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You are here: Home / News / The Optimist reaches 100-year benchmark

The Optimist reaches 100-year benchmark

October 12, 2011 by Curtis Christian

In the fall of 1912, ACU student Arthur Slater of Clyde established and distributed the first edition of the Optimist to Childers Classical Institute. This year, the Optimist is celebrating its 100th volume.

The Optimist is a constant icon on campus and has been a part of ACU for all but six years of its existence. Dr. Cheryl Bacon, professor and chair of the department of journalism and mass communication, said the consistancy Optimist makes it a rare publication.

“To have a student newspaper that is 100 years old is really very significant,” Bacon said.

Dr. Kenneth Pybus, associate professor of journalism and mass communication and student media adviser, said the Optimist is useful as a publication and a learning tool.

“For all of its life, the Optimist has been a student publication,” Pybus said. “The Optimist has also been a lab where students go to learn about journalism

The publication has and continues to introduce students to the environment and challenges they will face in a career in journalism. Daniel Gomez, senior English major from San Antonio and chief photographer of the Optimist, said the student newspaper has helped him develop skills he could use in the future.

“The Optimist is preparing me for the real world,” Gomez said. “The level of professionalism and proficiency really helps the students for what’s to come.”

Traditions of the Optimist have stood through the years of its existence. Pybus said the Optimist has a history of entering – and winning – competitions.

“As early as the 40’s and 50’s the Optimist was winning state-wide competition,” Pybus said.

Late nights covering big events on campus have always been a tradition for the student workers, Pybus said. A restarted tradition of the Optimist is the April fool’s spoof edition, the Pessimist.

The celebration of the 100th volume will be kicked off at the Gutenberg Dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Hunter Welcome Center.  The dinner is an annual event used to honor alumni and this year it will be the first of many venues of celebrating accomplishments of the Optimist.

“We are trying to connect with as many former staff members as we can,” Pybus said.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Optimist 100

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

  • ACU Gives exceeds goal, raises over $919,000

About Curtis Christian

You are here: Home / News / The Optimist reaches 100-year benchmark

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

  • ACU Gives exceeds goal, raises over $919,000

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
30 Mar

Sing Song 2025 Awards Women’s Division:

Vocals:
1. Ko Jo Kai
2. Sigma Theta Chi
3. Delta Theta

Entertainment:
1. Sigma Theta Chi
2. Ko Jo Kai
3. Delta Theta

Note: An earlier post included a spelling error, so we have since updated it for accuracy.

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
30 Mar

Sing Song 2025 Awards Class Division:

Overall Award:
1. Freshman Purple
2. Freshman White
3. Seniors

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"Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU’s community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around them." To read more of this article visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. #acu #abilenechristianuniversity #privatechristianuniversity #collegestudentopinion #acuopinion ... See MoreSee Less

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