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You are here: Home / Leslie Carrigan

The Collective launches, showcases student-run businesses

March 6, 2026 by Leslie Carrigan Leave a Comment

The Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy launched The Collective, a new storefront for student-run businesses, at its grand opening on Monday. The Collective features a mix of vendors, from students and alumni who all run out of the Collective at once. The vendors rotate every three weeks, allowing a new set of businesses to be ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase

New library dean brings 18 years of leadership to ACU

February 20, 2026 by Leslie Carrigan Leave a Comment

*Note: In an earlier version of the story it said ‘Mark McCowan, but it has since been changed to McCallon for accuracy. Dr. Lee Anne Paris was named the new Dean of Library Services and Educational Technology and will step into the role on Aug. 1. Paris is the executive director of academic policy and curriculum at the University of ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

Omicron Xi Chi decides not to extend bids for first semester ever

February 6, 2026 by Leslie Carrigan Leave a Comment

The sorority Omicron Xi Chi will not welcome a new pledge class this semester, the first time since its founding in 2022. In a statement released by the club on social media on Tuesday, the club said the pause in accepting new members is intentional and an opportunity for the sorority to reassess and prepare for the club's future. “This ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase

Cold front chills new member orientation

February 3, 2026 by Leslie Carrigan Leave a Comment

New Member Orientation began on Saturday after a winter storm delayed bid day activities for sororities and fraternities by a week. Robin McPherson, senior coordinator for fraternities and sororities, said that new member orientation will continue as previously planned, despite the delay. When it was decided to postpone bid day, she said the ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase

University prepares for winter storm, cancels weekend events

January 22, 2026 by Leslie Carrigan Leave a Comment

Students and faculty across campus are preparing for a winter storm this weekend, where temperatures are predicted to get as low as 9 degrees Fahrenheit with high chances of rain and snow. Temperatures will begin to drop on Friday with a high of 49 and a low of 18 with a 91% chance of rain, according to the Weather Channel. Saturday is predicted ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase

Gallery: Football defeats Lamar in first round of FCS playoffs

December 3, 2025 by Leslie Carrigan Leave a Comment

The Wildcats beat Lamar University 38-20 on Saturday at Wildcat Stadium in the first round of the FCS playoffs. Javon Gipson, redshirt senior wide receiver from Richmond, recorded two touchdowns and nine receptions for 164 yards. The win marked ACU’s sixth at home this season, completing an undefeated home slate. The Wildcats will travel to ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Multimedia, Photo Galleries

Bring back philosophy

November 21, 2025 by Leslie Carrigan

"Faith and Philosophy" books in the Brown Library. (photo by Leslie Carrigan)

The word “philosophy” may conjure up many different ideas. For some, it is rich, ancient, old men lying around and asking questions with obvious answers. For others, it may bring to mind people sitting in microbreweries and coffee shops wearing beanies with no job as they ask irrelevant questions about the meaning of life. For those looking to ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Opinion

Fire in WPAC leads to more flooding

November 12, 2025 by Leslie Carrigan

A fan caught fire in the Williams Performing Arts Center late Tuesday night, leading to more flooding after a pipe burst earlier this week. Late Tuesday night, one of the dehumidifiers caught fire. The dehumidifier was there to help dry instruments from a burst pipe that flooded the practice rooms and instrument storage rooms on Sunday. Although ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase

Hotel prices rise in Abilene amid data center construction

October 31, 2025 by Leslie Carrigan

Over the last year, Abilene occupancy has risen 19% compared to last year, leading to rising hotel prices.  As construction of the new Lancium and Crusoe Data Center has begun, the influx of construction workers has caused a rise in hotel occupancy, said Robert Lopez, vice president of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We’ve had a ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News

Campus Center incident leads to uncertainty

October 31, 2025 by Leslie Carrigan

The university's policy regarding tabling in the Campus Center remain uncertain to some students after an incident at the ACU for Life table that led to a petition calling for the protection of free speech on campus. The issue stems from an Oct. 13 incident in which staff members in the Advising Center confronted students at the ACU for Life ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
17 Mar

BREAKING NEWS: Voting is open for the 103rd student body president and vice president. The voting will close on Friday at 3 p.m.

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optimistsports Optimist Sports @optimistsports ·
28 Feb

Several ACU students were removed from the seating behind the Utah Valley bench late in the fourth quarter while arguing with UVU fans. After a conversation with ACUPD and other staff members, they were relocated to the stands near the UVU bench on the south baseline.

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The Optimist is with ACU Journalism and Mass Communication.

2 days ago

The Optimist
The Optimist staff won several awards and competed at the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association 2026 convention in Denton this weekend. Students participated in live contests and submitted work from the past year into the competition.Here are the results.- 1st place: Live print news writing, Ashley Henderson- 1st place: Live print sports writing, Roman Raffaeli- 2nd place: Live tv announcing, Zion Webb- 2nd place: Live news photo, Daniel Curd- 2nd place: Newscast, Optimist Staff- Honorable mention: Documentary (video), Makayla Clayton- 2nd place: Documentary, JMC documentary production class- 3rd place: General news, Callie Leverett- Honorable mention: General column, Zion Webb- Honorable mention: Sports reporting (video), Roman Raffaeli- Honorable mention: Live sports action photo, Daniel Curd- Honorable mention: General news video story, Ashley Henderson- Honorable mention: Photo illustrations (Daniel Curd & Optimist staffStudents also received awards for their work through KACU and ACUTV.- 1st place: In-depth news reporting (audio), Ashley Henderson- 1st place: General news audio story, Baylie Simon- 1st place: Live sports coverage (video), Roman Raffaeli & London Gray- 2nd place: Live sports coverage (video), Josiah Wonnell & Londyn Gray- 3rd place: General news audio story, Ashley Henderson- 2nd place: Sportscast (audio), Daisy Strine & Zion Webb- 3rd place: Sportscast (audio), Daisy Strine & Zion Webb- 3rd place: Feature reporting (audio), Baylie Simon- Honorable Mention: Feature reporting (audio), Josiah Wonnell#acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #studentmedia #tipa2026 ... See MoreSee Less

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The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Sororities and fraternities began New Member Orientation with Bid Day, officially starting the pledging process this weekend.Originally scheduled for last week, the start was delayed due to winter weather that brought snow and ice to campus. Clubs and their sponsors gathered at designated locations on and off campus to complete tasks assigned by their officers.To view the full photo gallery, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #greeklife 📸: Daniel Curdacuoptimist.com/2026/02/gallery-clubs-begin-new-member-orientation-after-weather-delay/?fbclid=PA... ... See MoreSee Less

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Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
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  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

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