The Optimist Print Edition 03.27.15

Speedy showtime Students create musical in less than 24 hours Arts Page 5 vol. 103, no. 44

friday, march 27, 2015

1 SECTION, 6 PAGES

what’s INSIDE NEWS Art and JMC students awarded at the ADDYs this year Page 3

SPORTS From T-ball to Div. I, these players have seen it all

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OPINION When in Oxford, log your community service at Christ Church Cathedral Page 4

SPORTS McNeese meets softball for threegame home series at Poly Wells Page 6

JUST AN

UDDER DAY AUSTIN KILCULLEN staff Photographer

Peter Zeller and Barrett Davidson bring a steer to the ground at the ACU Rodeo on Thursday night at the Taylor County Expo Center.

OPINION What does ISIS want to do with Abilene, Texas?

IRS pummels La Pop with tax liens elijah evans online managing editor

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NEWS Men’s basketball team plans mission trip to Costa Rica

The Internal Revenue Service recently filed tax liens amounting to $1.48 million of back taxes against La Popular Bakery & Cafe No. 1/Ricardo Arias, per IRS documents.

The IRS filed three notices of tax liens against the restaurant and Arias on Feb. 4. Another notice was filed Sept. 2. The Abilene Reporter-News obtained documents which said the liens were connected to Arias’s

daniel block

SPORTS Women’s tennis team looks to rebound this Friday

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what’s online ONLINE Savanah Silva hosts this week’s newscast covering arts, FilmFest and more

Read more at acuoptimist.com

staple. It is a favorite haunt that would be sorely missed by many ACU students.

Keith Sanders, senior Ad/ PR major from Abilene, said he’s been a La Pop regular for more than 15 years. Despite initial skepticism, he was hooked by the amazing food and, 15 years later, he’s still hooked.

“After Harold’s BBQ closed, La Pop was the place I took people who wanted an authentic Abilene food experience,” Sanders said.

“Anytime any of my friends come back to town, it’s always a must-stop before

they leave. I’ve honestly probably taken over 100 people to La Pop.” Lily Auker, sophomore Ad/PR major from Prescott, Arizona, is one of those 100 people whom Sanders introduced to La Pop. Auker first ate at La Pop her freshmen year. During her first visit, Sanders told her that La Pop would be a lifesaver during her time in Abilene. Three semesters later, Auker continues to enjoy the La Pop experience and savor the delicious breakfast burritos at least twice a week.

“To me its’s the perfect

food and Abilene simply wouldn’t be the same without it,” Auker said.

The future of La Popular Bakery & Cafe No. 1 and Ricardo Arias may be unclear, but the restaurant remains cemented in its customers’ hearts.

“It’s a community builder, and very close to my heart as well as the hearts of those that call Abilene home,” Auker said.

contact the optimsit at mcnetwork@acu.edu

Summit theme, keynote speakers released intramurals editor

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failure to pay several mandatory taxes. These could include unemployment, Social Security and Medicare taxes, Reporter-News said.

There are three La Popular restaurants, and Ricardo Arias is listed as the owner of at least one of the three.

However, only La Popular Bakery & Cafe No. 1 is listed in the lien documents, according to Abilene ReporterNews.

Owners of the restaurant would not comment on news of the liens. La Popular Bakery & Cafe, known by locals as ‘La Pop,’ is an Abilene

The seven keynote speakers for Summit 2015 have been confirmed, with two familiar faces at ACU highlighting the list.

Dr. Brady Bryce, director of contextual education, and Dr. Richard Beck, chair of the Department of Psychology, will speak during the first two sessions Sunday night and Monday morning, respectively. Other speakers will come to ACU from New York, Tennessee, California

and Oklahoma.

Summit 2015 will take place Sept. 20-23. The theme has been established, and the finer details are being worked through in the Summit offices. This year’s Summit, titled “Same Mind: United in Imitating Jesus,” draws from Philippians.

Bryce resigned his position as director of ministry events early in the new year to take on greater responsibility as faculty. He already planned the Summit topic and organized the theme speakers before handing the reins over to Dr. David Wray,

interim director of Summit, retired ACU professor and elder at Highland Church of Christ.

“This year’s theme was selected because of the wideranging diversity of Christians and the divisions that are far too dominant among disciples of Jesus,” Bryce said. “The little letter of Philippians provides an opportunity to focus on the Lord we claim to serve, to passionately imitate his deadly life and offer grace to one another in our differences. The model of love is a compelling witness for the world. If we

Christians cannot show our love to one another, then we really do not have much to say to the world.”

Wray said Dr. Ken Cukrowski, dean of the College of Biblical Studies, contacted him and asked if he would

take the role of interim director of Summit. After a couple weeks deliberating, Wray agreed and moved into his office in the Bible building in February. see summit page 3

Potential pledges to register for fall laura benson staff reporter This year will be the first pledge year since 2011 in which there will be an equal number of male and female social clubs on campus.

Tri Kappa Gamma rechartered this year and welcomed 62 women to the club.

Mark Jackson, assistant director of student organization and programs, said though there is an additional club on campus, pledging restrictions will remain the

same.

“With a sixth club, the cap for the number of pledges per club will likely be in the 45-55 range, at the most,” he said.

Although TKG just rechartered in the spring, Jackson said it will not be allotted any more pledges than the other womens’ social clubs.

The pledging process will be three weeks long as it was last year.

“In the five-year period of time I’ve worked at ACU, pledging has gone from six weeks long to three weeks

long,” Jackson said. “I intend it to stay the same length this year.”

A pledge meeting took place March 23 explaining the pledging process to prospective students. About 300 students attended.

“The population of ACU has changed a lot in the past few years,” Jackson said. “Not every student knows the history of the social clubs, so we took time during the meeting to explain the background of how the social clubs came to be and what they stand for.”

Sunni Zamora, freshman

Abilene Christian University

speech pathology major from Lubbock, attended the meeting.

“The meeting was very informative and got me excited about participating in this rich ACU tradition,” Zamora said. “I fully plan to pledge in the fall.”

The pledge meeting also discussed the upcoming spring pledging events and the requirements for eligibility to pledge.

Requirements are: 1. Must have a GPA of at least a 2.0 this semester and 2.5 cumulative GPA.

2. Must be a full-time student.

3. Must have 24 hours of college credit complete.

4. Must be in good standing with the university.

Registration for pledging will open online at 9 a.m. on April 1 at http://www.acu. edu/socialclubs.

The deadline for registration will be mid-September.

An exact date has not yet been determined. contact benson at leb10b@acu.edu

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friday

11 a.m. Meek Blood Drive on campus

monday

2 p.m. Travis Houy senior recital

Golf at University of Arkansas Little Rock: First Tee Classic

7:30 p.m. Jonathan Dannheim senior recital

12 p.m. Softball versus McNeese State University

11:30 p.m. Women’s tennis versus Southeastern Louisiana University

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sunday

10 a.m. Men’s and women’s tennis versus University of New Orleans

Baseball at Lamar University

Fall registration: juniors

7:30 p.m. ACU Opera presents The Magic Flute in Cullen Auditorium

4 p.m. Softball versus McNeese State University

Announcements

Chapel checkup To date:

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saturday

2

Remaining:

50 23 @acuoptimist The Optimist

The ACU Undergraduate Research Festival is almost here!

Come to Hunter Welcome Center Tuesday, to support undergraduate researchers during our seventh annual festival.

The ACU Graduate School academic journal is now accepting article submissions related to the humanities, social sciences and theology. Creative writing submissions will be accepted for the journal’s new blog located at http://blogs.acu.edu/ conversations/. Deadline for submissions is April 10. Email snw12a@acu.edu for more in-

formation.

day night at Fountaingate Fellowship, 909 N. Willis. Join colThe second annual Finals lege students and young adults Fun Fest will be April 25. The across Abilene as we unite to four-on-four grass volleyball worship. tournament will be at Sanders Intramural Fields. Cost is $80 ACU Theatre’s spring musical per team. Each team can have is Ghost: The Musical, a fantasy a maximum of five players, but about the power of love. Don’t only four can participate at a miss this roller coaster ride of time; at least one player must music, romance and comedy. be female. The play schedule The musical will run at 7:30 will be sent by email before- p.m. April 10-11, 17-18 and 24hand. For more information 25. There will be a talkback after or to register, contact Ijeoma the April 17 performance. TickMoronu at ish07a@acu.edu or ets are available for purchase at 325-674-2383. http://acu.edu/theatre.

Midnight Worship is every Fri- Professor Albert Haley, ACU’s

award-winning poet and writer-in-residence, will teach ENG 323, a poetry workshop that will meet Tuesday nights next semester. This workshop is open to all majors.

Come listen to student bands at SpringFest at 7 p.m. April 9 on the outdoor basketball court of the Money Student Wellness and Recreation Center.

Shalom Chapel meets every other Tuesday in Studio B of the Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center.

Sanctify invites the Abilene

optimist@acu.edu police log SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 03/20/2015 5:11 p.m. A student’s vehicle was damaged in a hit-and-run crash while the car was parked in the Mabee-Edwards Hall lot.

03/21/2015 11:16 p.m. Officers investigated a reported noise violation in University Park Building 9. No violation was verified.

03/22/2015 1:00 a.m. ACUPD investigated a student’s report of unknown occupants of a red Hummer driving recklessly on ACU Drive by Jacob’s Dream, throwing trash from the vehicle and yelling at the student. Officers could not locate the vehicle or offenders.

03/22/2015 1:15 a.m. ACUPD investigated a noise violation in the 1500 block of Westheimer; the ACU student tenant was given a verbal warning.

03/22/2015 1:29 a.m. ACUPD gave warnings to ACU student tenants about a noise violation at EN 10th and Washington Blvd.

03/24/2015 12:56 p.m. A student reported the hit-and-run crash of his vehicle as it was parked in the Mabee-Edwards Hall lot.

03/24/2015 11:10 p.m. ACUPD responded to a report of a Mini Cooper being driven on the Lunsford Trail near the University Park Apartments.

03/25/2015 12:35 a.m. Officers issued a warning to University Park Building 4 tenant after finding the tenant in violation of the city noise ordinance.

Stats for the Week of March 19 - 26, 2015 - Total: 377 911 CALL 1 FOOT PATROL 17 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK 11 SUSPICIOUS PERSON 3 ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY 17 FOUND PROPERTY 2 NOISE VIOLATION 7 THEFT 1 ALARM 2 HIT & RUN 2 OTHER 9 WELFARE CHECK 2 ASSIST 1 INFORMATION REPORT 3 PARKING LOT PATROL 28 BICYCLE PATROL 1 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP 15 PARKING VIOLATION 2 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK 14 MAINTENANCE UNIV ASSETS: CCTV 2 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE 5 Police Chief Tip of the Week: BURGLARY (RESIDENCE) 1 MAINTENANCE: UNIVERSITY ASSETS 3 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 7 CHECK BUILDING 180 MEDICAL EMERGENCY 1 RANDOM PATROL 9 Severe weather and tornado season is CRIMINAL TRESPASS WARNING 1 MONITOR FACILITY/LOT 2 RECKLESS DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION 1 here. Stay current with ACU ALERT in order DISTURBANCE 3 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART 2 REPORT WRITING 14 to receive emergency information.

DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: OTHER 2 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 5

Intramurals

Upsets, suprises make up final basketball games Men’s Champ Basketball

THE VAGABONDAGE REC-COVERING SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND ADDICT Just like that, intramural basketball season is over.

Is there even a point to finishing the rest of the semester now that the most important part of the spring term has been settled? Of course, I’m just joking.

Over the past couple of years, Sub T-16 has seen an incredible increase in athletic performance when it DANIEL BLOCK comes to intramurals. Not that the club didn’t have There are still formals athletes before. It simply to go to, and I’m pretty had different… priorities. sure GATA’s intramural OK, so the priorities might director, Emily Sears, is still be the same, but at just dying to ask me to go least Sub T is entertaining with her, especially since to watch now. They’re also I’m so kind to her in this everyone’s favorite team – column every week. to hate.

Meanwhile, GSP seems

to be every social club woman’s favorite team. If only dating was an intramural sport.

The two teams have forged a bit of a rivalry recently, and after a GSP victory earlier this season, it seemed Sub T’s hopes at repeating as basketball champs might be slim. After the Gammas jumped out to a large lead early, a repeat was seriously doubted.

But Sub T fought back harder than the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences and stole the lead by halftime. From there, it was a see-saw affair, sort of like a Kojie-Moonie dating relationship, until the final minutes when Sub T pulled away for good to win 54-50 and repeat as champions.

Women’s Champ Basketball Everyone’s favorite club rivalry took center stage in the championship, and the competition was hotter than one of Annie’s omelettes.

Basketball is the only sport the Siggies haven’t won in the past five years, while the Kojies had won four of the last five championships.

Cakewalk, right?

Wrong. These girls came to ball. Most of them can dribble better than that one faulty spout on the GATA fountain, and it was a close contest right from the start.

The Kojies clung to a slim lead through the first

half, sort of like how they cling to their hopes of being the coolest club on campus. But the Siggies’ shooting prowess took over in the second half, as Sigma Theta Chi wrote the latest chapter in the popular rivalry with a 36-26 victory.

Men’s Champ Soccer Sub T-16 is looking to chase its basketball championship with a shot at repeating as soccer champs.

So far, they look to be in good shape to do so, owning a 2-1-0 record. Technically that puts them in fourth place, but Frats and Friends and GSP have only played one game each, so the standings will inevitably change.

Sub T’s only loss came at the hands of Baba Yao, another team that looks to challenge for the championship.

Baba Yao is led by Kenyan transplant Kip “Don’t call me Wilmose” Kiplagat. Not being from America, his soccer skills are obviously going to be superior to most others’.

Kiplagat offered his team’s secret to playing successful soccer.

“Secret?” he asked. “I wish we had one, but we’re not Victoria. We just play the game, have fun and kind of end up winning.”

His expectations for the season are very straightforward.

“I hope to see my team named as the outdoor 2014-2015 champions,” Kiplagat said. “Anything less, we should’ve been

playing in the rec league.”

GSP and Frats and Friends both play Monday and Tuesday next week, while the other four teams have one game each.

Women’s Champ Soccer Women’s soccer is brimming with conflict. The biggest issue is trying to decide if it’s a better idea to watch the game or watch the grass grow. Either way, bring a pillow.

Sigma Theta Chi and B.O.B. (no, not the rapper), are both undefeated and at the top of the standings.

Ko Jo Kai sits at 2-1-0 and plays the Siggies at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

There are numerous things you could do on your Tuesday night. You could go swing dancing in the Rec. You could go bowling at PrimeTime.

You could go to Tuesday Night Trivia at The Seafood Tavern. Unfortunately you can’t go to the Skatin’ Place because they’re closed on Tuesday nights.

I found that out this week.

Or you could go watch soccer. Time is money, so invest it wisely.

OK, I don’t actually dislike women’s soccer that much. But ever since the referee helped the women’s national team beat Canada in the Olympic semifinals, I just can’t take it seriously.

contact block at djb13a@acu.edu

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news

Friday 3.27.15

Basketball balances games, mission work rachel fritz copy editor This summer, the men’s basketball team will travel to Costa Rica to play international teams, but more importantly, do mission work.

Though specific details are not in place yet, the team is set to take off Aug. 9 and will return Aug. 14, about a week before classes start.

The idea has been on the back burner for a while. Now, the opportunity is here.

“We’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time,” said Joe Golding, head basketball coach. “Many of the players haven’t even been outside of the States.”

Brette Tanner, associate head coach, is in communication with

Basketball Travelers, Inc. to plan the trip. Basketball Travelers is an organization that helps high schools and colleges organize tournaments and tours in and out of the country.

Div. I schools are allowed to take trips like this every four years.

“There are a lot of reasons for doing this,” Tanner said. “I think it’s special at a place like Abilene Christian where we can go and take a trip like this, and we can do a little bit of mission work along with it.”

The basketball team is known for doing volunteer work in Abilene.

They’ve participated in Love and Care Ministries, Hendrick Home for Children and have even volunteered in communities where some of their away games have been.

“We do a lot here in the community of Abilene, but this gives us a chance to spread our wings and extend what we do in another country,” Tanner said.

ACU’s mission is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world and is a big part of why the team emphasizes mission work.

“We’re unique here,” Tanner said. “Here, it’s part of the mission of the university, and you can see that every where we go. Every where we play, there’s an ACU contingent there that comes to our games. It doesn’t matter if we’re in California, if we’re in Houston or Maryland, we have ACU people there. It really helped us learn what ACU people are all about.”

The trip is coming at a

perfect time with ACU’s continual transition into Div. I athletics.

“Year three is kind of always the year that we marked that would be the turn of our program,” he said. “That’s when you’ll really start to see the strides the program has taken in going Div. I. That’s one of the main reasons for going Div. I – to expand our footprint out in the world, not just in the United States; it’s another opportunity for us to extend the ACU brand out of Abilene.”

The trip will also allow the team to get a jumpstart on the season. The NCA A will allow the team 10 extra days of practice to prepare for the three games they will play against semi-professional and professional teams overseas.

“These games will give

a better idea of our team and what we have to work with,” Tanner said.

What’s more important, though, is that the team will get a chance to bond with each other and their new teammates.

Incoming freshmen who are usually trying to find their place in September will have the opportunity to get acquainted and begin to build relationships during the summer.

“This trip will give us a chance to gel and help our chemistry tremendously,” Tanner said.

“They’ll get to play together and experience each other, and it’ll help bring these guys together with a common theme for this upcoming year.”

The trip won’t be all work, though. Players and coaches will get to experience Costa Rica,

too.

“My hope is that they get a cultural experience they wouldn’t have gotten otherwise and gain appreciation for what they have here, because sometimes we forget that, and to do some work and help others,” Tanner said.

Though mission work and skill-building are focuses for the trip, teambuilding is the primary goal.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to see something different,” Golding said. “Whether it’s sitting on the beach or ziplining or helping out people, they’ll be bonding with their teammates, and that’s more important than the basketball side.” contact fritz at ref11a@acu.edu

JMC, Art students awarded gold at ADDYs district level as well.

“It is a significant honor to receive an award,” said Eddie Magee, the president of AAFACU students earned recog- Abilene. “ACU students have nition at the American Ad- a tradition of representing vertising Awards last Thurs- well at the awards.” day and again on Saturday.

Students were required to Students from the De- submit their work in late Janpartment of Art and Design uary, and their entries were and the Department of Jour- judged by three professionals nalism and Mass Communi- from the Dallas-Fort Worth cation won multiple awards Metroplex. Thursday night, from the local Abilene chap- the awards were handed out. ter of the American AdverStudents could win tising Federation, and some bronze, silver or gold. Pieces went on to win awards at the that won gold qualified for

reese gwin

student reporter

the district competition the following Saturday where they were judged next to local winners from AAF chapters from across Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.

No student received more recognition at the local level than Hilary Commer, a senior graphic design major from San Antonio. She submitted a brand book, a poster and an illustration in the Collateral Materials category.

Each piece won gold. Two received best in category, and

the other won an additional special judges award. Commer’s work went on to win silver and bronze at the district competition.

“I never expected that kind of recognition when I submitted my entry,” Commer said. “It was very surprising but also very exciting.”

Janice Chong, a recent ACU graduate, also claimed multiple golds and the highest award of student Best of Show. She now works for McCann Erickson, a global advertising agency based in

Singapore. Her entry also received recognition at the district level with a silver.

ACU students totaled 19 awards at the local competition, six of which advanced to the district level.

Still, it was Hannah Bruce, a senior graphic design major from Abilene, that topped them all. She won not only a gold at the local competition, but also a gold at the district competition. Her stationery package will advance to the national American Advertising Awards in May.

“The students who advance and win at the district and national level really have a lot to be proud of,” Magee said. “It shows excellence and professionalism in their field.”

The winners of the district competition will not be officially recognized until April 11 in Dallas at the AAF District 10 Convention.

contact the optijmist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Marketing evaluates future of LOTH project catherine blakemore arts editor The future of Life on the Hill remains tentative because the original marketing proposal only existed for the Fall 2014 semester.

Amanda Pittman, enrollment marketing manager, has served as an adviser for the project and cast members.

“We knew it was an experiment going into it,” Pittman said. “We weren’t sure if it would even work; we weren’t sure what was going to happen to it.”

The original proposal for Life on the Hill, which was presented to Jason Groves, chief marketing officer, and Dr. Allison Garrett, executive vice president, included only

the fall semester of 2014.

With four cast members graduating and unplanned budgeting and casting for next year, the future of Life on the Hill is being determined by success researched through Morris and Mitchell, the on-campus Ad/PR association, and surveys to prospective students.

Life on the Hill seniors Brantly Houston, Ad/PR major from Abilene, and Alikay Wood, English major from Sacramento, California, are graduating in May. “There was a lot of focus on creating videos for ACU’s YouTube channel,” Houston said. “As a group, we were the subject of over 50 videos.

They really boosted traffic to ACU’s YouTube account, so it was very successful.”

Last semester, cast mem-

bers of Life on the Hill were paid to create videos and post to social media at least five times a day with the hashtag “#lifeonthehill” or “#loth.”

The focus has now shifted to cast members being available for enrollment marketing.

Despite the budget only being planned for a single semester, the success of Life on the Hill indicated the cast would continue the project.

“I think it went beyond our expectations,” Pittman said.

“When the spring semester rolled around, it was ‘Well, how do we do this now? How do we keep this going?’ The students all wanted to continue doing the project, but there are still limited dollars.”

This required student cast members to continue posting to social media such as Twitter and Instagram for

less pay than last semester.

Though the cast created 53 videos in the fall, they haven’t produced a video for this semester yet.

“I know last semester I shot at least three videos that were never released because our awesome video team was always on the go,” Houston said. “The best videos were the ones that got released.

This semester, the video guys have had a plethora of other responsibilities, so LOTH has kind of taken a back seat.”

Despite the lack of push for content this semester, the current cast has continued to devote time and posts to Life on the Hill and have even been asked to sit on panels for incoming students. However, snow days have prevented those panels from taking place.

“It was really cool that the project got extended, but unfortunately, there was only enough money in the budget for one semester, so some things had to be cut back,” Wood said. “We are still getting paid, but our pay was cut, so they felt it was only fair to lower what we were expected to do as well.”

The evaluation of the success of the project and potential changes for future Life on the Hill productions have begun to determine the future of Life on the Hill for next year and following years.

“We are working with Morris and Mitchell; they are doing some research for us,” Pittman said. “They’re going back and looking at all of our posts and the traffic and looking at when we got waves of followers. We didn’t do any

paid promotion; it was all organic. We’ve got over 26,000 views on all of the YouTube videos, combined.”

Tentatively, the results of that research will be presented April 1, and the enrollment marketing and marketing offices will decide the future for Life on the Hill.

“I’m naturally a very private person, so it’s weird for me to share that much of my life with other people,” Wood said. “But I think the project is a really good idea and is just another way ACU is being aggressive and innovative in its pursuit of new students.”

contact blakemore at crb13a@acu.edu

Buffalo Gap cancels apocalyptic event hannah null studnet reporter The third annual Buffalo Gap Historic Village Zombie Run has been canceled and will no longer take place March 28 as scheduled.

The event, originally based on the national Zombie Run called Run for Your Lives, consists of 50 volunteers dressed as zombies.

Hundreds of runners each wear a belt with orange flags while running

from the zombies and claim victory by keeping all of their flags.

Unfortunately, there will be no zombie-chasing this weekend.

Heather Reed, Buffalo Gap Historic Village website manager and director of the event, was upset to announce the cancellation of the event.

“Due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to cancel the event,” she said. “We greatly appreciate the support from the com-

munity and our volunteers in planning this event.”

In previous years, the run has welcomed more than 400 contestants in the 5K and the 1-mile family run.

Students were also upset to hear about the cancellation of the event. Sierra Ware, sophomore advertising and public relations major from Abilene, said she had been eager to attend for the first time this year.

“I was really looking for-

ward to it,” Ware said. “I’ve heard it’s an adrenalinepumping experience, and I was excited to see what all the hype was about. I was expecting something like the TV show The Walking Dead, but less scary.”

In a press release regarding the annual fundraiser, BGHV showed its consideration to the public and said, “Fees for the currently registered participants will be refunded, and they will be provided with honorary guest passes to the Buffalo

Gap Historic Village.”

Reed assures the public the unfortunate scheduling conflicts do not mean the Zombie Run is canceled for good.

“A future date for the event has not yet been determined, but we will release a PSA regarding the rescheduled date,” Reed said.

By postponing the event, the coordinators hope to see those who are interested in the race when it is brought back to public.

“I’m glad they aren’t calling it off all together,” Ware said. “I’ll definitely be attending when it comes back and maybe I can get more friends to do it with me.”

BGHV announced its next event which will be a free Abilene celebration for the Fourth of July – Frontier Fourth – with a jeep show and trail ride.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Summit: Annual conference expects changes from page 1 Wray said he does not plan to change much of Summit in his time as interim director, especially due to the fact he entered the position late. “(Bryce) had done very creative, innovative things all the way through his seven years of doing this,” Wray said.

“Just doing similar things is the best approach we can take in making things work this year.”

Wray said one of his goals is to ensure students and church leaders alike benefit from Summit.

“This is a spiritually formative experience for students,” Wray said.

“There’s classes, there’s late-at-night entertain-

ment; there’s all kinds of things that are designed for students as well as for church leaders. We are really committed to this being ‘both/and’ instead of ‘either/or.’ In our ‘both/and’ world, how do you manage polarities?

Church leaders and students. And we really want that to be the case.”

Wray said it is important to develop relationships among generations, and Summit provides a setting in which to do so.

“The youth bring such vibrant possibilities for the future, and those that have been doing it for a while bring some wisdom and discernment about things that have been done in the past,” Wray said. “Those two generations in conversation are

very important.”

Mitchell East, senior biblical text major from Austin, said he thinks Summit isn’t only for Bible majors like himself, but sees the weekend as a great opportunity for all students. The topics offered are broad and can apply to all life situations.

“These speakers communicate the implications of faith when you raise kids, get married, have friends, participate in a community of faith, work under a boss and alongside coworkers, interact with gay people and experience good or bad art and music,” East said.

Wade Casey, graduate student from Fort Collins, Colorado, said Summit provides a setting to

discuss topics relevant to the world today.

“Christians have a very particular way of addressing critical issues in social, economic, political, environmental and other areas of life,” Casey said. “The idea behind discussions and lectures at Summit is that students can hear qualified and trusted people talk about important topics that Christians should be attentive to.”

Roland Orr, elder at Highland Church of Christ, is on Wray’s fourperson committee designed to help organize Summit. He said the opportunities to listen to speakers and make connections with other attendees should help entice students to attend

sessions throughout the might buy.” four-day conference. He offers simple advice: contact block at “Invite a Summit djb13a@acu.edu visitor to lunch. They

Opinion

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Friday 3.27.15

editorial

Local ISIS attention points to Dyess AFB the issue Many locals are alarmed by ISIS’s recent relevancy to Abilene and the suspicious website hacking of an Abilene business.

IN YEEZUS VAGABONDAGE NAME, AMEN our take

SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND JARRED SCHUETZE

Sprint-ing to the Verizon Store It was the first Saturday of spring break and I was looking forward to heading back home for a relaxing weekend on the coast. I load my car, fill the tank and begin my drive.

The drive to Corpus Christi takes about six and a half hours to complete. I pass through a few podunk towns, and then I reach the stretch of the drive that is two hours of nothing but the vacant road – and no service.

Now, like any other perfect road trip, my car decides to break down for no apparent reason.

I pull off the road, start hysterically laughing at just how miserable my life is. The laughing ends and I’m legitimately angry. So, I get out of the car and assess the problem.

After spending a whopping 15 minutes vacuously staring under the hood of my car, I come to the realization that I’m absolutely screwed.

But wait, I have a cell phone. All I need to do is call someone, anyone: mom, dad, a mechanic, a towing service, the president of the United States. I need help.

Problem solved, right?

Only it’s not solved because Sprint is my cell service provider.

Now if you have Sprint, you understand the neverending frustration with how unreliable and non-existent the coverage is. If you don’t have Sprint, PSA: It’s terrible.

Lucky you.

I continuously find myself driving through dead zones, and the worst part about it is the fact that these dead zones aren’t just in the middle of nowhere. No, they’re in random spots all over the city as well.

I constantly badger my parents about switching providers for this very reason.

Spotty service in the middle of nowhere is not a good recipe for safety or security.

Obviously my parents don’t care enough about my wellbeing because they would rather pay less for the worst coverage and have me stranded on the side of the road waiting to get beat up and robbed than switch to Verizon.

So don’t mind me, I’ll just be Sprint-ing over to the Verizon store.

contact Brown at AKB12B@acu.edu

This shouldn’t be a surprise. The Air Force base puts Abilene on the map for all things military and even on the “list” for some of our enemies.

Abilene, the not-so-small small town of West Texas, populated by about 120,000 people. Abilene, where students complain nothing ever happens, and, well, nothing ever happens.

Based on this perspective, it’s hard to think anyone would ever target Abilene for anything – concerts, fairs or malicious acts included, which

is why it was so hard to believe an Abilene website had been breached by Team System Dz, a hacking group claiming to support ISIS. The fact of the matter is, Abilene isn’t as insignificant as we’d all like to believe. It’s home to a 6,409-acre air force base with more than 13,000 military personnel and civilians.

Dyess Air Force Base is one of two bases in the nation with combat training for the Boeing B-1B Lancer bomber and is named the Air Force’s premier operational B-1B unit.

If that doesn’t put a city on a map, I don’t know what would. And that’s exactly how ISIS found out about our little town.

As you may have heard, ISIS released a “Kill List” Saturday with more than 100 names, addresses and photos of U.S. service members calling its supporters to take action against the named individuals. Seven of these named persons were stated to be airmen living in Abilene.

Though Dyess AFB

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It’s not the first time Abilene has been involved in an international crisis.

wouldn’t confirm the airmen to be a part of the base, the threat remains local. Civilians’ names were released on a kill list, and seven of those are supposedly right here in Abilene.

And it’s not the first time Abilene has been involved in international crisis.

During the Cold War, as part of the Atlas D intercontinental ballistic

missiles, 12 silos were set up in six counties within a 35-mile radius around Dyess AFB. The missiles were designed to send nuclear warheads into outer space to then launch back down to its intended target and essentially put Abilene on a Cold War hit list during the ‘50s and ‘60s.

Basically, we’re not as hidden as you might think.

And while we cannot link the Abilene website Team System Dz breached to any of the names on the list, it’s still not too surprising that Abilene ended up being targeted. contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

DAILY doodle dosage

Ben Todd

Column

Service hours prove worthy, even abroad THE OXFORD VAGABONDAGE COMMA SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND

ALLISON BROWN

There are two words that can bring either joy or dread when heard by ACU students. No, I’m not talking about “Chapel credit” or “the Bean,” but “service hours.”

A requirement for ACU students in various Bible classes or scholarship groups, service hours make us leave our dorms or houses in order to pass classes or get money for school.

Not everyone likes the fact we are required to serve the communities we are in, but some students look forward every week to the places they have chosen to give their

time to.

More than fulfilling syllabus or scholarship requirements, service hours pressure us to leave our comfortable communities and encounter other humans around us.

This semester, I came to Oxford and yes, even in England I still have service hours to complete. Our teacher told us some options of what students have done in the past, and after reviewing the list, I figured I would try out being a tour guide at Christ Church Cathedral. After all, parts of Harry Potter

were filmed here.

Honestly, that was my main motivation for volunteering here at first, but these last few weeks have shown me there is more to life than just fan-girling.

Every Tuesday from 3-5 p.m., I walk through the gates of Old Tom

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history (I don’t know much). I hang up my coat and put on my stewarding sash, say hello to my fellow stewards, Barbara and Robert, and I wait for any inquisitive visitors to ask me about stained glass windows.

In the past, I haven’t always wanted to do ser-

More than fulfilling syllabus or scholarship requirements, service hours pressure us to leave our comfortable communities and encounter other humans around us.”

Tower and tell the college porter that I am a Cathedral Steward. They always chuckle as I walk past, probably wondering what in the world a 20-year-old American girl knows about Oxford

vice hours or even enjoyed them, but volunteering at Christ Church has shown me that even simple things can serve others, like free informational leaf lets about Cathedral history.

People don’t always ask where things are, and way too many visitors have selfie sticks for my liking. And the Harry Potter Great Hall location isn’t even open because they are repairing the roof. Two hours goes by quickly, and every week, I am amazed I get to just stand in a place so full of history. I love that I can help new people each week experience one of the my favorite parts of Oxford.

I know it’s simple, but I really hope you don’t dread your service hours, even if ACU does make us do them.

contact Brown at AKB12B@acu.edu

hashtagACU March 25 12:07 p.m.

March 24 3:17 p.m.

Discussing the sociological perspective behind ring by spring #ACUdifference

@RitaSteffanie

March 25 11:32 p.m.

Apparently it’s really hard to ride your bike in a dust storm.

@austinkilcullen

March 23 5:52 p.m.

Today the sun caused me to sweat more than the heat in Mabee. #progress

March 26 10:36 a.m.

I can see Dr. Beck with an Australian accent #dailypsychthoughts

@atownbman

@katiexcrockett

March 25 11:37 a.m.

It’s officially ‘don’t leave your Chapstick in your car cause it will mely and deform and never be the same’ season.

My friends didn’t let me sit w them in chapel becasue I didn’t wear pink

@melissalefan

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Hi. My name is Pandora, and I am going to give you an ad for a horror movie while you are listening to your sleep station.

March 25 12:18 a.m.

you know you’re an art major when being in the art building till the AM is normal

is it hot in here or is it just the cup of coffee I spilt down my shirt?

@gbrookec

@carlischeeval Twitter made me think I wasn’t funny, but then Yik Yak came along. I realized I am funny, just miserably unpopular.

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March 26 10:56 p.m.

Hurricane force winds without the hurricane ok Abilene

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arts

FRIDAY 3.27.15

photo courtesy of brantly houston

The cast and crew of the 2015 24 Hour Musical during their practice of High School Musical.

Theatre crams musical into one day

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emily studer student reporter The Department of Theatre conducted its second 24 HR Musical Sunday evening, preparing, practicing and performing High School Musical over a single 24-hour period and raising more than $600 for Living Water International.

Living Water International is a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and money to help end the water crisis in third-world countries.

Nikki Wilson, event director, said the purpose of the 24 HR Musical was to inform people about this program in a fun way, through theatre.

Those involved in the performance had 24 hours to practice the script, work on their lines, rehearse choreography and work out costumes. Limited rehearsal time meant little to no sleep for those performing.

The event was put on by Alpha Psi Omega, a national theatre honor society made up of theatre majors and minors.

This was the second year the organization has conducted a 24 HR Musical. Wilson, senior advertis-

Cast and crew of 24 Hour Musical.

Everyone really has to jump on board and get excited, but it is so worth it in the end.” nikki wilson senior advertising and public relations major

ing and public relations major from Houston, said because of the 24-hour time restriction, the costumes are minimal and the actors typically have scripts in their hands, but the show is put together as best it can be.

“It is a really exciting time to be in that 24 hours, mostly because the rehearsal process is so quick,” Wilson said. “Everyone really has to jump on board and get excited, but it is so worth it in the end.”

Wilson said rehearsals began at 6 p.m. Saturday evening and continued through the night and into the morning. The official performance started at 6

Practice and preparation of 24 Hour Musical.

p.m. Sunday in Culp Theatre.

The event pulled in a big crowd at the Williams Performing Arts Center. Guests filled theatre seating as well as the additional seating brought in for the event with people sitting in the audience walkways as well.

“We almost doubled our estimated attendance, so we feel like the event was a success,” said Joel Edwards, senior theatre major from Tyler.

Edwards said the leadership team of the musical took certain steps this year to eliminate complications for next year. He said he hopes next year’s 24 HR Musical can be a more established event and the most successful one yet.

“Our goal next year with 24 HR is to continue growing the project and continuing to teach the participants that theatre is not something we do for ourselves –­ i­t ’s something we do to serve others,” Edwards said.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

photo courtesy of nikki wilson

The audience before the final show.

photo courtesy of nikki wilson

Practice and preparation of 24 Hour Musical.

photo courtesy of nikki wilson

photo courtesy of nikki wilson

Wishing Well fundraiser features local bands Laura benson student reporter Gardner Hall lobby will conduct an event called Abilene City Limits April 16 from 7-9 p.m. to raise donations for the non-profit organization Wishing Well International.

There will be free homemade food provided by ACU students and music from local Abilene performers.

Wishing Well International has provided clean water to more than 30,000 people worldwide. Previously, the organization partnered with other drilling companies to build its wells. However, within the past year, the organization purchased its own drilling equipment in Rwanda.

By purchasing its own equipment, the cost of building its wells reduced from as much as $20,000 per well, to only $5,000 per well.

“The difference between Wishing Well and other drilling organizations is that they train the locals to build and

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nior exercise science major from Littleton, Colorado.

ACU Wishing Well organizes one fundraiser per semester. Last semester, it had an art show fundraiser that raised over $15,000 in donations.

But donating money is not the only way to get involved with the organization on campus. ACU Wishing Well has Chapel every Thursday in the Onstead-Packer Bible Maddie pounds Building, room 103. junior elementary education major “Everyone is encouraged to come,” said Maddie Pounds, junior elementary education major from Fredericksburg and co-director of ACU Wishing Well. “The pursustain the wells themselves,” said Delaney Noel, co- pose of Wishing Well is to empower those communities director of ACU Wishing Well. “Many times, westerners and change lives. We want to imitate that mission in our come in and build the wells. However, when they leave, on-campus organization.” the locals do not know how to fix the wells if they break.”

Now, ACU Wishing Well has move beyond just building wells. contact the optimist at “Wishing Well International helps create jobs and build jmcnetwork@acu.edu community in addition to building wells,” said Noel, se-

The purpose of Wishing Well is to empower those communities and change lives.”

sports

friday 3.27.15

‘Cats, Cowboys meet at Poly Wells for series savanah silva sports reporter The ACU softball team will take on conference rivals McNeese State in another threegame series to finish its home stand this weekend.

The Wildcats are coming off a devastating loss to the University of Texas at Arlington in a non-conference game. The Mavs ended the game in the bottom of the fifth after they blew the door open and scored 10 runs.

Senior pitcher Emily Seidel struggled to shut out the Mavericks. She got into a groove early in the second inning, but the Mavs also warmed up, and Seidel would walk a leadoff batter and give up a string of hits to allow four earned runs in the third.

This loss drops ACU to 5-22 overall.

The women will now look to McNeese State, another undefeated team in the Southland.

The Cowgirls will look to come in and shut out ACU’s defense early on like UT-

ton Hedrick is one of the top hitters in the Southland batting at .432. She also leads the team in bases stolen this season with eight. Teammate and outfielder Taylor Brown had another good game against UT-Arlington. She leads the team in runs scored with 22.

Though ACU is a young team, Seidel, the only senior on the team, had nothing but praise for her young teammates.

“The freshmen have acclimated to Div. I well,” she said. “They’ve stepped up and played with confidence.”

McNeese will be coming off a loss from Texas State University with the final score of 4-3. The Wildcats will look for the Cowgirls to come out aggressive from the first pitch.

First pitch will be at 4 p.m.

Yam saowatarnpong Staff Photographer Friday at Wells Field followed The Wildcats moved to 5-22 after their three-game series loss against the Bears. by the second half of the doubleheader at 6 p.m. The final Arlington did. As long as the momentum and score a lot of Seidel also said their re- game of the series will be at 12 Wildcats can maintain inten- runs,” Seidel said. “We thrive cord doesn’t show their effort. p.m. Sunday. sity throughout the game, the off our offense, but we need a Though the team is at 1-8 in series could be what the team combination of hitting, field- the Southland, the ‘Cats have needs to improve their con- ing and pitching. If we can been preforming at a much contact silva at ference record. get all three going at once, it’ll higher level. sns12b@acu.edu “We win when we find a show.”

Freshman infielder Pey-

6

standings 2015 Baseball Standings

Team

Div.

SELU 7-2 NSU 6-2 MSU 6-3 UCA 6-3 SHSU 6-3 HBU 4-2 Nicholls St.4-5 ACU 4-5 Lamar 3-6 TAMU-CC 2-4 SFA 2-6 NO 2-7 UIW 1-5

Ovrl 20-7 14-10 16-9 12-7 12-14 13-11 12-10-1 5-16 11-13 10-10 7-18 8-16 9-14

2015 Softball Standings

Team

Div.

UCA 9-0 MSU 9-0 Lamar 9-0 NSU 8-0 SELU 7-1 Nicholls St.5-4 TAMU-CC 2-7 SHSU 1-7 SFA 1-7 ACU 1-8 HBU 0-9 UIW 0-9

Ovrl 21-8 23-11 16-11 18-12 12-17 17-11 7-20-1 8-19 8-20 5-22 6-19 3-23

Who’s Hot Peyton Hedrick has been on a tear this season hitting .447 at the Hedrick plate, good enough for second in the Southland.

Hedrick has gone 5-for-9 over the last three games with four RBIs and two runs.

briefings The ACU football team began spring practice last week. The Wildcats return most of last year’s offense but are in the middle of a quarterback battle between Parker McKenzie, Dallas Sealey, Kade Munden and Cody Ennis.

Paige Otway Staff Photographer

Juniors Alex Copeland (left) and Aaron Mason have been teammates since they were 8 years old. Copeland, a catcher, has caught for Mason, a pitcher, for years, and the two have established a bond that few teammates are able to achieve.

The demolition of old Elmer Gray Stadium will begin this week.

The new Elmer Gray Stadium opens April 10 to go along with the ACU Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The Broken Arrow Battery

Sophomore middledistance runner Diana Garcia-Munoz and freshman thrower Kai Schmidt swept conference awards this week. The two athletes were named Southland away from each other in as a catcher and a pitcher, but field have only been half the “We’re lucky to have what Conference Athletes of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, we all also push each other to equation. With both men we’ve had,” Mason said. “The these two are still climbing be the best that we possibly growing up together in the chemistry we have, I mean, the Week.

Copeland, Mason bring strong bond to baseball Collin thompson sports reporter Not many can say they’ve grown up with their best friend and gone on to play collegiate baseball with them. From T-ball to Div. I baseball, Alex Copeland and Aaron Mason have had the privilege Now juniors, Alex and Aaron play on the ACU baseball team together and joined the team for the first time this season. They also played on the same team at Ford Scott Community College from 2012-14.

Even further back, they both attended Broken Arrow High School where they went to two 5A state championships in a row, winning one.

But their history doesn’t stop there. When they were 8, they played coach-pitch baseball together. After growing up living just 15 minutes

the baseball ladder and have been through it all, together.

Mason, the left-handed pitcher, said having each other around as teammates over the years, especially while playing at the high school and collegiate level, has been a huge help for both of them toward their respective games in their pursuit of bigger and better things playing baseball.

“We’re very competitive in what we do,” Mason said.

“I’m a competitive pitcher, he’s a competitive catcher.

He’ll ask me how his swing looks and I’m not a professional guy on hitting, but I know enough about him to help him out and he knows enough to help me out. We also push each other in the offseason to get in shape and get ready for the next season, so not only are we close-knit

can.”

Copeland is a catcher, and that’s allowed him to directly connect with Mason on a different level than anyone else on the diamond. This has directly affected their relationship as best friends over the years as they try to continue to help each other become better players.

“I know everything about him on the mound, from the way he comes set to how he delivers,” Copeland said.

“If he throws a good pitch, I know what it looks like coming out of his hand, and when he throws a bad pitch, I know exactly what he did to not make his pitch. I can tell by looking at him what pitch he wants to throw and call it, and that’s just something that catching for him since we were little has done for us.”

But the results on the

same schools, they also have had the benefit of being able to lean on each other in the classroom to keep each other accountable educationally, which has helped both of them become better students, especially now as roommates.

“I definitely can sometimes be a little lackadaisical on the schoolwork side, and thank goodness that (Aaron) will get onto me,” Copeland said. “I mean, I would eventually get things like quizzes and papers done, but I get them done at a better time and in a better time-frame with him over there yelling at me to do my homework or get up for class, so that’s definitely helped a lot.”

The two recognize their situation is fairly unique and are thankful they’ve made it this far as a pair.

it’s really fun to think back.

I’ve known this kid since I was 6 or 7 years old, and I’ve played with him since I was 8 years old. We’ve always hung out on the weekends, we go duck hunting together, I mean, we do everything together, so it’s just really awesome to think that we’ve come this far together.”

Both are excited about what the future holds.

“It’s been a fun ride,” Copeland said. “This guy will be in my wedding someday and this is pretty cool, just the experience that we can go back and talk about how in every game in our past, we’ve been there together. It’s a special thing, and we’re very blessed.” contact thompson at cnt13c@acu.edu

Be sure to follow @OptimistSports on Twitter and like the Optimist Sports Facebook page for more ACU sports news and updates.

Upcoming Track traveled Thursday to Austin to compete in the Texas Relays and the Bobcat Invitational. The Relay and Invitational will continue through Saturday as well.

Softball hosts conference opponent McNeese State this weekend. First pitch is 4 p.m. Friday.

Women’s tennis looks to end skid hannah little sports broadcast producer The women’s tennis team will compete this weekend at home for the first time in three weeks. The women (6-2, 2-2) will host Southland Conference rival Southeastern Louisiana (8-3, 3-1), and the matches will begin at 11:44 a.m. Friday at the Eager Tennis Pavilion courts.

In last season’s matchup against Southeastern Louisiana, the Wildcats defeated

Baseball travels to Beaumont for a threegame non-Southland the Lions 5-2. On the strength back losses on the road to matches we had were close setting the tone right from the series against Lamar.

First pitch is 6 p.m. of four out of six singles victo- Northwestern State (5-2) in and hard-fought battles. We start. ries and a three-match sweep Natchitoches, Louisiana, and know we’re still doing good “Some goals we have as a Friday. in doubles play, ACU handled the Lions and improved to 3-0 in conference last year.

This year, however, the team is looking to break its two-game losing streak and make it past the .500 mark in conference play. Previously, ACU was on a six-game winning streak as the Wildcats were undefeated and stood at 2-0 in conference play.

The team enters this weekend with two back-to-

Stephen F. Austin (4-3) in Nacogdoches by close scores.

However, the Wildcats will look to return to form and finish out the rest of the season strong.

Junior Nada Marjanovic, who previously earned 7-0 wins in singles, feels confident going into the weekend and is striving to prove the team can bounce back.

“We still feel good and confident,” Marjanovic said. “The

things, so we’re just going to continue to give it our best and look to continue improving.”

The team will have no easy match as the Lions have been solid in singles play this season. The team will enter the match with a cumulative record of 45-18. The Lions’ leading player, Renee Villarreal, is 11-0 and at the No. 1 singles position.

The Wildcats will focus on

team are to set the tone with the doubles,” Marjanovic said.

“That’s something that we’re known for, and I think against strong conference opposition, it’s key to do so.”

After the weekend, the Wildcats will play No. 15 Texas A&M University next at 2 p.m.

Wednesday in College Station. contact little at hll12a@acu.edu

Women’s tennis hosts McNeese State Friday.

Matches start 11:44 a.m.