The Optimist
You are here: Home / Features

8,000 miles from home: Rwandan Iryamukuru adapts to U.S. culture as an international student

by

Olivier Iryamukuru is from a "little bitty country in central Africa" – Rwanda. He found out about ACU in a program called Reach to Rwanda that takes students in Rwanda and helps them find universities in the U.S. – so when he finished high school, they helped him find a Christian university. "I decided to come here because ACU is a Christian ... [Read More…]

Abilene’s own Fixer Upper: Trained as an academic, communication professor hammers a hobby into business

by

“It seems like he knows a lot of stuff, he kind of knows a little bit of everything,” 14-year-old Ben Camp says as his dad walks across the house to turn on the AC in the dusty living room. Aaron Copland’s Pandora station plays from a speaker. “My dad knows how to…” Ben starts to say. “I know how to find a YouTube video,” Ben’s father, Jon ... [Read More…]

For the Dreamer: ‘The Mountaintop’ offers a new perspective of Martin Luther King Jr.

by

The Department of Theatre has turned Fulks Theatre into the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, circa April 4, 1968 – just hours before civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The Mountaintop imagines a series of events that could have taken place the night before Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, said Adam Hester, ... [Read More…]

The Mountaintops Call For John Willis: Bible professor to retire after 61 years of teaching

by

A tranquil silence dwells in the hallways and the glass-ceiling foyer of the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building. And ever so quietly, you hear small footsteps – muffled, shuffled and hushed as to not disturb the presence of the godly scholars residing behind the closed office doors. With hunched shoulders, squinty eyes hidden behind bifocals ... [Read More…]

Engineering Success: Time management has become a key component for Shelstead

by

In just her junior year, Sydney Shelstead a 6’1" forward from Mineral Wells ranked in the Southland Conference top 10 in five categories: rebounding, offensive and defensive rebounds, field-goal percentage and blocks. She also hit 1000 career points and over 400 in the season alone. And with six games remaining in her playing career, Shelstead ... [Read More…]

Smith Adams resident starts coffee cafe in dorm

by

Solomon Gerges stares carefully at his portafilter, making sure the coffee grounds are perfectly smooth across making an even bed. He skillfully tamps the coffee on the countertop, applying 30 pounds of pressure and thus preparing it for the wrath of the dragon boiler that will brew it into a shot of espresso. As the brew rains then streams into ... [Read More…]

Hot, hot, hot: Six talented performers take the stage as hosts and hostesses

by

Sing Song hosts and hostesses have been a part of ACU's biggest tradition for decades now. The six performers sing and dance their way through transitions between the acts, providing entertainment for the audience. Though they don't get the chance to win Sing Song bragging rights like those participating in the acts, they still get a ... [Read More…]

To Gillian on her 37th Birthday: Exploring faith, grief and renewal

by

To Gillian on her 37th Birthday opens this Friday as the Theatre department's winter play. The show, written by Michael Brady, is about a woman named Gillian who dies on her 37th birthday. Her loved ones – including her husband, daughter, sister and brother-in-law – gather in Nantucket and struggle through the grief caused by Gillian's death. The ... [Read More…]

You are here: Home / Features