Optimist
acuoptimist.com
the
POP! Art Show, page 5
Friday, January 21, 2011
Vol. 99, No. 29
1 section, 8 pages
CHAPEL
Faculty, staff to attend Monday Chapel earlier this week expressing the expectation that facEditor in Chief ulty and staff will regularly Think twice before show- attend Monday Chapel ing up late for Monday throughout the semester. The e-mail expresses the Chapel, because it could significance of faculty and get crowded. Dr. Schubert sent an staff attendance at Chapel e-mail to faculty and staff and announces a plan to
Linda Bailey
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make, “a new commitment It acknowledges busyness to worship in Chapel as while also acknowledging one body at the beginning an important aspect of who of each week.” we are as a university.” Mark Lewis, assistant MARK LEWIS // assistant dean for dean for Spiritual Life and Spiritual Life and Chapel programs Chapel programs, said they encourage faculty and staff but also will reserve 340 tions L and A for faculty on to sit among the students, floor-level seats in sec- Monday only. Also only on
Monday, 360 seats will be set up on the floor, 60 more than normal, and the lower half of sections O and S will be available to help provide more seating for everyone attending Chapel. see CHAPEL page 3
CAMPUS
Interest shown for new center Marissa Ferguson Staff Reporter
About 50 faculty members attended an interest meeting to discuss the possible creation of a peace and social justice center on campus Monday. Dr. Caron Gentry, associate professor of political science, submitted the proposal and said feedback for the center was positive. Unlike a club, the center would be a resource for both students and staff and would focus on the university’s research, education and engagement of peace and social justice. Internship opportunities also would become available. “We’re currently still in the early stages,” Gentry said. “It will look at Christians in higher education, and how might we use our lives to investigate peace and social justice.” Gentry said the facility would complement the peace and social justice minor, which became available to students last year. “The minor would possibly be housed in the center, and we’d possibly look at expanding it as a major,” she said. “We’ve been dreaming, and we’ve been dreaming big.” Dr. David Dillman, Jack Pope Fellows program director and professor of political science, said the newly developed minor would serve as an umbrella for the center. Principally, the minor examines how humans
Above: Kaitlin Huelle, a volunteer in training at the Forge Community Kitchen, prepares a simple sandwich for a customer. Right: MaryAnne Monteith, owner of the Forge Community Kitchen, stands in front of the “Remembrance Wall.”
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Abilene restaurant owner forgoes profit to provide hope to Abilene residents “Life is not about making money, it’s about something more,” she said. Managing Editor Located on South First Street, MonFor owner MaryAnne Monteith, teith’s restaurant only suggests prices transforming lives is far more im- for its fare, and the prices are kept inportant than turning a profit in the tentionally low. She hires employees who need help getting back on their restaurant industry. Monteith, 63, founded and opened feet, regardless of their background. The Forge, a local community kitchen, last summer. see FORGE page 4
Jeff Craig
photos by DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
see JUSTICE page 4
ONLINE
Online graduate program ranked third in nation Dr. Donnie Snider, chair of the Department of GradStaff Photographer uate Studies in Education, ACU Online’s graduate pro- attributes the success of gram has been ranked third the program to its faithin the nation by Guide to based curriculum. “We try to keep a spirituOnline Schools for the secal tie. Students really enjoy ond year in a row.
Meagan Hernandez
lieves a faith-based perspective is important. “I think we work really hard to have interactive courses. Also, we have a great faculty that makes it much more than an online course,” Williams said. “[The
website
inside sports The 2011 football schedule was released, notifying fans the Wildcats would be playing at Cowboys Stadium. page 8
the professional training, but the spiritual training is like a bonus,” Snider said. Carol Williams, associate provost for Distance Education, said the program’s success comes from its faculty and students. She also be-
news Dr. Gregory Straughn was named assistant provost of general education, continuing implementation of the core curriculum.
program] calls students to a high standard with a faithbased perspective.” ACU Online’s graduate program has seen massive growth since its creation in the fall of 2006. Starting with only about 5 students,
Snider said the program now boasts more than 400 students worldwide. “Despite the time delay, we also have international students. This program see WEB page 3
weather news story The country music group, Diamond Rio will perform at the West Texas Rehabilitation Center’s Telethon at the Abilene Civic Center on Saturday at 7 p.m.
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