As the speechwriter for the grand opening of the Robert R. and Kay Onstead Science Center on Aug. 24, 2018, I interviewed a faculty member in the sciences and wrote the following remarks for them for the event: “I love telling [prospective students] how much ACU cares about the sciences. … [In labs], we not only train our students as scientists ... [Read More…]
Alumni tuition discount announcement could be placed elsewhere
Thank you, ACU. For those who don't know, ACU just announced that if you hold a bachelor's or master's degree from them, you now qualify for a 20% discount on graduate tuition to online programs. What a nice and very generous surprise. But, if you'd asked me, I'd have suggested something different. I'd have suggested a move toward generational ... [Read More…]
Letter: Capitol violence not comparable to summer protests
On Jan. 6, a horde of Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and QAnon cultists stormed the Capitol. But not just these. Many in the crowd were white Christian nationalists, carrying Christian flags, praying with Proud Boys, and carrying signs proclaiming “Jesus is my Savior, Trump is my President.” Early analysis suggests that most of the crowd were white ... [Read More…]
Buller’s letter to the editor represents desire for inclusion
-by Jonathan Camp, Cliff Barbarick, Orneita Burton, Kelly Elliott, Doug Foster, Suzie Macaluso, Victor McCracken, Ronald J. (Ron) Morgan, Dan Morrison, Jerry Andrew Taylor Carl Spain’s 1960 speech denouncing racist admission policies at Abilene Christian College is now widely celebrated in the ACU community. This seminal moment is enshrined on ... [Read More…]
The university needs an African American history course
-by Alexandria Buller, a senior global studies major from Newton, Kansas. Minority histories are often-ignored pieces of the American story. I would like to address African American history in particular due to ACU’s history of systematic exclusion of this group, with the hope that this can be the beginning of honoring the histories of all ... [Read More…]
Letter to the Editor: Optimist underestimates multicultural platform
-by Arnold Charles, SGA executive president candidate I was saddened that the Optimist was not able to endorse me this year, but I am comforted that I chose to rely on different measures that determine the impact of my campaign. As said in my speech today, the inherent needs of the student body are not so much tangible as they are systematic. As ... [Read More…]
Letter to the Editor: Students are inspiration for campaign
-by Lauren Wasson, SGA executive president candidate I would be remiss if I did not begin by thanking the Optimist for their endorsement of our campaign. Tsion and I truly and deeply appreciate this honor. In these next few sentences, I would like to clarify part of our heart and plans for SGA, if elected. Above all else, Tsion and I ... [Read More…]
Letter: Optimist columns show passion of authors
-by Thomas Richards Dear Optimist, I am a senior citizen and a graduate of the University of Texas Austin. I picked up your newspaper on a visit to the Welcome Center last week. I read Lauren Franco’s article and was impressed by her passion. I have lost so many loved ones and now at 69 they inspire me with memories of past kindnesses, ... [Read More…]
Is free speech worth the challenges
-by David Kneip, associate professor of Bible. An oft-quoted saying with regard to free speech goes something like this: “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Often mis-attributed to the 18th-century French philosopher known as Voltaire, the quote certainly reflects the budding “freedom” movement ... [Read More…]
Editorial Board should consider more endorsements
-Neal Coates, political science & criminal justice department chair Dear Optimist Editorial Board: I am writing as a faculty member to encourage you to consider a larger slate of endorsements each political season. There are important races this year, for example, for Governor and State Representative, and even a local school bond ... [Read More…]
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