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You are here: Home / Mark Smith

Budget plan to cut more jobs

May 3, 2013 by Mark Smith

About a year and a half ago, Dr. Phil Schubert stood before a packed Hart Auditorium, twice, to give details on a plan to cut $10 million from the university's budget. The two-year plan, effective in May 2012, called for elimination of about 35 university positions. A handful of those positions, most of them in Student Life, are about to be cut ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Budget

Flemings raise about $12K in fundraiser

May 3, 2013 by Mark Smith

In one packed night at Chick-Fil-A, Lance and Jill Fleming raised about $12 thousand for their charity they created in honor of their son, Rex. Rex Fleming died in November from a two-year-long fight with cancer. He spent a lot of time in Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth, undergoing chemotherapy treatments and surgeries. He enjoyed playing ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Fundraising, Rex Fleming

Some final thoughts from our fearless leader

May 3, 2013 by Mark Smith

I graduate from college in a week. And it seems like only three years I was graduating from high school. The Nostalgia Effect I may have had a shorter stay at ACU than most, but that doesn't mean I'm not sad to be leaving my dear Christian College, nor does it mean I haven't acquired any outstanding memories along the way: Watching every episode ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: Optimist, Senior Column

The tale of a simple sports reporter turned Chief

May 1, 2013 by Mark Smith

I have a confession to make. During my first semester at ACU, I rarely read the Optimist. I didn't find it interesting. I didn't care about administration changes, campus events or what the editorial board thought about iPads in the classroom. I was happy to be an ignorant, happy, social freshman journalism major with visions of ESPN employment ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: Optimist, Senior Column

Baby faces, unite in youthfulness

April 26, 2013 by Mark Smith

I do not look like I'm 12 years old. I look 15. And I'm OK with this. As a freshman, I did look 12. But a couple years at the Optimist will put the age in your face real quick. At the beginning of my first Christmas break of college, I flew from Abilene to DFW and then on to Richmond, Va., my hometown. Three different flight attendants asked me ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns

Class attendance policy is helpful

April 24, 2013 by Mark Smith

I respectfully disagree with the rest of the editorial board. Mandatory class attendance is a good thing. I quickly realized in our meeting that I was outnumbered, but I still wanted to share the opposing view. Yes, students (or their parents) pay to go to class, so the argument that they should be able to skip as much as they want holds ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns Tagged With: Attendance

Fertilizer plant explodes in West, students from area worry about home town

April 19, 2013 by Mark Smith

A fertilizer plant exploded Wednesday evening in West, about 20 miles north of Waco, reportedly killing several people and injuring many more. While national and local newspapers and news stations are reporting conflicting numbers of those killed and injured by the explosion, the Waco Tribune-Herald reported Thursday that an estimated five to 15 ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News

Feeding frenzy: Sharky’s continues to attract students

April 19, 2013 by Mark Smith

Emily Teel, sophomore art major from Abilene, sees her friends every time she's at work. Teel works at Sharky's Burrito Co., the popular build-your-own-burrito restaurant located near the Abilene Christian University campus. One of the few burrito places in Abilene, it is frequented by many students from ACU and Hardin-Simmons University, as well ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features Tagged With: Around Abilene

Flapjack fundraising: Student event raises money for Parkinson’s research

April 17, 2013 by Mark Smith

Another "boys vs. girls" competition raised more than $1,500 for Parkinson's disease research with breakfast food. On Thursday evening, about 250 students came through the Gardner West lobby to enjoy pancakes, live music and socializing with other students at the Pancakes for Parkinson's fundraiser event, led by Addie Schmitz, sophomore youth and ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase Tagged With: Gardner Hall

Endurance runners fear Boston bombings will change sport

April 17, 2013 by Mark Smith

ACU endurance athletes believe the bombing in Monday's Boston Marathon has changed the sport forever. Two blasts exploded near the finish line a little more than four hours into the race, sending the crowd and exhausted runners into a panic. The explosions killed three people and injured dozens more and caused major cities around the nation to ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Terrorism

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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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28 Feb

An altercation occurred between Associate Head Coach Yannick Denson and UVU Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Josh Morzelewski ahead of the 1 p.m. tip. The playing surface was mopped less than an hour before tip, while the Wolverines were completing their pregame warmups.

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The Optimist

1 month 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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The Optimist

1 month ago

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Check out this wider view of the snow on campus from our drone shots over the weekend!Wednesday classes will move to remote instruction, and offices will remain closed.🎥: Daniel Curd #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #winterstorm ... 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…]

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