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You are here: Home / Owen Simpson

Reflecting on a memorable three years

May 4, 2021 by Owen Simpson

(Senior reflection column) My time at ACU was for different than most. In addition to being immersed in a student body embracing a worldwide pandemic, I decided to finish my undergraduate in just three years. Despite such aspirations, I was often working more than doing school. As a freshman, I was blessed with countless opportunities to grow ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns

Moody Coliseum renovation on schedule for December partial opening

April 30, 2021 by Owen Simpson

https://youtu.be/vIplwBtxHqg ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Videos

Brette Tanner named new men’s basketball head coach

April 14, 2021 by Owen Simpson

Associate head coach Brette Tanner was promoted to be the next head coach at ACU during a press conference Wednesday after Joe Golding accepted a new head coaching job at UTEP. Tanner will be the 17th head coach in program history. “I’m humbled and honored to be the next head coach of Abilene Christian basketball and to continue leading this ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Breaking News, Showcase, Sports

Golding leaves ACU for new coaching job at UTEP

April 13, 2021 by Owen Simpson

Head coach Joe Golding leaves ACU for a new head coach position at UTEP. Golding was ACU's head coach for 10 seasons and led the team during its transition to Div. I. After his first seven seasons as head coach, his combined record was 87-121. However, the last three seasons, Golding and the Wildcats were a combined 71-23, capturing two ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Breaking News, Showcase, Sports

May outdoor commencement encouraging masks, social distancing

April 13, 2021 by Owen Simpson

The university will honor fall 2020 and spring 2021 graduates at Wildcat Stadium for the commencement ceremonies May 7-8, but it will look different than in year's past due to COVID-19 regulations. Dr. Eric Gumm, registrar and director of the first-year program and academic development, said it's a relief to have a slow return to normal that ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase

ACU lifting mask requirement, not requiring vaccinations in fall semester

April 8, 2021 by Owen Simpson

The university will drop its mask mandate inside campus buildings and classrooms for the fall semester and resume large Chapel gatherings. ACU plans to keep its COVID-19 protocols in place throughout the summer, including face mask requirements inside and social-distanced classrooms. "Over this last year, ACU has demonstrated its ability to ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Breaking News, News, Showcase

FilmFest to hit the screen Friday at the Beauchamp

April 7, 2021 by Owen Simpson

The 17th annual FilmFest Gala, organized by the Learning Studio will take place at 8 p.m. Friday at the Beauchamp Amphitheater. Melissa Henderson, director of this year's short film festival, has worked with FilmFest and the Learning Studio since 2015 and said preparation for FilmFest has been a far different experience during the COVID-19 ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase

The return to normal is knocking at the door

April 6, 2021 by Owen Simpson

We've all endured in different ways over the past year throughout the trials and tribulations of the COVID-19 pandemic. There's no question that we're still feeling the impact, but continued vaccination efforts and the passage of time has revealed that we're winning the battle against this virus. As more vaccines continue to be rolled out and ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Wildcats conclude historic season against UCLA

March 22, 2021 by Owen Simpson

ACU's historic season reached its conclusion in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament Monday night against UCLA, 67-47. After shocking the Texas Longhorns in the First Round, the Wildcats were hoping to become the first 14-seed in 25 years to reach the Sweet 16, but poor shooting sealed their fate. "We had a 10-point game. We've been there ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Breaking News, News, Showcase, Sports

ACU stuns Texas, claims first NCAA Tournament win in school history

March 21, 2021 by Owen Simpson

The Wildcats forced 23 turnovers and held Texas to a season-low 52 points in their first NCAA Tournament victory in school history Saturday night. "We showed tremendous heart tonight, a ton of adversity all night long, couldn't get the ball to go in the basket, couldn't find a way to score, but just continued to guard and found a way to get on ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Breaking News, News, Showcase, Sports

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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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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
29 Mar

Sing Song 2026 Awards Women’s Division:

Overall Award:
1. Ko Jo Kai
2. Sigma Theta Chi
3. Tri Kappa Gamma

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The Optimist is with ACU Journalism and Mass Communication.

1 week 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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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…]

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