By Zak Zeinert, Chief Photographer

When Janine Ellison heard she and her husband Charles had won the ACU Parents of the Year award, she had no idea she had even been nominated.

Janine and Charles Ellison from Van were presented the award by Dr. John Tyson at Friday’s Chapel amidst a chorus of applause.

Janine said they found they had won when their three children came home with the nomination letter they had written and surprised them with the news.

“It’s just difficult to put into words the depth of emotion that you have when your children affirm what you’ve tried to do as parents,” Janine said.

During the past decade, Charles and Janine have helped recruit many students from their hometown by sharing with them their experiences at ACU, according to a press release.

Spencer Ellison, senior environmental sciences major from Van and the middle child of Charles and Janine, said he was not really surprised they won because he felt they deserved it.

“They aren’t as active as other parents, but they have a good Christian background, and I feel like they are the epitome of what ACU is looking for,” Ellison said.

The Parents of the Year award has been a part of ACU since 1993. Students are invited to nominate their parents through a recommendation letter; the winners are then
chosen during the summer.

Betsey Craig, interim director of alumni relations, said it was a tough choice because all of the nomination letters were very compelling.

“This award is really representative of parents that do make a difference back home and in Abilene. This is kind of a way to recognize a special couple and parents as a whole,” Craig said.

Charles and Janine were nominated by all their children: Jennifer, Spencer and Jessica.

Janine said the best part of winning was reading the letter her children had written.

“Just to read that letter that they wrote, it’s hard to express a lot of those feelings,” she said.