The Vol. 95, No. 53
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS Meal plans fight hunger Students participated in a “Dining Hall Fast” on Wednesday and were able to donate meal plans, cash towards Oxfam, page 5
Knights on campus
A group of freshmen are rechartering men’s social club the Knights beginning in fall 2007, page 3
•
1 section, 8 pages
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY
May 2, 2007
•
www.acuoptimist.com
Laughter, determination reflect Stevens’ life n The university’s eighth president, Dr. John C. Stevens, died Monday after suffering a stroke in April. Friends, administrators remember his life. By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
Dr. John C. Stevens, chancellor emeritus and eighth president of the university, rode his electric wheelchair around the two-mile Lunsford Trail just
two days before he suffered a major stroke, in a typical demonstration of his love of life, said Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, in Chapel on Tuesday. The Stevens next day, Stevens attended church, telling his daughter, Joyce Cole, that he
would take himself to church if she wouldn’t drive him, a testament to his constant determination, Money said. Money recounted Stevens’ famous lecture on the presidents of the United States, during which he would recite and categorize the presidents without any notes — and always with humor and insight. Stevens presented a similar lecture on England’s kings and queens. Money painted Stevens as a
man of integrity, humor and determination, and said he hoped to give students a glimpse into the former president’s life. Stevens, who was 88, died Tuesday morning in an Abilene hospital after suffering a massive stroke on April 23, leaving behind a university, friends and family who will greatly miss his humor, attitude and leadership. Stevens spent his lifetime in leadership roles, beginning
What’s eatingACU?
Slip ‘n’ slide fun
Students slid down the hill behind Smith-Adams Residence Hall as part of its annual Backyard Bash, page 5
OPTIMIST
Millions of dollars, several hundred jobs and food across campus are provided through the university’s food provider: Aramark
with his time as a student at ACU, where he served as president of the Students’ Association and of the A Club in 193738. He was also a member of men’s social club Sub T-16, Alpha Chi National Honor Society and Phi Alpha Theta honorary historical society. Stevens left Abilene in 1938, graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Bible, to preach at See
STEVENS page 7
Theatre to retry musical ‘Aida’ n Director Adam Hester said decisions on casting should be decided by the end of finals week, following callback auditions this week and more next week. By JARED FIELDS Managing Editor
Story by DANIEL JOHNSON
Tourney time
The ACU tennis teams will host the Central Regional Tournament beginning Thursday, page 8
Two years after the rejection of “Aida” as the Homecoming musical, the Theatre Department is giving the musical a second chance. Adam Hester, chair of the Theatre Department, said he feels this year is the best opportunity to finally put on the production. “The original reason that we chose to do it, is that it’s an exciting piece of musical theatre, and it’s one that hasn’t been done by ACU theatre or this area previously,” Hester said. He said issues regarding casting were where the real concern with the role of Aida arose. The play was chosen two years ago but was changed after complaints of having a white woman play the role of a Nubian princess. “I made the decision that it would be better to show some See
Breaking records
Photo illustration by EMILY SMITH
The baseball team swept its final regular season series this weekend and broke its team record for wins in a season with 44, page 8
ONLINE Sliding in suds
See how students spent their afternoon Saturday at Smith-Adams Residence Hall online at www.acuoptimist.com
Stocking shelves
See a video profiling the work of Aramark stockers, Blessed Matai and D’Angelo Sands, online at www.acuoptimist.com
Displace me
Student traveled to Austin last week for Displace Me, an organized rally demonstrating how Invisible Children live, view it online.
little know facts about aramark
400
Number of college campuses Aramark serves nationwide
L
auren Rodda usually begins her 10 a.m. Bible class with
a sausage burrito, cup of yogurt and bottle of water. She uses her meal plan to purchase the trio three times a
The amount in millions that Aramark made through its venues globally
200
Number of people employed at ACU through Aramark — more than 40 of them are students
feel like I’m wasting money,” said Rodda, sophomore elemen-
20
Number of years Aramark has served the university
but sometimes the lines are a little long.”
$4.1
The amount ACU spent on Aramark in 2005 in millions
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Friends remember Chastain’s dedication n Richard Chastain, the university’s historian and audio technician for more than 20 years who retired in 2004, died Sunday after a long battle with lung cancer. By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
week at the Fatted Café in the Bible Building and not just be-
$216
cause she’s hungry. “If I don’t get breakfast, I don’t spend my meal plans, and I
tary education major from Carrollton. “It’s pretty convenient,
Rodda’s meal and countless other students’ breakfasts, See
ARAMARK page 4
Richard Chastain, an awardwinning audio technician and faithful university historian, died Sunday in Abilene after a long battle with cancer. Chastain, who was 67, served on the Centennial Collections Task Force, restoring “at-risk” audio and video recordings that document the university’s history. Chastain was one of six alumni who received the Hashknife Award, also known as the John and Ruth Stevens Historical Preservation Award, for his tireless work. Chastain’s wife, Rita Chastain, said the award was a great See
Abilene Christian University
AIDA page 7
CHASTAIN page 7
Serving the ACU community since 1912