Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / News / Seniors say farewell at devotional

Seniors say farewell at devotional

April 30, 2014 by Dystanie Douglas

The Student Alumni Association hosted a candlelight devotional Tuesday night in the Amphitheater as a senior send-off for the first time.

The Candlelight Devotional is an annual tradition that typically takes place during Welcome Week. It is a memorable experience for all new students who attend ACU.

During the devotional, each new student is given a candle to light and then walks through a tunnel of upperclassmen and alumni singing hymns and spiritual songs, welcoming them to the ACU community.

This year, the Student Alumni Association decided to change up the tradition of the Candlelight Devotional by using it not only as way of welcoming new students to ACU, but as a way of saying goodbye to graduating seniors.

Aubree Selinger, senior family studies major from Grapevine, is the president of SAA and organized the event.

“I went to a conference this summer and I saw different traditions that go on at different campuses,” Selinger said. “I thought to myself ‘I wish we had something that we could commemorate more.'”

Sellinger said that’s when she realized a candlelight devotional could be a senior commemorative tradition.

“We do such a great job of welcoming the freshmen, why not further that and do it as a senior?” Selinger said.

Seniors who took part in the candlelight devotional experience were very excited to be a part of the first group of students to participate in this new tradition.

“It is really exciting to be able to be the first class to participate in the event. It is something new and hopefully will continue for years to come,” said Faye Bitner, senior political science major from The Woodlands.

“While a lot of departments on campus have senior dinners or ceremonies for students, I think it is really important for ACU to have a commemorative event where all seniors on campus can gather together for a time of both reflection and celebration,” said Kylee Craggett, senior social work major from Garland.

At the the freshman candlelight devotional, the light represents students’ new light and the journey they are about to embark on during their next four years at ACU, Selinger said.

At the senior candlelight devotional, SAA wanted to emphasize a different message.

She said they wanted to communicate that although the seniors are leaving ACU, they are still a part of ACU and taking their light into the world.

“I like the fact that, as a freshman, it is the beginning of your journey here and the senior send-off is like you are completing the cycle,” Bitner said. “I see it as a great accomplishment to make it to the send-off.”

Candlelight Devotional is one of the ACU traditions students keep with them throughout their time here.

“I definitely get nostalgic thinking back to Candlelight Devotional freshman year,” Craggett said. “I was new on campus, didn’t know anyone and was apprehensive and unsure of what to expect in college. Now, as a senior, I feel at home on campus and will be surrounded by a group of people who have become so dear to me.”

Filed Under: News, Showcase Tagged With: Beauchamp Amphitheater, Seniors

Other News:

  • Gallery: Spring commencement honors 2021-22 graduates

  • New IM Fields location confirmed

  • At $250 million, Higher Ground aims to make impacts across campus

About Dystanie Douglas

You are here: Home / News / Seniors say farewell at devotional

Other News:

  • Gallery: Spring commencement honors 2021-22 graduates

  • New IM Fields location confirmed

  • At $250 million, Higher Ground aims to make impacts across campus

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
4 May

"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray:
https://acuoptimist.com/2022/04/not-so-friendly-competition/

Reply on Twitter 1521918832738144257Retweet on Twitter 15219188327381442571Like on Twitter 15219188327381442578Twitter 1521918832738144257
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
3 May

Royce Clough and Jael Morel have been named as Mr. and Miss ACU for the class of 2022, a traditional honor voted on by the student body and awarded to two members of each graduating class.

Reply on Twitter 1521607087553458178Retweet on Twitter 1521607087553458178Like on Twitter 152160708755345817819Twitter 1521607087553458178

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
"Maybe we just don’t care enough. But if we do start caring, and if we become the loudest fans in the WAC, let’s stick to supportive cheering." Read more from Guest Columnist Londyn Gray: ... See MoreSee Less

Not-so-friendly competition - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

BY: LONDYN GRAY “Number 18, you look like you don’t shower!” I chuckled and shrugged it off. “Londyn!” They had looked up the roster. “Do you even brush your teeth?” I laughed again, rol...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and the Department of Theatre. ... See MoreSee Less

Cullen Auditorium still set for a name change alongside renovations - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Cullen Auditorium is expected to be handed over to the university in June 2022, alongside a name change that coupled with the renovation will create new future for the Cornerstone class, Chapel and th...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Women’s tournament run ended by first-round exit against UTRGV

The Wildcats’ Western Athletic Conference tournament run and season came to a ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 22. 2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.16.2022
  • Optimist Newscast 2.9.2022

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2022 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved

Posting....