Optimist Print Edition 05.05.22

ACUOPTIMIST.COM | Thursday, May 5, 2022 | 1

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

MAY COMMENCEMENT TO HONOR ’22 GRADUATES Commencement to return to Wildcat Stadium due to Moody Renovation

BY MACI WEATHERS NEWSLETTER EDITOR

The ongoing construction of Moody Coliseum will force May commencement into Wildcat Stadium for the second-straight year.

The first of three ceremonies will be an evening graduate ceremony on Friday at 8 p.m. Ceremonies will continue with the undergraduate ceremonies on Saturday, one morning and one afternoon at 10 a.m. and 3

p.m. respectively.

There are 521 students graduating with Undergraduate degrees and 232 students graduating with gradute degrees Garrison Powell, university relations officer, said this year still does not feel like a normal year for graduation.

“Just because we haven’t had the ceremony back with Moody undergoing renovation towards the tail end of COVID, it still feels kind of a little bit not like normal,” Powell said.

May, Gill to lead SGA executive team in ‘22-23

BY SYDNEY VARNER EDITOR IN CHIEF

Student Government Association has officially elected Lindsey May and Skyler Gill as the 2022-23 president and vice president respectively.

Alongside May, a senior marketing major from Farmersville, and Gill, a junior english major from Schertz, the Executive Cabinet was also chosen for the 2022-23 school year.

The board is as follows: • Treasurer: Nathan Marshall, junior financial management major from Melissa • Press Secretary: Gracyn McGathy, sophomore journalism major from Leander • Marketing Director: Javier Soto Valladares, junior graphic design and advertising major from Tegucigalpa, Honduras • Chief of Staff: Alli Dimmitt, sophomore political science major from Bonita Springs, Florida • Chief Financial Officer: Hayden Poorman, sophomore financial management major from Abilene • Director of Student Engagement and Recruitment: Trevon Hardy, junior management major from Houston May and Gill have both been a part of SGA during the 2021-22 academic year and based their campaign

“But I think the big thing is just being able to have a ceremony during COVID.” Despite the location change, April Young, senior alumni university relations officer, said they have still been able to implement the traditions that the campus is familiar with.

Alongside the candlelight devotional, the alumni office started the tradition of giving Purple Line pins after seniors walk across the stage.

“It started a few years ago,” Young said.

“We started giving out Purple Line pins. I’m from the Alumni Association so that’s turned into what I would consider being a tradition.”

“Now, a lot of people probably don’t know about it, but we want every graduate to leave with a little piece of purple to represent they leave this place as an alumnus.”

Graduates however, continue to be upset about not graduating in Moody Coliseum.

Ally Brant, senior phys-

ics major from Abilene, said being in the stadium is the best way to graduate on ACU grounds.

“Since I heard that Moody would not be ready in time, for my graduation I was very upset.” Brant said.

“As a kid who grew up near ACU’s campus, I always saw myself graduating in Moody.”

“I also wished that we would be the first to graduate in the new and improved Moody. I am glad to at least graduate in the Wildcat Stadium on ACU ground.”

Looking forward to the future, Moody Coliseum is expected to be completed in June of 2022.

“This year the alumni is just happy to be able to host a graduation without COVID-19 on ACU’s campus,” Powell said.

“I think we will finally feel completely back to normal once we are back in Moody.”

“Definitely being back on campus is a big step in the right direction but we’re just really proud of those graduates.”

NEWS

off of three main components: Transparency, Advocacy and Representation.

“In all decisions we make, we want these three components to be at the center of it all,” May said.

May and Gill both hope to include more students in SGA decisions, giving students a space to make their opinions and voices heard, a goal specifically mentioned in the adovacy prong of their election campaign.

“We want to advocate for the students that attend this University through campaign weeks, educational events, giveaways and provide a listening ear to their concerns,” May said.

“Student Government is the direct channel for students to make change happen on campus.It’s not that often that someone gets a chance to be in a position that has so much impact and I take this responsibility very seriously in that regard.”

Gill said in addition to wanting to provide a listening ear to students, she wants to serve campus through positive change within the community.

“For me, SGA means service,” Gill said.

“Our main goal is to serve the students and advocate for positive change around campus.

“I hope that through our senate we are able to have student leaders from a variety of areas represent the needs of students so that we can change ACU for the better.”

Construction Impacts Campus

PAGE 2

FEATURES

Ron Hadfield Moving Forward PAGE 3

GRADUATION

2021-2022 Graduation names PAGE 5

SPORTS

BY MEGHAN LONG | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Graduating seniors take part in the annual Candlelight Devo before graduation.

Campus to pull plug on Pepsi in favor of Coke

BY MARIAH WILLIAMS BREAKING NEWS EDITOR

Coke or Pepsi? Beginning Monday, the university will begin making the switch from the latter to the former.

A five-year contract with Pepsi has came up for renegotiation this semester, and Kevin Campbell, senior vice president of operations, said with students’ input and corresponding financial benefits, the decision to switch to Coca-Cola products was “a no-brainer.”

“When we put the survey out to the students, Coke was the clear winner,” Campbell said.

“Historically, Pepsi has offered a stronger financial offer for the institution, but this year Coke evened the playing field.

We were also able to negotiate the ability to still have Dr. Pepper on cam-

PROVIDED BY ALLIE NICHOLS

The new soda machine proving Coke products in the Bean pus, and those were the main things that prompted the change.”

Students, faculty and staff were sent a survey to voice their opinion on their beverage product preferences in late January.

Responses varied but the majority voted to get rid of the current Pepsi prod-

ucts, showing love for Coca-Cola.

“Pepsi was good for the first month but now I am ready for some Coke products,” said Gaby Montes, sophomore nutrition major from Santa Fe, New Mexico.

“I have learned to appreciate Coke so much

since ACU has been a Pepsi school.”

While the majority is satisfied with the new change, some students do not support the switch.

“This decision upsets me a lot because I love Pepsi, and I do not think that Coke compares,” said Kamryn Boriack, fresh-

man advertisement and public relations major from San Antonio.

“I feel like ACU is taking away my pride and joy when I go to the Bean.”

Although the main dispute is between the two brands, many students appreciate that Dr. Pepper is able to remain on campus.

“I am happy Dr. Pepper is staying because I drink it all the time,” said Meghan Brummell, sophomore communication disorders major from Frisco.

Coca-Cola products include Sprite, Fuze, Fanta, Minute Maid, Powerade and Barqs Root Beer.

Students can expect to start seeing their favorite Coca-Cola products in all beverage providers located in the Campus Center and all of campus will be supplying Coca-Cola beverage choices at full capacity by the fall semester of 2022.

How the SEC Ushered ACU’s New Era PAGE 15

SPORTS

Baseball’s Top Ten Win Against Tech PAGE 16

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2 | Thursday, May 5, 2022 | NEWS

Campus construction continues to impact all corners

BY MACI WEATHERS NEWSLETTER EDITOR

The university is ushering in a new era that will be filled with newer, nicer buildings, but it’s not without bittersweet reactions from students and alumni alike.

Five construction projects are taking place all at once on campus: • The Science, Engineering Research Center (SERC) • Wessel Hall in the Freshman Village • Moody Coliseum • Cullen auditorium • Plans in place for relocated Intramural Fields With renovations of Moody and Cullen wrapping up and the construction of Wessel Hall breaking ground, improvements to campus facilities continue.

Kevin Campbell, senior vice president for operations, said after Moody Coliseum is complete, the university hopes to keep the momentum going on Freshman Village and start the short-term plan for the intramural fields. The current main project is the new freshman dorm, Wessel Hall.

“Construction in the long term is changing campus,” Campbell said. “But it is giving us a much stronger place for our students to live and create community. It has given us the ability to create a Freshman Village for them to form relationships as they transition into college together.”

On the north side of campus, construction continues on Moody Coliseum and Cullen auditorium, both of which are expected to be handed over to the university in June. “[The north side of cam-

Hunter Welcome Center

Under Construction

Cullen Auditorum

Moody Coliseum

Freshman Village

SERC/Intramural Fields

pus] is a place where we gather,” Campbell said. “Those are places where students gather the most. It is giving us much better facilities that needed to be upgraded. It is going to give patrons and students a better experience to enjoy events put on by student productions” Alongside the more recent announcement of SERC being built in place of the intramural fields, Campbell said the research facility will open a door for the university and its students.

“The science and engineering research center is going to enable us to do research and advance the university’s research portfolio to a whole new level,” Campbell said. “We are just

scratching the surface on the possibilities for research and the type of activities that will add to the educational experience.”

While the plans for construction are important for the campus, fundraising for those projects takes a huge part in the incentive to improve.

Dan Macaluso, vice president for advancement, said construction projects are affected significantly by fundraising.

“There’s significant fundraising for all of them,” Macaluso said. “We try to make sure that we really have investment from outside sources help us with this and we’ve actually been quite successful in some of these big projects.”

Moody Coliseum received $49 million in fundraising with 600 plus donors contributing. However, donors can range from project to project Macaluso said.

“It kind of depends on the level of interest and how broad that interest is. With Moody, it affects the entire campus,” Macaluso said.

“A lot of people have had different experiences. There’s a lot of them that we’re really interested in seeing that transformed.”

While the number of donors ranges from project to project, these donors can range in the reason they are giving, said Macaluso.

“The thing I like about

this campus is when you walk around if you’re really paying attention, their names on almost everything, you know, and some of them are honorific to where somebody made a gift,” Macaluso said.

“In fact, a lot of times someone makes a gift, an honor, somebody will name a professor that they loved, a family member or something like that.

But I like people seeing names on things, especially students because I like them to be the reminder that there are others that make this all possible.”

With Moody and Cullen being under construction, Office of Spiritual Formation continues to adjust to the changing

plans. This semester and last the Chapel Office made use of the Teague Center for a “Moody Chapel” and welcomed new small group chapel options.

“Hopefully Moody and Cullen will be done in such a way that we will be able to plan on where we will be,” Cyrus Eaton, dean of spiritual formation and campus chaplain, said.

The moving of Moody chapel to the Teague center has caused readjustments with the use of apps for Chapel credit and mobile worship teams.

“The investments that have been made into Moody have been done intentionally to enhance how hospitable we can be,” Eaton said. “Many of our current students have not had to experience the fun challenges of bats flying out of the ceiling and interrupting chapel. Or the challenges of depending on where you were at you could not hear what the speaker was saying.”

In the more recent weeks, Office of Spiritual Formation has moved Chapel outside to the amphitheater as the weather is warmer.

“We see these investments into Moody is allowing us to create a space of hospitality,” “Our hope is as Moody comes back available to us with the major improvements that they have made that it allows us to better both serve one another but also to meet in a space that provides for truly being able to listen, hear, engage and relate.”

While older projects get completed and new projects break ground, the face of campus will continue to change and bring with it excitement, new beginnings and bittersweet endings.

Higher Ground aims to create higher standards for leadership

BY CONNOR MULLINS CO-SPORTS DIRECTOR

Scholarships for students who have never considered ACU as a viable option is one thing Tamara Long hopes Higher Ground is able to achieve.

Higher Ground is ACU’s new $250 million campaign which is devoted to ensuring the success of the university. Long, vice president of enrollment and student life, said she believes Higher Ground allows prospective students to consider ACU as a feasible option because of the financial relief it offers.

“Our goal is always to help students find another place to land that’s affordable,” Long said.

“It’s very sad to watch a student who wants nothing more than to stay here, have to face the reality of leaving because they couldn’t afford it. That’s where I’m most excited about the campaign is that focus on affordability and scholarship growth.”

Higher Ground is a comprehensive campaign unveiled last month and designed to push ACU to a new level. The campaign has a focus on maintaining the missional roots of ACU while combining academic excellence to continue to answer God’s call for the university.

The campaign includes two pillars: Academics and Experiences. About $130 million will be dedicated to elevating the academic profile of ACU. According to fundraising documents, that the money will be allocated to: Recruit, retain and reward • exemplary faculty • Develop a next-level research engine and academic infrastructure • Remove financial barriers

SYDNEY VARNER EDITOR IN CHIEF

for high-quality current and future Wildcats Invest in state-of-the-art academic facilities For experiences, the plan calls for $118 million to be used to: • Reimagine residential living communities and student-centric spaces • Expand opportunities for students to engage in life-changing and spiritually-formative experiences • Embody a culture of diversity and inclusion • Advance Division I, Christ-centered athletics New facilities, scholarships and high-level faculty are what Dr. Phil Schubert said he and his team have worked tirelessly over the past four years to put together the largest fundraising campaign in ACU history.

“It’s an incredibly expansive campaign,” Schubert said. “It’s going to provide enabling funds for a whole host of different things for the advancement forward of the university to new dimensions of opportunity and areas of success.”

Schubert and his team worked in the “silent phase” of the campaign for four years to raise the funds necessary to move into the public phase of the campaign.

Schubert and his team have already raised over $170 million toward the campaign.

“One of the things we’re continually working toward is to bridge the funding gap for students,” Schubert said. “From various families, environments and backgrounds that need and want to be here at ACU because we want to make sure it’s financially feasible for them.

We know it’s not easy to afford

a college education.”

Dr. Robert Rhodes, university provost, said it’s rare to have an excellent university that’s also heavily focused on mission when looking at national ranking. Rhodes said he hopes ACU will continue to combine the mission aspect of the university with high quality academics. He also believes that the timing of this campaign is great for the advancement of academics at ACU. “These next five years are going to show that very important balance because we’re going to be able to continue to rise as a university in rankings and visibility but also with increased focus on mission,” Rhodes said. “We’ve always had elements of that but we have a chance to really shine in both of those areas and that would make us very unique.”

Dan Macaluso who started as the vice president for advancement in October said his immediate role in the campaign was to assess its current success, solidify the campaign timeframe and case for support, affirm the overall campaign goal, and guide and support the advancement team, university leadership and the Board of Trustees toward their public launch, which was celebrated at the President’s Circle Dinner on April 2.

Macaluso is continuing to work on the public phase of the campaign to effectively communicate the vision of Higher Ground.

“I am already excited to see how incredibly dedicated and supportive our ACU community has been – over the years and in the early phase of this campaign – in generously and sacrificially investing in ACU’s

KAYLEE KAHN

KENNETH PYBUS

ability to continue expanding our impact in the world, while remaining steadfast in our commitment to our Christ-centered mission,” Macaluso said. “Most of all, I am excited to hear even more of the many stories that exist around each and every gift to ACU and why people give.”

Long said she believes Higher Ground solidifies ACU’s place as a high-performing academic institution and as a faith-based institution. With Long being in charge of enrollment, she said she believes the campaign allows ACU to expand their outreach to out-of-state and international students. A trajectory of elevated excellence is the current direction Long said she believes ACU is heading.

“That’s pretty remarkable when you have other scholars and institutions that are looking over here thinking, ‘Wow, they’re doing something really special, this is really incredible research,’” Long said. “And they peel back the layers and go, ‘Wow, their research is founded in purpose and mission and does it tell the story of Jesus better?’ That to me is where we’re heading is a space where we can expose more people to what it means to be an institution whose integrity and quality is a result of our commitment to faith.”

For students, this campaign brings a forward-thinking approach to better the experience of future students. The newly renovated Moody Coliseum is set to open this August as well as Cullen Auditorium opening this summer. The Freshman Village on EN 16th Street is set to be done by 2030 with Wessel Hall, on the site of the former Gardner Hall, opening in the

THE OPTIMIST STAFF

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BREAKING NEWS EDITOR

fall of 2023. Campus is changing due to the money donated to Higher Ground over the past four years.

Student Government Association president Bekah Jones, a senior marketing major from Abilene, said she has been in a lot of meetings with upper management discussing the impact of this campaign.

“Just the term itself, ‘Higher Ground,’ just alludes to the fact that it’s ACU’s work and a big project to elevate the university,” Jones said. “In terms of education, opportunities, sports, and whatever that may be through construction and creating additional opportunities for students who come to campus to have a better experience. It’s a very futuristic outlook in terms of university growth.”

SGA treasurer Jackson Suss, junior financial management major from Weatherford, said the organization relies heavily on the number of students.

Suss said the SGA budget is based upon the enrollment numbers at the institution as well. Suss said he believes that ACU is heading toward a more standardized university approach.

“Often you will hear more and more from upper management of ACU comparing themselves to larger state or private schools,” Suss said.

“The goal is clear to match what they’re doing as much as possible. That helps a lot of things: athletics, education, and extracurriculars so putting that altogether that is the main focus is bringing in those students and building up those programs that are going to make us into a top-tier private school.”

In February, ACU officially

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moved up to a research level three institution in the Carnegie Institute rankings. Every three years the institute reclassifies each institution, and Schubert said he believes ACU will move up to a research level two institution at the next review.

“I mentioned in our faculty meeting recently that there are more than 4,000 universities, there’s about 400 that are nationally universities and those national universities are research one, two, and three,” Rhodes said.

“When you get to R2, there’s about 45 privates and when you look at those private schools that are overtly faithbased, you’re down to four or five. It becomes a very limited group that there’s a chance for us to be a highly visible faithbased university.”

Schools like TCU, Baylor and SMU are research level two institutions, with schools like Harvard, Yale and Vanderbilt at a research level one. At the research level three level, where ACU currently stands, are schools like Lipscomb, Belmont, Stephen F. Austin, Dallas Baptist and Samford.

Schubert said these opportunities have opened because of the work of faculty and staff as well as the donors who have helped advance ACU into Higher Ground.

“It’s going to continue to push ACU into an elite position as a national leader in Christian higher education that’s focused on developing students with world class academics,” Schubert said. “Also as people of faith who are passionate about going out into the world and making a difference for the Kingdom.”

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NEWS | Thursday, May 5, 2022 | 3

Hadfield moving forward after 39 years

BY SYDNEY VARNER EDITOR IN CHIEF

After 39 years, one of ACU’s well known storytellers, Ron Hadfield, is taking a step back into a more relaxed and remote role.

Hadfield has served as director of operations while working for the university, serving under three presidents and wearing many different hats along the way including working as the editor of ACU Today Magazine, overseeing media relations, special events, signage and marketing.

“So I’ve worn a lot of hats, and I’ve enjoyed them the most, it’s just fun,” Hadfield said.

“But you can always wear so many hats for so long and I’m grateful to have some other folks that I can share some of those responsibilities with now moving forward while still retaining some things that I enjoy doing most and feel like I do well.”

Hadfield will continue to work as the editor for ACU Today in his new role as well as continuing to manage signage and environmental graphics in conjunction with the on-campus team.

He plans to still be present on campus once a month

the Journalism and Mass Communication Department, serving as the editor in chief of the Optimist during his time.

Hadfield also played collegiate baseball at the university alongside Vice President Emeritus Dr. Gary McCaleb.

To McCaleb, Hadfield is not just a hard worker but also a friend who shares a love of baseball.

“We talk a lot, all the time, about baseball,” McCaleb said.

“It’s always fun to find somebody who shares a pastime or an interest with a sort of same passion that you do. And that’s been a part of our friendship years.”

Hadfield over his 39 years at ACU has worn a lot of hats, fostered close relationships and worked many hours, but Hadfield said that the most important part of it all is connecting others with the opportunity ACU provides.

“Helping connect people with [ACU], giving them the similar opportunity we have, that’s hugely important to me and to a lot of other people who work with me now and will follow later,” Hadfield said.

BY RILEY FISHER | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Ron Hadfield, assistant V.P. for university communication, editor, ACU Today magazine and is grateful that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the were able to harness what remote work looked like.

“The whole university has learned a lot about working remotely during the pandemic and we’ve learned that there are certain things about our work that we can do from just about anywhere.”

For Hadfield, his job isn’t just operations, it’s being

an archivist.

“There’s a lot of our archivist responsibility and what I’ve done through the years, and I’ve been here for a long time, is knowing where we’re going, where things are kept and historical work,” Hadfield said.

“I’m grateful that ACU wants me to continue in that role and see the value of value in that.”

To some like Linda Bon-

nin, senior vice president for marketing and strategic communication.

Hadfield is an institution of his own at ACU. Bonnin said that Hadfield fingerprints are all over campus, leaving a legacy in everything from the signs, branding and the relationships he’s made.

“He bleeds purple and has a tremendous work ethic,” Bonnin said.

“He will email you at 2 a.m., at 6 a.m. and on the weekends. He is constantly working for ACU. I don’t know how many hours Ron works, honestly. I’m sure it’s an excess of 120 hours a week.”

Outside of working for the university, Hadfield’s connection to ACU goes farther back to his time as a college student.

Graduating in 1979 from

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations

BY MACI WEATHERS NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre.

Despite the same supply issues that have delayed the grand opening of Moody Coliseum, Cullen Auditorium has been moving forward with renovations on time.

However, Cullen Auditorium new name has not been solidified since the announcement of the renovations.

“The construction progress is going well,” Kevin Campbell, senior vice president for operations said. “We anticipate that Cullen will likely be

handed to the university in mid-June, we will be putting the final touches on it as we get ready for the homecoming musical in October.”

Cornerstone, the Chapel office and the Department of Theatre will make use of the new auditorium. Compared to the last years of the homecoming musical being in the Abilene Civic Center and the cornerstone class in the upstairs library.

“A lot of the renovations for it were upgrading some of the mechanical equipment and the interior,” Campbell said.

“Adding a grand lobby, redoing the restrooms and adding AV and technical equipment to the auditorium were just some of the renovations.”

In the past, Cullen Auditorium has been known to flood,

especially when it rains.

A large part of the flooding from rainwater has also been addressed in the construction.

“We worked over the years to address the flooding,” Campbell said. “We are certainly trying to make sure we continue with those improvements. And also looking for opportunities to further solidify the facility so it doesn’t have flooding when it rains.”

The two projects of Moody and Cullen will be turned over to the university likely within a few weeks of each other.

However, there will be separate grand openings for each.

The theatre department as well as ACU Opera Theatre will benefit most from the renovations according to associate professor and theatre department chair, Dawne

Swearingen-Meeks.

A long-time legacy tradition is to have the homecoming musical alongside the parade and the football game. However, this has been a challenge for the theatre department since COVID-19 and construction played into the mix.

“The beautiful benefit is that we are able to bring homecoming home,” Meeks said. “It is incredibly expensive to produce a homecoming musical downtown and be able to offer the experience that our audiences have come to expect.”

The Cullen auditorium is expected to now be used for more besides the theatre department and should be fully ready by the homecoming musical in October.

“For a long time I have been waving the flag asking for fi-

BY RILEY FISHER | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Inside Cullen Auditorium renovations nancial support and help so we can continue what we love to do,” Meeks said.

“I am really grateful to the administration and to have a revitalized space, Cullen had

been utilized for a very long time by a number of organizations so having a space that has been given a beautiful broadway facelift is an incredible gift.”

SGA teams up with Intramurals for first Olympics

BY MARIAH WILLIAMS BREAKING NEWS EDITOR

The Student Government Association and Intramural team collaborated to host the first ever ACU Olympics last week with team Zebras taking first, The Backstreet Boys taking second and Gammas + Siggies taking third.

Students competed on teams of a minimum of five women and five men in swimming, track and field, bouldering, corn hole and softball.

These events took place

across Abilene at the ACU Track, Student Recreation and Wellness Center and the Jane Seller Softball field. The events spread across three days, April 18, 19 and 21.

Thirteen teams competed, averaging about 170 participants in total.

Monday kicked off the Olympics with Track and Field, followed by Tuesday with bouldering and swimming, and ending Thursday with softball and cornhole.

“We wanted to start with some traditionally recognized olympic sports

and things we have not had in intramurals before,” Nathan Marshall, sophomore double major finance and information systems from McKinney and SGA CFO, said.

“The Olympics has never been done before and it was something we knew SGA could help do.

We wanted to help make it more of a intramural student body event.”

This idea originated last year as a part of the then SGA Vice Presidents campaign.

“It was one of the things Boone wanted to do to

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Participants were very appreciative of this event, giving some athletes an opportunity at competition.

“I think it gives more opportunity for people to just come out and have some fun,” Austin Hotchkiss, a senior kinesiology major from San Antonio said. “This is something where there are a lot of good athletes that just don’t compete in sports like that.”

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4 | Thursday, May 5, 2022 |GRADUA-

Key to Degree Abbreviations D.Min Doctorate of Ministry

M.A.C.C. Master of Accountancy

D.N.P. Doctor of Nursing Practice

M.A.C.M. Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

E.E.D Doctorate of Education E.D.S Education Specialist Degree M.A. Master of Arts

M.Div. Master of Divinity M.H.A. Master of Healthcare Adminstration

M.A.T.S. Master of Theological Studies

M.L.A Master of Liberal Arts

M.Acc. Master of Accountancy

M.M.F.T Master of Marrige and Family Therapy

M.E.D. Master of Education

M.S.S.W Master of Science in Social Work

B.M. Bachelor of Music

A.A. Associate in Arts

B.S. Bachelor of Science

B.A. Bachelor of Arts

B.S.E. Bachelor of Science in Engineering

B.B.A. Bachelor of Business Administration

B.S.N. Bachelor of Science in Nursing

B.F.A. Bachelor of Fine Arts

COMMENCEMENT

Candidates for Undergraduate & Graduate Degrees College of Arts and Sciences

Art) Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

Ivan Caine Martinez (B.F.A., Art) Abilene, Texas

Aubrey Carrin Bell (B.S., Agribusiness) Red Bluff, California

Joshua David Pena (B.S., Interior Design) Cibolo, Texas

Hunter Brice Meroney (B.S. Environmental Science) Granbury, Texas

Joshua David Pena (A.A. Architecture) Cibolo, Texas

Andrew Michael Dendy (B.S., Agribusiness) Seminole, Texas Brianna Jaquez (B.S., Animal Science) Horizon City, Texas Katarina Isabella Moreno (B.S., Animal Science) Fort Worth, Texas Hannah Rose Valvano (B.S., Agribusiness) Abilene, Texas

Aubrey Danielle Richert (B.S., Graphic Design/Advertising) Abilene, Texas

Braden Jameson Smith(B.S., Biology) Lubbock, Texas Shelbi Paige Stephenson (B.S., Biology) Talpa, Texas

Kaitlyn Jiefond Howard (B.S., Communication) Mico, Texas Davion Reginald Johnson (B.S., Communication) Bedford, Ohio Mary Heather Johnson (B.S., Communication) Claude, Texas

Sonia Anita Seguin (B.F.A, Art) Abilene, Texas

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Caroline Marie Jones (B.S., Communication) McKinney, Texas

Brito Jimena Andrea Castanedo (B.S., Biochemistry) San Antonio, Texas

Eastin Mckenna Kandt (B.S., Communication) San Antonio, Texas

Hongjian Chang (B.S., Biochemistry) Beijing, China

Tessa Holly Lewis (B.S., Communication) Keller, Texas

Seth Alexander Chapman (B.S., Biochemistry) Gordon, Texas

Sarah Helena Ottinger (B.S., Communication) Nashville, Tennessee

Lillian Sell (B.S., Interior Design) Boerne, TexaAllison Grace Stephen (B.S., Interior Design) Southlake, Texas

Biology Jaidyn Shae Ancell (B.S., Biology) Clyde, Texas

Art and Design

Seaton Lance Berry (B.S., Biology) Granbury, Texas

Melendez María Fernanda Castellanos (B.S., Interior Design) Frisco, Texas

Emily Puente (B.S., Biology) Granbury, Texas

Sophia Grace Fox (B.S., Sociology) Southlake, Texas

Kennedy Nicole Timms (B.S., Biology) Tyler, Texas

Gerald Jose Zuniga (B.S., Animal Science) Clinton, North Carolina

Abbie Lynne Brenthan (B.F.A, Art) Bedford, Texas

Chase Nolan (B.S., Biology) El Paso, Texas

Truman Scott Cuthbert (B.S., Communication) Granite Bay, California

Carlisle Brooke Ross (B.F.A, Art) Aledo, Texas

Abigail Grace Williams (B.S., Animal Science) Emma Grace Stringer (B.F.A, Woodway, Texas Art) Richardson, Jared Tyler Williams Texas (B.S. Environmental Science) Channelview, Lauren Paige Taylor (B.S., Interior Design) Texas San Angelo, Texas Katelyn Danielle Zak Courtney Faye White (B.S. Environmental Science) Fort (B.S., Interior Design) Worth, Texas Canyon Lake, Texas

Arleth Sarani Alvarez (B.S., Interior Design) San Antonio, Texas

Misha Munoz (B.S., Biology) McKinney, Texas

Benjamin Keith Black (B.S., Biology) Durango, Colorado Neely Diane Bolin (B.S., Biology) Abilene, Texas Sierra Ginelle Brock (B.S., Biology) Princeton, New Jersey

Samantha Marie Cole (B.S., Chemistry) Combine, Texas Abigail Leigh Cortinas (B.S., Biochemistry) San Antonio, Texas Sarah Kay Dunn (B.S., Biochemistry) Denton, Texas Sydnee Ann Ervin (B.S., Biochemistry) Heath, Texas

Jackson W Scott (B.S., Communication) Abilene, Texas Megan Makenzie Scott (B.S., Communication) Lubbock, Texas Emilie Grace Thompson (B.S., Communication) Fort Worth, Texas

Matthew Louis Ferguson (B.S., Biochemistry) Abilene, Texas

Cole Michael Trader (B.S., Communication) Southlake, Texas

Leonardo Daniel Garcia (B.S., Biochemistry) Bulverde, Texas

Shelby Lamont Washington (B.S. Sociology) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Madison Martin (B.S., Biochemistry) Abilene, Texas

Wyatt Hall Whitaker (B.S., Communication) Houston, Texas

Rebekah Anne Conder (B.F.A., Art) Midland, Jacob Warren Brown Texas (B.S., Biology) Boise, Idaho Caleb Noah Crisp (B.F.A., Art) Abilene, Madeline Cardinal Texas (B.S., Biology) Metamora, Michigan Alexis Marie Delgado (B.F.A., Art) Tilden, Sophia Lily Christian Texas (B.S., Biology) Abilene, Texas Daylon Markel Franklin (B.F.A., Art) Brianna Nichole Dallas, Texas Douglas (B.S., Biology) Abilene, Aubree Carolyn Texas Herrold (B.S., Graphic Design/ Claire Ashton Ely Advertising) Keller, (B.S., Biology) North Texa Richland Hills, Texas

Jarvis T Mba (B.S., Biochemistry) Amarillo, Texas

William Everett Heyen (B.F.A., Art) Wichita Falls, Texas

Destiny Star Escobedo (B.S., Biology) Abilene, Texas

Marlie Dawn Hite (B.S., Interior Design) Denton, Texas

Tyler Allen Harmon (B.S., Biology) Richmond, Texas

Eden Mae Barnhouse (B.S., Communication) Springfield, Missouri

Kenneth Walker Brown (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Conroe, Texas Ji Cen (B.S., Physics) Shanghai, China

Kortland Rylee Judd (B.F.A, Art) Keller, Texas

Megan Riley Howard (B.S., Biology) Mansfield, Texas

Emma Grace Barnhouse (B.S., Communication) Springfield, Missouri

Ashley Brianne Lang (B.S., Graphic Design/Advertising) Lubbock, Texas

Baileigh Rae Ivey (B.A., Biology) York, Nebraska

Molina Isabella Maradiaga (B.F.A.,

Justin Joe Molder (B.S., Biology) Granbury, Texas

Zachary Josiah Tilton (B.S., Biochemistry) Midland, Texas Justin Matthew Tobar (B.S., Chemistry) Abilene, Texas Tierra Grace West (B.S., Biochemistry) Abilene, Texas Communications and Sociology Emily Ann Womble (M.A., Communication) Eustace, Texas

Malaya Laine Bizaillion (B.S., Communication) Fort Worth, Texas Tommy Gabriel Cruz (B.S., Communication) Wesley Chapel, Florida

Joshua Tyrese White (B.S., Communication) Beaumont, Texas Engineering and Physics Mukundwa Diane Akimana (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Abilene, Texas Emily Grace Branson (B.S., Physics) Colleyville, Texas Ally Lauren Brant (B.S., Physics) Abilene, Texas

Luke David Brian Dowdy (B.S.E.N., Engineering) New Braunfels, Texas Joshua Dowell Thomas (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Amarillo, Texas Aaron Abel Escobedo

(B.S.E.N., Engineering) Snyder, Texas

(B.A., History) Abilene, Texas

Colton Kenneth Gates (B.S.E.N, Engineering) Aurora, Colorado

Alexandra Kaye Lynch (B.A., History) North Richland Hills, Texas

Nathaniel Taylor Hartin (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Round Rock, Texa

Jeremiah Andrew Taylor (B.A., History) Abilene, Texas

Maria Amalia Hernandez (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Round Rock, Texas Reuben O Howe (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Abilene, Texas Elizabeth Diane Jennings (B.S., Physics) Bentonville, Arkansas Justin Todd Keathly (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Van Alstyne, Texas Payton Elizabeth Kirk (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Coppell, Texas Adam Michael Jacob Kish (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Grand Prairie, Texas

Jane England Tomlinson (B.A., History) Pensacola, Florida Doyl L Watson (B.S., Social Studies) Abilene, Texas Journalism and Mass Communicaion Alyssia Aulani Anuat (B.S., Convergence Journalism) Santee, California Jack Lewis Coatney (B.S., Multimedia) North Richland Hills, Texas Paige Isabella Cudini (B.S., Multimedia) Cypress, Texas Avery Jude Jackson (B.S., Multimedia) Belton, Texas

Lars R. Lindgren (B.S., Social Studies) Grand Rapids, Michigan

Alexsis McKinley Jones (B.S. Advertising/Public Relations) Rule, Texas

Laura Anne Elizabeth Mauldin (B.S., Social Studies) Farmersville, Texas

Kate Elizabeth Matthews (B.S., Advertising/Public Relations) Mount Pleasant, Texas

Jared Tyler Mayfield (B.S., Physics) Corinth, Texas

Erin Noel Miller (B.S., Multimedia) Sugar Land, Texas

Lilian Alexandra McIntosh (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Abilene, Texas

Madison Anne Miller (B.S., Convergence Journalism) Wylie, Texas

Noah Tyler Mitchell (B.S., Physics) Pinehurst, Texas

Allie Paige Nichols (B.S. Advertising/Public Relations) Abilene, Texas

Joshua David Nicholson (B.S., Physics) Corinth, Texas Noah Paul Pope (B.S., Physics) North Richland Hills, Texas Luke Evan Prins (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Fairview, Texas Michael Bryan Ranger (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Fort Sill, Oklahoma Michael Bryan Ranger (B.S., Physics) Fort Sill, Oklahoma Allen Cortes Roldan (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Joshua, Texas Nathaniel Travis Rowlands (B.S., Physics) Abilene, Texas McKenna Lee Towell (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Abilene, Texas Sylvia Michelle Viljoen (B.S.E.N., Engineering) Jackson, Mississippi History and Global Studies Royce Arnold Clough (B.A., Global Studies) San Angelo, Texas Emma Kate Longley

Andrew Joseph Norsworthy (B.S., Convergence Journalism) Frisco, Texas Kathleen Pantoja (B.S., Multimedia) Roscoe, Texas Sydney Marie Villanueva (B.S. Advertising/Public Relations) San Jose, California Language and Literature Courtney Breanne Cook (M.A., English) Corinth, Texas Jonathan Caleb Ladd (M.A., English) Mont Belvieu, Texas Coleton Shawn Parks (M.A., English) Wichita, Kansas Krista Denise Toten (M.A., English) Abilene, Texas Kelsea Renae Abston (B.A., English) Slaton, Texas Amber Christine Anderson (B.A., English) Friendswood, Texas Emma E Conatser (B.A., English) Dallas, Texas

GRADUATION| Thursday, May 5 2022 | 5 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

mora, Michigan

Emily King (B.A., English) Santa Fe, New Mexico

Connor Reid Carlton (B.S., Liberal Studies) Abilene, Texas

Yexin Liu (B.A., English) Abilene, Texas

Stacy Zebechi Chukwujekwu (B.S., Liberal Studies) Richmond, Texas

Ashlen Joelle Pamplin (B.A., Spanish) Abilene, Texas Mya Juel Parker (B.A., Spanish) Fairfax, Virginia Brian Stephen Patton (B.A., English) Abilene, Texas Cecily Patrice Powell (B.A., English) Brentwood, Tennessee Carson Lee Ross (B.M. Music-Teach.

Instru.-All Level) Rio Rancho, New Mexico Hannah Elizabeth Sterenberg (B.A., English) Spring, Texas Doyl L Watson (B.S., Social Studies) Abilene, Texas Liberal Arts Krista Cukrowski Masci (M.L.A., Liberal Arts) Abilene, Texas Shaylee Kainani Alani (B.S., Liberal Studies) Kailua Kona, Hawaii Courtney Grace Binz (B.S., Liberal Studies) Allen, Texas Jordan Lewis Brooks (B.S., Liberal Studies) Fort Worth, Texas Tobias Macpherson Cameron (B.S., Liberal Studies) Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Victoria Romero Garcia (B.S., Liberal Studies) Abilene, Texas Paige Elizabeth Goldston (B.S., Liberal Studies) Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas

(B.A., Music) Dallas, Texas Taylor Ray John son (B.M. Vocal Performance) Godley, Texas Carson Lee Ross (B.M. Music-Teach.

Instru.-All Level) Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Mathematics

Caegan Charles Long (B.S., Criminal Justice) Abilene, Texas

Megan Cailey Klimisch (B.S., Liberal Studies) Waco, Texas

Branden Lee Combs (B.S., Mathematics-Teaching) Grapevine, Texas Lauren Marie Ferraro (B.S., Mathematics) Georgetown, Texas

Jaden Roberts McGrew (B.S., Liberal Studies) Abilene, Texas

Brett Michael Herman (B.S., Mathematics) Forney, Texas

Mickey Andrew McGrew(B.S., Liberal Studies) Waller, Texas

Carter Andrew Leslie (B.S., Mathematics) Helotes, Texas

Mahki Ramon Morris (B.S., Liberal Studies) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Carter Andrew Leslie (B.S., Mathematics) Helotes, Texas

Taylor Mckenna Reinhold (B.S., Liberal Studies) Abilene, Texas Robert Dale Smith (B.S., Liberal Studies) Rockwall, Texas

Sosa Oswaldo Cano (B.S., Liberal Studies) Zacatlan, Mexico

Tyler James Welch (B.S., Liberal Studies) Henderson, Nevad

Madeline Cardinal (B.S., Biology) Meta-

Music Emma E Conatser

Ryan Daniel Fox (B.S., Criminal Justice) Fort Worth, Texas Ashley Marie Gonzalez (B.S., Criminal Justice) Brownsville, Texas

Kelissa Renee Holloway (B.S., Liberal Studies) Abilene, Texas

Takato Okunoya (B.S., Liberal Studies) Ibaraki, Japan Blake Warren Proctor (B.S., Liberal Studies) Merkel, Texas

Connor Vincent Fishchelli (B.A., Political Science) Wylie, Texas

Rachel Elizabeth White (B.M. Vocal Performance) Boerne, Texas Brookley Renae Baker (B.S., Mathematic-Teaching) Newark, Texas

Coryon Duane Mason (B.S., Liberal Studies) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Genner Ariel Cervantes (B.S., Criminal Justice) Phoenix, Arizona

Raegan Janae Palacio (B.S. Mathematics-Teaching) Mason, Texas Wyatt Dale Witemeyer (B.S., Mathematics) Abilene, Texas

Preston Stuart Miller (B.A., Political Science) San Antonio, Texas Ailin Arlett Ortega (B.A., Political Science) Denver City, Texas Jacob Earl Andreu Pritchard (B.S., Criminal Justice) Abilene, Texas Maelene Zyta Rosales (B.A., Political Science) San Antonio, Texas Adelynn Lorraine Vasquez (B.A., Political Science) Wichita Falls, Texas Psychology Autumn Alexis Bellow (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) Abilene, Texas

Political Science and Criminal Justice

Brian Alan Counts (M.S., Psychology, (Counseling)) Abilene, Texas

Bryan Anthony Briones (B.A., Political Science) Jourdanton, Texas

Jessica Rose Guajardo (M.S., Clinical Psychology) Helotes, Texas

Charlotte Grace Burleson (B.S., Criminal Justice) Rockspring, Texas

Hermonique L Hardeman (M.S., Psychology, (Counseling)) Fort Worth, Texas

Kathryn Nicole Nault (M.S., Psychology, (Counseling)) Abilene, Texas Cameron Hugh Nelson (M.S., Psychology, (Counseling)) Abilene, Texas Jennifer Michele Rios (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) Winters, Texas

Rohama Girma Bekele (B.S., Psychology) Dallas, Texas Destinee Corin Caesar (B.S., Psychology) Castle Rock, Colorado Rozyo Diana Castro-Becerra (B.S., Psychology) San Antonio, Texas Ji Cen (B.S., Physics) Shanghai, China Raegen Kaylee Chaka (B.S., Psychology) Abilene, Texas

Bachelor of Science in Communication

We are so very proud of you!

Love, Mom, Dad, & Sissy

Nicole Teceria Green (B.S., Psychology) El Paso, Texas

Kobe Clark (B.S., Psychology) Sweetwater, Texas Caleb Frederick Crecelius (B.S., Psychology) Fort Worth, Texas Megan Nicole Deitch (B.S., Psychology)

Bonilla Ariana Raquel Hernandez (B.S., Psychology) Miami, Florida Peyton Alle Himango (B.S., Psychology) Lubbock Hannah Marie Holst (B.S., Psychology) Abilene, Texas Jakob Dean Langston (B.S., Psychology) Colleyville, Texas Payton Elizabeth Liebl (B.S., Psychology) Abilene, Texas Addyson Logan (B.S., Psychology) Burleson, Texas

Tessa Breanna Cisco (B.S., Psychology) Willow Park, Texas

Thelma Mascorro (B.S., Psychology) Fort Worth, Texas Breeana Leigh Matthews (B.S., Psychology) Big Spring, Texas Kaylee Elizabeth McCurdy (B.S., Psychology) North Richland Hills, Texas

Paige Cudini Class of 2022

Multimedia

Janae we are so very proud of you. Completing your Masters degree in four years was an amazing accomplishment. We know you going to be an excellent middle school algebra teacher and can’t wait to watch you accomplish your dream.

Love you very much, Mom & Pops

Behind you all your memories, before you all your dreams, around you all who love you, within you all you need.

Justin Alexander Ford (B.S., Psychology) Boerne, Texas

Audrey Anna Helm (B.S., Psychology) Coppell, Texas

Ella Tua-Talvikki Anttila (B.S., Psychology) Helsinki, Finland

M. Ed. Teaching and Learning

CUTHBERT

Anthony Chikezie Egbo (B.S., Psychology) Houston, Texas

Caitlyn Ariel Irene Harvey (B.S., Psychology) Burleson, Texas

Sarah Ellen Sparrow (S.S.P., Specialist in School Psychology) Grand Prairie, Texas

Janae McGlothlin

TRUMAN

Natalie Anne Dindorf (B.S., Psychology) Seguin, Texas

Rylee Nicole Hallum (B.S., Psychology) Lake Jackson, Texas

Ethan Nicholas Smetana (M.S., Clinical Psychology) Temple, Texas

Class of 2022

Graduate

Weatherford, Texas

Jacob Hugh Kranendonk (M.S., Clinical Psychology) Grand Rapids, Michigan

Congratulations Paige Cudini! We are so proud of you and are excited to see what the future brings. Don’t forget us when you’re famous.

Love, Mom and Dad

Madison Reyna Class of 2022

Social Work

There aren't enough words to say how proud we are of you! Your determination and perseverance through all the struggles life throws at you is an inspiration for us all. Our wish for you is that you continue to face your challenges head on, continue to love hard and trust that God has a plan and will carry you through.

We love you so very much!

Spencer Liles Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre

Theatre, Stu-Pro Late nights editing photos Faith, Friends, Concerts, Frats.

"Play well and joyfully," our blessing.

We love you, Dad, Mom, and Owen

Abilene Christian University Class of 2022

Bachelor of Business Administration

Spencer, we celebrate your gifts and hard workCongratulations as you begin this next chapter of your journey.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights…” James 1:17 From your loving family

Abilene Christian University

6 | Thursday, May 7, 2021 | GRADUATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Ashlyn Nicole Morris (B.S., Psychology) San Antonio, Texas Kamryn S Mraz (B.S., Psychology) Rogers, Texas

Therapy) Alpharetta, Georgia Curtis Lee Perry (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Krum, Texas

Maisie Grace Ray (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Mitchell Wade Bradford (M.A., Global Therapy) Gilmer, Texas Service) Abilene, Texas Jillian Shae Rolan (M.M.F.T., Isadora Ferreira De Melo (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Marriage & Fam. Therapy) Abilene, Therapy Thesis) Texas Spanish Fork, Utah Jonathan Byrd Gabriel Andrew Fisher Shelburne (M.M.F.T., (D.M.I.N., Christian Marriage and Family Ministry) Abilene, Therapy) Abilene, Texas Texas Hannah P King (M.M.F.T., Marriage & Fam. Therapy Thesis) Desoto, Texas

John McCrae Smith (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Waller, Texas

Nicole Leigh Larsen (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Houston, Texas

Austin Amos Willhelm (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Abilene, Texas

Robert Anthony Lopez De Castilla (M.A., Global Service) Abilene, Texas

Immanuel Isaiah Allen (B.S., Child and Family Services) Phoenix, AZ

Marshal Dillon Maiwald (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Abilene, Texas Blake Michael Patterson (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family

David William Brown (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Aledo, Texas Sydney Denise Carr (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Tyler, Texas Levi Asa Chambers (B.A., Bible and

Ministry, Ministry and Vocation) Abilene, Texas Rowdy Ray Colten (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Little Elm, Texas Savannah Sue Dean (B.S., Child and Family Services) Keller, Texas Emily B Dublin (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Georgetown, Texas Travis Jackson Eades (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Abilene, Texas Brianna Noel Farokhirad (B.S., Child and Family Services) Flower Mound, Texas Ellie Kate Gorman (B.S., Child and Family Services) Schertz, Texas Drake Nathaniel Hernandez (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Pleasanton, Texas Melissa Anne Huffines (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Abilene, Texas Madison Ann Jones (B.S., Child and Family Services) Abilene, Texas Spencer David Kasselman (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Abilene,

Texas Mason Taylor King (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Sunnyvale, Texas Trinity Robbins Koemel (B.S., Child and Family Services) Watauga, Texas Gabriel Edward Laskey (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Fort Worth, Texas Colton James Mowry (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Wylie, Texas Emily Anne Musslewhite (B.A.,Ministry and Vocation) Frisco, Texas Lindsey Kate Overstreet (B.S., Child and Family Services) Farmersville, Texas Ryan Patrick Ray (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Barksdale AFB, Louisiana Rylie H Ray (B.S., Child and Family Services) Montgomery, Texas Kendall Grace Rhodes (B.S.,Child and Family Services) Austin, Texas Karah Rae Ross (B.S., Child and Family Services) Lubbock, Texas Trevor James Ryan

(B.A., Bible and Ministry) Manteca, California Elissa Mercedes Villareal (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Seguin, Texas

Penelope Lynn Biddy (M.D.I.V., Master of Divinity) Abilene, Texas

Lucas Kenneth Vogt (B.A., Bible and Ministry) McKinney, Texas

Kenton Reeves Brown (D.M.I.N., Christian Ministry) Yukon, Oklahoma

Sarah Rose Wagler (B.S., Child and Family Services) Rifle, Colorado Addison Duncan Welborn (B.A., Bible and Ministry) Thibodaux, Louisiana Rachel Elizabeth White (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Boerne, Texas

Jared Michael Yanez (B.A., Bible and Ministry) San Antonio, Texas Graduate School of Theology Omoike Eric Aizenofe Robert (M.A., Theology) Ibadan, Nigeria Stephen Kwakye Anyan (M.A.C.M., Christian Ministry) Accra, Ghana Penelope Lynn Biddy (M.A., Ancient

Chasing dreams requires passion and hard work. You're half way there now. Keep striving and putting in the work. We are so PROUD of you!! Love- Dad, Mom, Abigale, Nienie, Papa, Granna, & Pepaw.

Wow, we are so proud of all you’ve accomplished these past 4 years!

You’ve made wonderful use of the gifts and talents that God has blessed you with. You’ve enjoyed making many friends and building all kinds of relationships. You’ve been dedicated, determined, and disciplined as you focused on your goals. You’ve learned more about yourself and bravely tried many new things. You’ve grown in your walk with the Lord and reliance on the Holy Spirit. You are full of kindness and grace.

Keep shining like a bright light in the world!

Philippians 2:15 All our love, Mom, Dad, and Clara

Abilene Christian University

Aubree Herrold Graphic Design and Advertising

Aubree, congratulations on earning your college degree.

You will do amazing things and we couldn't be more proud of you. May you always find yourself as excited and full of big dreams as you are today!

We love you!

Mom, Dad, Colton & Devon.

Class of 2022

Jarrell Vernon Cunningham (M.D.I.V., Master of Divinity) Albuquerque, New Mexico Tiffany Anne Dahlman (D.M.I.N., Christian Ministry) Hope Mills, North Carolina Juan Arturo Miguel Dawson (M.D.I.V., Master of Divinity) Makawao, Hawaii Wesley Charles Erickson (M.D.I.V., Master of Divinity) Abilene, Texas

Kailey Massey

Kelton Wylie

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design

Damond Demond Coleman (M.D.I.V., Master of Divinity) Rockwall, Texas

Class of 2022

Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training

Emma Stringer

Joel Breton Childers (M.A., Modern and American Christ.)

Hawley, Texas

Christopher Roland Cornell (M.A.T.S., Theological Studies) Los Angeles, California

Kaelin G Winters (B.A., Ministry and Vocation) Leander, Texas

Class of 2022

Class of 2022

and Oriental Christ.)

Abilene, Texas

Bachelor of Business Administration, Management

Kailey, Congratulations, you did it! We are so proud of you. You have become a beautiful and intelligent young woman and we have no doubt that you will go far and succeed in life. We love you! May the LORD always protect you. Happy Graduation Day!

Class of 2022

Madison Miller Convergence Journalism

Madi, It has brought us great joy to watch you grow into the smart, and beautiful young woman that you have become. Now it’s time for you to go in the direction of your hopes and dreams and accomplish all that you have set out to do! You now have the wings to fly, the roots to remind you where you came from, and the education to fulfill them.

Always remember “the best is yet to come!" We love you big!

Mom, Dad, Syd, and PK

Class of 2022

Hannah Marie Holst Psychology

Congratulations! Hannah Holst We are so proud of you! You believed you could and you did!

Life is tough but so are you!

Everything you need is already on the inside of you!

Love Mom and Dad

GRADUATION| Thursday, May 5, 2022 | 7

Hansen (M.A.C.M., Christian Ministry) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6

Victoria Kay Gilliland (M.D.I.V., Master of Divinity) Houston, Texas

Brianna Christine Paige Rideout (M.A., Old Testament) Sherman, Texas

Joshua Edward Gorenflo (M.A.,Theology) Flint, Texas

Ryan David Russell (D.M.I.N., Christian Ministry) Charlotte, North Carolina

John Arthur Kimber (M.A.C.M., Christian Ministry) Tallahassee, Florida Troy Madison LaRue (M.A., Old Testament) Winters, Texas Troy Madison LaRue (M.D.I.V., Master of Divinity) Winters, Texas Stephen Robert Mead (M.A., New Testament) North Richland Hills, Texas Wilbert Lance Meche (D.M.I.N., Christian Ministry) Waxahachie, Texas Emeline Mugisha (M.A.T.S.,Theological Studies) Columbia, Marilyn Ebo Wilson Prah (M.A.C.M., Christian Ministry) Accra, Ghana Gustavo A. Prato (M.A.C.M., Christian Ministry) Winston-Salem, North Carolina Megan Ellen Reed

(M.ACC., Accounting) Abilene, Texas

nancial Management) Abilene, Texas

Greyson Covey Piersall (M.ACC., Accounting) Abilene, Texas

Jillian Elizabeth Hefner (B.BA., Financial Management) Austin, Texas

Hannah Gail Pinson (M.ACC., Accounting Abilene, Texas Jonathan Rugamba (M.ACC., Accounting) Abilene, Texas

Matthew Wells Sapp (M.A., Old Testament) Abilene, Texas

Mikel-Ann Terry (M.ACC., Accounting) Roby, Texas

Ashley Elizabeth Stirman (M.D.I.V., Master of Divinity) Abilene, Texas

Ashley Paige Alexander (B.B.A., Management and Accounting) Winnsboro, Texas

Riley Jerrod Stirman (M.D.I.V., Master of Divinity) Abilene, Texas

Jon Westin Bennett (B.B.A., Financial Management) Abilene, Texas

College of Business Administration

Titus Tramain Brooks (B.B.A., Financial Management) Killeen, Texas

Brian Choe (B.B.A., Financial ManageAccounting and Finance ment) Farmers Branch, Texas Nicholas Austin Boone Destanie Joy Crist (M.ACC., Account(B.B.A., Financial ing) Abilene, Texas Management) Valley Madison K Crockett Center, California (M.ACC., AccountBoone Stevenson ing) Lubbock, Texas Denton (B.B.A., Financial Management) Brenda Esparza Temple, Texas (M.ACC., Accounting) Bulverde, Texas Mitchell Thomas Lacy Elaine Mayes Dickson (B.B.A., Fi-

Dustin Lee Inness (B.B.A., Financial Management) Phoenix, Arizona Andre Raymon Laster (B.B.A., Financial Management) San Diego, California

Francisco Gutierrez Osio (B.B.A., Financial Management and Accounting) La Herradura, Mexico Hayden Elijah Price (B.B.A., Accounting) Montgomery, Texas Carter McCook Rhyne (B.B.A., Accounting and Financial Management) Spring, Texas

cial Management) Modesto, California Sarah Katherine Williams (B.B.A., Accounting) Abilene, Texas Alec Christian Wilson (B.B.A., Financial Management and Accounting) Prosper, Texas Sitong Zhou (B.B.A., Accounting and Financial Management) Abilene, Texas

Jaslyn Ysabel Rivera (B.B.A., Accounting and FiSang Hyun Lee Management Sciences nancial Management) (B.B.A., Accounting) Justin Lawrence Allen Lubbock, Texas Pyeongtaek, Korea (B.B.A., Management) Morgen Brittany MaltCarter Scott Sells Littleton, Colorado by (B.B.A., Accounting and Financial (B.B.A., Financial Management) New Jake Dylan Bay Management) BrentBraunfels, Texas (B.B.A., Marketing wood, Tennessee and Management) Grayson Joseph MarMark Jiaen Shi Shattuck, Oklahoma tin (B.B.A., Account(B.B.A., Financial ing) Abilene, Texas Management) Plano, Elijah Bruce Biedinger (B.B.A., Management) Texas Noah Lee Maston San Antonio, Texas (B.B.A., Financial Michael Gene SkinJoseph Alexander Management) Mineral ner (B.B.A., Financial Boglin (B.B.A., ManWells, Texas Management and Acagement and Marcounting) Mansfield, Chris Duren Monketing) Alpharetta, Texas tana (B.B.A., FiGeorgia nancial Management) Andrew James Mansfield, Texas Brantley James BrumStripling (B.B.A., Accounting and Financial ley (B.B.A., MarketLauren Neas (B.B.A., Management) Meading) Fairview, Texas Financial Management owlakes, Texas Katie Cristine Carter and Accounting) Colo(B.B.A., Management) rado Springs, ColoraSteven Anthony Teel Wichita, Kansas do (B.B.A., Financial Management) Sugar Caleb Alejandro Casas Dax Riley Neece Land, Texas (B.B.A., Management) (B.B.A., Financial Spring, Texas Management) Albany, Maya Marie VillanTexas ueva (B.B.A., FinanClass of 2022

Class of 2022

DUSTIN LEE INNESS

Abbey Miller

BS Business Financial Management

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE SPEECH PATHOLOGY

Dustin-We are so proud of the man that you are!!

Congrats on graduating--May you continue to seek after the Lord and He will continue to pour out His blessings upon you. Go Wildcats!

Love you big time-- Your Family

We are so proud of you!

Abilene Christian University

Elijah Biedinger Congratulations!

We are so very proud of you and all you've achieved. We pray that your faith stays strong, your burdens light and you continue to dream big and pursue your goals. We love you!

Class of 2022

Jared Mayfield

Ashley Coffey Class of 2022

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition in the Didactic Program of Dietetics

We are so proud of you! We love you dearly - Pops, Mom, Brice, PaPa, Ganny, Grammy, Grandpa, & Grandma

Michael Skinner

Bachelor of Science in Physics

B.B.A. Accounting and Business Finance

Jared ~ You are strong, smart, compassionate, talented, hard-working and kind. You are all the things we prayed for since before you were born. We could not be prouder of the man you have become, and we can't wait to see where the Lord takes you next.

Thank you for lifting us up!

Love Always, Mom & Dad Abilene Christian University ~ Class of 2022

We are so proud of you and the man that you have become. We know you are going to great things!! With pride and love today and always!

Mom, Dad and Matthew Abilene Christian University Class of 2022

ReubenHowe

From legos to drones...from catapults to CNCs...keep engineering Texas and honoring God. We love you and are so proud of you!

Love, Papa, Mama, Katie, Grace, Una, Emily & Shawn, your loving photographer Claire, and all extended family and family-in-law and church family and friends, past, present, and future.

God Bless Texas and Walk Worthy!

Abilene Christian University Class of 2022

Class of 2022

Tessa Cisco

Bachelor of Science, Psychology

We are so proud of you Tessa. Incredible what you accomplished and how much you have grown in just four years. We can not wait to see all the lives you change.

8 | Thursday, May 5, 2021 | GRADUATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

Management and Marketing) Helotes, Texas Kaitlan Taylor Cox (B.B.A., Management) Lubbock, Texas Dane Andrew Crass (B.B.A.,Management and Marketing) Fort Worth, Texas Joseph Daniel Crockett (B.B.A., Management) Cross Plains, Texas Abigail Marie Cullins (B.B.A., Marketing) McKinney, Texas Camryn Nicole Eason (B.B.A., Marketing and Management) Keller, Texas Caroline Grace Fairly (B.B.A., Marketing) Amarillo, Texas Erica Marie Fossey (B.B.A., Marketing) Tyler, Texas Irma Garcia Guadalupe Garza (B.B.A., Management) Coppell, Texas Grayson Matthew Gradke (B.B.A., Marketing) Grapevine, Texas Landon S Hamm (B.B.A., Management and Marketing) Abilene, Texas Karsen Elizabeth Harlien (B.B.A., Management) Lubbock, Texas

and Management) Tyler, Texas Dante Giovanii Heredia (B.B.A., Management) Prosper, Texas Bryson Taylor Hill (B.B.A., Marketing) Paradise, Texas Ashlyn Nicole Ison (B.B.A., Marketing) Bulverde, Texas Lane Andrew Jackson (B.B.A., Management) Gonzales, Texas David Benjamin Johnson (B.B.A., Management) Southlake, Texas Tabitha Brooke Johnson (B.B.A., Marketing) Heath, Texas Rebekah Kay Jones (B.B.A.,Marketing and Financial Management) San Antonio, Texas Ellen Anne Joss (B.B.A., Marketing and Management) Louisville, Kentucky

Alan Michael Maldonado (B.B.A., Management) Hurst, Texas Nicole Elizabeth Mallet (B.B.A., Management and Marketing) Helotes, Texas Molina Isabella Maradiaga (B.B.A., Marketing) Tegucigalpa, Honduras Kailey BreAnn Massey (B.B.A., Management) Azle, Texas Bryanda Lynette Mauricio (B.B.A., Management) San Antonio, Texas Sara Kathryn Newman (B.B.A., Marketing) Edmond, Oklahoma Thomas Oliver Oxley (B.B.A., Marketing) Bakersfield, California Rebekah Nicole Penton (B.B.A., Marketing) Coppell, Texas

Cody James Karov (B.B.A., Management and Marketing) Fort Worth, Texas

Timothy Lawrence Polvado (B.B.A., Management) Sugar Land, Texas

Canon James Kreidler (B.B.A., Marketing and Management) Grand Junction, Colorado

Liliana Maria Salazar (B.B.A., Marketing) Abilene, Texas

Jolee Read Lane (B.B.A., Marketing and Management) Abilene, Texas

Lilly Catherine Hartley (B.B.A., Management) Austin, Texas

Kara Paige Lehnert (B.B.A., Management) Dallas, Texas

Jackson Andrew Henderson (B.B.A.,Marketing and Management) Atlanta, Texas

Spencer Scott Liles (B.B.A., Management) Temple, Texas

Noah Alan Henderson (B.B.A ., Marketing

Remington Gaige Lutz (B.B.A., Management) Temple, Texas

Kioa Domonik Long (B.B.A., Marketing) San Jose. California

Luke Brandon Sheppard (B.B.A., Management) Midland, Texas Chester Ornald Sims (B.B.A., Management) Richmond, Texas

Adam Douglas Stephenson (B.B.A., Marketing) North Richland Hills, Texas

Joshua Adelard James (B.B.A., Information Systems) San Antonio, Texas

Rebekah Sarah Straka (B.B.A., Management and Marketing) Phoenix, Arizona

Matthew Allen Jones (B.B.A., Information Systems) Abilene, Texa

Daniel Joseph Turner (B.B.A., Marketing) Hurst, Texas

Zachary Hunter Kasper (B.S., Digital Entertainment Tech) Tuscola, Texas

Jace Bennett Usrey (B.B.A., Management) Abilene, Texas

Carter Andrew Leslie (B.S., Computer Science) Helotes, Texas

Vasti Nepthaly Villarreal (B.B.A., Management) Sweetwater, Texas

William Mitchell Melrose (B.S., Computer Science) Tyler, Texas

Jemimah Jasmine Kirabo Wavamunno (B.B.A., Management) Kampala, Uganda

Gabriela Becerra Jael Morel (B.S., Digital Entertainment Tech) Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Gerald Jose Zuniga (B.B.A., Management) Clinton, North Carolina

Michael Tanner Parker (B.S., Digital Entertainment Tech) Abilene, Texas

School of Information and Technology

Cospin Miranda Ramirez (B.S., Computer Science) Guatemala City, Guatemala

Isaiah Richard Barrera (B.S., Digital Entertainment Tech) Round Rock, Texas Kathryn Denae Carr (B.B.A., Information Systems) Wichita, Kansas Fisher Win Coburn (B.S. Computer Science ) Austin, Texas Travis Walker Corrigan (B.S., Digital Entertainment Tech) Abilene, Texas

Sarina Kay Smith (B.B.A., Management) Melissa, Texas

Nicolas Daniel Fornicola (B.S. Computer Science) Spring Branch, Texas

Connor Reed Stephens (B.B.A., Management) Argyle, Texas

Christa Grace Greenwood (B.S., Computer Science) Austin, Texas

Dakota Steward Smith (B.B.A., Information Systems) Abilene, Texas Christopher Morgan St. John (B.B.A., Information Systems) Hamlin, Texas William Henry Stanley (B.S., Digital Entertainment Tech) Spring Valley, California Joseph Victor Swedlund (B.S., Computer Science) Abilene, Texas Nathan Sterling Swedlund (B.S., Computer Science) Abilene, Texas Quent Malcolm Titre (B.B.A., Information Systems) Missouri

City, Texas Wyatt Dale Witemeyer (B.S., Computer Science) Abilene, Texa s Ruben Ray Yanez (B.B.A., Information Systems) Monahans, Texas

College of Education and Human Services Kinesiology and Athletic Training Ashlee Anne Camp (M.A.T., Athletic Training) Temple, Texas Michael Isaiah De La Fuente (M.A.T., Athletic Training) Weslaco, Texas Anna E Goains (M.A.T., Athletic Training) Cleburne, Texas Mikaela Jackson (M.A.T., Athletic Training) Pearl, Mississippi Candace Parker (M.A.T., Athletic Training) Jayton, Texas Michelle Schiwart (M.A.T., Athletic Training) Magnolia, Texas Morgan Shelley Spencer-Roth (M.A.T., Athletic Training) Houston, Texas Derran James Strydom (M.A.T., Athletic Training) Chantilly, Virginia TaSean Young (M.A.T., Athletic Training) Durham, North Carolina

Chester O. Sims III

“Find your style and stick to it.” - Manolo Blahnik What a great pleasure it’s been to see you grow and mature. You have accomplished much in your educational and sports career. I was excited to follow your career as you grew each year. You should be very proud of yourself to have stuck with the “goal” to succeed at a higher level in all your endeavors. I am proud to call you my grandson and I know your life will be successful from your continued dedication to succeed. Sorry we cannot be there to see you graduate and accomplish that goal of higher achievement. I love you and I will be here if you need a helping hand or just need a friend. - Love, Greggie

“To live a good life: We have the potential for it. If we can learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference.” – Marcus Aurelius - Love, Jordan

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.”– Henry David Thoreau You are a very bright light that shines with positive energy and love. It's difficult to find adequate words to express the depth of my love, pride, and joy watching you grow and flourish over the course of your life. Your achievement of reaching this important milestone is the foundation to continue to reach for and realize your hopes and dreams. I love you tons. - Love, Mother

To God be the glory for the things He has done! Putting in words the honor you deserve is such a difficult task. It is like honoring a rare gem for being impeccable and magnificent. How does one really accomplish such a task? Son, we can't begin to tell you just how loved you are and how PROUD of you we are! Truthfully, to tell you we are proud doesn’t even begin to express the pride and joy we have for you. YOU did it, Trey! You honored both of your grandfathers and great-grandmother by completing your degree in four years. Above all, you keep your promise to your Pops and your namesake, Chester O. Sims, Sr. Now, you are about to start one of the biggest adventure in life…GRAD SCHOOL! If asked to describe you the words God-fearing conqueror, intelligent, quiet, kind, supportive, well-mannered, witty, and a GREAT son immediately come to mind. Yet, there is another word that represents your life...INTEGRITY. We have witnessed your determination to do what is right no matter the consequence or reward, make decisions wise beyond your years, and we marveled at your ability to remain humble with all of your achievements. We are thankful God gave you to us, as we have had the privilege of watching you serve others by "doing justly, loving mercifully, and walking humbly with our God." In times where we have been separated by distance the past four years, we have always left you with the phrase, “May the blood of Jesus cover you and make smart choices” to remind you that you are not only the younger brother of Brandon and the youngest child of Chester and Carrie, but more importantly a child of God. While we are excited to see what your future holds, we know that His plans have been made for you since before you were born (Jeremiah 29:11). The greatest fulfillment in life is when you acknowledge God and seek His kingdom first. He will always make your path straight in order for you to be a blessing to others. Although you will see your family cry, rest assured the tears are full of life, joy, and memories. Most of all, the tears are anticipation of the journey which is ahead for you.

Your life has a purpose. You are destined for great things son! Always remember that God is good, merciful, and almighty! Continue to grow in Christ and serve as an example of what it looks like to live life humbly in the overflow of favor and blessings ordained just for you! Congratulations and we love you to life Trey!

Mr. & Mrs. Chester Sims Jr. & Family

GRADUATION| Thursday, May 5, 2022 | 9 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

Ariana Celestina Trevino (B.S., Nutrition) Schertz, Texas

Doak Anderson Holloway (B.S., Kinesiology) Abilene, Texas

Riley Matthew Tran (B.S., Kinesiology) Colleyville, Texas

Caleb Harold Horne (B.S., Kinesiology) Mason, Texas

Kelton Cole Wylie (B.S., Kinesiology) Breckenridge, Texas

Richard Austin Hotchkiss (B.S., Kinesiology) Live Oak, Texas

Blair Edward Zepeda (B.S., Kinesiology) Richardson, Texas

Savanna Marie Carrillo (B.S., Kinesiology) El Paso, Texas

Elizabeth Christine Janssen (B.S., Kinesiology) Brentwood, Tennessee

Emily Elizabeth Bartley (M.S.,Nutrition) Abilene, Texas

Gabriel D Alcorn (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Grand Prairie, Texas

Celeste Adriana Castaneda (B.S., Kinesiology) San Antonio, Texas

Taylor Olivia Lofton (B.S., Kinesiology) Magnolia, Texas

Ashton Elisabeth Bronson (M.S., Nutrition) Keller, Texas

Harrison Ray Manuel (B.S., Kinesiology) Rowlett, Texas

Lauren Elizabeth McCarthy (M.S., Nutrition) Fort Worth, Texas

Cristan Denise Allen (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Rowlett, Texas

Triston Kyle Anderson (B.S., Kinesiology) Rockwall, Texas Lilyana M Beebe (B.S., Kinesiology) Cedar Park, Texas Hunter Jay Burcham (B.S., Kinesiology) Round Rock, Texas

Josselyn Andrea Castillo (B.S., Kinesiology) Friona, Texas Sarah Elizabeth Cooper (B.S., Kinesiology) Yoakum, Texas

Taylor Nicole McCoy (B.S.,Kinesiology) Wichita Falls, Texas

Kendall Ann Davis (B.S., Kinesiology) San Antonio, Texas

Alexandria Nicole Mentavlos (B.S., Kinesiology) Colleyville, Texas

Camryn Rae Dickson (B.S., Kinesiology) Los Alamos, New Mexico

Michael Anthony Mungia (B.S., Kinesiology) Sonora, Texas

Sarah Elizabeth DiRago (B.S., Kinesiology) San Antonio, Texas Jade Nicole Fant (B.S., Kinesiology) Crossroads, Texas

Jonathan Daryl Ply (B.S., Kinesiology) Dayton, Nevada Chloe Allison Ransom (B.S., Kinesiology) San Antonio, Texas

Nutrition

Leah E. Becker Murgo (M.S., Nutrition) Dallas, Texas Irma Carolina Rodriguez (M.S., Nutrition) Brownsville, Texas Alexandria Taylor Stack (M.S., Nutrition) Irving, Texas Mackenzie Jordan West (M.S., Nutrition) Abilene, Texas Emily Katherine Wilson (M.S., Nutrition) San Antonio, Texas

Anthony James Shelton (B.S., Kinesiology) Plano, Texas

Sydney Erin Wolfe (M.S., Nutrition) Dallas, Texas

Reid Thomas Smith (B.S., Kinesiology) Aledo, Texas

Meda Abigail Bow (B.S., Nutrition) Stephenville, Texas

Aaron Matthew Guillen (B.S., Kinesiology) Abilene, Texas

Grant Christopher Solley (B.S., Kinesiology ) Westlake, Texas

Mary Ashley Coffey (B.S., Nutrition) Krum, Texas

Toriano A Hargrove (B.S., Kinesiology) Arlington, Texas

Austin Delray Tobar (B.S., Kinesiology) Abilene, Texas

Emily Katherine Gaskins (B.S., Kinesiology ) Haslet, Texas Gregory Green (B.S., Kinesiology) Houston, Texas

Grayson Daniel Tatrow (B.S., Nutrition) Arlington, Texas

Danielle Shirley Viljoen (B.S., Nutrition) Jackson, Missouri Marissa Wilks (B.S., Nutrition) Boerne, Texas Occupational Therapy

Staci Renee Ashley (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Abilene, Texas Danielle Nicole Bahrenburg (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Lubbock, Texas Bailey Jane Baker (M.S.,Occupational Therapy) Abilene, Texas Cristina Lucia Basaldu (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Corpus Christi, Texas Kelsey Paige Blase (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Decatur, Texas Tiffanie Chene Boggs (M.S.,Occupational Therapy) Newcastle, Oklahoma Marion Dielle Bradford (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Abilene, Texas Mikayla Danae Brinson (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Lumberton, Texas

Kendal Moriah Cloninger (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Dallas, North Carolina Madelyn Sue Conway (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Trophy Club, Texas Brandi Lanelle Dodd (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Willis, Texas

Chandler Wynne Johnson (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Seneca, South Carolina Brooke Bailyn Kelley (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Spring, Texas Emma L Lewis (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Perry, Georgia

Tayler Breanne Dray (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Fort Worth, Texas

Taylor D’Ann Martin (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Wellington, Texas

Terra Deanne Dupree (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Clinton, Oklahoma

Morgan Elizabeth McKay (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Tulsa, Oklahoma

Kiana Olivia Evans (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Jackson, Georgia

Kristen Nicole McLarty (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Southlake, Texas

Sabrina Facundo (M.S., Occupational Therapy) New Braunfels, Texas

Lauren Paige Nicola (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Spring Branch, Texas

Clarissa Monique Garcia (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Odessa, Texas

Zoe Karalyn Oppriecht (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Kansas City, Missouri

Samantha Leigh Garcia (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Waxahachie, Texas

Daisy Yvette Perez (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Carlsbad, New Mexico

Ortiz Esmeralda Hernandez (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Carrollton, Texas

Kaitlin Jean Pine (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Abilene, Texas

Andrea Morgan Hill (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Fresno, California

Ashley Kenison Rooker (M.S., Occupational Therapy) San Antonio, Texas

Madison Mikael Hoelting (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Tulia, Texas

Garrett Vance Stephens (M.S.,Occupational Therapy) Childress, Texas

Alexis Savanna Hogan (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Trent, Texas

Shamyiah J Stone (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Malden, Missouri

Class of 2022

Class of 2022

Rebekah Anne Conder Bachelor of Arts in Painting

What an incredible journey this has been! Watching you learn and grow has been a great joy to us. As you enter into this new season, we pray that your desire to bring glory to the Lord through all you do will only increase.

Worshiping Him through creating your art is such a gift, to you, to us, and to all who will encounter it. As you continue working to hone His gift to you, we will be there to cheer you on, and to watch in amazement as you declare to the world how creating Beauty is Worship. May He bless you with never ending revelations of Who He Is and how precious you are to Him. May your life reflect the Truth of His Heart, through your thoughts, your words, your actions, and your art. We love you and are so very proud of you! Mom and Dad

Tabitha Brooke Johnson

Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing We are so proud of you and amazed by your accomplishments. Your self-motivation, hard work, courage and kind spirit have served you well. We know that you will continue to succeed as your journey takes you down new and exciting paths. We are truly blessed to have you as a daughter and sister.

"I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me." Jeremiah 29:11-13 We love you, Daddy, Momma & Katy

10 | Thursday, May 5, 2022 | GRADUATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9

Kelsey Brooke Sutton (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Abilene, Texas Kayla Marie Tyler (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Abilene, Texas Anne Elizabeth Wooliscroft (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Abilene, Texas Communication Sciences and Disorders Allison Mills Alexander (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Dallas, Texas Sarah Caitlin Almeida (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Northlake, Texas BreAnna Taylor Anderson (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Belton, Texas

Lucas Joseph Bennett (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Abilene, Texas Brittany Ann Betty (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Sachse, Texas Peyton Leighann Brazee (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Watauga, Texas Lea Grace Buchanan (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Bentonville, Arkansas Morganne Mackenzie Clay (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Addison, Texas Laney Cone (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Carrollton, Texas

Speech-Language Pathology) Abilene, Texas

Caroline Endesia Craver (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Abilene, Texas

Camilette Denise Huddleston (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Abilene, Texas

Niccola Gabrielle Quiambao Daniel (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Irving, Texas Tania Esmeralda DeSonnaville (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) San Antonio, Texas Christine Nicole Dyal (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Boerne, Texas Siera Blake Edmonds (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Kerrville, Texas Kelsey Elizabeth Fish (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Southlake, Texas Vianey Flores (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) El Paso, Texas Alyssa Mary Fry (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Colorado Springs, Colorado Victoria Rose Gonzalez (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) San Antonio, Texas Gracie Kaye Harris (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Tulsa, Oklahoma Jamila Hassan (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Garland, Texas Madison Hatchett (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Breckenridge, Texas Shaela Victoria Herbert (M.S.,

Kendall Dru Miller (M.S., Occupational Therapy) McKinney, Texas Morgan Mary Molder (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Granbury, Texas

Britnie Ruth Jenkins (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Fort Worth, Texas

Devyn Shea Nall (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Chandler, Arizona

Abigail Layne Kurszewski (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Iowa Park, Texas

Krystal Nelson (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Tinley Park, Illinois

Nicole Faith Large (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Little Elm, Texas Jaci Lynn Largent (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Granbury, Texas Taylor Jean Ruth Ledbetter (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Abilene, Texas

Alexandra Ma rie Odello (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Keller, Texas Irene A Osemwegie (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Houston, Texas Esha Palande (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Irving, Texas

Daniella Madrinan (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Arlington, Texas

Madison Grace Perez (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Olney, Texas

Bethany Grace Malcolm (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Amarillo, Texas

Rodnicka Alaudee Pierre-Jerome (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Tamarac, Florida

Nathalie-Rose Oceane Malecot (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) San Diego, California Christa Ann Martin (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Sweetwater, Texas Jessica Eleanor McNeill (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Fort Worth, Texas Yaxuan J. Meyer (M.S., Occupational Therapy) Flower Mound, Texas

Savannah Lee Pinion (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Bullard, Texas Ashley Christine Redwine (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Highlands Ranch, Colorado Aranxa Roman (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Cedar Park, Texas Meghan Alyssa Santo (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Frisco, Texas

Melony-Jane Tryphosa Saripalli (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Arlington, Texas Deisy Esperanza Serrano (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Santa Ana, California Amanda Summer Sorensen (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Richardson, Texas Sophia Rose Stanley (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Richardson, Texas

cation Disorders) Garland, Texas Madison Riley Cole (B.S., Communication Disorders) Lamesa, Texas Madeline Denise Collins (B.S., Communication Disorders) Aledo, Texas Madison Renee Kean (B.S., Communication Disorders) McKinney, Texas Wan Kei Lau (B.S., Communication Disorders) Taipa, Macao

Cali Deann Stevens (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Abilene, Texas

Abbey Ann Miller (B.S., Communication Disorders) Abilene, Texas

Taylor Lanae Stone (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Bridgeport, Texas

Keeley Moore Mungia (B.S., Communication Disorders) Sonora, Texas

Kirstyn Georganne Taylor (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Dimmitt, Texas

Ashlen Joelle Pamplin (B.S., Communication Disorders) Abilene, Texas

Katherine Jane Wallis (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Longview, Texas Austin Adele Ward (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Kerrville, Texas Tatum Leigh Watson (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Murfreesboro, Tennessee McKaylee Lynn Weishuhn (M.S., Speech-Language Pathology) Andrews, Texas Kaylee Lynn Adams (B.S., Communication Disorders) Wichita Falls, Texas Lauren Brooke Bueter (B.S., Communi-

Hollee Elizabeth Rogers (B.S., Communication Disorders) Coppell, Texas Allison A Skelton (B.S., Communication Disorders) Lufkin, Texas Kaleigh Brooke Tom (B.S., Communication Disorders) Abilene, Texas Elizabeth Bailey Tutt (B.S., Communication Disorders) Tuscola, Texas Lauren Camille Ward (B.S., Communication Disorders) Abilene, Texas Laurel A Wood (B.S., Communication Disorders) Abilene, Texas

Meda Bow

Austin Hotchkiss Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology

Bachelor of Science in Nutrition

Austin...we are proud of you and excited for you!

There are many great days ahead as you continue to love the Lord and serve others! We can't wait to see all God has in store for you!

Love, Mom, Dad (in heaven), Taylor, and Aubri

We are thankful for the investment of the ACU community in your life and so proud of your dedication and commitment during your time as a wildcat. What a blessing it is has been to watch God, over these past four years, answer so many of our prayers for you. We are excited about all He has in store for you in this next chapter of your life. We love you Medaloo!

DAD, MOM, MAY, & EVAN

Class of 2022

Victoria Mercy Martinez Bachelor of Science, Education

Our dear Victoria, There are not enough words to explain how thankful we are for the miracle of your life. We have been honored with the gift of raising you. You are a mighty woman of God, gifted in so many ways. We can not wait to see the things you will do, the places you'll go, the impact you'll have, and the legacy your leave.

We love you!!!

Class of 2022

Gabriel E. Laskey

Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Text and Minor in English

We are immensely proud of you Gabriel Edward Martin!! Live in the present and enjoy! The past is a lesson and the future is a blessing! And remember…

Phi. 1:6 Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Congratulations Son! We love you so much, Dad and Mom

Class of 2022

Sydnee Ervin

Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry We are so proud of you and the many accomplishments that you have attained so early in life. You are an amazing person that displays a servants heart in all that you do. God has blessed you tremendously during your years at ACU. He will continue to bless you now embark on the next journey that God has for you.

We love you, Mom, Dad, Seth, Sarah, Sophee Jeff and Anna

Congratulations, Bekah!

It is amazing how fast the last four years have gone! All your creativity, organizational skills, and ability to balance many things at once have paid off and we are so proud of how hard you have worked to get to this point. Best wishes and support as you begin your career!

We love you! Mom and Dad

GRADUATION| Thursday, May 5, 2022 | 11 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Abilene, Texas

Graysen Isabella Wright (B.S., Nutrition) San Antonio, Texas

Karissa Alexandra Gonzalez (B.S.,Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Allison Leigh Zitek (B.S.,Communication Disorders) Whitehouse, Texas

Diamond T Jackson (B.S., Social Work) Lewisville, Texas

Social Work Tiffany Elaine Brown (M.S.S.W., Social Work) La Vernia, Texas Cassie Michaela Christian (M.S.S.W., Social Work) Round Rock, Texas

(M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Abilene, Texas Elizabeth Ashlyn Griffin (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Abilene, Texas

Sydney E Moreland (B.S., Social Work) Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas

Jessica Diaz Hance (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Abilene, Texas

Faith Maureen Parsons (B.S., Social Work ) Baird, Texas

Megan Kristine Hertz (M.E.D.,M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Watauga, Texas

Madison E Reyna (B.S., Social Work) Whitney, Texas

Sarah Janae Mcglothlin (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) San Antonio, Texas

Rosalind M Evans (M.S.S.W., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Hannah Marie Shahan (B.S., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Alicea Gray (M.S.S.W., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Jackson M Taylor (B.S., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Yana Sue Hendricks (M.S.S.W., Social Work) Athens, Georgia

Kerri Lynn Taylor (B.S., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Paige Erin Schmidt (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Cypress, Texas

Claudia A Lasater (M.S.S.W., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Emily Gayle Tippens (B.S., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Joshua I.D. Meribole (M.S.S.W., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Dakotah Lynn Vignery (B.S., Social Work) Vassar, Kansas

Takuma David Tsuneki (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Mito City, Japan

Carmen James Price (M.S.S.W., Social Work) Abilene, Texas

Kaela Villegas (B.S.,Social Work) Zolfo Springs, Florida

Mariesha Roshel Shaw (M.S.S.W., Social Work) McKinney, Texas

Teacher Education

Brittany Nichole Venegas (M.S.S.W., Social Work) Cleveland, Texas Brooklyn Faith Bailey (B.S., Social Work) Hawley, Texas

Katelyn R Belch (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Rowlett, Texas Peyton E Bourland (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Abilene, Texas

Hanna Gayle Brown (B.S., Social Work) Benbrook, Texas

Cameron Kellie Boyette (M.E.D.,M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Mesquite, Texas

Hugh Douglas Castillo (B.S.,Social Work) Lewisville, Texas

Emily Anne Colwell (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Abilene, Texas

Felicia L Doss-Curtis (B.S., Social Work)

Emily Anne Colwell

Sydney Marie Rubey (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) New Braunfels, Texas

Kenzi A Valadez (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Denton, Texas Emily Grace Wooten (M.E.D., M.Ed. Teaching and Learning) Hughson, California Lindsay J. Dilbeck (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/ Elem.) Abilene, Texas Kennedy Rachel Flores (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/Elem.) Haslet, Texas Grace Abigail Frank (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/ Elem.) Allen, Texas Anna M Gilb (B.S., Int. Stud:Early Child/Elem.)

Ennis, Texas Lauren Elizabeth Gumm (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/Elem.) Abilene, Texas

Hannah Lynn Hamaker (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/Elem.) Richardson, Texas Brendan B Harmon (B.S., Social Work) Arlington, Texas Margaret Elizabeth Hess (B.S., Middle School Education (4-8)) Lubbock, Texas Victoria M Martinez (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/Elem.) Watauga, Texas Katie Nicole Perryman (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/Elem.) Dallas, Texas Kaitlin Marie Pica (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/ Elem.) Salina, Kansas Lesslie Jessenia Picena (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/Elem.) Dallas, Texas Kaitlyn Anne Pipkin (B.S., Special Education Elementary) Midland, Texas Lauren Michelle Ramsey (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/Elem.) Frisco, Texas Kimberly Katie Rempel (B.S., Middle School Education (4-8)) Brookston, Texas Rileigh Morgan Smith (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/Elem.) Friendswood, Texas Lydia Joyce Sparlin (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/ Elem.) Santa Maria, California Taylor J Whitworth (B.S., Int.Stud:Early Child/Elem.) Burleson.

Texas Saylor Joell Wooden (B.S.,Int.Stud:Early Child/ Elem.) Moody, Texas

(E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Odessa, Texas

College of Professional and Graduate Studies School of Educational Leadership

Stephanie Gracia-Rocha (M.E.D., Higher Education) Garland, Texas

Bryan David Akins (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Keota, Oklahoma

Elizabeth C. Gilbert (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Je Quila De Awn Broussard (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Houston, Texas

Janelle M. Green (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Pflugerville, Texas Rusty Ranay Hohlt (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Bryan, Texas

Bridgett Ligon Brown (M.E.D., Higher Education) Sulphur, Oklahoma

De’Aira Holloway (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) The Colony, Texas

Danette Lee Cagnet (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) McCordsville, Indiana

Pauline Jones (M.S., Organizational Development) Alexandria, Virginia

Robert Marcus Canonico (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Midlothian, Texas

David W. Kerr (E.D.S., Organizational Leadership) Grove City, Ohio

Robert Angelo Cerasoli (E.D.S., Organizational Leadership) Quincy, Massachusetts

Cathy Granaderos Keys (M.S., Organizational Development) Manvel, Texas

Kathryn Elizabeth Clark (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Arlington, Texas

Melissa M. Kinder (M.E.D., Higher Education) Stephenville, Texas

Ethel J. Clayton (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Byars, Oklahoma

Amy Rebecca Knierim (M.E.D., Higher Education) Saginaw, Texas

Caleb Coleman (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Indianapolis, Indiana

Amanda Gayle Korkow (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Sherwood, Wisconsin

Kacey R Cottrill (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Zanesville, Ohio Brandon Curtis (M.E.D., Higher Education) Abilene, Texas Julianne Hennessy Denton (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Moore, Oklahoma Megan Duncan (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Vacaville, California Cristina Angelica Figueroa

Class of 2022

Lanean Lang (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Fate, Texas Carmela Marisa Levy-David (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Richmond, Texas Roderick Corvel Lewis (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Victoria, Texas Michael Charles Marino (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Carrollton, Texas

Class of 2022

Sophie G. Fox

Caleb Crecelius

BS Sociology/Minor Marketing

Psychology / Business “Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with that there is…” - Ernest Hemingway. You’re tenacious, talented and bound for an amazing future Congratulations son! (Don’t worry - we’re celebrating even more than you :-) - Dad, Mom, Noah, Hayden.

"She believed she could and

by His grace, she did."

We love you, we're proud of you and we look forward to your next adventure!

God bless you, Mom, Dad & Axel

Isabella Freels

Class of 2022

Jakob Dean Langston

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Psychology

YOU ARE LOVED, YOU ARE BLESSED, YOU ARE WORTHY. YOU ARE AN AMAZING YOUNG WOMAN AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

Congratulations Jakob! We are so proud of you and excited for this next chapter in your story. You've gone through some hard things and God has helped you overcome. You have more strength and wisdom than you know. We pray your gifts will be used to bless and help others as you move forward.

Love, Mom, Dad, and Avy

Class of 2022

Zachary Warren Stephens Bachelor's of Science in Psychology

We are very proud of you, Zachary. You worked so hard to get to this moment. Receiving your degree in three years because of your dedication. Always reach for your dreams.

It has been and continues to be, our privilege and honor to be your parents.

We love you. Congratulations to Zachary Warren Stephens as a Graduate of Abilene Christian University 2022.

LOVE, MOM, BRAD, TRITON, GWYNETH, BLYTHE, DYLAN, JUDGE

Class of 2022

Michael B. Ranger Engineering & Physics Michael, We are so proud of you. You have accomplished your goal of a duel major. You have always set your sights high and the Lord has seen you through. You started this journey away from home and alone.

You end it having found your wife whom God has provided. You are very blessed. The future of this world is better having you and Mariah in it together. Look forward always, learn from mistakes and never forget we’re here for you.

Mom & Dad

12 | Thursday, May 5, 2022 | GRADUATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Dana Charles Martin (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Bryan, Texas Pervaiz Masih (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Soledad, California John M Mello (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Omaha, Nebraska Tijuana Mitchison (M.S., Organizational Development) Humble, Texas Courtney Ann Pruner (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Jenks, Oklahoma

Sarah Jean Baker (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) St. George, Utah Shevawne Dominique Delgado (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) McAllen, Texas Michelle Renee Evans (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Dallas, Texas

Yvon Christel Mankou (M.A., Conflict Management & Res.) Midland, Texas Julio Cesat Manzano (M.B.A., Business Administration) Brownsville, Texas Mayte Rocio Martinez (M.B.A., Business Administration) Mesquite, Texas Jazzmin Janae Mathews (M.B.A., Business Administration) Frisco, Texas

Ashton Hansen Hosford (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Ammon, Idaho

Thomas Brackney Newman (M.B.A., Business Administration) Edmond, Oklahoma

William Lawrence Raab (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) State College, Pennsylvania

Marcus Layne Hunt (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Spanish Fork, Utah

Kristopher Michael Olvera (M.B.A., Business Administration) Abilene, Texas

Michael Anthony Smith (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Newberry, South Carolina

Jessica Nicole Jacob (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Winters, Texas

Andrew Paul Stewart (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Little Rock, Arkansas

Ann Michelle Kent (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) St. George, Utah

Sara Katherine Strickland (M.S., Organizational Development) Vidalia, Georgia

Martha Rymal Firkins (M.A., Conflict Management & Res.) Ocala, Florida

Carole A. Thomas (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Fremont, Ohio Anthony Michael Ungaro (E.D.D., Organizational Leadership) Indianapolis, Indiana

Tonya M Fore (M.B.A., Business Administration) Wichita Falls, Texas Kathryn Elizabeth Gough (M.B.A., Business Administration) Lewisville, Texas

Tomishia Denise Williams (M.E.D., Higher Education) Houston, Texas

Dustin A Green (M.B.A., Business Administration) Fort Worth, Texas

Consuelo Yukiko Yamaguchi-Mayorquin (E.D.S., Organizational Leadership) Montgomery, Texas

Hannah Laurice Hutchinson (M.A., Conflict Management & Res.) Springdale, Arkansas

School of Health and Human Services

Jarrett Andre Jacobs (M.A., Conflict Management & Res.) Snellville, Georgia Susan Annabeth Jungling (M.B.A., Business Administration) Abilene, Texas

Shana K Avery (M.M.F.T., Marriage and Family Therapy) Muenster, Texas

Kevin Chase Owen (M.B.A., Business Administration) Germantown, Tennessee Corry Deshaun Perez (M.A., Conflict Management & Res.) Del Valle, Texas Kyra G Phillips (M.B.A., Business Administration) Tomball, Texas Blake William Rudd (M.B.A., Business Administration) Allen, Texas Antonio Topps (M.B.A., Business Administration) Rosharon, Texas Crystal G. Weems (M.A., Conflict Management & Res.) Houston, Texas Curtis Lane Williams (M.B.A., Business Administration) Bossier City, Louisiana Samantha Woodley (M.S., Management) Silverlake, Washington School of Undergraduate Studies Bryanna Mishael Aguilar (B.S., Integrated Studies)

Congragulations

Destanie Joy Crist Financial Management

Dear Destanie, to know you is to Love you! We are always proud of you! You have chosen to "delight yourself in the LORD" by living for Jesus and loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. We praise God for so many sweet answers to prayers.

Congratulations on your college graduation! Love Always, Mom & Dad

Proverbs 3:5-8

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Abilene Christian University - Class of 2022

Houston, Texas

School of Nursing

Keller, Texas

Burton Robert Cannon (B.S., Integrated Studies) Beaumont, Texas

Jazmine Davis Collins (D.N.P., Nursing Practice) Grand Prairie, Texas

Aubrey Leigh Dowdle (B.S.N., Nursing) Round Rock, Texas

Natalie Rene Chapman (B.S., Marketing) Abilene, Texas

Atalie Yvette Henderson (D.N.P., Nursing Practice) Cedar Hill, Texas

Emma Lachelle Elerick (B.S.N., Nursing) Fort Worth, Texas

Caleb Lindbergh Hickman (B.S., Management) Sherman, Texas

Kasandra Renee Johnson (D.N.P., Nursing Practice) Clinton, Mississippi

Caroline Annyce Farish (B.S.N., Nursing) Flower Mound, Texas

Adrionna Kaylan Jones (B.S., Integrated Studies) Frisco, Texas

Jannelle Violet Sanchez (D.N.P., Nursing Practice) Whittier, California

Eva Brightwell Freeman (B.S.N., Nursing) Abilene, Texas

April D Martin (B.S., Psychology) Bryan, Texas

Paula M Todd (D.N.P., Nursing Practice) Milton, Tennessee

Brett Cotter Garcia (B.S.N., Nursing) Keller, Texas

Katherine Mast (B.S., Psychology) Fort Worth, Texas Sarah Elizabeth Mccoy (B.S., Marketing) Euless, Texas Jewel Elizabeth Miller (B.S., Integrated) Allen, Texas Meredith Mcdavid Peters (B.S., Marketing) Joshua, Texas Jennie Rebecca Register (B.S., Integrated Studies) Austin, Texas Cerina Riley (B.S., Psychology) Missouri City, Texas Elaina Danielle Rockwell (B.S., Integrated Studies) Abilene, Texas Melvin Pazhoor Thampan (B.S., Information Technology Admin) Royse City, Texas Victoria Anne Tschoerner (B.S., Psychology) Bartlett, Texas Annette Watts (B.S., Psychology) North Richland Hills, Texas Veronica Lynn Wier (B.S., Management) League City, Texas Adam Zatlo (B.S., Management) Fort Worth, Texas

Pricilla Marie Wyatt (D.N.P., Nursing Practice) Abilene, Texas Jennifer Michele Young (D.N.P., Nursing Practice) Abilene, Texas Sabrina Paige Anthony (B.S.N., Nursing) Pearland, Texas Espitia Karen Arreguin (B.S.N., Nursing) Fort Worth, Texas Lauren Ashley (B.S.N., Nursing) Aledo, Texas

Laura Marie Hamilton (B.S.N., Nursing) Abilene, Texas Binh Thanh Ho (B.S.N., Nursing) Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Karala Whitney Hough (B.S.N., Nursing) Allen, Texas Lyndon Kyra Huff (B.S.N., Nursing) Dana Point, California Lauren Kaylynn Hughes (B.S.N., Nursing) Midland, Texas

Jose Alfredo Barrera (B.S.N., Addie Jordan Japhet Nursing) San Benito, Texas (B.S.N., Nursing) North Richland Hills, Texas Kayleigh Beth Benson (B.S.N., Nursing) Burleson, Charmaine Nichole Texas Jolivette (B.S.N., Nursing) Houston, Texas Carys Benay Blume (B.S.N., Nursing ) Cedar Joel Kent Jones (B.S.N., Park, Texas Nursing) Graham, Texas Roslynn An n Boeke (B.S.N., Nursing ) McKinney, Texas

Easton Neal Kirkbride (B.S.N., Nursing) Denison, Texas

Addison Grace Boston (B.S.N., Nursing) Ennis, Texas

Anna Elizabeth Klick (B.S.N., Nursing) Marble Falls,Texas

Abby Claire Brown (B.S.N., Nursing) Midland, Texas Mallorie Marie Clark (B.S.N.,

Nursing)

Jiwon Lee (B.S.N., Nursing) Dallas, Texas Monica Haley Lucero (B.S.N., Nursing) Canyon Lake, Texas

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Theatre Hannah, we are so incredibly proud of you! You have worked so hard for this. Your sweet spirit and love for Jesus is something that makes us so proud. You are a joy to have as our daughter.

We're so honored for you, not only for graduating - but receiving the ACU University Scholar Award! You have worked so hard for this, and your love of theater is inspiring.

Thank you for always being the respectful, fun-loving daughter, who is such a bright light to everyone you meet. We love you so much! Enjoy today.

Enjoy your graduation from this incredible college and theater department that has taught you so much. You'll only go up from here! We're your biggest fans. Psalm 139 - "You are a child of God, you are wonderfully made, dearly loved and precious in His sight."

GRADUATION| Thursday, May 5, 2022 | 13 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

Alexis Grace McCown (B.S.N., Nursing) Tyler, Texas

Morgan Anne McDowall (B.S.N., Nursing) Abilene, Texas Katherine Marie McMillan (B.S.N., Nursing) Plano, Texas Rachel Faith Melnyk (B.S.N., Nursing) Abilene, Texas Amber Nicole Mendoza (B.S.N., Nursing) El Paso, Texas Cameron Lee Miller

(B.S.N., Nursing) Plano, Texas

Chelsea Elaine Rios (B.S.N., Nursing) Watauga, Texas

Amber Marie Minor (B.S.N., Nursing) Belton, Texas

Zoe Faith Spinn (B.S.N., Nursing) Holland, Texas

Kathryn B Norman (B.S.N., Nursing) Lucas, Texas Rosalyn Noel Pratt (B.S.N., Nursing) Richards, Texas Savannah Joyce Rakovalis (B.S.N., Nursing) Cibolo, Texas Madison Nicole Ray (B.S.N., Nursing) Allen, Texas

Megan Alyse Taylor (B.S.N., Nursing) Albuquerque, New Mexico Danielle Dawn Tilly (B.S.N., Nursing) Hawley, Texas Rebecca Lauren Toppert (B.S.N., Nursing) Abilene, Texas Lauren Elizabeth Weilemann (B.S.N., Nursing) Austin, Texas

Sarah Kay, I remember the day you were born with such clarity.

With head control and an alertness unusual for a newborn you looked around the room and seemed to be thinking - "What will I do with this life that God has graciously given me?"

You have blossomed into a young woman with an extraordinary heart, keen mind and a clear purpose.

You and I have spoken of your heart's mission many times over the years. You have never wavered from your promise to Aunt Lori. While cry softly in my arms at age of five, you whispered to me that God made your purpose clear. You were to use your gifts of intelligence, kindness and creative thinking to battle cancer, so Aunt Lori did not loose her fight in vain.

I do not know of many people who work on a dream or a promise for so long. You are truly extraordinary.

Never forget you have so many people who believe in you. Today we celebrate you for your accomplishments while at ACU and commend you on your next steps Masters/PhD program in Biochemistry/Chemistry at TCU to continue your focus in cancer research.

Listed below are a few of your many accolades that I'm sure you're modestly blushing about as you read this acknowledgement.

Class of 2022

Davion Johnson Communications

Son we are proud of you and all your accomplishments. From the day you were born we knew you were special. At birth you were born with Erb's Palsy. Life wasn't easy for you in the beginning but with patience and a strong will to accomplish anything you set your mind to; you overcame all obstacles and dealt with adversity gracefully. We would like to congratulate you son for this amazing accomplishment. Continue on your road to success but know that your work isn't finished. Salute to you son: Love Mom, Dad, and the rest of the family. "WE LOVE YOU SPEEDY"

ACU Presidential Scholar Dean’s Honor Roll (every semester) ACU University Scholar (1 of 50) Phi Eta Sigma (Honor Society) Research Assistant & Senior Research Assistant ACU Women’s Honors Society (President) Honors College Honors Graduate (highest distinction, with thesis) Chemistry Club Vice President Wildcats for Sustainability Vice President Senior Class Speaker Sarah, never forget that your dad, siblings - Julia, Sophia, Jenna and Andrew, and extended family and I are so incredibly proud of you.

We love you!

Mama

Class of 2022

Reagan Chaka Psychology

CONGRATS! I am so very proud of you!

You have always been the sunshine in my life. J'lyn would be so proud of everything you have accomplished and will continue to accomplish. Always remember you have the strength to face any challenge. You are what you choose to become. Be motivated in your journey! If you can dream it you do it. Most of all understand that life is short so don't sweat the small stuff!!

I LOVE YOU DEARLY, DAD

14 | Thursday, May 5, 2022 | GRADUATION

Class of 2022

Malaya Bizaillion Bachelor of Science in Communication

Congradulations Malaya Bizaillion! We are so proud of you! Feels like just yesterday we were celebrating your graduation from Kindergarten.

Watching you start each chapter of your life has been so exciting. But I sure miss the days of you helping me change the oil on my truck, getting to do your hair before school each morning, watching you play basketball, listening to you sing karaoke as you aspired to be an American Idol. But this day will go down as one of my favorite accomplishments. I could not be more proud of the way you have persevered to complete this chapter in your life.

God, Jenny, Kim, Grammy and Grampy; we are all your biggest fans!!!

We can not wait to see what God’s plan are for you as you start the next chapter of your life.

Business, Marketing and Management Abigail Marie, We are so incredibly proud of all your accomplishments and hard work on completing your Business degree in Marketing and Management! You were born for this field of work! You are going to soar like an eagle, sweetheart!

Your light and joy for the Lord are bright and your passion for life is contagious! You are loving, kind, incredibly gracious and feisty and we love alllll the parts of you! Embrace this time in life as this new phase begins!

Stay close to the Lord and He will always see you through.

Continue to make Him the foundation and centerpiece of your life. Remember to keep your eye on the goal and share it with others.

We are immeasurably proud of you!

We love you, Mom and Dad ""Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, His steadfast love endures forever."" Psalm 107:1 ""Truly, I tell you, if you have the faith of a mustard seed........Nothing will be impossible for you."" Matthew 17:20

We Love you so much!!!! Go Malaya!

CLASS OF 2022

Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Concentration Mechanical Minor, Business Administration & Mathematics

BACHELOR OF ARTS MINISTRY

Congratulations Emily!

May you be blessed and continue to be a blessing to those around you. We love you and are so proud of your accomplishments!

Bryanda Lynette Mauricio B.B.A. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Dear Daughter, after a long journey, your hard work paid off! For all the times of late-night studies, lack of sleep, sacrifice of enjoyment and parties, your REWARD is here!

Now, there is a clear way in front of you to achieve heights of success in life. We are very proud of you for being a firstgeneration student in the family. For taking risks, stepping outside of your comfort zone and doing something we’ve never seen before! Congratulations to our beloved child who has emerged victorious! We love you!

Class of 2022

Shaela Victoria Herbert Speech-Language Pathology

ALLIE JONES

"Allie, Many kids go to college but few take it for all it is worth. We are so proud of you for making the most of it. We love you and we cannot wait to see what God has in store for you.

Love, Mom and Dad"

Your family is very excited for you and proud of your tenacious efforts to reach your goal. The often-quoted phrase of “your sweet spirit and servant heart” absolutely exemplify you, and your sisters. We have enjoyed witnessing your journey and look forward to what unfolds from here.

GRADUATION | Thursday, May 5, 2022 | 15

Div. 1 athletes seek attention on mental health

BY SARAH NADING SPORTS WRITER

For Ally Anderson, playing NCAA Div. 1 beach volleyball was a dream since she was a high school sophomore. She joined ACU’s fledgling beach volleyball team in the fall of 2019 with optimism.

That excitement turned to disappointment, she said, because the experience was nothing like she expected. Anderson said the conditions she subjected to were detrimental to her mental health and she did not feel support and care from her coaches and teammates. By the end of her freshman year, Anderson had quit the team, and the next year, she left school.

“It was so much more a job,” Anderson said, “not an activity.”

Anderson is now a recruiting coordinator at an EMS school in Abilene and said she has not looked back since 2020.

The increase in competitiveness and busy schedules at the college level – especially in Div. 1 – can damage athletes’ mental health.

The Department of Athletics is working toward having athletes be more open about what they are going through on a daily basis.

Cory Driskill, senior associate athletic director for sports performance, said trainers take on the role of making sure athletes are physically and mentally feeling good.

“Through our relationships as athletic trainers with our student-athletes, this is one of the things I try to preach to our staff, is keeping the pulse of what their mental state is,” Driskill said. “We are not only concerned about their physical state but also mentally, sleep patterns and nutrition. It’s all something we need to pay attention to.”

Immanuel Allen, a junior guard on the men’s basketball team from Phoenix, Arizona, said the intensity of his coaches negatively affected him early in his career.

“I was so worried about trying to do everything perfectly and not make mistakes because I didn’t want to get yelled at,” Allen said.

A study by the American College of Sports Medicine reported that about 30% of female and 25% of male student-athletes suffer from collegiate mental health challenges.

The study describes the challenges as “pressures from academics, as well as other possible triggers of stress. These triggers include missed classes due to off-campus sports competitions, being away from home for the first time, social isolation from students other than

their teammates, and adapting to constant visibility within their campus and communities.”

Moreover, the pressures to perform well in their sport and well in the public eye causes challenges for athletes’ mental health, according to the ACSM. None of this surprises Allen, who said student-athletes face pressures typical student don’t.

“As a student-athlete, a lot of times I feel people get our lives misconstrued,” he said. “Yes we do have more of a public persona than others, but that comes with early morning practices, grueling weight sessions, long afternoon practices, film, study hall and, not to mention, how the homework and expectations are exceeded in the classroom.”

Driskill said coaches want a tough mindset but have lost sight of the extent to which their athletes are dealing with challenges of busy weeks. Not being seen or heard by their coaches can weigh in on performance and overall health, he said.

The NCAA created a fourhour limit on the amount of allowed daily practice time and a 20-hour limit per week. Before 2000, these rules weren’t consistently enforced. This changed when two football players from the University of North Carolina filed a lawsuit against their 30-50hour week schedule.

The lawsuit argued the athletes were deprived of “meaningful education” due to the unequal balance of time with their school work and their sport. The NCAA investigated their case by identifying the loopholes found in the 20-hour rule, like making workouts “voluntary” even though they effectively were mandatory.

The ACSM said exercise increases endorphins in the body that naturally produce hormones that make active people feel happier.

“However, playing sports does not make athletes immune to mental health challenges,” they said.

Megan McDonald, sports academic coordinator, said she believes athletes want to be cared about and valued by their coaches.

“All coaches have high standards and expect these things, but some might not pour into the athletes spiritually and mentally,” McDonald said.

With a schedule as packed as 20 hours a week to their sport, McDonald said athletes she works with are stressed and overworked even when it might not look like it.

“They have those straight A’s,

BY RILEY FISHER | PHOTOGRAPHER

Junior guard Immanuel Allen feels the public perception of student-athletes are oftentimes “misconstrued.” but they are so overwhelmed,” McDonald said.

Athletes are encouraged to get eight hours of sleep and excel in the classroom but are forced to often choose between the two. Anderson said she found herself prioritizing her sleep over education.

“I didn’t want to focus on school and instead focused on getting my eight hours of sleep so I could perform better,” Anderson said.

Along with the pressure to succeed in their sport and the classroom, social life is just as important to students’ mental health.

In early March, Katie Meyers, a 22-year old standout soccer player at Stanford University, made national headlines when she took her own life. The decision was attributed to the lack of sleep, social life, study time and self-worth student-athletes often deal with.

Responding to Meyers’ passing, Gwen Schemm, a retired soccer player at Frostburg State University, said in a post on Instagram that student-athletes can be perceived only as “living the dream” despite those challenges.

“You live a facade of perfection when inside your world is crumbling,” she said. “You don’t

want to be rejected or be treated as weak. You don’t want to lose your starting spot or, worse, your scholarship.”

McDonald said higher-achieving academic athletes often put effort into school and their sport resulting in no outside social life.

Kolton Kohl, a retired men’s basketball player from San Angelo, said it was a challenge trying to find time to hang out with friends but he chose to prioritize sports.

Kohl said he realized sports will end but the people in your life will be there forever.

“You are going to want people there to hangout with and have a good time when you’re not playing sports anymore,” he said.

Women’s soccer player Samantha Brown said she became so consumed with her performances because her life had been swallowed with how good her athletic performances are for the past 15 years.

“I caused myself to put a lot of my worth in whether or not I am seeing success in my sport,” said Brown. “You put so much time and effort into an activity, it becomes consuming.”

McDonald, the academic coordinator who is also a former student-athlete, said she struggled

mentally without even knowing it when playing softball at Sam Houston State University from 2017 to 2021.

“I had to realize these things don’t ultimately define me,” McDonald said. “Once I realized that, I was able to just go out and enjoy the sport.”

To help with this stigma of mental health in Div. 1 athletes, some athletes say it first needs to be acknowledged and talked about more openly.

The athletic trainers once a semester send out a survey asking questions that gauge mental health problems. Driskill will contact those who show red flags and offer to help them get the assistance they need if they ask for it.

“People are talking about it more, and they are becoming more accepting towards it,” Driskill said.

In previous times, the stigma made athletes feel like they had to push things to the side to “be tough,” Driskill said.

Allen said athletes should spread awareness to those in authority who are able to speak up for their overworked players. McDonald is determined to make this happen as the sports academic coordinator.

“Sharing experiences is the best way,” McDonald said. “As a retired athlete, I have been in their shoes.

Letting them know this is not the end of the world, this is not who you are, this is just what you do.”

McDonald sits down with athletes and helps them plan out their daily schedule, encouraging free time for fun activities.

Kohl said receiving the well-deserved rest would help athletes’ bodies recover mentally and physically.

“I feel like many athletes are working hard every day at their craft to get better and win, like coming back from a long road trip and getting home late and waking up early for class. You’re not getting the rest of your body,” Kohl said.

Allen said being in the right headspace physically and mentally is what athletes need in order to perform to the best of their ability.

McDonald agrees. In order to enjoy a sport, athletes must have the right mindset mentally.

“Good mental health lets athletes be able to separate the bad practices from their outside life,” McDonald said.

McDonald said athletes tend to let negatives spiral into their daily routines. It is important to find a way to separate the double lives, she said.

Allen has found a way to use his sports as way to create peace in his outside life.

“I can always just go to the gym, listen to music loud on the big speaker and get shots up and leave the outside world outside, he said. “It has helped me clear my head a lot in the past.”

Div. 1 athletes go through the daily challenge of their mental side. As a retired athlete, Kohl has used the strength he has gained in the real world.

“I am stronger for sure; it pushed me to become a strong-minded person. As far as pushing myself to limits in the classroom and on the court, I’ve had to learn time-management,” Kohl said.

Sports have become a lot more competitive and serious at the D1 level. Coaches’ intensity has pushed these athletes to be mentally tough, preparing them ready and stronger for the real world.

Ally Anderson felt if she was supported by her coaches and teammates she would have stayed longer.

“I not only want to play for myself but also the people who truly believe in me,” Anderson said.

Money, television rights and FCS football

How the 2021 conference realignment affected the trajectory of a new era in ACU athletics

BY KAUY OSTLIEN SPORTS WRITER

Brian Davis franticly shuffled to contact his sources at the University of Texas. The UT athletics beat writer for the Austin-American Statesman had just heard a rumor that would change the face of college athletics.

“From my point of view initially, it was disbelief in the idea that this can’t be true; there’s no way this is true,” Davis said.

Davis had just heard the rumor that The University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma were leaving the Big 12 and, in doing so, spark another conference realignment.

The 2021 conference realignment was a long time coming for NCAA. Texas and Oklahoma finally decided they had outgrown the Big 12, and they moved to the SEC. This transition sparked a chain of events that has boiled down to the WAC and left ACU athletics looking at its future.

Conference realignments have become a standard of NCAA Division I. The loyalty of conference rivalry games has gone away for television rights and conferences spanning the country and breaking geographic norms.

In the early days of collegiate athletics, conferences were geographic, with rivalries like Oklahoma and Nebraska in the Big Eight and Texas A&M versus Texas in the Southwest Conference.

Now conferences are decided by the money and TV that comes with the position. So why do re-

alignments happen?

Television contracts and the money that accompanies them are the driving force of many realignments. While large conferences benefit from these moves, smaller conferences see minimal gains from them while still being

affected by realignments.

In 1984, The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the NCAA’s TV plans violated the Sherman Antitrust Act by limiting the conferences and schools’ ability to negotiate their TV deals. This opened up the opportunity for schools to go to individual networks and create contracts to produce their athletics.

In what could be the most crucial TV deal in collegiate sports history, the SEC signed a deal with CBS to broadcast SEC athletics in 1995. Due partly to the SEC’s invite of the Southwest’s Arkansas Razorbacks to join their conference just four years earlier.

As the most prominent football program and athletic entity in the state of Arkansas, the addition of the Razorbacks added to a broad TV market that the SEC had created.

This move sparked the first significant conference realignment in 1996, and without any interference from NCAA, many more realignments came after.

So, what happened this time?

In late July, the Houston Chronicles Brent Zwerneman sounded the alarm that Texas and Oklahoma were looking to join the SEC. These rumors were found to be accurate by multiple sources, including Brian Davis.

“I started making calls and talking to my top people, and they basically admitted, ‘yeah, this has been in the works, but we didn’t expect it to get spoiled like this.’

Because they had a calculated plan that had been laid,” Davis said.

The Big 12 left the American with just seven football programs in this move. In response, they added six programs from Conference USA, with the Sun Belt following suit, adding three uni-

versities from CUSA and FCS football powerhouse James Madison University.

Aggressive moves are the face of conference realignments. Some conferences thrive while others get gutted, creating a dog-eat-dog atmosphere and barren conferences like C-USA. While this happens, it doesn’t mean that universities like doing this. Just ask Dallas Morning News college sportswriter Chuck Carlton.

Carlton has been writing about conference realignments for as long as they’ve been happening and has seen the pack-like mentality universities use when making these moves.

“Nobody particularly likes it, but also nobody wants to be left behind in a conference that seems to be shrinking,” Carlton said.

“So, when that lifeboat arrives, yeah, all of the sudden, you’ve got schools jumping on board.”

With only five member schools remaining, C-USA extended that lifeboat to the WAC’s FCS football powerhouse Sam Houston and WAC loyalist New Mexico State Aggies.

While a football powerhouse like SHSU might be an easy choice, New Mexico State University had been a loyal member of the WAC since 2005. While their football program bounced around FBS conferences and ended up independent, they remained even after the WACs’ loss of FBS football sponsorship during the 2013 realignment.

In that 2013 realignment, the WAC lost seven universities to other conferences, including four other universities that left in 20112012, leaving the WAC with two FBS football programs forced to go independent. These were the Idaho Vandals and NMSU.

Idaho moved its football program to the Sun Belt in 2014, eventually moving football down to FCS and joining its other athletics in the Big Sky Conference.

NMSU football accompanied Idaho in the Sun Belt in 2014, and both were removed for geographical reasons in 2017, with NMSU becoming an Independent.

While the WAC did regain a football sponsorship, it was “Nobody wants to be left behind in a conference that seems to be shrinking. So, when that lifeboat arrives, you’ve got schools jumping on board.”

CHUCK CARLTON DALLAS MORNING NEWS COLLEGE SPORTSWRITER

only for FCS leaving the Aggies independent.

Stephen Wagner, the NMSU beat writer for the Las Cruces SunNews, says life for Division I FBS independents is a struggle with universities not getting the financial benefits of being in a conference or having name recognition.

“Being an independent in football unless you’re Notre Dame or West Point really isn’t sustainable long term; the revenue simply isn’t just there,” Wagner said.

When programs aren’t affiliated with a conference, they miss out on large payoffs from the College Football Playoff. So, for a university that has been so loyal to one conference for so long, the move to C-USA comes with clear benefits for NMSU. “New Mexico State financially just is a pretty poor athletic program that is currently operating on a multimillion-dollar budget deficit that’s supposed to be paid off in the latter half of this decade,” Wagner said.

“So just having the ability to get back in a conference, especially one that’s just going to receive a portion of the distribution of the CFP.” The College Football Playoff or CFP is the championship committee created to assign a national champion in Division I FBS football. The CFP pays out millions of dollars to conferences whose teams participate in post-season football, the CFP itself or a bowl game.

While conferences gain revenue from the CFP, FBS independents like NMSU are left with minimal financial gain, setting a clear precedent for NMSU to leave its longtime home.

With its largest FCS football program and its oldest member departing, the WAC quickly responded to this loss. First, with the addition of the University of the Incarnate Word, UT-Rio Grande Valley’s future football program and another non-football university in UT-Arlington. So, what could this mean for ACU? Simply put, nothing, nothing yet. The current situation is that these moves affect ACU’s schedule quality, leaving the Wildcats and other WAC schools to hash out WACs’ future.

The Wildcats currently have no plans of moving; that’d be out of character. ACU has not historically been known for changing conferences, having a short track record of conference history, with most time spent in NCAA Division II’s Lone Star Conference.

In Division I, ACU spent nine seasons in the Southland before joining the Southlands’ mass exodus to the WAC in 2021. ACU is now in a conference that has shown, with its quick response to a realignment, that it wants to survive in all sports.

“I think about, ‘How does it value ACU?’” said Zack Lassiter, ACU vice president for athletics.

“The WAC is the most difficult conference ACU has ever played in any sport. For us right now, we’re focused on Division I basketball, others, and then FCS football, and so for now, the WAC allows us to pursue those goals.”

Lassiter was at Oregon State during the realignment and came into his ACU position after the dust settled. He has worked in athletics for over 20 years and said he isn’t shocked by anything with realignment.

“Certainly, every time you have one of the dominos falls, there’s going to be an impact, and that’s going to be felt all the way down,” Lassiter said.

He also believes that even though these moves can cause instability for some Div. I conferences, it’s not the NCAA’s job to step in.

“It’s not their role, nor should it be their role,” Lassiter said.

“Their job is to put on championships and to create rules and regulations, but the NCAA’s job is not to tell schools who they should or shouldn’t align with from a standpoint.”

So, while ACU looks set, for now, Chuck Carlton reminds everyone that college athletics is no longer as steady as it once was.

“Don’t be surprised by anything we might see in the future, and it’s going to be driven by money and TV contracts,” Carlton said.

(This article has been updated due to a misunderstanding involving Idaho’s relationship with the Sun Belt. It said that Idaho had moved its entire athletic program to the Sun Belt when, in reality, it was just football.)

16 | Thursday, May 5, 2022 | SPORTS

BASEBALL OVERCOMES TOP TEN TEAM TEXAS TECH

BY TAELYN WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHER

Graduate outfielder Colton Eager and redshirt junior pitcher Zach Smith celebrate a home run.

BY KAUY OSTLIEN SPORTS WRITER

ACU baseball continued its historic season last week with a win against No. 9 Texas Tech in Lubbock and a sweep of Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches.

The Wildcats entered Lubbock on April 26, 19-20, having dropped two games to UTRGV that weekend.

The Wildcats would put together a valiant effort to down the Red Raiders on

offense and defense.

The game versus Texas Tech started with a seven-spot top of the second for the Wildcats, led by an inside-the-park grand slam from junior outfielder Grayson Tatrow of Mansfield. This was the first grand slam this season for Tatrow, who made headlines across the college baseball world for his efforts.

The score was 7-2 after the second, with the Wild-

cats having to turn their efforts towards holding off a Red Raider team that ranks second in the country in runs scored. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Max Huffling would play hero for the Wildcats closing the game out with three innings of no-hit baseball striking out seven of nine batters faced.

The 8-5 win was the first for the Wildcats versus Texas Tech and the first for the Wildcats versus a top 10

opponent. This was the second win for the Wildcats versus a ranked opponent this season, the first time they have achieved that mark in history.

The series in Nacogdoches started with an 11-2 Wildcat win on the back of three RBI efforts from Tatrow and graduate infielder Hunter Gieser of Burleson. This would be the fourth win in a row for the Wildcats versus SFA, a streak they would not

lose during that series.

Game two would be the same story for the Wildcats, with five different Wildcats driving in two runs apiece, ending in a 13-9. Game three also was a productive offensive outing for the Wildcats putting in ten runs to sweep the Lumberjacks.

One performance that stands out was junior left-handed pitcher Adam Stephenson of Southlake.

Stephenson went 5.1 in-

nings with five runs and two hits Saturday, his third tworun outing in a row.

This season, the Wildcats have three series remaining, heading to Stephenville this weekend to face the Tarleton Texans. The postseason for the Wildcats begins May 25 in the WAC conference tournament in Mesa, Ariz.

We were unable to receive comments from head coach McCarty or any players at this time.

Golf shocks WAC rivals to takes home conference tournament title

BY JOSEPH CHAPA SPORTS WRITER

ACU’s first year in the Western Athletic Conference proved to be a success, as Coach Tom Shaw’s program won the conference championship on Sunday in Boulder City, Nevada.

This is the first conference title for the Wildcats in university history.

The Wildcats climbed back from third and second place on Friday and Saturday and came out on top on Sunday against one seed Sam Houston, and three seed GCU with a finishing score of 7-under.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be conference champs,” said graduate student Alex Clouse.

“I think a key reason we won was the culture of grit and

resiliency we have established on our team. Each of us made clutch putts and hit great shots down the stretch to give ourselves a chance to win. We played and acted like a championship team and it was a lot of fun to be a part of.”

It was a total team effort for ACU to get the victory, but when it was time for a clutch play to be made, Clouse was able to seal the deal with the short putt after the Sam Houston bogey. Other early playmakers such as seniors Francisco Osio and Brian Choe, paved the way for early success with their confident swinging to put the team in title contention.

How ACU got to winning the championship was remarkably challenging, but

so was proving the doubters wrong, as the Wildcats were picked fifth in the pre-championship tournament polls.

“The biggest takeaway is that no matter how bad it looked, we never gave up,” said junior Zane Huesel.

“We started this semester finishing dead last. No one thought it was possible for us to win this week, but we proved everyone wrong. We have a strong team and our coaches are to thank for always pushing us.”

ACU’s season was filled with hills and valleys starting with the first spring tournament. The emphasis on accountability and self-improvement instilled by Shaw and his staff turned out to be a championship formula for

him and his team.

Every year the objective is to win it all, but especially this year as the team is filled with seniors that have left their mark on a program that has been searching for a special unit to bring home the first trophy.

“I was so thankful my family got to come out this week and win the championship with them,” Clouse said.

“My mom would send me texts of encouragement before each round I played this semester, and those loving cheerful texts go a long way with me.”

Shaw’s team is far from finished, and the Wildcats await to be seeded for their respected national championship rounds. No matter what hap-

COURTESY OF TOM SHAW

Head coach Tom Shaw talks to his player about his stroke. pens in Scottsdale, Arizona, history has already been made at ACU. “This may be our first conference championship, but it certainly won’t be our last,”

Huesel said. “We want to thank everyone who has supported us and helped us get to this point, and we look forward to the opportunities that are to come.”

Men’s tennis gains first WAC Confernce Championship in school history

BY KAYLEE KAHN ASSISTANT SPORTS DIRECTOR

The men’s tennis team secured the victory over No. 1 Lamar in the Western Athletic Conference Championship Tournament to secure the university’s first WAC Championship.

Going into the tournament, the Wildcats had a 5-1 conference record, putting them in the second seed and bypassing the quarterfinal round.

They met No. 3 New Mexico State in the semifinals, gaining the win, 4-2.

“Beating a team three times is hard,” head coach Juan Nunez said. “I think you know it’s what we talk about being resilient, being tough when it comes to a conference set and conference tournament setting.”

It’s about who is going to be able to take more punches and continue to fight and we were able to do just that.”

Playing the No. 1 doubles spot was Daniel Morozov, freshman from Joliet, Illinois, and Dario Kmet, sophomore from Sydney, Australia, who secured the win in a tiebreaker 7-6 (7-5).

In the No. 2 doubles spot were Jose Maria Rastrojo, freshman from

BY TAELYN WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHER

The Wildcats huddle up before heading into singles matches.

Seville, Spain, and Savan Chhabra, sophomore from Irving, who secured the first win of the day, 6-4. The No. 3 doubles went unfinished. With the Wildcats being up 2-0 after doubles, they had to continue to stay strong through singles.

Going into singles, No. 4 Chhabra and No. 5 Cesar Barranquero, freshman from Villaes-

cusa, Spain, won both of their matches in straight sets, putting ACU now up 4-0.

No.1 Morozov and No. 2 Kmet both lost their matches in a close battle, giving New Mexico their first two wins.

In No. 3 singles, Tyler Stewart, freshman from Midland, was the last match to finish, splitting sets and moving into a

third set tiebreaker where he won 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 (75), securing the ultimate victory for ACU. “I’ve had to put different lineups and different people in the lineup,” Nunez said.

“Everybody that we’ve put through has always been able to step up and get it done and today was no different, right, we got it done.”

Moving on to the championship matchup against No. 1 Lamar, the Wildcats were ready to give it their all.

With the same doubles lineup as the last dual, ACU secured each win one by one in a straightset. Heading into doubles, the Wildcats were up 3-0, reaching closer to a WAC title.

Stewart lost his match

in straight sets, giving Lamar their first win.

Kmet had a tough match, reaching a tiebreaker in the first set but gaining the win 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.

Barranquero also reached a tiebreaker in the first set, giving him a competitive matchup, but he pulled through and got the win 7-6 (7-2), 6-3.

Finishing last, No. 6 Oswaldo Cano, senior from Zacatlan, Mexico, had two close sets but stayed strong and secured the win in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4.

“The guys were so excited on the way back home,” Nunez said. “It would be silent on the ride back and then all of a sudden it would just get loud and they would be passing the trophy and sign around again.”

“Someone would ask to play ‘We are the Champions’ again but they deserved it. They worked so hard and they deserve to celebrate as much as they want.”

The Wildcats gained the victory over Lamar 4-1, pulling an upset, giving them their first-ever WAC trophy.

The men prepare for the NCAA National Championships Tournament, where they will face Baylor on May 6 at 6 p.m.