
Category: Academic News


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 experience, and … Continued

Q&A with May 2023 graduate
Joan Lavaki graduated from Abilene Christian University in May with a degree in ministry and vocation and will attend Yale Divinity School in the fall. What drew you to your major in ministry and vocation? I was actually a vocal music education major before I became a ministry and vocation major. I thought that music … Continued

ACU Student Internship Spotlight: Andrea Sewell and Elizabeth Schwarz
Elizabeth Schwarz, a sophomore nursing major from Dallas, and Andrea Sewell, a sophomore nursing major from Columbus, Indiana, will spend a portion of their summer break furthering their nursing and intercultural skills through the Abilene Christian University’s School of Nursing trip to Ntarama, Rwanda, this summer. Schwarz and Sewell will serve at Rwanda Children, a … Continued

ACU launches official RangersU online courses to public
Abilene Christian University and the Texas Rangers baseball club today announced enrollment is underway for two college courses — Baseball History and Culture and Leadership Development — and continues through June 26, 2023. The courses are designed for baseball fans and the general public and taught by a diverse array of Texas Rangers management, Major … Continued

Max Lucado offers charge to the ACU Class of 2023 at May Commencement
Abilene Christian University launched 833 new college graduates into the world in ceremonies May 12, 13 at Moody Coliseum, with an inspirational message by 1977 ACU alumnus and pastor, speaker and bestselling author Max Lucado. ““Do not meditate on the mess. Do not rehearse your fears. You do nothing by setting your eyes on the … Continued

ACU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry receives new grant from Welch Foundation
Abilene Christian University’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry recently received a $75,000 grant from the Welch Foundation, which has funded the program for over 60 years. Dr. Autumn Sutherlin, department chair and professor of chemistry and biochemistry, said this is a new grant program through the Welch Foundation that will further support their equipment needs. … Continued

ACU NEXT Lab students receive scholarship from the U.S. Department of Energy
Five students who are a part of the Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory at Abilene Christian University were awarded scholarships from the U.S. Department of Energy’s University Nuclear Leadership Program. Although ACU students have been awarded these scholarships in past years, this is the most scholarships ACU has received in a single cycle. Samuel Ash, … Continued

ACU names University Scholars for 2023
A group of top students in Abilene Christian University’s May 2023 graduating class were honored April 27 in the Chapel on the Hill during the University Scholars awards ceremony. Students are nominated by faculty within each department, and ACU’s faculty senate elects the top 50 students across all departments. Eligibility for the honor requires a … Continued