Senior Stats Everything you ever wanted to know about the class of 2013 vol. 101, no. 56 vol. 100, no. 37 may SECTION, 18 PAGES wednesday, friday, 8, 2013 february 117,SECTION, 2012 142 PAGES
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YEAR IN REVIEW A look back at the greatness and heartbreaks of 2012-13
stephen reyes staff Photographer
It’s been a bittersweet year at ACU. The fall semester began with a bang as ACU rejoined Division I after almost 40 years in D-II. Things took a dangerous turn in September when two sophomores were hospitalized in the same week from separate incidents. Then there were those Twitter accounts that quickly shut down after insulting ACU students. We saw students and faculty from the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences triumph in the memory of grief when they returned to Medina Children’s Home in October. We came together in support of Rex Fleming’s inspring and courageous fight against cancer, and we grieved with his family and friends after he died. Now, we cherish the memories and rejoice in the effect his legacy has had, like in the $12 thousand the Flemings raised for their charity last week. Before we reached that point though, our hearts were broken again in the tragic death of Lindsey Smith in January. We remember her sweet spirit, grateful for the time we had with her and the impact she had on us. We celebrated Homecoming and Sing Song, where we witnessed Trojans’ first win and the senior class’ sweep. Within months of the D-I move, athletics unveiled the new Wildcat logo. The sports teams finished out their final LSC seasons, including the women’s basketball and tennis teams’ conference championships. We witnessed victories, like when senior Brittany Partridge received the Marshall Scholarship. The administration underwent a good deal of transition, which isn’t over yet. And we prayed in the hard times, like when we read the news reports about tragedies from around the country, such as in Boston or the Sandy Hook shooting. But we end the school year on a bright note: graduation. We will soon send 538 of our classmates and friends into the workforce, hoping only the best for them in their lives after college. – Mark Smith All Photos by Mandy Lambright except bottom left, by Adrian Patenaude
mandy lambright chief Photographer above photos by mandy lambright chief Photographer
graduation
Ceremonies to honor 508 seniors diplomas during two graduation ceremonies. page 2 editor The first ceremony at 11 a.m. will honor 267 underFive hundred eight stu- graduates and 51 graduates dents will walk across the from the College of Arts stage in Moody Coliseum and Sciences. The second on Saturday to receive their ceremony, which starts at 3
linsey thut
p.m., will honor 241 undergraduates and 64 graduate students from the College of Biblical Studies, College of Business Administration, College of Education and Human Services, and Patty Hanks Shelton School
of Nursing. Graduating students and escorts are instructed to arrive at their assigned locations 30 minutes before the ceremony starts. Bethany Morgan, senior Ad/PR major from Nocona
and is graduating in the 11 a.m, ceremony, said she is excited to start her career. “I am so ready to graduate,” Morgan said. “I can’t wait to go live out my dreams.” The featured speaker
at both ceremonies will be Elise Mitchell (’83), owner of Mitchell Communications Group in Fayetteville, Ark. A reception for students see graduates page 8
students’ association This is the final issue of the Optimist of the school year. Look for the Optimist in the fall, distributed after Chapel every Wednesday and Friday. Until then, check out our website at acuoptimist.com.
Elected officers assume positions 2012-13 SA president Rebecca Dial hands over the presidency to Dylan Benac
SA officers, Student Congress members, friends, and faculty advisers of SA attended the ceremony known as the Changing of the Guard. Recently hired cabinet members in the positions of Chief Communications Ofmadeline orr ficer, Chief Financial Officer managing editor and administrative assistant were also announced. The 2012-2013 Student’s as- The CCO is Emily Pybus, a sociation cabinet formally junior graphic design major handed over the reigns to from North Richland Hills. the newly elected officers at The CFO is Victoria Garza, the Fairway Oaks Country a junior speech pathology Club on Thursday night. major from Corpus Christi.
The administrative assistant is Robert Hull, a junior piano performance major from Ripon, Calif. The evening began with dinner and was followed by Congressmen Superlatives and cabinet pass downs. Each exiting officer spoke about a faculty mentor and awarded that faculty member with a plaque of gratitude. Emily O’Rear, sophomore communications major from Huntsville, resee SA page 13
mandy lambright chief photographer Dylan Benac, 2013-14 SA president, embraces Rebecca Dial, who served as president this past year, at the Changing of the Guard.
inside NEWS
VIDEO
PHOTOS
For news from around campus, turn to:
See the Students’ Association’s Changing of the Guard ceremony at: acuoptimist.com
See more shots of Finals Week festivies at:
Pages 6, 8 and 12
Abilene Christian University
GRADUATION
To see the entire list of all the 2013 graduates, turn to: acuoptimist.com Pages 2, 4-5, 7, 9-11