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

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 ·
29 Mar

Sing Song 2026 Awards Class Division:

Overall Award:
1. Mixed
2. Seniors
3. Freshman White

Reply on Twitter 2038098756579508469 Retweet on Twitter 2038098756579508469 Like on Twitter 2038098756579508469 2 Twitter 2038098756579508469
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
29 Mar

Sing Song 2026 Awards Women’s Division:

Overall Award:
1. Ko Jo Kai
2. Sigma Theta Chi
3. Tri Kappa Gamma

Reply on Twitter 2038098512471093381 Retweet on Twitter 2038098512471093381 Like on Twitter 2038098512471093381 3 Twitter 2038098512471093381

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

4 days ago

The Optimist
Happy April Fools’ Day! From Willie the Wildcat being drafted to Sub T-16 replacing the cheer team, we are giving you all of the latest and totally real news happening on campus! You can find more of the Pessimist stories in the newspapers around campus or by visiting acuoptimist.com. #acupessimist #abilenechristianuniversity #aprilfoolsday ... See MoreSee Less

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

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

The Optimist

1 week ago

The Optimist
It is officially Sing Song weekend, and The Optimist is covering the show and all of the news happening around campus. Check out our annual predictions and pick up a copy of our print issue!#acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #singsong #news ... See MoreSee Less

Video

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