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You are here: Home / Marissa Jones

The tale of a tongue-tied traveler

February 15, 2013 by Marissa Jones

My Spanish teacher told me I had one of the worst Spanish accents she'd ever heard. She said this to me in front of the whole class after I had answered a question. Strangely enough, my eagerness to speak in a foreign language just hasn't quite been the same ever since. Part of the problem is I can't roll my tongue. This is a pretty quintessential ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: Study Abroad

The Cowboys aren’t popular with the Brits, either

February 1, 2013 by Marissa Jones

A normal person is 80 percent water. I'm now 80 percent tea. Instead of having holidays like Columbus Day and President's Day, the British have enough tea breaks to replace them. Studying abroad feels a bit like they dropped us on an island with some matches and shelter and waved good-bye. Except maybe not at all. Life without the Bean or food ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: Study Abroad

Ceremony sends off seniors

January 16, 2013 by Marissa Jones

Nearly 200 undergraduate students received their diplomas on Dec. 14 in Moody Coliseum. "It's really strange graduating a semester early, because a vast majority of my friends still have a whole semester to spend together," said Carrie Baker, senior psychology major from Plano. "That's probably the saddest part about it, that I have to leave my ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Commencement

My passport has turned me into an existentialist

December 5, 2012 by Marissa Jones

The complicated and soul-sucking process to get a passport has made me lose some hope in society. The first sign that there was something soulless about the process was when they told me not to smile. Smiling is apparently banned in passport pictures to help facial recognition machines in airports, but I think there is something deeply wrong with ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: Study Abroad

CAS dean finalist withdraws

November 30, 2012 by Marissa Jones

The search for a dean of the College of Arts and Sciences is now unclear after the withdrawal of one of the two finalists. Dr. Murel Jones, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Elizabeth City State University, was named a finalist along with Dr. Greg Straughn, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Dr. Jones was invited to ACU ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Dean Search

Students switch Dining roles

November 28, 2012 by Marissa Jones

ACU students turned the tables and held a potluck for Dining Services employees to show students' appreciation for their hard work on Nov. 16. Last year, Residence Assistants and residents of Nelson and McDonald Halls served employees desserts to show their appreciation. "My hall in Nelson came up with the idea that we needed to serve the people ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Beyond 31, Campus Dining, Community Service

New office promotes scholarships

November 14, 2012 by Marissa Jones

The Honors College recently created the Office of Major Scholarships to help walk students through the process of  applying for competitive national scholarships. Next semester, an Honors colloquium will be offered in conjunction with this office. Dr. Jason Morris, associate dean of the Honors College, was chosen to direct the Office of Major ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Scholarship

A saga’s search for a new hope

November 6, 2012 by Marissa Jones

When I was young, I was a bona fide tomboy. I made fun of girls who liked pink. I climbed trees like a maniac. My legs were perpetually covered in bruises and cuts from my adventures. But most of all, I loved Star Wars. As an 8-year-old, I clearly remember sitting on the front row of the movie theater, neck craned back, mouth open wide, in awe of ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: Entertainment

Frats scare in ‘Lost Island’

November 2, 2012 by Marissa Jones

This Halloween, Frater Sodalis cebrated 30 nights of fright with their haunted house "The Island Lost in Time." For 30 years, the men's social club, Frats, has hosted a haunted house in the fall as a fundraiser for the club. Wesley Racca, the fundraiser for Frats, said the Bermuda Triangle inspired this year's theme. "It's a place where anything ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Frater Sodalis, Halloween, Haunted House

Religious schools fight Obamacare

October 24, 2012 by Marissa Jones

After Obamacare required employers to cover contraception and some abortifacients in their health plans, religiously affiliated universities cried foul against this mandate and claimed the mandate violates religious freedom, said Dr. Allison Garrett, executive vice president of ACU. As part of Obamacare, the U.S. Depart of Health and Human ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Healthcare

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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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