Jennifer (England ’85) Allen has worn many hats in the world of communication since she graduated from ACU, but her current job as executive director of Aspergers101 is closest to her heart. She formed the nonprofit organization to provide resources related to high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome after learning her oldest son had the condition. … Continued
Daniel Tapia enrolled at ACU as a junior in the fall of 2015 after spending two years at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, his home state. When it came time to move on to a four-year university, Tapia didn’t have to think about where to go. Two sisters, Nora (Tapia ’04) Perez and … Continued
Molly Parker (’07) earned a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders but found her calling as an entrepreneur whose business provides an income for her family but also helps the homeless. Molly began Graceful Remedies in February of 2014 out of a passion for organic home and personal care products. The parent company now has … Continued
In a move that took her from Abilene Christian University to the bustling streets of New York City, theatre graduate Ally (Bonneau ’14) Beans has stepped from her spotlight on stage to a career behind the scenes. In April, Ally joined her former boss, casting director Daryl Eisenberg, to form their own company. Eisenberg/Beans Casting … Continued
On the soccer field students know him as Ryan, striker, and one of the “old guys” who are – to students’ surprise – actually good. When he began teaching at ACU, Dr. Ryan Jessup helped start a weekly pick-up soccer game where faculty, staff and students play as equals. He came to ACU in 2011, … Continued
When Zach Garza (’04) asked the 65 boys he coached on a junior high football team how many lived in a home with no father, 45 raised their hands. He wasn’t too surprised. Zach, too, had grown up with no father. He had gotten lucky when several older men intervened in his life, steering him … Continued
Bernice (Bourland ’55) Scott knew it had been too long. When she and her classmates reconnected at their 45th class reunion in spring 2001, she resolved not to lose touch with them again. A little less than a year later, she and six of her friends met for lunch in the back room of Abilene’s … Continued
Brad Rix went from zero children of his own to helping “raise” more than 1,000 who belong to other people – and he wouldn’t change a thing. Brad, an associate professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, began that journey 10 years ago when he lived in Austin and one of his church friends … Continued
When Sherry Rankin heard her first full-length novel, Strange Fire, had won this year’s Crime Writers Association’s Debut Dagger competition for unpublished writers, she was stunned. “To be honest, I entered it mostly as a way to toughen up and learn to deal with rejection,” said Rankin, assistant professor of English at ACU. She had just completed … Continued