Dear Editor:

For the past two years Abilene Christian University has been fortunate to have Paul Anthony as the editor of the Optimist.

He has covered campus news and local news stories with a professionalism one rarely sees in student journalists.

There have been times when articles were published which “raised a few eyebrows” on campus, yet the stories needed to be told.

There were times when a story was substantively correct, but contained a few factual errors. Paul admitted the mistake and made the corrections.

Most importantly, in every story, Paul and the staff of the Optimist followed a cardinal rule of journalism-do everything possible to get it right.

It is gratifying to see that professional journalists recognize the journalistic excellence of the Optimist. About the same time an ACU journalism alumnus wins the coveted Pulitzer Prize, the Optimist is recognized as the best university newspaper in the state of Texas-the best among all universities, not just the best among private schools or schools within a certain student population, but all schools.

Congratulations to Paul Anthony and the Optimist staff.

In a few years, the JMC Department may very well have another Pulitzer winner among its many fine alumni.

Dr. Mel Hailey
Professor and Chair
Department of Political Science