Author: Robin Saylor
Willises’ picture worth a thousand words to Cracker Barrel employees, students they fed
A framed photo of the late Dr. John Willis (’55) and his wife, Evelyn (Forrest ’56), graces the fireplace mantel at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store on Highway 351, a testament to the power of a shared meal. Willis, a beloved Bible professor at ACU for 46 years, was well acquainted with the deep connections … Continued
ACU Remembers: James Segrest
James Lewis Segrest (’59), a Texas high school track and field legend and the last surviving member of world record-setting Abilene Christian University relay teams of the mid-1950s, died Aug. 5, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas, at age 86. Friends and family remembered him in a memorial service Aug. 12 in Granbury, Texas. Segrest was … Continued
ACU Remembers: Don Rhoden
Former longtime ACU trustee Don Clifford Rhoden (’58) died Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, in Tuscola, Texas, at age 87. A time of visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, at 5 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors (733 Butternut St., Abilene, Texas 79602), followed by a time of remembrance at 6 p.m. Rhoden was born … Continued
Lynay students, staff volunteer with Ukrainian refugee children in Poland
A group of ACU students took their soccer skills and a desire to love their neighbors to Poland this summer to conduct a soccer camp for Ukrainian refugee children who have resettled there. The 12 students, all Lynay scholars at ACU, traveled June 4-15 to Warsaw, where they partnered with Abilene-based Play4More Soccer and Bob … Continued
Alumni reflect on FilmFest impact as student festival enters 20th year
This spring more than a hundred students submitted films for the 19th FilmFest Gala at the historic Paramount Theatre: FilmFest Flashback. The event featured short films in a variety of genres including western, scifi, thriller, rom-com and documentary with awards given out in 14 categories. Because of a shift in scheduling in 2008 that moved … Continued
Bible professor inspires others as world-champion skydiver with a love for missions
A typical weekend for a professor may include spending time with family or going on vacation. But for Larry Henderson, director of ACU’s WorldWide Witness program, it might also include jumping out of an airplane 10,000 feet in the air. In his office, accolades and photos of family, skydiving and travel adventure serve as a … Continued
Social impact venture Play4More emerges from soccer camp for refugee children
What started as a summer soccer camp to engage Abilene’s refugee children has expanded into a global effort providing free soccer balls to underprivileged children across the world, and will partner this summer with Bob Goff’s Love Does organization to offer a soccer camp for Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Drs. Jason (’96) and Heidi (White … Continued
ACU Remembers: Ginna Sadler
Virginia “Ginna” Joyce Gufstafson Sadler (’70), professor emeritus of art and design at Abilene Christian University, died March 12, 2023, in Abilene, Texas, at age 74. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. March 25 in the Ministry Activity Center at University Church of Christ (733 E.N. 16th St., Abilene, Texas 79601). Visitation … Continued
ACU Remembers: Dr. Marianna Yarbrough Rasco
Longtime Abilene Christian University professor Dr. Marianna Yarbrough Rasco (’53) died March 10, 2023, in Abilene, Texas, at age 93. A memorial service will be held at University Church of Christ (733 E.N. 16th St., Abilene, Texas 79601) on Wednesday, March 15, at 2 p.m., with burial afterward at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Abilene. Visitation … Continued