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

New library dean brings 18 years of leadership to ACU

February 20, 2026 by Leslie Carrigan Leave a Comment

*Note: In an earlier version of the story it said ‘Mark McCowan, but it has since been changed to McCallon for accuracy. Dr. Lee Anne Paris was named the new Dean of Library Services and Educational Technology and will step into the role on Aug. 1. Paris is the executive director of academic policy and curriculum at the University of ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

View from the sidelines: Life during New Member Orientation

February 13, 2026 by Makayla Clayton

New Member Orientation season is once again underway, and even students who are not participating say it is impossible to ignore. From coordinated outfits at Chapel to chants echoing through the campus, pledging traditions have become part of the daily rhythm of campus life. For students watching from the sidelines, the experience is equal parts ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

Saunders Center for Joy and Human Flourishing to have grand opening in fall 2026

January 30, 2026 by Callie Leverett

A new place of rest and connection is arriving on campus this summer as construction wraps up on the Saunders Center for Joy and Human Flourishing in the Mabee wing of the library, with an official grand opening planned for the fall. “I knew I wanted that space to be almost like a place of refuge and rest,” said Dr. Claire Davidson-Frederick, ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, News

Dr. Jason Morris receives third Fulbright Award, leading the way for higher education scholars

January 30, 2026 by Joshua Varner

Dr. Jason Morris, dean of the Honors College, has been awarded his third Fulbright Award.  Morris, professor of core curriculum, was awarded the Fulbright International Education Administrators Award. As part of this award, he will represent the University on a two-week experience in Taiwan in March to learn about international higher education. ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

Church of Christ members navigate Christmas without a biblical blueprint

December 5, 2025 by Baylie Simon

In the New Testament, Christians are not seen celebrating Christmas. There is the birth of Jesus, but his birth is not marked as a day of celebration for Christians in the Bible.  The Church of Christ strives to imitate the New Testament as closely as possible. For some members, this means not celebrating Christmas at all. For others, this means ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

Letters of Love: Students spreading joy to hospital rooms one card at a time

November 21, 2025 by Ashley Henderson

As Ella Beeman walked from her BioChem class to the Bible building for Chapel, she thought about how the next hour would unfold. She had poured her heart into making the day happen, and now, it was finally here. She wondered if people would even show up. Students walked in front of her, in the same direction, but she was still not sure if they ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

Grad student with cystic fibrosis wins scholarship, strives to make an impact

November 21, 2025 by Callie Leverett

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 ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Showcase

Loyalty, growth, commitment: The Colt Cooper story

November 18, 2025 by Roman Raffaeli

In an era of college sports where nobody stays, one Wildcat has.  Colt Cooper, redshirt senior defensive lineman from Quinlan, is the only Wildcat to have been with the program for the last five years.  In fact, he is the only Wildcat who precedes Head Coach Keith Patterson amidst his fourth season at the helm of the football ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Sports

Triple twins lead Wildcats on field, court, pitch

October 31, 2025 by Roman Raffaeli

To some, sports is just the game, a way to blow off steam or forget about the stress of daily life. To others, sports is life, something individuals pour their blood, sweat and tears into to be great or fulfilled. But for six Wildcats, sports is family – literally. Starting this fall, three sets of twins are playing on the various Wildcat ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features, Sports

Powell cultivates a career of curiosity, chemistry

October 31, 2025 by Callie Leverett

Those who study English and want to study Edgar Allen Poe, will read his works, Dr. Cynthia Powell said, and those who study art and want to study Picasso, will look at what he painted. “In my class, you get to study what God has made,” Powell said, as a professor in the chemistry and biochemistry. “We are studying God’s handiwork and that ... [Read More…]

Filed Under: Features

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 58
  • Next Page »
You are here: Home / Features

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
9 May

BREAKING: The 2026 teacher of the year is Dr. Clint Buck, assistant professor of accounting in the College of Business Administration.

Reply on Twitter 2053158226070257771 Retweet on Twitter 2053158226070257771 Like on Twitter 2053158226070257771 2 Twitter 2053158226070257771
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
4 May

BREAKING NEWS: James Bradshaw and Maddie Grace Fridge are the 2026 Mr. ACU and Miss ACU.

Reply on Twitter 2051110655172784350 Retweet on Twitter 2051110655172784350 Like on Twitter 2051110655172784350 4 Twitter 2051110655172784350

Optimist on Facebook

This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts.
Click to show error
Error: Server configuration issue Error: No posts available for this Facebook ID

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