By Michael Freeman,, Managing Editor

As the “World Famous Bean” workers scurried from food station to food station, some cooking, some cleaning and some, namely chef John Smith, bellowing “Chicken fried chicken!” every few minutes, a group of about 50 women from the Women for ACU ate their lunches and socialized during the annual “Get Acquainted Event” Thursday afternoon.

The Women for ACU is comprised of ACU alumni, current students or women interested in giving to the school. On Thursday, the group gave a $5,000 donation to the Big Purple Band for new instruments.

“It was just something we felt was needed,” said Mary Manly, a member of the Women for ACU museum board. “I thought it was great that the band received that. The love of music is with all of us.”

Since its founding in 1969, the Women for ACU has supported students and departments through fundraisers, scholarships and donations. After lunch Thursday, the Women for ACU presented the $5,000 check to Stephen Ward, director of the Big Purple in the Living Room of the Campus Center.

“Through the years, we’ve given over a million dollars in one way or another,” said Hazel Fillmon, president of the local chapter for the Women for ACU.

Already this year, the Women for ACU has invested in the beautification of McDonald Hall and the furnishing of the College of Education and the Alumni Office in the Bob Hunter Welcome Center. The group also has provided water and cookies to incoming freshmen during Welcome Week and helped with meals for the women’s soccer team before the Bean opened this semester.

In addition to the donation, Thursday’s event also served as an opportunity for members to meet and greet with potential members. For some members, it was their first time to visit the Bean since it had been renovated this summer.

“It was my first time in the new Bean,” Manly said. “I thought it was great; it was a great experience.”