The Vol. 95, No. 38
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OPTIMIST
1 sections, 10 pages
MONDAY
February 19, 2007
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www.acuoptimist.com
IN THIS ISSUE
Hughes to end 40-year career in May
CAMPUS Double duty
The cast of ‘The Miracle Worker’ performed a special matinee of the play Saturday for deaf students in Abilene at the Paramount, page 2
The search is on
A search is underway in Oxford, England, for a new house the university could buy for the Oxford Study Abroad Program, page 3
n Hughes has spent his time as a professor, chair of the Mathematics Department and as an assistant dean in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Deadline looming
Sophomores wanting to move into Barret Residence Hall next semester have until Friday to apply, page 4
By JARED FIELDS Managing Editor
FEATURES
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
The men of Gamma Sigma Phi cheer together on the Sing Song stage in Moody Coliseum after winning best overall as firemen of Ladder 68.
‘Shifting into high gear’
More than 1,200 students participated in some way to produce 2007 Sing Song this past weekend, page 6-7
Siggies, GSP win No. 6; juniors cheer into first Frater Sodalis, Alpha Kai Omega and Freshmen take second STAFF REPORT
SPORTS
Protecting home plate
The Wildcat baseball team swept East Central Saturday and continued to be undefeated at home with a record of 7-0, page 10
The winners in the men’s and women’s divisions during Sing Song 2007 didn’t surprise many. Sigma Theta Chi and Gamma Sigma Phi won Sing Song for the sixth year in a row Saturday night. In the mixed voices division, the junior class won — placing first in the entertainment, audience favorite, originality and best overall categories. Sigma Theta Chi, directed by sophomore Jennifer Rasco, swept the awards during all three performances for first, and Gamma Sigma Phi, won after a scare Friday with Frater Sodalis, a club looking
to win after 25 years. Rasco, elementary education major from Abilene, said she thought Saturday night’s performance was the best the club did. “I’m in complete disbelief and shock,” she said, and said she couldn’t even talk. Preston Rampy, director of GSP, said he was proud of his men. “After they announced vocals, I was feeling pretty good. I think it was probably the best Sing Song show overall in a long time.” GSP won entertainment, vocals, audience favorite, costumes and best overall.
The women’s basketball team lost against WTAMU Saturday, but with a record of 6-6, the team still has a chance of making it to the playoffs, page 10
ONLINE Behind closed doors
As others performed on stage during Sing Song, class and club acts waited in the double gyms in Moody Coliseum. View it online at: www.acuoptimist.com
See
HUGHES page 9
Final results n Mixed Voices • 1- Juniors • 2- Freshmen • 3- Sophomores n Men’s social clubs • 1- Gamma Sigma Phi • 2- Frater Sodalis • 3- Galaxy n Women’s social clubs • 1- Sigma Theta Chi • 2- Alpha Kai Omega • 3- Ko Jo Kai
E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu
OCAD brings expo to Abilene n More than 60 employers across the country and two from overseas will be present at a career expo Thursday to interview students. By JEREMY POND Staff Writer
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Holding on to hope
The junior class came into the competition not expecting anything, said co-director Evan Anderson. “Really, we just thought we’d possibly be entertaining, so it was quite a shock to hear them call out our class,” he said. Kristin Childress, junior class act member, said entertainment was the only thing her class was going for. “I was so excited because we had so much fun, and I’m glad that came across to the audience and judges,” said Childress, international relations major from Afton, Va.
Dr. David Hughes decided 40 years was long enough of a career in teaching. Hughes, a professor of mathematics and computer science and associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, gave co-workers business cards to tell of his decision to retire at the end of the semester. “I intended to stay 40 or more years,” Hughes said. “I decided 40 was enough.” Hughes has been the assistant dean for two years, but has served in the Math ematics Department as the chair of the department twice: once in the mid 80s
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Left: Members of the junior class act celebrate after Sing Song co-chairs announced their act won first in mixed voices. Center: The women of Sigma Theta Chi react to winning six years in a row. Right: The women of Ko Jo Kai enjoy their third place win Saturday in Moody Coliseum.
Now that Sing Song madness has evaporated, students’ focus has begun to shift from the big show to graduation and what they will be doing in the near future. Among the most obvious concerns is whether or not they will find jobs after commencement. To assist students in securing employment after graduation, the ACU Office of Career and Academic See
EXPO page 9
Money presents 21st Century Vision to board n At the biannual meeting of the Board of Trustees on Saturday, C.E. “Doc” Cornutt became the official new chair of the board. He was chosen in August. By MALLORY SCHLABACH Editor
in
Chief
Dr. Royce Money unveiled the latest version of the 21st Century Vision for the university at a Board of Trustees meeting Saturday morn-
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
ing. Money, president of the university, said the trustees engaged in a “spirited discussion” about the future direction of the university. He said the response was tremendous, and the board discussed what kind of facility, faculty and other types of support would be necessary to fulfill this vision. As for the next step, Money said the senior administrative team on the
board would come back in August with details of how to reach this vision. “What we talked about today was a long-range plan,” Money said. “They will come back with the details on how to get the things done we’re talking about.” He said certain aspects of the plan, such as the core curriculum changes, are already in the process of being implemented.
“The faculty is close to reaching a decision on the core curriculum,” he said. “And that truly is the faculty’s decision. When they announce changes, that is one piece of the vision that will fall into place.” Money said this year the board is trying to wrap up the vision and unwrap another one with the 21st Century Vision. The board also met for
Abilene Christian University
the first time in 15 years with a new chair. C.E. “Doc” Cornutt, CEO of Argent Properties in Dallas and a member of the board since 1988, was named chair in August. He replaced Don Crisp, former chair of the Board of Trustees. Cornutt said his first priority as chair was to decide what the first priorities See
BOARD page 9
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