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Category: Features
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ACU theatre alums share connection through starring in major Lion King productions
In the plot line of the musical The Lion King, the relationship between characters Pumbaa and Scar is adversarial at best, but behind the scenes, two of the actors playing those opposing characters share a friendly bond through their alma mater. Abilene Christian University alumnus Ben Jeffrey (’06) has starred as Pumbaa in the Broadway … Continued
Art professor demonstrates how creativity, hard work lead to success
ACU design professor Ryan Feerer (’05) has put his creative touch on hundreds of projects, but perhaps his most widely seen – and certainly his favorite to date – is a series of USPS Forever stamps with a western theme. The stamp series, released in July 2021, celebrates the enduring legacy of Western wear and … Continued
ACU receives $29 million gift for finance program
The late Dr. Bill and Janie Dukes have given, through their estate, more than $29 million to Abilene Christian University – the largest single academic gift in ACU’s history. Their generosity will establish the Dr. William P. and Janie B. Dukes Excellence in Finance Endowment, supporting prestigious finance student scholarships, preparing students to attend highly … Continued
Music education student embraces roles as drum major and marine
Passion for music and hard work drives Matthew Darby, junior music education major from Lubbock, to excel in and balance his roles as a drum major for the Abilene Christian University Big Purple marching band and a lance corporal for the U.S. Marine Reserves on a daily basis. Darby’s days are spent juggling rigorous music … Continued
Journalism student reflects on the power of a simple touch, a lesson learned in Uganda
Sometimes lessons learned on a mission trip extend far beyond the trip itself. Emily Shafer, a senior journalism major from Lubbock, Texas, tells about one such lesson. Emily was chosen to travel to Kampala, Uganda, as part of Wildcat Academics on Mission, a program that integrates mission and service with coursework. She accompanied ACU speech … Continued
Impromptu moment with Cambodian girls leads to gift of connection for ACU volleyball player
While some students took time off this summer to relax with their families, many Wildcats spent their summer serving and learning. Londyn Gray, a senior journalism major and ACU volleyball player from Weatherford, Texas, traveled to Cambodia on a trip organized through ACU’s WorldWide Witness program. There, she worked with Cambodia Christian Ministries, teaching English … Continued
ACU students fill their summer serving, learning around the world
Summer has come to an end, and the ACU campus is again bustling with activity. While some students took time off to relax with their families, many Wildcats spent their summer serving and learning. Here are just a few of the activities our students engaged in over the summer, ranging from international mission trips to … Continued
Repurposed leather from Southwest Airlines becomes symbol of hope for Costa Rican village
What can you do with leather from old airplane seats? Students in ACU’s Social Enterprise Consulting class in the College of Business Administration are working with entrepreneurs in Costa Rica to find out, and in the process they are helping change lives. Ten students traveled to Costa Rica over Spring Break to work with Centro … Continued
Third-grade teacher becomes inadvertent Instagram influencer
By day, Katelyn (McLarty ’14) Cole is an elementary school teacher, wrangling third-graders for the Northwest ISD in Fort Worth, Texas. But in her off time, the ACU alumna has become a popular Instagram influencer with more than 90,000 followers who share her passion for books. An avid reader – she made her way through … Continued