acuoptimist.com
Optimist the
The HOLE Story, page 5
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Vol. 99, No. 54
1 section, 8 pages
CAMPUS
Bin Laden death conjures mixed emotions STAFF REPORT Response from students and faculty to the killing of Osama bin Laden has varied widely across campus, ranging from jubilation to skepticism. Dr. Neal Coates, associate professor and chair of the Department of Political
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Science said bin Laden’s death is a victory for anyone who loves freedom. “My first response is relief that a mass murderer is off the scene,” Coates said. “When you see people waving flags, they aren’t celebrating someone’s death, they are celebrating that an opponent of freedom
My first response is relief that a mass murderer is off the scene. DR. NEAL COATES // associate professor and chair of the Department of Political Science.
who has committed great atrocities will no longer do that. This person is no longer able to kill people who
want to be free.” For Tanner Agee, junior agriculture major from Cedar Hill, bin Laden’s
capture is also a big relief. Agee said he found the response from social media particularly interesting as news of bin Laden’s demise broke late Sunday. “It’s interesting that Twitter gave us more information initially, even though most of it was wrong,” Agee said. “But I’m
Passing the Torch
really proud that America was able to finally accomplish something they set out to do.” Zach Freed, sophomore psychology major from Abilene, said he did not believe bin Laden’s capture would be a major victory in see TERROR page 4
FACULTY
Director to leave, pursue passion Christian Burch Page 2 Editor
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Members of the presiding and new executive officers for the Student’s Association gather together as Dr. John Willis speaks on behalf of them before praying a blessing upon them at the Changing of the Guard at the Fairway Oaks Country Club.
Students’ Association ushers in new executive officers
D
Linda Bailey, Editor in Chief Jared Elk, senior political science major uring a night of reflection from Savoy, attributed SA’s success to the and inside jokes, the 2010Find more photos from teamwork and unity exhibited in this year’s 2011 Students’ Association SA’s Changing of the Guard online. SA officers and Congress, referring to the year executive officers passed as one of SA’s most productive. the torch to the 2011-2012 Awards, both serious and sarcastic, were SA executive officers in the acuoptimist.com handed out to members of Congress as well as traditional Changing of the Guard ceremony. SA created a new budget handbook, re- and FilmFest this year, said SA President, faculty and parents. The executive secretary, vised the dancing and chalk policies, gave Sam Palomares, senior communications treasurer and president each passed down an students more options in dining and had a major from Elsa. He thanked departments object to next year’s executive officers. hand in key events of the year such as speak- across campus that helped make these acers Shane Claiborne and Blake Mycowski complishments possible. see SA page 4
ACU sends off Dr. George Pendergrass, director of multicultural enrichment, as he moves to Nashville to pursue his love for music. Pendergrass, whose last day was April 29, plans to move to the Pendergrass Te n n e s s e e capital to devote more time to singing with his group, Merging Blue. “We’ve received some opportunities to take our endeavors to another level, and so I’m going to go, and I plan on making that happen,” Pendergrass said. Pendergrass said he frequently had traveled to Nashville to be with the group, which has been singing together on-andoff for three years. Pendergrass has served as a leader and mentor to many students at ACU for the last four years. “I love connecting with young people from around the world and interesting parts of life,” Pendergrass said. “I just know that see CULTURE page 4
CAMPUS
Fashion show promotes RED cause Samantha Sutherland Contributing Reporter
The “In the RED Fashion Show” used the runway to engage students and the community alike in a cause rooted at ACU, raising more than $1,800 to combat sex trafficking Saturday night.
Whitney Puckett, senior advertising and public relations major from Melbourne, Fla., produced the fashion show and said more than 200 people attended. “The greatest part was that the audience was a mix of everyone; overall it was mostly college students, but there were a lot of people
from the community and there were a lot of different age ranges, from 3 to 90 years old,” Puckett said. Lily Assaad, sophomore psychology and marketing major from Cairo, Egypt, attended the show, noticing its underlying purpose. “I loved how they incorporated the heart behind
the fashion show into the intermissions, into the speeches, into the videos; it was very clear what was going on,” Assaad said. “It’s not like they just had a sign that said, ‘By the way, this is for sex trafficking.’ It was clearly for the cause and I see RED page 4
website
inside news The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication has selected student media leaders for 2011-12. page 3
feature Find the “hole” story on Abilene’s donut market including where to find the best donut, the best location and the best hours.
JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor
A model poses for the crowd at the end of the runway during the “In the RED Fashion Show” on Saturday night.
weather news The Abilene Ruff Riders, Abilene’s professional indoor football team, will start their season this month. Students can purchase tickets for $5.
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