I'm a junior here at ACU, and I have a heart for service. I'm also a resident assistant in Gardner Hall where I get to reach people daily and show them Christ through my actions. One of my residents, Anna Ciufo, was a victim of the bus accident last semester, and I'm completely elated with her return. It also brought me great joy to see that she ... [Read More…]

It must have happened when I wasn't looking. Surely I would have noticed-But I didn't-until Friday. When did America earn the right to garner more respect than the God of the Universe? I was overcome with respect and gratitude this past Friday as together the ACU community and many visitors honored each branch of the military and the service ... [Read More…]

In response to the recent article in the Optimist about the firing of Joe Paterno I would like to present my reasoning for his firing being justified. I love JoePa as much as the next sports fanatic and I feel like he is my grandpa without ever meeting him. He's built a great legacy on wins, morals and pride. Gwin in his article refers to Paterno ... [Read More…]

ACU Men's Basketball wants to give a special thank you to the ACU students, staff and Wildcat basketball fans who came out to watch the Men's basketball team last Friday and Saturday during our opening weekend. We were very fortunate to get out to a fantastic start of the 2011 - 2012 season producing a 2 - 0 record largely because of your ... [Read More…]

There are critical differences between a corporation and a university, but those would be hard to find when looking at the way our university has decided to handle the upcoming budget cuts. While a corporation is only concerned with its bottom line and cuts are made to those areas losing money, a university is supposed to be holistic in financial ... [Read More…]

This letter to the editor concerns the editorial "'Occupying' won't get you anywhere" printed in Vol. 100, No. 16 issue of the Optimist published Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2011. Everybody is a critic. In a movement as large and widespread as Occupy Wall Street, the people who oppose the 99 are doing it for infantile reasons: "lack of organization or ... [Read More…]

This letter to the editor concerns the editorial "'Occupying' won't get you anywhere" printed in Vol. 100, No. 16 issue of the Optimist published Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2011. I've been dismayed by ACU students twice this week. First, when I read an Abilene Reporter-News article quoting ACU business students as they dismissed the plight of those ... [Read More…]

I thought this was a very good article, and I'm glad that people are feeling confident enough to talk about pledging's pros and cons in a public way. However, there was something I disagree with. The overall tone of this article is negative, and speaks to our inner desire to belong. While this is a valid point, the negativity isn't necessary. The ... [Read More…]

Recently, I overheard a lively political discussion between two students in the Learning Commons. One was explaining how the federal government needs to grow as the U.S. population grows while the other offered counterpoints about minimal roles of the state.  The first asked, "How can Christians complain when the government is filling the gaps ... [Read More…]