Optimist Print Edition 10.13.23

Volume 111 Issue 2

ACUOPTIMIST.COM | Friday, October 13, 2023 | 1

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

BY SARAH EUNYOUNG THOMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHER Members of Zeta Phi Alpha and Lauryn Byrd, freshman kinesiology major from Katy, chat with each other.

Homecoming court preps for festivities

BY MACI WEATHERS NEWSLETTER EDITOR

The 2023 Homecoming Court was announced two weeks ago during Chapel after an extensive selection process.

Homecoming Queen nominees were nominated by a student organization that they are a member of. Then, when they are nominated they submit an application to be considered.

A total of 12 female students were selected over a blind review by 36 faculty and staff members after submitting an academic résumé displaying achievements and four essays.

• Ellie Berry for Ko Jo Kai • Madison Chedester for Sanctify

• Victoria Cheshire for Missions Students Association • Alli Dimmitt for Student Government Association • Lainey Hale for Sigma Theta Chi • Maci Johnson for Campus Activities Board • Josie Lara for Kinesiology Club • Aspen Malone for Pickleball Club • Kiki Rodriguez for Outlaws Dance Club • Maurica Simpson for ACU Democrats • Brooke Stemple for National Student Speech Language Hearing Association • Abby Weiss for Delta Theta “We are in the second year of a revised process,” said

April Young, assistant director of alumni and university Relations. “Previously anyone could be nominated, and we just took essentially the top nominations from the senior class. We would send out a form with five blanks in it and we would go through and take those nominations and figure out who had the most.”

The decision to switch the process to base it on achievements and student organizations was to avoid the court being Greek Life focused.

“It allows for groups like Kinesiology Club. In our old system, the Kinesiology Club, because of their size, wouldn’t be able to nominate someone for the court,” Young said. “In this

system, the Kinesiology Club is able to. It gives other groups and organizations an opportunity. Our hope is that, if this is something students care about, they will get involved in a student organization.”

For Maci Johnson, senior psychology major from Fort Worth, being nominated for the Campus Activities Board was an honor.

“I was really excited, and I felt really honored that they selected me to be their representative,” Johnson said.

“The process was more extensive than we thought it was going to be, but it honestly was really cool to look back on all my years here and see what all I had been a part of.”

Johnson also hopes to use this opportunity to guide and lead students in the future.

“I think it allows for an opportunity for me to be able in a sense lead not even as like a leader on campus because of a nominee position,” Johnson said.

“Now that people know me, they can feel comfortable enough to come and talk to me and guide them in a sense of experience and help tell them about the organizations I have been a part of, how ACU has impacted me and to encourage them.”

For more information about qualifications or nominations, Young encourages people to visit acu.edu/queens.

Engineering proposes specialized degrees

BY MARIAH WILLIAMS SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

The Department of Engineering and Physics has propose the three new degrees to offer students – new bachelors of science in civil engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.

When the engineering degree was added, it was general degree with a broad curriculum to prepare students generally for their field. The department later added concentration tracks in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering. This left students to have a diverse understanding of engineering and have a choice

of a specialized degree in graduate school.

Dr. Jim Drachenberg, professor of engineering and physics, said the reason behind the new majors proposal comes from a change in the field of engineering.

“We have tried as a department to grow in a way that lets us give a more specific education with engineering students,” Drachenberg said. “This will make a bit easier to be prepared for those specific (jobs).

The process of changing any academic offering is a complex one that can take months or years. It starts with a general consensus of change within

the department. The department then works up the chain of university curriculum councils to get approval for their desired change. Faculty members present the logistics of the changes they would like to other members of the faculty, where it will be taken for a vote.

The faculty voted last week on the addition of the new majors, and results have not been released.

Drachenberg said it’s unusual at other universities for engineering and physics to be in the same department. This uniqueness is a benefit for students, he said.

“I think its a uniqueness

but theres also an advantage to it that we have the engineering that is very hands-on, applied, but the physics is a little more of “what’s going on under the hood?” Drachenberg said.

The engineering and physics department has been growing throughout this semester, with the start of the new Onstead College of Science and Engineering and expansion of the NEXTLab. This has allowed students to have multiple opportunities to grow within their discipline through experiential learning.

Kyla Flanagan, secretary of the Society of Women Engineers chapter, said having a more specialized

degree will let her be taken more seriously as she looks for jobs.

“Since we are the lesser number in engineering, I think it is important for us when we are going to jobs, when we are going to internships, to be very impressive to show everything we have,” said Flanagan, sophomore engineering major from Abilene.

“When you come with a resume and it says ‘bachelors of science in mechanical engineering’ instead of ‘bachelors in engineering with a concentration in mechanical engineering’ shows that you have a more serious degree and you know more about your concentration.”

Students interested can browse the types of sports available on the app before joining a team or creating one of their own. Once a team is formed, the time, location and opponent for upcoming games are accessible.

Matthew Ferreira, director of intramural sports, said intramurals open opportunities to build relationships with others.

“Intramurals are a way to compete with fellow classmates in a fun environment, play some games and have a little competi-

tion and just kind of find ways to make friends and pass the time,” Ferreira said.

As an alumnus, Ferreira’s own experience with intramurals led to the creation of lifelong friendships and memories, he said.

By participating in intramurals, students can quickly get involved on campus.

For Josh Hamm, freshman biology major from Double Oak, playing rec flag football and spikeball allows him to meet other students and be an outlet

for his love for sports.

“The commitment can be as much or as little as you want it to be,” Hamm said. “I’d recommend just going for it even if you’ve never done the sport before. You’ll only regret not trying.”

Prior experience is not required, and the skill level of each team varies. Keatan Allen, freshman marketing major from Abilene, said he decided to join intramurals to stay productive and be active outside.

“Our flag football team doesn’t compete very well,”

Allen said. “We just have fun. I enjoyed watching our team finally come together and get close to one another.”

In the near future, Ferreira said activities, such as chess and kickball, may be added to expand the range of options. Hiring is also open for students wanting to become a part of the intramural staff.

To stay updated on all events, information can be found on Fusion Play, @ acuintramurals on Instagram, or on the university website.

New intramural app creates student engagement opportunities

BY ASHLEY HENDERSON NEWS WRITER

Registration for intramurals began last month with the transition to a new app, Fusion Play.

This semester, intramurals is offering basketball, flag football, indoor soccer, pickleball, spikeball, table tennis, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, board games and e-sports.

Flag football season is the most recent sport to kick off with more sports, such as volleyball, beginning this month.

NEWS

Tailgating to begin Game Day fun PAGE 2

OPINION

Rec Center helps with student engagement PAGE 6

SPORTS

Wilcats look to bounce back after week off PAGE 8

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NEWS | Friday, October 13, 2023 | 2

Halbert Center sponsors Missions Week events

BY FAITH JOHNSON NEWS WRITER

BY HANNAH PARK | PHOTOGRAPHER

Sarah Hudson, junior biology major from Plano, plays cornhole at tailgate.

Gameday to begin with stadium tailgate

BY ASHLEY HENDERSON NEWS WRITER

The annual homecoming tailgate will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m. before the football game against North Alabama.

Those attending the tailgate can enter free of charge with each tent also providing free food and other snacks. Kody Goode, athletic advancement and event officer, said he expects it to be the largest tailgate of the season.

“When it’s a big draw like homecoming, more people want to be a part of it,” Goode said. “There’s several different departments all working together to pull that off. It’s quite the process.”

Along with the increase in attendance, Marlee Goode, Tri Kappa Gamma tailgate director, said it is a great weekend to meet up with people who only come to this game.

“For the other tailgates, our focus is really just reaching out to freshmen,” said Marlee Goode, senior child and family services major from Abilene. “With this one, it’s about connecting with families and alumni as well.”

Since the tailgate attracts a wide range of people, groups outside of sororities and fraternities are also participating such as various student orga-

BY SARAH YOUNGTEE THOMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHER

Timothy Dodd, freshman vocal performance major from Abilene gets his face painted. nizations and departments.

Dr. Lynette Penya, department chair of communication and sociology, said the department of communication and sociology decided to join the homecoming tailgate to better connect students with alumni.

“It’s a fun time to get to see what it is they’ve been doing with their communication degree,” Penya said. “It’s a great opportunity for our students

to network with alumni.”

While students can benefit from networking or interacting with student organizations, Kody said he encourages people to come no matter who they are or what they’re involved in.

“Everyone is welcome,” Kody Goode said. “Nobody needs to feel like they don’t belong. We want as many people down there and eating all the food that we can.”

Participants • Delta Theta • Sigma Theta Chi • GATA • Ko Jo Kai • Omicron Xi Chi • Tri Kappa Gamma • Zeta Phi Alpha • Frater Sodalis • Galaxy • Nu Kappa Si • Sub T-16 • Trojans • Coke/United

Sponsors

• Men’s Basketball • Women’s Basketball • ACU Dallas • First Baptist Abilene • The Well • SGA • Comm Sciences Disorders

• United Supermarkets • Coca-Cola • Whataburger • BioLife • The Arch • Buffalo Wild Wings • Miguels • The Fieldhouse • University Park

The Halbert Center for Missions and Global Service and the Missions Student Association hosted Missions Week last week, giving students the opportunity to meet with organizations, learn about the different kinds of mission trips available and find out ways to help people in the Abilene community, the country and the world.

“Missions Students Association is a group of people who have a heart for missions and a heart for sharing the love of Christ around the world,” said Savannah Gery, treasurer of the group.

Students played games with different fraternities and sororities on Monday at a Philanthropy Game Night, where the prize was $500 to give to their chosen organization. Missions Week had an interactive prayer and worship night on Tuesday. And the Halbert Center for Missions and Global Service and MSA held its Worldwide Witness Application Launch party Wednesday.

“Missions Week is a time on campus where we want to share the message that God’s mission is for everyone,” said Victoria Cheshire, a senior nursing major from Flower Mound and president of MSA. “As believers, we are all called to be a part of it in some way, so we have different events throughout the week that are opportunities for the school to come together. The goal is to have everyone walk away and feel like they have a part to play in God’s mission.”

Mission trips with Worldwide Witness can span from one week to 12 weeks.

“Missions Student Association is open to anyone,” said Gery, a senior child and family services major from Mansfield. “You don’t have to be a member to come. It’s for anyone who has a heart for missions and wants to speak that a little bit more.”

Annual Gutenberg Event celebrates three JMC alumni

BY LESLIE CARRIGAN NEWS WRITER

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication honored three alumni Thursday at its annual Gutenberg Celebration.

The department’s 31st annual event took place at 6:30 p.m. at the Hunter Welcome Center and celebrated Jordan Echols (‘04), Julie Hays (‘02) and Preston Watkins (‘12), three JMC alumni who have excelled in their fields.

For the last five years, Echols has served as associate vice president of digital marketing opera-

tions at HCA Healthcare, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Shortly after working at HCA, the biggest hospital owner in the country, the COVID-19 pandemic began. He navigated the challenge of no longer being able to reach audiences through print and exclusively through digital marketing. Before working at HCA, Echols spent a decade at Texas Health Resources in Dallas as director of digital engagement and marketing.

Hays is a multiple Emmy and Murrow Award-winning journalist who started just after graduating

as an overnight producer at KWTX and eventually moved to evening anchor. She has forged her own path in broadcasting, where she chose to establish herself in a community and stay at KWTX. Since 2017, she has anchored her own daytime show “Midday with Julie” in Waco.

Watkins is a director of strategic accounts at WebMD in New York. Before working at WebMD, he was an account executive and digital manager at Condé Nast’s Vanity Fair magazine.

“It’s a huge honor and humbling experience to

Watkins

Hays

receive the Gutenberg Award,” said Watkins. “I remember being in school and looking up to the award recipients, asking for advice, and keeping those nuggets of wisdom in mind as I’ve advanced in my career. Hopefully I’ll have the opportunity to inspire today’s students, as other

honorees have done in the past.”

The faculty selected the three honorees for their accomEchols p l i s h m e n t s in their fields, said Dr. Kenneth Pybus, chair of the JMC department.

“The idea is to find a way to honor our alumni and highlight the good work they are doing,” Pybus said.

“But also, we want to hold them out to our students and say these are the kind of things that you ought to

do and the kind of people that we want our students to be.”

The event is organized each year by Morris+Mitchell, JMC’s student-run advertising and public relations agency. Annie Kay Palasota, Morris+Mitchell account director, took the lead in planning the event and said the event is a way to honor alumni who are 10 years or more past graduation.

“It is also a really good chance for students to network and potentially meet their future employers,” said Palasota, a senior advertising and public relations major from Denton.

ResLife begins process for fall 2024 adviser recruiting

BY BRYLIE LEACH FEATURE WRITER

The resident adviser hiring process has begun, and the Office of Residence Life is conducting interest meetings for students interested in applying.

The interest meetings have taken place throughout this past week, with meetings on at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, in Hart Auditorium and at 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 4, in the Packer Forum in the Library. There will be meetings next week on Tuesday,

Oct. 10 at 9 p.m. on Zoom and Thursday, Oct. 12 at 11 a.m. in the Wessel Classroom.

Gloria Chappell, resident director of Barret Hall, is helping with hiring this year.

“The RA interest meetings will cover the roles in ResLife and all you need to know about applying and being an RA,” Chappell said.

Group interviews will take place Oct. 24 through Oct. 26, and individual interviews will take place Nov. 6 through Nov. 16.

The requirements to be an RA include successful-

ly passing and completing PSYC 211 in the Spring 2024 semester, maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher while being a full-time student, staying in good standing, and limiting outside activities during the period of employment to a maximum of 20 hours per week. All RAs must attend required training sessions and meetings.

Zach Snyder, director of residential experience, said they are looking for all different types of people in these interviews.

“We are looking for in-

“Overall, we are looking for someone who is willing to partner with us in fostering a community within the buildings.”

ZACH SNYDER DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE

troverted, extroverted, Type A personalities, Type B personalities, people very involved on campus, people not very involved on campus, people involved in a variety of organizations on campus, people not very involved in organizations on

campus, a variety of majors, They need to try and build people who are open-mind- up community involvement ed, people who are willing and complete administrato grow, learn, etc.,” Sny- tive work as well. RA’s reder said. “Overall, we are ceive free housing and a bilooking for someone who weekly stipend of $135. is willing to partner with us Ryker Ratliff, RD of Main fostering a community bee Hall, said there are lots within the buildings.” of ways future RA’s can conRA’s must go to a week- nect with their residents. ly one-hour residence hall “We encourage RAs to staff meeting as well as a one connect with their residents hour weekly one-on-one through casual conversameeting with their RD or tions, hall events, curfew in senior resident adviser. They our freshman halls and res must maintain a presence in checks in our sophomore the hall and be available for halls,” Ratliff said. “There on-duty rotation, curfew are lots of creative ways to checks and lobby hours.​​ connect with residents.”

NEWS | Friday, October 13, 2023 | 3

Bean cooks up kitchen class for students on campus

BY LESLIE CARRIGAN NEWS WRITER

Students will have the opportunity to learn how to make pepita pesto pasta and other delicious meals under the instruction of dietician Elodie Howell and executive chef Aaron Barton or executive catering chef Chris Velasquez with the Bean cooking class.

The Bean held teaching kitchens for the first time last year, with a variety of different meals including sushi, avocado toast, plant-based burgers and pumpkin-themed dishes.

Elodie Howell, one of the instructors, said the class is meant to be a

beneficiary for students.

“This is a learning and life experience for students,” said Howell. “We are just trying to show cooking techniques from a trained chef and a dietician. We will go over the basics, from knife skills to burner safety.

You don’t have to have any experience.”

The class is free for everyone, including those without meal plans, and there is no experience necessary.

Students do not need to sign up for the classes as there is not a sign up or registration, but only twelve spots are available so it is advised to show up early.

Classes are held once a

month and typically revolve around one main food item. One class focused on seeds by making a pumpkin seed pesto to go with the pasta, and next month will focus on winter squash.

Kameron Ladia, ACU Dining Marketing Specialist, said you can look on ACU Dining social medias to find out any events. This can be found @dine_acu.

This information will also be posted around the dining hall.

“We put all of our information about any specials or events we have going on posted around the dining hall,” said Ladia. “You can also see all of it on

COBA, E&P host career fair for students

BY FAITH JOHNSON NEWS WRITER

The College of Business Administration and the Department of Engineering and Physics held a career fair on October 5 for both business and engineering students from 1-5 p.m.

The event took place in the Hunter Welcome Center.

The two directors of this career fair were Monique Marquardt, director of corporate engagement for the engineering and physics department, and Jasmine McCabe Gossett, the director of professional development and internships for the College of Business Administrations.

The event was open to a wide range of students with different business and engineering areas of study, including accounting, electrical engineering, information systems and marketing.

“Throughout high school, I really loved math and science,” said Alyssa Schaub, a sophomore me-

chanical engineering major from Greenville, Illinois.

“And so I was looking for a career in that field, and it led me to engineering.”

There were several companies for undergraduate students to talk to and interview for full-time hire positions and summer internships.

“The career fair was really good. I know there wasn’t a lot of electrical engineering companies, so they were the only people that didn’t have anything for them,” said Rae Chavira, a junior civil engineering major from San Antonio.

“There were only like one or two that were specifically electrical engineering, it was mostly civil engineering. My favorite companies were probably Kimley Horn and Linbeck.”

Students were provided a handout of the list of companies that were going to be at the event with a kist of majors that corresponded with each of the companies.

Some of the companies that were present at the fair were

American Electric Power, Booz Allen Hamilton, City of Abilene, Chike, DoubleTree by Hilton, First Financial Bank, Great Lake Cheese, Jacob Martin, Nexgrade Engineering, Peloton Land Solutions, Southwest Airlines, USG and Texas Tech University System.

“Engineering in general is just a crazy major,” Schaub said “But we make the world turn. We’re just important, and we’re always needed.”

Different student organizations involved in engineering and physics, such as the Society of Women in Engineering, were also present at the career fair. This allowed for students to connect with clubs and other students in the same field.

“If you’re in the major, definitely try to attend and network,” Chavira said. “If you’re not in the major, see if there’s anything similar for your major where you can network because it’s honestly one of the best things ACU offers.

our social media for anyone who wants to learn more.”

Alongside the teaching kitchen, the Bean also hosts a variety of other events. Starting off the year was the Joyful event, in which students could participate in trivia, decorate an ACU board with encouraging notes and join a raffle for a chance to win prizes.

Students can look forward to Thankful, a similar event taking place in November. In addition to this, students can also find special wellness tables and culinary arts stations, where students can find feel-good foods and create their own culinary masterpieces.

BY MARIAH WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHER Tammy Gonzalez, Bean worker, serves up an omlet filled with love.

4 | Friday, October 13, 2023 | MEDIA GALLERY

MEDIA GALLERY | Friday, Octoner 13, 2023 | 5

Welcome Home, Matilda

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Matilda, played by Bee Peyton, holds a birthday cake.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Children dress up as their favorite character for a birthday party.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Ashton Taylor and Ella Perry perform as acrobats in a story.

Revival of Boone brings musical back to campus

BY CAROLINE HELM NEWS WRITER

This year’s Homecoming Musical, Matilda, will return to campus after years of downtown performances at the Abilene Convention Center. The musical will be in the revitalized Cullen Auditorium, now known as the Boone Theatre.

Boone Family Theatre has undergone a complete makeover with a new lobby and revamped theatre.

This transformation sets the stage for Matilda the Musical for this Homecoming season.

Heading the creative ensemble is Joey Banks, an assistant professor from Austin. With his direction, he promises to infuse new life into the production.

“The talent, both on stage and off, highlights the fact that ACU theatre program is one of the best in the state of Texas,” Banks said.

Eric Pitney, assistant professor of theatre, is in charge of lights, scenery and costumes for this year’s musical. Catherine Baumgardner, assistant professor of theatre, has spearheaded the creation of outfits from scratch.

Along with costumes and set, Lily Balogh, artist-in-residence, has made a special effort to help choreograph the production, despite residing in Lubbock.

As a former dancer with the New York City Ballet, her contribution promises to elevate the show’s dance sequences to a new level.

“Dr. Steven Ward brings excellence to our production as conductor, and Dr. Chris Hollingsworth brings magic to the stage with his musical direction. Big thank you to Dr. Schubert and the administration. We are so grateful for this beautiful new theatre space.”

“

We are beyond thrilled to return home for our 2023 Homecoming Musical. This show is a family-friendly joy ride filled with heartfelt moments that will warm your heart. Audiences are in for an evening of delightful entertainment”

DAWNE SWEARINGEN-MEEKS THEATRE DEPARTMENT CHAIR

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Mrs. Phelps, played by Courtney String, listens to Matilda’s story.

A student rush price of $15 will be available, and the box office opens a few hours before each performance. The showtimes are as follows: Oct. 12-14 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 15 at 2 p.m.

Full-price tickets are available for $45.

To avoid long lines, be sure to arrive early, as there will not be open seating.

Tickets can be purchased online, by phone, or by visiting the box office.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Miss Honey, played by Lily Holmes, hugs Matilda.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

BY SARAH EUNYOUNG THOMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHER

Matilda, played by Bee Peyton, reads a book next to her bed.

Bruce, played by Taylor Herndon, prepares to eat an entire chocolate cake.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Lavender, played by Chloe Munson, celebrates a wrong answer.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Students stick their heads out of the set pieces to sing along with Miss Honey.

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Upperclassmen taunt new student, Nigel, played by CJ Rosado.

OPINION | Friday, October 13, 2023 | 6

Recreation Center helps with student engagement

BY JAYLYNN WARD OPINION COLUMN

The Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center has made a push toward student engagement as more renovations within the facility are taking place.

The recreation center is a place where any student can come and work out, take classes or participate in intramurals. In recent years, it has gained popularity as student involvement in intramurals has grown.

Because of this, the staff renovated the facility to add new machines and new pickleball courts.

Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. and on ACU’s campus. Last year, students could play pickleball on the indoor courts. Because of the demand for pickleball and other sports

being played on these courts, the center decided to build outdoor courts. These courts are a replacement for the outdoor basketball courts. On the indoor courts, students can play volleyball, basketball and indoor soccer.

Pickleball will still be offered as an indoor sport as well.

“It’s not only a great place to play pickleball, but a great place to build community and hang out with friends,” said Joel Swedlund, the executive director of the Royce and Pam Money Recreation and Wellness Center.

Activities like sports and workouts are a great opportunity to get to know other students while doing something fun. Many students enjoy being able to meet with friends and play a sport that they enjoy. The recreation center supports

this involvement and the opportunity for students to stay healthy and keep up with their wellness.

“Community is a big part of the rec.,” said Kyle Pinson, director of facility operations. “We are always trying to foster the community aspect through all the reservations we have, intramurals and group exercise.”

The recreation center is constantly trying to build community and help in the efforts of facilitating the intramural sports that they can provide. This push towards renovations and intramurals helps students have a place where they can meet each other or catch up while also participating in an activity of their choice. Students have the option of participating in the intramural sport or attending the event to cheer on friends.

“Every year we have been increasing. I think part of it is that we are adding more activities and part of it is people are getting back to normal from COVID,” said Matthew Ferreira, director of intramural and club sports. “We have had more flag football teams this year than we had last year.”

The renovations were in response to the staff noticing changes in student involvement and students reaching out with their suggestions to the facility. The recreation center pushes for students to become involved, not only in activities, but in relaying their opinions to the staff.

“Where there’s a demand, we try to accommodate it,” Swedlund said. “Yes, we really want to hear from students. We want to know

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Students play pickleball at the newly renovated courts.

where we’re doing great, and we want help identifying areas where we can improve.”

With the recreation

center listening to student’s opinions of the facility to make it better for students and staff, why not go and participate?

Greek life plays role in finding community on campus

BY KAYLEE KAHN OPINION COLUMN

Social Clubs, now turned sororities and fraternities, have played a significant role at ACU in student involvement on campus.

From participating in Sing Song together to having weekly meetings, sororities, and fraternities are a beneficial part of creating relationships and community.

As a freshman, it can be difficult to find where students fit in. Trying to find friends is difficult on top of trying to adapt to living on their own and starting college. Yet the rushing and joining process has helped this transition move a little smoother.

The rushing process begins in the late fall of your freshman year and extends until the coming January. This process is a great tool to get students out there and meet new people. Every student who partakes in this process is feeling the same feelings, so students know they are not alone.

By attending the different rushes, it allows students to meet members and potential members, creating relationships.

As the rushing process comes to an end, once a student accepts a bid, the joining process starts. From the night of bid distribution, students start forming relationships with people they may have not known before. Then for the next two weeks, students and other members of your joining

BY DANIEL CURD | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Members of Ko Jo Kai dress as baseball players.

class are guided through events and meetings, allowing them to know the organization and its members better. After two weeks, they are an active member.

Being in Greek Life allows students to be involved on campus in several ways. Intramurals,

Sing Song, tailgates, and Homecoming are events each organization takes pride in. These events are shared with the ACU community, allowing Greek Life organizations to form a community with the student body.

Greek Life also hosts events like mixers and

worship nights that allow community to build between the other organizations.

Robin McPherson, senior coordinator of sororities and fraternities, believes it is important for all of Greek Life to work together to create relationships

between each club so we can better serve the ACU community.

On the other hand, joining a Greek Life organization can be harder for some. These organizations are not for everyone and that is normal. Students’ worth is not defined by

a sorority or fraternity.

It is important the student does what is best for them.

If students are unsure about going through the process, try it out. They are not committed to anything, and this process can give them insight into what they are looking for in friends and a college experience.

Greek Life wants students to have the best experience and states in its handbook, “We are committed to ensuring our university continues to provide students a vibrant Christ-centered experience.”

One other issue students face is the cost of money. Sororities and fraternities cost hundreds of dollars a semester to be a part of. Yet, these organizations are flexible with scholarships and payment plans, so money should never be an issue as to why students are hesitant to join.

So as a freshman, take the chance and rush. Allow yourself to go through a new process to grow and find friendships. Greek Life is here to enhance the student experience, whether you are in an organization or not. Community is the main goal of every organization so allow them to reach out to you to create a home for you while at ACU. If you are considering joining a Greek Life organization, informational meetings take place on Oct 16, 17, and 19, with online registration for joining opening on Oct 16.

SGA pushes for more publicity for passed legislation

BY JAYLYNN WARD OPINION COLUMN

SGA does multiple things that go unnoticed for the ACU campus, but the organization is making decisions to change this, which is a positive push for this organization.

This push for change is through publicity.

SGA plans and hosts multiple events which include Join Week, AMP Up, Christmas celebration, Green Week, Kindness Day, and other campaign events. These events are what the majority of the student body considers when they think of this organization. SGA does more behind the scenes that students should be aware of. Because of this, SGA is moving toward having bills and resolutions that are passed posted on their website and social media.

This is how your student government works: SGA oversees

a lot of things that involve, students, faculty and staff. This organization is made up of an executive cabinet which includes Alli Dimmit as president and Nathan Marshall as vice president. Besides this cabinet, there are also elected representatives that make up the senate.

The senate has a lot of responsibilities as it represents the student body. The senate gets to create and vote on bills and resolutions.

Bills are pieces of legislation that will require a part of the SGA’s alloted funds. Resolutions do not require funds from this account. Once these are past, some will be enacted immediately and other pieces of legislation will be pushed for further action.

Posting the passed legislation on their website will allow for students to understand what SGA is doing in their meetings.

It also allows the Senate to get more recognition.

SGA will also be posting on their Instagram highlights of passed legislation. It will highlight the senators who helped write and present this legislation. The posts will also have a description of what the piece of legislation consists of and what it means for students on the ACU campus.

“Each week we are going to publish the legislation that gets passed,” said Dimmitt, senior political science major from Naples, Florida. “We want to be able to celebrate the Senators externally that propose legislation and passes so that it is not just the SGA body that is celebrating it, but the student body as well.”

This push for publicity will help SGA achieve double the productivity in their meetings. This is a goal for this organization during the school year. The publicity will

not be the only thing that is helping achieve this. To achieve this goal, it will also include more structured timing in meetings, more presentations and discussions, and the push for the Senate to write its own pieces of legislation. This will help SGA enact pieces throughout the school year that will effect the campus. The organization has provided a template for writing legislation and an environment that encourages supporting ideas that the Senate comes up with.

“Even the legislation that does not get passed will still be celebrated because all of SGA is going to celebrate that person for all of their hard work and research that went into it,” Dimmit said.

Multiple bills in the past have caused change around campus. Recently, SGA helped in the decision for the university to move the minimum

wage to $8 on campus.

The organization was able to present this idea to the Office of Human Relations and the Department of Finance for the last two years to finalize the plan. This was known to the public with a press release from the office of Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university.

This push for publicity for passed legislation will help students understand more of what SGA is doing.

Although this is a push for students to understand, some have pushbacked saying that it is not enough. Last year, a piece of legislation was trying to be passed that would allow for the votes on legislation to be publicized individually after meetings.

There was pushback on this legislation as multiple students felt that it could cause controversy and ultimately not allow

SGA to function.

“If they want to be vocal about it, they absolutely can. They can give a speech for or against the bill,” said Marshall, senior finance and information systems major from McKinney. “Depending on the nature of the bill, we could get a large amount of abstentions, which is just not productive and does not encourage people to really represent, not only the reasons why they campaign in the first place, but the people that they campaign to represent.”

SGA is making the right choices by letting the students, faculty and staff of the ACU campus understand what this organization is doing for the campus, even if it is just for the passed legislation. To see passed legislation for this school year, go to www.acusga.com/enacted-legislation.

NEWS/SPORTS | Friday, October 13th, 2023 | 7

POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR SEP 26-OCT 3: •

An unknown vehicle struck a parked car in a hit and run incident at the Elmer Gray Stadium Lot. 9/27/2023

•

ACUPD responded to mail room for reports of a suspicious person, who is known to police and left without incident.

09/27/2023

•

ACUPD assisted APD with assault call in which unknown subject discharged firearm into air after altercation at a house party with ACU students. No suspect was identified. 10/02/2023

•

ACUPD has identified suspects for 3 scooters stolen from the practice fields. The scooters were not locked to a bike rack.

10/02/2023

911 Call Administrative activity Alarm Animal call Assault Assist Barricades Building unlock CCTV Review Check building Clery Drug activity/offense Escort

2 27 5 1 3 6 1 16 5 286 3 3 5

Foot patrol Found property Hit & run Information report Intoxicated person Investigation follow up Lost property Maintenance Medical concern Monitor facility/lot Motorist assist: jumpstart Motorist assist: other Vehicle unlock

31 4 1 3 2 4 2 2 1 27 7 1 4

Noise violation Other Parking lot patrol Parking violation Patrol vehicle: maintenance Patrol vehicle: refuel Public service Random patrol Report writing Stalking Suspicious activity Suspicious person Suspicious vehicle

5 7 55 7 3 1 2 70 9 1 3 8 3

Theft Traffic stop Training Welfare check

1 4 5 6

Total

658

*List of selected statistics of this week’s ACUPD activity report.

CHIEF ELLIS’S TIP OF THE WEEK: “Lock your valuables up, this includes bikes and scooters. This prevents theft and saves you money.”

ACU welcomes new women’s golf program

Courtesy of ACU Athletics

2023-2024 ACU Womens Golf Team

BY MAURICA SIMPSON NEWS WRITER

For the first time in ACU’s history, it brings in its first women’s golf team, which currently consists of 7 players.

On September 3, the women’s golf team started off its season with a firstplace win at the A-GaMing Invitational. The Wildcats also came in fourth-place later on in the month in the Texas Tech Red Raider Invitational.

Head coach Rob Bennett says he hopes to keep this momentum going as they continue to look forward to their season. Bennett is not a stranger to golf, as he has been in the recruitment process for this team since October 2022. This was finalized in August 2023.

“There were a lot of question marks early on, and we didn’t really start from zero, but many girls were hesitant

to start on a brand new team,” Bennett said.

While Bennett stressed talent and commitment, he also took into consideration how personalities would mix on the team.

Mattie Millwee, a senior psychology major from Fresno, California, says she has been playing golf since she was 13 years old.

“My favorite part about being a part of the women’s golf team is

definitely my team. The team dynamic is amazing, and we truly are all best friends, that is very hard to find in any college team,” Millwee said.

Manon Guile, a freshman business management major from La Roche sur Yon, France, has been playing golf for 13 years.

“For my season in the USA, I hope to win another tournament,” Guile said.

As it is now, the team

consists of a mix of freshmen and upperclassmen from all over the world. This team is hoping to make a lasting impact on the national level and make a lasting impression on ACU’s campus. The team practices about 18 hours a week. Many of the players also take time out of their weekends to practice individually as well.

Outside of practice and games, the team also dedicates itself to

volunteering in the Abilene community and forming bonds through giving back. This is important to team building and helping the community. While the team’s ultimate goal is to win a WAC Championship, they are taking it one step at a time.

The team plans to play in seven more tournaments throughout the season, ending with the WAC Championships in April.

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8 | Friday, October 13, 2023 | SPORTS

Football aims to turn things around in second half of season

BY WILL DALTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

ACU (2-3, 0-1) looks to get back on the right track in Saturday’s Homecoming matchup, looking for its first conference win of the season as it takes on North Alabama (2-4, 0-2).

The Wildcats are coming off of a week of rest, after falling to the University of North Texas in the previous week.

The Wildcats held their own throughout a majority of the game but ultimately could not dig themselves out of the early hole they found themselves in.

The Wildcats are 2-3 through the first half of the season with backto-back wins to open up the season against Northern Colorado and Prairie View A&M. The Wildcats have struggled since, dropping three straight games including a 52-17 loss in the conference opener against Central Arkansas followed by the loss to UNT. “We’ve played a good schedule so far,” said junior quarterback Maverick McIvor. “We’ve played some top teams and the competition has really elevated us to play well against anybody. I think it sets us up for success and we’ve learned a lot of lessons.”

North Alabama has seen a somewhat disappointing season so far as well, as the Lions are 2-4 and have lost both conference games including a 22-32 loss to Eastern Kentucky last weekend.

The Wildcats head into Saturday afternoon’s matchup facing some challenges and struggles on both sides of the ball.

The ACU defense, which was only allowing an average of 18 points a game through the first three games of the season, has now allowed 97 total points the last two weeks. The Wildcat defense allows an average of almost 473 total yards a game and ranks second to last in the conference in rush-

STANDINGS Football Team UCA APSU EKU UTU TAR SUU ACU SFA NAU

Ovrl.

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

Conf.

2-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-2 0-2

Volleyball Team SFA GCU UTRGV ACU UTA CBU TAR UTU UVU SUU SEA

Ovrl.

17-3 12-5 11-8 9-9 14-5 10-7 11-9 6-10 5-12 5-11 5-12

Conf.

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

Soccer

BY DANIEL CURD | CHEIF PHOTOGRAPHER

Noah Caldwell, junior tight end from Electra, runs the ball down the field

ing defense. Despite the recent struggles in the second unit, junior safety Elijah Moffett and junior linebacker Cirby Coheley rank in the top ten of the UAC in tackles for loss.

Although UNA ranks last in the UAC when it comes to scoring offense, the Wildcat defense will still have its hands full come Saturday. The Lions rank second in the conference in rushing and passing yards per game. UNA wide receiver Takairee Kenebrew also leads the UAC in receiving yards per game at 82.6 “Offensively they are very multiple,” head coach Keith Patterson said. “They have guys that have home run capability and that’s what it’s going to boil down to, is to just make them earn everything and we are going to have to force turnovers ourselves.”

On the offensive side of the ball, the Wildcats have struggled with a common theme throughout their last few games. In all three

of the Wildcats’ losses, the offense has started out on the field and has quickly gone to work moving the ball down the field. After success in the first possession, the ACU offense then seems to become stagnant for the next handful of possessions. This is evident in the time of possession as ACU ranks second to last in the UAC in total time of possession each week.

Being able to carry over momentum from the first drive into the remainder of the first half drives will be key if the Wildcats want to show the offensive numbers that they did in the first two weeks.

“For us it’s not starting fast, it’s finishing that has been the problem,” Patterson said. I don’t know if it is a lack of focus, but we’ve got to maintain focus and carry that into the second half of these games.”

Due to recent struggles, the Wildcat offense now ranks in the bottom half of the UAC when it comes to both rushing and passing yards. How-

ever, that doesn’t mean the Wildcats don’t have the weapons and ability to put points on the board. Despite ranking second to last in passing yards per game, McIvor has the fewest interceptions of starting quarterbacks in the conference and is third in passing efficiency at 142.2. McIvor’s high efficiency is partially due to junior wide receiver Blayne Taylor, who is eighth in the conference and leads the Wildcats with 296 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions.

“We’ve gotten back to the basics,” McIvor said.

“We are going back to what we know how to do and really going back to perfecting our craft.

Getting back to base offense, running crisp routes, making good throws and putting it all back together.”

The special teams unit has played a large role in the Wildcats season so far as sophomore kicker Kyle Ramsey is perfect so far on all field goals and PAT’s. Sophomore punter Grant Nickel

leads the UAC with an average of 46.1 yards per punt.

Looking ahead at the rest of the season, the Wildcats hit the road following Saturday’s Homecoming matchup and will take on Stephen F. Austin on Oct. 21, and Southern Utah on Oct. 28. Two more home games on Nov. 4 against Utah Tech and Nov. 11 against Tarelton set the Wildcats up for their final and most challenging game of the season when they head to College Station on Nov. 18 to take on the Texas A&M Aggies.

“Our guys came back from over the weekend with a renewed spirit,” Patterson said. “They know what’s out in front of them and we are in the meat of our conference schedule and we are looking forward to five tough challenges.

ACU begins the second half of the season Saturday at 3 p.m. when it takes on North Alabama at Anthony Field at Wildcat Stadium with the game streaming on ESPN+

Team UVU SEA CBU GCU UTU ACU TAR UTRGV SUU SFA

Ovrl.

8-3-4 6-8-1 7-1-6 8-4-3 6-4-5 7-6-1 4-8-3 3-8-3 1-8-5 2-12-1

Conf.

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

HEADLINES Moody Madness Basketball is hosting Moody Madness once again to promote and higlight the upcoming hoops season.

The event will feature Steve Max, the Master of Simon Sez, performances from the ACU spirit squads, free food and merchandise, and the chance for one student to attempt a half-court shot for $10,000. The event, fuled by DK Alon, will take place on Tuesday, October 24 at 6 p.m.

Fall-Ball Baseball plans to play two exhibition games thi fall as they prepare for the 2024 season. First, the Wildcats will head to Horner Ballpark in Dallas to take on Dallas Baptist on October 20 at 3 p.m. The Wildcats will then host Howard College at Crutcher Scott Field on October 28 at 3 p.m.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wildcats take back-to-back wins in conference play

BY WILL DALTON SPORTS DIRECTOR

ACU Volleyball (9-9, 4-2) grabbed two big wins last week taking down Southern Utah (4-11, 0-5) on Thursday and Utah Tech (6-10, 2-4) on Saturday.

The Wildcats came into Thursday night following a 3-2 set win against California Baptist on Saturday and were looking to go above .500 in conference play.

The Wildcats got out to an early 6-0 lead in the first set thanks to two kills from sophomore outside hitter Ashli Edmiston. The Wildcats would go on a four point streak late in the first set, including a kill from senior middle blocker Braden Bossier, to get the Wildcats up eleven.

After a late rally from the Thunderbirds, the Wildcats would close out set one on a kill from graduate student middle blocker Hannah Knier and ACU would take set one 25-18.

The Wildcats picked up right where they left off in set two, and took an early 8-3 lead including two aces from junior outside hitter Bryley Steinhilber and a kill from both Bossier and Edmiston.

ACU would control the lead for the rest of the second set taking down the SUU 25-16 in set two.

The Wildcats continued their dominance into the third set going on a 7-0 run to go up 12-4, thanks to two assists and two kills from freshman libero Abby Christian. Another five point stretch would allow the Wildcats to take set three 25-16, completing the sweep of Southern Utah.

Steinhilber led the way with 11 kills, followed by Bossier with 10. Junior setter Madeline Guffy led with 29 assists, while freshmen middle blocker Hannah Gonzalez had three blocks.

ACU would take the first two sets in Saturday’s matchup, but the Trailblazers would send the match to the fifth, where the Wildcats would ultimately come out on top.

ACU would not trail at all during the first set and would string together a six point stretch midway through the set to take a 12-5 lead. The hot streak was led by graduate student middle blocker Breanna Box, who had a kill, as well as an assist and block for the Wildcats during the stretch. The Wildcats would hold steady with the lead and ultimately take the first set 25-18.

In the second set, ACU would grab an early 9-1 lead, thanks to two kills from Steinhilber. The Wildcats

Kyle Ramsey Sophmore kicker Kyle Ramsey has been perfect so far this season going 6-6 on FG’s and 13-13 on PAT’s. The Houston transfer now holds the fourth longest field goal in school history and won UAC Special Teams player of the week in week two.

BY ANNA OWENS | PHOTOGRAPHER

The team puts their hands in for the next play.

and Trailblazers would each trade a 5-0 run and once again the Wildcats would close out the set finishing with another kill from Steinhilber, to end set two at 25-17.

Set three was more tight than the first two, as the two teams exchanged points through a majority of the match.

It wasn’t until ACU led 21-18 that UTU had a burst of momentum scoring six straight and ultimately avoiding the sweep by taking set three 25-22 Utah Tech’s momentum would carry over into the fourth set as the Trailblazers would get up early taking a 9-2 lead. A Wildcat run

would cut into the lead bringing the score to 10-9. However, UTU would dominate the remainder of the set, which included an 11-3 run to close out the game and after a 25-15 set win, a fifth set would be needed.

Despite all the momentum in Utah Tech’s favor, ACU was able to rally and string together nine straight points in the fifth set to take a commanding lead. The final set was led by Edmiston, who had three kills for the Wildcats first three points, and Guffy, who recorded nine assists, as well as a service ace and a kill to grab the 15-7 set win

and the victory for the Wildcats.

Steinhilber led with 19 kills and Edmiston finished with nine.

Guffy ended the night with 31 assists to go along with four service aces and senior outside hitter Andie Sheppard led the team with 15 digs.

The Wildcats are now ran fourth in the Western Athletic Conference with a 4-2 record in conference play. The Wildcats will aim to keep their momentum going for the remainder of the season as the team has 10 more conference matchups before the WAC tournament in mid-November.

Chayse Thorn Junior forward Chayse Thorn currently leads ACU with 12 goals on the season along with 2 assists and 26 points. She ranks 3rd in the WAC in both goals and points and is 5th in shots per game at 2.71.

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