The Optimist Print Edition 3.18.15

Treadaway Treats Abilene ice cream shop dishes out culture Feature Page 5 vol. 103, no. 41

wednesday, march 18, 2015

1 SECTION, 6 PAGES

what’s INSIDE NEWS Beltway to open north campus at end of the month Page 3

SPORTS Baseball gets big win against conference power

Page 6

OPINION There are few things that can make Jarred upset, but cartoons are one of them Page 4

SPORTS Women’s basketball records thirdstraight winning season Page 6

Marianna Cedillo staff Photographer

Students kick off the the intramural soccer season on Monday and Tuesday at the “Satch” Sanders Intramural Fields.

ACU to open new campus in Dallas

OPINION TEDxACU tickets seem more accessible to Abilene than to ACU students

Page 4

brittany jackson managing editor The university plans to expand its academic presence in the DallasFort Worth Metroplex to offer “a high-quality Christian higher education to a larger demographic.” The university issued a press release Tuesday to announce the move.

Dr. Robert Rhodes, provost, said the location has yet to be determined, but the university is look-

ing at high-population areas hoping to be in the middle of a growing area.

The metroplex site will function as a base, allowing multiple online graduate programs to offer evening, weekend and short courses face-toface, he said.

“When we think about a campus, we’re really talking about a location where you’re able to offer classes,” Rhodes said.

“We’re looking at a variety of options in the metroplex, right now we’re focusing more on the

north Dallas area.”

Rhodes said successful graduate programs on campus, such as occupational therapy and communication sciences, as well as the national demand for specific graduate programs prompted the decision to establish a larger presence in Dallas.

“We don’t have any more space to place people here in Abilene,” he said. “We have many more applications than we do slots. So, part of what we’ve tried to do for

each of these programs, was to pick high-demand programs that have a lot of interest nationally and select a portfolio of programs that we know have a lot of interest in demand both online and face-to-face.”

In addition, Dr. Stephen Johnson, dean of the Graduate School, and Jay Goin, an ACU alum, have been recruited to lead the metroplex campus. Johnson will serve as vice president of academic affairs for ACU Dallas, and Goin will be

executive vice president for ACU Dallas.

Rhodes said Johnson was a natural fit because of his involvement with ACU’s CitySquare program in downtown Dallas and his knowledge of graduate programs as the dean of the graduate school.

Goin, a consultant with more than 20 years of experience with online educational programs, was hired by the universee dallas page 3

SA cabinet rewrites governing documents

NEWS The Spanish honor society has published their first literary Spanish magazine

Page 3

NEWS ISA and CSSA students celebrate Chinese New Year

Page 3

what’s online APPS

jonathan raitz student reporter The Students’ Association is clarifying their bylaws, Rules of Order and the SA Constitution for future members of the organization and the ACU community.

“What is most important to us is that, moving forward, we are able to leave SA better than we found it,” said Beau Carter, SA president. “When it comes to governing documents, this is what we run off of. So it is really important to us that they are clear and that they are effective.”

Read more at acuoptimist.com

The SA Constitution governs over the bylaws and the Rules of Order as the overarching framework. Carter said if something doesn’t check out with the bylaws and the Rules of Order, it goes to the Constitution, so it is important to SA that everything is clear.

“We want to not only make sure that the small things are working through the Constitution to sustain and make sure we have a flow of productivity but also how we can better serve the student body through how SA functions,” Carter said.

Currently, the Rules of Order are not catered to

ACU. Congress wants the documents to look more like federal governing documents.

Savannah Hostetter, executive administrator, said SA believes it is important for the documents to be precise, because one word can change the whole interpretation of the document.

“Something I really am passionate about is making sure that all our governing documents connect together,” said Hostetter, a senior political science major from Brownsville.

A two-thirds majority in SA Congress is required for these new changes and

amendments to pass. An amendment requires an additional majority vote among the whole student body in order to become official.

The Students’ Association is working so these changes to the bylaws and Rules of Order will be finished before their annual Changing of the Guard.

Carter said any amendments voted through by Congress would appear on the ballot for the spring election. contact the optimsit at mcnetwork@acu.edu

Athletics looks for next Willie the Wildcat “This has been the coolest and best way I could have spent my first year at ACU,” Gibson said. “It is Tryouts for Willie the Wild- lots of fun, and it is just all cat, ACU’s feline mascot, around a great experience.” are Saturday.

According to No OrdiAll current ACU stu- nary University: The Story dents are eligible to tryout of a City Set on a Hill, Willie at 8 pm. in Moody Colise- came about in 1919 when um. Contestants will need the football, baseball and to have a two- to three- intramural teams needed minute skit prepared with a playing field. A fundraisprops included. ing contest with the prize Katie Gibson, freshman of naming a new proposed athletic training major playing facility ended from Aspermont, is the cur- with Wildcat Park and the rent mascot. school’s new mascot, the

Savannah Silva sports producer

Add us on SnapChat for live campus coverage. Username: acu.optimist, or scan logo below with app

Carter, a junior political science major from Farmer’s Branch, said SA ran into a few clarity issues during budget season, specifically in their bylaws and Rules of Order, and hope to fine tune any technicalities that were previously overlooked.

“We wanted to add some things that would make it more understandable to not only people in Congress, but when it comes down to budget meeting time, people that are outside of Congress can better understand what they can or can’t do in a meeting when funds are being appropriated,” Carter said.

Wildcat.

Abi lene Christian College Antelopes was the runnerup.

Willie Gibson will continue to be Willie for the next two years as she mentors the new mascot in the coming year.

Being ACU’s mascot does have its perks, however.

“We do all football games, home basketball

Abilene Christian University

and volleyball games and get invited to go make appearances when requested,” Gibson said.

Being Willie is a great way to become involved on campus while also playing an important role in school spirit.

Audrie Trevino, sophomore Ad/PR major from Bryan, said she thinks Willie is a key part of what makes ACU. “Willie was one of the first things I took a picture with when I first arrived on campus for Passport,” Tre-

vino said. “He helps make ACU recognizable.”

With the recent switch that ACU made to Div. I, Wildcat Willie has become more valuable to the university and its collegiate sports. He’s been an everpresent force at home football games, exciting fans and athletes.

For more information or to tryout, email Gibson at kag13b@acu.edu.` contact the optimsit at mcnetwork@acu.edu

Wednesday 3.18.15

18

19

wednesday

20

thursday 8:30 p.m. Baseball versus Alabama A&M University

Women’s tennis at Tyler Junior College 7 p.m. Unchained - A Black History Production at the Paramount Theatre

Chapel checkup To date:

Remaining:

43 30

21

friday Midterm grades available

2

saturday

Track at Texas Christian University Invitational

9 a.m. Men’s tennis versus McMurry University

4 p.m. Softball versus University of Central Arkansas

12 p.m. Softball versus University of Central Arkansas

6 p.m. Baseball versus McNeese State University

4 p.m. Women’s tennis at Stephen F. Austin University

Around Abilene March 19

March 20

March 21

March 21

7:30 p.m. Abigail Kellogg and Dana Swearingen junior recital in the Williams Performing Arts Center.

7 p.m. Aaron Lewis in concert at the Silo. Tickets are $25.

11 a.m. Oops! Make No Mistake About It. Make Life Art exhibit at the Center for Contemporary Arts. Artist Cara Hines is a self-described recovering perfectionist. Creating works with her eyes closed or with her non-dominant hand forces her to respond to feelings, emotions and the sounds around her, quieting her inner critic and helping her to appreciate the mistakes that make life art.

10 a.m. Craftapalooza and Vintage Market at the Abilene Civic Center.

Craftapalooza is a one-day shopping extravaganza featuring an eclectic blend of handcrafted one-of-akind items. Entrance is $3.

@acuoptimist The Optimist optimist@acu.edu

Announcements The ACU Undergraduate Research Festival is almost here! Come to Hunter Welcome Center March 31, 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:// Are you free this summer and in need blogs.acu.edu/conversations/.

Deadof a job? Are you energetic, love being line for submissions is April 10. Email around children and have a passion for snw12a@acu.edu for more information.

Jesus? Then ACU Leadership Camps may be for you. If you have any ques- The second annual Finals Fun Fest will tions, we are located downstairs in the be April 25. The four-on-four grass volCampus Center. Apply online at leyball tournament will be at Sanders http://acucamps.com/apply.

Intramural Fields. Cost is $80 per team.

Each team can have a maximum of five Spoken Word Chapel will meet Tuesdays players, but only four can participate at in the Onstead Packer Biblical Studies a time; at least one player must be feBuilding, Room 250. If you enjoy poetry, male. The play schedule will be sent by come listen, share and be ministered to email beforehand. For more information

by Christ-centered poetry. or to register, contact Ijeoma Moronu at ish07a@acu.edu or 325-674-2383.

Interested in running for student body president, vice president or treasurer? Midnight Worship is every Friday night at Make sure you attend the mandatory Fountaingate Fellowship, 909 N. Willis. meeting Monday at 5:15 p.m. in the Stu- Join college students and young adults dents’ Association conference room. across Abilene as we unite to worship.

The Texas Department of Family Services is having a luncheon information session March 25 in the Alumni Conference Room in the Hunter Welcome Center. If you are interesting in applying to work there, RSVP on College Central Network

by Tuesday.

ACU’s Intramural Rodeo will be March 26. Registration is open untin March 25 after Chapel in the Campus Center.

Cost for a four-person team is $100.

Spectator tickets are $5 for one, or $8 for two. Register now to secure your spot. Spaces are limited.

ACU Theatre’s spring musical is Ghost: The Musical, a timeless fantasy about the power of love. Don’t miss this roller coaster ride of music, romance and comedy. The musical will run at 7:30 p.m. April 10-11, 17-18 and 24-25. There will be a talkback after the performance on April 17. Tickets are $15 and available for purchase at http://acu.edu/theatre.

Professor Albert Haley, ACU’s awardwinning poet and writer-in-residence ,will be teaching ENG 323, a poetry workshop that will meet Tuesday nights next semester. This workshop is open to all majors.

Sarah Cortez, a former Houston police officer, will read some of her poetry at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Hart Auditorium. Don’t miss her first Abilene appearance when she comes to campus to read from her work and provoke us to consider the very human face of law enforcement.

There will be a book signing following the reading.

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.

Highland missions campaign focuses on Abilene volunteered to manage five- to 10-block radiuses focusing on doing what they could for the comThe Highland Church of munities around them.

Christ student and uni- The purpose for Restoversity ministries teamed ration Week, which was up over spring break to March 8-15, was to form minister to the neighbor- new relationships and hoods around the church continue to develop exduring Restoration Week. isting one.

Highland members, as Bailey Cate, one of two well as a few local organi- resident university minzations around Abilene, isters at Highland, said

betsy smith student reporter

there were many positive takeaways from Restoration Week.

“As a team we were able to pray over more than 4,000 neighbors in our community and complete more than 70 service projects,” said Cate, junior communication major from Fremont, Nebraska.

Wade Casey, the other

resident university minister at Highland, said the week went well.

“We met new neighbors and furthered relationships with many friends,” he said. “We prayed over all the homes in the neighborhoods surrounding Highland’s three campuses, and we were able to complete all the projects we received from our neighbors.

Casey said while Restoration Week was a great start, he anticipates more work with the community.

“What is yet to be seen is how well we will continue to engage with and befriend those who live near us,” he said.

Casey said going into the neighborhood was challenging but rewarding.

“Not all people welcomed us or wanted to talk to us, and that was totally fine,” Casey said.

“Many people who responded positively just wanted to have someone listen to them, others needed groceries and others, yard work.”

Casey said the week was full of cool moments that gave volunteers the opportunity to tend to others in a loving way.

“The intentionality of the week allowed us to more more fully embody our Christian commitments,” he said. “As is often the case, the challenge now is to routinize those convictions in everything we do. My favorite part of the week was seeing the variety of people who came to the evening community events.”

Casey said the people involved­were diverse and came together to eat and get to know one another better.

“It was a splendid image of the diverse and extensive community we

call the church,” he said.

Cate said she also enjoyed the experience of Restoration Week, such as seeing students experience Jesus in real life.

“I loved hearing about the relationships they built and how that will impact them for the rest of their lives,” Cate said.

“Highland is not surrounded by strangers anymore; we have neighbors, and they are our friends.”

Casey said Highland Church of Christ plans to have Restoration Week for many years to come.

“Highland will do Restoration Week again next year,” he said. “It is a great way to set the right tempo for how we are to live the rest of the year.”

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

volunteer opportunities Big Brothers Big Sisters “Lunch Buddy” program is looking for volunteers. Each volunteer is matched with an elementary-age child. Volunteers spend just 30 minutes per week eating lunch with their “little brother” or “little sister” at local elementary schools, while mentoring through the simple act of friendship. Participants can enjoy playing card games, reading books and visiting during lunch. The waiting list has 138 children.

Contact Jamie Bearden at 325-674-3113 or jbearden@bbbstx.org for more information.

Communities in Schools needs 10 to 20 reading and lunch buddies at Ortiz Elementary. Volunteers are needed anytime between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. weekdays.

Contact Sheila Ashford at 325-671-4945 ext.5351 or sheila.ashford@abileneisd.org for more information.

Girl Scouts is seeking volunteers to help make a difference in the life of young girls. Girl Scouts offers several flexible ways to volunteer. You choose how: a one-day event, six-week series or year-round troop! Contact Scout Office.

3

news

Wednesday 3.18.15

Community celebrates Chinese New Year emily studer student reporter The International Students Association and the Chinese Students and Scholars Association conducted a Chinese New Year celebration for the new zodiac year.

The event celebrated the Year of the Goat and informed those in attendance of what it is all about, explained Steven Yang, freshman English major from Thailand.

Yang took part in facilitating the event.

“A lot of people are like ‘Oh, it’s just something the Chinese do,’ but we want to inform others so everybody knows what is happening and what is going on,” Yang said. emily studer student reporter The event consisted Students and families gather to celebrate Chinese New Year, the Year of the Goat. of the sharing of cultural

traditions, such as stories and music and some of the celebration’s participants wore traditional Chinese dress.

Paola Teran, junior nursing major from McKinney, attended the event with one of her coworkers.

“I don’t know anything about the Chinese New Year, but hopefully they have good food,” Teran said. “I would like to learn about their culture and what they do on this day.”

At the event, guests experienced a variety of traditional foods and learned the story behind Chinese New Year.

“For Chinese New Year, families gather together, and we exchange red packets which are full of some money,” Yang said. “If you don’t want to give money, you give some scriptures out. It’s just to celebrate the

togetherness of family.”

Yang said the celebration was not particularly hard to plan, but it was slightly difficult promoting and spreading the word about the event.

“From my own experience, a lot of people do not know about this,” Yang said. “I talk to them and they are like, ‘What? I did not know until just now while I’m talking to you.’”

Despite difficulties advertising the celebration, many students and members of the community attended.

“I feel proud of my heritage,” Yang said. “I can share my story, and it makes me happy that people can know more about us.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Sigma Delta Pi debuts first Spanish journal abbey bowling student reporter The ACU chapter of the Spanish honor society Sigma Delta Pi published its first annual Spanish journal, Hispaniola.

Written entirely in Spanish, the journal includes a combination of poetry, short stories, articles, essays and photography submitted by students, faculty and community members. Even Dr. Robert Rhodes, provost of the university, provided an

essay discussing the benefits of speaking two languages.

ACU alumnus and artist Rolando Diaz, based in Dallas, designed the cover art.

Dr. Beatriz Walker is the adviser of Sigma Delta Pi. “We have had contributions all the way from Argentina from a Bible student who is doing mission work there, so we are very pleased about that,” said Walker, associate professor of Spanish language and literature.

“But most of our contributions came from members of

Sigma Delta Pi and other students on campus who are interested in Spanish language and culture.”

Walker said the purpose of the journal is to show the importance of learning a second language and to celebrate the beauty and culture of the Spanish language.

“We want to stress the importance of second language acquisition,” Walker said. “When students leave this campus, they are going to work in Dallas, in New York, in California. Anywhere

you go, you are going to work with people of different backgrounds. It is very important to learn a second language and to learn about other cultures.”

Walker said the vision is to prepare students to go out in the world and show who Christ is in the way they live and that understanding other cultures is part of what Sigma Delta Pi hopes to accomplish through the journal and through teaching foreign languages in the Department of Language and Literature.

“The funds were provided by the Department of Language and Literature, and we are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the encounter between different languages and different cultures on our campus,” said Emily Kruse, vice president of Sigma Delta Pi. Hispaniola will debut at 5 p.m. March 19 in the Campus Center Living Room. All students and faculty are encouraged to come and participate in the presentation.

“This publication has

been an opportunity for current and former students to demonstrate strong language proficiency as well as share experiences of the Spanishspeaking world,” said Kruse, senior management major from Dallas. “We hope that this volume of Hispaniola is the first of many literary and artistic collaborations in the future.”

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Students complete mission work in Honduras johanna Fleming editor in chief Thirteen students traveled to Honduras over spring break to work with Mission Lazarus, an organization dedicated to improving quality of life for Hondurans.

The students built eight latrines in the small, mountain-top village of Las Pitas and got a taste of what life is like for rural Hondurans.

Erick Koster, a junior marketing major from San Antonio, was one of the student co-leaders on the trip.

“I think the coolest part

was having it 100 percent student-led,” Koster said. “I think the trip gave perspective to a lot of the students on the trip as well, understanding not only how others live but how we can help Mission Lazarus and the people of Honduras thrive.”

The students experienced both joyful and heart-wrenching moments during their time in the community of Las Pitas.

Brianna Mckuin, junior mathematics major from Arlington, said it was amazing to see people with so little be content and generous.

“The best part of the

trip for me was seeing the joy on the people’s faces, even though it seemed as if they didn’t have much to be happy for materialistically,” Mckuin said. “They were all so generous with all that they had, whether it was their time and physical labor or the fruit from their trees that they shared with us.”

Mykayla Gunderson, junior nursing major from Spring, said some students as young as 12 years old went to school facing some terrible conditions.

“Some students walk between 2-4 hours per day, and some even 5-6 hours to

come to school,” Gunderson said. “And these students, coming from no money, do not have adequate shoes or none at all to walk for these hours. It was really humbling hearing this and meeting these students.”

This year, the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization partnered with Mission Lazarus to plan the trip. CEO helped organize the trip and gather students who wanted an opportunity to serve.

Rudy Garza, president of CEO, said organizing a mission trip was a natural step for the entrepreneurial club.

“Our main goal is to spread an entrepreneurial mindset around campus and let students of all disciplines know that anyone can start a company that can improve our world,” said Garza, junior marketing major from Corpus Christi. “Naturally, giving back is a major part of corporate citizenship.”

Garza said Mission Lazarus is a perfect partner for CEO because the two groups share similar beliefs and passion for service.

“I love that Mission Lazarus serves others for the sake of serving. They don’t require people to con-

vert to Christ to receive a gift or a doctor’s visit,” he said. “They’ve built a series of outreaches focused on loving people and improving their quality of life. And because of that, many people are willing to listen to what they believe about Christ and the call to advance His kingdom on Earth. Mission Lazarus makes real friends with their community – and that makes all the difference in their ministry.”

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Beltway Park North completes construction bailey werderich student reporter Beltway Park North will open March 29, and the college worship service, 6:33, will take place at the north campus March 25.

“This campus will be much easier for students at all three universities to get to, and we hope that its location will also be a blessing for families who live on the north side,” said Brance Armstrong, senior multimedia major from Odessa and audio/visual technician at Beltway.

The campus was originally set to open in January but was pushed back due to

several factors.

With any construction project, there will always be limiting variables, such as equipment that is or isn’t ready, weather or other manufacturing issues, said Keith Roberson, north campus pastor.

“The majority of the delay was due to delays from the manufacturing and delivery of steel for the building,” he said.

Roberson said they have put two and half years into this project since God gave them the dream to reach northern Abilene and is excited about the opportunity to reach northern Abilene, including outlying communities such as Al-

bany and Clyde.

Mark Jackson, associate director of student organizations and programs, has been a member of Beltway Park since 2001 is on the core launch team of the north campus.

He and his wife, along with around 400 individuals, are making the switch from the south campus to the north campus.

“A lot of big-city churches have done this before, but for an Abilene church to have two church buildings is rather unique,” Jackson said.

The message will be streamed online and shown as a video to north campus attendees. Everything else in

the service will be live.

“There are a lot of moving parts to doing a video campus,” Roberson said. “You’re always at the mercy of some of the those tech elements that you can’t control.”

Roberson said he is confident in the team and the process they have selected to show the streamed message, though.

While he will not deliver the message at the north campus, his responsibility as the north campus pastor is to be a sheppard for the people there.

“My primary role is to be a source of life and encouragement for the people here, to help manage and run the staff and our team

and to make sure we have incredibly excellent life-giving ministries here,” Roberson said.

Beltway recognizes that sometimes individuals can be reserved about going to a church, and their fulltime, full-service coffee shop is a part of their vision to make connections and stir conversation.

“People have the opportunity to come into this building and for it to become a home,” Roberson said. “They may not even go to church here, but they have a home here. The building includes an indoor playground so that families can come.”

Beltway’s goal is to create

a home for people, but they do not want to take people from where they’re already connected.

“If you’re already connected, stay there and grow,” Jackson said.

But for those still searching for a church home, Beltway could be worth visiting.

“We’d love to be a source of encouragement and life for college students; a place where they can come kick their feet up, drink coffee and know that we care about them and we’re here for them,” Roberson said.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Dallas: ACU expands presence in Metroplex from page 1 sity to help launch the programs.

“I think it makes our university more recognizable to those in that market, but also expands our national presence as well,” Rhodes said. “I’m proud of what we have here, and I think being able to offer our programs to more people who don’t have access to our Abilene campus is a great move.”

This isn’t the first time ACU has sought to make inroads in the Dallas market. Rhodes said the university partnered with an institution in Dallas in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but with a different set of objectives the programs phased out.

Johnson said the university has worked with consulting firms like Helix Education, which offers research and advisory services, and Hanover, a global information services firm, to evaluate which programs would best fit ACU’s mission.

“They’re looking at sectors of the higher education market, like business, education, health professions, so on and so forth, and then they’re giving us data on what the most sought degrees are, and what the most degrees awarded are,” he said.

Johnson said the university already hired a person to lead the enrollment management team which began training last week. The recruiters and

counselors are actively marketing several of the programs.

The offered programs will include the following: – Master of Marriage and Family Therapy – Certificate in Medical Family Therapy – Master of Divinity/ Master of Christian Ministry – Dietetic Internship Program/Certificate Additional programs are awaiting approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. They include: – Master of Communication Sciences and Disorders – Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership One program, a Mas-

ter’s of Business Administration, is awaiting faculty approval. The faculty decision will take place in the next few weeks, and if it passes, the program will be submitted for accreditation approval as well.

A Doctorate of Nursing Practice is in the r e s e a r c h-a nd-pr op o s a l phase, and is proposed to launch in Fall 2016, according to the university’s release.

“These programs are designed to reach adult, non-traditional students that would not move to Abilene, but we could meet there where they are,” Johnson said. “We want to combine programs that equip people to succeed in their careers, the knowledge and

skills to succeed in their careers, while partnering in God’s work to form them as people to understand their work as a call-

ing or a vocation.” contact jackson at bkj12a@acu.edu

Opinion

4

Wednesday 3.18.15

editorial

TEDxACU is sharing ideas at a high price for some the issue TEDxACU tickets are expensive.

our take Students should be the primary audience for an event that is on campus and that most students are familar with.

Ten presenters are coming to Cullen Auditorium April 17 as part of an independently organized local TED event called TEDxACU. According to the TED website, “In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events

that bring people together to share a TED-like experience.”

The cost of “sharing” for students who did not fill out the required questionnaire and want to attend TEDxACU is $75.

The survey seemed a little daunting at first and looked like a lot of work

hashtagACU

for a ticket that you might not even get, and if you did get, you still had to pay for.

The bulk of the questionnaire wanted paragraph responses for three questions: 1. Why do you want to attend TEDxACU? 2. What is your favorite TED Talk, and why is that your favorite?

3. TED’s mission is to support “ideas worth spreading.” Why do you want to join the TED movement by attending TEDxACU? Lauren Lemley, director of TEDxACU, said,

“Our goal with the application questions was to ask things that would help us identify the students most interested in the conference and then be able to award those students with tickets.”

Of the applicants who filled out the questionnaire, 200 were accepted.

The number of student tickets were limited because the reduced rate doesn’t cover the full cost of attendance.

Community members pay the $75, ACU Alumni pay $50, Big Country Educators pay $50, current

ACU faculty/staff pay $30, all without a deadline.

Meaning only those 200 students who filled out the questionnaire get to attend at the $20 price.

It’s understandable that limited space means higher-priced tickets; that’s supply and demand.

And it’s also understandable that this is intended to be a community event and so they are limiting student tickets so that not just students participate.

But when the name ‘ACU’ takes up half of the event name (TEDxACU), we thought that students

and faculty would be the primary audience.

We don’t know how many students ended up purchasing the $20 tickets or how many were rejected. It could be that there weren’t even 200 students willing to apply and/or pay to attend. Nevertheless, it’s frustrating that a student who didn’t apply or decides to buy a ticket the week of, will have to shell out $75.

contact The Optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

DAILY doodle dosage

Ben Todd

March 17 9:40 a.m.

If you pinch me I will return it with a swift punch to your throat.

@amyynicole March 16 11:12 a.m.

I’m 90% sure that the top floor of the library literally has more trash cans than power outlets

@Lincoln_Woods

March 17 3:06 p.m.

Can we start a GoFundMe for La Pop? But really.

@fabvargas_ March 17 1:19 p.m.

Told my dad that he too has to wear a gown for my graduation & I don’t think he’s coming anymore so escort needed PLS

March 17 3:23 p.m.

Can’t go to my room or I’ll eat snacks. Can’t go to the library or I’ll buy Starbucks. Can’t go to business building cause it’s got a cafe.

@BrookersM March 13 10:56 p.m.

I need a spring break to recover from this spring break .#norest

@danielzepeda_93

@TessLenae March 17 3:47 p.m.

WHERE IS MY GREEN TSHIRT I NEED A FREE SHORTSTACK OF PANCAKES

Column

The worst party trick ever

@hannahhecker March 16 6:32 p.m.

Today I fell in the middle of the street on roller blades. Approx 2 mins later one of the wheels fell off. Gr8 day!!!

VAGABONDAGE THE ORRACLE

SAMANTHAMADELINE SUTHERLAND ORR

March 16 11:52 p.m.

Monday: the day you spill hot coffee on yourself, shatter your phone screen and get stepped on by a horse.

At least Kendrick’s album is here

I realized life is way too short to eject a USB properly

YikYak

@realzekemorgan So it turns out that I’m actually double majoring in stress and procrastination

I haven’t watched TV or loyally followed a single show in over a year. I honestly can’t say the last time I watched something on Netf lix.

No, I didn’t give it up for Lent or intentionally make some vow against TV. I promise I’m not a pretentious freak – I have nothing against TV, and I’m sure I would enjoy it.

The habit probably started last spring when I lived in a 600-square-foot apartment in downtown Austin. There was no living room, no cable connection and no space for a TV. Of course I could have watched anything on my computer, but I just never thought about it.

@melissalefan

All I want today is to find a leprechan so I can stop being broke.

YikYak

YikYak

When I first realized I didn’t know what anyone was talking about anytime they brought up The Walking Dead or House of Cards, I didn’t think anything of it. I thought maybe devoting my spare time to other things would actually be beneficial to me. You know, like those parents who come up with reasons for not letting their children have cable, or limit the hours of after school TV. But I quickly realized my lack of TV knowledge was actually detrimental to my social skills.

I found myself in countless social situations where someone quickly tried to make

conversation by referencing a TV show, and I continually had to stare at them blankly, admitting I hadn’t seen whatever latest Netf lix series they were referencing. Even my parents struggled to include me in some of their conversations about the latest plot twists.

TV used to give those who were too dedicated to it a negative stigma, like a guilty pleasure.

It required them to be glued to their couch on the same day, at the same time, every week.

Now that entertainment has taken on new life via DVR and streaming, it’s reversed said stigma, and now those who haven’t watched any of it are the outliers.

It’s become more than entertainment.

Movies and series’ have embedded themselves into our culture in a way that would make anyone out-

side of the culture feel uninformed or foreign.

I’ve sat around listening to so many conversations about shows that I can recite most main characters and settings.

I know that Crazy Eyes is in prison and that Walter White sells drugs, but I probably won’t laugh at your jokes referencing them.

What’s funny is how what I assumed would be good for me, turned about to be the worst party trick ever.

The bad news is: I’m too far behind to ever catch up with everyone now. The good news is: I’m graduating in May and still don’t have a job.

So does anyone want to lend me their Netf lix login?

contact orr at mco10b@acu.edu

Column

Reflecting on childhood cartoons is troublesome IN YEEZUS VAGABONDAGE NAME, AMEN

SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND JARRED SCHUETZE

So if you want to read something clever or academically engaging, you won’t like what I have to say. However, if you’re dying to hear someone you probably don’t know talk about nothing, then stick around.

Each time my column comes around, I debate

for hours on what to write about, as if it really matters, until I finally choose one of my first initial thoughts. Today, I’m just going to reach a sufficient word count by ranting about random thoughts that, in turn, you can use to spark conversations with your friends.

With that being said, why does no one ever talk about the seven-mile spanking machine from SpongeBob SquarePants?

You know which episode I’m talking about.

The one where he shatters his butt bone and refuses to go outside and becomes friends with a chip, a napkin and a penny? If you don’t remember that then sorry you’re sitting quietly while your friends are laughing at the thought of it.

On the topic of cartoons, was I the only one

editorial and Letter Policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration.

Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing

personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

published by the department of journalism and mass communication editorial and management board

to reminisce about one of the most psychologically scaring cartoons of our childhood.

I suppose this column has now turned into cartoon nostalgia, so my third thought is just how incredibly rad ScoobyDoo was. I don’t care who you are, there’s no denying the perfect Saturday morning involved solving mysteries with the gang.

If you missed the bandwagon, I am truly sorry because your childhood was lame. I know what you’re thinking, and

the answer is yes, I did have three Scooby-Doothemed birthday parties. In addition, I’d like to publicly announce my disgust with these newage wannabe Scooby Doo cartoons. What an insult to the retro memory of Scooby and the Gang.

Jinkies, I’ve reached my 350-word count and with no help from you meddling kids and you’re dumb dog. contact Schuetze at jds11b@acu.edu

Madeline Orr

catherine blakemore

jamie swallows

James Eldred

Kenneth Pybus

editor in chief opinion page editor

arts Editor

chief Videographer

Staff Writer

faculty adviser

paige otway

Ben Todd

cade white

brittany jackson

emily seidel Copy editor

Staff Photographer

Cartoonist

rachel fritz

abby runnels

copy editor

Page 2 Editor

Daniel Zepeda

Laura Benson

Sports director

newscast producer

managing editor

Elijah Evans online managing editor

jarred schuetze chief photogrpaher

linsey thut features editor

Visuals adviser

cara lee cranford advertising

collin wieder Sports Editor

Shera Niemirowski Sports multimedia director

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

who was freaked out by Courage the Cowardly Dog? That show was so trippy.

I didn’t watch it habitually, but I recall one episode that really freaked me out as a kid.

This episode introduced us to Muriel’s nephew who was a creepy blonde barber with a permanent disturbing grin on his face. He spoke with this deep, drawn out slur and constantly said the word “naughty.”

Do yourself a favor and look up pictures just

hannah little sports broadcast producer newsroom (325) 674-2439

sports desk (325) 674-2684

photo department (325) 674-2499

advertising office (325) 674-2463

multimedia desk (325) 674-2463

subscriptions ($40/Year) (325) 674-2296

5

featureS

Wednesday 03.18.15

MARY’S PALETERIA

Ice Pop Culture Family-owned paleteria faithfully serves frozen treats to Abilene residents Madeline orr Editor in chief

M

ary’s Paleteria is a splash of color to anyone traveling down the bleak South Treadaway Boulevard. Between an abandoned gas station and a gravel road, Mary’s bright pennant flags and painted tropical murals can’t be ignored.

A paleta is a Latin American ice pop, usually made from fresh fruit, but can be either cream-based or water-based. Mary’s is the only paleteria in Abilene, serving a variety of Mexican inspired delights.

In 2000, Martin Marquez opened Mary’s Paleteria after helping his father open Mary’s Mexican restaurant across the street. Both Mary’s operations are the namesake of Martin’s two younger sisters, Marisela and Maricruz.

“I think my dad wanted to do something of his own,” said Marquez’s daughter, Jasmine, a sophomore at Woodson Center for Excellence.

When the building across the street from the restaurant went up for sale, Marquez bought it and went to work.

“He fixed it all up then got a friend to teach him how to make all the homemade ice cream, all the homemade drinks,” she said. “He got the hang of it and did it all on his own.”

Two years later, Martin was working at another job remodeling a house when there was an accident. A coworker found him dead at the site, but because he was working alone that day, the cause of his death is still unclear.

Immediately, his wife took ownership of the store and continued making the desserts her husband had perfected. Customers are often surprised to learn the woman behind Mary’s, is actually a Silvia.

“She didn’t know anything,” Jasmine said. “But she picked it up and she’s been doing it on her own for 12 years and makes everything: all the drinks, ice creams and fruit bars.”

Jasmine has the same bright brown eyes as her mother, only with a thicker smudge of teenage eyeliner. A cotton apron hangs around Silvia’s tan neck.

She sits next to her daughter who helps translate and find the tougher English vocabulary she occasionally misplaces.

Long reach-in freezers and refrigerators wrap across the store and serve as the counter between customers and employees. To the left are the drinks with ladles that reach down into deep stainless steel containers. The brightly colored flavors range from piña colada to the traditional milky Mexican horcha-

“

ta—a cinnamon and vanilla beverage. Whole construction crews stop by every afternoon for a ladle of the popular limeade.

The ice cream waits on the far right, taking up prime real estate next to the frozen bars and chocolate covered bananas. While many of the recipes include classic flavors like cookies and cream and rocky road, the treats showcasing Mexican flavors are the real stars. Most of their ingredients are brought in from Mexico, like the chili powder in the fruit cups and the cocoa and vanilla in the ice cream.

Non-traditional flavors, like cheese ice cream, spike customers’ interest.

“They say ‘oh like cheesecake,’” Silvia laughed. “No, no, no, not like cheesecake.” Rather, sweet cream is sprinkled with a salty Monterey jack cheese blend to create the unique texture.

Silvia makes batches of three different flavors every three days in order to keep ice cream in stock.

Customers always come for the delicacies but they stay for the conversation. Despite Silvia’s lack of fluency in speaking English, she can still understand most of what she hears.

Silvia smiles as Jasmine translates her stories about college students who come back to visit her long after they’ve moved out of Abilene.

“One guy wanted to try every flavor of ice cream I had,” Silvia recalls. “It was funny Jasmine Marquez to watch his face because even the ones he employee at mary’s paleteria didn’t like, he would tell me it was good just because he appreciated me.”

A local Abilenian, Jesse Moon, is a regular at Mary’s. He and a friend sit at one of the two laminate tables inside the cool paleteria. Crepe paper pineapples hang from the ceiling and twirl as gusts of wind blow in each time a customer walks through the door.

“Today I tried the pistachio,” Moon said. “It’s always good.”

Despite slow days or minor disasters, like entire cases of melted paletas, Silvia only speaks about how much she loves her job.

“Me encanta, me encanta,” she said as Jasmine translates.

Silvia disappears back into the kitchen and Jasmine returns behind the counter to service the drive-through.

“People walk in and ask to talk to Mary and my mom just smiles and says, ‘Sure, I’m Mary.’”

She didn’t know anything, but she picked it up and she’s been doing it on her own for 12 years...”

Page design Rachel Mallary

jarred schuetze cheiif Photographer

Top: An employee at Mary’s serves up their famous lemonade and limade to customers. Left: The colorful building stands out along Treadaway Blvd. Right: Deep freezers are constantly refiled with an assortment of ice cream and ice pops.

sports

wednesday 3.18.15

Wildcats wrap up second Southland season Collin thompson sports reporter With a 60-40 road loss to the A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders on March 7, the women’s basketball team’s season came to an end.

The team managed to go 9-9 in the Southland conference, good for eighth out of 13 teams, compared to just 8-6 last season. Their 17-12 overall record ties them for second-best in the conference with Lamar, whom the team lost to in both their match-ups this season, and six games behind the conference’s best, the 23-6 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks.

Seven of the team’s 17 wins this season came in the fall, before they even started conference play. The team looked like a force to be reckoned with, grabbing an impressive win over an established Div. I Eastern Washington University team on the road and coming home proud after winning the UMKC Plaza Lights Classic tournament.

“I was really, really proud of our non-conference schedule and just how our team performed during the fall semester,” said Julie Goodenough, head coach. “We really won some games, some really tough games that I don’t think anyone thought that we

Yam Saowatarnpong Staff Photographer

Sophomore guard Alexis Mason was third on the team in scoring this season with 11.3 points per game trailing fellow sophomores Sydney Shelstead and Suzzy Dimba. would be successful in.”

But at the turn of the new year, it simply wasn’t the same story. The team, which had been averaging 77.4 points a game, wasn’t bringing the same inten-

sity to their Southland rivals as they had been against earlier opponents.

Going just 1-5 in their first six Southland conference match-ups, the season wasn’t getting off to the

start everyone was expecting.

“I was very disappointed in January,” Goodenough said. “I thought in January we came back after Christmas and something had

happened. We just didn’t really have that moxie about us that we had before. We didn’t come back with the same fire, the same competitiveness, so I’m disappointed with the way we started conference play but very impressed with how we put things together.”

And pulled it together they did.

The team finished the rest of their season in impressive fashion, going 8-4 with strong victories over conference foes, including Incarnate Word, Sam Houston State and Southeastern Louisiana, and showed that they’re a team on the rise that looks to be a force in the Southland conference next season and for many years to come.

“I thought our team grew tremendously this season,” Goodenough said. “It is just super hard to win in the Southland. Our closest game is going to be Incarnate Word, over four hours away, and we have several trips that are eight and 10 hours away.

To put a game plan together and to have that plan carried over into the game, playing at a high level and being able to win games on the road, is hard in the Southland, so I was really pleased with the way we played this season.” contact thompson at cnt13c@acu.edu

Baseball keys win against Lions collin wieder sports editor ACU baseball took a huge leap toward competing against the best of the Southland Conference last weekend. The Wildcats, 2-13 (2-4), lost a tough series to the Southeastern Louisiana Lions but won 9-2 Saturday against the 15-6 (42) Lions team that made the NCAA Tournament in 2014.

Head coach Britt Bonneau said he though the weekend went well despite losing the series.

“Overall, going to Southeastern Louisiana, which is a place we have never been to, and playing a team that reached the regional finals and getting a win is huge for our program,” Bonneau said.

The Wildcats dropped the first game of the weekend by a score of 11-3.

Garrett Demeyere, junior pitcher from Benbrook, had his first rough outing of the season giving up eight earned runs in five innings of work.

Tyler Eager, senior first baseman from Fort Worth, turned in the best batting performance of the series for the Wildcats going 4-for-5 at the plate.

ACU followed up the disappointing loss with the emphatic 9-2 win on Saturday.

The Wildcats were tied at 2 heading into the top of ninth inning when the Wildcats’ offense took over. The offense scored seven runs on five hits and two errors giving them a nice lead heading into the bottom of the ninth. Kevin Sheets, senior pitcher from Brier, Washington, entered the game and would not give up a run giving the Wildcats their second Southland win of the season.

Aaron Mason, junior transfer pitcher from Bro-

6

standings 2014-2015 men’s basketball Standings

Team

Div.

SFA 17-1 SHSU 15-3 NSU 13-5 TAMU-CC 13-5 UIW 10-8 Lamar 9-9 MSU 8-10 HBU 7-11 Nicholls St.7-11 NO 6-12 SELU 6-12 ACU 4-14 UCA 2-16

Ovrl 29-4 25-8 19-12 19-13 18-10 15-15 15-16 12-16 10-19 11-18 9-23 10-21 2-27

2014-2015 women’s basketball Standings

Team

Div.

SFA 16-2 Lamar 14-4 Nicholls St.13-5 TAMU-CC 12-6 MSU 11-7 NSU 10-8 UCA 10-7 ACU 9-9 HBU 6-12 NO 5-13 SHSU 5-13 SELU 3-15 UIW 2-16

Ovrl 23-7 17-13 17-13 16-14 17-13 19-14 17-14 17-12 15-18 8-19 6-22 7-22 5-24

Who’s Hot Junior transfer pitcher Aaron Mason put in an impressive Mason 5.2 innings of work in ACU baseball’s 9-2 win Saturday over Southeastern Louisiana.

Mason gave up only one earned run on the afternoon.

briefings Ten of the ACU Basketball team’s opponents reached post-season play this season. That list includes two teams that will be in the NCAA Tournament.

Conference champion Stephen F. Austin and non-conference opponent Boise State made the tourney.

Former ACU safety and current NFL player Daniel Manning is bringing his football camp to ACU. The camp will be March 28 and will include former Wildcats who are in pro football: Taylor Gabriel, Edmond Gates, Darryl Richardson, Charcandrick West, Mitchell Gale and Bernard Scott. mariana Cedillo Staff Photographer

The Wildcats had a tough non conference schedule to start the year, but seemed to have settled into conference play. The ‘Cats beat two of the Southland’s top opponents in Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana. ken Arrow, Oklahoma, put together his best game so far this season giving up only one earned run on 5.2 innings of work.

“I thought Aaron Mason did a great job of keeping us in the game, and we just kind of hung around and then had a big ninth inning,” Bonneau said.

Ladgie Zotyka, senior pitcher from Wallis, picked up his first win of the season as he put in 1.1 shutout

innings of work.

Freshman utility player Marcelle Carter came up big for the ‘Cats going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one run batted in.

ACU, however, closed out the weekend on a tough loss as they were dominated 11-0 Sunday. The Wildcats managed only two hits on the night, one from sophomore infielder Aaron Draper and the other from Eager.

Thomas Altimont, se-

nior pitcher from Southlake, continued his tough start to the season as he dropped to 0-4 after a three-inning fourearned run outing.

The lone bright spot from the pitching staff came from junior from Banderas Nick Palacios who recorded an eight-pitch shutout inning.

The Wildcats have struggled at the plate this season as only three players are hitting above .250 right now.

“We have a lot of guys who

are hitting the ball hard but just aren’t getting on base,” Bonneau said. “It has been a challenge for us offensively, and that can range from a lot of things, but we are going to continue to adjust.”

The ‘Cats return to the diamond to face Alabama A&M for their second game of the series at 2 p.m. Wednesday. contact wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu

Head basketball coach Joe Golding and the ACU basketball team will go to Costa Rica over the summer to play in a tourmament and help out with a mission trip.

Upcoming Baseball continues its home stand Wednesday against Alabama A&M. First pitch is at 2 p.m.

Renner captains ‘Cats through Carolinas reese gwin student reporter The ACU golf team didn’t stop to play in the sun during spring break. Instead, they played in two tournaments totaling 108 competitive holes.

The Wildcats tied for 15th in the Bash at the Beach in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, last Tuesday. They closed the week Sunday in fourth place at the Pinehurst Intercollegiate in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

“Everything put together, I think it was a positive week,” said Brandon Wilkins, a junior from Aledo. “We had some ups and downs, but we learned a lot and finished strong in the end.”

Their campaign in the Carolinas began the last Monday

Women’s tennis travels to Tyler Thursday to play against Tyler Junior College. with 36 holes at the Surf Golf to join Renner in the top half and three of them were tied play very well as a team.” and Beach Club. Immediately of the field. No other Wildcat for fifth. Renner, Wilkins and Renner once again proved Matches start at 10 the ‘Cats faced adversity. The finished better than 50th.

Vaughn each shot a 4-over-75 himself a truly competitive a.m. course played unlike anything they had ever seen, and it showed in their scores. The greens were slow, and the ball didn’t roll like they were used to.

“I was frankly surprised we didn’t adapt quicker,” said Tom Shaw, head coach. “But overall, it was a good learning experience because we’ll see greens like that in the future, and great teams adapt quicker than other teams.”

Corbin Renner, senior from Little Rock, Arkansas, was one of the only Wildcats to adjust to the course. He shot 72, 70 and 74 over his three rounds and finished 22nd out of the field of 105.

Dillon Vaughn, junior from Joshua, carded a 74, 76 and 74

The team then had a twoday break before travelling to their next tournament. They spent that time practicing at the University of South Carolina’s indoor practice facility in Columbia, South Carolina.

They travelled north to Pinehurst No. 8 for a threeday tournament on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It was a unique tournament structure for the team as they only had to play one round a day for three days.

“It was more like a marathon instead of sprint,” Wilkins said. “It was nice to know you only had to focus on 18 holes a day and not try to play 36 right off the bat.”

After the first day, the Wildcats were in second place

to be among the leaders after day one.

But day two brought a unique set of struggles. It rained all day and Vaughn was hampered by an illness that nearly prevented him from playing. The team did not respond well to the rain and fell to fifth.

However, Renner managed to shoot a 73 and move into third place. He closed the Sunday tournament strong with a 74 and held on to his third spot. The rest of the team had a strong day and moved up a spot to forth.

“The second round set us back too far to be able to catch the leaders,” Shaw said.

“While our new rain gear performed flawlessly, we did not

golfer through both tournaments. Vaughn provided solid support in the two slot, and Wilkins carded some nice rounds in the three slot. Still, the ‘Cats will look for more consistency from the bottom of their line-up as they move forward, but the trip remains a positive one in their eyes.

“We did too many good things and learned too much to hang our heads on anything in either tournament,” Wilkins said. “We see where we need to improve and stepup, and I think that last round gives us something to be proud of going forward.” contact gwin at erg12a@acu.edu

Softball hosts the University of Central Arkansas this weekend for a three-game series. The first two games will occur on Friday. The first game begins at 4 p.m.

Track heads to Fort Worth to compete in the TCU Invitational Friday.

Men’s tennis stays home to play McMurry University and the University of the Southwest Saturday.