acuoptimist.com
Optimist the
Self Expression, page 5
Friday, September 10, 2010
Vol. 99, No. 7
1 section, 8 pages
ENROLLMENT
ACT scores climb despite lower enrollment Linda Bailey Editor in Chief
Enrollment numbers are down by about a hundred students, but average ACT scores of incoming freshman and enrollment num-
bers in ACU’s graduate program are at a record high. The university announced Wednesday a total enrollment of 4,728 students for the fall semester, with 3,806 undergraduate students and
922 graduate students. Total enrollment was 4,838 students last fall and 4,984 students last spring. The average ACT scores of this year’s freshman class is 24.7, compared to last year’s average of 23.2.
President Phil Schubert said ACU could have added more freshmen, but instead chose to tighten academic standards to form the most talented academic class in the history of ACU.
“Our 21st century vision calls for more stringent academic standards and a more talented – academically – student body,” Schubert said. However, that standard presents the university
with challenges when it comes to minority student enrollment. Buck James, associate vice president for enrollment, said that the average ACT score see STUDENTS page 3
CAMPUS
Carbon Challenge
Students anticipate TOMS weekend Kelsi Williamson Arts Editor
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Michael Maeker, junior biology major from Lubbock, rides his bike through the center of campus Thursday.
Claiborne asks students and faculty to change their energy habits to offset his carbon usage during travel to Abilene
E
Story by Linda Bailey
very year, featured Summit speakers challenge ACU faculty, staff and students in their lectures. This year, Shane Claiborne is challenging students before he even arrives on campus. Claiborne, author of Irresistible Revolution, is asking students and faculty to change their habits and reduce their carbon emissions in an effort to offset the carbon footprint his jour-
ney to Abilene will create, said Brady Bryce, director of ministry events. “This ends up being a unique request,” Bryce said. “Where most speakers are going to worry about their travel expense or meeting their fee, this is a speaker saying, ‘I care about what you do, I would like to see if you will change your habits just by me coming.’ It wasn’t a hard request at all – it was one I really admired.”
Dr. Jim Cooke, professor of agricultural and environmental sciences, said carbon is released into the atmosphere when people burn fossil fuels. This increase in carbon can cause global climate changes. He said conserving fossil fuels by not using as much energy is good for the planet. see CARBON page 3
A simple pair of shoes is bringing a big name and a big event to campus next week. TOMS Shoes, a company that for every shoe purchase donates a pair of shoes to a child in need, began in 2006 under the inspiration and direction of founder and “chief shoe giver,” Blake Mycoskie. Since then, Mycoskie has spoken on numerous college campuses and put TOMS “on track to give the one millionth pair of new shoes to a child in need this month,” according to the company’s website. “We wanted to try to find and speaker we wouldn’t have to beg students to come hear,” said Amanda Pittman, marketing associate for the College of Business Administration. Pittman said COBA originally wanted to invite Mycoskie as a part of its distinguished speakers series, but realized it would take the efforts and resources of several departments to finally bring the entrepreneur to campus. “It just got bigger, and more people wanted to participate and could participate,” Pittman said. see TOMS page 3
LOCAL
Abilene Zoo opens new exhibit Jeff Craig
Managing Editor
The Abilene Zoo hopes to prove that diverse and unique wildlife can be found here at home, without having to travel across the globe. The zoo’s new exhibit, Elm Creek Backyard, opened Saturday and displays animals native to
Texas. Among the more than 30 species of animals that now call the exhibit home are raccoons, opossums, cougars, an otter and a bobcat. “The wildlife of Texas is unique because Texas is unique,” said general zoo curator Vonceil Harmon. “We have 10 to 11 ecosystems, and you can go from mountains,
ened species and species going extinct. You don’t have to go to Africa to support conservation.” The $1.5 million project was paid for with funds from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Grover Nelson Foundation and a bond approved by Abilene voters in 2006. see ZOO page 3
website
inside sports Find a preview of Saturday’s big football game as the Wildcats take on the Northeastern State Riverhawks. page 8
to forest to desert.” She said the zoo wanted to demonstrate the variety of animals found in the state and the dangers they face. “We wanted to highlight that zoos are about conservation and education,” Harmon said. “ The United States has some of the highest levels of endangered species, threat-
opinion The editorial board looks at the cost and effectiveness of recycling at the ACU and city level. page 6
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
The new Abilene Zoo exhibit, Elm Street Backyard, features a cage full of cougars.
weather video A new exhibit at the Abilene Zoo, Elm Creek Backyard, features 30 species of animals native to Texas.
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