The university community gathered in Moody Coliseum on Monday morning to mark the beginning of ACU’s 120th academic year with the traditional Opening Assembly.
This year’s ceremony featured more than 100 flags representing the home countries, states and territories of students and faculty, including representation from the Navajo Nation for the second year in a row.
Mike Cope, director of ministry outreach at Pepperdine University and former preacher at Highland Church of Christ in Abilene, served as the keynote speaker. Traditions such as the reading of Paul’s sermon on Mars Hill, the hymn All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name and performances from the Big Purple Band and Grand Chorus helped open the year in worship and reflection.
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- Dr. Houston Heflin, assistant director of youth and family ministries, walks into Moody Coliseum. (Photo by John Stai)
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- Luke Fosah Fongong Achu, sophomore biochemistry major from Abilene, carries the Cameroon flag. (Photo by John Stai)
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- Karen Douglas, counselor at the MACCC from Barbados, carries a flag. (Photo by John Stai)
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- Avrie Paxson, senior mathematics major from Littleton, Colorado, carries the Colorado state flag. (Photo by Steven Infante)
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- Officer Michael Janusz carries the American flag. (Photo by John Stai)
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- Flags representing the countries of ACU students hang at the back of the band congregation. (Photo by Steven Infante)
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- President emeritus Dr. Royce Money participates in the singing of hymns. (Photo by Steven Infante)
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- Dr. Jon Camp, professor of communication and sociology, leads the school in prayer. (Photo by John Stai)
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- Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, delivers a speech at Opening Assembly. (Photo by John Stai)
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- Dr. Odies Wright, associate professor of kinesiology and nutrition, leads the university in singing praises. (Photo by John Stai)
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- Mike Cope, director of ministry at Pepperdine University, delivers his speech. (Photo by Steven Infante)
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- Mike Cope, director of ministry at Pepperdine University, delivers a speech. (Photo by John Stai)
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- Dr. Jeff Goolsby, director of choral studies, signals for the crowd to stand. (Photo by John Stai)
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- Members of the ACU Choir lead the school in singing the hymn “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” (Photo by John Stai)
