By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief

Many emotions and thoughts rushed through Don Crisp’s mind last fall when Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, told him he had been selected as ACU’s 2005 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.

“I was surprised and of course honored by it,” Crisp said. “One of my reactions was whether or not it was an appropriate choice, but mostly I felt surprise and appreciation and honor by the whole idea.”

Crisp, class of 1964 and chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, will accept that honor at the Alumni Day luncheon honoring him at 12:15 p.m. Sunday at the Abilene Civic Center.

The Outstanding Alumnus of the Year is selected each fall by the Alumni Advisory Board from a list of nominations, said Betsey Craig, coordinator of the Alumni Network. Money, who graduated from the university the same year as Crisp, nominated Crisp for the award.

“The award is for timely recognition of lifetime achievement that brings honor to the university through personal and professional excellence and service to the university, church or community,” Craig said in an e-mail.

Crisp will be in town for the trustees meetings Friday and Saturday before he receives the award Sunday.

“I can’t think of any institution that I would be more honored to receive an award like this from,” Crisp said. “It’s very much a highlight for me.”

Crisp, who has served as the chair of the Board of Trustees since 1992, works as the chair of the Rosewood Corporation, a Dallas/Fort Worth-based company that owns holdings in the oil and gas industry, real estate and hotel management.

While a student at the university, Crisp served as president of men’s social club Galaxy and the Business Administration Council, and he was treasurer for the Students’ Association.

He has served on the board of trustees for Dallas Christian Schools, Christian Services of the Southwest, The Christian Chronicle and Missions Resource Network.

Crisp said he feels like he is representing thousands of other deserving alumni.

“It’s really not possible to select one person,” Crisp said. “I’ve been thinking about the thousands of graduates who have come out of ACU through the last 100 years … who haven’t received this recognition. I’d like to dedicate this to the thousands of alumni out there who are just great people.”