The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / News / University milestones revealed at Opening Assembly
Distinguished alumni and guests sit in Moody Coliseum during Opening Ceremonies. (Photo by Sydney Varner)

University milestones revealed at Opening Assembly

August 30, 2022 by Mariah Williams

Opening Assembly took place in the newly renovated Moody Coliseum for the first time in three years.

Dr. Robert Rhodes, provost, gave the call the order. Other speakers include Dr. Suzie Macaluso, associate professor of sociology and gerontology, April Anthony, board of trustees chair and Dr. Jennifer T. Butcher, director of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Announcements were made about the current state of ACU by Phil Schubert, president of the university, including the largest enrollment in its history with over 5,900 students, between the Abilene campus and ACU Dallas.

“ACU continues to attract highly talented students from every region of Texas, the United States and around the world,” Schubert said.

An updated amount of the “Higher Ground” fundraiser was also revealed. After 6 months of the fundraiser going public over $209 million of the $250 million goal has been raised.

This fundraiser is intended to fund and develop programs on and off campus dealing with academics and student experiences.

Schubert continued to announce history with the university earning the Doctoral Professional University status as determined by the Carnegie Classification Institution of Higher Learning.

“This means ACU will be ranked among its peers as a national university,” Schubert said. “We aspire to be the best in the world at combining a world-class academic education in a Christ-centered environment.”

The assembly opened with a performance from the Big Purple Marching Band, and the Parade of Flags followed.

Each flag represents a current faculty’s or student’s homeland. This year the university presented 52 nations flags, the American flag being last.

It ended with a congressional rendition of “The Lord Bless You and Keep You,” led by Dr. Odis Wright, associate professor of kinesiology and nutrition.

The Opening Assembly is an ACU tradition that officially starts off the school year. It commenced the 117th session at 11 a.m.Monday.

Filed Under: News

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

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

About Mariah Williams

You are here: Home / News / University milestones revealed at Opening Assembly

Other News:

  • Provost adopts new policy for emeriti faculty

  • Demolition begins on Sherrod residential apartments

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

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

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.

Reply on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Retweet on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Like on Twitter 1906348770293317827 Twitter 1906348770293317827
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
30 Mar

Sing Song 2025 Awards Class Division:

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

Reply on Twitter 1906188185371034000 Retweet on Twitter 1906188185371034000 Like on Twitter 1906188185371034000 3 Twitter 1906188185371034000

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

10 months ago

The Optimist

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

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

The Optimist

1 years ago

The Optimist
"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

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2025 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved