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You are here: Home / Callie Leverett

Tandem Initiative brings comfort to patients undergoing chemotherapy

April 17, 2026 by Callie Leverett Leave a Comment

Brothers Robbie and Gabriel Alatrash sought to provide service to cancer patients beyond monetary donations, so they created and now run the Tandem Initiative, fostering projects like Comfort Through Chemo that supply cancer patients with pastimes. The goal of the initiative was to not only offer support, but to build community and then to be in ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

Freshmen surge fills two Sing Song acts, sparks first mixed-freshmen group

March 26, 2026 by Callie Leverett Leave a Comment

The 2025-26 freshmen class continues to fuel a large turnout of ACU traditions, with greater numbers engaging in Sing Song, filling two entire freshmen class acts and enough students left over to form Sing Song’s first-ever mixed class act to include freshmen. Courtney McGaha, director of student productions, said what has set this freshman class ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, News

Poetry packs the room: Students respond to art exhibit with poetry reading

March 4, 2026 by Callie Leverett Leave a Comment

Students and faculty gathered on Feb. 19 to hear original poems crafted by student poets in Dr. Steven Moore’s ENGL 323 class, despite worries of decreasing public interest. The poems responded to the cross-culturally paired artworks, “The Boundless: Origins,” by Department of Art and Design chair Robert Green and artist Sheng Dongqiao from ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features

Compass Team highlights authentic reflection amid AI concerns

February 13, 2026 by Callie Leverett Leave a Comment

ACU Student Success emailed the student body on behalf of the Compass team on Monday, regarding an uptick in AI-generated responses to exercises.  The university's required Chapel credits for undergraduate students are a long-standing tradition that has recently been altered to coincide with classification. The ACU Compass team offers online ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase

Saunders Center for Joy and Human Flourishing to have grand opening in fall 2026

January 30, 2026 by Callie Leverett Leave a Comment

A new place of rest and connection is arriving on campus this summer as construction wraps up on the Saunders Center for Joy and Human Flourishing in the Mabee wing of the library, with an official grand opening planned for the fall. “I knew I wanted that space to be almost like a place of refuge and rest,” said Dr. Claire Davidson-Frederick, ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, News

Give me back my em dash

December 3, 2025 by Callie Leverett

I am not anti-AI. I’m not angry at or scared of it as a concept, but I do have one bone to pick. AI ruined my favorite punctuation mark. ChatGPT in particular has coined the em dash as its signature. Honestly, the word “signature” doesn’t quite get across how much the program uses em dashes. Put in any prompt, and an em dash will sneak into its ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Opinion

Grad student with cystic fibrosis wins scholarship, strives to make an impact

November 21, 2025 by Callie Leverett

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 ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

Flu season is closing in: How to stay healthy for the holidays

November 11, 2025 by Callie Leverett

As Texas heat finally gives in and November gifts cooler weather, the holidays are right around the corner. But pumpkin spice lattes and sweaters aren’t the only autumn plans — flu season is right on our heels. Given the inevitable close quarters that campuses foster, flu season is prominent among college students. From doorknobs to stairwell ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News

Running to keep up: How standardized testing fails students like me

November 5, 2025 by Callie Leverett

In third grade, I stopped growing — no, not in height, but in reading, writing, math and just school in general. I felt miles behind, like I was running, stumbling, trying so hard to keep up with all my friends, but they moved with such ease, gliding through school. English is hard. It’s not phonetic. ‘Sounding it out’ isn’t really a thing, and ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Opinion, Showcase

Texas rural hospitals await the budget cut storm

October 31, 2025 by Callie Leverett

Ten years ago, inside Stamford’s small rural hospital, medical technology and equipment would beep and buzz alongside the sounds of rustling paper. Healthcare workers were kept busy while tending to patients. Today, the building is silent. The parking lot is empty, and the structure is hollowed out. It is single-storied and built with warm red ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
22 Apr

NEWS: Students can now vote for the 2026 Mr. ACU and Miss ACU. The link to vote can be found through an email sent out by the Student Government Association.

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
29 Mar

Sing Song 2026 Awards Class Division:

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

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ACU’s Got Talent showcased student performers Tuesday at the Boone Family Theatre, featuring acts including singing, dancing and spoken word. Lois Botelua, freshman theatre major from Fort Worth, and pianist Peter John, freshman finance major from Park Row, took home the top prize for their performance of “The Visitor” by Sienna Spiro, earning a trophy and $500.To view the full photo gallery, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. 📸: @leslie.lu.carrigan #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #studentlife ... See MoreSee Less

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