Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Opinion / Editorials / Yearbook unveiling cheapened in Chapel

Yearbook unveiling cheapened in Chapel

November 6, 2002 by Optimist Editorial Board

Last Thursday after Chapel, screens portrayed the presentation of the 2001-2002 Prickly Pear to Dr. Money via video tape.

This ended an 86-year tradition of unveiling the book and presenting it to the president in a formal ceremony during Chapel. The change cheapened a normally exciting moment.

In past years, this formal presentation to Money was also a showcase of the yearbook, hot off the presses. Students knew that the books were available, and their unveiling was a sign of their importance to our campus.

The Chapel committee’s reasoning was this: the live presentation would not fit with the overall mood of Chapel and would be a distraction. In an effort to increase the spirituality of everyone’s Chapel experience, Chapel leaders effectively cut out all announcements or anything perceived as such.

This reasoning is perfectly sound, however the presentation of the Prickly Pear is not an announcement, promotion or distraction. It is a tradition that has graced the university since the oddly-named books were first published in 1916.

While tradition is a large part of our objection to the university’s ruling, another factor to consider is how much work goes into the Prickly Pear. If an event is happening at ACU or an interesting story surfaces, the Prickly Pear must cover it.

The objective of a yearbook is to capture the school year in words and photographs, and thus a Prickly Pear employee’s work doesn’t end.

This work should be honored with a formal presentation to the president, who normally says a few words afterward congratulating the staff.

Instead, we strained our ears to hear a muffled video as restless students left Chapel.

Besides, the presentation in Chapel could easily be made with little or no distraction. At the conclusion of Chapel, after the devotional part has concluded, the editor or selected staff member could hand Dr. Money his book. Money would then formally accept the book, as it has been done for years.

It’s that simple.

After all, similar “distractions” occur pretty often for athletic teams before they begin a new season.

Those in charge of Chapel should give careful thought to re-instituting a formal presentation of the Prickly Pear to Dr. Money next year.

The importance placed on the Prickly Pear and its future may depend on it.

Filed Under: Editorials Tagged With: Prickly Pear

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

About Optimist Editorial Board

You are here: Home / Opinion / Editorials / Yearbook unveiling cheapened in Chapel

Other Opinion:

  • Not-so-friendly competition

  • Sing Song in the Expo Center presents an exciting opportunity

  • Micro-trends are a danger to Gen Z and the planet

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....