After several days of speakers and special events, ACU’s annual Wellness Week came to a close.

This year’s theme of “Every Body Matters” aimed to encourage wellness far beyond physical appearance.

Wellness Week was kicked off on Monday with an introductory chapel forum hosted by John Delony, assistant dean for Residence Life and Education and Housing; Samuel Cook, associate professor in the Department of Music and alumnus Marshal Thompson.

Students earned two chapel credits while hearing Cook’s major weight loss success and Thompson’s passion for eating naturally and nutritiously. Both of these men spoke of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and how connected physical health is with mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Directly after the forum, local vendors offered healthy food options and provided information on how eating locally is practical and easy.

A Wellness Walk event during Chapel and a night forum on dating took place on Tuesday.  During the Walk, the Lunsford Foundation Trail was lined with more than 20 booths educating students on topics ranging from exercise, nutrition, stress management, spiritual health and community outreach.

Those involved included Abilene’s Natural Grocers, the Outdoor Club, the Bike Club, ACU Intramural Sports, the AbileneRunners’ Club and ACU Judicial Affairs. Along with these clubs, the Pura Vida Salon and Spa gave massages, the Rec Center gave yoga and Zumba classes and the ACU Medical Clinic administered flu vaccinations.

On Tuesday night, resident director of Gardner Hall, Jenny Butler, hosted a forum presenting the realm of dating from various perspectives. Accompanying the Wellness theme, speakers shared their successes, failures and strategies of dating. Sophomore psychology major from Lubbock Pierce Hardin gained some valuable insight from the forum.

“For me, it was greatly appreciated,” Hardin said. “There has always been that gray area that can lead to impurity for my girlfriend and me, so by taking out the gray area we made things black and white. This way we can strengthen our boundaries and strengthen our relationship with Christ.”

Michelle Drew, health services family nurse practitioner, and Justina Thompson, ACU alumna and women’s health expert, held a Women’s Health Forum to discuss topics such as sexual health, women’s health, femininity, self-esteem and self-defense.

“It has been so inspiring to see Wellness Week become an event that encompasses and involves the whole community,” said senior Jocelyn Nederhoff. “From the Lunsford Walk event to Sam Cook’s inspirational story to the farmers’ market, Wellness Week did a great job at including all students and the ACU community.”