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You are here: Home / Multimedia / Gallery: “Year of Firsts” brings new experiences to campus

Gallery: “Year of Firsts” brings new experiences to campus

May 13, 2019 by Riley Fisher, Lexi Walter, Lauren Franco, Nicholas Cromwell and Meda Bow

The 2018-19 school year brought many exciting opportunities for students to campus, featuring a performance by Jesse McCartney, victories against Div. I football teams and appearances in March Madness. The highlights from the year are as follows:

Jesse McCartney began the year and ended Wildcat week with a performance for the new freshmen in August.

Wildcat football took on the Baylor Bears in a historical first game against a Big 12 opponent in September.

The Abilene Reporter-News building burned in a three-alarm fire caused by electrical issues in November.

For the first time in years, the men of Galaxy swept a victory in every category in Sing Song.

Both men and women’s basketball took the title of Southland Conference champion and proceeded to play in the NCAA March Madness tournament.

The class of 2019 joined in prayer with the class of 1969 at the senior candlelight sendoff.

Famous pop musician closes Wildcat Week with a concert on the steps of the Bible Building. (Photo by Lauren Franco)
A Wildcat clashes with a Baylor Bear on the football field. (Photo by Nicholas Cromwell)
First responders work to put out the three-alarm electrical fire in the Abilene Reporter-News building. (Photo by Lauren Franco)

The men of Galaxy celebrate their sweeping win in every category of Sing Song. (Photo by Meda Bow)
Senior Jaylen Franklin catches a rebound underneath the goal during the conference championship. (Photo by Riley Fisher)
Junior guard and forward Dominique Golightly pushes past A&M Corpus Christi’s junior guard Dalesia Booth as she runs toward the paint. (Photo by Riley Fisher)

Graduates of the class of 2019 join in prayer with members of the class of 1969 at the senior sendoff. (Photo by Lexi Walter)

Filed Under: Multimedia, Photo Galleries, Showcase

Other Multimedia:

  • Gallery: Football defeats Lamar in first round of FCS playoffs

  • Gallery: Indian Culture Association hosts annual Golden Gala

  • Gallery: Volleyball wraps up season after WAC Semifinals

About Riley Fisher

-Senior theatre design major
-Chief Photographer and Social Media Director
-Passionate about storytelling and expression

About Lexi Walter

About Lauren Franco

My name is Lauren and I'm the Editor in Chief of the Optimist this year. I'm an avid fan of romantic comedies, the First Amendment and national parks. More than anything, I'm passionate about storytelling via photographs, and love getting to know the heart of people through my lens.

About Nicholas Cromwell

Nicholas is a senior accounting and finance major from Dallas.

Being an accounting major, I don't spend all of my time crunching numbers but spend a lot of my free time outside, adventuring. Specifically I enjoy cycling, mountain biking, hiking, hunting, camping, sports of all kinds, and taking photos of these things. However, sometimes I also spend my time inside, cooking! I prefer to do my adventuring with other people who like to adventure because adventuring with people is much more memorable.

About Meda Bow

You are here: Home / Multimedia / Gallery: “Year of Firsts” brings new experiences to campus

Other Multimedia:

  • Gallery: Football defeats Lamar in first round of FCS playoffs

  • Gallery: Indian Culture Association hosts annual Golden Gala

  • Gallery: Volleyball wraps up season after WAC Semifinals

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10 Nov

NEWS: Students can officially opt out of Wildcat Access program for the spring 2026 semester. The opt out period will run from today through Nov. 23.

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Andrew North was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 3 months old; he’s never known life without it. Now, in his late 20s and married, North has cultivated a fulfilling life despite facing adversity from the perceived limitations of his chronic disease. North is an ACU graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family services.To read more, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link below. #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #feature acuoptimist.com/2025/11/grad-student-with-cystic-fibrosis-wins-scholarship-strives-to-make-an-imp...📝: Callie Leverett ... See MoreSee Less

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The Indian Culture Association hosted their annual Golden Gala last Saturday at Hillcrest Church. Students, faculty, and members of ICA gathered together to celebrate the beauty of Indian Culture. To view the full photo gallery, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link below. #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #photography acuoptimist.com/2025/11/gallery-ica-hosts-the-annual-golden-gala/📸: Callie Brimberry ... See MoreSee Less

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