Optimist Print Edition 8.22.16

NEWS

WHAT'S INSIDE

The new centralized advising system means a few things have to be shuffled around.

Page 3

FEATURE

OPINION

Wildcat Week was packed with activities for new students. See photos from the events.

Page 5

Meet the 2016-17 Editorial Board.

Plus a comic, tweets and a letter from our editor.

Page 6

SPORTS

The Wildcats’ fall sports are hitting full swing this week. Read our season previews for the latest.

Pages 7 & 8

v

Monday, August 22, 2016 Vol. 105, Issue 01

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

ERIKA BOLADO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Wildcat Week began Tuesday, Aug. 18 to welcome incoming students to campus with a week packed full of activities. Students learned school traditions, experienced their first Chapel, got to know Abilene and of course, meet tons of new people. In the above photograph, the winning team celebrates their victory at the Mentor Group Olympics - a competition among freshmen Cornerstone classes.

SA absorbs FAC, adds to cabinet

BY ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF

Students’ Association has a busy few weeks ahead with upcoming elections, job interviews for new cabinet members and an increased level of involvement with the Campus Activities Board.

Over the summer, SA Executive President Abbey Moses worked with Student Life vice president Chris Riley and Caddie Coupe, director of new student programs, to rethink how SA interacts with other groups organizing events on campus.

As a result, the team decided to bring on Coupe as a co-sponsor for SA and eliminate the Freshman Action Counsel – passing off FAC’s duties to soon-to-be elected freshman class officers. Coupe will also now oversee the Campus Activities Board, which was previously advised by Tom Craig.

SEE ELECTIONS PAGE 4

Schubert restructures leadership team “

BY ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF

Over the summer, campus has undergone many changes and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) is no exception.

In an email Friday, Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, announced two new additions to the SLT and a consolidated Student Life and Enrollment Management division.

After working with outside consulting firm Mindstream, the SLT decided to condense the two divisions into one more “student-centric” division.

The new division, Enrollment Management and Student Engagement will be led by Kevin Campbell, who will serve as vice president for enrollment management and student engagement. Chris Riley will retain his same title as vice president

We wanted to look more holistically at student experiences from recruiting all the way to graduation.”

CHRIS RILEY VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT LIFE

of student life but will report to Campbell instead of directly to President Schubert. Both Campbell and Riley will remain on the SLT.

Riley said the decision came in part as an effort to be more student-centric and to better serve students from when they first come in contact with the

university all the way through their time on campus.

“We wanted to look more holistically at student experiences from recruiting all the way to graduation,” Riley said.

As part of the restructuring, ACUPD will report to Steven Holley, who will become vice president and chief business officer of university services.

SEE STRATEGIC PAGE 2

Chapel rebrands ‘Quest’ credits with new app

BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

The Student Development Office will use a new mobile app called Altimeter to track Chapel credits, now called Quest credits.

Students can search “Altimeter Software” in the app store and download the 12.8 megabyte app. After logging in with their student username and password, they will see a

gauge with the number of credits they have earned and the number they need. Dr. Jan Meyer, director of spiritual formation, and Veronica Whitt, coordinator of spiritual formation programs, said they will continue working on the app’s technical issues so students may experience problems with the app during the first few weeks of school.

“We’ve come across a couple of glitches,” Whitt said.

“We’re working really closely with the development team at OC.” Developed by students at Oklahoma Christian Uni-

versity, the app lists all Quest events, including Moody Chapels and small group events.

Students can add events to their own personalized sched-

ule on the app and check in to small group events from the app.

“Long term, that’s how we’re wanting it to work so we don’t have to worry about manually putting in students one-by-one from paper timesheets,” Whitt said. “It will also give them a live-time update of their Chapel credits so they can keep better track of SEE QUEST PAGE 2

Waterball removed from IM Leagues lineup Rivalry Week returns to Homecoming with Jackson as IM director

BY ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF

Students returning to campus can expect a few changes to the intramural offerings this school year. The good news is Rivalry Week games will return to Homecoming Week; but the bad news – for some– is waterball will no longer be

offered as an intramural sport.

After looking at stats from the most recent season, the Office of Student Life, SRWC staff and the Risk Management office decided to eliminate the university’s most dangerous intramural sport and replace it with three other water sports.

Dr. Chris Riley, vice pres-

ident of Student Life, said participation in the sport had gone down significantly over the last five years, and injuries had become more common.

In the last 2 seasons, four 911 calls were made and, according to stats, students were three times more likely to get injured playing waterball than football.

Participation had dwindled to 10 teams last season, most of which represented social clubs. This number was down significantly from the 21 teams in 2009. Riley also noted the decision came in part because of the negative environment often associated with the physSEE WATERBALL PAGE 2

W W W. A C U O P T I M I S T. C O M

STAFF PHOTO

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NEW S

MONDAY | AUGUST 22, 2016

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HOLLY BROWN David and Laurie Vanderpool and Craig Fisher treat children at the medical clinic in Thomazeau, Haiti. A group of alumni from the class of 1992 took a mission trip to the clinic in January.

Vanderpools start medical mission in Haiti “

BY ABBEY BOWLING FEATURES & ARTS EDITOR

After volunteering medical help to victims of the earthquake that rocked the small island of Haiti in 2010, Dr. David Vanderpool (‘82) and his wife Laurie (‘81) felt called to live in Haiti on a full-time basis. So in 2013, the Vanderpools sold their house and private medical practice in Tennessee and officially moved to Thomazeau, Haiti – a region outside capital city Port-au-Prince – to start a mission called LiveBeyond that provides medical and humanitarian aid.

In addition to standard medical care, the mission also provides maternal health, children’s programs, including orphan care, help for atrisk disabled people, commu-

nity development, clean water and education. The mission strives to live beyond their culture and borders to impact the people of Haiti for the Kingdom of God. Parker Southerland, senior biochemistry major from Burleson, has traveled to Haiti four different times since 2015, doing medical research and working for LiveBeyond’s children’s camp. He wanted to go because he knew there were people in need of God’s grace, he said.

“God is moving in Thomazeau,” Southerland said.

“There is no doubt about that. When I first went to the mission you could see the hardness in the people.

They were unable to accept the good news, they were unable to love, they were forever bound to their sin. But now, I

When I first went to the mission you could see the hardness in the people. They were unable to accept the good news...But now, I go and I see bright faces filled with love and joy” PARKER SOUTHERLAND SENIOR BIOCHEMISTRY MAJOR FROM BURLESON

go and I see bright faces filled with love and joy, and I can only think to contribute that to the spirit moving through Thomazeau, softening their hearts in the process.”

Southerland said he’s learned many things during his experiences at the mission, but two of the most important lessons were patience and the clear message of the gospel.

“When we come to [Jesus] as an act of obligation for our sin we are discounting, negat-

ing what He did on the cross for us,” Fisher said. “It blew my mind when I first thought about that. That we are sinless in the eyes of Christ and we have to act that way.”

Craig Fisher, who works in the Alumni Relations office, traveled to LiveBeyond in January with a group of 19 alumni from his class of 1992. The same group also went to Haiti on a spring break campaign when they were students and are planning to go again next

year.

“Our week provided us the opportunity to put aside ourselves and to serve the people of Haiti,” Fisher said.

“It gave us the opportunity to meet some amazing people that live in the poorest country in the western hemisphere and find ways to bless them with medical care, food and water, teaching, love and Jesus. It also gave our group of ACU alumni a chance to serve together and reconnect as friends with shared experiences of our connections at ACU.” Fisher said they helped over 900 people who needed medical care, worked the children’s program to spend time with Haitian children, and visited villages that couldn’t come to the clinic. The Vanderpools also led a Bible study each

day, and the group made sure to share about their lives and reminisce about their time as students, which strengthened their relationships, Fisher said.

“We are hopeful that more ACU alumni will decide to travel together and go and serve at LiveBeyond. It is an awesome way for our alumni to come together and spend time together serving and loving people that need Jesus,” Fisher said. “I am thankful for the Vanderpools and the work that they do in Haiti every day. I am thankful for those that go and serve and support the work that David and Laurie started to bless the people of Haiti...This is a great place for Wildcats to serve.”

AKB12A@ACU.EDU

Waterball: dangerous sport removed Strengthsfinder added to freshman experience from Intramurals, Rivalry Week returns CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ical nature of waterball.

“It is bad enough in football, but we don’t want to continue to do things that make people angry or put them in a negative environment,” Riley said.

ACU was one of the only schools that still offered waterball as an intramural sport, so many are sad to see it go.

“I’m sad we have to get rid of it because it’s a long-standing tradition, but maybe we were the only ones dumb enough to keep playing it,” Riley said.

Mark Jackson, newly-appointed director of intramurals, said he’s tried to be transparent about the reasoning behind the decision.

“I’m a big believer in letting people know the ‘why’ behind things,” Jackson said.

“After conversations with risk management, we knew it was in the best interest of the university to move away from the

BY ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF

sport.”

In lieu of waterball, three new water sports will be added to the schedule. In the fall, students can play inner tube water polo or participate in a log rolling weekend tournament. Co-ed water volleyball will be offered in the spring.

Though the decision will be disappointing for some, namely the women of GATA who have dominated the sport recently, students can look forward to seeing club rivalry football games return to Homecoming Week.

Last year, the games fell the week before Homecoming, but Jackson decided to bring it back as one of his first acts in his new position.

“When I was approached about the job, I knew it was one of the first things I’d do,” Jackson said. “It builds up more excitement for that weekend.”

AKB12B@ACU.EDU

For the second year in a row, incoming students have taken the Gallup StrengthsFinder test to learn more about themselves before beginning college.

Tamara Long, dean of admissions, has spearheaded the strengths movement on campus since taking over new student orientation in 2015.

“I am super passionate about strengths,” Long said. “So when I was given orientation last year, I knew I wanted to add it.”

Prior to attending NSO, students are sent an access code to take the StrengthsFinder test.

After they complete the test and are able to view their strengths, they also have access to a detailed report of what each of their strengths mean. The university pays for each test taken, which Gallup lists as $15 a piece.

“Strengths are a way of looking at what’s right with people,” Long said. “It’s a way students can see that they have something to offer, and I think it gets people past surface level conver-

sations quicker.”

Since 2015, strengths have been used across campus from the residence halls to the classroom. If you walk down any dorm hallway on campus, residents’ strengths are displayed outside of their doors. Some Cornerstone professors devote one day a week discussing how students can use their strengths to learn and develop better study habits.

Strengths will also be a key part of the new centralized advising model. Long called this the “appreciative advising model”, and advisers will be able to see areas students are best performing to help them make decisions about major or class choices.

“We want to help students focus on what is good and what’s right for them,” Long said.

Long estimates more than 60 percent of campus has taken the Strengths test, and two years down the road, all students on campus will know their top five.

ACU’s Top 10 Strengths

According to the Gallup StrengthFinders Test

AKB12B@ACU.EDU

Quest: Chapel adventures to mobile software to track credits CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

how many credits they’re making.”

Students without mobile phones can access the Altimeter software online. Faculty sponsors can fill out a Quest event application form at the same site to set up their events. Meyer and Whitt will start training sessions for faculty sponsors next week.

They have not determined an official launch date but said they hope to have the app tested and functioning for small group events by the third week of the semester. Quest events in Moody, Cullen Auditorium and Chapel on the Hill will continue to use card swipes, while small group events will take attendance through the app.

“Our slogan is ‘equipping

students for a Christ-centered journey,’” Whitt said. “What we’re trying to do with spiritual formation is get students to look at it as a journey. Kind of rebranding a little bit.”

Whitt, a 2012 graduate and former resident assistant at University Park, started Aug. 2 in a newly created reduced full time position. Called the “Quest Queen” by Meyer, Whitt coor-

dinates all spiritual formation events for faculty sponsors and students.

Meyer said when small group events were called Spiritual Formation Event credits last year, between 150 and 200 SFE events took place each week. Now events will be split into categories including career and calling, service, small group Chapel, spiritual practices and

worship. Students who perform weekly service activities and apply for Faith in Action or service credits will automatically get 15 Quest credits.

Students can still apply online for exemptions if they work during 11 a.m. Chapel or live off-campus and don’t have classes until after 11 a.m. Their exemptions will go into effect after their exemption is approved, so

Meyer said students should fill out the form within the next two weeks.

“Busyness is not an excuse for not going to Chapel,” Meyer said. “As a student at ACU, you’re asked to prioritize, especially when the time is built into the schedule.”

HRR13B@ACU.EDU

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MONDAY | AUGUST 22, 2016

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Campus center makes room for Central Advising

BY ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF AND HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

The Campus Center Living Room will be eliminated and Mail Services will move to make room for an expanded Depot, which will include centralized advising offices.

University administration announced in the spring a decision to move academic advising to a centralized location. Kevin Campbell, chief enrollment officer, is directing the change because it will impact student enrollment and satisfaction.

“We think it’s a win-win for everybody,” Campbell said.

An expanded Depot will be constructed where the Mail Services and the Campus Center Living Room have been. Because the Living Room will be eliminated, Susan Gore, executive assistant to the vice president for Student Life, will help groups who wanted to use the Living Room to find new spaces for events.

The new advising staff began official advising Aug. 15 in a temporary office in the Graduate Commons on the second floor of the library.

During construction of the new mail office, students can get IDs and parking passes in the former President’s Dining Room in the Campus Center to the left of the Bean entrance.

Campbell said the goal is to complete the construction on the advising center by mid-October in time for class registration.

You’ve Got Mail Mail Services has moved

to the Depot’s old location near the Bean, and students will no longer have individual mailboxes. While no plan has been officially announced, the Alumni Office is working on a plan to auction off the old mailboxes.

Instead of checking a mailbox, students will receive an email or text notification when they have a package. They can then go to a kiosk in the mail services office and either swipe their ID card or enter their ID number and a student worker will hand them their package over a large counter.

Although the size of the mail office will decrease, the number of student workers will remain about the same, Campbell said. Students who live on campus will pay a mail services fee included

in their housing bill. Students who live off-campus will have the option to purchase mail services.

“This enables them to have their packages stored and secured in a location and they are notified when the package gets here,” Campbell said.

Centralized Advising A team of faculty and staff visited other universities, including Southern Methodist University, that use a centralized advising system. Campbell said schools that use this system saw higher student satisfaction, graduation rates and rates of students graduating on time. After discussing the idea with current advisors, faculty, staff and some students, Campbell and his

team chose to make the Office of Advising part of the Depot so students can get financial aid, academic advising, student IDs and other services in one place.

“We want to provide the best possible service that we can, and in a centralized approach, we’ll be able to manage that hopefully in a way that we haven’t in the past,” Campbell said.

Half of the centralized advising staff includes new advisors while half includes returning advisors from different departments. The new advisors will handle groups of majors called “major clusters.” Campbell said this would allow students who change majors within their major cluster to keep their adviser. The new system will also create a con-

sistent, uniform experience for all students. Campbell said in the old advising system, advisers ran their systems differently so students who changed majors had to learn new systems.

Lisa Wiggins, academic advisor for the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, will continue to work with the department as a part-time advisor for centralized advising. She said with the new system, advisors will be able to communicate more about how courses are filling and what classes are like.

“It will be a broader system, working a little more closely with Student Life,” Wiggins said. “As an adviser, having a regular interaction with students, I might be able to see some things a

faculty member may not see and address the needs of the student a little more thoroughly.”

If a student were to struggle in midterms or if his or her GPA was dropping, Wiggins said she would be able to alert Student Life or Residence Life to give that student more attention.

“It’s a more holistic approach to the student,” Wiggins said.

Wiggins will work parttime, advising about 150 students. Full-time advisors will advise about 300 students each.

AKB12B@ACU.EDU HRR13B@ACU.EDU

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NEW S

MONDAY | AUGUST 22, 2016

Strategic: SLT to implement five-year plan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Holley now oversees Finance, Human Resources, Business Services, Operations, Information Technology and ACUPD. Dr. Jennifer Shewmaker and Wendy Jones will join the SLT to help in implementing the Strategic Plan.

Shewmaker, a professor of psychology, is chair of the new Strategic Plan Steering committee and has been a faculty member since 2002. Jones is the chief human resources officer and Title-IX co-coordinator. She has been at ACU for 17 years.

Over the next few years, Shewmaker will oversee five task forces chaired by various faculty members to implement the goals of the 2016-21 Strategic Plan: Academic Programs – Dr. Cheryl Bacon and Dr. Brad Crisp, co-chairs Diversity – Dr. Stephanie Hamm, chair Educational Innovation – Dr. Gregory Straughn, chair Experiential Learning – Dr. Stephen Baldridge, chair Spiritual Formation – Dr. Cliff Barbarick and Dr. Darryl Tippens, co-chairs “I’m proud of these dedicated colleagues and thankful for their willingness to lead in these important roles,” Schubert said in Friday’s email.

AKB12B@ACU.EDU

Pizza by Design serves indie pies

BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

A new local pizza parlor opened at the end of April, serving individual pizzas with the motto, “There is no we in pizza.”

Keely and Calvin Aber opened the store on TX 351 east of Panda Express. Stephanie Mata, manager at Pizza by Design, said the store always takes applications but they are not currently hiring.

Customers can choose from original, gluten free, wheat, or thin crusts, then top off their 10 in. pizza with unlimited toppings. Other menu items include salads and a dessert pizza with cinnamon and frosting.

Mata said the 10 percent student discount and 3 1/2 minute cook time, make pizzas from Pizza by Design a quick and cheap stop for college students. Busiest times for the store include Friday and Saturday evenings. The store closes on Sundays.

HRR13B@ACU.EDU

ERIKA BOLADO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER EMILY GUAJARDO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

ERIKA BOLADO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Dillard opens, other projects on track

BY MERCEDEZ HERNANDEZ PRINT MANAGING EDITOR

Newly-opened Dillard Hall officially opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, August 19.

Construction on the sophomore women’s residence hall first began in March when the university purchased the non-profit senior living center, Christian Village, through a donation from Max and Gayle Dillard.

The renovation cost $2 million and included new wiring, plumbing, flooring and furniture.

“I can’t wait to see the incredible role that Dillard Hall

plays in helping us fulfill our mission in educating students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world,” Dr. Phil Schubert said during his speech at the residence hall’s ribbon-cutting.

Steven Holley, vice president and chief business officer, oversees construction and said students are enjoying the large residence hall.

“There are 66 units and large common spaces,” Holley said. “At over 82,000 square feet Dillard Hall is the largest residence hall on campus and we are excited to bring it on line.”

Halbert-Walling Research

Center is scheduled to host classes in January 2017. Holley said the renovations are moving along well with the primary structure of the building complete and workers now installing flooring and doors.

“Halbert Walling is a very specialized building, being a science facility,” Holley said.

“It has been challenging to make sure we are getting the appropriate equipment in the building so the professors will be able to provide the best experience possible for our students.”

The first phase of renovation focused on the roof and exterior of the Robert R. and

Kay Onstead Science Center was completed.The remaining portion will undergo renovation in January 2017, Holley said. Those renovations will include work on restrooms, select classrooms, hallways and an upgrade of the building’s systems.

Holley said costs for both science buildings have not exceeded the budgeted $45 million.

The construction of Wildcat Stadium, an 8,500-seat football facility, began last spring and Holley said the project will be complete by September 2017.

“The football stadium project and the corresponding

track and soccer project has a cost of $50 million,” Holley said. “The track and soccer portion of the project is complete and within projections. It is early in the construction of the football stadium, but we are anticipating achieving that project cost.”

The ever-changing weather of Abilene has posed the most challenges for the construction projects, Holley said, but despite spells of dry and wet weather all projects are set to be completed on time.

MMH13A@ACU.EDU

Election: SA absorbs FAC, adds cabinet spots CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Coupe, the wonder woman behind Wildcat Week, will mentor and work with students on event planning in her work with SA and CAB. “Having Caddie come on as an adviser will be an awesome experience,” Moses said. “She will be a mentor, build character and help students develop professionally.”

Last year, Moses said the freshman class officers and the FAC team planned events on the same nights due to lack of communication between the groups, so Moses, Coupe and Riley wanted to eliminate any source of competition between freshmen groups.

SA will absorb the efforts of Freshman Action Counsel – like class-wide devotionals, Christmas social, and Fresh-

man Formal – with hopes to unite incoming students’ efforts to plan events for their fellow classmates.

“We didn’t want to compete for events with FAC,” Moses said.

Though there won’t be competition for class-wide events among the freshmen, Moses does anticipate highly contested class races for the officer positions. After hosting interest session at each of the New Student Orientations over the summer, Moses had nearly 200 students interested in running for Congress spots for the upcoming year.

“The freshmen are so excited to get involved,” Moses said. “It’s been really cool to see their energy and excitement already to bring community to our campus.”

For anyone interested in

“

We didn’t want to compete for events with FAC.”

ABBEY MOSES EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT OF STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

running for SA, get out your planners and get your campaign platform ready, because elections are coming up quickly.

The mandatory interest meeting is Wednesday, Aug. 24. After the meeting, students can begin petitioning to get on the ballot, and petitions are due Friday, Aug. 26. Campaigning will run the 26-30, and elections will take place Aug. 30 – Sept. 1, with runoffs on Sept. 2.

Several important items will be on the ballot besides class officers and building representatives when voting opens. Last year, Moses added several Congress positions directly representing student organizations, and this year she has plans to bring in an even wider range of student reps.

Students can vote on the following changes to the SA constitution: adding two spots for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and two representatives from varsity-level athletics or special interest athletic clubs and organizations.

Additionally, two new cabinet positions are being added to Moses’s team.

In addition to the executive vice president, executive trea-

surer, executive administrator, chief financial officer and chief communications officer, two new student activity officers (SAOs) will be added.

The SAOs will be interviewed and hired before the first Congress meeting Sept.

7. They will be part of a larger team of five interns on the Campus Activities Board that will work with Coupe to plan events campus wide. Moses said any students interested in these paid intern positions will be able to apply in the next few weeks.

“We are looking for people with a wide variety of social and campus involvement, but no prior Congress or event planning experience is necessary,” Moses said.

AKB12B@ACU.EDU

Northside Starbucks opens off of highway I-20

BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

A drive-thru Starbucks opened on the north side of Abilene two months ago, serving black gold for thirsty students and travelers.

As the only Starbucks on I-20 for 272 miles between Midland and Weatherford, this new location is just an exit away for travelers.

Shift manager Chris Christopher said people have been asking for a northside location, and the Starbucks corporation used area logistics to choose a place for the store.

“It was about time something like that would happen,” Christopher said.

At any time of day, students and faculty can be seen at the drive-thru window or sitting inside with friends in the store, which opened June 25. Braden Crow, junior biblical text and communications major from Fort Worth, said the shop is a good place to get away from campus.

“I like having a Starbucks here,” Crow said. “It’s good for meetings; it’s good to catch up on homework. If you don’t want to see people and you get distracted in the library, it’s nice to come here or other coffee shops around town.”

HRR13B@ACU.EDU

F E ATUR E

MONDAY | AUGUST 22, 2016

5

LYDIA LAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Robert Olgesby, instructor of Bible, missions and ministry, spoke to incoming students at Candlelight Devo to begin Wildcat Week.

WELCOME WILDCATS

BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

Wildcat Week brought students one last blast of summer with over 75 events, including a 200-foot Slip-n-Slide, a block party and a concert featuring singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson.

This year’s block party took place on Cypress Street with food trucks like Beffers, FoodEx, Papa Murphy’s, Stillwater Barbecue, The Toasted Traveler and 1881 lined up on the block while local churches provided dessert and drinks.

The week still included such traditions as Mentor Group Olympics, Candlelight Devo, Sunrise Devo, a discussion on Ti-

tle IX and a traditional Chapel with Dr. Jennifer Shewmaker, director of the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning.

Each day students had free time to participate in different activities. “Action” activities took place in the Recreation Center and included bouldering, kayak races and co-ed volleyball. “Community” activities allowed students to experience Abilene at places downtown, Play Faire Park and the Abilene Zoo. “Unplug” activities were more relaxed and included board games, coffee at Monk’s and hammocks at Jacob’s Dream.

HRR13B@ACU.EDU

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OP I N I ON

&

ED IT O R IA L

MONDAY | AUGUST 22, 2016

Meet the 2016-17 Editorial Board

The editorial board hashes out a collective opinion on news and issues of local and national importance. Through spirited debate and some friendly argument, we come to a consensus on topics relevant to you.

ALLISON OFTEN

RATED R

LAMBORGHINI MERCY

ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF Senior convergence journalism major Midland, Texas

HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

MERCEDEZ HERNANDEZ PRINT MANAGING EDITOR

Junior convergence journalism major Albuquerque, New Mexico

Senior convergence journalism major Anson, Texas

Her tombstone shall read: "And thus, she died, with 17 tabs open on Google Chrome."

In love with Jesus. Obsessed with Hamilton.

EMILLION HERE, EMILLION THERE

EMILY GUAJARDO VISUALS MANAGING EDITOR Junior convergence journalism major San Antonio, Texas Just a writer, standing in front of a reader, asking him to read her article. Oh, and say my last name correctly. Thanks.

DOWNTON ABBEY

EXAGGERAITZ

ABBEY BOWLING ARTS & FEATURES EDITOR Senior convergence journalism major Keller, Texas

JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS EDITOR Junior convergence journalism major Bandera, Texas

Lover of coffee, dogs, travel, and sports, but not in that order.

The fastest way to my heart is through pizza. I have no idea what I'm doing, but I know I'm doing it really, really well.

NOTHING NEW WITH NULL HANNAH NULL SPORTS PRODUCER/ANCHOR Senior convergence journalism major Flower Mound, Texas I like sportsing so much that I talk about it, I write about it and I play it.

Beginner adult. Intermediate journalist. Expert catlady.

One day I hope to host my own sports talk show. And I'm an avid supporter of Caturday, but despise actual cats.

KRAZY KASSIE

DAILY DOODLE DOSAGE

KASSIE KIM VIDEO NEWS DIRECTOR

BEN TODD RESIDENT CARTOONIST

Senior convergence journalism major San Antonio, Texas

Senior Graphic Design Major Chang Mai, Thailand

When tired or over stressed, Kassie may start rambling about random things or start talking like Harley Quinn. Just give her some Earl Grey tea, loaded with sugar and some honey, and she'll be back to normal in five minutes.

Did he overcommit his final year schedule? Stay tuned as we monitor his blood pressure in the next few weeks...

A letter from the 105th Optimist Editor

hashtagACU @acuoptimist

THE ISSUE

This is where the Editorial Board briefly describes the topic being discussed in the editorial.

@HANNA_NO_H AUG. 17, 12:50 P.M. I’m afraid that now I’ll only be known as the RA that danced on the tables at the Sikes hall meeting... #ACUWildcatWeek #ACU20

OUR TAKE

This is where we take a decisive stance on the above-mentioned issue.

@BRICLOSE AUG. 11, 7:50 P.M. Lady in Abilene needs me to dog sit for her two pugs in October and said that “I’ll have to go through rounds of interviews.”

Gosh Abilene. @JAMIEWARREN_10 AUG. 18, 7:46 P.M. Crushing blow, but after tonight’s loss at the Wildcat Week Olympics, I’ve decided to take my talents to HSU. Heck of a ride, @acuwildcatweek. @JACOBPIERCE42 AUG. 15 10:07 A.M. America is so athletic!!! Shout out to Micheal phelps for getting his first gold medal! Love watching the olympics! @SHAYNJOHNSON AUG. 18 7:54 P.M. I can’t tell the difference between ACU & church camp and it’s the greatest thing ever @MARYSA_TRAVIESO AUG. 20 1:12 P.M. Sometimes you’re so exhausted from Wildcat Week that you fall asleep in a swimsuit...it’s fine. Worth it.

Welcome back to school!

Whether today is your first day of college or your twenty fifth year working here, thank you for picking up the newspaper and at least glancing at the following pages.

In the future, this space will be used to discuss various topics and ideas, like the issue box included at the beginning.

But today, I wanted to take a little time and introduce myself and tell you a bit about our new design for the year.

I have the privilege and responsibility of serving as the 105th editor of The Optimist, the student-run newspaper on campus. Privilege and responsibility – I use those words togeth-

er for a reason.

First, it is a privilege to get to put this whole thing together each week, to work with a passionate and dedicated team to bring you the news, and to have my own office for crying out loud. I love getting to tell the stories of what's happening around ACU. Now entering into my final year on campus, I take the responsibility that comes with this job very seriously too.

The Optimist has been around since 1912. So you can imagine the pressure I feel not to burn the whole thing to the ground now that it’s been handed over to me.

It’s not an easy job, or one

take lightly.

This thing has been around for a while. And I don’t know if you noticed, but the logo on the front page looks pretty old school.

I’m a sucker for all things vintage and eclectice, so when I found out it was used on the paper from the 1920s to the 1940s, you better believe I said we are going back to the old style of the paper.

The Optimist also continues to drive our digital presence.We want you to know what’s happening and we hope to create meaningful and engaging content in the weeks to come.

In my time as editor, I hope this publication is something that brings people relevant information and maybe a couple laughs every now and then. I hope it will be a vibrant forum for conversation about issues in the world and in our community. I hope that each week, read-

ers pick up a copy knowing that it was made with them in mind.

Three years ago, I set foot on this campus thinking I knew pretty much everything I needed to know about ACU. I grew up coming to Homecoming Weekend and in junior high, I went through this whole phase where I'd watch Sing Song videos on YouTube to learn the words (literally not joking). My freshman year, I read a column in the newspaper that I liked, let the author know, and was soon writing stories on my own.

I had no idea what I was doing. Three years later, most days I still don't know, but I am learning still.

As much as I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into, I do know that it’ll be an adventure.

Thank you for reading.

Allison Brown Editor In Chief

Daily Doodle Dosage

@TBRICKA AUG. 20 1:57 A.M. I was just in a Whataburger full of freshmen chanting “go wildcats” at 2 a.m. and it was the most exhausting thing I’ve ever experienced. @EVAN_BECK_ AUG. 20 2:32 P.M. Me: “Doc I don’t know why my neck has been hurting so much today” Doctor: “Have you been dabbing again?” @RAYRUNNS AUG. 17 9:09 P.M. Wildcat Week leader more like ACU’s professional hype man @ROWDYRIGGINS AUG. 17 12:13 A.M. HOW DO YALL CLIMB IN BEDS THAT HIGH OFF THE GROUND

BY BEN TODD CARTOONIST

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 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

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SP ORTS

MONDAY | AUGUST 22, 2016

7

‘Cats drop season opener to Roadrunners

BY MAX PRESTON SPORTS WRITER

The Wildcats opened their season against UTSA Friday night and lost 4-1. This game was the first of the 2016 season for University of Texas at San Antonio as well.

“We learned that we have to start the game strong,” senior defender Allie Gerner said. “I think we hurt ourselves in the first twenty minutes, but in the last half we played really well and got through some tough situations. If we would have played like we did in the second half we probably would have won or had a better result.”

The women only had 4 shots in the first half while UTSA had 9, however the

Wildcats flipped the script in the second half and outshot UTSA 13 to 5. Freshman defender Shay Johnson had the lone goal for the Wildcats and junior Chloe Fifer was credited with the assist. ACU also made a total of 5 saves, three of which came from senior goalkeeper Sydney Newton.

“We have to know how to come out and play hard in a 90 minute game,” senior defender Kelsie Roberts said.

“We went into halftime and really calmed down and talked about how we just need to control the ball. We played with nerves and got pressured hard this game, so I think that’s what got us in this first match.”

Freshman Kaiteann Lochte scored the first two goals for

the Roadrunners, then junior Kaja Skare two more to push the score to 4-0 with Johnson’s goal for the Wildcats following shortly after. UTSA was able to make 8 saves in the winning effort.

“No one gave up on each other. We stayed positive throughout the game and to know that we can stay together in this tough experience shows how well are chemistry is,” said Gerner.

The next game for the women will be Sunday at 1 p.m. against the University of Texas at El Paso.

MJP14B@ACU.EDU

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Collums emphasizes need for consistency

BY JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS EDITOR

With 93 new faces reporting to fall camp, and several key players returning from injury, the Wildcats are primed for a bounce-back season.

A lot of attention centered around the football team after posting a 6-6 record in just its second year as a Div. 1 competitior. Unfortunately due to injuries and inexperience the Wildcats struggled in 2015, posting a 3-8 record, despite winning their first two Southland Conference games of the season.

However, with another year under his belt and many of his players, head coach Ken Collums is optimistic the team will take a big step forward in 2016.

“We’re a step closer to where we need to be in this Div. 1 transition, which means we’re going to have a bit more depth this year,” Collums said.

One of the ways ACU will take this step forward in Collums’ eyes is consistency.

With tough competition like Air Force and respectable FCS programs like Northern Colorado on the docket for this year mistakes will be

magnified.

“I want to play more consistently than we did last year, we were very up and down last year,” Collums said. “My thing is just consistency, our guys are going to be able to make plays, they’ve just got to get to where they’re making the plays and doing the little things every single down.”

With a good balance of experience and youth, the Wildcats will look to find that consistency in a number of different players especially tested transfers like junior D.J. Fuller.

The Wildcats fell just short of pulling off an upset against McNeese State last year. This year, they will look to finish games late and take the next step toward postseason contention.

Since the Wildcats Div. 1 transition, Collums has made a name for himself by bringing in explosive junior college transfers to fill skill position roles and add a spark to the offense and defense. Last year it was senior Carl Whitley, who paired with then senior Cedric Griffin and gave the ACU a deep threat tandem.

In 2016, the coaching staff

ELIJAH EVANS CONTRIBUTOR After signing a five-year contract with Nike, the Wildcats not only have a new look on paper, but will be sporting new looks on the field.

hopes that Fuller, who accumulated 629 yards and eight touchdowns a season ago, can replace Griffin alongside Whitley.

“We’re getting better on and off the field, just communicating and become more of a team,” Fuller said.

Another workhorse for

the Wildcats will be junior preseason all-American Sam Denmark. Denmark has started at linebacker for the past two seasons, and he along with junior defensive linemen LaMarcus Allen emerged as the anchors of the defense.

“Our good offseason is

showing out on the field, everyone is running around, not everyone is feeling as sore as we usually do at this time in camp,” Denmark said. “We go out there every single day, guys aren’t worrying about being tired or anything. We’re more a team unit.”

Denmark led the team with 138 tackles and, along with Allen, was tied for the team lead in sacks last season. These two will be critical in improving the team’s scoring defense which was 32.5 points per game in 2015.

Back on the offensive side of the ball, the Wildcats will also look to improve their scoring offense as they averaged just over 24 points per game. And it’s no secret that they will rely heavily on the young arm of redshirt sophomore Dallas Sealey and experience of junior De’Andre Brown.

“We can score a lot of points,” Brown said. “We have a lot of secret weapons people don’t know about.

Some of the transfers we had come in this year are really good at what they do.”

Brown ran for 801 yards last year and recorded five

touchdowns after eclipsing 1000 yards in 2014.

Aside from the Wildcats’ secret weapons, Sealey believes his increased role late in year a season ago will help prepare him for taking over the offense.

“It helps me to have more confidence and have a little bit more self-esteem,” Sealey said. “Everybody has their faith in me and they trust me and they expect me to go out there and make plays.”

Sealey said the mindset of the team is simple, they want to win. It’s not about the individual accolades, just the W’s in the win column.

If the Wildcats are able to they will silence a large handful of doubters, who picked ACU to finish 8th in the Southland Conference which is right where they finished the season in 2015.

“We’re determined because last year it didn’t pan out like we wanted it to,” Brown said. “So we are really determined to show everybody we’re better than what they think we are.”

JMR13B@ACU.EDU

8 S P O RT S

Coaches place Wildcats sixth in polls “

BY DEREK MARCELAIN SPORTS WRITER

The volleyball team will begin its final season of transition to Div. 1 in the Southland Conference. The schedule will begin in Albuquerque at the University of New Mexico, Friday.

The Wildcats finished last season with an overall record of 9-20 and a conference record of 9-7, which was good enough for a fourth place finish in the Southland Conference.

This year, the preseason polls predict the Wildcats will take a step back after receiving 86 points in the coaches’ poll, which predicts them to finish sixth in the conference. They fared no better in sports information directors poll, receiving just 80 points and ending up in seventh.

After finishing second-

to-last in his first year, head coach Jason Bibler coached the Wildcats to an eight spot jump a year ago. Heading into his third year, Bibler wants his team to continue to move forward.

“Definitely for us this year, we really have a good mindset of where we wanna be going forward, so we are definitely focused on that place and where we are trying to go with this program,” Bibler said.

“So everything we do day in and day out is really going in that direction.”

Seniors Dorothy Swanson and Lexi Mercier are looking to lead the team this year and are looking to help lay the foundation for the future as the Wildcats will be able to compete in postseason tournaments beginning in 2017 season. Swanson said she hopes she and Mercier can instill in

I really want to play every point as if it’s your last point and play every game as if it is your last game”

DOROTHY SWANSON SENIOR OUTSIDE HITTER

the younger women to “live in the moment.”

“I really want to play every point as if it’s your last point and play every game as if it is your last game,” Swanson said.

Last season, the team put an emphasis on finishing games, but in several games it was the beginning that got them. Swanson said this year, they can’t take anything for granted.

“Every team is a big team and going to be hard to play, so I think with that mindset we just go in saying we are the un-

derdog and we have to work hard,” Swanson said.

In 2015, several freshmen made an immediate impact on the team, and four of them played over 100 sets and are looking to pick up where they left off. Sophomore outside hitter Jacey Smith is one of those four freshman to get significant playing time last year and will play a big role on the team.

“I’m feeling really good about this year, and confidence is up,” Smith said. “And I feel really good about the players we have in the gym this year

and as a whole just getting better every single day.”

With the goal of continuing to turn heads and prove to the voters last season wasn’t a fluke, Bibler is emphasizing balance.

“The balance on the team is great, the dynamic and the chemistry of the girls is really fantastic, they understand where we want to be and where we are going, and they are all willing to sacrifice and commit to those goals and get there,” Bibler said.

The Wildcats will have numerous opportunities to show the rest of the Southland what they are about right away, when they take on their tough non-conference schedule, which includes Texas Tech and Arizona State.

DJM14B@ACU.EDU

Sealey takes over reins after camp

After a strong spring and impressive training camp, Dallas Sealey has earned the Wildcats’ starting quarterback job, and all he said he cares about is winning.

“No personal goals for me this year,” Sealey said. “I just care that the team wins.”

It has been a story of perseverance for the Oklahoma native, but this year Sealey has his opportunity.

Playing for the Lawton Wolverines in Oklahoma his senior year of high school, Sealey completed 58 percent of his attempts

The soccer team will begin its fourth and final season in its transition to Div. I Tuesday when it takes on Midwestern State University in an exhibition game and the University of Texas at San Antonio in its regular season home opener Friday.

After finishing conference with a 7-2-2 record the Wildcats are gunning for the conference championship.

The Wildcats are picked by sports information directors and coaches to finish second in the conference behind Stephen F. Austin, and even received three first-place votes.

“I think it’s encouraging, and

Team

NSU Nicholls St. SFA UNO ACU HBU Lamar SELU MSU SHSU TAMU-CC UCA

Div.

0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0

Ovrl.

1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-1-0 0-1-0

Volleyball Preseason Polls Team

SFA TAMU-CC HBU UCA SHSU ACU McNeese UNO NSU SELU UIW Lamar Nicholls St.

Team

SHSU MSU UCA Lamar SFA SELU NSU ACU UIW Nicholls St. HBU

2016 2015 1 3 2 1 3 T-6 4 2 5 T-6 6 T-4 7 T-4 8 T-6 9 11 10 T-6 11 10 12 T-12 13 T-12

2016 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

2015 T-2 1 T-2 T-5 T-5 T-8 T-5 T-8 4 T-8 11

EX- FACTOR Charcandrick West, a 2013 ACU graduate, carried the ball four times for 35 yards in the Kansas City Chiefs 17-16 preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

and had no interceptions while throwing for 16 touchdowns and 1,504 yards. Sealey DALLAS SEALEY and his team performed well enough to post a perfect 10-0 regular season record, as he earned 6A-II district 4 Quarterback of the Year award and led his team to the state quarterfinals.

As a redshirt freshman at ACU in 2015, Sealey played in 10 games, two of which he started against McNeese State and Northwestern State. In the eventual upset of Stephen F. Austin, Sealey was pivotal, rush-

“

ELIJAH EVANS CONTRIBUTOR

I think he’s developing as a player, we’re developing him as a person, and he’s buying in, and I’m impressed with what he’s doing.”

KEN COLLUMS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

ing for 49 yards on six attempts and completing two critical passes.

The six foot, 210-pound passer is confident and ready as the team adjusts to their new quarterback.

“Every quarterback nowa-days has their own skill set, their own characteristics in what they’re good at and what they struggle with,” Sealey said. “I

think the mentality has changed a little bit.”

Head coach Ken Collums is starting his fifth year at that position, and although he says Sealey is still a work in progress, he is optimistic in what he sees out of him on the practice field.

“He’s not doing everything perfect at all – most quarterbacks don’t,” Collums said.

“But he is in a different seat this

year. Everyone wants the ball in their hands, but not everybody is ready to handle all of the pressure that comes with it. I think he’s developing as a player, we’re developing him as a person, and he’s buying in, and I’m impressed with what he’s doing.”

After a disappointing season last year, going 3-8, fans have been looking forward to see what growing pains the Wildcats have outgrown. With a tough Air Force team first on the schedule, Sealey and the rest of the team will have a great opportunity to show the rest of the Southland Conference what TMW13A@ACU.EDU

‘Cats boast experienced 2016 squad

BY MAX PRESTON SPORTS WRITER

Soccer

Football Preseason Polls

Redshirt sophomore Dallas Sealey appeared in 10 games last season and started in two of them, including a Halloween night matchup against McNeese State.

Although the Cowboys were ranked seventh in the nation at the time, Sealey went 22-of-42, throwing for 284 yards and a touchdown and fell just short of leading the Wildcats to an upset.

BY TREVOR WYATT SPORTS WRITER

STANDINGS

it’s also motivation to go get first this year,” sophomore midfielder Sophie Standifer said.

“If we would have done the things we needed to do early on last season, we could have taken first. However, this is pure motivation and something for us to prove.”

Standifer and senior defender Kelsie Roberts were named to the Southland Conference preseason team for the 2016 campaign. Roberts limited opposing shooters to 15.1 shots per game along with a .115 shooting percentage in the 2015 season and helped anchor a stout ACU defense. Standifer came up big on the offensive end for the Wildcats last year including scoring a goal and earning an assist in the big win over UTSA and scoring

the lone goal in their close 2-1 loss to the University of Texas.

“I think it’s a nice honor,” said Roberts. “I don’t think it’s pressure for me, I’m just glad to be recognized and it’s more of a motivator to me for this season.”

Last year, the women lost a pivotal game against Stephen F. Austin 2-0 which forced them to settle for third in the conference.

This year the women find themselves ranked second to Stephen F. Austin in the polls providing them with even more motivation to earn the top spot.

“I’d like to beat Stephen F. Austin,” said Standifer. “They are the predicted top dogs in the conference, and nobody thinks they can be beat so I would like to take them down.”

The Wildcats have some tough games lined up on the schedule for non-conference in 2016. The team had it’s experience with playing bigger schools last year in non conference and were strong in several of the games, including their 5-3 win over UTSA, their close 2-1 loss against Texas, and another close loss against UTEP 1-0.

This year the women will be facing big schools such as Texas Tech on Sept. 4, Oklahoma state on Sept. 9, and SMU on Sept. 11.

“I would like to beat Tech,” said Roberts. “It’s my senior season and I have played Tech every year so I would like to show off a bit and also let the other seniors have fun with the game.”

The women enter this season having closed out the last three seasons with a winning record. With 18 players returning form last year’s team, ACU has all the pieces needed to capture a conference championship this season.

“We have been close the last three years,” said coach Casey Wilson. “Two of the three years we have had the opportunity to win the conference, but we just got banged up towards the end, however being completely healthy and hitting our full stride before this season has helped us and any team can win on any given day in our conference.”

MJP14B@ACU.EDU

Former basketball players Austin Cooke and Duran Porter recently signed to play professionally in Germany. Cooke averaged 7.9 ppg and 5.1 rpg, while Porter recorded 8.3 ppg and 3.7 rpg.

2014 graduate Reyare Thomas competed in her second consecutive Olympics in Rio. Thomas finished fifth in her heat in the 200m and helped Trinidad and Tobago to a fifth-place finish in the 4x100 relay.

BRIEFINGS The soccer team will play three of its next four games at home before starting a fourgame roadtrip.

The matchup against Air Force will be the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

UPCOMING Soccer will play Oral Roberts University Friday at 4 p.m.

Football kicks off their 2016 campaign Sept. 3 when it travels to face Air Force at 7 p.m.

Volleyball begins nonconference play on Friday when it takes on New Mexico, Idaho, Fairfield University and Arizona State.