Jonathan Raitz came to college ready to grow, and at ACU, he found fertile soil. The senior convergence journalism major from Bandera, Texas, found mentors and friends, an inspiring peer group and welcoming spiritual community, getting involved in social club, serving as a Wildcat Week leader and writing for The Optimist. “ACU is the kind of … Continued
Vanessa Gonzalez didn’t find a major at ACU; she found a calling. That’s more than the senior from Spring Branch, Texas, anticipated back in high school, when a friend of hers told her about ACU. With two older siblings and a mother who was single at the time, a four-year university seemed out of reach … Continued
Antonio “Tony” Maldonado is busy. Actually, that’s putting it mildly. The junior accounting and finance double-major (with Dean’s Honor Roll grades) works part time at H-E-B Grocery to help pay for school. He’s also an active member of the men’s social club Gamma Sigma Phi, volunteers with an outreach ministry through Hillcrest Church of … Continued
When Savannah Ochran (’18) added ACU to her list of schools to visit, her mother raised a simple question: “Why would you go to West Texas to study theatre?” The teenager from Tyler, Texas, wasn’t looking for just any theatre program, however. The quality it produced and opportunities it offered mattered to her, of … Continued
When Jennifer Grimes was 14, one of her family’s quarter horses was stricken with colic and required emergency surgery to save its life. That was the day she decided to become a veterinarian. The family rushed the horse to Texas A&M University’s surgical facilities and rejoiced when the surgery was successful. For Jennifer, however, the … Continued
If you think your fuel bill is high, meet Chris Monroe (’89). His bill is a staggering $500 million per month. Monroe, treasurer for Southwest Airlines, was featured in a CNBC report in May 2012 about his fuel-hedging efforts that have saved the airline more than $3 billion over the past decade. Southwest Airlines … Continued
Children can find much to frighten them in a hospital setting – syringes, anesthesia, loud machines, strangers in white coats. Hollie (Rambo’ 05) Young, a certified child life specialist at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, uses familiar objects to help young patients cope with their fears. Child-friendly environment Whether the child is in ER, day … Continued
Former longtime Hardin-Simmons University president and chancellor Dr. Jesse C. Fletcher died today at age 87. Presidents of Abilene’s three church-related universities – ACU, HSU and McMurry – have shared unique and often close kinship through the years. Fletcher certainly endeared himself to Abilene Christian University executive leaders. This photo of ACU’s ninth president, Dr. William … Continued
Dr. Charles Wade Nelson, Abilene Christian University professor emeritus of music and renowned bass-baritone vocalist who performed concerts around the world, died June 1 at age 92 in Denton, Texas. Plans for a private family memorial service are pending. He was born March 13, 1926, in Fort Worth, Texas, and graduated from the University of … Continued