The Optimist
You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns

Gen Z won the election for Donald Trump

by

Before the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, Generation Z was described as “woke,” “overly progressive” or "just a bunch of snowflakes.” The election results proved the opposite. Donald Trump’s second presidential victory could not have been possible without the help of 18-30-year-old voters. An NBC News exit poll found that the 47th President ... [Read More…]

A Swift rebuke: When it comes to politics, celebrities just do not get it

by

Immediately after the presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and President-elect Donald Trump, American icon and pop star Taylor Swift endorsed Harris on all of Swift's social media platforms. This was considered to be a big win for the Harris campaign as it rallied the Democratic base and hoped to sway women to vote for the vice ... [Read More…]

More than just four years

by

Abilene Christian University accomplished its mission with me. And I accomplished my mission at ACU. As I prepare for Saturday’s undergraduate graduation ceremony to take on the world, I am grateful for this university and its people. The relationships and memories I have formed at 1600 Campus Court have not just defined my past four years, but ... [Read More…]

Prediction: ACU vs. Texas Tech

by

Football will kick off its season against Texas Tech on Saturday in Lubbock. This game will mark the first of two to be played against the Red Raiders, the latter coming in September of 2026. This weekend’s matchup has been highly anticipated among the ACU fanbase as it marks Head Coach Keith Patterson’s return to Lubbock, where he was formerly ... [Read More…]

Burnout: The Real ACU Athletics Difference

by

The mission of ACU is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. What is Christian service and leadership, though? Is the department of athletics doing Christian service and being Christian leaders? I believe students and alumni have bountiful opportunities to do so, but the department of athletics ... [Read More…]

The root of ACU’s love and hate

by

Ending my college education early was always the plan for me, but the things that I have been able to see, experience and examine about ACU's community were not. I have found immense growth in ACU over the past three and a half years, but ACU still has a long road to climb if it wants to keep catering to students as the world changes around ... [Read More…]

Domestic violence, let’s actually talk about it

by

Title IX is more than a joke. It is a conversation. Across colleges in America, a Title IX office is present to support students through any sexual and/or dating violence experiences.  Campus apps like Yik Yak and Fizz flow with jokes about reporting someone for Title IX, but the office's work is a conversation far beyond the laugh.  Title ... [Read More…]

Skipping class is a drug

by

Skipping class is arguably one of the easiest things that we can do as college students. Not only is it free, it frees up time and allows you to sleep longer than you were going to originally or work on homework you might have missed. However much like a drug, it only takes one skip to become hooked. While I too suffer from this all too common ... [Read More…]

Athletics have a lack of traditions leading to low engagement from students

by

ACU has a storied history of athletics,  but unlike colleges with similar emphasis on athletics, there are hardly any unique athletic traditions even after the move to Div. I in 2013, leading to a lack of student engagement and overall care for athletics. As someone who has been to ACU sporting events for over a decade now, student engagement ... [Read More…]

You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns