The Optimist Print Edition 2.04.15

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Out on the Range Abilene State Park exhibits the frontier Feature Page 5 vol. 103, no. 34

wednesday, feburary 4, 2015

1 SECTION, 6 PAGES

what’s INSIDE NEWS International students partake in “Friendship Family” program Page 3

SPORTS Sydney Shelstead, ‘Cats center, dominates in second year

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OPINION New developments near campus would mean more construction but also more food Page 4

SPORTS Track places high in Texas Tech Masked Rider Open Page 6 Austin KilCullen staff Photographer

Josh Levinson, sophomore Ad/PR major from Colleyville, plays a set at the Notes and Joe fundraising event on Friday night at the Shore Art Gallery.

University explores residental development

OPINION Evidently, those rumors about all the Super Bowl sex trafficking aren’t true

Abilene community leaders discuss potential land uses brittany jackson managing editor

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Officials in the Endowment Office invited members of the community from ACU, HSU, Hendrick Health Center, law firms, accounting firms and banks to talk about a community initiative on the northeast

side of Abilene. The proposed residential area would replace the Zoe Center off East N. 10th Street. The Zoe Center is a 100-acre plot with a 22,000-square-foot house on it, donated to ACU about 15 years ago. Since then, the university has purchased land surrounding the house and accumulated 425 acres

on that side of town. The university hired contractors and architects to investigate the viability of transforming the land into an upscale, sophisticated residential area. Kelly Young, chief financial officer, said he, President Schubert and Jack Rich have been looking at developing the land for the past three years. “We spent about a year researching the feasibility and options for potential development,” he said. “We decided there

was enough potential to develop that we have now hired engineers and architects to do the first step of land planning on this residential development.” These architects were involved in the meeting with Abilene community members and received helpful input on their conceptual plans for the area. Young said the planned community would involve shared, open space with walking trails, pa-

vilions and possibly even space that would have dining options nearby. He said walking is becoming more popular, and this is an attempt to make that culture accessible in Abilene. “This is the fun stage, there is a lot of excitement about it, and it’s very positive,” he said. The community initiative is not the first proposed idea for transforming the Zoe Center and see north side page 3

Board initiates ‘Family First’ program

SPORTS Men’s basketball loses sixth in a row to Huskies on Saturday

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NEWS Middle school students raise bone marrow transplant awareness Page 3

what’s online

madeline or editor in chief The Board of Trustees has designated funds for an initiative called “Family First” to enrich the marriages and families of ACU employees. Dr. Royce Money, chancellor of the university, said the move was driven by a general concern that family disruption is on the rise in our nation, and ACU is not exempt from that trend. “As a Christian com-

The new engineering labs in Bennet Gym are nearing completion

Read more at acuoptimist.com

the initiative. “I think because of the origination of the idea for the “Family First” initiative came from the Board of Trustees, along with the funding, this emphasis speaks volumes about the board’s concern for the ACU community,” Money said. The trustees asked Money to chair the initial planning committee. Other members of the committee are Steve Rowlands, Dr. Heidi Morris, Dr. Steve Wages, Dr. Dale Bertram and Pam Money.

The board believed that the university should be more overt in addressing family concerns”

would be directed toward single or divorced faculty and staff, as well as developing resources for students through the office of Student Life. Dr. Royce Money “The aim will be to inChancellor of the university crease awareness of the student resources that already exist and to add proLast week Money sent grams in the future that a survey to all faculty and will address concerns of staff in order to determine marriage, family, and sinrelevant ways that the gle adult living as Chris“Family First” program tians,” he said. could be the most beneficial. contact orr at Money said additional mco10b@acu.edu phases of the program

Comedians to bring laughs to campus jonathan raitz

VIDEO

munity, the board believed that the University should be more overt in addressing the Money family concerns of the ACU faculty, staff and administration,” he said. At a Board of Trustees meeting in the fall, an ad hoc committee was formed to identify the existing enrichment resources at ACU, and it decided to personally fund

student reporter ACU and Abilene Christian School are providing the community with a night of laughter as Tim Hawkins and alumnus Bob Smiley perform their comedy show Tim Hawkins Live in Moody Coliseum. Tim Hawkins Live will take place Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in conjunction with Abilene Christian School’s annual fundraiser. Samantha Adkins, a committee member for

ACS’s auction, said the event will look a little different this year. “Normally the event is held in November, but this year to go with the added element, the fundraiser was moved to February,” Adkins said. “This year the concert was added in place of the dinner.” Kirk Wade, president of ACS, said the event will appeal to people of all ages. “Abilene Christian School is excited to bring the community an event that the whole family can enjoy,” Wade said.

Jennifer Little, Director of Marketing at ACS, said having Bob Smihawkins ley back on campus was a great opportunity for ACS. “I am very pleased that we were able to negotiate to include ACU alumnus Bob Smiley as a part of the concert,” Little said. Smiley, who graduated ACU in 1994, said he looks forward to being back as well. “I can finally return

Abilene Christian University

that library book that I forgot to return my senior year,” S m i l e y said. “I’m looksmiley also ing forward to seeing the changes ACU has made around campus and just walking around the same paths that I walked years ago as a student wondering what God was going to do with my life.” Little said she is confident this fundraiser will entertain ACU students as well.

“We feel it’s an excellent on-campus option for university students,” Little said. “Those that choose to come will not leave disappointed. It’s a fantastic show.” Tickets are on sale now and range from $21- $25 for general admission and $40-$42 for premium reserved, which includes refreshments and reserved f loor seating.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu


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