Jonathan Smith, Author at The Optimist

What will be your Sing Song face?

February 8, 2006 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief A scared high school senior slunk into the double gym in Moody Coliseum among hundreds of people he didn't know in February 2002 on a mission for someone else. The sea of people wore pounds of stage makeup and brightly colored and sparkly costumes. Ridiculously large smiles and wide-eyed gazes were plastered on ... [Read More…]

Extreme education makeover: Work continues on Burford Center remodeling for the College of Education and Human Services

February 1, 2006 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief Construction on Burford Music Center will continue for the remainder of the semester and into the summer but remains on schedule for a July completion, according to university administrators. Kevin Watson, associate vice president for Administrative Services, said the interior of the building has been gutted and ... [Read More…]

Barret Hall becomes newest living community

January 27, 2006 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief Moving forward with the idea of living and learning communities, Residence Life Education and Housing will expand that idea next fall to incorporate Barret Hall. Next year, sophomore men and women will have the opportunity to create 22 of their own living and learning community groups - one group for each of ... [Read More…]

Congress unanimously approves budget

January 27, 2006 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief The Students' Association on Wednesday unanimously approved a semester budget of $116,500, which includes more than $40,000 for 33 student groups and organizations. As has become custom, student groups requested much more than Congress had available; this semester, groups asked for $100,000 when they submitted ... [Read More…]

‘A powerful testimony’: Summerall discusses his conversion to Christ

November 9, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief Members of the university and community came to Teague Special Events Center on Tuesday for a luncheon to hear renowned National Football League broadcaster Pat Summerall speak. Although some might have come to hear the former kicker for the New York Giants and sports broadcaster talk about his experiences in ... [Read More…]

Freshman Brandon Woodruff arrested, charged with murders

October 26, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief Police charged student Brandon Woodruff, 19, with two counts of capital murder Monday in connection with the death of his parents last week, a Hunt County Sheriff's official confirmed. Woodruff, freshman agribusiness major from Rockwall, was arrested late Monday morning in Texarkana, Ark., where, according to ... [Read More…]

Churches meet to support military

October 12, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief Area churches gathered Sunday morning to honor veterans and members of the military at Taylor County Coliseum at a service called Faith for the Fight. About 25 churches participated in some fashion-some canceled their regular morning services so members could attend-and between 4,500 and 5,000 people met to ... [Read More…]

The new College of Education and Human Services will include three departments, school of social work

October 7, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief Three departments and a school formerly in the College of Arts and Sciences will move next year to be part of the university's newly created College of Education and Human Services, administrators said Wednesday. The departments of Education; Exercise Science and Health; Communication Sciences and Disorders and ... [Read More…]