By Lori Bredemeyer, Copy Editor When the emcee at the poetry reading asked them what their name was, one of the guys said, "Just call us The Group." That's where it started for the band of soulful, gospel-singing young men at ACU known as The Group. The charter members all attended Southwestern Christian College in Terrell where they sang ... [Read More…]
Mark of Excellence: Professor Mark Cullum integrates a variety of interests into his career to continually seek challenges
By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor Mark Cullum's first cartoon at age 6 depicted a cat with a regular-size body and a huge head. His older brother thought the drawing was hilarious, so Cullum promptly turned around to make his second cartoon: a cat with a huge body and a tiny head. "I didn't get the same response," he chuckled at the memory. "So ... [Read More…]
Whether at home, at ACU or in the community, Roy and Bonnie Shake always show their dedication to others
By Steve Holt, Staff Writer When Ranger minister Stan Harvey asked the common wedding question, "Who gives this woman to be married?" biology professor Roy Shake answered for Harvey, the bride's adoptive father. "Her father, mother, Bonnie and I," Shake said. And with those words, the bride's foster father from 20 years earlier gave her away to ... [Read More…]
The Road to Redemption: Matthew Young left a life of drugs and a prison gang to follow Christ
By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor Matthew Young's mother described him as a very popular child with a wit that made others like him instantly. A deep thinker and very endearing, he was athletic and had a life of opportunity ahead. That's why the drugs and his imprisonment came as such a shock. It doesn't end there. "My heart was ripped out when ... [Read More…]
For Jack and Jeanene Reese unity is the key to both their ministry and marriage
By Steve Holt, Copy Editor Drs. Jack and Jeanene Reese are quick to say that in their ministry together, God is driving and they are along for the ride, albeit bumpy at times. Jeanene knows this all too well. When Mike Warren was killed in an explosion in 1974, Jeanene lost more than just the $12 she had in the bank. She and her late husband had ... [Read More…]
An Epic Vision
By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor Inspired by Jacob's dream in Genesis 28, Jack Maxwell hopes to share the inspiration with others through his sculpture, Jacob's Ladder Jack Maxwell had a vision. When the Woodward family donated $26 million to ACU five years ago in memory of Grace Woodward, the university wanted to find a way to commemorate a ... [Read More…]
Smiling Bob: At 74, Texas Representative and ACU vice president emeritus Bob Hunter still has enthusiasm for work and life
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor Visitors to State Representative Bob Hunter's office in Austin's capitol building find it hard to miss his elephants. After all, the room is filled with thousands of the tusked beasts-not real elephants, of course, but rather miniature models of every shape and size. "My mother and father-in-law sent us a number of ... [Read More…]
Body and Soul
By Kyle Peveto, Arts Editor Rolando Diaz paints with flowing lines and deep, vivid colors. Reds, greens and yellows, the colors of a salsa dancer's dress, surround a woman cradling her baby. Caribbean Ocean blues saturate an angel playing a violin. Diaz attempts to paint the souls of his often bright and lively subjects. Diaz has made his living ... [Read More…]
Love on the Side: Mary Anne Johnson
By Joel Weckerly, Sports Editor Upon first glance, she's just a cafeteria worker in The Bean, but with every piece of fried chicken and scoop of mashed potatoes, Mary Anne Johnson is serving up a little slice of love. Generally speaking, one person in everyone's life has the potential to make an impact. It could be a parent, a teacher, a coach, a ... [Read More…]
Half a World Away
By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor Mario Santoso had quite a commute ahead of him when he left his hometown to study music in August of 2000: 10,484 miles and 30 hours by plane. But the distance was an easy sacrifice for the opportunity to study the love of his life. "Without music, this life would be dry," Santoso said. Mario's hometown is ... [Read More…]