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A Transformational Chief: Over 15 years, Ellison has turned ACUPD into a professional police force

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ACU Police Chief Jimmy Ellison's career as a police officer started out normal: as a patrolman straight out of the police academy in the mid '80s. At the Beaumont Police Department, he eventually worked his way up the ranks to sergeant and then transferred to the narcotics department before finally making the move to ACU, where's he's now in his ... [Read More…]

From walking on to running in: Former walk-on turns opportunity into reality

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As a walk-on Adrian Duncan knew he'd have to prove himself. Unlike many walk-ons Duncan was not redshirted his freshman year. In fact Duncan was efficient in four games totaling 156 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries, but playing behind Oklahoma State transfer Herschel Sims and sharing snaps with fellow freshman at the time, DeAndre Brown, ... [Read More…]

Carroll balances cancer and career

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After being diagnosed with breast cancer in March, Dr. Laura Carroll has kept up with both her job as an associate professor of English and her position in the Adams Center as the director of faculty development – all while driving back and forth to Dallas for chemotherapy. Though it's been hard to manage and find a good balance between her ... [Read More…]

High school teammates LeSeuer and Sandercox help each other in transition

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This year ACU volleyball welcomed seven freshmen, two of which came from the same hometown, and yes, the same high school. Middle blocker Marybeth Sandercox and right side hitter Makenna LeSueur have been playing alongside each other on the court since their freshman year at Frenship High School in Lubbock, Texas. And now they are bringing their ... [Read More…]

From Abilene to Africa: alumnus creates unique fundraiser for mission trip

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Erika Scott ('16) grew up as a missionary kid in Chang Mai, Thailand, over 8,000 miles away from the small town of Abilene. Several generations of her father’s family attended ACU, so she decided to follow in their footsteps and attend as well – she graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in communication, and now plans to become a missionary ... [Read More…]

Denmark defines success with team accomplishments

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For junior linebacker Sam Denmark, playing linebacker is about more than the statistics and the accolades. When asked about the people on the team that others should watch this year Denmark is quick to point out the entire defensive line. "They're incredible, all those guys give credit to me, but they do all the work. I just get all the glory," ... [Read More…]

Abilene artist finds purpose painting murals

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Red roses intertwine across the whitewashed bricks, accompanied by the hashtag #PrayForRosie stenciled in neat, block letters; just a few streets away, a sunset splashes against the side of a building, adding a pop of color to the otherwise dreary structure. If you’ve driven downtown recently, you’ve probably seen the two new murals that sprung up ... [Read More…]

Vanderpools start mission in Haiti

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After volunteering medical help to victims of the earthquake that rocked the small island of Haiti in 2010, Dr. David Vanderpool (‘82) and his wife Laurie (‘81) felt called to live in Haiti on a full-time basis. So in 2013, the Vanderpools sold their house and private medical practice in Tennessee and officially moved to Thomazeau, Haiti – a region ... [Read More…]

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