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 / Callie Leverett

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

Powell cultivates a career of curiosity, chemistry

October 31, 2025 by Callie Leverett

Those who study English and want to study Edgar Allen Poe, will read his works, Dr. Cynthia Powell said, and those who study art and want to study Picasso, will look at what he painted. “In my class, you get to study what God has made,” Powell said, as a professor in the chemistry and biochemistry. “We are studying God’s handiwork and that ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features

Spiritual Life leads Dating Week on campus

October 23, 2025 by Callie Leverett

The Office of Spiritual Life’s Dating Week began on Monday, premiering the series in Moody Coliseum with a sermon from vice president for Student Life, Ryan Richardson.  The name and theme of the series have shifted this year to align with the Spiritual Life's Fall 2025 theme: Witness.  “The heart and the hope remain the same to be in crucial ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News

Take what you’ll eat: Help the Bean fight food waste

October 21, 2025 by Callie Leverett

After Chapel comes to an end, you and hundreds of students flock to the Bean for lunch. Being so hungry after a long morning of classes, your eyes tend to be eager, building up an appetite your stomach can’t keep up with.   Whether everything looks so good, making you feel like you just can’t choose, or nothing looks that amazing, so it’s better ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Opinion

Monarch butterflies rest in Abilene, prepare to go where they’ve never been

October 17, 2025 by Callie Leverett

Monarch butterflies typically live a short two- to five-week lifespan — unless, that is, they’re flying to Mexico or California; then the 2,000-mile journey fuels their tiny bodies to sail the blue skies up to nine months longer. The North American monarch butterflies that float and flutter through Abilene in late September and early October are ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

Gallery: Monarch butterflies visit Abilene before their cross-continental journey to Mexico

October 17, 2025 by Callie Leverett

After spending a warm spring and summer in the northern states and southern Canada, monarch butterflies venture south to California and Mexico for their overwintering period. The monarchs that flutter through Abilene are part of the group headed to Mexico. While waiting for the cool air to arrive, the butterflies will linger in West Texas, resting ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Multimedia, Photo Galleries

Honoring Dr. Orneita Burton’s life, legacy

October 9, 2025 by Callie Leverett

Dr. Orneita Burton, professor of management sciences, passed away last Sunday, leaving behind a legacy of intentional service and leadership in education that inspired those around her. Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, sent out an email the day after, informing staff, faculty and students of her passing. All flags on campus ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Obituary, Showcase

Phil is finally found: Dr. Schubert joins the gram

October 8, 2025 by Callie Leverett

Dr. Phil Schubert has “finally given in” and joined the Instagram community, creating his first account ever in August. Schubert, president of ACU, concluded his debut caption with a shout-out to his very own fan page, @finding_phil_. “I think it's because I'm just kind of getting old, and people wore me down,” Schubert said. “They’ve been ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »
You are here: Home / Callie Leverett

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist

The Optimist

@acuoptimist ·
9 May

BREAKING: The 2026 teacher of the year is Dr. Clint Buck, assistant professor of accounting in the College of Business Administration.

Reply on Twitter 2053158226070257771 Retweet on Twitter 2053158226070257771 Like on Twitter 2053158226070257771 2 Twitter 2053158226070257771
acuoptimist

The Optimist

@acuoptimist ·
4 May

BREAKING NEWS: James Bradshaw and Maddie Grace Fridge are the 2026 Mr. ACU and Miss ACU.

Reply on Twitter 2051110655172784350 Retweet on Twitter 2051110655172784350 Like on Twitter 2051110655172784350 4 Twitter 2051110655172784350

Optimist on Facebook

This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts. Backup cache in use.
Click to show error
Error: Error validating access token: The session has been invalidated because the user changed their password or Facebook has changed the session for security reasons. Type: OAuthException

Videos

Optimist Newscast August 28, 2026

... [Read More…]

  • The Optimist 2026 Graduation Newscast
  • The Optimist 2026 Sing Song Newscast
  • Optimist Newscast Nov. 1, 2025

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

© 2026 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved