The Vol. 95, No. 51
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Converging media
The Journalism and Mass Communication Department will have a converged media newsroom built this summer, page 4
Running for a cause
The men of Galaxy raised nearly $800 this weekend during its Kirk Goodwin Run, page 3
FEATURE
•
OPTIMIST
1 section, 8 pages
WEDNESDAY
April 25, 2007
•
www.acuoptimist.com
Attendance soars for SHADES weekend shows n After opting to spend the fall semester performing service to the community, the members of SHADES performed three nights this past week for their annual step show. By KARIE SCHMIDT Student Reporter
SHADES performed in front of a few hundred people in Cullen Auditorium this past weekend after practicing all semester to put on its spring show: Convicted. Sara Eligado, junior nursing major from San Jose, Calif., and the SHADES women’s captain, said Saturday night had the best turn out and she enjoys “being on stage putting on a performance that everyone loves.” This year’s performance was not just steps, the SHADES team
incorporated some jazz and hiphop into its performance. “The show is based around the crowd; we feed off of the crowd,” said Jonathan Holloway, senior biology major from Abilene and the men’s captain of SHADES. Because Holloway is graduating he said he could not have gone out on a better note. Eligado and Holloway both agreed that the best part of the show was the finale. The closer was performed to the music of Justin Timberlake’s “Losing My Way.” Brian Escochea, sophomore electronic media major from San Antonio, and a member of the SHADES step team, said the finale to the show was “a hard dance to perform but a very emotional dance.” Eligado said putting the show together was tough and stressful,
but SHADES as a whole has never been closer. Jenny Tenbush, sophomore art major from Austin, attended the SHADES performance Thursday night and said, “I am all into the step routines, and I must say I would like to pick up a few moves; SHADES put on a wonderful performance.” For the fall semester SHADES plans to volunteer by helping with community service, Holloway said. But when the spring semester rolls around, SHADES will start preparing for its next show, “There will definitely be a show next year,” Eligado said. BRIAN SCHMIDT SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER E-mail Schmidt at: optimist@acu.edu
The men of SHADES perform during their weekend performance in Cullen Auditorium.
Finals week looms
Wrestling wranglers Saddle up
Students from the university participated in the ACU All-School Rodeo on Thursday, page 5
n A finals schedule is posted on ACU’s Web site that lists examination times; although it’s recommended to check with faculty to ensure the correct time.
SPORTS
By LAURA SMITH Student Reporter
Qualifying weekend
The ACU track team competed at the TCU Invitational this weekend and many athletes qualified for Nationals, page 8
A winning season
The men’s tennis team won the LSC Championship while the women’s team was upset by Northeastern State, page 8
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Grant Starey, sophomore biology major from San Marcos, and Joel Wise, sophomore biology major from Montrose, Colo., try to tackle the bull onto its side during the double muggin’ event at the ACU All-School Rodeo on Thursday at the Taylor County Expo Center.
Prayer vigil honors Virginia Tech victims n The Spiritual Life Core planned a prayer vigil for students to remember the victims and their families Monday night. Because of tornado warnings in the area, the vigil was cut short.
brief
By TODD PIERSALL Arts Editor
Health update
Dr. John Stevens, former president of the university and chancellor emeritus, suffered a stroke Monday night. He is unable to speak and his heart is failing, according to a press release from the president’s office Tuesday. He was still in critical condition Tuesday evening and was expected to be entered into Hospice as soon as it was available. Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, said, “Dr. John is beloved by so many. He is greatly respected within the ACU community and across the city of Abilene. We continue to keep him in our prayers as he struggles with health issues.”
brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Tim Thyne, freshman business major from Chicago, looks at the candle for the Virginia Tech gunman Seung-Hui Cho during a vigil in Hart Auditorium on Monday. Thirty-three candles in memory of the victims were lit at the vigil, sponsored by the Spiritual Life Core.
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
As the students of Virginia Tech return to their classes and attempt to regain normalcy, the ACU community continues to pray for the victims’ families. More than 80 students and faculty gathered in Hart Auditorium on Monday night for a Virginia Tech prayer vigil. Organized by the Spiritual Life Core, the prayer vigil was originally to be held in the amphitheater; however, because of weather concerns it was moved to Hart Auditorium. Lining the stage of Hart Auditorium were 33 unlit candles, each symbolizing the life of a victim. Dr. Jeff Arrington, associate professor of physics, associate dean of Campus Life and assistant provost for student learning, offered a prayer encouraging students to be “a community that prays for even the shooter’s family.” Following Arrington’s prayer was a short message focusing on confu-
sion and God by Matt Worthington, junior English major from San Antonio. Quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Worthington said, “Only when it is darkest you can see the stars.” Originally, short biographies were to be read about several of the victims; however, the possibility of a tornado in the area forced an early end to the vigil. Vigil attendees were asked to walk by each of the candles to pray and reflect before leaving. Mark Lewis, director of Student Life and Spiritual Life and Student Ministries in Campus Life, said he was disappointed with the unexpected weather conditions, but said unpredicted circumstances can occur alluding to the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Though an early finish of the vigil, Lewis said it was “neat to see people [who] are so willing to help out in some small way.” Lewis said after the incident at Virginia Tech the SLC has talked about ways to respond as a community. “Physically we feel so helpless, and yet, it is so easy to forget that there is something spiritually that we can do and that we are called See
VIGIL page 7
Abilene Christian University
The countdown to finals has begun. In 15 days all of this semester’s hard work will come to fruition. Here are some things to keep in mind when heading into finals week. Finals are May 8-11. The time of the final will depend on what time and day the class normally takes place. The usual day and time of the class may not necessarily be the day and time of that class’ final. “I suggest checking and double checking the schedule and verifying it with your teacher,” said Bart Herridge, associate registrar. “Every year we hear stories of kids who sleep through their final.” On the ACU Web site there is an exam schedule for Spring 2007 that lists all the times for finals. It is broken down in two sections: one for Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes, and one for Tuesday and Thursday classes. There is also a block examinations schedule on the same page for several lower level courses including Accounting 210/211, Chemistry 133/134, Communications 111/112, English 103, 106, 107, and 111/112, History 221/222, Mathematics 120/130 and Basic Mathematics 120/130. These classes have specific examination times listed that See
FINALS page 7
SCHEDULE Block examinations: n ACCT 210/211 - 8-9:45 a.m. Tuesday n CHEM 133/134 - 10-11:45 a.m., Thursday n COMS 111/112 - 10-11:45 a.m., Wednesday n ENGL 103, 106, 107, 111/112 - 8-9:45 a.m., Tuesday n HIST 221/222 - 4-5:45 p.m., Wednesday n MATH/MATHW 120/130 - 10-11:45 a.m., Thursday
Serving the ACU community since 1912