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The great American risk takers

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The American people are fundamentally risk takers. I say this as a spineless wimp myself. It's all right, it's true. I can't imagine jumping from a plane or going in big on a horse race. Or even getting too physical in a sport. I'll spare you the cheese of recounting the many moments in American history that involved a successful gamble, ... [Read More…]

Staff turnover no match for the ‘Optimist’

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I am not a dictator. I'm just taking over even more of the Optimist.  We've had a lot of turnover. David Singer, our opinion page editor last semester, quit, making some lame excuses about how he's an "art major" and wants to do more "freelance design work" and focus on "getting a job after graduation." Good riddance. I'm kidding, of course. ... [Read More…]

The faux-pocalypse: a preparation guide

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As the Mayan calendar comes to an end and a sense of panic fills the air, many people are looking for tips for how to survive the end of the world. We would like to provide you, not with advice for the Armageddon, but with ways to survive the people who actually believe the end of the world is near. One in 10 people in the world believe the world ... [Read More…]

Lessons learned from this semester

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After spending last semester studying abroad in Oxford, I thought I would have to adjust to a normal semester once I got back to ACU. Then I remembered there's no such thing as "normal." One of my favorite sayings is "Keep calm and carry on." It's the one that always appears on the red posters and has been recreated into a variety of phrases. Most ... [Read More…]

Waterball upgrades benefit fans

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Although I had often heard about the violence, competition and unadulterated athleticism, it wasn't until Tuesday that I had watched my first ever waterball game. And to be honest, I'm sad I waited this long. Not only is it an ACU tradition, but it is easily the most exciting spectator sport that intramurals can provide. It has everything any fan ... [Read More…]

Professors’ denominations: Far from ACU’s ideals

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Find the opposing argument here: http://www.acuoptimist.com/2012/12/professors-denominations-diversity-academic-integrity-a-benefit/. Many students, professors, alumni and staff of ACU have expressed concerns with a possible change in current hiring criteria. Their concerns are well founded. By hiring non-Church of Christ faculty and staff, ACU ... [Read More…]

Professors’ denominations: Diversity, academic integrity a benefit

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Find the opposing argument here: http://www.acuoptimist.com/2012/12/professors-denominations-far-from-acus-ideals/. ACU's Church of Christ identity has been a significant influence on the university since it was founded in 1906. However, as times have changed, it seems beneficial for ACU to break from tradition slightly in order to accommodate ... [Read More…]

My passport has turned me into an existentialist

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The complicated and soul-sucking process to get a passport has made me lose some hope in society. The first sign that there was something soulless about the process was when they told me not to smile. Smiling is apparently banned in passport pictures to help facial recognition machines in airports, but I think there is something deeply wrong with ... [Read More…]

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