Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Podcasts
    • Optimist Overtime
    • Top of the Key
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Features / Obituary

Dr. Mark Riggs, 67, dies after battle with COVID-19

December 14, 2020 by Owen Simpson Leave a Comment

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…]

Filed Under: Breaking News, News, Obituary

Willis: Olbricht left a lasting legacy

September 1, 2020 by Special Contributor

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…]

Filed Under: Obituary

Obituary: Bleakney remembered for originality onstage and off

May 29, 2019 by Allison Harrell

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…]

Filed Under: Features, Obituary

Williams remembered for his selflessness, outgoing personality

April 4, 2019 by Lauren Franco

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…]

Filed Under: Obituary

Cooke remembered for passion and drive to teach

January 17, 2019 by Dillon Daniel

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…]

Filed Under: Features, Obituary, Showcase

Obituary: Teague remembered by legacy of expansion

November 29, 2018 by Lauren Franco

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…]

Filed Under: Obituary, Showcase

Obituary: Clark remembered for accomplishments

October 29, 2018 by Allayna Ford

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…]

Filed Under: Obituary

Coleman contributed to campus tech behind the scenes

August 31, 2017 by Haley Remenar

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…]

Filed Under: News, Obituary

You are here: Home / Features / Obituary

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
16 Jan

Active COVID-19 cases dropped for the fifth-consecutive day at ACU Friday. There are currently 30 active cases and 86 quarantines.

Reply on Twitter 1350232273191395336Retweet on Twitter 1350232273191395336Like on Twitter 135023227319139533610Twitter 1350232273191395336
acuoptimistThe Optimist@acuoptimist·
15 Jan

Yu Zhong, a psychology major from Lijiang, China, was arrested Friday at his University Park apartment on child porn charges, according to police. This is a developing story. Read more below:
https://acuoptimist.com/2021/01/student-arrested-on-child-porn-charge/

Reply on Twitter 1350203450064297984Retweet on Twitter 1350203450064297984Like on Twitter 1350203450064297984Twitter 1350203450064297984

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 days ago

The Optimist
Active COVID-19 cases dropped for the fifth- consecutive day at ACU Friday. There are currently 30 active cases and 86 quarantines. Taylor County continues to see increased numbers with over 2500 active cases. ...

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

3 days ago

The Optimist
Yu Zhong, a freshman psychology major from Lijiang, China, was arrested Friday at his University Park apartment on child porn charges, according to police. This is a developing story. Read more below: ...

Student arrested on child porn charge - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Yu Zhong, a freshman psychology major from Lijiang, China, was arrested Friday at his University Park apartment on child porn charges, according to police. Zhong, 23, was arrested after he was flagged by software that detects child porn. “While no corner of our society is immune from these challen...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Praise Day Fridays return to campus

Video by Allie Jones. https://youtu.be/4F0D1oNzGjM   ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast – Nov. 5, 2020
  • ACUTV, Optimist preparing for live election show
  • Earliest snowfall recorded in Abilene

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Weekly Ads
  • Classifieds

© 2021 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved