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Dr Joel Wells

Joel Wells chose medicine over MLB and look where he is now

He could have been a household name. Kids could have had his baseball card to trade, and other fans might have chatted about his stats while watching him swing a bat at lightning speed. Dr. Paul Morris (’66), professor emeritus of physics, certainly knows the name and the man who carries it: Joel Wells, M.D. … Continued
Dr. Megan Maxwell

New mom, physician helping guide UT Southwestern through pandemic

In the early days of the pandemic, Megan (Gentry ’06) Maxwell, M.D., had one N95 mask. As an anesthesiologist at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, she needed one at all times on the job. But that type of personal protective equipment (PPE) was in short supply. So she wore it every day for … Continued

10 Questions with Kent Brantly, M.D.

The COVID-19 pandemic might feel like déjà vu for Kent Brantly, M.D. (’03), who contracted the deadly Ebola virus in 2014 while serving as a medical missionary in Liberia. He became the first Ebola patient to receive the experimental drug ZMapp and the first to be flown back to the U.S. for treatment. Six years … Continued

benny gallaway

ACU Remembers: Benny Gallaway

Former longtime history professor Benny Paul Gallaway died May 1, 2021, in Abilene at age 92. Visitation with family will be Friday, May 7, from 6-8 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Home (733 Butternut Street, Abilene, Texas 79601). A family graveside service will be held May 8 at 10:30 a.m. in Dublin, Texas. Gallaway was born … Continued

Spencer Peeples (left) explains the wide shot he has in mind, before going to a tight shot on the guitar.

ACU grad brings Miranda Lambert’s ‘Marfa Tapes’ to life in new film

Award-winning country music artist Miranda Lambert’s new collaborative album featuring fellow Texas singer-songwriters Jack Ingram and Jon Randall is anything but typical. But then neither is Austin photographer and video editor Spencer Peeples (’99), who was invited to document the creative process behind the making of The Marfa Tapes. Peeples, who graduated from Abilene Christian … Continued

Out of One, Many book cover

ACU alumnus is featured on cover of George W. Bush’s new book

A face familiar to the Abilene Christian University community is featured on the cover of President George W. Bush’s #1 New York Times bestseller, Out of Many, One. Former ACU track star Gilbert Tuhabonye (’01), co-founder of Gazelle Foundation, is one of 43 immigrants whose portraits and inspirational stories are featured in the former president’s … Continued

NEXT Lab student researcher awarded National Science Foundation fellowship

When Keaton Brewster graduates in May with a degree in physics and mathematics, he’ll be taking with him more than a diploma. A research proposal stemming from his work in ACU’s NEXT Lab has earned him a prestigious fellowship from the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowships Program. With his annual stipend of $34,000, Keaton … Continued

Chelsea Van Meter, nursing instructor

Nursing instructor brings front-line experiences to the classroom

She used to have downtime during nursing shifts to chat with patients and their family members. She used to not feel so much anxiety at work, or at home. She used to not have to worry about her profession putting her family at risk.  A year into working in a COVID-19 unit at Abilene’s Hendrick … Continued

17th annual FilmFest premieres student films under the stars

In an ordinary year, the Paramount Theatre in downtown Abilene would roll out the red carpet for ACU’s FilmFest Gala, the university’s annual student film competition, now in its 17th year. But this year was, of course, no ordinary one, and so the festival moved outside for ACU’s first-ever FilmFest: Under the Stars. Last Friday … Continued