The Optimist Print Edition 11.11.16

Page 1

WHAT'S INSIDE

NEWS

Remembering Katie Kirby: Family and friends reflect on Katie’s life. Page 3

OPINION

What does the ACU Community mean to the Editorial Board? We’ve experienced it big time this week.

FEATURE

SPORTS

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Pages 6

Didn’t see that one coming? Students react to Donald Trump’s surprising presidential victory.

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Lizzie Dimba returns to the court after her injury. Will women’s basketball defend their Southland title?

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Friday, November 11, 2016 Vol. 105, Issue 13

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

DID YOU SAY “TRUMP”?

BIANCA BARRIENTOS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER The Optimist Newsroom opened its doors Tuesday night for an Election Nigh watch party, co-sponsored by Students’ Association. Students from varying political backgrounds watched votes roll in throughout the night with mixed reactions to President-elect Trump’s victory.

Ethnos to feature Nepalese dance BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

The annual Ethnos show will feature its first Nepalese act as students and the Abilene community present cultural performances. Christi Lim, president of the International Students’ Association, said the organization has already sold several hundred tickets in physical and online sales. ISA also sold T-shirts printed with the event theme “Roots.” “We have a lot of different acts this year,” Lim said. Audiences can enjoy 16 performances, including acts by student groups -Omega Dance Company, Shades Step Squad, Sanctify, and Swing Cats. The first ever Nepalese act will feature many Abilene area high school students. Some Hardin-Simmons University students will also participate. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets cost $8 for general admission and $5 for a group of ten or more. Preferred seating tickets cost $12. HRR13B@ACU.EDU

Students weigh in on Trump’s triumph BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

International students paid close attention the election, although they couldn’t vote, and Hispanic students had varied responses to Trump’s election. Renique Rodriguez, president of Hispanos Unidos, said her grandparents immigrated from Mexico which caused her family to be passionate about politics. “Being able to have the right to vote is a big deal in the immigrant and Hispanic community because you are now a citizen of the United States,” Rodriguez said. “And you have this voice to speak up.” Rodriguez, junior mis-

sions major from Georgetown, said she’s seen a lot of outrage from the Hispanic community since Trump was elected. She said she’s heard many Hispanics say they feel worthless in the eyes of America, but her family actually voted for Trump. Rodriguez said she was torn about her own vote. “Personally, I don’t think it’s OK to stand with someone who is racist,” Rodriguez said. “I’m not OK with this.” Vicente Rojas, senior engineering major from Torreon, Mexico, said many of his friends in Mexico were disappointed with Trump’s election because of the things he has said about Mexicans. However, Rojas

said he personally wants to give Trump the benefit of the doubt. “I hope he’s going to do a good job,” Rojas said. “I’m interested to see how he’s going to do as a person who comes from a different background.” Rojas said Trump’s election has no affect on him because he came into the country legally by getting a student visa. He plans to stay in the United States after graduation and get his Master’s degree while working for an engineering firm. He said he can stay in the country for three years without a permit as a graduate of a U.S. university, but after three years his company would have to sponsor him for a work visa.

“I know I got into this country the right way,” Rojas said. “I know I’m going to be OK as long as I follow the regulations – those are not going to change from night to day.” Christi Lim, International Students’ Association president, said she found it interesting that Hillary Clinton had more popular votes, but Trump won the election. She said American students should be grateful regardless of the election results because they have more of a political voice than her home country, Malaysia. When the country elected its current prime minister, Lim said he was losing in the polls but after a nationwide blackout, the lights came on and he

was winning. “There’s a lot of corruption going on in Malaysia,” Lim said. “It’s all really fishy stuff. Basically it looks like we can vote, but in the end our opinion doesn’t quite matter.” Lim, junior graphic design and advertising major from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, said she heard Illinois elected its first Asian female senator, Republican Tammy Duckworth. “Even if the results weren’t what most people that I know wanted, at least some good stuff is happening in other places too,” Lim said. HRR13B@ACU.EDU

Classes, clubs select Sing Song directors BY BRIANNA CLOSE STUDENT REPORTER

Classes and clubs have selected directors for Sing Song 2017, Fire and Ice, and preparations for building shows have begun. Sing Song directors for class and club acts will have their first meeting Saturday Nov. 12. Erika Teilmann, sopho-

more management and marketing major from Houston, will direct the sophomore class act with Laura Walling. “Laura and I, the other co-director, both didn’t pledge, and we both really wanted to make sure there was a community for people built for other people who didn’t pledge,” Teilmann said. “Also giving an avenue for people that are in club to

see their friends.” Seven out of the ten acts will be lead by co-directors. “I’ve had a lot of good opportunities to be in leadership position on campus and I’m really excited to get to lead a group that I love and am passionate about,” said Ashlyn Anthony, senior graphic design and advertising major from Dallas. Anthony will direct Ko Jo Kai’s

club act. Many of the directors have participated in previous class and club acts. “I co-directed last year and felt like I didn’t give it everything last year and put a lot of it off and I feel like there is still a lot for me to do better this year,” said Hunter Howard, senior christian ministries major from Rowlett. Howard is directing Tro-

jan club act for the second time. Themes for each act will be chosen Monday at the director’s meeting. “I’m looking forward to getting to see everyone interact and seeing how they grow and making an experience worth remembering,” Teilmann said. SEE DIRECTORS PAGE 2

University purchases first international property

144-year-old German villa to become Study Abroad’s Leipzig hub BY ALLISON BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF

The university recently finalized the purchase of its first international property – a 15,000-square-foot villa in the heart of Leipzig, Germany. The 144-year-old villa, built in 1872, is located in Leipzig’s Music District. The villa will accommodate around 35 people. Stephen Shewmaker, executive director of the Center for International Edu-

cation, said the process of acquiring the property has taken nearly a year. In January, Shewmaker traveled to Leipzig in January with Dr. Robert Rhodes, provost, Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, Scott Colley, VP of something, and Kevin Roberts, former whatever, to look at a property. The group initially looked at a different home on the same street, but after meeting Oriol Plans-Casal, owner

of the villa, conversations began about a possible transaction. “After having quite a few conversations with Oriol and a few extra trips to Leipzig, we hired an engineer to go through the property and assess its soundness,” Shewmaker said. As things moved forward, Shewmaker worked with a Leipzig-based attorney to complete the acquisition. “We don’t have to do

much to it, but we’ll have to do some furnishing,” Shewmaker said. “It’s in really good shape, and it’s really nice on the inside – perfect for what we need it to be.” Shewmaker said he hopes the property will be ready for students to use by Summer 2017, but is still unsure which of the summer groups will get to stay at the villa. “Where the building is SEE ABROAD PAGE 3

W W W. A C U O P T I M I S T. C O M

COURTESY PHOTO ACU’s newest property: a 15,000-square-foot villa in the heart of Leipzig, Germany


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