The Optimist
  • Home
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Features
  • Print Edition
    • The Pessimist
    • Special Projects
  • Police Log
  • Classifieds
You are here: Home / Features / Obituary

Honoring Dr. Orneita Burton’s life, legacy

October 9, 2025 by Callie Leverett Leave a Comment

Dr. Orneita Burton, professor of management sciences, passed away last Sunday, leaving behind a legacy of intentional service and leadership in education that inspired those around her. Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, sent out an email the day after, informing staff, faculty and students of her passing. All flags on campus ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Obituary, Showcase

Former first lady Pam Money remembered lovingly

December 17, 2024 by Brylie Mahar

Pam (Handy ‘65) Money, who was a consummate first lady for the university for two decades as the wife of former ACU President Royce Money, passed away on Nov. 25, 2024, in Abilene. A memorial service to honor Pam Money took place Nov. 30 at the University Church of Christ. She was 81. Her husband Royce described her as a perfect blend of grace, ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Obituary, Showcase

ACU Remembers: Memorializing dearly missed members of the community

August 26, 2022 by Sydney Varner

Dr. Andrea Stefano  Dr. Andrea Di Stefano passed away June 6, 2022 while visiting his family in Italy. Di Stefano, an adjunct professor of history and global studies, held a Doctor of Research from the Università degli Studi di Teramo in Italy. Before moving to Abilene in 2016, Di Stefano worked in two leading museums in Italy and taught for the ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Obituary, Showcase

Faculty, friends remember the life of ubiquitous Marcus Mullings

April 5, 2022 by Kauy Ostlien

Marcus Mullings, a well-known and ever-present member of the ACU and Abilene community, passed away on March 8, 2022, at the age of 89 of natural causes. Born in Cincinnati, Mullings grew up in Abilene with his father, Dr. Marcus E. Mullings, a faculty member in the Department of Mathematics from 1935 to 1973, spending most of those years as the ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Obituary

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

December 14, 2020 by Owen Simpson

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

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »
You are here: Home / Features / Obituary

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
10 Nov

NEWS: Students can officially opt out of Wildcat Access program for the spring 2026 semester. The opt out period will run from today through Nov. 23.

Reply on Twitter 1988004337612976556 Retweet on Twitter 1988004337612976556 Like on Twitter 1988004337612976556 Twitter 1988004337612976556
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
1 Nov

BREAKING NEWS: The winners of the 2025 Homecoming Parade are: Sanctify in the student organization division, Ko Jo Kai in the sorority division and Gamma Sigma Phi in the fraternity division.

Reply on Twitter 1984744359288344797 Retweet on Twitter 1984744359288344797 Like on Twitter 1984744359288344797 3 Twitter 1984744359288344797

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
Andrew North was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at 3 months old; he’s never known life without it. Now, in his late 20s and married, North has cultivated a fulfilling life despite facing adversity from the perceived limitations of his chronic disease. North is an ACU graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family services.To read more, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link below. #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #feature acuoptimist.com/2025/11/grad-student-with-cystic-fibrosis-wins-scholarship-strives-to-make-an-imp...📝: Callie Leverett ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

The Optimist

2 months ago

The Optimist
The Indian Culture Association hosted their annual Golden Gala last Saturday at Hillcrest Church. Students, faculty, and members of ICA gathered together to celebrate the beauty of Indian Culture. To view the full photo gallery, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link below. #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #photography acuoptimist.com/2025/11/gallery-ica-hosts-the-annual-golden-gala/📸: Callie Brimberry ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

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

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 28, 2024

Our top stories today include a recap of The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940, the ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 21, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 14, 2024
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 24, 2024

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Policies
    • Advertising Policy
    • Letters to the Editor and Reader Comments
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Features
  • Advertise
    • Paid Advertisement
  • Police Log

© 2026 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved