Features
10 Questions with Dr. Scott Acton, who helped develop the James Webb Space Telescope
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
Dramatic rescue orchestrated by ACU alumni brings Ukrainian orphans safely to Croatia
When Russia began shelling Ukraine in February, ACU alumnus Andrew Kelly (’01) and his wife, Jenny, were 6,000 miles away in Abilene, Texas. But their thoughts immediately flew to 10 orphaned children living at a rescue shelter run by Jeremiah’s Hope, a Ukrainian ministry Andrew founded in 2003 along with fellow ACU graduate Steve Taliaferro … Continued
ACU administrator’s nomination netted Bono a national prize
Irish rock musician Bono is the Grammy-award winning lead singer of U2, admired worldwide as an activist and humanitarian, an honorary knight in the United Kingdom, and one of Time Magazine’s Persons of the Year for 2005. And thanks to Dr. Jason Morris (’96), dean of the Honors College at Abilene Christian University, he can … Continued
Academic News
ACU’s NEXT Lab submits construction application with NRC to build research reactor sponsored by Natura Resources
In yet another significant step toward the goal of building a molten salt research reactor, Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Lab submitted an application for a construction permit with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Monday. The application is the first for a new research reactor in more than 30 years and the … Continued
ACU faculty selected for inaugural ATE Inquiry Initiative exploring opportunity gaps in education
Two Abilene Christian University faculty members have been selected to participate in the inaugural Inquiry Initiative sponsored by the Association of Teacher Educators. Dr. Dana Mayhall, assistant professor of teacher education, and Dr. Amy Spiker, associate professor of teacher education, are two of just 80 university- and school-based teacher educators and education scholars from around … Continued
ACU NEXT Lab partners with Teledyne Brown to design molten salt research reactor
Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory has contracted Teledyne Brown Engineering to perform front-end engineering and design work to produce the first university-based molten salt research reactor (MSRR). “We received interest in working on this first-of-a-kind project from over a dozen top engineering companies,” said Dr. Rusty Towell, director of NEXT Lab and … Continued
Alumni News
ACU’s traditional Opening Assembly returns after three years
Abilene Christian University will begin its 117th academic year with the traditional Opening Assembly in Moody Coliseum for the first time since 2019. The ceremony, which was on hiatus for two years during the coronavirus pandemic and renovation of Moody Coliseum, will take place Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. to launch the first week of … Continued
New Faulkner Center to offer marriage, family resources
The Paul and Gladys Faulkner Center for Marriage and Family will provide speakers, events and other resources for the Abilene Christian University community as well as the local Abilene area and beyond. The center will be partially funded by the newly established Paul and Gladys Faulkner Center Endowment. Both the endowment and the center honor … Continued
10 Questions with Dr. Scott Acton, who helped develop the James Webb Space Telescope
Though he had an idea what was coming, the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope left ACU physics alumnus Dr. Scott Acton (’84) speechless. He had spent “half a lifetime’s worth of effort” working on the mission, most recently as Webb’s wavefront sensing and controls scientist with Ball Aerospace. In April, he was … Continued
Campus News
ACU’s traditional Opening Assembly returns after three years
Abilene Christian University will begin its 117th academic year with the traditional Opening Assembly in Moody Coliseum for the first time since 2019. The ceremony, which was on hiatus for two years during the coronavirus pandemic and renovation of Moody Coliseum, will take place Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. to launch the first week of … Continued
ACU’s NEXT Lab submits construction application with NRC to build research reactor sponsored by Natura Resources
In yet another significant step toward the goal of building a molten salt research reactor, Abilene Christian University’s Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Lab submitted an application for a construction permit with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Monday. The application is the first for a new research reactor in more than 30 years and the … Continued
Fall Summit set for Oct. 13-14 with new twice-a-year format
Registration is now open for the fall event of ACU’s 116th year of Summit, Oct. 13-14, part of the new twice-a-year format designed to better serve church leaders. Each fall, a two-day gathering will coincide with ACU’s Homecoming weekend, and each spring, a two-day event will lead into Sing Song weekend. “By joining Summit with … Continued
ACU Online
Student Spotlight: LaShae Grottis
LaShae Grottis has always been an overachiever. Whether graduating high school valedictorian, moving cross-country to attend Dartmouth College as a first-generation college student, serving as the first director of ACU’s Office of Multicultural Affairs, or pursuing her doctorate with two teenagers at home—LaShae has never done things halfway. Learn how this trailblazing ACU Online student … Continued
Why Registered Dietitians Should Get Their M.S. in Nutrition
Nutrition and dietetics is booming. From 2020-2030, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects there will be an average of 5,900 job openings each year for nutritionists and dietitians. This projection marks an 11% growth rate of the field in the next decade, far outpacing the average occupation growth rate of 8% growth rate. … Continued
Why Should You Get a B.S. in Criminal Justice?
The last three years have proven difficult for Americans’ sense of safety and security. As scandals of violence and bias have rocked many police departments, the nation’s skepticism toward law enforcement has increased—leading to great unrest and distrust in American institutions. Navigating these difficult cultural pressures requires dedicated, effective, and values-driven leaders and personnel at … Continued