The Optimist Print Edition: 10/14/2009

Optimist the

Vol. 98, No. 16

Upside Down

PAGE 5 1 section, 8 pages

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

BREAKING NEWS, VIDEOS, PHOTOS, DISCUSSION AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

acuoptimist.com

SOCIAL CLUBS

Pledge in stable condition after electric shock Colter Hettich

Sub T-16 members, Editor in Chief pledges adNik Tritch remains hospi- and viser Mike talized after suffering an electric shock Thursday B r e c k e n night during a Sub T-16 ridge.

Breckpledging activity. Tritch, Tritch sophomore finance ma- e n r i d g e jor from Clovis, Calif., is sells automated external recovering, thanks to im- defibrillators, AEDs, for mediate action taken by Banyan International, but

hoped he would never have to use the one he keeps in his truck.

“I realized that he wasn’t breathing; there wasn’t a pulse and something needed to be done immediately,” Breckenridge said.

He bolted for the truck while CPR-certified students performed chest

compressions on Tritch.

“Honestly, I thought, ‘By the time I get back, he will be OK; he just passed out or something,’” Breckenridge said. “It was a low enough current that it didn’t shock him and throw him, but it grabbed him and held on.”

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

A voltage leak shocked Tritch via standing water near a light pole on the north side of Crutcher Scott Field.

see TRITCH page 4

MUSIC Maraca2, percussion duo from Birmingham, England, stopped at ACU to jam with students and faculty. Through the universal language of rhythm, musicians from different continents discovered

A beat of their own HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer David Degge, senior music education major from Allen, performs in an unscripted jam session with Maraca2, a professional percussion duo from the UK, in the Williams Performing Arts Center on Sunday.

Heather Leiphart Staff Photographer British natives Tim Palmer and Jason Huxtable started hitting at age 13 and have been practicing ever since. The two form the Maraca2 percussion duo, which performed in the Williams Performing Arts Center on Sunday night as part of a two-month tour of 15 universities in the United States.

The pair also visited classrooms to teach improvisation, mallet percussion and individual lessons Monday.

“We are both educators, as well as performers, so we like to bring our knowledge to the students, as well as perform in the great venues that most universities in the U.S. have,” Palmer said.

Palmer and Huxtable met in college in England and formed Maraca2 in 2004. The name is a play on the

The percussion community here is well-respected around the world.

JASON HUXTABLE Maraca2 Co-founder from Birmingham, England

word maracatu, a Brazilian samba, with the number two added to signify the two musicians, Palmer said.

Their sound is a fusion of tuned percussion instruments, such as marimbas and vibraphones, and unpitched instruments like tom toms, cymbals, shakers, cowbells, African talking drums, Brazilian tambourines and a kashishi. The duo uses roughly 80 instruments per concert, which they borrow from the host university.

Sunday’s concert consisted of three marimba duets, a duet on the drums and one improvisasee RHYTHM page 4

ENVIRONMENT

HISTORY

SA installs recycling bins WWII Enigma machine displayed on campus Sondra Rodriguez Managing Editor

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

The Students’ Association Congress is taking steps to reduce ACU’s environmental footprint by implementing a campus-wide recycling plan.

The plan is a pilot program and still in its early stages, said Tony Godfrey, executive vice president and junior political science and international relations major from Fort Worth.

“We started small so if a bunch of problems came up and we had to hit the abort button, we’ll know not to make the

The Students’ Association added seven bins for paper and eight for plastic in Nelson Hall.

Forecast

see RECYCLE page 4

Liz Spano

Security Agency.

Dr. Dwayne Towell, asArts Editor sistant professor of comStudents cracked codes the puter science, said the old-fashioned way using an demonstration originally Enigma machine, a WWII was planned for his crypNazi encoding device, dur- tography class. The event ing a cryptography demon- was expanded to include the rest of the university, stration Tuesday.

The presentation was especially those interested one of five given by Mi- in learning about cryptogchelle Wilcox, museum ad- raphy, the study or science ministrator at the National of sending messages that

Inside

Wed

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WILDCAT FOOTBALL tacked up another win Saturday against Angelo State, extending the Wildcats’ winning streak to 7-0. Get postgame analysis and Optimist gamebreakers.

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only the intended recipient can understand.

Towell said although the lectures look at codes in an historical context, cryptography is still significant in society today.

Tasks as simple as purchasing items online or as risky as top-secret governmental activities involve see ENIGMA page 4

Online SEX IS EVERYWHERE: Film, music, our thoughts, our conversations and our campus. Students need a safe place to ask questions and discuss “the dirty.”

Page 6

VIDEO

LOUDandCLEAR

PHOTOS

Do you think sexuality should be addressed campus-wide?

Maraca2 performance

Visit acuoptimist.com to see what the ACU community is saying.

This Week in Photos

2

Campus Day Wednesday, October 14, 2009

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

14

WEDNESDAY

7 p.m.

Fields of Faith

15

THURSDAY

7 p.m.

ACU Volleyball vs.

Central Oklahoma

16

FRIDAY

11 a.m.

Leadership Summit Informational Meeting 12 p.m.

Homecoming Golf Classic 4 p.m.

ACU Soccer vs. Texas Woman’s 5 p.m.

Homecoming Carnival

About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities.

Groups may send announcements directly to jmcnetwork@acu.edu.

To ensure an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:

38 33

8 p.m.

Homecoming Musical

Announcements A Poetry Workshop will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 15 at the Mockingbird Branch. Local poet Dr. Jim Wilson will lead a free workshop, Poetry is not a Four Letter Word: the Purpose and Pleasure in Writing and Reading Poetry. To register, call 437-7323.

Zops Bike Rally will take place Oct. 15-17 at the Taylor County Expo Center. There will be games, live music, parades, rides, a tattoo contest and other events. There will also be a parade downtown Oct. 17. Tickets are $20 per person Oct 15, $25 Oct. 16, and $30 Oct. 17. A VIP pass is available for $50.

Tickets include grounds passes and nightly concerts. Contact John Harvard at 677-2938 for more information.

Thoroughly Modern Millie, the featured Homecoming Musical, will play Oct. 16-18 at the Abilene Civic Center. The play tells the story of a Millie, a girl who arrives in New

York to experience the city. What starts out as a bold declaration of her independence quickly turns into a whirlwind of money, romance, kidnapping and tap-dancing stenographers. Show-times are 8 p.m. Oct 16, 8 p.m.

Oct. 17 and 2 p.m. Oct. 18. Tickets are $5-25.

A community resource and career fair will take place from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Oct. 15 in the Crockett Early Head Start gymnasium.

An acoustic concert will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at The Warehouse on 357 Walnut St. Former Men At Work front man Colin Hay will perform a

solo acoustic concert, and $30 tickets will be available at the door. Call 677-8389 for more information.

A women’s conference, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be, will take place at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Bethel Church of God. Call 672-9998 for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities Disability Resources needs volunteers for its annual Pumpkin Patch Oct. 1-31. Slots are open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Volunteers will sell pumpkins, drive hayrides and take pictures.

Contact Kathy Deatherage at 673-4820 for more information.

for the Fall Festival on Oct. 31 from 5 - 9 p.m.

Volunteers will work game stations, hand out candy and assist with other activities. Contact Justin Whiteley at 676-6443 for more information.

The Salvation Army needs volunteers to help with the application and interview process for new clients for the Christmas Angel Tree. Contact Cecilia Barahona at 677-1408 for more information.

Literacy teachers are needed at the International Rescue Commitee. Volunteers will help refugees learn to read and write. All volunteers are required to attend an IRC orientation and a literacy workshop and must commit to two to four hours per week for three months.

G. V. Daniels Recreation Center needs volunteers

Breakfast On Beech Street needs volunteers

to prepare and serve breakfast to homeless and low-income members of the Abilene community.

Breakfast is served from 6:30-7:15 a.m. Volunteers must arrive at 5 a.m. Tuesdays and 5:30 a.m. during the rest of the week. For more information, visit the Web site at www.fccabilene.org/outreach.html.

Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers to deliver hot meals to seniors and adults with disabilities each week.

Volunteers may work once a week, Monday-Friday, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Contact Elisabeth Rodgers at 672-5050 for more information.

The Pi Kappa men need volunteers to assist them with a fall neighborhood cleanup in the Carver neighborhood. It will take place at 8:30 a.m. Oct.

24 at the G. V. Daniels Recreation Center. Work will continue until about 2:30 p.m., but volunteers can work in shifts. Contact Scott Stewart at 210-8651584 for more information.

Sears Methodist Retirement System needs volunteers to help with setup and serving the noon meal from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 for its annual Winter Wellness event.

This will take place at the Abilene Civic Center.

Contact Jo Ann Wilson at 692-4500 for more information.

Frontier Texas is seeking help with Halloween activities Oct. 20. Volunteers will help build sets and prepare for the event. Volunteers are also needed during the event Oct. 30-31 to staff a haunted house. Contact Jeff Salmon at 437-2800

for more information.

Key City North Kiwanis Club needs voluntweers for its annual Kiwanis Fish Fry at the Abilene Civic Center. Help is needed from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 23 and between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Oct. 24 to set up tables and chairs, prepare and cook the fish, serve drinks, clean up, etc. Contact Gene Linder at 6737622 for more information.

The First Baptist Church needs volunteers to reorganize and rearrange supplies and educational materials in the childrens department. Volunteers are needed 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Oct. 12-31at the First Baptist Church on 1333 N. 3rd St. Contact Cassie Irwin at 675-8106 for more information.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes needs volunteers from 8:3010:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the annual Fields of Faith event at Shotwell Stadium.

Volunteers need their own laptops with Excel. Contact Steve Keenum at 7950075 for more information.

Abilene Adult Day Care needs volunteers to help call Bingo. Volunteers are needed every Monday at

1:30 p.m., except the third Monday of the month, when volunteers are needed at 10:30 a.m. Contact Donna at 793-3519 for more information.

The International Rescue Commitee needs volunteers to help set up apartments before refugees arrive. This includes shopping for household supplies, assembling furniture, and putting away kitchen and food items. All volunteers are required to attend an IRC volunteer orientation and must be available during weekday afternoons. Reliable transportation and ability to perform minor physical labor also required.

Christian Service Center needs volunteers to fill requests for clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, etc. from the donation center. Volunteers may work Friday or Saturday from 12-4 p.m. Contact Jim Clark at 673-7531 for more information.

Visit www.acu.edu/campusoffices/vslc/vol_opps/ index.html for more ways to get involved.

Campus News

October 14, 2009

Page 3

FACULTY

Bales one of five alumni honored with Citation Linda Bailey Opinion Page Editor Norman Bales (’53) is one of five recipients of the 2009 Distinguished Alumni Citation award, granted by the Alumni Association to alumni who have made significant personal and professional achievement.

Bales has preached for more than 50 years in several different states since his graduation. He said starting churches, especially in areas where Churches of Christ are not strong numerically, has been a large part of his life’s work.

Jama Cadle, assistant director of Alumni Relations, said nominations for the award go through the President’s Operations Cabinet, after which a short list is presented to the Alumni Advisory Board, made up of 36 alumni from various classes. In addition to other accomplishments, the board favors alumni who are involved with the university in some way, Cadle said.

Bales said he has been on campus several times over the years, whether persuading prospective students to attend ACU, attending numerous Lec-

tureships or carting his four children, all alumni or current students, to and from school.

Bales said he was overwhelmed and grateful for the honor.

“The Bible makes a statement, ‘Honor those to whom honor is due,’” Bales said. “I don’t know that I’m due any honor, but the fact that the university is willing to still pay attention to those who’ve gone through the institution and have tried to make some contribution to the betterment of the world, I think, is an encouragement to continue to try to help others.”

Typically, the presentation takes place in the

recipient’s hometown – as in the case of Du Hyun (Duke) Jung (‘64), another 2009 recipient who lives in South Korea. The date of the award presentation depends on the availability of the recipient and those administrators that make the presentation, Cadle said. However, Cadle said Bales, a former Clyde resident, already planned to attend Homecoming with his family, and having the ceremony at ACU worked best for everyone.

“I think that I was blessed to grow up on a farm in Clyde, Texas, and to have people take me under their wing at ACC and give me a boost up

the ladder,” Bales said. “[They] helped me try to become the best I can be in terms of helping and serving others.”

Cadle said Bales’ friends, family and colleagues will have an opportunity to pay tribute to him during the presentation. Afterward, ACU President Dr. Royce Money will say a few words, and Bales will have a chance to respond. The afternoon ceremony will conclude with a dessert reception in the Hunter Welcome Center.

Cadle said she thinks it is important to honor alumni, because they are an important part of the

ACU community.

“Alumni keep the university going,” she said.

“They send students; they give money; they give their time, and they keep our legacy alive. We are proud of so many of our alumni, and they are doing great things all over the world.”

The presentation will be at 2 p.m. Sunday in the McCaleb Conference Center in the Hunter Welcome Center.

contact Bailey at

ljb07a@acu.edu

INTERNATIONAL

OME acquaints students with host parents Mary Garvin Page 2 Editor When international graduate student Sijun Shen totaled her car last year, she had no idea what to do.

How was she going to talk to the police or the insurance company? Was her smoking car going to explode? She didn’t know.

But she knew who would.

Shen had host parents to help her in a moment of crisis, thanks to the Host Family Program created by the Office for Multicultural Enrichment.

On Sunday, other international students will have the opportunity to meet potential host parents, who can help them adjust

We want to express love and care that will eventually lead students to God. SIJUN SHEN International graduate student

to American culture, just as Shen’s host parents did for her.

The OME will have its Host Family Program interest meeting at 2 p.m. in the Bean’s conference room.

Shen, along with other participants in last year’s program have volunteered to attend and encourage students to take part in the program.

Sylvia Huang, a former international student, and the OME director, George Pendergrass, started the program last year. Huang

was working as a graduate intern at OME, and coworker Pendergrass served as a mentor and “spiritual leader” for her.

“I started the program last year to help international students adjust to America,” Huang said. “My experience as an international student has made me able to sympathize with the anxieties of living in a foreign country. It made me want to do something more.”

Huang earned her undergraduate degree in Chi-

na and her graduate degree in social work at ACU. She now works at an agency in Midland that helps persecuted Christians.

“Many international students struggle with feelings of depression, homesickness and other mental struggles that host parents can help them through,” Huang said.

Leading international students to Christ is a lessadvertised purpose of the Host Family Program.

“Many international students come to ACU as Christians, but there are some who come who aren’t,” Shen said. ”We want to express love and care that will eventually lead students to God.”

Seven host families and 15-20 international students participated in the program last year.

“My host parents helped me so much,”

Shen said. “I want other students to have the same experience.” contact Garvin at

mkg09a@acu.edu

From Front

Page 4

October 14, 2009

HISTORY

MUSIC

Rhythm: World beats Enigma: Breaking code Continued from page 1

tion session that included Dr. Allen Teel, professor of music and director of percussion, Dr. Keith Lloyd, instructor of music at McMurry University, and David Degge, senior music education major from Allen, who specializes in percussion.

“We had no rehearsal beforehand; everything happened as it came,” Degge said. “It was kind of nerve-wracking at first, but I feel like we all settled into a groove, and

it went over pretty well.”

Maraca2 has performed in art venues and traditional recital halls, on cruise ships and in parades, and it even opened the Armani autumn/winter collection in England.

Huxtable said the group chose to tour the United States because of its massive influence on percussion. Huxtable and Palmer had contacts in the U.S. who started the ball rolling.

“The percussion community here is really wellrespected around the world, and the programs are generally a lot bigger

than in Europe,” Huxtable said. “I don’t think putting together a tour in any country is easy at the moment with the economy, but it’s working, and we’re having a good time.”

Their first CD, Blue Motion, was released just before the tour and already has sold well, he said. The CD includes the duo’s core repertoire, so concert attendees have something to take away, he said.

The group will be touring the U.S. until Nov. 16. contact Leiphart at

hal08a@acu.edu

SOCIAL CLUBS

Tritch: Recovery continues Continued from page 1 The students who pulled Tritch out of the water were shocked, but not injured. After removing his shirt and drying his chest, Breckenridge applied the AED patches, followed the device’s prompt to shock, and directed the students to continue chest compressions.

Paramedics arrived and shocked Tritch a second time. After they detected a pulse, they transported him to the hospital where Breckenridge said he continues to improve. “[Tuesday] morning when I left, he was breathing on his own,” Breckenridge said. “He shook my hand and gave me a thumbs up.”

The university has yet to determine the exact

cause of the shock. Kevin Roberts, associate vice president of operations, said the shock likely resulted from a voltage leak below a light pole. A circuit formed by standing water, waterlogged earth and water in the box schocked Tritch.

Roberts said Jay Wyatt, owner of Wyatt Electrical Services, inspected the site and all signs were “indicative of what could be a tiny pinhole in a piece of the insulation.”

Roberts and Wyatt attempted to recreate the event and estimated Tritch was struck by 69 to 80 volts of electricity.

Diagnostics have shown no evidence of lightning or static electricity.

“We’ve determined there’s a low voltage leak there,” Roberts said.

“We’re going to replace the whole junction, and we’re double-checking all the others.”

Thompson said the university’s first priority is safety — for everyone on the ACU campus — to support Tritch through a full recovery and support everyone who witnessed the tragic event.

“The club activity was sanctioned; it was supervised. It was all in the scope of what we were told they would do,” Thompson said. “It is so easy to speculate and assume things. As far as we know, this was a freak accident.”

contact Hettich at

Continued from page 1

encoding and decoding messages.

The technology required to encrypt messages has developed over time, however; Wilcox traced the history of cryptography from the American Revolution through World War II during Tuesday’s lecture. She explained various ways to make secret messages, from invisible ink to codes and ciphers, and outlined how they were used during the Civil War and WWII. The focus of the event was a German coding device, called an Enigma machine, which the Na-

zis used to encrypt messages during the war.

Wilcox said the machine later proved to be the key to the success of the Allied cause.

She said there are more than 1,000 such machines in private collections and behind glass in museums around the world, but chances to actually use the device are uncommon.

“The Enigma is not as rare as people think it is,” Wilcox said. “What makes this unique is that we have one, it works and you’re allowed the touch it and use it and see how it works.”

During the demonstration, Wilcox explained when a letter is

typed, the device automatically changes it to a different letter. The key settings changed daily, creating a complicated system of letters in each network.

The Nazis, who believed the code was impenetrable, were unaware the Allies had learned how to break the codes and used the knowledge to decipher tactical messages involving the location of German submarines, planes and supplies.

Historians have argued this information shortened the war, possibly by two years, and undoubtedly saved lives, Wilcox said.

Wilcox also spoke about Native American code talkers, who were used during World War II to encrypt messages and deliver tactical messages, and she discussed cryptography’s role in the Civil War.

LIZZY SPANO Arts Editor

Students viewed an Enigma machine that belonged to the German Air Force, one of the few functioning machines remaining.

contact Spano at

eas07a@acu.edu

ENVIRONMENT

Recycle: Current efforts fulfill earlier promises Continued from page 1

clh05d@acu.edu

same mistakes twice,” Godfrey said.

SA placed six bins for paper and 15 for plastic in the Mabee Business Building; there are seven paper and eight plastic bins in Nelson Hall. A large recycling container is set up to collect all paper products on the north side of Barret Hall. However, currently there is not a similar place to collect and dispose of plastic waste.

Godfrey said the goal is to create a campuswide recycling program, although most likely, bin and labor costs will keep this from happening within the next year.

Luke Cochran, treasurer and senior financial management major from Round Rock, said credit must be given to last year’s cabinet, which initiated the project and gave the new cabinet a platform on which to build.

Godfrey said students were asked what they hope to see develop on campus, and many expressed a desire for recycling opportunities.

“The well-being of the environment is a longterm concern for everyone, but especially at a Christian school where we are concerned with stewardship, the 21st Century Vision and looking long-term,” he said.

The bins are the only visible sign of the program’s progress. Godfrey said the initiative is still being worked out at the administrative level. Members of SA will meet with administrators from various departments to work out kinks in the program this week, Godfrey said.

Students anxious to see further progress can help by utilizing the bins provided.

“Just use the ones that are there, and take advantage of them to better the campus and environ-

ment,” Godfrey said.

Cochran said the initiative will involve exploring challenges that arise as the program moves forward. Waste drop-off locations, waste collection and the best type of liner to use in the bins are issues facing SA, Cochran said.

“These sort of questions need to be answered before we roll out a campuswide program,” Cochran said.

Until those decisions are hammered out, WFF Facility Services employees are picking up the slack, collecting the recycling waste from the bins.

“They are the ones going the extra mile and picking everything up while we test this out,” Cochran said. “We’re very grateful for them doing that and allowing students to test this out.”

contact Rodriguez at

sar06g@acu.edu

Focus

October 14, 2009

the upside of Down syndrome

Page 5

LEFT: Sadie Weaver holds her two and a half year old son, Bill, outside their home. Bill was born with Down syndrome.

BELOW: Bill plays with ping pong balls at his home with his mother.

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

Abilene families support raising Down awareness

Laura Acuff

Features Editor Sadie Weaver’s third pregnancy did not turn out as planned. As a mother to two nearly grown children, Sadie thought she knew what to expect.

She knew as a woman grew older, so did her odds of bearing a child with a disorder.

She knew tests could detect Down syndrome while the child was still in the womb. She knew the results of those tests would not matter, so she never ran them.

Sadie was keeping her baby regardless. Abortion, even in the case of mental dysfunction, was out.

Her pregnancy progressed, and all felt normal. Sadie gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Bill. Then the blood work came back, and the results felt like a kick in the stomach.

The two palm lines on his tiny hands, his almond-shaped eyes, the enlarged space between his big toe and the next and the position of his ears on his head – lower than normal – all pointed to Down syndrome.

But the blood work confirmed what the parents of “Little Bill” feared: their brand new baby boy suffered from an incurable genetic disorder that would leave him physically and mentally slower than his peers for the rest of his life.

The Breakdown More than 400,000 people of all races and economic levels live

with Down syndrome in the United States, according to the National Down Syndrome Society Web site, www.ndss.org .

One in every 733 babies is born with Down syndrome, and many of those will live out their average 60 years of life with characteristically low muscle tone, small stature, upwardslanting eyes and sometimes, significant cognitive delays.

The disorder often becomes obvious at birth, and therapy, stimulation and familial support can reduce the impact of the syndrome’s most common traits, according to the NDSS Web site. People with Down syndrome can attend school, hold jobs and make life-altering decisions, although they may develop these skills at a slower rate than normal.

People with Down syndrome have lived to do great things, Sadie said, including acting as a profession, and they seem blessed with invaluable people skills.

“They almost need to go reach out to people,” she said. “It’s kind of strange that they have this inbred knowing someone needs a hug.

It’s just a sweet spirit they have.”

Down in Abilene Several families in the Abilene community deal with Down syndrome, Sadie said. They gather in a support group of sorts, called Upside Down, to share valuable experiences and encouragement over dinner.

“It’s just neat to talk to

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

Bill practices walking between his parents outside their home.

Children with Down syndrome often learn skills and develop slower than other children.

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

others,” Sadie said. “It’s just neat to get information from other people who have been there.”

Sadie said she enjoys being able to ask parents of older children with Down syndrome for tips and offering advice to new parents.

October is National Down Syndrome Month, and a Walk for Awareness is scheduled to raise awareness of Down syndrome both within the community of those affected and the Abilene community at large. The walk offers another tool for people dealing with the disorder to connect.

Participants will walk from 8:30 a.m. to around 1 p.m. at Disability Resources Inc. at 3602 N. Clack St., said Forrest Weaver, Sadie’s husband and Bill’s father.

The event features a pumpkin patch, pumpkin-carving contest, hayride and face painting, in addition to the walk.

Refreshments also will be available.

The walk, based on the “Buddy Walks” supported by the NDSS, will serve as a valuable resource, Forrest said.

“It’s kind of like an information hub,” Forrest

JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer

Bill hugs his mother, Sadie, outside their home after walking about 15 feet into her arms. said. “If somebody has a resource and knows about something that can help them, then it’s a good avenue to find out that stuff too.”

Looking Up Now, “Little Bill” is two and a half years old and learning to walk. With the help of therapy that began when he was 3 months old and the love of supportive parents, the toddler now practices running between his open-armed parents.

“The early interven-

tion has been a godsend,” Sadie said. “He’s just a joy. He’s really laid back. He always has a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

He’s just precious.”

In a life of challenges and struggles with what can be a debilitating disorder, it seems the sweet spirit of people like Bill become the “upside of Down syndrome.”

“I feel very blessed

by God to have him in our lives and to be able to enjoy being around him and his happiness

and his sweet spirit,” Forrest said. “It’s like whenever you get to hold him, it’s like hugging a lump of sugar.

He’s it.”

contact Acuff at

lka06a@acu.edu

Opinion

Page 6

EDITORIAL

October 14, 2009

Discussion essential to sexual health Sex is complicated. God gave us sex. It is a natural part of life, and it is essential to our existence. But every one of us has faced our own sexual demons.

We live in a world consumed by carefree and casual sex, but we claim a faith and attend a university that holds us to a different standard.

Unfortunately, most students on campus hear the church praise sex within marriage while condemning premarital sex – and nothing else.

It is dangerous for churches to address only marital, healthy sexuality, because we’re not

all married or sexually healthy. We start thinking God will turn his back on us if we’ve engaged in premarital sex. The church’s silence can even lead us to believe God is not concerned with our sexuality at all. We rarely hear that God’s grace extends to even our deepest sexual sins.

A black-and-white approach to sexuality will not work anymore – we need to explore the gray area. Someone needs to show us the spiritual path back to healthy sexuality if – or when – we mess up.

The university should step in and provide stu-

dents with a safe place to talk about sex on a regular basis, because the reality is we are broken. We have made mistakes and don’t know where to go from here.

Make no mistake, ACU has offered opportunities for men and women to come together in an open, honest environment and talk about sex in several venues – evening forums where faculty members answer students’ questions about sexuality, or Pam Money’s relationship conversations with ACU women – but we need this to happen more frequently.

We need a place where students can ask the

THE ISSUE

questions their preacher will never address, the questions that are too embarrassing or shameful to bring home.

“I’m afraid my boyfriend won’t want to be with me anymore when he finds out I’ve had sex.”

“I’ve had sex. I know it goes against my faith as a Christian, and I don’t want to do it anymore, but I can’t stop.”

They might be tough to hear, but those are real issues facing real Christian students.

We need a place where students can learn how important healthy sexuality is and begin to strive for it. We need to

Ataraxia

Often, students hear the church condemn premarital sex and praise marital sex without answering the tougher questions.

OUR TAKE

ACU needs a place where students can ask any questions and come to the conclusion that God’s grace extends to our sex lives. be in constant conversation about sex.

Maybe then, we will realize God’s grace does not end at our sex life. Maybe, we will realize engaging in premarital sex is not an automatic ticket to hell. Maybe, we will stop asking God, “How far can I go?” and begin to understand how we act sexually reflects who

By Jordan Blakey

we are in relation to God. Maybe, we will finally learn how he meant sex to be and how we can incorporate that into healthy and holy sex lives.

Email the Optimist at:

optimist@jmcnetwork.com

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Bennett neglects issue of justice I disagree with my friend Cole Bennett’s recent article about Christianity and health care. Dr. Bennett falsely treats the issue as if it can be boiled down to the issue of individual need and private charity. The larger issue here is one of justice.

What does justice require in a nation of abundance in which millions are unable to afford even a basic level of preventative care? The call for justice transcends the boundaries of the church.

We might consider, for example, how the prophet Ezekiel warns Israel of impending judgment by pointing to the “sin of your sister Sodom; she and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy” (Ezek.

16:49). The call for justice falls upon every nation. The question of what justice requires in the realm of health care is a difficult one, but it is most surprising that in a column devoted to the question of health care and the poor, Dr. Bennett discusses the topic nowhere.

COLUMN

Committee awards undeserved Nobel Self Examination Ryan Self Nelson Mandela. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mother Teresa. Barack Obama.

What do all of these individuals have in common? Other than being the recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize, not m u c h .

Nelson Mandela Self spent 27 years in prison and overcame numerous hardships fighting apartheid, before becoming the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Martin Luther King Jr. also spent time in jail, incurred numerous death threats and led millions of Americans in peaceful protest to successfully bring about civil rights reform. Mother Teresa spent over 45 years among the deeply impoverished in India and her order, “The Missionaries of Charity,” was responsible for the

operation of 610 charities at the time of her death.

President Obama has given speeches.

Since when did the Nobel Peace Prize committee hand out awards like Halloween candy? Apparently, all someone has to do is dress the part and say the right words, and he wins a prize, which happens to be one of the most prestigious achievement awards in the world. Give some speeches about peace, and the world is suddenly a better place – at least in theory.

It is hard to discern exactly what concrete actions Obama has taken that merit the award, considering the deadline for nomination was Feb. 1, less than two weeks into his presidency. Apparently those 12 days were very impactful. Perhaps his inauguration ceremony brought peace and prosperity to all who watched it.

It is important to note the fault lies not with Obama, but the Nobel awarding committee. Upon learning he was the recipient of this prestigious honor, Obama was “most surprised and deeply humbled.” He also

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Since when did the Nobel Peace Prize committee hand out awards like Halloween candy? stated, “I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many transformative figures that have been honored by this prize.”

Many contend awarding Obama the Nobel is a symbolic gesture; it was made in hope of what is yet to come. According to the Associated Press, “awarding Obama the peace prize could be seen as an early vote of confidence intended to build global support for the policies of his young administration.” This is like awarding the Oscar for Best Picture to a director for his “vision” of an epic blockbuster, even though he has yet to begin production.

Others interpret the award as a rebuke of the policies and presidency of George W. Bush, whose approach to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Nobel Prize committee strongly disliked. That explanation

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

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seems to be the most plausible, because the award certainly wasn’t based on merit.

Lest we forget, we are still engaged in not one, but two wars in the Middle East with the possibility of a troop increase in the near future. Despite many talks with Iran’s leadership, Iran has recently disclosed the existence of a nuclear facility in Qum, which would be able to produce one to two bombs per year, according to the New York Times. The United States hasn’t even cleaned up its environmental act, yet. Despite his uplifting and compelling rhetoric, the world is not more peaceful under Obama.

But, it seems, there’s still a prize for that.

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I am a Christian, and I join Dr. Bennett in his call to support those private charities and churches that do so much to minister to the poor. I am also one of those “leftistChristians” Dr. Bennett points to, though I prefer to call myself a Christian who doesn’t believe our commitment to love and justice stops at the church or food pantry door, but extends into all communities of which we are a part.

DR. VIC McCRACKEN Assistant Professor of Theology and Ethics contact Self at

rcs06g@acu.edu

Optimist the

Dr. Bennett claims, “Nowhere does [New Testament Scripture] tell us to create a system of government that takes money from people by force – even very rich people – and redistribute it according to such directives.” This is true. The New Testament is silent about many things.

Nowhere, for example, does the New Testament call Christians to use the legislative or judicial systems at hand to fight against slavery or racial discrimination, and yet in our recent history, Christians believed justice entailed the abolition of both and used government to these positive ends. The New Testament is also silent about Dr. Bennett’s antagonistic vision of political community, a modern view that emerged out of the classical liberal tradition of the Enlightenment era. I find this vision of government decidedly less compelling than more democratic visions built on the ideas of human fraternity, equality and a commitment to the common good.

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From Sports

October 14, 2009

FOOTBALL

VOLLEYBALL

Perfect: ACU defeats Rams

Home: ACU anticipates rankings

Continued from page 8

Continued from page 8

Red-shirt freshman Mitchell Gale threw for 218 yards and a touchdown against San Angelo.

red-shirt freshman quarterback Mitchell Gale. ACU scored on six of its eight trips into the red zone during the game.

It was another excellent game for the ACU defense, as well. Eric Edwards and Kevin Washington collected eight tackles each, and the Wildcat defense allowed only 198 yards passing to Josh Neiswander, who entered the game as one of the nation’s top statistical quarterbacks. He has thrown 15 touchdown passes against only three interceptions this season, but he was largely contained by the tenacious ACU defense.

The Wildcats’ victory in San Angelo was the second collegiate start for Gale, who continues to impress with his poise and consistency in running the offense.

He threw for 218 yards, after throwing for 300 against East Central last weekend.

“Our offensive line did amazing,” Gale said.

“For a team, ASU had 27 sacks leading the con-

SOCCER

CROSS-COUNTRY

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer

Page 7

ference, and I think we only gave up one sack.”

Richardson continues to be a valuable weapon at Gale’s disposal. His four rushing touchdowns gave him a total of seven in his last two games. Richardson. He also snatched a game-high seven receptions out of the air for 57 yards, including a two-point conversion pass from Gale.

Gale, Richardson and the rest of the Wildcats will be back in action Saturday against West Texas A&M. The Wildcats’ 2009 Homecoming game will serve as yet another chance for the squad to gel with big games against ranked opponents Tarleton State and Texas A&MKingsville looming in the weeks ahead.

contact Craig at

jrc07d@acu.edu

Split: Offense comes alive Second: Sang against Central Oklahoma finishes first Continued from page 8

“We didn’t play bad on Friday,” said Coach Casey Wilson. “I felt we controlled the majority of the game. We just didn’t cash in on offense, while they did.”

The Wildcats came out looking for redemption against Central Oklahoma, which has the best Lone Star Conference record.

Four different players scored on the way to a 4-2 ACU victory, and Arielle Moncure had her first start as goalkeeper, making three stops on five shots.

The ladies struck early with a goal from Lyndsey Womack in the fifth minute. UCO tied the game at one before Krysta Grimm notched her first goal of the season and regained

Our offense came out ready to score. They had a good team; we were just able to cash in this time.

Casey Wilson Head Soccer Coach

the lead for the ’Cats.

Julie Coppedge tied the game again in the 76th minute, but a late goal

by Lexi Stirling sealed a Wildcat victory. The Wildcats improved to 8-4-1 for the season and 3-1-1 in the LSC. “We came out Sunday with a different attitude,” Wilson said. “Our offense came out ready to score. They had a good team; we were just able to cash in this time on the scoreboard.”

The Wildcats will have two matches against Texas Woman’s University and Texas A&MCommerce this week-

end. The games will be at 4 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

“Top to bottom, there is nobody we can overlook,” Wilson said. “We have five more conference games, and there is nobody that we are just going to blow out. We just have to stay focused and take care of business.”

contact Cantrell at

jrc07f@acu.edu

Continued from page 8

Delby finished in 11th place at last month’s pre-national invitational and is expected to play a major role in ACU’s title quest.

“This race was a great confidence-builder for Colby,” Burroughs said.

“For Amos, it was as I expected. I really didn’t think anyone in the field would come close to him, and they didn’t.”

On the women’s side, ACU finished in fourth place with 93 points. Dallas Baptist ran away from the field, winning with a mere 18 points. The Lady Patriots had four of the top five runners, including race champion Hannah Steffan. The bright spot for ACU was the ninth-place finish of Chloe Susset. The fresh-

man and French native has continued to show great progress as she gets used to American cross-country.

“I think she’s getting used to American races,” Burroughs said.

“American collegiate cross-country is much more competitive than what she would be used to in France.”

The Wildcats will compete in the LSC Championship later this moth. The men will be going for their 19th consecutive LSC title, and Burroughs said his team is heavily favored to win yet again. The 2009 race is scheduled for Oct. 24 at West Texas A&M University in Canyon.

contact Craig at

jrc07d@acu.edu

chance to show a supportive crowd how good volleyball is played.”

The small crowd did not seem to affect the Wildcats’ game, however. They quickly took the first two sets with identical scores of 25-17. The ladies faced some competition in the third set, though. With the score tied at 22, the Wildcats forced three errors from Commerce to win the final set 25-22.

Defending Lone Star Conference Players of the Week, Jennie Hutt and Ijeoma Moronu, both played well against Commerce. The two players earned four kills each, while Moronu recorded a double-double with 34 assists and 11 digs.

“Both have done extremely well,” Mock said.

“Jennie is getting to a point where she is very comfortable on the court, and she is very smart.

She can execute the game plan and help everyone else execute it, also.”

ACU’s record stands at 17-5, including 4-1 in conference play. Its conference record advanced the team to second place in the Lone Star Conference standings, behind West Texas A&M, the only team to beat the Wildcats in conference so far.

The American Volleyball Coaches’ Association will release the first regional rankings next week; in the South Central Region, the top eight teams make the postseason tournament. ACU should be ranked somewhere between sixth and 10th, Mock said.

“It is so critical to have a good seed in the LSC tournament,” she said. “We have about five to six really good teams in our region that are ranked, so we need to play well.”

contact Gwin at

agg07a@acu.edu

Sports

Page 8

Standings FOOTBALL Ovrl.

Team Div. ACU TAMU-K Tarleton St. Angelo State MSU SE Okla.

WTAMU ENMU NE State TAMU-C Central Okla.

East Central SW Okla.

5-0 5-0 4-1 4-1 3-2 3-2 2-3 2-4 2-4 2-4 1-4 0-5 0-6

7-0 7-0 6-1 5-2 5-2 5-2 2-5 2-5 2-5 2-5 1-6 0-7 0-7

VOLLEYBALL Ovrl.

Team Div. WTAMU ACU MSU SE Okla.

East Central TAMU-C TX Woman’s Central Okla.

Tarleton St. Angelo State TAMU-K SW Okla.

Cameron ENMU

6-0 4-1 4-1 3-2 3-2 3-3 3-3 3-3 3-3 2-3 2-4 2-4 1-4 0-6

20-3 17-5 8-17 17-9 12-13 18-7 13-11 11-11 8-15 10-12 12-9 5-22 13-8 5-16

WOMEN’S SOCCER Ovrl.

Team Div. Central Okla.

ACU MSU WTAMU East Central TAMU-C TX Woman’s Angelo State ENMU NE State SW Okla.

4-2 3-1-1 3-1 3-2 2-2 2-2 2-2 2-3 2-3 1-3-1 1-4

10-5-1 8-4-1 9-1-2 9-2-1 5-3-2 7-5 4-7 8-5 7-7 4-6-1 4-9-1

Scores SATURDAY Football ACU 38, Angelo State 14

Volleyball ACU 3, Texas A&M-Commerce 0

SUNDAY Soccer ACU 4, Central Oklahoma 2

TUESDAY

FOOTBALL

Perfection preserved Led by a superb defensive effort, ACU easily beat Angelo State 3814 to stay perfect on the season Jeff Craig Sports Reporter The Wildcats blew past LSC South foe Angelo State 38-14 in San Angelo on Saturday night. The win bettered ACU’s record to 7-0 on the season.

ACU entered the game holding firmly to its No. 2 national ranking, but after top-ranked Grand Valley State was upset

by Hillsdale, ACU moved to No. 1 for the first time since 1983.

No. 23 ASU was in the national top 25 for the first time this season after winning five of its first six games; a loss to Division I Texas State was the only blemish on their record.

The Wildcats dominated the first half of Saturday’s game, outgaining the Rams 215-67 in total yardage and collecting 14 first downs. Running back Daryl Richardson scored the only two touchdowns in the half.

“They kept opening the holes for me,” Richardson said of his offensive line. “They keep giving me the opportunity to do my job when they

AFCA Top 10 ACU earned the top spot in the American Football Coaches’ Association for the first time since joining Division II in 1983.

1. ACU (7-0) 2. North Alabama (7-0) 3. Central Washington (7-0) 4. Bloomsburg (Penn.) (7-0) 5. NW Missouri St. (6-1) 6. Minnesota-Mankato (7-0) 7. TAMU-Kingsville (7-0) 8. Grand Valley State (6-1) 9. Minnesota-Duluth (6-1) 10. Albany St. (6-0)

do their job well.”

The Wildcats held a 17-0 lead at the half, due in part to Richardson’s efforts, as well as 30yard field goal from Morgan Lineberry.

At halftime, Head Coach Chris Thomsen said he was encouraged by the play of his team, but emphasized the necessity of fewer mistakes.

ACU continued its strong play in the second HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer half, putting 21 more points on the board. RB Daryl Richardson rushed for four touchdowns as ACU overwhelmed Angelo State UniverRichardson rushed for sity, who was ranked No. 23 at the time, Saturday night in San Angelo. two more touchdowns, and Reggie Brown hauled in a 16-yard touchdown pass from see PERFECT page 7

GAME BREAKERS The Optimist picks players of the game and the play of the game. n Offensive Player of the Game: Daryl Richardson, 24 rushes for 94 yards, 7 receptions for 57 yards, 4 TD n Defensive Player of the Game: Fred Thompson, 4 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 2 sacks, 1 blocked FG attempt n Play of the Game: With eight minutes left in the half, LB Reggie Mathis intercepted a Josh Neiswander pass at ACU’s 37-yard line, putting a halt to San Angelo’s best drive of the half. ACU took advantage of the turnover by marching down the field for a touchdown, making the score 17-0.

HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer

The Wildcat defense did not allow any points in the first half against ASU and forced three turnovers on the night.

CROSS-COUNTRY

VOLLEYBALL

’Cats continue push for shot at playoffs

Volleyball ACU 3, Dallas Baptist 0

Upcoming

Austin Gwin

THURSDAY Volleyball ACU at Central Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

FRIDAY Soccer ACU vs. Texas Woman’s

SATURDAY Football ACU vs. West Texas A&M, 2 p.m.

Volleyball ACU at SW Oklahoma State, 2 p.m.

HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS

HEATHER LEIPHART Stafff Photographer

The ACU men’s cross-country team prepares to takes off at the Naimadu Pre-Regional cross-country meet at Grover Nelson Park on Saturday.

Wildcats take second Jeff Craig Sports Reporter

Briefs n Junior LB Fred Thompson was named LSC South Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Angelo State. Thompson had one forced fumble, a blocked FG and two sacks in a 38-14 win. n Traffic will be heavy in Abilene this weekend, especially Saturday, when ACU, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University have their Homecoming games.

October 14, 2009

An injury-depleted cross-country team managed to capture second place at the Naimadu Pre-Regional cross-country meet at Grover Nelson Park on Saturday.

The Wildcats scored a total of 42 points, second only to champion Tarleton State, which scored 33 points. West Texas A&M finished in third place with 64 points, and Dallas Baptist finished fourth with 71.

ACU’s Amos Sang

finished in first place overall, completing the four-mile course in 18:58.25. His teammate, freshman Colby Delbene, crossed the line in second place with a time of 19:48.16. This was the first race of the year for all-Conference runner Daniel Maina, who crossed the line in eighth place. Unfortunately, Head Coach Sam Burroughs’ team was forced to race without all-Conference runner Cleophas Tanui, who was pulled just before the race with an injury.

“We had some good

individual successes from our top three,” Burroughs said. “It was Daniel’s first race of the year after he was rehabilitated from Achilles tendonitis, but he has shaken that and is back in the training room.”

Burroughs said he has come to expect front-of-the-pack finishes from Sang, but Delbene has caught his attention. The freshman and Patterson, N.Y., native has shown improvement as the season has advanced. see SECOND page 7

Saturday’s win leaves ACU with a 7-0 record at Assistant Sports Editor home this season.

“It’s nice to play at The Wildcat volleyball team continued its dominance home,” said Head Coach at home with a 3-0 sweep Kellen Mock. “Last year, of Texas A&M-Commerce. we only had nine home “It was awesome, see- matches, while we have ing us play so well,” said 13 this year. Although we Carson Henley, sopho- didn’t have that big of a more biochemistry ma- crowd on Saturday, we jor from Colleyville. usually do, and it propels “The girls were so in the girls. They love the sync. We looked real good out there.” see HOME page 7

SOCCER

Road games a rollercoaster ride Ryan Cantrell Assistant Sports Editor The Wildcats split a pair of matches in Oklahoma this weekend, losing 1-0 against Southwestern Oklahoma State on Friday, but bouncing back to beat Central Oklahoma 4-2 Sunday.

Friday’s game was a tough loss for the ’Cats.

The offense just could

not get on the board, even though the Wildcats outshot the Bulldogs 2111. SW Oklahoma player Courtney Hailey’s goal in the 24th minute of the match made the difference in the game. The Wildcats still had not answered 65 minutes later, and they dropped their first conference game of the season. see SPLIT page 7