Dr. Mark Riggs, professor of mathematics, passed away Monday afternoon at the age of 67 after a battle with COVID-19 left him in the hospital for more than two weeks. "He was so gentle and extremely smart," said Katie Maxwell, Riggs' daughter. "I could always go to him as a kid because I know I wouldn't get in trouble right away. He had a really ... [Read More…]
Willis: Olbricht left a lasting legacy
By Dr. John Willis On Aug. 21, 2020, my dear friend and colleague Tom Olbricht passed away at the age of 90. I met Tom at national conferences of the Society of Biblical Literature. Since we were basically in the same field, we were often at the same seminar on these meetings. In 1971, Tom was the one responsible for bringing me to Abilene ... [Read More…]
Obituary: Bleakney remembered for originality onstage and off
Lance Thomas Bleakney, senior theatre major from League City, died Thursday at the age of 21. Bleakney was involved in acting during his time as a B.F.A. Acting Track student and held roles in many shows and musical productions, including Cats, Hands on a Hard Body, James and the Giant Peach, Man of La Mancha, Shakespeare's Merchant of ... [Read More…]
Williams remembered for his selflessness, outgoing personality
Chandler Williams, a senior criminal justice major from Colorado Springs, Colorado, died Sunday in his Edwards Hall dorm room at the age of 21. ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison said ACUPD is still investigating the death. A funeral service for Chandler, who also served as a residence assistant in Edwards, is scheduled for 11 a.m.-noon Thursday at ... [Read More…]
Cooke remembered for passion and drive to teach
Longtime agriculture and environmental professor Dr. James “Jim” Cooke passed away Jan. 13 in Abilene after a short illness. He was 69 years old. Cooke was not just passionate about his work, but passionate to drive others in their work as well, said family and friends. "His two favorite things were working and playing," said his wife, ... [Read More…]
Obituary: Teague remembered by legacy of expansion
The chancellor emeritus and former president of the university, Dr. William J. Teague, died Wednesday morning. Teague attended ACU from 1948 to 1952, and was a member of Frater Sodalis men’s social club, the “A” Club men’s honor organization and – for a year – arranged student devotionals for Chapel. He graduated with a B.A. in speech and ... [Read More…]
Obituary: Clark remembered for accomplishments
Mary Frazier Clark died at the age of 95 on Oct. 20. Clark was the first female member of the board of trustees and an ACU alumna, graduating in 1944. Mary Frazier Clark was born to W.G an Mintie Frazier in Levelland, TX, on Jan. 31, 1932. She married John D. Clark in 1946 in Sundown, who died in 1977. When she attended ACU, she was ... [Read More…]
Coleman contributed to campus tech behind the scenes
Students, faculty and staff depend on campus computer servers, but few knew Gerald Coleman, the man who kept the servers running. In 2005, Gerald started working in Information Services, where he worked closely with Robert Forkner, senior systems administrator. Forkner said he and his team were impressed with Coleman from the first interview, ... [Read More…]