By Mallory Sherwood, Staff Writer
Steven Moore, assistant professor of English, and Susan Lewis, instructor of journalism and mass communication, were chosen as this year’s Homecoming Parade grand marshals by the 35-member Homecoming Steering Committee.
Moore and Lewis will ride in a convertible in the Homecoming Parade on Oct. 23 and be honored at a special Chapel following the parade.
“These professors stood out as leaders, have a good attitude, genuinely care about the students and take the time to get to know them,” said Danielle Dilworth, member of the Homecoming Parade Committee and junior integrated marketing and communication major from Plano.
Members of the Homecoming Parade Committee burst into the faculty members’ classrooms with purple and white balloons and M&Ms Sept. 29 to tell them of their award.
“The first thing I did was laugh because it is such an unusual honor,” Lewis said. “The more I thought about it though, it really is a big honor, and I am grateful to them for thinking of me.”
Grand marshals for the parade have been a tradition since 1992, allowing students to show professors they are important to the university and they have made a difference in students’ lives, said Samantha Adkins, coordinator of Alumni Programs.
Dilworth said Moore is well known by students around campus because of his friendly and cheerful attitude.
“I’ve never met Steven Moore before, but I know exactly who he is,” Dilworth said. “His energy and upbeat attitude is visible every time you see him, and he always smiles and says, ‘hi.'”
Other students and faculty agree that Moore is an excellent choice for this honor.
“Professor Moore has been a wonderful role model to students, both English majors and non-majors, through his love of language, literature, learning and his dedication to serving God,” said Dr. Nancy Shankle, chair of the English department, in an e-mail.
Similarly, Lewis has impacted students with her positive attitude and care for the students.
Kylee Peterson, member of the Homecoming Parade Committee and junior integrated marketing and communication major from Granbury, said she considers Lewis more of a friend than a professor.
“She was my U-100 professor when I was a freshman and introduced me to the culture of ACU,” Peterson said. “She genuinely cares about her students and teaches us things we can apply in our life, things we’ll actually use in the future.”
Peterson also said that ACU chooses grand marshals for the parade because it is a tradition and they want to honor those who do so much for ACU but don’t realize it.
Lewis and Moore join a list of other faculty members such as Dr. Francis Churchill, Rita Harrell, Mark Lewis and many more.
“It is not an honor you can put in a box,” Lewis said. “It is one that very few people can claim, and I’m very happy and grateful for that.”
