
Author: Wendy Kilmer

Natura Resources selects Zachry Nuclear Engineering to design reactor for deployment at ACU
Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory and Abilene-based Natura Resources have taken another step toward construction of one of the first advanced reactors in the United States. Zachry Nuclear Engineering has been selected to design the Natura Resources Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) that will be deployed on ACU’s campus. “Natura Resources is … Continued
ACU Remembers: Dr. John Willis
Moody Coliseum was nearly new in 1971 and half the buildings on today’s Abilene Christian University campus had not been built when Dr. John Thomas Willis (’55) returned to his native Abilene, Texas, with his wife and four school-aged children. He brought 15 years experience on the faculty at Lipscomb University and a scholarly … Continued
Nashville producer Randy Brewer hired at Abilene Christian
Revolution Pictures founder Randy Brewer began work in May as chief storyteller at Abilene Christian University. Brewer, a 1993 graduate of ACU, is a renowned creative force who has created memorable work with high-profile clients such as ESPN, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Verizon and Sony Pictures, among others. Over the past 26 years Brewer … Continued
ACU announces $25 million gift, first named college in its rise as a national research university
A Houston family’s long legacy of philanthropy and service to Abilene Christian University culminated in a $25 million gift announced this week from Kay Onstead. Her generosity marks the fifth largest single donation in the university’s history, and Kay and her late husband, Robert, have given more than $59 million to Abilene Christian over their … Continued
ACU Remembers: Dr. Ray McGlothlin Jr.
At his alma mater, Dr. Ray McGlothlin Jr. (’49) was known to call Board of Trustees meetings to order by starting a song instead of rapping a gavel. He loved to sing. Not everyone who knew him knew about the oil company he founded, or the medical software company, or the corporate and … Continued
ACU names new vice president for marketing
Sharon Ayala is Abilene Christian University’s new vice president for marketing and a member of the senior leadership team. Ayala joins ACU from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego where she worked for 13 years, most recently as associate vice president for marketing. She attended both Baylor University and Point Loma and holds … Continued
Two ACU students receive Fulbright Grants for 2023-24
Two recent Abilene Christian University graduates will live, work and learn abroad next school year as recipients of the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program awards from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. ACU had six students apply to the program this year, with four qualifying as semi-finalists and two selected … Continued
ACU announces hiring of two new college deans based on academic restructuring
Abilene Christian University has announced the hiring of Dr. Dirk Nelson as the founding dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences and Dr. Charla S. Miertschin as the founding dean of the College of Science and Engineering. In January, ACU announced three new colleges and some new homes for various departments, all as … Continued
ACU awards honorary doctorate to David D. Halbert
As part of Commencement exercises Saturday, May 13, Abilene Christian University presented David D. Halbert with an honorary doctorate. Halbert is the chairman, founder and CEO of Caris Life Sciences, a pioneering precision medicine company that helps patients receive better quality care through access to individualized medicine. With more than 40 years of … Continued