Jonathan Smith, Author at The Optimist

Hunter won’t seek re-election: After being diagnosed with cancer, Bob Hunter will end his more than 20-year career as a state representative when his term finishes in January 2007

October 5, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief Bob Hunter announced last week he would not seek re-election for his seat as Texas State Representative for the 71st District when his term ends in January 2007. Hunter said he had every intention of filing for re-election at the end of this year; however, after doctors discovered he had prostate cancer during a ... [Read More…]

Students select queen nominees

September 30, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief After being kidnapped, blindfolded and taken to a central location Wednesday night, 10 women removed their blindfolds to discover they would be this year's Homecoming queen nominees. Betsey Craig, coordinator of Queen's Activities during Homecoming, said surprising the nominees is a long standing ... [Read More…]

Leaving chapel early uncalled for

September 30, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief I'll admit it: Today I left Chapel early. I stood up during what I thought would be the last song, walked down the steps and out into the concourse area. I did it Wednesday too; in fact, I've essentially done this every Wednesday and Friday for the past two years. Not because I don't like praise days or ... [Read More…]

Centennial speaker delays trip to Abilene: MSNBC anchor Lester Holt will stay in Galveston to cover Hurricane Rita, and the dinner event will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

September 23, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief The effects of Hurricane Rita hit the university already Thursday, two days before it is expected to hit the Texas coastline, as Lester Holt, anchor for MSNBC, postponed his Thursday speaking engagement in Abilene. Jennifer Ellison, Centennial activities coordinator, said Holt, scheduled as the university's ... [Read More…]

Free time–gift for the busy student

September 21, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief I plan on getting lost Wednesday night or at least certainly by this weekend. Because when the second season of ABC's series Lost premiers Wednesday night, I will either be by my TV or have the VCR running. But I shouldn't have time for that. Certainly not during the school week when I have a job to do and a ... [Read More…]

An anonymous letter to a friend

September 14, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief I think I might have received a letter by mistake at my ACU address earlier this week. Attempts to locate its intended recipient have come up empty. Clearly, the letter was meant for an underclassman, but with no other names and few clues, I am at a loss with what I should do with it. Take a look below and see ... [Read More…]

Twelfth-day figures show total enrollment down but freshman class third largest in school history

September 9, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief The university welcomed the third largest entering class in school history this year with 1,182 new undergraduate students. A year removed from receiving the largest class in university history and graduating a large senior class, total enrollment dropped 83 students to 4,703 when administrators announced ... [Read More…]

Moody bubble bursts ACU bubble

September 2, 2005 by Jonathan Smith

By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief The ACU bubble. The university's own Lochness Monster; its own Bigfoot. The thing that all the experts will say doesn't exist but many common people will swear is out there. Then the proof of its existence came Aug. 26, in the form of a pieced-together tarp larger than a basketball court placed over the floor ... [Read More…]