As the speechwriter for the grand opening of the Robert R. and Kay Onstead Science Center on Aug. 24, 2018, I interviewed a faculty member in the sciences and wrote the following remarks for them for the event:

“I love telling [prospective students] how much ACU cares about the sciences. … [In labs], we not only train our students as scientists and engineers, but we also have the opportunity to talk about what is happening in their lives and spiritual development. That, of course, is what makes ACU special – the combination of excellent academics and a Christ-centered environment.”

That sentiment is also on display at the Halbert-Walling Research Center, with its mural celebrating trailblazing men and women of the sciences, including several ACU alumni, who were and are people of faith.

Science, including medicine, is a large part of the ACU community; the top major for ACU undergraduates is nursing. Science isn’t partisan or contrary to a life of faith, no matter who tries to make it out as such.

The ACU administration knows this. And yet, in the midst of the fourth wave of a global pandemic that is ravaging this country and leaving ICUs filled to capacity – including in Abilene – classes are starting without not so much as a vaccine or mask mandate, despite what the nation’s top scientists have recommended.

The Delta variant has shown to be more infectious and more easily transmitted compared to other variants of Covid-19, even in those who are vaccinated. Thankfully, the vaccines work, and few breakthrough cases lead to death. Until enough people are vaccinated, however, masks should be required to be worn indoors (at a minimum) to help blunt the spread of this deadly virus.

A beloved professor already died last school year from the virus. Are more deaths needed for the administration to take a stronger stance?

They didn’t shy away from saying they believe in science when it was time to thank those who donated millions to build and renovate state-of-the-art science buildings. Now, in the face of this deadly virus, isn’t a time to shy away, either.

– Sarah Carlson (’06)