ACU Today Winter/Spring 2016

Alumni magazine for Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas

The newest issue of ACU Today magazine mailed recently. And while our cover story has never before been tied to Second Glance, the one-page essay near the end of each issue, this one is not your everyday subject.
“The Songbird who gives ACU voices their wings” is about one of the most beloved women in university history, voice teacher Jeannette (Scruggs ’50) Lipford, who played the Bird Woman in Mary Poppins, the 2015 Homecoming Musical.
The person who has perhaps taught more voice lessons than any person at ACU stole the show in the Civic Center with her flawless portrayal and heavenly voice on “Feed the Birds.” Facebook was buzzing over the weekend with posts about it by her friends and fans.
Other content in this issue – which, including online-only Bonus Coverage – is our biggest ever at 168 pages:

• “Holy Lands” by Paul A. Anthony (’04) takes a look at the Fall 2014 semester Dr. Mark Hamilton (’90 M.Div.) spent in Jerusalem at the famed Albright Institute of Archaeological Research. It’s also a love story, as Jerusalem is where Mark and his wife, Dr. Samjung Kang-Hamilton (’88 M.R.E.), first dated. The couple, who teach in ACU’s College of Biblical Studies, returned to Israel for their 25th wedding anniversary. An additional 12 pages of Bonus Coverage includes an essay by Mark and images by photojournalist Jonathan Bloom.
• Elise (Smith ’83) Mitchell is the 2015 Outstanding Alumna of the Year. A profile of her by Deana (Hamby ’93) Nall is followed by others written by associate editor Katie (Noah ’06) Gibson: Distinguished Alumni Citation recipients Reg Cox (’84), Drs. Dave (’98) and Amy (Berry ’95) Fuller, and Abel Alvarez (’82) .
• Groundbreaking for Wildcat Stadium and a look at the progress on two new science buildings are the high points in an update on the Vision in Action initiative.
• Dr. Jack White (’71) of Walnut, Calif., is profiled by Sarah Carlson (’06) as recipient of the 2015 Outlive Your Life Award.
• ElderLink’s role in helping church leaders around the world is profiled in “Flock Management,” a story by Grant Boone (’91) and illustrated by Bobby Gombert (’93).
• Our first installment of a new feature – ACU 101 – gives readers an inside look at one of the university’s most well-known traditions. It’s Sing Song, which celebrates its 60th anniversary next weekend.
• Another new feature – #ACU – celebrates the social media engagement students, faculty and alumni have with each other and Abilene Christian. It also aggregates some of our favorite posts on Facebook and Twitter in recent months.
• Other Bonus Coverage this issue includes images from Homecoming and Ode to Joy, a collection of some of our favorite images capturing memorable moments of great happiness in ACU history.
• The Second Glance essay about Lipford is accompanied in Bonus Coverage by an essay by Mary Poppins director Kari Hatfield, and images from the production by Paul White (’68).

Watch this blog in the days to come for backstories of some of these major articles in the new issue.
Enjoy the full issue by clicking on the viewer above.