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Athletes navigate unclear future amid ACU scholarship change

Following recent NCAA House settlement rule changes, the university will implement a new athletic scholarship model that changes how financial aid is distributed among student-athletes. […]

NEXT Lab funding drives university’s research strategy

Darren Pratt, junior biochemistry major from Childress, walks through the doors of the Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory. Swiping his ID against the scanner, he […]

Rent increase, housing shortage prompts university expansion

The university is working to provide more affordable housing options and assist students during the housing shortage in Abilene.  Living off campus has become more […]

Hosts, hostesses rehearse for 70th Sing Song performance

Sing Song hosts and hostesses gather to prepare for the university’s 70th year of Sing Song. Each performance is about three and a half minutes, […]

Breaking down the madness: Predictions, upsets, contenders

It’s the most magical time of the year: March Madness.  A tournament highlighted by being the biggest postseason gauntlet in sports. The storylines, the drama, […]

News

Three new members named to university’s board

March 27, 2026 By Leslie Carrigan Leave a Comment

Three new members were appointed to ACU’s Board of Trustees last month: an accounting executive, a Memphis minister and the university's former investment adviser. Jack Rich was the president and chief investment officer of ACIMCO, the university’s ... [Read More…]

Athletes navigate unclear future amid ACU scholarship change

March 27, 2026 By Zion Webb Leave a Comment

Following recent NCAA House settlement rule changes, the university will implement a new athletic scholarship model that changes how financial aid is distributed among student-athletes. The intercollegiate governing body announced in June 2025 a ... [Read More…]

NEXT Lab funding drives university’s research strategy

March 27, 2026 By Joshua Varner Leave a Comment

Darren Pratt, junior biochemistry major from Childress, walks through the doors of the Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory. Swiping his ID against the scanner, he goes into the lab to work on a project he’s been on for the past year and a ... [Read More…]

Sports

Baseball ‘bonds over the road,’ faces SFA, McNeese

March 27, 2026 By Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

The Wildcats will continue their seven-game road trip this week with a midweek matchup with Stephen F. Austin University and a weekend series against McNeese State University. In the team’s series last weekend, it won 2-of-3 on the road at University of New Mexico. The Wildcats scored a total of 28 runs while winning Friday […]

Huth refuses to quit, rewrites story at ACU

March 27, 2026 By Zion Webb Leave a Comment

Nele Huth, a multi-event athlete, grew up in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, where, before track, her earliest memory of outside activity came in kindergarten, going to the bathroom in the forest. “I was in the dirt every day,” Huth said. “We just went to a different place in the forest and spent the whole day […]

ACU opens spring with record class, new faces at quarterback

March 25, 2026 By Caysson Higgins Leave a Comment

ACU head football coach Keith Patterson welcomed the largest recruiting class in the program’s Div. I era this offseason, signing 40 players, including 17 transfers and 23 high school prospects, as the Wildcats begin spring practice with a rebuilt roster and renewed championship aspirations. The jump from last year’s class of 18 is significant, but […]

Features

Huth refuses to quit, rewrites story at ACU

March 27, 2026 By Zion Webb Leave a Comment

Nele Huth, a multi-event athlete, grew up in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, where, before track, her earliest memory of outside activity came in kindergarten, going to the bathroom in the forest. “I was ... [Read More…]

Opinion

Federal funding cuts hurt local journalism, Americans

March 27, 2026 By Leslie Carrigan Leave a Comment

Chapel requirements shift, students perspectives follow

March 27, 2026 By Miah Trevino Leave a Comment

Breaking down the madness: Predictions, upsets, contenders

March 18, 2026 By Roman Raffaeli Leave a Comment

Every Christian should be unabashedly pro-life

March 5, 2026 By Benjamin Peterson Leave a Comment

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
15h

Sing Song 2026 Awards Class Division:

Overall Award:
1. Mixed
2. Seniors
3. Freshman White

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
15h

Sing Song 2026 Awards Women’s Division:

Overall Award:
1. Ko Jo Kai
2. Sigma Theta Chi
3. Tri Kappa Gamma

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The Optimist is with ACU Journalism and Mass Communication.

1 week ago

The Optimist
The Optimist staff won several awards and competed at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association 2026 convention in Denton this weekend. Students participated in live contests and submitted work from the past year into the competition.Here are the results.- 1st place: Live print news writing, Ashley Henderson- 1st place: Live print sports writing, Roman Raffaeli- 2nd place: Live tv announcing, Zion Webb- 2nd place: Live news photo, Daniel Curd- 2nd place: Newscast, Optimist Staff- Honorable mention: Documentary (video), Makayla Clayton- 2nd place: Documentary, JMC documentary production class- 3rd place: General news, Callie Leverett- Honorable mention: General column, Zion Webb- Honorable mention: Sports reporting (video), Roman Raffaeli- Honorable mention: Live sports action photo, Daniel Curd- Honorable mention: General news video story, Ashley Henderson- Honorable mention: Photo illustrations (Daniel Curd & Optimist staffStudents also received awards for their work through KACU and ACUTV.- 1st place: In-depth news reporting (audio), Ashley Henderson- 1st place: General news audio story, Baylie Simon- 1st place: Live sports coverage (video), Roman Raffaeli & London Gray- 2nd place: Live sports coverage (video), Josiah Wonnell & Londyn Gray- 3rd place: General news audio story, Ashley Henderson- 2nd place: Sportscast (audio), Daisy Strine & Zion Webb- 3rd place: Sportscast (audio), Daisy Strine & Zion Webb- 3rd place: Feature reporting (audio), Baylie Simon- Honorable Mention: Feature reporting (audio), Josiah Wonnell#acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #studentmedia #tipa2026 ... See MoreSee Less

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The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Sororities and fraternities began New Member Orientation with Bid Day, officially starting the pledging process this weekend.Originally scheduled for last week, the start was delayed due to winter weather that brought snow and ice to campus. Clubs and their sponsors gathered at designated locations on and off campus to complete tasks assigned by their officers.To view the full photo gallery, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #greeklife 📸: Daniel Curdacuoptimist.com/2026/02/gallery-clubs-begin-new-member-orientation-after-weather-delay/?fbclid=PA... ... See MoreSee Less

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Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

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