Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Abilene Christian University Serving the ACU community since 1912

WEDNESDAY

IN THIS ISSUE

CAMPUS

Have no fearDespite claims that the bowling alley would be torn down for the Campus Center renovations, Anthony Williams said it won’t because of cost, page 3

The OPTIMISTApril 11, 2007Vol. 95, No. 47 1 section, 10 pages www.acuoptimist.com• •

Kojie or Siggie?Students thinking about pledging next fall met Monday evening to learn what to do, page 3

SPORTS

Setting the paceIntramural soccer for men and women began April 2 with several changes added this season, page 10

Counting downAs the race for a Students’ Association position ends this week, each candidate spent a lot of time and effort on their campaigns, page 4

EndorsementsThe Editorial Board on the Optimist staff interviewed each candidate and choose to endorse one for each position, see who was selected and why on page 7

FEATURE

Being bold in ChinaRyan Campbell spent a year teaching English at a university in China. His experience changed his view and made him want to live across the world in part three of our Christianity in China series, page 5

n The Theatre Department’s Spring Dinner Theater begins Thursday with ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ a tale of a plant gone wrong set in the 1950s.

By CASSIE LEHMANNStudent RepoRteR

The cast and crew of “Little Shop of Horrors” are polish-ing up and ready to lift the curtain Thursday for their opening night.

The university’s Theatre Department chose “Little Shop” to be the show for its Spring Dinner Theatre as a fun, light-hearted end-of-the-semester performance, said director Dawne Swear-ingen, assistant professor of theatre.

“Little Shop,” set in the late 1950s, is the story of a young man, Seymour Krel-born, played by Seth Bazacas, who works in a flower shop

and falls in love with his co-worker, Audrey. But Au-drey, played by Alyssa Vidos, freshman theatre major from Waxahachie, has a boyfriend dentist named Orin Scrivello, played by Caleb Todd, senior theatre major from Mesquite.

In the flower shop, Sey-mour finds a strange plant and names it Audrey II. Sey-mour nurtures the plant that becomes large enough to speak, move and sing. Audrey

II convinces Seymour to kill by promising him everything he always wanted. But the plant is not an average bo-tanical wonder; it came from space with a plan for world domination.

“It’s a fun spoof on those ’50s monster movies,” Swear-ingen said. “You can escape for a couple of hours. ‘Little Shop’ appeals to all ages, but

Cast debuts ‘Little Shop’ Thursday

emily smith CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Daniel-Paul Watkins, running for vice president, talks about what he wants to do if elected at the Students’ Association Debate on Monday night in Chapel on the Hill. Treasurer candidate Kyle Moore and president candidate Brandon Smith wait their turn.

n Abilene weather set new records this weekend with the coldest temperatures in April, although the temperature drop may not be the last cold front the Big Country sees.

By NATHAN STRAUSStaff WRiteR

Over the Easter weekend, Abilene was hit with a rare spring sight: snow and record-low temperatures.

White powder drifted softly to the ground most of the day Sat-urday and perhaps startled some who were settling into warmer spring weather last week.

Dr. Donald Isenhower, pro-fessor of physics, said every few years something like the recent spring chill happens.

“There’s an old saying,” Is-enhower said, “Climate is what you expect; weather is what you get.”

While the drop in tempera-ture was forecast, the record-breaking nature of the chill was not easy to peg.

Dan Edwards, chief me-teorologist for KTAB, said the front produced two records Saturday. The first was the lowest high temperature, 36 degrees, ever in April. The sec-ond was the lowest, 28 degrees, ever recorded in April.

Simply put, the record maxi-mum high, set Saturday morn-ing at 12:01, was the warmest it got on a really cold day. The re-cord low for April was set just 12 hours later as temperatures fell throughout the morning.

“The lowest we got in April was 28 degrees, occurring just past noon at 12:05,” Edwards said.

April’s Easter snow sets records

n Voting for the Students’ Association election ends Wednesday. Candidates informed students of their views at the debate.

By KELSI PEACEfeatuReS editoR

SA executive office candidates spent a lot of time agreeing with one another and laying out their accom-plishments at Monday’s debates in Chapel on the Hill.

When treasurer candidate Kevan Kirksey, sophomore finance major from Tyler, said the budget that is currently in place does a good job of utilizing the limited funds, his oppo-nent agreed.

“We do have a great process,” said Kyle Moore, junior management ma-jor from Double Oak. “But I think we need more.”

This seemed to be the theme for much of the debate.

When vice presidential candidate, Daniel-Paul Watkins, sophomore po-litical science major from Freder-icksburg, Va., said he plans to be in “constant communication with all stu-dent groups,” his opponent, Ryan Ste-phen, sophomore finance major from Spring, countered. “I’ve already made those connections.”

Even the presidential candidates began the debates by building off

what the other said. “I know what it takes to love a com-

munity, a community that has prob-lems, issues that you can’t fix over-night,” said Matt Worthington, junior English major from San Antonio, cit-ing his experience as creator of Jesus and the Hip Hop Prophets.

Presidential candidate Brandon Smith, junior international relations major from Kansas City, countered that a president is not judged by his or her personal achievements but by the vision they present to the body they govern.

The great debate

Tech support launches programs

brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Fenohasina Randrianjafy, senior environ-mental science major from Madagascar, takes a break from her deck job in Mc-Donald to enjoy the snow on Saturday.

n Wednesday marks the first day students and faculty can switch their accounts from the Sun Java System to Google’s e-mail system, Gmail.

By KARIE SCHMIDTStudent RepoRteR

Seniors only have a year to access ACU e-mail ac-counts once they graduate, but after joining Google’s e-mail system, Gmail, alumni might have the opportunity to stay connected to the ACU family.

Google has offered edu-cational institutions the chance to join its new e-mail service to universities, and the best part is that the services are free, said Kay Reeves, director of technol-

ogy support services and customer services. ACU will be one of the first uni-versities in the nation to use Gmail.

Reeves said they did not plan to switch because of more data space and ad-ditional storage, but the simple fact that, Google is an “e-mail expert.”

In joining Google’s Gmail, Dr. James Langford, director of Web Integration and Programming, said, “We’ve wanted to offer ei-ther lifetime e-mail or an @acu.edu alias to alumni for a long time. This may provide the opportunity to do that.”

Elizabeth Tarrant, class

Students begin Gmail switchn Apple’s new program allows universities to utilize podcasts by posting interviews and lectures online. The distance education program uses it now.

By KRISTA MEYERStudent RepoRteR

ACU launches its public side of iTunes U on Wednes-day. With Wednesday’s launch, students will be able to view the SA debates that took place Monday night incase they missed the op-portunity to view them or if they just want one more op-portunity to hear each side before casting their votes.

On Jan. 25, 2006, Apple announced it’s release of iTunes U; a program its Web site calls a “free hosted ser-

vice for colleges and uni-versities that provides easy access to their educational content, including lectures and interviews, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”

Doug Darby, creative and media specialist at ACU, said the World Wide Distance Education program has al-ready been using iTunes U as it’s sole means of distrib-uting content.

“iTunes U is meant to work as a companion tool with programs such as Blackboard,” Darby said. “Blackboard has more of a learning format where as iTunes U is designed as a means to distribute content quickly and easily.”

Seth Bazacas : SeymourAlyssa Vidos : AudreyCaleb Todd: Dentist OrinJosh Martin: Plant voiceJake Harbour: MushnickJazz Richardson: RonetteJessica Patterson: RonetteMichelle Alexander: RonetteTerence Lindeke: Plant Jeremy Varner: Every ManGary Varner: Set DesignTravis Eason : Plant DesignerSandy Freeman: CostumerAshley Sutphen: Hair and Make-upShae Candelaria: Stage Manager Katelyn Whitlock: Asst. Stage Manager

CAST & CREW

See PLAY page 8

See PODCAST page 8See GMAIL page 8

Six candidates discuss goals, platforms

iTunes U offers podcasts

See SNOW page 8

See DEBATE page 8

CAMPAIGN

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Calendar Events&

The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities.

Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at mxe06a@acu.edu.

To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifi cations of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

About This Page

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Announcements

Volunteer Opportunities

13 Friday11 Wednesday 12 Thursday 14 Saturday

A golf scramble will be held Thursday at Maxwell Golf Course. There will be a 1 p.m. shotgun start. A team consists of 2 play-ers, and it costs $40 per team to play. This includes 18 holes and a golf cart. The deadline to sign up for the scramble is Thursday.

The April ArtWalk will be Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in downtown Abilene. Contact Marianne Wood at (325) 677-8389 for more information.

Spring Break Campaign Committee applications for the 2007-08 school year are avail-able in Room 129 of McKinzie Hall. The deadline to turn in ap-plications is Friday. Make sure to sign up for an interview time when turning in applications. For more information, contact Jennifer King at jjk04a@acu.edu.

The last day for students to withdraw from a class for the fall semester is Friday. Students who want to receive a “W” for a

course must have the withdrawal from class form turned in by that date. The forms are available in the Depot, the Registrar`s office, or in each advisor`s office.

The 23rd Annual Kirk Good-win 5K Run will be Saturday at 8 a.m. and will begin at the intersec-tion of Campus Court and College Drive. The Kirk Goodwin Run is a charity run sponsored by the men of Galaxy that raises funds to help out community families in need of fi nancial assistance with medical bills. There will be door prizes along with prizes for the overall winners. Registration will begin Monday in the Campus Center ticket win-dows. The cost to register is $10 and will include a T-shirt.

Seniors, come to Joe Allen`s Lytle Bend Ranch on April 19 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m for free food and fun. Enter the draw-ings to win prizes including gift certificates and a digital camera. Wear a crazy hat and compete for

Local Christian radio station, KGNZ, has a couple of opportuni-ties for volunteers. They need help answering phones and entering data for its annual fundraiser be-tween 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. every day this week until Friday. Volunteers are also needed Saturday from noon until midnight to help with their “Thank You” event for the ra-dio station. Contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.

ACU for Abilene is coming April 21. Students, staff and fac-ulty will join together to serve the Abilene community in a variety of ways at a number of locations. Watch for more information and make plans now to join in this time of service.

I-CAN, Interested Citizens of Abilene North, need help with com-munity clean up Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will cut yards, trim hedges, plant gardens, pick up trash and help with house-hold tasks. Contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout for more information.

Freedom Fellowship Church needs volunteers to assist with a variety of after-school activities for at-risk youth, such as tutor-ing, basketball and air hockey Mondays, Tuesdays and Thurs-days from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. and Fridays from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Contact the Volunteer Ser-vice-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout for more information.

MOPS at Highland Church of Christ is having its annual Great Moms Walk and family day out April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nelson Park. For more informa-tion please contact Julia Stewart at (325) 690-9023.

Volunteers are needed to be peer visitors or in a support group for amputees. Both men and women are requested to help. For more in-formation, contact Wayne Briggs at (325) 691-1672 or (325) 829-1961.

Meals on Wheels needs vol-unteers to deliver meals to se-niors and adults with disabilities. This usually takes about an hour,

and students can have one day of Chapel per week excused for this service. Contact the Volunteer Ser-vice-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout for more information.

Big A Club of City Light Community Ministries has an urgent need for volunteers to ride buses and vans with elemen-tary-age children and to help with Bible studies. This takes place on Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Contact the Volunteer Ser-vice-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout for more information.

Girl Scout Troop #1550 needs young women who want to make a difference in young girls’ lives through Girl Scouting. The girls are from underprivileged homes, and they need positive Christian infl u-ences in their lives. Volunteers will help conduct meetings, includ-ing arts and crafts. Help is needed every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. until May. For more infor-mation, contact Diltzie Andrews at (325) 673-6379.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters is looking for young women will-ing to volunteer time and energy mentoring in a program called Y-teens. Through activities and service projects, this program will empower young girls with knowl-edge about life skills and will build self-confi dence while creating an atmosphere for learning and emo-tional growth. Help is needed every Thursday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Franklin Middle School and Lincoln Middle School. For more informa-tion, contact Erin McMullen or MC Jennings at (325) 677-7839.

Wesley Court needs volunteers to work in the gift shop and to as-sist with inventory anytime Mon-days through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Two- to four-hour shifts would be very helpful. For more in-formation, contact Susan Conwell at (325) 437-1184.

Abilene Zoo needs help with general labor such as grounds cleanup and painting any day dur-ing the week from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call Doug Hotle at (325) 676-6451.

ACU Career CornerUpcoming Career Events and Workshops

ACU CAREER DAYDeal Or No Deal: Just In Case...You have not yet landed a job,or you don’t know where to look, or you don’t know what to do, or (Career-related fi ll-in-the-blank.) April 19 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.ACU Campus Center Featuring: -Gifts for graduating seniors -Networking with 20 employers -Resume, Cover Letter, and Job Search Advice -One-on-one with career counselors -Free food and drinks

IT’S NOT A JOB IF YOU LOVE IT:Recent Jobs Posted on ACU CareerLink(www.acu.edu/careerlink)Job ID #5276 History Internship with Lopez Garcia GroupJob ID #5300 Community Outreach Specialist Internship with Gilda’s Club North TexasJob ID #5421 Customer Services Operations Coordinator Cadbury Schweppes

Upcoming On-Campus Interviews

April 19: J-W Operating Human Resources Internship Interview Open Schedule Sign-up deadline: April 15April 10: District Manager Trainees and Interns Recruiting all majors Sign-up deadline: April 16April 24: Association Mem- ber Benefits Advi sors (AMBA) District Manager Trainees and Interns Recruiting all majors Sign-up deadline: April 16

To schedule an on-campus interview, go to www.acu.edu/careerlink or contact Bradon Tharp at (325) 674-2653.

This Week’s CareerLink Statistics:Number of Part-Time Jobs: 137Number of Internships: 284Number of Full-Time Jobs: 769Number of Employers in Direct-ory: 3,078Number of Employers Added This Week: 15

Hosted By:The Offi ce of Career and Academic Developmentwww.acu.edu/ocad

Purple Friday

12 p.m. and 2 p.m.The softball team plays Eastern New Mexico at Wells Field.

6:45 p.m.Dinner begins for Spring Dinner Theatre. Tickets for dinner and the ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ show are $25.

8 p.m.‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is performed in Fulks Theatre. TIckets for the show alone are $15.

‘G-Day’ transition begins. Students, faculty and staff may now switch from the current ACU e-mail service to Gmail. With this new service, Google Apps for Education may be utilized. New available features will include Gmail to manage e-mail accounts, the Google calendar, documents and spreadsheets and Google talk.

6:45 p.m.Dinner begins for Spring Dinner Theatre. Tickets for dinner and the ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ show are $25.

8 p.m.‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is performed in Fulks Theatre. Tickets for the show alone are $15.

8 p.m.Abilene Bands Spring Concert in Cullen Auditorium. The ACU Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will both perform.

6:45 p.m.Dinner begins for Spring Dinner Theatre. Tickets for dinner and the ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ show are $25.

8 p.m.‘Little Shop of Horrors’ is performed in Fulks Theatre. Tickets for the show alone are $15.

CreditedChapelsto date:

CreditedChapelsremaining:

Chapel Checkup55 17

a prize. RSVP to (325) 674-2737 or seniorexperience@acu.edu by Friday. For more information, go to www.acu.edu/seniors.

Residence Life is looking for bands for the Backyard Bash on April 28. If interested, contact Jae Webb at jkw02a@acu.edu or at (325) 260-7347.

The First Annual 5k Saving Ba-bies Race will be April 28. This race will be held by March of Dimes in conjunction with Walk America. The race will start at 8:30 a.m. Check in at 7:30 a.m. at Redbud Park. The Entry fee is $25. Awards will be given to the top overall runners and the top-three males and females in each age category. For more information, e-mail sks06k@acu.edu or call (325) 672-0566. Download an entry form at www.abilenerunners.com.

Wednesday, April 10, 2006 Page 3CAMPUS NEWS

n The Senior Experience program will host a cookout, prize drawing April 19th for all seniors, senior friends and spouses for a final farewell.

By ERIN JOHNSONStudent RepoRteR

The Senior Experience program is sponsor-ing a free Senior Cook-out on April 19 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 pm at Lytle Bend Ranch. It will fea-ture drawings for many prizes such as a digital camera, as well as ways for seniors to relax and have fun.

All seniors, their senior friends and spouses are encouraged to attend.

“This is the final event

to send them off and just to say we appreciate you,” said Kristi Thax-ton, Development Pro-gram manager.

Seniors are asked to come hungry and wear-ing their craziest hats for the crazy hat con-test. The top five who wear the craziest hats will win gift certificates, which were donated by local vendors, Thaxton said. There will be many events, such as smashing a piñata filled with can-dy, cash prizes and many other opportunities for seniors to win prizes.

This event not only allows seniors a chance to fellowship and re-

ceive a free dinner, but it also provides seniors a chance to give a contri-bution of any amount to-ward the senior gift, the ACU insignia. Seniors will also be given the op-portunity to leave their mark on ACU by mak-ing a donation of $100 or more, which can be done through a payment plan. In return they will receive a brick engraved with their name and class year, which will be placed in the Alumni Walk on campus. Their $100 donation will also go toward the senior class gift.

Any seniors who have not received a invitation

can view one on the se-nior Web site at www.acu.edu/seniors or pick one up at the Hardin Administra-tion Building, Room 305, Thaxton said. All seniors are asked to RSVP by Fri-day by calling (325) 674-2737 or by e-mail Thaxton at klt99k@acu.edu

All seniors should know that a few changes have been made to the spring Senior Experience news-letter; the new updates and other valuable senior information can be found at www.acu.edu/seniors.

Senior Cookout offers free food, prizes

n As high cost forces officials not to tear down the McGlothlin Campus Center bowling alley, students show support through Facebook petitions.

By DANIEL JOHNSONSpoRtS editoR

Five-hundred and thirty seven ACU Facebook pro-testers can put their wor-ries on hold — the McGloth-lin Campus Center bowling alley is here to stay.

The original plans of tearing down the bowling alley in the basement of the Campus Center as part of a renovation plan for a new

food court were scratched after a committee, made up of various ACU departmen-tal representatives, chose to leave the bowling alley untouched.

“As far as I know right now, there are no plans to get rid of the bowling al-ley,” said Joel Swedland, Campus Center manager.

The decision was made April 2 — one day after Evan Black, senior integrat-ed marketing and commu-nication major from Deni-son, created a Facebook group to protest tearing down the alley.

Although the group ral-lied more than 500 stu-dents and alumni against tearing down the alley, it was the original plan’s high cost, not the group that changed the commit-tee’s mind.

“I don’t think it had any-thing to really do with [the group],” Swedland said.

Students’ Association president Maher Saab, who sat on the deciding committee as the student body’s representative, said the decision was made based on cost ef-ficiency of tearing down

the alley. And because of the high cost, the com-mittee decided to leave the alley alone for now.

Black said he created the group to raise aware-ness of the demolition plans and create an on-line petition to show the number of student body members against remov-ing the alley. Black’s plan appears to have worked and Andy Slone, evening supervisor of the Campus Center, said he hopes the online support will lead to an increase of custom-ers at the alley.

“I was really impressed with the amount of stu-dents that joined the group,” Slone said. “I think that it is a sign that a lot of people really do care about it.”

Slone said rumors of the bowling alley being a waste of space and unprofitable are untrue, and the alley has made significant chang-es to raise interest in the appeal. Some of the most recent changes include the pool tables and other non-bowling activities being free with a student ID, free bowling on Tuesday nights

from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and new black lights and a bet-ter sound system to com-pliment the lanes.

Slone also said the alley is beneficial in building a good image of ACU, since it is often rented out for birthday parties and other non-ACU functions.

“I’m definitely for the ACU bowling lanes,” Slone said. “I think that it’s cool that some ACU students are willing to wrap their arms around it and fight for it.”

Plans to tear down bowling alley scrapped because of high cost

n Students who wish to pledge will be required to maintain better grades as GPA requirements increase to 2.5 with some leeway in the fall.

By MALLORY EDENSpage 2 deSigneR

The spring rush be-gins Monday for those wishing to pledge in the fall. Students may attend scheduled formal and in-formal rushes for each social club to determine which club they might wish to pledge for. An in-formative meeting about pledging was held Mon-day for those interested. A spring rush schedule was issued to students, and guidelines for pledg-ing were introduced.

As in previous years, to pledge students must have completed two full semesters, must have graduated in 2006 or earlier and must be en-rolled as a full time stu-dent at ACU.

One requirement for pledging will change next

year, though. While a stu-dent must still remain in good academic standing with the university, the GPA minimum will be 2.5 rather than the 2.0 that has been expected in the past. This change will not apply to students during pledging fall 2007 because next school year will stand as a transition. Students will be allowed some leeway in this mat-ter and will be able to disregard their GPA for the fall 2006 semester. As long as a student achieves a 2.5 minimum GPA this semester, they may pledge in the fall.

Along with this transi-tion, there will be other changes in pledging next year. While these changes have not been announced yet, Mauri Westbrook, coordinator of Student Organizations and Ac-tivities, said in Monday’s pledging meeting that so-cial clubs will in fact be different next year.

“Social clubs have

been in a period of re-view for the past year,” Westbrook said. “Both the rushing and pledging process have been evalu-ated and recommenda-tions are being made.”

The new social club handbook will be posted online this summer at www.acu.edu/socialclubs for students to review before they pledge.

Students who are look-ing to pledge should con-sider several factors before pledging. For one, pledging and dues both require mon-ey. Typically, $200 to $400 is due on bid night. Dues for each club range from $60 to $150. Also, students should consider more than one club in case they do not get into the club of their first choice.

“With this large a num-ber of people pledging, most of you will probably not get the club you want,” Westbrook said. “It’s not a personal thing. It’s just a reality. Consider going to at least one rush for each

club and avoid stereotypes. Every club has people from every walk of life. You may think you know what you want now, but you may change your mind. The im-portant thing is to consider all options. It’s really about being in the social club sys-tem as a whole, not being in ‘x’ club.”

Students must register to be a part of the pledging process. Online registration is scheduled to be Aug. 31 at 12 p.m. No late registra-tions will be accepted.

Westbrook said rushing will probably start Sept. 3 and will last approximately three weeks. For more in-formation about rushing and pledging, or to get a copy of the rush sched-ule, go to www.acu.edu/socialclubs. This Web site will be updated regularly. Students may also contact Mauri Westbrook at (325) 674-6818, go by McKinzie West, Room 130, or e-mail socialclubs@acu.edu.

Future pledging to require higher GPA

n This month’s ArtWalk theme, ‘Music for ArtWalking’ is set to have live music from Joie de Vivre and classical piano selections from Sharla Van Cleave.

By KACI FLORESStudent RepoRteR

Enjoy free art activities, live music and entertain-ment at The Center for Con-temporary Arts’ monthly ArtWalk this Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. located downtown.

This month’s theme is “Music for ArtWalking,” which highlights the mu-sical arts.

Some of this month’s fea-tures include artists from the Abilene Acoustic Music Association, along with live music performances by Joie de Vivre. Also Sharla Van Cleave will perform classical music selections on the piano, followed by a performance by the Cele-bration Singers, an Abilene Community Choir.

Kim Berry, executive di-rector of Center for Contem-porary Arts, emphasizes the diverse offering of arts and entertainment ArtWalk has to offer to the community.

“ArtWalk provides an ed-ucational as well as cultural experience,” Berry said.

Along with listening to music, ArtWalkers are also given the opportunity to “meet” famous compos-ers and hear their music and stories while making a book. The composing and writing takes place at 102 Pine St., Suite 2.

The Center for Contem-

porary Arts, located at 220 Cypress St., will have four galleries open to the pub-lic featuring exhibits from Sarabeth Clevenger, the Omani Society for Fine Arts, the Creative Arts Club and Hartley King.

New to ArtWalk is the Clint Hamilton Foundation, which will host a preview celebration of the life and work of Clint Hamilton at the Second Street Gallery.

Marianne Wood, ArtWalk coordinator, said this is the first exhibition of Hamilton’s work since his death.

“Students will enjoy his unusual take on the world,” Wood said in an e-mail.

During ArtWalk, visitors can also stop by restaurants and specialty shops down-town. Monks Coffee Shop at 223 Cypress St., will fea-ture live music by Takisha Knight starting at 7 p.m. fol-lowed by Open Mic at 9 p.m. Monks will be serving drinks until midnight.

For more entertainment, Tsotsi will be playing at the Paramount Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for students.

Hardin-Simmons Univer-sity will offer carriage rides from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Abilene Trolley rides are free for ArtWalkers.

“If you have not come to an ArtWalk, you are miss-ing an important Abilene experience,” Wood said. “Find out why this is such a great town in which to live and work.”

Live music showcased Thursday at ArtWalk

E-mail Edens at: mxe06a@acu.edu

E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu

E-mail Johnson at: optimist@acu.edu

E-mail Flores at: optimist@acu.edu

Page 4 Wednesday, April 11, 2007CAMPUS NEWS

n Changes in technology have created new venues for campaigning but traditional tactics still play an important role as candidates vie for an office.

By KELSI PEACEFeatures editor

Daniel-Paul Watkins coined his opponent’s campaign slo-gan. For Watkins, sophomore political science major from Fredericksburg, Va., and his opponent, Ryan Stephen, sophomore finance major from Spring, the race for SA executive vice president has been friendly — especially because the two are good friends.

Stephens said he was jok-ing with Watkins about his jealously over Watkins using his initials in his campaign slogan, DP 4 VP, when Wat-kins suggested Ryan use his own initials, R.S., to make R.S.V.P.

“Both of us had a look of recognition all the sudden,” Stephens said, “I said, ‘I’m using it.’”

Now, campus has been plastered with Watkin’s Dr. Pepper and DP 4 VP flyers and Stephen’s R.S.V.P. flyers, along with flyers from candi-dates vying for SA executive president and SA executive treasurer for the 2007-2008 academic year. And while not all candidates are trying to balance friendship and com-petition with their opponents, each is trying to balance clas-sic campaigning tactics like meeting constituents with newer venues like iTunes U and Facebook.

Computer-age campaigning

This year, campaigns in-creased the technology in-volved with Facebook, iTunes U and Internet campaigning.

For the second consecu-

tive year, candidates created groups for support on Face-book, a venue candidates agree is beneficial more for name recognition than accu-rate polling.

“People just join groups to join groups,” said Kyle Moore, candidate for SA executive treasurer.

However, Moore, junior management major from Double Oak, has a Facebook group — as does every can-didate in this year’s race, with numbers ranging from about 120 to 400 members. Tyler Cosgrove, this year’s SA executive treasurer, en-dorsed treasurer candidate Kevan Kirksey, sophomore finance major from Tyler, in a wall post on Kirksey’s group profile.

But Facebook is just one venue for the computer-savvy.

Stephen created a Web site, www.fixacu.com, that displays his biography, vi-sion, platform issues, a fo-rum for debate and a place to volunteer to help with his campaign. As of April 4, Stephen planned to allocate half of his Wednesday Cha-pel speech to a video, which will essentially be a digital version of his platform.

In a similar move, presiden-tial candidate Matt Worthing-ton, junior English major from San Antonio, has his platform available on YouTube.

Moore said he was consid-ering buying a flyer on Face-book, which will be displayed 10,000 times for $5.

And the university’s latest technological update, ACU on iTunes U, offers students a chance to see the Monday night debates online, add-ing a new element to the de-bates — the words, gestures and composure of the can-didates will be on record at www.acu.edu/itunes.

Despite the convenience

of mass-Facebook messages and e-mail at the candidates’ fingers, all stress the im-portance of more classical campaigning tactics as well. Candidates say face-to-face interaction shows what they stand for as candidates and builds relationships that will be important if they are elect-ed to office.

“Like a comic book charac-ter, my skin gets see through when I’m up in front,” Worthington said.

Some things never change

Campaigning can’t begin until candidates receive sig-natures from 10 percent of the student body, which is about 430 signatures. Once Maher Saab, SA executive president and this year’s elec-tions co-chair, verifies the sig-natures, candidates can begin campaigning — with materi-als pre-approved by Saab and elections co-chair Madison Sa-niuk, sophomore political sci-ence major from Arlington.

Flyers, banners and chalk advertisements represent each candidate with slogans like “Start the SA Revolu-tion” from presidential can-didate Brandon Smith, ju-nior international relations major from Kansas City, or simple “Kevan Kirksey for SA treasurer.” Their goal is the same: name recogni-tion.

Another big concern candi-dates have is getting students to vote.

“The best tactic is hold-ing [students’] hands and walking to a polling place,” Watkins said.

Smith said he has asked supporters to each get 10 students to agree to vote; less formally, candidates say they are always talking to people, building relation-

ships and strengthening ones they already have.

“I don’t think you can be SA president and not have relationships with student group leaders,” Smith said.

Over the past few weeks, candidates have addressed social clubs and student or-ganizations, presenting their platforms and taking ques-tions, all in an effort to gain support from what is seen as a voting bloc.

Kirksey, a member of men’s social club Galaxy, said he thinks clubs will act as a voting bloc. Stephen, also a member of men’s social club Galaxy, said he expected about 300 votes overall from students in social clubs, a number he said is significant but will not de-termine the outcome. Moore, a member of men’s social club Frater Sodalis, said he has been encouraging fellow members to vote.

Candidates can spend up to $200 on their campaigns, including monetary or sup-ply donations, and are ex-pected to present documen-tation of their campaign expenses by 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Campaigners who violate these rules receive a warning or are removed from the race at the discre-tion of the election chair.

The candidates face the student body in Chapel on Wednesday to present three-minute speeches they hope will gain them support.

Both treasurer candidates said it is difficult to speak on a behind-the-scenes, gen-erally defined position. But for president and vice presi-dent candidates, the speech is a chance to display their leadership skills. All the can-didates said they would pre-pare a speech in advance, though some prefer bulleted points and other fully written speeches. Tactics vary from candidate to candidate, and it is, undoubtedly, more than a little personal.

Personal politics

Saab said this year has been problem-free, and his experience campaigning last

year did not involve smear campaigns (intentionally tar-nishing an opponent’s image with slander) or other dirty political tactics. In both cases, Saab credited the character of everyone involved for the clean campaigning. But, Saab said, he has heard horror sto-ries about past campaigns.

“Politics are dirty,” Saab said. “[You have to] try to make sure you’re not part of the shadiness.”

Both candidates for vice president said they discuss more about their campaigns with one another than nor-mal. But for the treasurer and presidential candidates, that is not the case.

Worthington said he and Smith do not discuss the cam-paign at all, and Moore and Kirksey said they do not know much about their opponents.

While all candidates agree that smear campaigns are not a part of their campaign tactics, both presidential can-didates said they have heard rumors about themselves.

Saab said often the can-didate’s campaign team becomes overzealous, turn-ing to out-of-control tactics that reflect poorly on the candidates, who are held ac-countable for the actions of their teams.

Smith estimated he spends six to eight hours per day on his campaign, making signs, talking to people, making phone calls and meeting with his campaign staff.

Kirksey doesn’t have a con-crete campaign team, but he said he assigned jobs to vol-unteers. Stephen has a core team of eight that he said put in about 65 hours the first week in April going over cam-paign strategy; he said about 20 to 25 people volunteer.

Worthington’s campaign team made his posters and helped him put on a cam-paign rally featuring student bands presenting poetry, rap, hip-hop, indie and acoustic music. Worthington said his team of 12 to 15 consistent students and 20 to 30 fluc-tuating students sometimes stay until 2 a.m. working on material; he stays with them.

Moore got a late start to

campaigning because he was out of town at a confer-ence for SA. He completed his petition April 4, getting 100 signatures in 15 min-utes, he said.

“I really almost gave up,” Moore said.

Campaigning is time con-suming and sometimes ex-hausting, candidates say. Watkins said he is often questioned about his mo-tives for serving, with people asking, “Are you just doing this for my vote?” Stephen said he has had the same is-sue, for instance, when he helped some students carry boxes to the Volunteer Ser-vice-Learning Center.

“You have to second guess yourself,” Stephen said. “One, for your own motives, and second, how are you at por-traying yourself. You don’t want it to be a self-love fest.”

Smith also said campaigns can be very self-focused.

“I hate campaigning. Abso-lutely hate it.” Smith said.

As campaigns draw to a close, some candidates grow nervous while others become calmer.

“It’s not consuming my life,” said Watkins, who later said, “I might not win.” Wat-kins said he will be OK with either outcome.

“I’m getting less nervous,” Stephen said. “Because in the end, it will come down to who campaigns best.”

“Yeah I’m nervous,” Moore said. “Of course I’m nervous. This plans the next year of my life.”

At the end of the week, stu-dents will have decided which candidate’s campaign por-trayed the leaders they want. As of April 3, Watkins said he planned to have the Wildcat mascot hold up a campaign sign after Chapel; he also planned to give away Dr. Pep-per to accompany his DP 4 VP slogan — one last chance at name recognition on the last day of voting.

When it’s all over, it’s safe to say that Stephens and Watkins will still be sitting around, talking about SA. Maybe Watkins will share a

Candidates explore new means of campaigning

emily smith CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER

Vice president candidates Daniel Paul Watkins and Ryan Stephen sit together in Chapel on the Hill on Monday during the SA candidates’ debate.

E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu

Page 5April 11, 2007

ChristianityinChina

This is the third installment in a series that will run in the ‘Optimist’ over the next several weeks documenting Christianity in China and various mission fields where people associated with the university serve.

‘I was very bold in China’

Story by Mallory Schlabach Design by Kelsi Peace

PHOTO COURTESY OF RYAN CAMPBELL

Campbell taught 40 students at the Chinese university in Wuhan. Campbell was not allowed to teach from the Bible, but he did tell his students about his faith during a 30-minute forum.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY LACI AdkINS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Ryan Campbell, master’s of missions graduate student from Thousand Oaks, Calif., spent 15 months in China.

LACI AdkINS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

In China, Bibles and other religious materials must be printed by state-sanctioned organizations.

Ryan Campbell wants to return to China and spend the rest of his life there. He spent 15 months in China teaching English at Wuhan University of Technology in 2002

after he graduated from ACU and fell in love with the country and its people.

Ryan, a third-year master’s of missions graduate student from Thousand Oaks, Calif., said all he can do is hope and prepare to go back to China.

“That is my prayer,” he said as he smiled, “that our Father sends me back to China long term. I can try to make all kinds of plans and preparations, but nothing seems to go quite as planned on my own.”

Ryan taught English by speaking in conver-sation with 40 students at the Chinese univer-sity in Wuhan.

“It was challenging to keep my students interested and make the lessons educational and entertaining,” he said. “But I always like a challenge.”

That of course, was not the real reason he was in China though, he said with an air of secrecy.

“I was there to tell people about Jesus. I taught English in the classroom, but I was re-ally using it as a springboard to get my stu-dents interested in coming to my apartment in the evening hours to study about the Good Book, our Savior, our Father, my joy,” he said and paused. “Notice that I am phrasing all of these words in not so, quote-on-quote, reli-gious terms, but safe terms; terms that won’t get me in trouble.”

He talks with a slow Southern drawl, something he is still surprised to hear oth-ers comment on since he considers himself a Californian.

As one of 50 students sent to China in the summer of 2002 through China Now, an or-ganization that seeks to spread the Gospel through dialogue, Ryan would commit with three others on his team to stay in Wuhan and teach Chinese college students how to speak English for 11 months, the length of

their school year. From 8 a.m. to noon, Ryan

and his teammates taught. In the afternoons they spent time hanging out with the stu-dents, meeting other faculty at the university and playing Ping Pong, a favorite sport of most of their students, he said laughing.

The late part of the after-noon was spent preparing a Bible study, and praying a few of his students would come.

“We met from 6:30 to about 8 every evening, but the funny thing was that most of the people who came were not my students but people I had met in life around the university,” he said.

Although he couldn’t actually teach from the Bible in the classroom, Ryan used a forum called the English Corner to tell his students about God.

“It was this incredible thing that they let me do,” he said, still in amazement of what he discussed. “They would let native English speakers choose whatever topic they wanted to talk about on a platform in front of stu-dents for 30 minutes uninterrupted.

“We could talk about anything because the Chinese students just needed to hear our English and be able to practice some-thing when they went to their rooms. I al-ways spoke about our Father, our Savior, true joy and a family in America, which is really the church.”

Before he left for China, Ryan said he wasn’t much of an evangelist.

“I was very bold in China, or rather our Fa-ther transformed me into a public evangelist while I was there,” he said. “Most of my Chi-nese friends came to know I was a Christian because of what I would tell them and talk to them about.”

Ryan and his partners led a house church

in their apartment each week. After a while Ryan said he and his English partners would let the Chinese lead the church once they saw who was comfortable teaching and preaching about God to others.

“I immersed my friend Jim, um, I forget his Chinese name, in Christianity,” he said wrinkling his face as he tried to remember his friend’s official name. “Jim became our preacher, and then my friend Fu Qiang, a mean Ping Pong player, led us in the Lord’s Supper and eventually co-led the house church.”

Ryan’s friend Daiyan, and his girlfriend while in China, was the worship leader at the first house church. She eventually helped run a house church out of her own home once he and the other missionaries left for the summer, he said.

After traveling around the world many times on mission trips before arriving in Chi-na, Ryan said he was expecting a warm wel-come from the people, although he wasn’t ex-pecting to be so loved.

“If this knowledge I have, of how wonder-ful it is in China, could get out to the public at ACU or Abilene, college kids would be flock-ing to places like China after they graduate because it is such a wonderful life over there,” Ryan said. “Not only are you given automatic validity because you are a Westerner, but you are treated as a celebrity. They look up to us and value what we say.”

He is looking for a team of Christians that want to serve in China, but said so far, he hasn’t found students willing, much to his surprise.

“I want to live there in the normal Chinese

way of life: thinking, speaking, eating, read-ing in Chinese,” he said. “Just functioning as a Chinese. What draws me to China is the need. The people are like blank slates in China. They have no previous knowledge of Jesus or of de-nominationalism or church strife. They don’t even know what church is.”

While many Chinese Christians may not know the American meaning of church, they do know what the Bible is now.

“There are increasing signs that Chinese people are having more and more access to Scripture,” said Larry Henderson, missions co-ordinator for Asia.

Looking at an e-mail he had received ear-lier in the morning from a Chinese friend he read, “The Bible has been on the top 10 list for this Web site that has hundreds of thousands subscribers.”

The Web site, www.douban.com, lists the Bible as No. 5 on the list.

“This is all new. You’ve no doubt heard about people smuggling Bibles into China; you don’t have to do that anymore,” he said. “They are not available in every store like they are here, but Bibles are printed in China and they can be found. The government thinks it is better to fight something that they know instead of something that they don’t know anything about.”

While Article 7 of the revised Regulations on Religious Affairs requires all religious ma-terials including Bibles, Korans and other sa-cred texts to be published by state-sanctioned organizations, it at least permits religious groups to publish religious material, a change from the past decade.

Read about an ACU student from Hong Kong’s experience with Christianity next week in Part IV.

Ryan Campbell spent his time in China teaching

English, but his real purpose was to share his faith.

E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu

It’s that time of year again when students become fa-miliar with the select group of faces that cover campaign signs mounted on windows and sidewalks across campus. This week, these individu-als will stand up in Chapel to present lofty goals and vision-ary promises that will ben-efit the student body, and in return, the student body will choose the best candidate for the positions of Students’ As-sociation officers for the com-ing school year.

Though ACU students are responsible for electing SA of-ficers who will make the best choices for the student body as a whole, many are unfa-miliar with the role SA plays on campus. What goes on be-

hind the glass doors of the SA office un-der the Bean next to the Bean Sprout, and most importantly, who is SA?

Students’ Association is a representative body that has been elected to provide servic-es for the student body. The new bike racks on campus, the more convenient Bean hours, the creation of Welcome Week and the establishment of Fall Break can all be attributed to the efforts of SA. Also, SA works with and among all stu-dent groups on campus, pro-viding them with representa-tion and financial support.

Despite all the beneficial services and changes SA has provided for the ACU commu-nity, there has been a discon-nect between the SA office and its student body as SA hasn’t effectively communicated its capabilities to help students, and students’ often apathetic attitude has kept them from seeking SA’s help.

Ironically, as the Optimist editorial board interviewed this year’s SA candidates, each addressed the problem of uni-

formed students, and each present-ed their personal solutions as how they could provide better communica-tion between the student body and

SA. Ideas like providing stu-dent forums, weekly posting of information presented at SA meetings online and working harder to advertise SA around campus were all talked about.

As students empowered to vote for the most qualified SA candidates, choose individuals who will bridge the communi-cation gap between students and officers. Elect the candi-date with the strongest plat-form and hold them account-able to their promises. Don’t

be apprehensive about ap-proaching SA with your needs and concerns. SA has been put in place to serve you.

Likewise, if or when you are elected SA officers, don’t back down from the things you committed to the student body because the race is over. Make communication your priority. Though you have al-ways encouraged students to go to you with their concerns, historically, they have not. Go to them. Host forums, post in-formation online. But don’t let another year pass where stu-dents don’t know how to ap-proach you for help.

Page 6 April 11, 2007

Let Loose Cole Williams

Elect officers who will communicate to you

I appreciate that you have opened a dialogue about SA, but I have some concerns with your claims about what SA has or hasn’t done. First, I’d like to address the three examples you said would af-fect the majority of students on campus.

Tuition freezes: This is-sue has been in the works for years, and this year’s SA administration has made more progress than any other administration in the past on seeing a tuition freeze implemented. It is a lengthy process requiring SA to work through both the administration and the

Board of Trustees. At this point, the proposal is essen-tially out of our hands, but I should point out — and I don’t have room to give this issue the space it deserves — that the freeze is not as glamorous of a savings as students might imagine.

Extending library hours: SA has been responsible for extending the hours during finals week. Extending them again is something we can look into, but keep in mind the amount of overhead (e.g., cost to staff the library later into the night or all night). You want your tuition to de-crease, but you’re asking for more perks that will require more money. Where will that money come from?

Chapel decisions: What kind of decisions? The over-all direction of Chapel, or the speakers and song selec-tion? SA should be the voice of student concerns, and

can take those to the admin-istration, but it is also a leg-islative body. There’s only so much say we have in the goings on of Campus Life.

A quick list of things this “do-nothing” SA has accom-plished this year: We partici-pated in the process for the renovations of the Campus Center, lobbied the adminis-tration for a new recreation center (which is in the works), applied for grants that will impact large numbers of the student body, successfully lobbied the administration for Presidential Scholars to have the right to live off campus without significant penalty, and worked with the provost to provide a co-cur-ricular transcript (which puts service learning on your tran-script), to name a few.

I agree we need to be work-ing on issues that students care about, but there are very few solutions that will impact

the “majority of students.” Most of what SA can ac-

complish is helping various segments of the student population, and one by one we’ll reach every segment. Just because a project does not affect you personally doesn’t invalidate its accom-plishments — they’re help-ing your peers.

I’d be amiss to say this administration has been per-fect, or any administration for that matter, but we’re making a concerted effort to remain a strong advocate for the students of ACU. It’s my hope that the next adminis-tration will do the same.

Tyler Cosgrove senior finance major from Amarillo tmc02a@acu.edu

Convince your SA congress you care

Treasurer argues SA advocates for change

The issue:Though students will vote for new SA officers this week, many are unaware of the role SA plays on campus.

Our view:SA officers and the student body have potential for a great relationship but both must take more initiative for this to happen.

The solution:SA officers should hold to their campaign promises, and students should approach SA on pertinent issues.

ThoughtfulRamblingsKelsiPeace

E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu

Though ACU students are responsible for electing SA officers who will make the best choices for the

student body as a whole, many are unfamiliar with the role SA plays on campus.

My high school student council always seemed to serve one purpose: battling the dress code. To me, it only

seemed to further em-phasize our immaturity when the is-sue we most wanted to discuss as a student body was if our shorts could be two inches shorter than

our fingertips. But, to be fair to those who participated in student council, no one ap-proached them with a more worthwhile is-sue — includ-ing myself.

As the Op-timist reporter who covers the Students’ Association, I attend week-ly meetings, where I ob-serve who par-ticipates, who skips, who votes and who abstains. I have been at every meeting this semester and seen each resolution and bill presented to SA — about one per week, in fact. Do you know how SA is spending the portion of your student activity fee it receives? If the answer is no, something is wrong.

As candidates prepared their campaign speeches, slogans and platforms, they had to ask themselves what the student body wanted. And I can’t help but wonder how in the world they ever came to a conclusion. Rarely do I see students in the SA office vocalizing problems they see and issues that touch their hearts. Few attended the debates; many are likely to skip out on voting altogether.

With so many changes oc-curring on campus right now, it is more important than ever for students to be advo-cates for themselves. About 50 members of Congress and eight members of the Cabinet were elected or appointed for the very purpose of listening to their peers. Are they hearing anything? Probably not.

As members of the ACU stu-dent body, we should be speak-ing up about how we want the Welcome Center to look, who we want in the leadership po-sitions that are available and what we want the pledging pro-cess to look like. But 4,000 stu-dents can’t sit on the commit-tees discussing these issues. However, someone from Con-

gress or the Cabi-net can approach the administra-tion on behalf of students — if they are given something to say. True representa-tives will act as the voice of the majority, and if a representative

doesn’t, the job falls to Con-gress and the student body to hold them accountable.

The SA office is downstairs, by the Bean Sprout. Suggestion boxes are all over campus. Give your representatives something to say. Hold them accountable to show up at general and com-mittee meetings and be aware of what they are doing.

If you don’t, they may be forced to spend their time pass-ing the college-equivalent of resolutions calling for a change in the hemline rule.

Rarely do I see students in the SA office vocalizing

problems they see and issues that

touch their hearts.

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

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Editorial and Management Board

Mallory SchlabachEditor in Chief

Jared FieldsManaging Editor

Michelle JimenezCopy Editor

Lauren SuttonOpinion Editor

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Kelsi PeaceFeatures Editor

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Viewswednesday

A letter to the editor in response to a column headlined “SA needs to focus on all ACU students” in the April 4 issue of the Optimist.

Letter to the editor

E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu

In Your WordsWhat do you think SA’s most

important job is? Carmari Carterjunior political sciencemajor from Los Angeles

To provide activities for students.

Richard Kekersenior accounting major from Sugar Land

They do a good job at voicing student opinions to the administration.

To donate money to Dustin Reed for Silence Sessions

Jason Cunninghamsenior international studiesmajor from Fairfax, Va.

To make sure our opinions are heard.

Kimberly Hoganfreshman elementary educationmajor from Abilene

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 Page 7ENDORSEMENTS

SA Candidate EndorsementsFor the office of executive presi-

dent, the Optimist endorses Matt Worthington.

Worthington has served on the Students’ Association as both a rep-resentative and on the executive cabi-net as secretary this year.

His ideas of branding SA by go-ing out to the people instead of waiting for students to go find their SA representative could change the campus perception on

what SA does and who it is. He acknowledged that attendance

by Congress was a large problem this year and is willing to step up and be an enforcer to hold Congress mem-bers responsible if they do not show up to meetings.

Although Worthington’s ideas are not as concrete and visionary as his opponent, we feel like his leadership style by example will provide an effective balance be-

tween that of vice president-elect, Ryan Stephen, who has entered the race with 10 propositions he’d like to see happen next year.

Brandon Smith, also a qualified candidate, has many ideas for how to make ACU a better place for all stu-dents, but his talents would be more effective from a position where he can make legislation, create resolutions and send ideas through Congress to be implemented.

President: Community thinking shines

After three years in Congress, I decided to run for president because I believe that SA can be more than a group that just talks with students. I am thankful for the relationships I have been able to build with students, faculty and administrators. I decided to run for SA president because my expe-rience and my passion have led me to do so. It is time to start the SA Revolution; we must fight the temptation of apathy.

I promise to work toward my goals with all of my strength. I am willing to give up sleep, give up my time and give up my energy for this. I may be an idealist, but I believe that SA can plan fun events, en-gage students, work on policy initiatives and reach out to the Abilene community.

I will fight for a tuition freeze, changes in at-tendance policies and increased communication between students and SA officers via forums and reports. I also promise to fight, alongside HSU and MCM, for student-priced movie theater tickets. Most of all, I promise to be there, to listen, to engage and to equip students to accomplish their goals.

I ask once again for your vote. Thank you.

Brandon SmithRunning for: presidentPosition: junior senatorJunior international relations major from Kansas City

I would like to say very much that I appreciate the support I’ve received from many people on campus. However the race turns out, it has been a blessing to me to receive support, which has many times served as a backbone for me in the lowest times of this elec-tion season.

Throughout my entire life, there have been many dark nights, and one thing has been proven to be true again and again: it takes a community and not an individual. This still proves true today. I know in many ways people are wondering why I’m not specific about what I’m get-ting done. If I am not a person who gets things done, how did my entire campaign come together?

In fact, without me making phone calls and getting people to collaborate as a community for this project, nothing would have been accomplished. I never told people my plans; I just did it and the task of campaign-ing is now near completion. This is what I am about: it took an entire community to make this happen. I was aware of this and pursued this relentlessly. When you lend your support my way, know that I’ll be using the same know-how and resources to get things done. Just like I always have.

Matt WorthingtonRunning for: presidentPosition: secretaryJunior English major from San Antonio

Some may believe that the treasurer is the least im-portant executive officer position, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

As the current chief financial officer, I’ve had the opportunity to work beside and observe the current treasurer. I’ve learned that the treasurer is a behind-the-scenes officer with an incredible amount of respon-sibility. I worked on budgets for this school year, learned how SA’s financial system works and how to complete day-to-day operations. The processes are intricate, and only after a year of training do I feel well-equipped for the position.

As CFO, I had the opportunity to build relationships with officers in each student organization and more clearly understand their vision and needs. However, these dreams are larger than our student activity fee can provide for. As treasurer I will continue to seek out alternative sources of funding and fortify the areas of advancement that have proven successful.

With all my experience throughout the year I have come to the conclusion that the treasury position could improve immensely if it focused more on three areas when it comes to student organizations: communica-tion, timeliness and accountability.

However, without experience, these all amount to nothing.

KevanKirskeyRunning for: treasurerPosition: chief financial officerSophomore finance major from Tyler

Students all around campus need funding for their or-ganizations, their activities and their abilities to change the world. As treasurer I want to be there to make sure this happens. I am willing as the next SA treasurer to take the extra time to help everyone meet their goals. My vision is to see an increase in the spending of orga-nizations across campus. This may be in part to some small spending cuts on SA’s behalf, but most likely it will be through empowering you students and you leaders to request and receive grants and to work together on fundraising projects and growing as a whole to change the world. I also want to directly help with some of the expenses of Spring Break Campaigns. Students, you al-ready work hard to make SBCs happen. Therefore, I do not see a reason why SA cannot help with funding. This will not be help for a single student but for SBC as a whole. I will not be able to do this by myself. Now I ask you for your support and for your help in making all of this happen throughout the next year.

KyleMooreRunning for: treasurerPosition: junior senatorJunior management major from Double Oak

A unified student voice is the most powerful, yet un-derestimated, resource available to our community of ACU students, and I am thrilled about the opportunity to represent that voice. As a student paying tuition at ACU, you are a consumer who has the opportunity to enhance the product you are purchasing.

The Students’ Association is your tool to make sure your college experience is worth every penny.

It is the microphone through which the student voice speaks, and that voice is demanding some changes.

In the past few months, I’ve heard that voice crying out for a new recreational center, a standardized atten-dance policy and a tuition freeze. I’ve heard that voice ask for fair pricing on campus, more flexibility in our meal plan systems and a support for helping our ath-letic department achieve D1-AA status.

These sound like lofty goals, but I would not put them on paper if my experience as an SA Cabinet member did not convince me that big change is possible.

I have the experience, the connections and the pas-sion to get some big things accomplished next year, and I would appreciate your support to make that possible.

RyanStephenRunning for: vice presidentPosition: chief advancement officerSophomore finance major from Spring

I was born in San Angelo, but be-cause my dad has served the past twenty five years in the United States Marine Corps, I currently live in Fred-ericksburg, Virginia.

Service with direction. That is my vision for the Students’ Association. This past year I served as sophomore class senator, and I realized that the desire for improving ACU is there, but it lacks focus.

I keep hearing great ideas floating around without realistic ways to accom-plish them.

As it is today, the Students’ Associa-tion has so many great resources that

are often rendered useless because of the disconnect between the student body and SA.

If elected SA vice president, I will bring direction and focus in executing the desires of the student body.

I will accomplish this through fre-quent conversation with the many groups here on campus. My advocacy for students will make the many re-sources that SA has more readily avail-able to you.

I am not making any unrealistic prom-ises just to get your vote. Service with direction is the way to enrich Abilene Christian University.

Running for: vice presidentPosition: Sophomore senatorSophomore political science major from Fredericksburg, Va.

For the office of vice president, the Optimist en-dorses Ryan Stephen.

Stephen spent this past year serving as Chief Ad-vancement Officer, a trial position on the executive Cabinet created to increase the SA endowment and SA operating budget. Stephen attended a grant-writ-ing conference earlier this semester and began work-ing on opening the south entrance to the library.

He also led the committee that worked with the administration to allow Presidential Scholars to move off campus with a 33 percent decrease in the scholarship.

Stephen demonstrates true passion and vision for the vice president’s position, and his enthusiasm will spur Congress to action and keep the president mov-ing forward.

Stephen will have to be sure to temper his enthusi-asm and vision so it does not conflict with the pres-ident’s, and to remember that he serves under the president.

Watkins is a strong candidate as well, emphasizing the importance of serving the student body and seek-ing out its feedback. Watkins lacks Stephen’s specific vision and definite goals.

Both candidates are solid, but Stephen’s eagerness to address tough issues and clear passion for the posi-tion make him the best candidate for vice president.

Vice President: Passion, vision key

For the office of treasurer, the Optimist endorses Kyle Moore.

Moore and his opponent, Kevan Kirksey, are each famil-iar with the financial inner workings of SA and each un-derstand the need to follow the precedent set by three-year incumbent Tyler Cosgrove.

Both candidates realize the importance of a treasurer who establishes strong relationships with all student groups, and each realize they would be stepping into a role that doesn’t need any revolutionary or radical amendments. Based on these qualities, either of these candidates would make a more than suitable successor of Cosgrove.

But it was Moore’s willingness and eagerness to find funds beyond the more than $100,000 provided by the student activity fee that exposed him as the slightly stronger candidate.

Moore is confident in his ability to find outside grants and swears to fervently consider all options of finding out-side donors to fund student groups without abandoning the frugal responsibility of appropriating the already estab-lished funds.

Although Moore appears to be less qualified than Kirksey on paper — Kirksey worked directly with Cosgrove as Chief Financial Officer during the 2006-07 school year — his role on the SA finance committee is experience enough.

Cosgrove reversed SA’s notoriety for debt, mismanage-ment and abuse of funds and created a fair and balanced system of appropriating funds to various student groups. But some student groups felt Cosgrove’s approachability was hurt by his “by-the-book” approach to the office.

That is why the next treasurer should actively work with each student group on meeting their financial needs with-in reason and not let any student group slip through the cracks.

Treasurer: Fundraising ideas give Moore edge

Daniel Paul Watkins

ACU’s public side of iTunes U will be the place where students can down-load content from classes as well as general informa-tion about the university at their leisure.

“Whether it be students, parents, alumni or friends, we want to make all aspects of ACU available to anyone,” said Carmen Foster, Web-master and strategic mar-keting director. “In one sec-tion you can explore ACU’s current academic programs, sentimental traditions and historical video and speech-es dating back to the 1930s. In the campus life section you can browse through student life activities, stu-dents bands, news, events,

speakers and lectures. They can experience life at ACU in a rich media format, and the best part is they can stay connected anytime, anywhere by downloading audio or video on their iP-ods, PC or Mac.”

Navigation of iTunes U will be an almost natural process for students and most faculty members who are acquaint-ed with using iTunes. Using iTunes U is much like using the iTunes store so it won’t be difficult for students and some faculty to become ac-customed to using it.

“After having looked at a couple of the pilot universi-ties, I tried to make the ACU site more personal than other sites,” said Ben Hernandez, graphic design and creative services specialist. “I wanted

to give it a look unlike other universities. [I want] people to access iTunes U and see real students using the products instead of seeing the buildings; seeing the outside of Moody isn’t going to be able to cap-ture what ACU is all about.”

When students return next fall there will be a contest opportunity to explain the real U — what ACU life is for them. Along with this contest, students are encouraged to send information and content they wish to have distributed through iTunes U such as stu-dent bands, news, events, etc.

“Our goal is to make the ACU community available to anyone, anywhere,” Foster said.

Abilene received only about a quarter inch, while other counties received as much as five inches, Edwards said.

“Typically right around Eas-ter we get a little bit of a cold snap,” Edwards said.

Just over a decade ago, Abilene took in almost 10 inches of snow on Good Fri-day. Also, it set the Abilene record for the most snowfall

recorded in one day.Dr. Rusty Towell, associate

professor of physics, said he couldn’t say whether Friday’s front was the last cold spell of the spring.

“Weather is obviously a very complicated system to model and predict,” Towell said.

Isenhower said there are many conditions going into the climate.

“Does the front come straight down from Canada

or across from the northwest? When fronts come from Cana-da there is almost nothing to stop or slow them down. When they come from the northwest there are mountains to go through,” Isenhower said.

Towell said a tiny change in conditions can yield two com-pletely different results. It’s always best to consult weather forecasts to stay prepared.

Page 8 Wednesday, April 11, 2007FROM THE FRONT

E-mail Meyer at: optimist@acu.edu

the families may want to ex-plain to the kids about the plant not being real.”

Under the silliness of the story there are a few deep and meaningful themes.

“It deals with the late ’50s scare of nuclear war — that paranoid feeling,” Swearin-gen said.

Based on the opera “Faust,” “Little Shop” also deals with what Swearingen called “making a deal with the devil.”

“The three street urchins,

the Ronettes, act like a Greek chorus commenting on the story,” Swearingen said. “As Christians we relate to it be-cause we’re imperfect, and we know what a blessing it is to have grace.”

Bazacas, sophomore the-atre major from Ocean City, N.J., said, “It’s interesting to see how quickly — if you’re not grounded in morals and faith — how a little sin spins out of control. The show answers [the question]: Is getting everything you ever dreamed worth what it takes to get there?”

The technical aspects

of the show have been the main hardships.

“It’s deceptive in its sim-plicity,” he said. “It’s a techni-cal beast. There are four incar-

nations of the plant through its development. Travis Eason spent months building them from scratch and research-ing. The largest is the size of

a small rowing boat.” The show started produc-

tion right after spring break. “The whole department

pulled together in three

weeks in a real team effort,” Bazacas said

Swearingen said she was pleased with how it turned out.

“The whole cast is passion-

ate, talented and hardwork-ing,” she said. “That’s evident in the product people see.”

After the first night show-ing, there will be a talk-back session held by faculty and Amy Simpson, the drama-turge of the show. As dra-maturge, Simpson, senior theatre major from Denver, Colo., researches and stud-ies the show’s history to aid in production. The talk-backs have become a recent tradition for the past few years, which Swearingen said are very successful. With “Little Shop,” the de-

partment is also holding a closed high school showing for education purposes.

“Little Shop of Horrors” will be shown Thursday - Friday, April 20-21, and 27-28. Tickets for dinner and the show are $27 each; tickets for the show only are $15 each. The theatre box office is open weekdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

“We’re hoping for a sold-out house,” Swearingen said.

Play: ‘Little Shop’ includes deep themes of war and sinContinued from page 1

Podcast: iTunes to improve siteContinued from page 1

of 2006, said, “I think it would be awesome to be able to keep my ACU account. Since I just graduated, the only people I really e-mail are my friends from ACU. Changing my address that I have had for four years is not only difficult on myself but also my friends because they are all changing their e-mail addresses.”

Connecting with Google opens a lot of windows for stu-dents to utilize for back-up in case students’ hard drives fail.

“We used to put money in a can under the bed, and now we have decided it’s better in a bank than our own house, and that is what we are trying to do by join-ing Google,” Langford said.

The alumni offices, Langford said, have a vast amount of information on our alumni, so it should not be too difficult to contact the alumni.

Langford and Reeves are both expecting great suc-cess with Gmail. Starting Wednesday students are permitted to join Gmail. By

September all ACU students are to convert to the new e-mail system.

For an easy transition from using Webmail to Gmail, there will be several ways to receive help. There will be a new Webmail tab in myACU with PDF instruc-tions and video instructions. There will also be a specific number to call: (325) 674-MAIL for further services.

Gmail: System changed by fallContinued from page 1

E-mail Schmidt at: optimist@acu.edu

During the closing argu-ments of the debate, Smith and Worthington directly addressed one another’s platforms.

Smith named three is-sues he plans to address if elected: the attendance policy, a tuition freeze and student-priced movie tick-ets. Smith also said issues will arrive that he can’t predict now.

Worthington agreed.

“I can’t predict what the student body is go-ing to look like next year,” Worthington said.

He plans to offer month-ly student forums for stu-dents to talk to SA repre-sentatives if elected.

Smith countered, “You don’t build community by planning direct events.”

Smith also said he is scared that Worthington hasn’t offered a direct, specific platform.

“I’m just going to do it,”

Worthington said, conclud-ing the debate.

While students who at-tended the debate did not receive any Chapel credit, about 50 students attend-ed and entered to win one of 15 iTunes or Starbucks gift cards.

Voting booths will be set up in the McGlothlin Campus Center until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Debate: Platforms announcedContinued from page 1

E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu

Snow: Cold spell hits AbileneContinued from page 1

E-mail Straus at: nrs02a@acu.edu

“As Christians we relate to it because we’re imperfect, and we know what a blessing it is to have grace.”

Dawne Swearingen, assistant professor of theatre

E-mail Lehmann at: optimist@acu.edu

Wednesday, April 11, 2007 Page 9SPORTS JUMPS

Gibbs said smaller fields were more suited for the 7-on-7 format of the ACU intramurals, and he pushed for the change before the season began.

The International Student Associ-ation team is the favorite to win the men’s champ league, Gibbs said. ISA came in second in the men’s champ league last year behind defending champions Gamma Sigma Phi.

“Last year we had a lot of play-ers from one area,” said Eddy Bore-ra, junior computer science major from Bealanana, Madagascar. “That was one of the reasons that we didn’t win.” But the variety and di-versity in the ISA team is one of the

reasons Borera said he is confident about winning the title this year.

One other reason Borera is confi-dent is because of his team’s expe-rience together. The same ISA team already won this year’s intramural indoor soccer tournament, and his team also plays in a city league out-side of ACU.

The intramural outdoor soccer regular season will continue until April 24 when the playoff single-elimination tournament begins.

E-mail Matai at: optimist@acu.edu

was unable to match an Angelo run in the top of the ninth that ended the game 3-2.

ACU won the Friday’s games behind the pitching of starters Chris Wiman and undefeated starter Trey Watten.

Wiman and Watten each recorded their sixth wins to help extend ACU’s home record to 22-3.

Wiman received all the run support he needed in game one after an ear-ly five-run inning in the third. Wiman rallied be-hind his run support and kept Angelo’s lineup silent for four straight innings before giving up three runs late in the game. But Angelo’s rally proved too little too late as the Wild-cats scored consistently in the last four innings of the game, eventually win-ning 10-3.

Watten’s win came after matching Angelo pitcher

Michael Gunter in a pitch-er’s duel to keep his team in the game. The only hit that ended up counting for the Wildcats was a RBI single by right fielder Mike Elkerson in the fourth in-ning as Watten shutout Angelo in his six innings on the mound.

Closer Jameson Maj continued to be consis-tent for the Wildcats and recorded his 10th save in game two. Maj, who now holds the single-season and career saves records with his conference best total, struck out nine bat-ters and only gave up five hits and two earned runs in five innings of work.

ACU is now 6-2 in LSC South play and 31-10 over-all. The Wildcats continue to lead the conference in numerous offensive and defensive categories in-cluding batting average, RBI and hits.

Sweep: Women win all matches

Continued from page 10

brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Shortstop Trey Watten tags out Angelo State outfielder Drew Caraway for the second out of the first inning of Friday’s first game.

called after ACU built its lead to 5-1 and technically won the match.

“5-1 does sound good,” Jones said. “But I think 7-2 sounds better because it shows the decisiveness of that victory that day.”

The ACU women also won their matches Friday. The Wildcats defeated con-ference opponent Eastern New Mexico 9-0. The closest match Eastern New Mexico came to winning was senior Holly Lindloff’s 6-4, 6-1 vic-tory over Alex Taylor.

“It was decisive,” Jones said. “I’m just totally im-pressed with them stepping up and taking on just who-ever comes in there.”

The women swept Cam-eron, the No. 3 team in the

region, by 9-0. The loss combined with a loss to East Central on April 3 dropped the Cameron women from No. 15 in the nation to No. 29.

“We’ve been pretty strong,” Jones said of the women who will be in Hous-ton on Thursday to take on Lee College, the No. 2 junior college in the nation.

On Friday, the women will face Division I oppo-nent Rice University.

The Wildcat men will play St. Edward’s, the No. 13 team in the nation, in Austin on Wednesday.

“It should be a dead-even match,” Jones said. “Let’s see what happens.”

Baseball: ACU splits with Rams

Continued from page 10

two earned runs.The second game was

tied 4-4 until the last inning, when Southeastern Oklahoma scored to win it 5-4.

“The second game we just were not able to stay focused to get the job done. We were in the game until the very end,” Wil-son said. “Kim Partin stepped into right field and had a great day for us during both games. She had great at-bats and drove in some key runs.”

The split doubleheader moves ACU’s overall record to 20-17, and the team’s confer-ence record remains at 6-10, keeping them at fifth place in the LSC South.

The team was not able to play three of its scheduled games last weekend because of bad weather in Dallas, but Wilson said she didn’t think not being able to play those games affected the team very much.

“I think we came out and played well after not playing

as many games as we had been playing earlier in the month,” Wilson said. “It helps to have enough players to in-ter-squad during the week to simulate regular games.”

So far, this year’s team has struggled offensively com-pared to past years.

With a batting average of .265, Wilson said the of-fense hasn’t done as well as past teams.

“But we have really come on lately and started to hit the ball,” Wilson said. “I can

only hope that we really peak these next two weeks.”

Wilson said the team’s ERA is hard to compare to previ-ous teams because past teams have scored more runs.

“This year’s pitching staff has been solid in terms of keep-ing us in games,” Wilson said.

The Wildcats return to ac-tion this weekend with a four-game series against Eastern New Mexico.

Relays: Kryv’yak, Naimadu win races

Continued from page 10

E-mail Davis at: optimist@acu.edu

“I think we’re about a week or two from getting every-one back to full strength,” Hood said. “I’m hoping by the TCU meet that we’re back to strength.”

Naimadu was not the only Wildcat to shine in the stee-plechase this weekend. Ohla Kryv’yak won the women’s race with a time of 10:38.35.

“Ohla took the lead af-ter two laps and opened up a seven-second lead,” Hood

said. “She just got stronger and stronger, and it was im-pressive.”

Hood said her time in Austin would have placed her in the top three at na-tionals last year.

“Her fitness level has im-proved. I think she’s turned a corner,” Hood said.

Athletes who didn’t com-pete at the Texas Relays stayed in Abilene to run at the McMurry Relays. There, Loice Cheboi ran the steeplechase in 11:07.93, a time Hood said

will qualify her for nationals.Also at McMurry, Liga Klavi-

na threw 48-06.25 feet, which ranks third in the country.

Cory Altenberg provi-sionally qualified in the pole vault with a height of 16-02.75 feet.

In Austin, the women’s 4x800-meter relay placed sixth with a time of 8:47.47 and sev-enth in the sprint-medley relay with a time of 3:58.91.

Hood said they began with the lead in the 4x800 relay but just couldn’t hold it.

“We were so far out front it was ridiculous, “Hood said. “I don’t know what happened; nobody ran their best.”

But with the weather and following a successful meet a week prior, Hood said he is accustomed to weeks like this one.

”We had a real good meet at UTEP the week before, so there’s always a down after a high.”

Split: Southeastern rallied to tie series

Continued from page 10

E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu

n The ACU golf team finished third at the North Alabama Spring Classic after shooting a team score of 593. ACU tied with No. 1 in the nation West Florida at the tournament.

By NATHAN MACDONALDSportS Writer

The Wildcats headed east to the Heart of Dixie and com-peted in the North Alabama Spring Classic last week. Host-ed by the University of North Alabama, the Wildcats tied for third with University of West Florida, which is ranked first in the nation according to the Golf World/NIKE Fan Poll.

ACU and West Florida walked away from the two-round tournament each having a combined team score of 593 strokes. ACU Golf coach Mike

Campbell said he was proud to do as well as they did.

“Like last week, it’s hard to be disap-pointed with not winning the tourna-ment because we did so well,” Camp-bell said. “You have to be proud to be tied with the No. 1 team in the nation.”

Lone Star Conference ri-val Central Oklahoma won the tournament by being the daily leader during the second round; however, ACU was on its coat tails for the majority of the tournament. The Wild-

cats were within one stroke of Central Oklahoma in the first round and were only five strokes behind in the second round.

Hugues Joannes came out even during the tournament, shooting a 73 the first round and an impressive 71 the second round, which landed him in a tie for third indi-vidually. Curtis Harris shot a pair of 74s for the tour-nament, and he ended up in the No. 15 spot. Stephen Knight did well the first round with a 72 and then put up a solid 78 in the second, putting Knight six over and 26th in the tournament. Pat-rick Hanauer wasn’t too far behind Knight with his 71 and 83 at 43rd. Kyle Byerly shot a combined 156 for the tournament which set him at

the 55th spot for the tourna-ment.

With post-season tourna-ments within the next week, Campbell said he felt this was an important tournament for the Wildcats since the team is planning on being there in May for the NCAA Division II South Central Regional tournament.

“The main reason we went to the classic was to get ex-tra practice at the course,” Campbell said. “It was a dif-ficult course. We learned a lot about the course like where to land the ball that would be effective.”

The Wildcats will take a trip down I-20 and play at Bear Creek in Dallas for the LSC conference champion-ship Monday and Tuesday.

Wildcats finish third in Alabama

Harris

Golf

E-mail MacDonald at: optimist@acu.edu

brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Tim Doty, sophomore English major from Midland, and Preston Rampy, senior psychology major from Austin, battle for a ball during an soccer game April 2.

Changes: ISA favored to win men’s outdoor soccer title

E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.

E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu

Continued from page 10

Thursday

OUTDOOR SOCCERMen’s champ league

ISA vs. ISW, 5 p.m. field one of Larry “Satch” Sanders intramural fields.

G-1 vs. Hispanic Panic, 6 p.m. field two of Larry “Satch” Sanders intramural fields.

VOLLEYBALLMen’s and women’s champ league began Tuesday, see intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum for schedule.

SOFTBALLSoftball began Monday, see intramural board for team names and schedule.

GOLF SCRAMBLETeam golf scramble will be at Maxwell Golf Course starting at 1 p.m. Thursday.

Friday

SOFTBALLACU 6, Southeastern Oklahoma 3ACU 4, Southeastern Oklahoma 5

BASEBALLACU 10, Angelo State 3ACU 1, Angelo State 0

Sunday

BASEBALLACU 13, Angelo State 14ACU 2, Angelo State 3

SportSWedneSdayPage 10 April 11, 2007

SCOREBOARD

Standings

Scores

InTRAMURAL ROUnD-Up

n The intramural schedule and points seen on the Optimist sports page are not final and subject to change. Any last-minute changes can be viewed on the intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum.

Scoreboard as of Thursday

BASEBALLTeam Div. OverallACUAngelo St. TAMK-UTarletonENMU

WTAM

6-25-35-32-42-41-5

31-1028-1222-1917-2317-239-27

SOFTBALLTeam Div. OverallAngelo St. TAMK-UTarletonENMUACU

TX Woman’s

15-111-17-55-76-102-10

36-628-1026-1020-2020-1714-27

WTAM 2-14 12-31

Upcoming

Wednesday

MEn’S TEnnISACU vs. St. Edwards 2:30 p.m.

Friday

WOMEn’S TEnnISACU vs. Texas Southern, Houston 10 a.m.

ACU vs. Rice University, Houston, 4 p.m.

BASEBALLACU vs. Texas A&M-Kingsville, Kingsville, 4p.m. (DH)

SOFTBALLACU vs. Eastern New Mexico, Portales, N.M., noon (DH)

Upcoming

brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Aina Rafolomanantsiatosika returns a hit near the net during the Wildcats match against Cameron University on Friday. ACU beat Cameron 9-0.

n Intramural outdoor soccer began April 2 with three significant changes from past seasons.

By BLESSED MATAISportS Writer

Even the snow in late spring can’t stop them.

The intramural outdoor soc-cer started April 2 with three sig-nificant changes from the past: one women’s league, smaller goals for the rec league teams and smaller playing fields.

A total of 32 teams are com-peting in the 7 vs. 7 outdoor soc-cer season. There are seven men’s teams in the champ league, 16 men’s teams in the rec and nine

teams in the women’s league. The first of the three changes

is only one women’s league. Un-like the past, when the women had a champ and rec league like the men, a lack of teams signing up forced the intramural depart-ment to create only one league, said J.B. Gibbs, senior history major from Abilene and intra-mural official and crew chief.

The other difference some teams are facing this year is the fact that in the rec league the goals are smaller and not regu-lation size like the goals in the champ league.

“The reason to have small goals in the rec leagues is because we don’t have enough goals for both leagues,” Gibbs said. “But so far nobody complained and seems like everybody is having a good time.”

The last significant change is the size of the playing fields. Al-though the width of the fields is the same as in the past, the fields are now 80 yards long instead of 100 yards.

“Last year it just became too much of a breakaway game,” Gibbs said. “That field was way too big for 7 on 7,” Gibbs said.

Intramural soccer starts with changes

n Both nationally ranked ACU tennis teams swept all three of their opponents this weekend. The women are now 21-3 and the men are 21-8.

By MICHAEL FREEMANonline editor

The ACU tennis teams cruised over three teams Fri-day including conference ri-vals Cameron and Eastern New Mexico. The Wildcat men defeated Cameron, ranked No. 14 in the nation, 5-1, and beat New Mexico Military Institute 9-0, while the ACU women outplayed both Cameron and Eastern New Mexico 9-0.

“There’s no doubt that good competition makes you better if it doesn’t break your spirit,” said head coach Hut-ton Jones.

The Wildcats’ spirits should be high since their weekend wins improved the men to 21-8 on the season and the women to 21-3. In the Division II national polls, the men are ranked No. 28 and the women are No. 6.

On Friday, the ACU men played against New Mexico

Military Institute. Nursing a sore shoulder, sophomore Juan Nunez sat out in singles against New Mexico Military Institute, and sophomore Hut-ton Jones Jr. took his place in the No. 1 match against Chris Toli. Jones Jr. took the match 6-3, 2-6, (10-8).

“It just showed the depth of our team,” Jones said. “That was a big win for him. A guy who is right there battling for a line-up spot on our team is able to go out and pick up a good win.”

The Wildcats followed a 9-0 victory over New Mexico Military Institute by taking on the No. 2 team in the Central region, Cameron. Sophomore Ryan Hudson and senior Kevin Beedy teamed up to take down Jordi Mullor and Tin Hinst, the No. 1 doubles team in the re-gion, by the score of 8-5.

The rest of the matches went the Wildcats’ way as well. ACU was on track to a 7-2 win, but the match was

Weekend sweep

n ACU lost its last two games against Angelo State Sunday but is still first in the Lone Star Conference South Division and moved up to no. 12 in the nation.

By DANIEL JOHNSONSportS editor

ACU moved up five spots from No. 17 to No. 12 in Divi-sion II national rankings and remained in first place in the Lone Star Conference South Division, despite splitting a four-game series with defend-ing LSC South champions An-gelo State this weekend.

ACU swept Friday’s games 10-3 and 1-0, and Angelo

swept Sunday’s games 14-13 and 3-2 for the first series split between the two.

“I’m am not disappointed with being 2-2 against An-gelo,” said head coach Britt Bonneau. “We set out to pos-sibly win the series, and we put ourselves in a position to do just that.”

ACU had two opportuni-ties to win the series Sunday but failed to get the winning hits when needed in both of Sunday’s games.

The Wildcats battled back from a 14-2 deficit in game one with a 11-run rally late in

the game but failed to score the needed runs in the bot-tom of the ninth inning.

“When you’re down 14-2 and you fight back to get within a run, I would hate to say we should have won it,” Bonneau said.

ACU’s second chance to win the series ended similar-ly as the Wildcats fell on the short end of an extra-inning pitchers’ duel between the LSC South rivals.

After squeezing out two runs a piece for a 2-2 tie in the seventh, which sent the game into extra innings, ACU left two runners on base and

ACU moves to No. 12 despite pair of losses

n The ACU softball team split its two-game series with Lone Star Conference north opponent Southeastern Oklahoma State on Friday. ACU is now 20-17 overall.

By RACHEL DAVISSportS Writer

The Wildcats split a dou-bleheader with Southeastern Oklahoma State in a Lone Star Conference crossover match-up in Oklahoma this week-end, ending a four-game win-ning streak.

Before the defeat, ACU won games against Tarleton State, East Central and Southeast-ern Oklahoma to create the winning streak.

In the first game, ACU won 6-3, scoring in each of the first three innings.

“The first game we played well every inning by scoring consistently and playing sol-id defense,” said head coach Chantiel Wilson. “Kim McDon-ald pitched a great game and was able to get out of some tough situations.”

McDonald pitched all sev-en innings, struck out four and only gave up six hits and

Wildcatsoftball splits series

brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Starting pitcher Chris Wiman celebrates with right fielder Thomas Bumpass after crossing home plate in the bottom of the fifth inning of game one Friday.

Tennis

n ACU track and field athletes nicodemus naimadu and Olha Kryv’yak each won the steeplechase at the Texas Relays in Austin this weekend.

By JARED FIELDSManaging editor

A week after setting the year’s best time in the 10,000 meters, Nicodemus Naimadu defended his 3,000-meter steeplechase title at the Texas Relays in Austin with a time of 8:38.71.

“To follow a 10,000 with a steeplechase is the hardest thing to do,” said head coach Don Hood. “I was really proud of just his effort. He’s just as tough as he has to be.”

The cold, wet weather in Austin kept the Wildcats out of competition Saturday, which Hood said was prob-ably for the best.

“We didn’t run because of weather,” Hood said. “With the injuries we’ve had we didn’t want to risk it.”

With the injuries the teams have sustained, the move proved wise; no Wildcats left the relays injured.

Runners succeed at Texas Relays

Baseball

brian schmidt SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Bryce Hicks crouches down to return a ball during his doubles match against Lone Star Conference rivals Cameron University.

Intramural soccer

See BASEBALL page 9

See SWEEp page 9

See SpLIT page 9See CHAnGES page 9

This year there were three significant changes for the intramural outdoor soccer tournament:

n One league for women.

n Smaller goals for the rec league.

n 80-yard fields instead of 100-yard fields.

SOCCERCHAnGES

See RELAYS page 9Briefs

Leading the pack

n Both the men’s and women’s ACU tennis teams lead the Lone Star Conference with undefeated records against conference teams. Both teams are nationally ranked and have more than 20 wins at this point of the season.