingly with deep, personal evaluation.

Summit 2011 also will feature some notable speakers, most notably Max Lucado, an ACU alumnus. Lucado, who serves

as the minister of preaching at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, has authored more than 60 books that have sold more than 80 million copies.

Lucado maintains status as a notable and wellrespected minister across the United States. In 2005, Reader’s Digest named him America’s Best Preacher, and Christianity Today gave him the nickname “America’s Pastor.”

People know who Max Lucado is; many ACU students likely grew up read-

ing some of his books. By integrating a speaker individuals have heard of, there will be more buzz leading up to Summit.

Sharon Cohn Wu, another featured speaker, is a vice president with the International Justice Mission. She does not have the name recognition of Lucado, but her organization carries great weight with today’s college student. IJM maintains status as a worthy organization, particularly with progressive students.

By Morgan Davis

The Funny Funnies

the issue

The theme and speakers already have been chosen for the 2011 Summit lectureship.

our take

Well-known speakers will make Summit a memorable and worthwhile event for students and visitors to attend.

Respected Summit 2011 speakers will give attendees tangible and applicable ideas. The cogent theme, “Enough,” will create impact and allow for more personal evaluation of individuals’ lives.

We believe these two factors will give attendees a pleasant experi-

ence and something to think about. If people leave the event thinking and pondering, then it will be safe to call the event a success. All indicators point to a successful Summit. contact the Optimist at

jmcnetwork@acu.edu

COLUMN

Buckeyes’ coach should be let go Rounding the Bases

By Brandon Tripp

COLUMN

Failed first jobs don’t dictate future Self-Examination

By Ryan Self

You may know him as Captain Jack Sparrow or Edward Scissorhands but before he was the Mad Hatter and Willy Wonka, Johnny Depp had a different title: ballpointpen salesSelf man. There are many people who, like Depp, have gone on to fame and fortune after enduring first jobs that were less than thrilling. Before he became one of the most well-known actors in the world, Brad Pitt started out on street corners dressed as a chicken advertising for El Pollo Loco Chicken.

Even Rachel McAdams, before she stole the big screen in films such as The Notebook and Mean Girls, once asked customers if they would like to supersize their meal. That’s right, Rachel McAdams used to work for McDonalds.

Your first job is not always an indicator of how your future career will pan out. Jonathan Acuff, of Stuff Christians Like fame, is a national best-selling author and now works as a contributor for The Dave Ramsey Show. But as he writes in his latest book, Quitter, success has taken a long time to catch up to him.

Before he landed his dream job in Nashville, Tenn. writing best-selling books and working for a nationallysyndicated radio show, he went through eight jobs in the eight years following his graduation from college.

Most of those jobs included technical and copy writing work for companies like AutoTrader.com, Home Depot and Staples – hardly thrilling for most.

Sometimes a first job can be a launching pad for inspiration or a big break.

Author Stephen King was inspired to write his first novel, Carrie, while cleaning a girl’s locker room as a janitor. Stephen Colbert started his career at the famous im-

editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

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 personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy.

Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

Before he became one of the most well-known actors in the world, Brad Pitt started out on street corners dressed as a chicken advertising El Pollo Loco Chicken. prov academy Second City ,(which also helped launch the careers of Tina Fey, Steve Carell and Mike Myers) not onstage but by selling tickets at the box office and selling souvenirs.

Failure at a first job doesn’t always spell disaster for a future career either.

Walt Disney had difficulty finding a job in the newspaper industry as a cartoonist and ad creator and eventually was fired by a newspaper editor because “he lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” He also had many failed business attempts and bankruptcies before he opened the world-famous Disneyland.

MIT actually has offered an entire course on failure entitled “The Fine Art of Failure” because as Diane Garnick of Invesco muses,

“We learn more from our failures that we could ever learn from our successes.”

Before you are the CEO of a Fortune-500 company, you may find yourself selling computer software over the phone for several hours each day. Before you own the dream house with the dream car parked out front, you may be living on ramen noodles and driving a Kia to your job that requires a 30-minute commute. But before you give up on your dream of success at a job that is meaningful, fulfilling and wellcatered to your talents, you should know that taking a less-than-desirable first job will put you in pretty good company.

Optimist the

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

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contact Self at

rcs06g@acu.edu

by recruiting the help of people who knew the athletes and taking his findings to a lawyer.

This realization quickly debunked any assertions Tressel had made about his ignorance in the matter and instantly made it a viral story all around the country.

It only got worse for the Buckeyes head coach when it was discovered that he had told everyone that he didn’t want to jeopardize an ongoing investigation into a tattoo parlor owner who was

It’s time for Jim Tressel to be fired from his post as the Ohio State University football coach. Tressel is accused by the NCAA of lying about when and how much he knew about NCAA vioTripp lations that some of his players, including star Terrelle Pryor, were committing by selling their memorabilia.

It’s time for the university to concern The Buckeyes themselves have to decide about their whether to stand reputation.

It’s all about on principles or to trying to stay let what Tressel has ahead of the done play out in the firestorm that will ensue and media and with the quickly engulf NCAA regulations. the program.

The thought around much of college being investigated by football is that the progress the FBI. But then it was of the investigation will be discovered that he had slow and nothing may be forwarded the emails decided until after the foot- he was protecting to a friend of quarterback ball season in 2011.

Regardless, it is time Terrelle Pryor.

So the decision Ohio for the university administration, as well as State faces is similar to Athletics Director Gene the one that Tennessee Smith, to think about had to answer with Bruce how much they really Pearl and to some extent value the national per- BYU with Brandon Daception of Ohio State. vies. The Buckeyes have Tressel, who has the high- to decide whether to est winning percentage stand on principles or of any Buckeyes coach to let what Tressel has ever, has put the reputa- done play out in the metion of the university and dia and with the NCAA the future of its football regulations. Hopefully program on the line be- for college football and cause of his actions, or those who admire Ohio lack thereof, and must be State, the Buckeyes’ leaders will stand for held accountable.

Originally, Tressel the right thing. As much claimed he didn’t know as we all love to see that anything about the ac- vested genius walk up tions of his players, but and down the sidelines as time wore on it was at games, it’s time for discovered that Tres- him to go. sel not only knew but contacted people to try contact Tripp at and quell the violations bjt07a@acu.edu

editorial & management board Linda Bailey

Matthew Woodrow Christina Burch

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FROM THE FRONT/FROM SPORTS

April 27, 2011

Page 5

TENNIS

SOFTBALL

Court: Wildcats sweep titles

LSC: Rambelles sweep Wildcats in San Angelo

Continued from page 6

The women defeated Southeastern Oklahoma State and Cameron University before beating Midwestern State University in the final with a 5-1 score; three singles matches couldn’t be completed.

Like the men’s teams, the No. 1 and No. 3 doubles matches went to the

Wildcats. Junior Jaclyn Walker and freshmen Micah Hermsdorf and Emily Conrad won their singles matches in two sets.

“Coach always tells us to stay positive,” Conrad said. “We’ve been gaining lots of confidence, and it’s really paying off.”

It is the women’s fourth straight LSC win, and seventh in the last eight years.

“We won conference last year too,” sophomore Julia Mongin said. “It was a great win, and we are really looking forward to hosting regionals.”

ACU will host the women’s regional tournament, and probably the men’s tournament as well. The final regular season ranking will be released May 4 to determine the regional hosts. The men were

ranked No. 2 in the South Central Region behind St. Edwards before winning the LSC on Saturday.

“These memories will always stay with us as a team,” Strahl said. “Everybody has put in a lot of effort to accomplish what we have done.” contact Smith at

mds10a@acu.edu

BASEBALL

Series: Playoff chances in jeopardy Continued from page 6

third before being pulled in favor of reliever Kris Carlson.

ACU began a comeback in the fifth inning, scoring three runs in the inning with two outs to close the gap to 9-3. After Cameron Watten and Goudeau were retired, ACU ran off a string of four consecutive runners on base. A throwing error brought home Will Calhoun and Bryce Gerhardt.

The ACU bullpen put in six solid innings allowing just one run in the fifth.

The Wildcats couldn’t finish the rally though in the late innings, leaving eight

runners stranded in the final four innings.

In the first game of the Saturday doubleheader, the Wildcats couldn’t find a way to break through against Aggie pitcher James Rhodes.

Rhodes threw a complete game to move to 6-0 on the season for Cameron. He allowed just seven hits while fanning four Wildcats.

Zach Sneed had a solid outing for the Wildcats going 5 1-3 innings giving up just three runs, two earned, while striking out four.

Calhoun, a senior, came on in relief for Sneed and the Aggies plated four runs in just over an inning’s worth of

work to put the game out of reach at 7-0.

In the late game, the Wildcats got a solid performance again from their starter, this time Watten, who went 4 2-3 innings allowing just two runs, but the ACU bullpen unraveled after that.

Brady Rodriguez was brought on to continue the work, but instead allowed five runs on five hits by the Aggies all in the sixth inning when Cameron busted the game wide open. With a 7-2 lead ACU couldn’t hold back the flood gates as the Aggies continued to pour it on in the seventh and eighth innings, run-ruling the Wildcats in

the eighth by a final of 14-3.

“It’s hard when you get good starting pitching, and then you go to your bullpen and it blows up in your face,” said Bonneau. “We are frustrated.”

The losses put the Wildcats tournament hopes in serious jeopardy with only one weekend remaining in the season. ACU will need some help with losses by both West Texas A&M and Angelo State along with a sweep of their own against the fifth place team in the LSC.

contact Tripp at

bjt07a@acu.edu

Continued from page 6

‘‘ ’’

did not get any run support.

ACU recorded only four hits as they could not push any runs across the board.

In the second game, ACU fell apart defensively recording five errors and eight unearned runs. ASU would go on and route the Wildcats in five innings 9-1. Peyton Mosley picked up the loss dropping her to 6-5 on the season.

In the final game of the series, ACU would battle tough with the Rambelles.

The Wildcats would score in the top of the first to take an early 1-0 lead. ASU would answer scoring single runs in the second, third and fourth. The Wildcats would score two runs in the fifth to tie the game at three. However, in the bottom of the sixth, ASU would blast a home run to center field to break the tie.

ASU would win the game 4-3, completing the sweep of the Wildcats.

ACU will host the TexAnns this weekend start-

We need to win two of three this weekend.

BRITTANY REXROAT // senior pitcher

ing Friday at 7 p.m. will conclude its season with a doubleheader on Saturday.

“We need to win two of three this weekend. If we could sweep that would be great, but our goal is at least two of three,” Brittany Rexroat said. “We are trying to focus on getting all aspects of our game going. We are focusing on getting our offense and defense working together at the same time, that is something we struggled with against Angelo last weekend.” contact Cantrell at

jrc07f@acu.edu

LOCAL

Burning: Windy conditions fuel Texas fire outbreak Continued from page 1

only temporary relief for firefighters. Webb said the rain helped tremendously, but the effects of the storms will fade quickly because of high winds drying out fields.

“It’s going to go on un-

til we get a significant amount of rain, maybe 10 inches scattered over a couple of weeks,” Webb said. “Until that happens, we will be fighting fires.”

Significant amounts of rain are not expected anytime soon as summer approaches. Joel Dunn,

meteorologist for the National Weather Service in San Angelo, said things could get a little easier in the future.

“There will be no rain for the next seven days,” Dunn said. “There will be drier than normal conditions for the next month,

but that doesn’t mean it won’t rain.”

Wednesday, wind speeds are expected to calm down to 10-15 mph.

That is compared to Monday’s 20-25 mph winds.

However, a cold front is expected Wednesday, changing wind direc-

tions to the north, which may cause more problems for firefighters.

Wednesday’s high temperature is forecasted to reach 75 degrees and Thursday’s high is forecasted to reach 81 degrees.

“Luckily, [firefighters]

won’t have the wind speed to deal with,” Dunn said.

“But the change in winds is still a big deal.”

All information about wildfires across the area is current as of April 25. contact Googans at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

CAMPUS

Readers: Campus continues to implement QR codes Continued from page 1

‘‘ ’’ ‘‘ ’’

“But it needs to be interactive.”

Langford said as of two weeks ago, there were about 1200 downloads of the getGo application that ACU offered to students and faculty free of charge. The app is normally $2.

There have been about 680 URLs created using go.acu.edu, which can create several different types of data, but Langford said URLs have been the primary type.

FACULTY

It’s just silly. This is probably the silliest thing I’ve seen ACU do.

SPENSER LYNN // sophomore physics major from White Oak

Incorporating the codes into practical use is in the hands of those creating the codes, Langford said. If they are turning a URL into a code without any new information, those scanning will not find it helpful and most likely will not bother to scan again, Langford said.

“There are some QR codes that are very repetitive,” Foo said. “They have the entire poster then, ‘Scan here for digital poster.’ No; I’ll pass.

It’s kind of impractical.”

Foo said in his home country of Malaysia, many mass-produced publica-

tions use QR codes.

Some U.S. companies are doing the same. Langford showed the Optimist a recent issue of Wired magazine in which an advertisement featured a QR code that linked to an application for the company’s product.

The application was for a Mini Cooper and was a justfor-fun type of app.

That’s how Spenser Lynn, sophomore physics major from White Oak, views QR codes as a whole – just for fun.

“I think they’re a great

novelty,” Lynn said.

Lynn expressed his concern, however, for the opportunities QR codes can give to cyberterrorists with unidentifiable codes and shortened URLs that potentially could link to dangerous websites.

“People will come up and scan them and you won’t know what website you’re going to until you scan it,” Lynn said. “It’s just silly. This is probably the silliest thing I’ve seen ACU do.”

But with ACU’s code creator, students and faculty

must input their information into the system so ACU knows who makes each code for accountability.

“It’s kind of what you predict, that any time you have something new you’re going to have a smaller number that are early adopters and they’ll jump right on and try something new,” Langford said. “Then as time goes on, you have more people making a conscious decision to adopt or not to adopt.” contact Griffith at

bng10a@acu.edu

STUDENT GROUP

Senate: Eight faculty elected Tulip: Review plans release Continued from page 1

find out what major pressing issues the faculty will face in 2012-13,” Ashlock said.

Ashlock said he looks forward to representing and serving the faculty in the coming years.

“You take up and take on the pressing issues that face faculty, from salary to curriculum issues,” Ashlock said.

“You’re also always trying to work with administration in productive ways and trying to make that a better and healthier relationship.”

Dr. Allen Teel, professor of music, will serve as one of seven new faculty senators who will begin their terms in the fall. Teel said he has full confidence in Ashlock’s abilities to chair the Faculty Senate.

There is a chance to learn more about how the university is functioning...

DR. BRAD CRISP // assistant professor of information systems

“I think he’ll be fantastic. I’ve known him for quite a few years,” Teel said. “He’s a person of great integrity who has students’ best interests at heart, but will serve really well for faculty at the same time.”

Teel said he also looks forward to serving as a faculty senator for the second time. Teel began teaching at ACU in 1985.

“It’s a big time commitment, but there is a lot of value in being able to represent the faculty in things that are important to us,” Teel said.

Dr. Brad Crisp, assistant professor of informa-

tion systems, will serve alongside Teel on the Faculty Senate next fall.

Crisp said he is looking forward to serving faculty and ensuring their interests are met over the coming three years.

“There is a chance to learn more about how the university is functioning and what issues are being presented and ways we as faculty can be engaged in those issues,” Crisp said. “This is an important time in higher education with lots of challenges.” contact Craig at

jrc07d@acu.edu

Continued from page 1

and read their pieces at the event and copies of the Shinnery will be distributed for free.

“If you’re someone that’s interested in the artistic happenings at ACU, it’s a good place to come and see what’s going on,” McMichael said.

Bradshaw encouraged all students who are interested in getting involved or submitting work for next year to attend and find out what the Shinnery is all about.

“It’s the only ACU organization I know that really does encourage the arts in a broad way,” Bradshaw said. “It’s exciting to see people from other majors, outside of class and outside of their departments even, being encouraged to pursue creative activities.”

The Shinnery staff also organizes other events throughout the year including writing workshops, a small group Chapel and a recent concert at Monk’s Coffee Shop that featured a band from Dallas named Seryn. The Black Tulip is specifically a celebration of a year’s worth of work on the Shinnery.

“This is what the students here at ACU are capable of and this is the talent that is on this campus,” Bradshaw said.

The Black Tulip release party will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Shore Art Gallery. contact Sutherland at

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

CLASSIFIED For Rent: 1 -1 bedroom/1bath unfurnished apts. $300/mo. (no pets & no smoking) utilities not included, located within walking distance to ACU, available June 1 1233 ½ Washington Call 325-677-1943 if interested.

Two nice 1 bedroom apartments on same property as our home.

Available June 1 Also, one large 4 bedroom/2 bath house.

All listings located 1/2 block from campus on College Drive No Smoking/No pets Call 672-9633 or 370-5122 if interested.

Sports

Page 6

Standings BASEBALL Team

Div.

UIW 22-8 SE OK St. 22-8 Tarleton St. 21-9 Cameron 20-10 SW OK St. 21-12 ASU 18-15 WTAMU 16-14 ACU 15-15

Ovrl.

31-12 26-14 33-10 28-13 30-15 24-20 29-17 23-21

SOFTBALL Team

Div.

Ovrl.

ASU UIW WTAMU TWU ACU TSU TAMU-K ENMU

14-4 12-6 11-7 9-9 9-9 9-9 5-13 3-15

39-8 28-21 36-13 27-23 26-26 21-23 24-28 13-38

GOLF

April 27, 2011

Third-place finish advances Wildcats Austin Gwin Sports Editor

After a 10-stroke comeback on day two, the Wildcat golf team couldn’t muster a rally in day three and fell to a third-place finish at the Lone Star Conference Championships.

“We played pretty solid but didn’t have our best stuff as a team,” sophomore Alex Carpenter said.

Although the Wildcats all finished at the top 25, the highest finisher for ACU was Alex Carpenter

TENNIS

Briefs n Senior sprinter De-

in fourth at 3-under-par.

The defending national champion, Cyril Bouniol, finished in a tie for 14th at 4-over-par. Tyler Sheppard finished right above Bouniol in a tie for 12th.

LSC Freshman of the Year Trey Sullivan played well in his first LSC tournament and ended up in a tie for 14th.

The tournament looked to be going the Wildcats’ way after the Wildcats made a huge comeback during the second round of the tournament. The

’Cats began the day 12 strokes behind eventual champion Central Oklahoma University but narrowed the margin to only two after an under-par round from Bouniol. The birdies didn’t fall for the Wildcats on the last day though and they couldn’t complete what would have been a historic rally.

With ACU failing to win, the Oklahoma schools continued to dominate the LSC tourney. Since division play began, only two Texas schools have took

home the title – Texas A&M Kingsville University in 1999 and ACU in 2010.

The third-place finish is still good enough to move the Wildcats on as they will play in the NCAA South Central Regional tournament next week. Joining the Wildcats will be Central Oklahoma and second-place finisher Cameron University. All three LSC schools are ranked in the top 25 with UCO and ACU ranked in the top 10.

“It was fun to be right there in the hunt going

into the last round as a team,” Sheppard said. “It’s disappointing we didn’t pull out the win, but we’re all looking forward to competing at the Regional tournament.”

The NCAA South Central Regional tournament will be May 2-5 in Georgetown, Ky. at the Cherry Blossom Golf Club.

“We’re eager to get after it in Kentucky this week,” Carpenter said. contact Gwin at

agg07a@acu.edu

Matching Titles

somond Jackson led the ACU track and field team last weekend at the Michael Johnson/ Dr Pepper Invitational in Waco. Jackson garnered two secondplace finishes and a fourth-place finish on the 4x100 relay team.

Amso Sang, Ramon Sparks, Nick Jones and Amanda Ouedraogo all had place-worthy finishes for ACU. See the complete story online at www.acuoptimist.com.

Sophomore golfer Alex Carpenter was chosen Wednesday to represent the USA at the next Palmer Cup tournament this summer. Carpenter and his U.S. teammates will play a European team and he is the only nonDivision I athlete on the U.S. team.

n

Player Profile Senior Zach Sneed from Grand Prairie, had a solid outing on the mound for the Wildcats in their 7-0 loss to Cameron on Saturday.

Sneed Sneed threw 5.1 innings, allowing three runs, two of which were earned while striking out four batters. On the season, he boasts a 5.40 ERA and is 5-4. Also, he has 38 strikeouts to 17 walks. Sneed was an all-region pitcher last year for the Wildcats as a junior.

DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer

Sophomore Julia Mongin (Left) and freshman Hans Hoch (Right) serve in their respective matches earlier this year. The Wildcats took home both the men’s and women’s Lone Star Conference championship titles and await to see if they will move on to the regional tournament when the final rankings come out May 4.

Men’s and women’s tennis bring home conference trophies

over the weekend in a rainshortened tournament.

The men defeated Incarnate Word, then in the finals beat Cameron University for the second time Mark Smith in less than two weeks, in Sports Reporter the championship match.

ACU swept the Lone Star It is the men’s third straight Conference Tennis Cham- LSC title.

All the men’s doubles pionships, as both the men’s and women’s teams won matches were close, and

the ACU No. 1 and No. 3 teams pulled out the wins.

The Wildcats defeated Cameron with a score of 5-1, as some of the matches were not able to finish because of rain.

“It was a great experience to beat Cameron again, this time in the finals,” said sophomore John Strahl. “We had a

BASEBALL

The softball team hosts Tarleton State University on Friday at 7 p.m. before playing a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.

The track and field team will compete at the Penn Relays Friday and Saturday in Philadelphia.

n

see COURT page 5

ACU fighting for final playoff spot Ryan Cantrell

Sports Multimedia Editor

n

n

completed. In the regular season match against Cameron, these three players had lost to their singles opponents.

“My opponent, Nicolas Clerc, hadn’t lost a singles match all year,” said Desiati with a humble smile.

“I got to be his first loss.”

SOFTBALL

Upcoming The baseball team will play Southwestern Oklahoma State University in a doubleheader Friday, starting at 1 p.m. and then will play again on Saturday at 4 p.m.

really close match with them to end the regular season, and Saturday was great because we had wins come from other guys on the team.”

Sophomores Eldad Campbell and Alfredo Desiati and junior Bryan Joiner each won their singles matches, the only singles competitions to be

DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer

Senior pitcher Will Calhoun watches the game from the dugout during a game on April 9.

’Cats face elimination in the LSC with just one weekend series remaining Sports Director against the Southwestern It’s not over until the fat Oklahoma State Bulldogs.

“We have to play betlady sings, but she is definitely warming up in the ter, bottom line.” said secase of the Wildcat base- nior Cameron Bankston.

The Wildcats fell 9-6 in ball team.

ACU was swept at the opener after allowing home by the fourth-place eight runs in the first three Cameron Aggies over innings and stranding 13 the Easter weekend. The of their own on-base in three losses dropped the the nine-inning game.

“We need guys to step Wildcats to eighth place

Brandon Tripp

up; we feel like we aren’t getting the effort out of some of the guys,” said Bonneau.

Kevin Justice was rocked early allowing two runs in the top of the first, including one on an error by shortstop Peter Goudeau. Justice allowed four more in the top of the second and two more in the see SERIES page 5

The Wildcats’ postseason hopes took a major hit as Angelo State University swept ACU this past weekend in San Angelo.

The Wildcats now fall into a three-way tie for fourth place in the LSC South Division with the top four teams going to the conference tournament.

ACU falls to 9-9 in the division and now is tied with Texas Woman’s University and Tarleton State for the final spot in the conference tournament.

ACU plays a three-game series against TSU this weekend in which they need to take two of three in order to beat out the TexAnns for that last spot. ACU also needs to finish one game better than TWU since the Pioneers own the tiebreak against the Wildcats due to the head-to-head series earlier in the season.

“TWU has Angelo left to play and we have TSU, so we have to win more games than TWU this weekend and take at least two of three from TSU,” Head Coach Bobby Reeves said. “If we take two of three I feel like we have a great chance of making the tournament. It’s senior weekend and we play at home, so hopefully everything will go well and our girls will be ready to play.”

ACU could not get the bats going this past weekend against Angelo as they lost 2-0, 9-1 and 4-3.

“Two of the three games we played well, one of them we didn’t,” Reeves said. “Our pitching was good this weekend we just didn’t hit like we needed to and our defense in the second game was not good.”

In the first game, Brittany Rexroat allowed only two runs against ASU, but see LSC page 5