Category: Alumni News

Leap of faith, mom’s encouragement took Gonzalez on ‘impossible’ journey
Sam Gonzalez (’93) remembers clearly the words he spoke when Bible professor Carl Spain called, inviting Sam to enroll at ACU. That would be impossible, Sam said, because his family didn’t have the money. But Sam also remembers the words his mother spoke when Sam told her the gist of the conversation. “You’re … Continued
Third Day of Giving makes ACU history
The ACU community broke a record for the university’s third Day of Giving on April 9: ACU received more than 1,000 gifts that, thanks to matching funds, totaled more than $268,000 to help current students. That’s the most gifts given in a single day to the university in its history. “We are thrilled to have … Continued
Speech-language alumna creates online help for Parkinson’s patients
April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month and probably no one in the country is observing it in a more dramatic way than ACU alumna Hannah (Orozco ’08) Grassie. On April 1 – no fooling – Hannah launched a private telemedicine practice to offer one-on-one therapy sessions with PD patients via a confidential video conference. Hannah’s … Continued
Blanton, Wilson García honored on Alumni Day
Emotions were high and standing ovations were plentiful at the 2019 Alumni Day luncheon on Sunday, Feb. 17, which honored Michael Blanton (’73) as Outstanding Alumnus of the Year, and Kara Wilson García (’07) as Young Alumna of the Year, both of whom were praised as compassionate and kind servant leaders. Both were visibly … Continued
Alumnus dubbed ‘catering whiz’ brings talents to President’s Circle Dinner
Attendees at the President’s Circle Dinner on Feb. 16, 2019, were treated to dinner catered by Vestals Catering out of Dallas, Texas, helmed by chef Jordan Swim (’07). In many ways, the job was a way of coming full circle for Swim and his time studying abroad as a student. His experiences in Oxford, England, … Continued
20 Under 40: ACU alumni recognized
20 Under 40 is an awards program from the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, conducted with the Abilene Reporter-News, to recognize local business leaders under the age of 40 who make a positive impact on the community. We are proud of our alumni who have been recognized for 2019. Stories and photos courtesy of Abilene Reporter-News. Allison Carroll (’04) Age: 35 … Continued
20 Under 40: Taylor Sturgis
Age: 32 Business: Key Appraisal Group Job title: Owner, certified real estate appraiser Why are you working in this industry? I was approached by a customer, in my previous profession in Fort Worth, about becoming a trainee with his appraisal firm. After working with his firm for two years, we moved to Abilene and, shortly after, we started … Continued
20 Under 40: Jasmine McCabe-Gossett
Age: 30 Business: Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Abilene Job title: Human resources director Why are you working in this industry? Hospitals have an uncanny ability to connect people regardless of their socio-economic status, innate abilities, influence, etc. Working in healthcare as a human resources professional both satisfied my aspiration to serve others, as well as, provide them … Continued
20 Under 40: Jeffrey Edwards, M.D.
Age: 32 Business: Hendrick Provider Network Job title: Physician, internal medicine Why are you working in this industry? The relationship between a patient and his/her healthcare provider is uniquely intimate. Being in medicine allows me to truly see a person’s thought process, emotions, support system, family dynamics, and (not to overstate it) their heart and soul. While forming … Continued