the optimist - 01.16.13
DESCRIPTION
A product of the JMC Network of student media at Abilene Christian UniversityTRANSCRIPT
The school year began with three i n t e r i m deans lead-ing three colleges in the univer-sity. Soon af-ter appoint-
ing the permanent dean of the College of Arts and Sci-ences, the provost named Dr. Donnie Snider the dean of the College of Education and Human Services.
The search committee for the CEHS dean named Snider, who had been serv-ing in the position in an interim capacity since the summer, as the only final-
ist near the end of last se-mester. Snider interviewed with faculty on campus at the beginning of finals week and, after hearing faculty feedback, the search com-mittee unanimously rec-ommended Snider to the provost, Dr. Robert Rhodes. Rhodes then appointed Snider to the permanent position, effective Jan. 1.
Snider has worked for 30 years in public education, 20 of which as a school ad-ministrator before accept-ing a faculty position at ACU about six years ago.
“He brings in a wealth of public education expe-rience,” Rhodes said. “He understands the needs in teacher education and hu-man services. He is a good listener and someone who looks for the best interest of the staff, faculty and students.”
As dean, Snider will oversee five departments: Kinesiology and Nutrition, Communication Sciences and Disorders, School of
Abilene Christian University
Beyond the Plate: Local eatery not your typical Abilene restaurant
FeaturesPage 7
vol. 101, no. 29 wednesday, january 16, 2012 1 SECTION, 10 PAGES
NEWS
Page 3
Our camera staff documented some of the finals week festivities
PHOTOS
INSIDE
Page 5
Honors College offering spring break colloquium in New York City
NEWS
Page 4
Sibling rivalries thrive in ACU athletic competitions
FEATURE
Page 4
Ag department moves from Zona Luce to make way for School of Nursing
NEWS
ACU installs statue as part of Lunsford Trail near Hardin
Page 8
Page 8
Partridge named Marshall Scholar before graduating
NEWS
Page 10
Throwers Kerjean, Lakey win at Tech Open on Saturday
SPORTS
acuoptimist.com
For a full game recap of last night’s men’s basketball game, go to:
SPORTS
mandy lambright chief photographer
Lauren Fjordbak, December graduate, grins as she moves her tassel over after accepting her diploma.
graduation
Provost appoints CEHS dean
see snider page 5
administrationPage 6
The Editorial Board, and the Optimist, adjusting to staff turnover
OPINION
Page 10
Women’s basketball coach Goodenough snags 300th victory
SPORTS
Page 10
Men’s basketball team giving back to the community
SPORTS
administration
dr. robert rhodesprovost
He brings in a wealth of public education
experience.”“
The College of Biblical Studies Dean Search Com-mittee has selected three candidates for campus in-terviews.
On Jan. 8, Provost Rob-ert Rhodes announced in an email to faculty and staff that the search com-
mittee would be interview-ing Dr. Ken Cukrowski, Dr. Mark Hamilton and Dr. Ed-die Sharp for the position
of dean of the College of Biblical Studies.
Hamilton is associ-ate dean of the Gradu-ate School
of Theology and professor of Old Testament. Sharp received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate de-
grees from ACU, was the preaching minister at Uni-versity Church of Christ for 30 years and is a member of the Board of Trustees. Cuk-rowski has served as interim dean of the College of Bibli-cal Studies since Marchand is an associate professor of New Testament.
Rhodes said that while the qualifications for all deans are fundamentally
the same, the CBS dean plays an important spiritual role for the university.
“It is a unique college on the campus in the sense that it is one that we all feel kindred ownership with, in the sense that it represents a core aspect of who we are and in many ways why we’re here,” Rhodes said.
Three to interview for CBS deanjosh garcia
managing editor
The university is begin-ning a national search for a new vice president for Student Life and dean of students.
Dr. Jean-Noel Thomp-son will remain in the po-
sition until March 8, when he will leave ACU to be-
gin work as vice president for student services at
Faulkner University, also a Church of Christ-affiliated university, in Montgom-ery, Ala.
Dr. Allison Garrett, ex-ecutive vice president of the university, sent an email to all students on Friday to announce that the university will appoint an interim director of Stu-
dent Life while it searches for Thompson’s perma-nent successor.
“Jean-Noel has been an integral part of the ACU management team, and has done a wonderful job assembling and leading one of the best student
see thompson page 5
Dean of students to leave poststudent life
staff report
thompson
see candidates page 5
mark smitheditor in chief
@acuoptimistThe OptimistACUOPTIMIST.COM [email protected]
snider
Hamiltoncukrowski sharp
Dr. jean-noel thompsonvice president for student life and dean of students
I wish ACU the very best, and it is my deepest prayer that she will grow and
thrive in Godly wisdom.”“
Nearly 200 undergradu-ate students received their diplomas on Dec. 14 in Moody Coliseum.
“It’s really strange gradu-
ating a semester early, be-cause a vast majority of my friends still have a whole semester to spend togeth-er,” said Carrie Baker, se-nior psychology major from Plano. “That’s probably the saddest part about it, that I have to leave my friends
behind. On the other hand, I’m definitely excited about being able to experience ‘real life.’”
Baker plans on working with public relations for a small jewelry company in the London area now that she’s graduated.
The Commencement began at 7:30 p.m. with a reception immediately fol-lowing the ceremony in the Hunter Welcome Center.
Dr. Andy Little, assistant professor of business law
Ceremony sends off seniorsmarissa jones
oxford correspondent
see commencement page 5
16 17 18 19Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 p.m. Women’s Basket-ball at TAMU-Kingsville
3 p.m. Men’s Basket-ball at TAMU-Kingsville
11 a.m. Praise Day1 p.m. Women’s Basket-ball vs Incarnate Word
3 p.m. Men’s Basket-ball vs Incarnate Word
7 p.m. WWW Chapel Forum in Chapel on the Hill
Police Log
1 54@acuoptimist
The Optimist
Wednesday 01.16.13 2
Announcements
Around Abilene
Jan. 16
12 p.m. A presentation of the documentary “Art in the 21st Century: Memory” will be at the Center for Contemporary Arts at 220 Cypress St. Admis-sion is free.
Jan. 17
7:30 p.m. A production of the drama “Wit” will be presented at Abilene Community The-atre, 809 Barrow St. Admis-sion is $12 for adults and $10 for students, senior and active military.
Jan. 18
7:30 p.m. A production of “Beauty and the Beast, Jr.” will be at the Paramount Theatre, 352 Cypress. Admis-sion is $15 for adults and $10 for children, students, seniors and military.
Jan. 19
7 p.m. The West Reha-bilitations Center’s annual telethon will be at the Abilene Civic Center. A variety of tele-vision and country/western stars will perform. Admission ranges from $10 to $15.
Students interested in joining The Wild-cat Reign can sign up at thewildcatreign.com. The Wildcat Reign aims to provide students the ability to facilitate Wildcat pride on campus and serves as a linking point between students and Wildcat ath-letic events.
ACU Leadership Camps is looking for college students to serve on summer staff. Pick up an application in Room 10 in the lower level of the Campus Center.
The 6th annual Student Art Contest for Summit is open for submissions. The ACU Ministry Events Office calls any cur-rent ACU student to submit their original artwork, photography, drawing, painting or other creation to visually communi-cate the 2013 Summit theme: Margins. Submissions must be received digitally to [email protected] by Feb. 15. One se-lect work will be awarded a cash prize of $100 and used to advertize the 2013 Summit.
The Tedd Tripp Parenting Seminar is Feb. 1 at 6:30-9:15 p.m. and Feb. 2 at 8:30-12 p.m. at South Side Baptist Church. Reg-istration is $12 per person and ends Jan. 25th.
Zumba Fitness Party is Jan. 24 from 6-7:30 p.m. in SRWC. Cost is free for SRWC members and $5 for the general public. Special guests REFIT will be pres-ent.
Abstract submission for the Undergrad-uate Research Festival is now open. The 5th annual ACU Undergraduate Research Festival will be Apr. 4-5. To submit your abstract or get abstract writing tips and information on the review of abstracts go to the Research Festival Blog at blogs.acu.edu/researchfest.
Volunteer Opp0rtunities
The Center for International Education is looking for conversation partners for international students to practice Eng-lish, conversations and cultural learning. Partners meet for one hour each week at a time and place determined by the partners. For more information contact Laura McGregor at 325-674-2821 or [email protected].
St. John’s Episcopal School is seeking volunteers to paint metal playground equipment anytime Monday-Friday after 3 p.m. and Saturday anytime. For more information contact Rebecca McMillon at 325-695-8870 or [email protected].
Center for Contemporary Arts needs a gallery assistant to greet patrons, an-swer phones and answer basic questions about the Center and its programs. This opportunity is open Tuesday-Friday. The Center for Contemporary Arts is located at 220 Cypress Street. For more information contact Jessica Dulle at 325-677-8389 or visit: http://www.center-arts.com/.
Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to take pictures and videos in preparation for the launching of their new website as well as maintenance of the site after the launch. This opportunity is open Mon-day, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. For more information contact Kathy Walker at 325-677-7722 or [email protected].
The National Center For Children’s Il-lustrated Literature is looking for vol-unteers to greet patrons, assist with art activities, sell books and make visitors feel welcome. Help is also needed for special events like Artwalk and exhibit openings. The NCCIL is located at 102 Cedar St. For more information on times and dates contact Debby Lillick at 325-673-4586 or visit: http://www.nccil.org/index.htm.
The Christian Ministries of Abilene: Food Pantry is searching for volunteers to greet and interview neighbors, do computer entries, shop with neighbors, take grocer-ies to vehicles, bag, stock and pick up
orders on Mondays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. The Food Pantry is located at 701 Walnut St. For more information contact Becky Almanza at 325-673-1234 or [email protected].
The Christian Service Center is seek-ing volunteers to help assist with filling requests for items such as clothing, bed-ding, kitchen utensils, etc. from the dona-tion center, sort and organize donations and occasionally pick-up donated items. Volunteers are needed every weekday and the first Saturday of each month be-tween 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. For more information contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 or at [email protected]. For more information on the program visit: http://www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc.htm.
The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to help sort and stock food and other items any weekday Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The Food Bank is located at 5505 N. 1st St. For more information contact Janice Serrault at 325-695-6311 or [email protected].
Meals on Wheels Plus needs volunteer drivers to deliver afternoon meals to se-niors and adults with disabilities Monday-Friday between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Training is provided. For more information contact Samantha Barker at 352-672-5050 or visit: http://mealsonwheelsplus.com.
The Salvation Army is looking for vol-unteers for a variety of needs including sorting and pricing items in the thrift store, helping in the kitchen and/or doing yard work. Times are flexible. Volunteers are needed throughout the week Monday-Saturday. The Salvation Army is located at 1726 Butternut St. For more information contact J.D. Alonzo at 325-677-1408 or visit: www.satruck.com.
The House That Kerry Built is looking for volunteers to assist in the day care of medically fragile children any day Mon-day-Friday from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Contact Keith Loftin at 325-672-6061.
The International Rescue Committee is seeking volunteers to work with refugees who recently moved to the U.S., teach-ing English, helping with homework and mentoring. Contact Susanna Lubango to make an appointment at 325-675-5643.
The Covenant Place of Abilene is seek-ing volunteers to lead singing and/or play piano for residents. For more information contact Ann Erwin at 325-793-1144.
University Place is seeking volunteers to help with the resident birthday party for residents the third Wednesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. For more information contact Linda Tijerina at 325-676-9946.
Breakfast on Beech Street is seeking volunteers to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income folks any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 5:30 a.m. or Tuesday at 5 a.m. B.O.B.S is located at First Christian Church on 3rd St. and Beech St. Service times must be scheduled in advance. To serve on Mondays contact Jody Depriest at 325-669-3312 or [email protected]. To serve on Tuesdays contact Allen Daugherty at 325-660-6949 or [email protected]. To serve on Wednesdays contact Jane Harvey at 325-695-0092 or [email protected]. To serve on Thurs-days contact Margaret Beasley at 325-692-4149 or [email protected]. To serve on Fridays contact Rachel Brown at [email protected].
Eternal Threads is seeking volunteers to help with packing and organizing ship-ments, labeling products, errands and cleaning any weekday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information contact Pam Early at 325-672-6000 or [email protected].
Christian Homes & Family Services is seeking volunteers to do minor landscap-ing such as raking, trimming bushes, minor apartment repairs and general upkeep Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information contact Shay-lee Honey at 325-677-2205 or [email protected].
The Abilene Public Zoo is seeking volun-teers to help clean/feed animals, assist zookeepers and assist with educational classes any weekday any time between 12 p.m.-4 p.m. They are also seeking volunteers to help with general labor such as grounds cleanup and painting any weekday at any time between noon and 4 p.m. For more information contact Joy Harsh at 325-676-6487.
Hill Resources is seeking volunteers to encourage and entertain mentally de-layed individuals Monday through Friday any time between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information contact Michelle Es-pinoza at 325-673-3346 or [email protected].
The Oaks at Radford Hills is seeking vol-unteers to participate in activities, go on outings and provide social stimulation for residents any day at any time. For more information contact Michelle White or Sonia Serrato at 325-672-3236.
Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to work at the adoption center doing a variety of tasks including cleaning, social-izing and grooming the animals Monday - Saturday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. For more information contact Mindi Qualls at 325-698-7722 or [email protected].
The CAC Department is seeking volun-teers to participate in Special Olympics, by helping mentally/physically chal-lenged people play games and sports Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For more infomation contact Angel Seca at 325-690-5235.
For additional volunteer opportunities visit: www.acu.edu/campusoffices/ccsl/ministry-service/volunteer-opportunities/
Chapel checkup
wednesday 01.16.133 campus news
deanna romero staff Photographer
A group of Honors students celebrate finals week with a friendly game of Quidditch. Britannt Williams staff Photographer
Dr. Steven Ward directs the Big Purple Concert Band during their winter concert.
Paige Otway Staff Photographer
Manley Beasley, freshman management major from Colleyville, participates in limbo at the Freshman Christmas Social.deanna romero Staff Photographer
Laine Foith, sophomore family studies major from Plano, re-
lieves some stress during finals week by playing with puppies.
The Department of Ag-riculture and Environ-mental Science was relo-cated from the Zona Luce Building into the Hardin Administration Building Dec. 19. After renovations were made to Hardin dur-ing the fall semester, the ag department was able to move into its new home.
Dr. Ed Brokaw, chair for the department of agriculture and environ-mental science, said the department’s transition into their new quarters is, for the most part, com-plete.
“We’re still finding little things that have to be tweaked, but as far as the move we’re basically moved in,” Brokaw said. “People are still hanging a few things on the walls, that kind of thing, but we’ve pretty well moved into this part. We’re still in the process of moving into the lab house across the street.”
In preparation for the ag department’s move into Hardin, renovations were made to the first f loor southwest wing. Brokaw said the renova-tions included creating the faculty office space and redoing the class-rooms.
Brokaw said renova-tions will be made to the Zona Luce Building to prepare it for its new occupant, the School of Nursing.
Brokaw said the new location will benefit the ag department. He said access to good technol-ogy, a more “communal” office space, and the new labs will create advan-tages in space, which will allow room for more stu-dents in the classes.
wednesday 01.16.13 4news
Campus athletes enjoy sibling rivalries
Sibling rivalries. They’re fun to be part of and entertain-ing to watch. They can also drive a brother or sister in-sane if they get too heated. ACU sports features a few look-alikes on the golf, ten-nis and football teams.
Adam, Alex and Luke Carpenter, from Little Rock, Ark., all enjoy hitting the greens together and are tak-ing full advantage of that opportunity as Wildcats on the golf team.
Micah and Kaysie Hermsdorf can be seen walking on campus with tennis racquets in hand as they make their way to the Eager Tennis Pavilion. Like the Carpenters, these sis-ters share a love for their sport and were fortunate enough to end up on the same squad.
Other siblings in ACU athletics include: Julia and Laura Mongin (tennis) and Darrell and Vicente Cantu-Harkless (football).
Adam and Alex are twins, while Luke, sophomore fi-nance and management major, is the youngest of the three Carpenter brothers. Alex (6 feet) is slightly taller than Luke who stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall. Adam is the shortest at 5 feet 7 inch-es. The trio has played golf together since they were
young. They were a part of the same high school team and said this experience is very similar to their teenage years in Arkansas.
“For us it’s like our high school golf,” said Adam, also a senior finance and management major. “We push one another to be bet-ter because we’re all very competitive. But at the same time we’re there to
help one another.”“It’s a dream,” said Alex,
senior marketing major. “Not many brothers get to go to college with each other or play a college sport together on the same team. We really enjoy it.”
“I grew up playing with them,” Luke said. “I watched them play their first couple of years in college and then got the opportunity with Coach Campbell to come down here.”
Head coach Mike Camp-bell talked to Luke like he would any other recruit and did not give him spe-cial treatment because his brothers were at ACU.
Alex said he and Adam did not have ACU on their radar until it was almost time to make a decision, but circumstances fell into place and this is where they ended up. Part of those circumstances were the result of what their father told them in high school. They would have to pay for college.
“He [their father] knew
there were a ton of schol-arships out there, and that with our athletic abil-ity and academics we’d be able to figure out a way to pay for school,” Alex said. “We were able to all find a place we could go to and get a full ride.”
The twins made it clear, once recruiting started, that they were fine with going to separate universities.
“Coaches would ask us if this was a package deal,” Adam said. “We told them we’re individuals and we’re just trying to find schools that fit our needs. ACU did that. It’s really cool how the Lord worked.”
Campbell said he did not remember mention-ing a package deal to Adam and Alex but he did ask if attending the same school was important.
Although Adam and Alex were willing to attend different universities, they have been inseparable since arriving in Abilene. The two have lived together since their freshman year.
“We love it,” Adam said. “He [Alex] helps me with anything; golf or academ-
ics and I’m the same way with him.”
Luke, who is the quiet-est one of the three, was still looking at schools when his brothers came to Abilene.
“I was looking at a lot of schools as far as college golf goes,” he said. “It all just came together.”
On the course, the Car-penters are fierce when it comes to sibling rivalries. The group enjoys talking about their competitive natures and each of them grinned when asked to de-scribe their relationship on the course. They would much rather be playing on the same team at tourna-ments than fighting each other to try to qualify for one golf spot on the travel-ing team, which can only take five players.
Campbell said there have been instances where Adam and Luke have had to battle each other for one of the five spots and he said all three have made the traveling squad several times. The players can be exempt from compet-ing for a spot depending upon how they do at tour-naments throughout the year. Because of his play, Coach Campbell said Alex has always been exempt during the season.
“When that happens, it can get pretty competitive,” Adam said. “I just have to realize I’m not playing my brothers, I’m just playing the course. It’s fun being on the same team because I know they’re going to give 200 per-cent. That’s what you want out of a teammate.”
Adam won his first col-legiate event as a Wild-cat at the Charles Coody West Texas Intercollegiate. In 2011, he was the Lone Star Conference Academic Golfer of the Year. Alex en-tered the spring season his freshman year as the 18th ranked golfer in the nation. His junior year, he was the LSC Player of the Year and entered this season ranked as the 15th best golfer in the nation. He was able to participate in a PGA Tour event in 2011 and got Luke to caddy for him dur-ing a practice round. Luke finished ninth at the LSC Championship his fresh-man year and was named to the LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
“Golf is all individual,” Alex said. “We were really able to push each other to get out and practice when it was cold outside or at eight in the morning when we’d rather be inside. Going
the extra mile is what has helped us all three become the players we are now.”
The ACU golf team has also benefited from having the Carpenter trio. In 2010, the team finished first in the LSC during the spring season and recorded a sev-enth place finish at region-als. Their best year came in 2011 when they placed third in the LSC tournament, first in regionals and third at the national meet.
Micah and Kaysie, from Spring, have a somewhat different relationship than the Carpenters. The two blondes have also been playing a sport together since they were young, however the duo does not believe an intense rivalry exists between them.
“In high school we each had our own friends,” said Micah, junior advertising and public relations ma-jor with a minor in music. “Kaysie played soccer for awhile, so I think that kind of separated us.”
“When I left for college it was harder to communi-cate but I think that made us closer as sisters,” she said. “We had to communi-cate more since we weren’t together.”
Kaysie, a freshman ac-counting major, did not want to attend the same school as her older sister.
“At first I didn’t want to go anywhere she [Micah] was going,” she said. “But then I decided ACU was a good place for me. It was the best school competi-tive wise and I really liked the girls on the team and the coach.”
“I remember her ask-ing me if it was ok to come here,” Micah said. “It has been nice having someone from back home to talk to. It’s always nice to have fam-ily here because you’re nev-er going to be alone.”
The sisters have a past of playing doubles together. They were able to compete some as a team in high school, but the two were not as close back then and did not always get along on the court.
“She [Micah] got very upset with me once in high school,” Kaysie said. “But now we actually want to play together. We play and practice together for offseason.”
Head coach Hut-ton Jones decides who is matched with whom, so the Hermsdorfs have not been able to play as a team com-petitively yet.
In her first semester as
a Wildcat, Kaysie doubled up with senior Laura Mon-gin. They had a 13-3 record, won the Aggie Invitational Championship and reached the semifinals of the USTA/ITA South Central Regional Championships. Kaysie also got some experience playing singles. She went 10-3 and won the Kansas Invitational G Draw.
This fall season, Micah went 10-5 in singles and 8-5 in doubles with her partner, senior Hannah Kelley. Micah and Kelley reached the quarterfinals at the USTA/ITA South Central Regional Champi-onships. Her sophomore year, Micah was named LSC Academic Player of the Year, Third Team Capi-tal One Academic All-American and First Team Academic All-District VI. She and Kelley finished the spring season with a No. 4 national ranking.
Whereas the Carpenters share much of the same interests, Micah and Kay-sie are complete opposites. They not only have different majors and hitting styles in tennis; Kaysie said she has always wanted to be the op-posite of Micah, even when they were growing up.
The girls agreed that they think a lot alike, how-ever their personalities are not the same.
“I feel like she [Kaysie] is more outgoing than I am,” Micah said. “I’m quiet and won’t speak up as much. But we do kinda think the same.”
“The first day of school we wore the same green pants and didn’t plan it,” Kaysie said; both girls laugh.
The sisters try to hang out outside of tennis as well. They can be seen get-ting frozen yogurt togeth-er and Kaysie will stop by Micah’s house when she has free time.
“Micah had this extra credit thing for class where she had to attend recitals and I went with her to some of those,” Kaysie said. “Even though we’re sisters and we see each other, we text throughout the day.”
Sibling rivalries can push brothers or sisters a part. For the Carpenters and Hermsdorfs, the op-posite is true. Sports has drawn them closer in their relationships and physical-ly brought them together.
feature
contact isaacs [email protected]
Alex Carpentersenior marketing major from little rock, Ark.
Not many brothers get to go to college with each other or play a college sport on the
same team.”“
Ag moves from Zona Lucedepartments
melany coxonline Managing editor
contact cox [email protected]
photo courtesy of the carpenters
Brothers Luke, Adam and Alex Carpenter, from Little Rock, Ark., all compete on the ACU golf team.
Edward isaacssports editor
This spring break, around 15 Honors students will have the opportunity to participate in a colloquium in New York City.
These students, along with Dr. Tracy Shilcutt and Dr. Michael Harbour, will spend the entire week trav-eling New York City for this year’s Study America. The trip aims to provide these lucky travelers with more of a “hands on’” experience than they would normally receive inside of a regular
classroom.This trip will consist of
the exploration of the city while more specifically fo-cusing on the Gotham me-tropolis.
“I am very excited about what this trip has to offer,” said Shelby Hall, senior po-litical science major from Ovilla. “It looks like an amazing opportunity, and I’d be interested in learning more about it.”
During the week, stu-dents will gain a well-round-ed view of what New York is all about through the explo-ration of some of the more famous locations around
Manhattan. As the students journey through the city, they will get the chance to learn more about the archi-tecture, politics and litera-ture found in New York City.
Some of the sites to be explored include Cooper Union, Ellis Island, Times Square and Central Park. The Museum of the City of New York and Finding Five Points are also possible sites that may be included on the itinerary.
There are also plans to look into the more artistic side of New York, includ-ing the Theatre and Arts Districts.
Shilcutt, chair of the De-partment of History and fac-ulty attendee of the trip, said the students will encounter the “vitality, vibrancy and violence of this 19th century city.” Shilcutt said students will also explore the history, legends and myths of New York City first hand.
This particular trip fo-cuses on using the city as its textbook, providing the students with a unique look into the city as it was back in the 1800’s.
The travelers will be based out of Queens, or Long Island City, and each day the students will ven-
ture into Manhattan.“As the students engage
the city as text, we are con-fident they will come away from this experience with a better understanding of the wide social canvas of New York City,” Shilcutt said.
At this time there are still a few spots available,
each costing $700 per per-son. Interested Honors stu-dents should contact Har-bour as soon as possible, as the registration process closes on Friday.
wednesday 01.16.135 NEWs
peyton mosleystaff reporter
contact mosley [email protected]
Spring course in a New York state of mindhonors
life organizations in the na-tion,” Garrett said. “We wish him and his family every success in this transition.”
Thompson said he is grateful for the opportunity to serve at ACU for nearly six years, but is looking forward to his new challenge.“My wife Tonya, our seven children and I feel called to work in another corner of God’s great Kingdom, and are excited about how
God will use and grow us at Faulkner,” Thompson said. “The Abilene Christian Uni-versity community has been
a true blessing to me and to my family, and I could not have asked for a better team of Godly and creative people to work with in Student Life. I wish ACU the very best, and it is my deepest prayer that she will grow and thrive in Godly wisdom.”
Student Life oversees much of the campus outside of the classroom, includ-ing ResLife, student orga-nizations, Chapel and ACU Police. Jimmy Ellison, ACU Police chief, said Thomp-
son served the campus with great leadership.
“He was great for the stu-dents,” Ellison said. “I think it’s a loss for Student Life and the university, but I wish him great things for his work at Faulkner.”
Josh Garcia and Mark Smith contributed to this re-port.
Thompson: Vice president to leave for Faulkner in Marchstudent life
contact the optimist [email protected]
continued from page 1
cluding ResLife, student organizations, Chapel and ACU Po-lice. Jimmy Ellison, ACU Police chief, said Thompson served the campus with great leadership.
“He was great for the students,” Elli-son said. “I think it’s a loss for Student Life and the university, but I wish him great things for his work at Faulkner.”
for the College of Business Administration and the 2011-2012 Teacher of the Year, gave the commence-ment speech.
“As an undergraduate
student, I’ve had the op-portunity to be involved in several different student or-ganizations and classroom activities that have grown my leadership, analytical and re-lational skills,” said Andrew Morrison, senior account-
ing and finance major from Argyle. “Through all of this, ACU has consistently placed an overarching emphasis on faith integration into what-ever I may end up doing in life. More than anything ACU has prepared me to
treat people justly and with the same respect I would want to be treated with.”
Morrison is interning with Ernst & Young, an ac-counting firm, in Ft. Worth during the spring semester and plans to return to ACU in
the fall to begin his Master of Accounting.
“College graduation is an important milestone,” said Dr. Eric Gumm, registrar and director of the First-Year Pro-gram and academic develop-ment. “So be sure to plan to
spend enough time to take pictures, make memories and celebrate such a won-derful accomplishment.”
contact jones [email protected]
Commencement: Graduates looking aheadgraduation
and Disorders, School of Social Work, Teacher Edu-cation and Graduate Stud-ies in Education, as well as the higher education, Pru-ett Gerontology Center and TRIO programs. He out-lined his initiatives specifi-cally for each of these de-partments and programs in his faculty presentation last semester.
Snider was the associ-ate dean of the CEHS for three years and learned
a great deal of how to run the college from that time.
But Snider, 61, doesn’t plan on serving in his new position for a long term.
“I’m not a 10 or 15-year dean because of my age,” Snider said. “I have some skills and experience that is rare in a new dean. This is an opportunity for me to serve and help the col-lege.”
Snider is the second in-terim dean to have the in-terim label removed from
his title. Dr. Greg Straughn, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, also went from being the interim dean to the permanent dean on Jan. 1.
This leaves one dean search still underway. The search committee for the dean of the College of Bibli-cal Studies has named three finalists to be interviewed later in the semester.
contact smith [email protected]
Snider: Interim dean appointed to permanent postadministration
“The collective interest of the institution is probably greater for this college than maybe some of our other colleges.”
Dr. Jack Reese, professor of preaching, stepped down from his position as CBS
dean in February and Cuk-rowski succeeded him in an interim capacity. A search committee was formed in August, chaired by Dr. John Weaver, dean of library ser-vices and educational tech-nology.
Weaver said the com-mittee conducted surveys
in the College of Biblical Studies to form a document outlining the responsibili-ties and qualifications of the dean, including spiri-tual leadership, vision for the department and aca-demic and administrative leadership. This document was then refined by a fo-
cus group. The document’s guidelines led the commit-tee to nominate Cukrowski, Hamilton and Sharp.
“With all of the inter-views, we were looking for someone who we felt could exemplify the job qualifica-tions which we’ve laid out,” Weaver said. “We’re looking
for someone whose history demonstrates a commit-ment to the mission and values of ACU, but who also has exemplary academic qualifications and also administrative qualifica-tions.”
Cukrowski will interview Jan. 22-23, Hamilton will
interview Jan.28-29 and Sharp will interview Feb. 12-13. Rhodes said the deci-sion will not be rushed, but he may make the appoint-ment as soon as March.
contact garcia [email protected]
Candidates: Finalists schedule interviewsadministration
Shelby Hallsenior political science major from Ovilla
It looks like an amazing opportunity, and I’d be interested in learning more
about it.”“
jimmy ellisonacu police chief
I think it’s a loss for Student Life and the
university, but I wish him great things for his
work at Faulkner.”“
continued from page 1
continued from page 1
continued from page 1
Snider’s future plans of note for CEHS departments
Kinesiology and Nutri-tion: Implementing new master’s degree in occupational therapy
Communication Sci-ences and Disorders: Expanding collabora-tion for internships at CitySquare
School of Social Work and Sociology: Secur-
ing one more faculty member in both Social Work and Sociology
Teacher Education: Preparing for the new fifth year master’s degree
Graduate Studies in Education: Securing of national accreditation TEAC/CAEP
Higher Education: Establishing new degree track in administration
Pruett Gerontology Center: Expanding ag-ing studies academic opportunities for students
TRIO programs: Improving student awareness of Alpha
6Wednesday 01.16.13Opinion
I am not a dictator.I’m just taking over
even more of the Optimist. We’ve had a lot of turnover.
David Singer, our opin-ion page editor last semes-ter, quit, making some lame excuses about how he’s an “art major” and wants
to do more “freelance de-sign work” and focus on “getting a job after gradu-ation.” Good riddance.
I’m kidding, of course. I’m grateful for the work David put in last semester, but his departure left us without many options. Only
I had served on the board for more than a semester.
So I’m not just the edi-tor in chief, but the opin-ion page editor as well. Be-cause I wasn’t busy enough.
Marissa Jones, for rea-sons beyond my under-standing, chose to study abroad this semester in the country the United States fought against in the Revolutionary War. Rather than remain in her home-town and Optimist posi-tion of managing editor, she’ll go have fun with the
redcoats. Benedict Arnold.But we haven’t heard the
last of her yet. Marissa will continue to write columns as our “Oxford correspon-dent” and keep us more regularly updated with her study abroad blog. Her re-placement, Josh Garcia, will also be writing for the opinion page this semester.
Melany Cox and Lind-say Palmer are our only other returning edito-rial board members.
Sam Sutherland, our features editor for a year
and a half, graduated last month. Congratulations, Sam, on being super smart. Gabi Powell will succeed her staff position and place on the editorial board.
Blane Singletary, our KACU liaison and mu-sic mash-up genius, also graduated. Nobody can replace Blane. But Lucius Patenaude, our chief vid-eographer, will be able to bring a good perspective from his semester in film school in Los Angeles and his entire life in Thailand.
That’s just our editorial board turnover. The Opti-mist also lost and replaced eight other staff members.
Meet the all-new editori-al board below, and look for-ward to hearing from them throughout the semester, and our guest columnists.
Again, I am not a dictator. But I am go-ing to make everyone start calling me “Chief.”
contact smith [email protected]
column
Staff turnover no match for the ‘Optimist’
EVAN’s marks evan marks
Classification: junior
MAJOR: multimedia
HOMETOWN: phrae, thailand
Student, amateur striving for the professional, pressing on toward maturity, processing life’s quirks one step at a time.
Classification: sophomore
MAJOR: multimedia
HOMETOWN: abilene
Marissa is trying her best not to get lost, arrested, or laughed at by locals while she studies abroad for the semester in Oxford, England.
Classification: senior
MAJOR: convergence journalism
HOMETOWN: belton
Melany loves traveling and has visited seven different countries, including Vatican City. People often tell her she’s too quiet. The truth is, she has plenty to say, she’s just waiting to see if they are willing to listen.
Classification: Senior
MAJOR: journalism
HOMETOWN: powhatan, Va.After taking publication design, Mark subconsciously ana-lyzes typefaces whenever he sees text, which is everywhere. He recently made a joke about the irony of his cycling T.A.’s name, Walker. Mark is used to people not getting his jokes.
WELL, THIS IS AWKWARD
MARK SMITH
Classification: Sophomore
MAJOR: psychology
HOMETOWN: houston
Lindsay hopes to become an art therapist and help children with autism. In high school she participated in competitive speech and debate and has five siblings.
CALL ME, MAYBELINDSAY PALMER
OXFORD COMMA
MARISSA JONES
DISTURBANCEIN THE FORCE
MELANY COX
WELL, THIS IS AWKWARD
MARK SMITH
hashtagACU
@slamsci
@lauren_zanotto @miss_phipps @FishVanHuis @Zak_Kaiser
@TFlo1213 @misshollybear@peymos21
@davidisinger @kaitlinmeowz
@Nick_Tatum
5:19 p.m. Jan. 14
3:44 p.m. Jan. 14
10:27 a.m. Jan. 14 9:38 a.m. Jan. 14
11:15 a.m. Jan. 14
8:12 a.m. Jan. 141:47 p.m. Jan. 14
2:57 p.m. Jan. 14
7:18 p.m. Jan. 13 11:30 p.m. Jan. 14
10:03 a.m. Jan. 14
A cat jumping out of the dumpster will defi-nitely give you a heart attack. #onefortheday
Thank you, Dr. Willis for referring to me as “Sis-ter Zanotto” 3 times in class. With that I think I’ve officially accepted my future. #nun
Pretty sure I could end world hunger with the amount of money I’m spending on books this semester
While many of my fel-low peers can’t believe it’s their first day of school, I still can’t be-lieve it’s not butter.
Is it too early to start planning a second vic-tory lap? #supersenior
I really dislike first days. Professors are always surprised whenever I’m not a girl.
I am about to attend my modern dance class at ACU... Not sure how seriously I will be taking myself this semester...
Walked around campus all day with a highly vis-ible remnant of tooth-paste on my face!
Honey Boo Boo is on The Learning Channel.
ACU: the real life ver-sion of pich perfect.
First day of the last semester of my senior year..... Starting off in a freshman science class. #awkward
Classification: Senior
MAJOR: Graphic Design
HOMETOWN: San Diego, CALIF.
Evan once heard a loud crash outside his house when he was young. Outside he found a glowing stone from space that gave him magical powers. Evan’s entire life has been devoted to hiding those powers from others.
MARK MY WORDSEVAN MARKS
Classification: JUNIOR
MAJOR: CONVERGENCE JOURNALISM
HOMETOWN: PAMPA
You will gawk at Gabi’s God granted gift of grumption. And killer usage of alliteration. She cannot do single-digit addition and has never turned down a dated asked by means of a Harry Potter or Star Wars reference.
PASS THE PUNS, PLEASE
GABI POWELL
Meet the Spring 2013 EDITORIAL BOARD
@annafullerton
3:55 p.m. Jan. 14My professor just told us that it would be nice if we do something exceptional, but he isn’t expecting that. Way to set the bar so high....
Mark Smitheditor in chief
josh garciamanaging editor
Mark Smithopinion page editor
melany coxonline managing editor
asia todddesign editor
lindsay palmerarts editor
gabi powellfeatures editor
taylor langstonsports video director
john edward isaacssports editor
Matt sloanassistant sports editor
Madeline Orrcopy editor
Cara Kramarcopy editor
katie greenepage 2 editor
mandy lambrightchief photogrpaher
Deanna Romerostaff photographer
curtis christianstaff photographer
Paige Otwaystaff photographer
Adrian Patenaudestaff photographer
Lucius Patenaudechief videographer
Brance armstrongstaff videographer
JP Festastaff videographer
Denzil Limstaff videographer
Stephen Reyesstaff videographer
evan markseditorial cartoonist
leanne kawahigashipage designer
marissa jonesoxford correspondent
Wyatt morganarts writer
Tyler salterstaff reporter
cheryl baconfaculty adviser
cade whitefaculty adviser
cara lee cranfordadvertising
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
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 let-ters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing
personal attacks, obscen-ity, 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.
Address letters to: ACU Box 27892Abilene, TX 79609
E-mail letters to: [email protected]
published by the department of journalism
and mass communication
editorial and management board
editorial and Letter Policy
Classification: sophomore
MAJOR: convergence journalism
HOMETOWN: lexington, nc
Born and raised on the golden coasts of Australia, Josh has traveled from the frozen wastes of the north to the unforgiving deserts of the east, and boy, does he have stories to tell. Nope, he just double checked, literally all of that is false.
CROOK IN THE GUT
JOSHUA GARCIA
BETWEENTHE BOXES
LUCIUS PATENAUDE
wednesday 01.16.137 featureS
round these parts, the cui-sine cup overfloweth. The people of Abilene flock to the rib joints as rare in nature as church steeples. But Middle East Restaurant offers noth-
ing of the sorts and owner Sabbah Ham-moodi cannot seem to find the time to convert the multitudes.
Unrefined
A scheduled meeting ends before it be-gins when a table of twelve takes prior-ity. But half an hour later, Sabbah returns with a quick, but beaming, apology. “After them,” he smiles, pointing to a table of two waving regulars.
Middle East Restaurant is tucked be-tween a pool supply store and a nail salon. Little Caesar’s blinding orange and white sign prevents any passerby’s attempt to find Middle East’s modest door. A bleak storefront gives way to a snug and spot-less space. At 1:30 p.m., the “lunch rush” consists of three parties, filling three of Hammoodi’s eight tables.
The one waitress buzzes about in blurred bee fashion – waiting, moving, delivering, cleaning. A business meet-ing, gossiping girlfriends and a family of four occupy the restaurant, tabletops crammed with licked clean plates and those soon to be. Sabbah dashes in and out of the kitchen stopping at their tables for approval of his dishes.
As his customers are finally taken care of, Sabbah crosses his restaurant to the table, exhaling a half-day of fatigue. In fear that hungry diners could interrupt, questions are promptly asked. And re-asked. Answers are double-checked and then clarified. Because even though he once acted as an interpreter for the Air Force in Iraq, normal-paced English is still difficult for Sabbah to decipher.
Suddenly, he catches the family of four beginning to exit and rushes to the door to send them on their way. He exchanges a few foreign words with the mother who receives the apparent kind phrase with a grab of his hand. Persian, Sabbah clari-fies. The family, like many who find their way here, are only passing through from Lubbock, stumbling to Middle East’s doors via Trip Advisor recommendations.
His speech is steady and somber, but his worn face is warm. If Sabbah is able to disconnect himself from the thought of serving his customers, he keeps an unflinching eye contact, an intensity broken with the reality of endless duties around him.
His tableside manner has no hidden agenda and any tips received are not for entertaining service. He is cordial, but refraining. Perhaps a reflection of a cul-turally engrained sternness, perhaps a belief that car salesman demeanor is not on the menu.
Unconventional
Inside, the restaurant is spiced with saffron, and the sounds of pop top-char-ters. The eight tables are set with red and white-checkered tablecloths with Texas flag printed napkins and Germ-X bottles. Most every element of décor is all too all-American. Behind the counter, an Ameri-can flag oversees the establishment. On it are sharpied best wishes and signatures from overseas soldiers, his biggest fans.
Middle East could be likened with a D.C. museum gift-shop. Small flags stand at each table. Walls of tacked up military news clippings and Air Force fighter plane posters share estate with travel pictures of historical Middle Eastern landmarks. It is all raving patriotism out of place.
Sabbah keeps not a mere association with the men of the local Dyess Base, but a friendship. This close relationship is kept and shown as expression of his gratitude. His affiliation with the Air Force stems from working alongside the armed ser-vices in Iraq after Saddam’s regime fell. With a story of horrors mirrored by many Iraqis, Sabbah, his wife and nine children were eventually transported to America. Abilene’s refugee services aided his exit because of Sabbah’s Air Force connec-tion. For this deliverance, he is eternally grateful. So when men of the base come in, an exchange of greetings takes place, like that between the barman and his weary Wall Street regulars.
This is not an exclusive bond, though. Middle East Restaurant is a site where Sabbah forges atypical customer relation-ships. You are a guest in his home, not a client. This is why you will be given a rec-ommendation before giving a request. Sabah will recommend the lamb kabobs and criticize you for your safe selection of chicken. Because a host is given free reign to his opinion.
“My favorite dish? All 39!” He claims to eat at none of Abilene’s eateries but his own.
Understated
“No advertising. None.” Hand movements are paired to this state-ment to assert the pride of ow ning a restaurant run on customer rev iew and endorsement a lone.
With Abuelo’s and popular pizza joints as close neighbors, Sabbah’s res-taurant is not lacking in rivalry. But still, the low-key Middle East keeps a surpris-ingly filled parking lot, proving itself a worthy competitor.
“If I can get one new customer, it is worth it for me. Look at their lot,” he rais-es in activist-volume, “How many regular customers should they have by now? If I have one new customer, I’m happy.”
Middle East is a restaurant of loyal returning customers, simply making a name for itself. Sabbah strives past status quo to bring you the experience. He does not just stand by this quality, he drives to it. He tells of the Arizona trips to retrieve the long-grained rice and to Dallas for the choicest of meats.
He will be quick to tell you of the res-taurant’s #1 ranking on Urban Spoon. He anticipates your skepticism and retorts with eaters’ reviews printed and planted on the checkered tabletops.
When asked who is responsible for the recipes and cooking, Sabbah answers, “Only myself. I’m the only one (in the kitchen).” He glances around, as if assur-ing himself no magic Keebler elves are stealing credit.
According to the one news piece, the restaurant cooking was a family affair. “They used to,” he says, “Before my wife passed away.” Eye contact is broken, shoulders stiffen and so shows the first and only imprint of pierced protection. He draws a clear line-in-sand of topic averting and repeats, “I am the only one here now.”
Middle East Restaurant uses no lit up sign to lure, no blinking arrows to at-tract hungry Abilenians. No attention is begged. And that is exactly how Sabbah would have it. He holds conversation in fragments because of the ceaseless inter-ruptions that come with owning a restau-rant, seeming to strike a theme of Sab-bah’s lack of time.
Sabbah believes in time, though. “Peo-ple here have grown up with this food around them,” he waves, “But once they taste my food, they will change. People just need time.”
Sabbah Hammoodi can best be under-stood by watching his operating of Mid-dle East restaurant. He willingly answers questions about his personal life, but Sab-bah’s character is truly revealed in his solemn warmth while taking customer orders. Pride is taken in every task, with careful delivering of his prized baklava dessert to his already stuffed-to-the-brim patrons. This restaurant is no less than a limb of his body.
The lone waitress presents him with the bill from a table. He rushes to the reg-ister as though he was being reprimanded for laziness. Only he is authorized to run the cash register.
The authentic Middle-Eastern restaurant offers a variety of dishes from lamb kebabs to the traditional baklava.
gabi powell
Features editor
Restaurant owner, Sabah A. Hammoodi, displays his love for America with his patriotic decorations.
A
mandy lambright chief Photographer
BEYOND THE PLATE
contact powell [email protected]
Middle East Restaurant
4621 South 14th Street
Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.- 11 p.m.
(325) 691-9266
photos by deanna romero staff Photographer
An ACU senior was awarded the Marshall Scholarship last semes-ter, one of the nation’s most prestigious aca-demic honors.
Brittany Partridge, po-litical science major from Annandale, Minn., was awarded a two-year schol-arship with intent to study International Foreign Policy and Countering Or-ganized Crime and Terror-ism at University College in London. She graduated from ACU in December.
T h e M a r s h a l l Scholarship e n a b l e s A m e r i c a n s t u d e n t s to study in the United K i n g d o m . A c c o r d i n g
to the Marshall Schol-arship website, up to 40 scholarships are awarded each year. The scholarship covers university fees, liv-ing expenses, an annual book grant, thesis grant and research grants.
The Marshall is one of the most elite under-grad scholarships for stu-
dents who wish to pursue grad work. Universities around the country nom-inate one student per institution for the Mar-shall. Among this year’s 981 applicants, only 36 of those nominated – fewer than 4 percent – were se-lected for recognition.
“A lot of students that win these are Ivy League students, and you don’t really see students com-ing from outside of that, so I think it speaks highly to the university and for students it is a phenom-enal opportunity,” Par-tridge said.
Partridge has big plans
for the upcoming year. She is volunteering for three months at a Christian youth hostel in Amster-dam. She will also spend the month of April intern-ing for the International Forum of Solidarity, “Em-maus” in Bosnia, doing anti-trafficking work. She will spend the summer in Washington, D.C., intern-
ing and participating in the Harry S. Truman Foun-dation’s Summer Institute for Truman Scholars.
Partridge may be most recognized around the ACU campus for her work in co-founding the Red Thread Movement, a non-profit organization that works to generate aware-ness of human trafficking,
forced labor and sexual slavery and to raise finan-cial support to end those issues. Her passion for helping end human traf-ficking has influenced and reinforced her aspirations for public service.
“Nothing’s official yet, but ideally I want to ap-ply to Georgetown’s law program and afterward work for the Department of Justice or Department of State on the issue of human trafficking,” Par-tridge said.
A new statue near the Har-din Administration Build-ing is now in place, depict-ing an ascending Jesus and several Bible verses.
Physical resources com-pleted construction of the Lunsford trailhead project on Dec. 7.
Part of Campus Court was closed during the completion of the project, named The Ascension. Sur-rounded by large limestone blocks, the focal point of The Ascension is a large bronze sculpture depict-ing the ascension of Jesus as per Luke 24:50-51, cre-ated by Utah artist Dee Jay Bawden. Numerous verses are engraved on the blocks, including John 14:6; Mat-thew 25:34; John 14:3; 1 Peter 1:3-4; Ephesians 1:7; and John 3:16. The trail-head is located near Sewell Theatre.
Richard Lunsford gradu-
ated from ACU in 1955. He and his family provided the necessary contributions to complete the trailhead. The family was also re-sponsible for the Lunsford Foundation Trail, which opened in 2006. Dotted with scriptures, the trail is approximately two miles long and encircles campus.
Additionally, the Lun-sford family dedicated the Quiet Place rooms in both the Mabee Business Building and in the On-stead-Packer Biblical Stud-ies Building in 1986 and 1989 respectively. Dr. Phil Schubert, university presi-dent, said he appreciates the Lunsfords and their contributions to ACU.
“I am grateful to the Lun-sfords for their thought-ful generosity. They have made a significant mark on ACU for three decades with their deep concern for the scriptural nature of our lives,” Schubert said in an email to faculty, staff and students. “It brings them great joy to see us--and vis-itors to campus--using and benefiting from contem-plative spaces designed to bring people closer to God.”
Emanuel Ornelas, soph-omore vocational missions major from Denver, said he initially mistook the stat-ue for Moses or Noah and that many of the scriptural choices confused him.
“It does have an abun-dance of Scripture, but the verses don’t seem to mean anything,” Ornelas said. “It’s nice on the aesthetic point of view.”
wednesday 01.16.13 8NEWS
Lunsfords finance new trailhead projectcampus
Madeline orrcopy editor
contact garcia [email protected]
Dr. phil schubertpresident of the
university
I am grateful to the Lunsfords for their
thoughful generosity.”“
Partridge receives prestigious scholarshipscholarships
contact orr [email protected]
Joshua GarciA
Managing editor
Brittany Partridgemarshall scholar
I think it speaks highly to the university and for students it is a phenomenal opportunity.”“
mandy lambright chief Photographer
ACU recently installed a new statue near Sewell Theatre.
partridge
The men’s basketball team welcomed ACU students back to Moody Coliseum by putting on a show, beating Southwest-ern Adventist 83-48 last Saturday.
The Wildcats ham-mered the Knights on the glass, snatching 44 boards. The Knights tal-lied only 17 rebounds.
Center Stephen Werner set the tone for the ‘Cats, scoring 22 points and dominating the paint.
The Knights were only able to score 10 points in the paint because of the solid defense by Werner and the rest of the ACU big men.
“We just finished in the paint,” head coach Joe Golding said. “We made a honest effort to get the ball inside. All year we have made an ef-fort to get the ball inside, but the last couple games we were able to finish and make some baskets down there.”
Elliot Lloyd and Eric Lawton also finished in double figures, and Dosh Simms pulled down 11 rebounds.
The ‘Cats also shot the ball better than they had all year, knocking down two-thirds of their shots and made 57% of their attempts from behind the arc.
Sharpshooters Parker Wentz and Elliot Lloyd can score from anywhere on the court, and it has all come to fruition in the last week.
Over the break, the Wildcats took a trip to Las Vegas for a basketball tour-nament. ACU dropped their first game to Rollins College before beating Florida Tech 82-72.
From there the ‘Cats returned to Moody Coli-seum to start the New Year with a couple of Lone Star Conference matchups. ACU dropped both games by a com-bined seven points.
“I think we are a confi-dent team we just need to find a way to win the last four minutes,” Golding said. “The other teams are making plays when it matters right now. We
have to have some guys step up at the end of games, and I have to put them in a good position to do that.”
Then ACU took anoth-er break from conference play to smack around Arlington Baptist and Southwestern Adventist by a combined 90 points.
“We came back from the trip self disciplined and we have been work-ing hard,” Werner said.
“We have really come together as a team and I think that will carry over.”
The Wildcats will be
looking for a second se-mester rally to get back into the hunt in the Lone Star Conference when they travel east to take on
the Texas A&M Kingsville Javelinas over the week-end.
The Wildcats have hung around .500 the entire year, and will try to push their way to the Lone Star Conference tournament.
ACU missed out on last year’s post season birth by the slimmest of margins, and are un-doubtedly looking to use this year as a launching
point for next season’s entrance into Division One basketball.
The top eight teams in the Lone Star Conference qualify for post-season play, so ACU could be closing in on their first post-season tournament in five seasons.
wednesday 01.16.139 sports
‘Cats run over Knights 83-48men’s basketball
mandy lambright chief Photographer
Senior center Steven Werner extends for a layup in Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats blew out Southwestern Adventist 83-48 last Saturday and improved their record to 7-7 overall. Werner led the Wildcats with 22 points.
matthew sloanassistant sports editor
contact sloan [email protected]
Joe goldinghead coach
acu men’s basketball
I think we are a confident team we just need to find a way to win the last four minutes.”“
Help: Players visit hospital, elementary schooland being role models for the kids.”
Golding said one young man, who was battling cancer on and off for sever-al years, came to one of the team’s games and got to sit behind the bench as well as go into the locker room.
The team was also sup-posed to volunteer at Habi-tat for Humanity but there was a thunderstorm that
weekend and the project was cancelled.
“The guys also read at a local elementary school,” Golding said. “Our kids love it. We take them up there right after chapel on Thursdays and each kid has a book that cor-responds with their read-ing level. The guys rotate around the room and let the kids read to them.”
The basketball team are not the only group of
Wildcats involved with the community outside of ACU. Members of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee traveled to the Abilene Zoo last semes-ter. They helped set up and decorate shops for the zoo’s annual ‘Boo at the Zoo’ fundraiser.
The ‘Cats assisted local businesses and non-profit organizations at the event by helping them carry in bags of candy, pumpkins
and hay bales. These busi-nesses and organizations gave away free candy and treats throughout the zoo to hundreds of kids dressed in costumes, pro-viding an exciting trick-or-treat experience for local Abilene families.
All the money raised went towards operating the zoo.
community
contact the optimist [email protected]
contact isaacs [email protected]
from page 10
The men’s and women’s basketball teams play at Texas A&M Kingsville on Saturday.
The track and field team will be in Lubbock Friday and Saturday for the Masked Rider Invitational at Texas Tech University. Both the men’s and women’s teams compete there.
The women’s tennis team will play their first exibition of 2013 at Texas Tech Saturday.
women’s basketball
standings
briefings
ex- factor
Upcoming
Senior Jordan Herrera was one of four ACU athletes to be named an ACU Student Athlete of the month. Herrera is a pitcher from Houston. The other male recipient of the award is Parker Petty, a member of the track and field team. The two women to win the award in January were Whitley Lindholm, a soccer player; and Renata Marquez, a basketball player. Marquez is averaging 11 points to go along with her 5.9 boards and 2.4 assists.
Seven members of the softball team were named to the 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America Scholar Athletes list. The players were Madison Buckley, Brianna Fowlkes, Shelby Hall, Peyton Mosley, Ashley Nolan, Kara Stutesman and Sara Vaughn. All the players achieved a 3.50 grade point average or higher during the 2011-2012 school year.
men’s basketball
TeamMSUUIWTAMU-KCameronCommerceWTAMUTSUENMUACUASU
Div.7-15-14-25-33-32-42-42-41-51-5
Ovrl.11-49-58-59-510-610-48-55-97-74-10
Former ACU football player Danieal Man-ning had 216 kick return yards to go along with six total tackles in the Houston Texans loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round. Manning finished the season with 77 tackles, and forced five turn-overs in 2012. Manning also defended eight passes and scored a defensive touchdown.
TeamTSUMSUACUUIWASUWTAMUCommerceTWUCameronENMUTAMU-K
Div.6-16-26-25-33-43-43-43-53-52-51-6
Ovrl.10-311-311-39-56-77-95-75-94-103-123-10
women’s basketball
wednesday 01.16.13 10sports
Goodenough for 300 winsThe ACU women’s basketball team faced off against the Incarnate Word Cardinals on Tuesday and gave head coach Julie Goodenough her 300th career win, 76-65.
Early defense turned into offense for the Wildcats, as they were able to convert on the Cardinals’ early turn-overs. Junior Renata Mar-quez had a steal that led to a three pointer by junior Mack Lankford and another tipped pass by sophomore Shannon Saunders led to a fast break
score the Lady ‘Cats. Incarnate was forced to
take a timeout with 8:50 left in the half as ACU grabbed ahold of a 24-12 lead. The momentum swung towards the end of the half as the Cardinals went on a 20-11 run and were able to cut the deficit to three and headed into the locker room, be-hind 35-32.
The second half proved to be more competitive, as neither team was able to pull away with a solid lead. Both teams came out with reenergized defenses and very physical styles of play.
The Wildcats led 58-51
with 7:34 left after a three point shot was made by sophomore Sadie Dickinson.
Incarnate Word was able to stay in the game by driv-ing the lane and sinking free throws. With 4:02 left, the game was tied up at 60 as the momentum started to once again shift to the Car-dinals in the late going.
The Wildcats were able to take back control of the game as freshman Kynzie Newman hit a huge three for the Lady ‘Cats with 1:54 left that gave ACU a five point lead in the late going.
Lankford and Marquez each made a couple of big
free throws to put ACU up 72-62 with a minute left in the game. The Wildcats were able to play smart in the end, make their free throws, and continue their win streak at Moody Coliseum.
The Wildcats played su-perb ball over the winter break, as they have won six of their seven games by an average of 23 points. ACU outscored opponents 546-381; none of their wins came more convincingly than their 108-21 victory over South-west Adventist University on Saturday at Moody Coliseum.
The Lady Cats set all kinds of school records,
including largest margin of victory (87), most three pointers made in a single game(17) and the 21 points they gave up on defense was the lowest since their 1972-1973 season, where they gave up just 19 points.
They got contributions from all up and down the roster, most notable were 25 points from Marquez and 15 from Lankford and Newman.
The Wildcats will continue Lone Star Conference play on Saturday at Kingsville (3-11).
mandy lambright chief Photographer
Freshman guard Kynzie Newman drives to the basket in Moody Coliseum. The Wildcats beat Incarnate Word 76-65 on Tuesday night which gave Coach Goodenough the 300th win of her career.
daniel zepedasports reporter
Wildcats reach out to local children
The men’s basketball team is not all about drib-bling a basketball and shooting three pointers.
Last October, the team and coaches made a visit to Hendrick Children’s Hospital to see some of the patients there. The hospital is located not far from campus and pro-vides care for children ranging from babies to teenagers.
Second-year head
coach Joe Golding and the team got to meet sev-eral children, all of whom were encouraged as they battle various illnesses and aff lictions.
“I think going to see those kids served two purposes,” Golding said.
“It helps our guys look outside the box. Some-times you get comfortable in your situation here. A lot of our guys on the team are spoiled in the sense that they have a scholar-ship to go to school so sometimes they don’t understand the struggles other people have.”
“It’s also good for the university,” he said. “It’s good for us to be ambassa-dors and representatives in the community by get-ting out in the community
community
edward isaacssports editor
Kerjean, Lakey win at Tech Open
Abilene Christian assis-tant track and field coach Jerrod Cook is confident in this year’s throwers af-ter their success in their season-opening meet Saturday at the Texas Tech Open.
Seniors Baptiste Ker-jean (known as the Frenchman) and Shala-
nia Lakey took first place in their weight throw event. Kerjean threw his collegiate best with a throw of 17.7 meters, while Lakey threw 15.56 meters. Kerjean was not happy with his perfor-mance because he felt he could work on his me-chanics and technique more to throw even fur-ther. Cook believes Ker-jean has the potential to become an elite thrower.
“I know he is very ca-pable to compete at the NCAA Indoor Champion-ships this year. He just has to keep improving, and putting performanc-es out there,” Cook said. “He started off like a sea-soned veteran. He knows his routine, he is very composed and knows what it takes to win.”
Among the many highlights, senior Mat-thew Stark from Abilene
recorded a personal best indoor pole vault height of 4.3 meters.
In his first compe-tition as a collegiate-athlete, freshman Luke Woods made the finals in the 55 meter hurdles and improved his time by half a second with a time of 8.31 seconds.
“He’s going to be a great asset to our team, he’s coachable and he’s learn-ing a lot as a first-time
heptathlete,” Cook said.Cook expressed his ex-
citement of the first meet. His athletes were poised and focused throughout the meet with great ex-pectations.
track and field
jimmy isbellsports reporter
mandy lambright chief Photographer
Golding and some of the team watch from the sidelines.see help page 9
contact isbell [email protected]
joe goldinghead coach
acu men’s basketball
It helps our guys look out-side the box. Sometimes
you get comfortable in your situation here.”“
contact zepeda [email protected]