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You are here: Home / Sydney Varner

ACUPD finds no evidence of racially motivated crime in Galaxy paintball incident

October 12, 2021 by Sydney Varner

The ACU Police Department on Tuesday concluded a criminal investigation of an incident that took place last month at a Galaxy fraternity rush and have confirmed what police say is a violation of Texas hazing law, referring the case to the university. At the same time, ACUPD reported it found no evidence of a racially motivated criminal act, ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News

Fraternity under investigation for alleged racially motivated hazing incident

October 8, 2021 by Sydney Varner

Upon further investigation, ACUPD has concluded there was no evidence of a racially motivated criminal act. Please see the most recent article here. An ACU fraternity is under investigation for an incident in which a Black student was targeted with paintballs during a rush on Sept. 20.  An email sent out Friday evening by Dr. Phil Schubert, ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News

Police log for Sept. 21 – 28, 2021

September 30, 2021 by Sydney Varner

09/22/2021 1:46 p.m. SUSPICIOUS PERSON ACU FACILITIES:  LUNSFORD TRAIL A citizen reported a subject walking on Lunsford Trail throwing items out of his bag and cursing loudly and possibly on drugs.  Officers contacted the subject who is a transient and stated he was having a bad day. The subject was not intoxicated or any sign of drugs.  The ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Police Log

ACU achieves record enrollment

September 14, 2021 by Sydney Varner

ACU hit record total institutional enrollment for the fourth consecutive year, buoyed by growth in the number of students enrolled at ACU Dallas. Total enrollment is 5,334 students, 3,554 of which are students enrolled on the Abilene campus, according to the email sent Wednesday by Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university.  Of the ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News

Gallery: Students attend commemorative 9/11 Chapel

September 11, 2021 by Sydney Varner

Students attended a memorial chapel on Friday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. Before the Chapel, students placed 2,996 flags in the campus mall to honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives that day. Austin Petree, junior political science major from Abilene, led a memorial discussion in front of the flags. ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Multimedia, Photo Galleries

Two-week mask mandate implemented in response to rising COVID case numbers

September 7, 2021 by Sydney Varner

A two-week mask mandate was put in place Monday, according to an email sent to students, faculty and staff by Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university. The email stated that the change in health precautions comes in the wake of rising numbers in COVID-19 cases throughout the Abilene community. "The goal of this change is to protect ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News

Gallery: OMA hosts mixer to introduce student organizations, leadership teams

September 7, 2021 by Sydney Varner

The Office of Multicultural Affairs hosted its first mixer of the semester Monday evening. Students heard from leaders of the International Student Association, Hispanos Unidos, Brothers, Black Student Union and LYNAY as they gathered to share food and company in the Hunter Welcome Center. ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Photo Galleries

Meet the 2021-22 Optimist Editorial Board

September 4, 2021 by Sydney Varner, Maci Weathers, Hannah Maniscalo, Carrie Johnston, Connor Mullins, Riley Fisher, Allie Jones and Nathaniel Chisholm

As the semester moves forward, you will see articles published by the Optimist Editorial Board. Such pieces are not indicative of one persons opinion, but rather a combination of opinions and beliefs of the Optimist Editorial Board. We felt it was beneficial for you to get to know us each individually before you hear our voice ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Editorials, Opinion

Sen. Cruz makes campus visit to talk NEXT

September 3, 2021 by Sydney Varner

U.S. Sen Ted Cruz made a stop in Abilene to visit ACU’s NEXT Lab while on a tour of cities across the state.  Cruz met with members of the university’s faculty and administration at the Halbert-Walling Science Center to talk about clean energy and NEXT Lab's pioneering advancements.  “It’s been great to visit with the leadership at ACU and to ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News, Showcase

Students involved in accident on campus

August 23, 2021 by Sydney Varner

Hannah Pinson, senior accounting major from Abilene was struck by a vehicle near the corner of Campus Court and College Drive after the Surfaces concert on Saturday night. Pinson was taken to a hospital and treated for a severe concussion and other minor injuries and is reported to be in a stable condition. ACUPD later confirmed another student was ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: News

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