Jack Pope is ACU’s newest centenarian today

Posted By Ron Hadfield ON April 18, 2013 | 8 Comments »

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Jack Pope (’34), one of Abilene’s most famous sons and an esteemed state jurist who has inspired two generations of public servants at his alma mater, will be showered with greetings today in Austin when he turns 100 years old.

The only Abilene Christian University graduate to serve as chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court, Pope also is a former trustee of ACU. Birthday wishes are being delivered to his home from ACU administrators, as well as current and former members of the Jack Pope Fellows Program.

At 1:05 p.m. CST today, the Texas House of Representatives will pause to recognize Pope as the longest-living state chief justice in U.S. history. The livestream can be viewed here.

“This occasion is a milestone, for Chief Justice Pope and for Texas,” said Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson. “But this is more than a birthday celebration. This is an event to honor one of the country’s great legal legends.”

“Few persons in Texas history have been as instrumental and inspiring from the bench and in his professional life,” said ACU’s Dr. Neal Coates (’87), professor and chair of political science.

Pope earned his law degree from the The University of Texas at Austin in 1937. At age 33, he was appointed by Gov. Coke Stevenson to the state district court in Nueces County, becoming the youngest district court judge in Texas. In 1950, Pope was elected to a six-year term in the Court of Civil Appeals, re-elected two more times, and elected to the Texas Supreme Court in 1964. He was appointed chief justice in October 1982 and retired in 1985.

Pope was honored in 1985 with a dinner to raise money for the Pope Fellows program.

Pope was honored in 1985 with a dinner in Austin to raise funds to establish the Pope Fellows program at ACU.

Abilene Christian established the interdisciplinary Pope Fellows program in November 1985 with the proceeds of a gala dinner that raised more than $519,000. The Pope scholarship is offered to outstanding ACU students pursuing careers in public service each year, providing them opportunities to attend special lectures, gain practical experience and participate in special activities designed to enrich their career preparation.

“He has modeled a life of service in the public sector and has shown that an individual committed to a high level of competence and to fairness can make the world a better place,” said Dr. David Dillman (’70), professor of political science and director of the Pope Fellows program. He not only endorsed but more importantly, practiced the high ideals of public service.”

Pope is considered the “father” of Texas water rights law, an innovator in streamlining how cases are tried, and an advocate for judicial ethics guidelines. While he downplays his reputation and eschews using his considerable influence, to appreciate the way he is revered in Austin, one only need to see how legislators from both sides of the political aisle fawn over him when he visits the Capitol. Many people stop to greet and have their photo taken with one of the state’s most humble and beloved public servants.

While being interviewed by former Pope Fellow Kasey Pipes (’95) for a profile in the 2005 Centennial book, The ACU Century, Pipes recounted a moment in which the judge spoke candidly of his love for Abilene Christian:

His phone rings. He apologizes and answers. “Yes, I won’t take anything less for it,” he says emphatically.

Even at 92, his voice still rings with authority. His mind is clear and focused on the goal. “This is important to me,” he tells the caller, “we have to get it right.” After hanging up, he sits back down and openly shares the conversation. “I’m selling my ranch,” he confides. “I want to pay back Abilene Christian for my tuition.” His tuition? A tuition in the early 1930s would be pocket change today. Why is he selling his ranch – the one once owned by his revered ancestor, John Berry [an Austin pioneer who fought in the Texas Revolution] – to pay for it?

He goes on to explain that even though he was given scholarship money to attend Abilene Christian, he feels he owes a great debt. “Abilene Christian gave me everything,” he says with pride. “I want to sell the ranch and give them enough money to help others get the same education I did.”

Not only will he give a great sum of money to his alma mater, but also his papers. Countless boxes reside at his Austin home, each holding memos, speeches, court rulings and other priceless pieces of his judicial legacy. Thanks to this gift, when historians and scholars seek to write about and understand the Texas Supreme Court of the 20th century, they will have to include a stop in Abilene on their itinerary.

 

Pope last visited campus March 2, 2013. This portrait of the 2012-13 Pope Fellows includes him, ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert (front, left) and Dr. Neal Coates (front right).
Pope last visited campus March 2, 2013. This portrait of the 2012-13 Pope Fellows includes him, ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert (front, left) and Dr. Neal Coates (front right).

 

 

 

Summerall’s memorable message: his faith

Posted By Ron Hadfield ON April 16, 2013 | Leave a comment »

Pat Summerall 2005One of the most distinctive voices from Abilene Christian University’s Centennial Celebration was that of Pat Summerall, the American sports broadcasting legend who died today in Dallas at age 82.

The Centennial Speakers Series audience gathered Nov. 8, 2005, in ACU’s Teague Special Events Center expected to hear about the former NFL player’s experiences and, later, his long career as the voice of televised pro football and golf in America. He covered some of that ground, for sure, but more than a few were surprised to hear his luncheon address chiefly detail a personal faith journey in which he survived alcoholism, a liver transplant in 2004 and a failed marriage to become a born-again Christian.

Summerall said he passed many hours of time reading a Bible while being treated at the Betty Ford Center. “I started to realize as I read the Bible that there were a lot of things I didn’t know,” he said. “There were a lot of things I had left out of this very successful life I thought I had.”

He described his feelings of being baptized at age 66 in a church building in Euless, Texas:

“At that moment, with all the good things, all the Super Bowls, all the Masters golf tournaments, and all the things that I had ever done, I felt so helpless. I felt like my life [was] not mine anymore. Whatever I [had] done with it [didn’t] matter anymore, because I realized I was giving up my life. I realized before I went into that water that I had no strength. If I was going to get up out of the water, he [the minister who baptized Summerall] was going to have to do it because I couldn’t do it. I was just totally weak. I went into the water, and I got back up (he brought me back up, thank goodness). I had a feeling of exuberance. … I felt so good. This is a revelation I had never experienced before. I felt like I know what they talk about now when somebody says they were reborn, because I had just been reborn. And I was so happy at that time. When I stood upright and realized, not that I had given my life to Christ, but that Christ had been willing to accept me into His realm and take me as a member – it [was] a feeling I can’t describe. It’s a feeling like nothing I have ever had before in my life. I really felt like I had been reborn, and I started to live life in a completely different fashion.”

Pat Summerall 2005bIn the Fall 2012 issue of ACU Today magazine, “The Power of Internships” sidebar story on page 75 mentioned the role Summerall played in the education of ACU graduate and current trustee Lance Barrow (’77), whose first job as a student intern at CBS Sports was serving as a spotter for the venerable broadcaster. Barrow is now an Emmy Award-winning coordinating producer of golf and NFL for the network. Nearly 35 years after first working with Summerall, Barrow gave Hutton Harris (’08) a similar opportunity, allowing the young man to help cover dozens of PGA golf tournaments for CBS. Harris is now employed by the Texas Rangers Baseball Club.

“In 1976, I was a junior in college and [veteran CBS golf producer] Chuck Will put me in the 18th tower as a spotter for Pat Summerall,” Barrow said this afternoon in a news release. “He told me, ‘You’re not going to meet a finer man in this business than Pat Summerall.’ And to this day, I never have. He was kind to everyone. When you were around him you never knew that he was the number one broadcaster. He taught me so much, not only about this business, but how to treat people.”

A conversation with author Bob Goff

Posted By Ron Hadfield ON April 10, 2013 | Leave a comment »

Bob Goff held an ACU audience at rapt attention while speaking April 2 in Chapel during Justice Week at Abilene Christian University. The New York Times’ best-selling author of Love Does, Goff founded Restore International, a nonprofit human rights organization serving people in India and Uganda. A partner in the Washington state law firm of Goff & DeWalt, he also teaches Nonprofit Law at Pepperdine University School of Law and Business Law at Point Loma Nazarene University, both on an adjunct basis. Take a few minutes to listen as Goff discusses his book, his goals and his recent experience on our campus.

Carpenter roars to record 20th career golf win

Posted By Ron Hadfield ON April 10, 2013 | Leave a comment »

ACUGolfDALLAS_April13_4207It’s time for The Masters tournament this week on the PGA Tour, a convenient coincidence when you consider the skill Abilene Christian University senior Alex Carpenter is displaying in NCAA events in which he plays this spring.

A native of Arkansas, Carpenter won the Phil Mickelson Award in 2010 as the top freshman golfer in NCAA Division II, thanks to a win at the prestigious Southern Amateur following a rookie season in which he won four tournaments, helped lead ACU to the national championship and qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship.

Mickelson, a three-time winner of The Masters and five-time runner-up in the U.S. Open, has won 41 professional tournaments. Previously, he forged one of the top amateur careers in American golf history.

But Mickelson’s record of 16 career collegiate victories at Arizona State University is getting smaller and smaller in Alex’s rear-view mirror, thanks to the Wildcat star’s victory Tuesday in the Dallas Baptist Classic – Carpenter’s fourth straight win of 2013 and the 20th of his career. He has now won 42 percent of the 48 events in which he has entered, with three more on the schedule this spring.

Carpenter, who shot 14 birdies and was 11-under on par 5 holes in the Dallas Baptist Classic, became the first current Wildcat student-athlete to play in a PGA Tour event when he appeared in the 2011 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill (an opportunity earned via his Southern Amateur win during the summer of 2010).

ACU’s remaining 2013 tournaments are the Lone Star Conference Championship (April 15-16 at The Golf Club at Champions Circle in Fort Worth), the NCAA Division II South Central/West Super Regional Championship (May 6-8 at The Home Course in Dupont, Wash.) and the NCAA Division II Championship (May 19-24 at Hershey Country Club in Hershey, Pa.).

Carpenter’s brothers, Adam (a senior and his twin) and Luke (a sophomore) also are on the ACU golf roster. All three starred at Arkansas Baptist High School in Little Rock.

Joey Cope: Power is not in the position you take

Posted By Ron Hadfield ON April 8, 2013 | Leave a comment »

Three of Abilene Christian University’s most popular new programs are offered by its Department of Conflict Resolution: an online master’s degree in conflict resolution and reconciliation, a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution and a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution for Educators. The department’s home is the Duncum Center for Conflict Resolution, located on the southeast corner of Judge Ely Boulevard and East North 16th Street. Its stated purpose is to “equip, encourage and support individuals as peacemakers in their personal relationships, families, churches, schools, professions and communities.”

Dr. Joe L. Cope, executive director of the Duncum Center and a veteran ACU administrator, is the author of two blogs about conflict resolution. One of his recent posts on PeaceBytes.org addressed the tenor of public debate regarding two controversial cases currently being examined by the U.S. Supreme Court. We thought his observations were interesting, and re-post them here with his permission:

Last week I was flooded with frustration.

The backdrop was the United States Supreme Court and the buzz was about the two cases that involved homosexuality and issues surrounding whether or not same-sex relationships had certain rights and privileges within our system of laws and process.

The frustration I felt was from watching the way that people on both sides behaved in their public reaction to the event. To be fair, I did see a good number of individuals make their support known for one side or the other in a respectful manner. But those who didn’t, stepped far over the line of civility.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThe frustration sparked something in me. I felt like I had to speak out about the ugliness that was unfolding. So, I wrote a post for my other blog (joeycope.com). As I was writing it, I have to admit that I was anxious about making it public. I so wanted to say the right thing, in the right way. I wanted it to be about civility, about helpful conversation and about better understanding. After all, I’m right in the middle of the development of the Better Understanding Project with my colleagues at the Duncum Center for Conflict Resolution – not to mention others who are standing by to join us as our plans materialize.

Yet, as I continued to review that article and my hand paused above the “publish” button, I felt reluctant to put my words in front of others. I found I wasn’t afraid of what others would think about what I had to say. I was afraid of going public because of things I had not said.

As I teach people about negotiation and healthy ways to build collaboration through negotiation, one of the important pieces is convincing negotiators to be clear about their position in regard to the matter at hand. True, there is a certain amount of posturing in most, if not all, negotiation.

But experienced negotiators know that at some point the parties to a discussion must set forth reasonable positions — and be clear about them. Clarity in positions is vital to the transaction. It defines the field of negotiation and sets the agenda for the discussion. Positions can and sometimes do change as people talk, listen, and reason together. However, the importance of the opening position cannot be diminished.

As I looked back over my article, I was pleased with all of the things I had said. I was hopeful that my readers would understand my point and feel genuine encouragement from me toward productive dialogue and conversation in place of fruitless shouting matches that were attacks on other individuals and not the issues.

What I realized was that I was standing and boldly inviting people to be in conversation about some truly important issues … and yet, I had not made my position known.

And so, I rewrote an entire section of that blog post. I took a position – I stated my belief on the underlying matter of sexuality. However, I did not use any words in that post to defend my position. It was not my intention to change any one else. I was simply asking for people to join in conversation. I hoped I made it very clear that, while I had a position, I was also more interested in showing respect to others than I was in winning any sort of a debate. In fact, I tried to convey the obvious fact that I’m not always right about things.

In truth, when I finally did hit “publish,” I expected very little to happen. My writing is not widely known or circulated. So, I sat and waited to see if anyone would even notice.

While I had a few negative reactions, the emails and comments were largely positive. I was particularly surprised by some emails I received from individuals who disagreed with my position, but were effusive in their gratitude that I had been transparent in saying what I believed while encouraging them to share their beliefs.

It was then that I realized how important and how responsible it is to attempt to think well about important topics and to quietly and humbly make your positions known. The power is not in the position you take. The power comes from the trust and respect you gain in entering the conversation.

Some issues – some conflicts – between us may never be resolved. But there is a great power from trust and respect that can overcome a lot of our problems when we sit and reason together. We may disagree, but we’ll always be moving toward better understanding and peace.

Academic colloquy to honor Everett Ferguson

Posted By Ron Hadfield ON March 17, 2013 | 1 Comment »

Dr. Everett Ferguson

Dr. Everett Ferguson

What do you get an esteemed church historian for his 80th birthday? Colleagues from around the world who are fans of Dr. Everett Ferguson (’53) think an academic colloquy is in order.

The life and work of Ferguson, ACU’s distinguished scholar-in-residence and LeMoine G. Lewis Professor Emeritus of Church History, will be honored during Eucharist & Ecclesiology, a March 21-23 series of lectures and research presentations in ACU’s Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building.

Plenary speakers include Dr. Gary Badcock, associate professor of theology at Huron University College in London, Ontario, Canada; Fr. Denis Farkasfalvy, abbot emeritus from Cistercian Seminary at the University of Dallas; and Dr. Paul Meyendorff, Fr. Alexander Schmemann Professor of Liturgical Theology at St. Vladimirs Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, N.Y.

Papers will be presented by theologians from ACU, McMurry University, Yale University, Southern Methodist University, Missouri State University, University of Dallas, Austin Graduate School, Dallas Theological Seminary, Criswell College, and from as far away as Croatia and Norway.

In 2008, Ferguson received the Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor given by the North American Patristics Society, an organization dedicated to the study of the history and theology of early Christianity. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Bible from ACU, and his doctorate in history and philosophy of religion from Harvard University.

A prolific author on topics related to early church history, Ferguson’s most recent work is Baptism in the Early Church, published by Eerdmans.

While the academic colloquy is not for the general public, friends of Ferguson who would like to attend the March 21 dinner at 5 p.m. and hear Meyendorff’s opening lecture can do so for $15. Contact Dr. Wendell Willis (’67 M.A.) at willisw@acu.edu by noon on March 19 to reserve your seat.

Scholarship campaign passes $20 million mark

Posted By Paul Anthony ON March 4, 2013 | Leave a comment »

Jill, Rex and Lance Fleming

Rex Fleming’s battle against brain cancer inspired many in the ACU and broader Abilene communities. Now his parents have begun the process of making sure his life, which ended too quickly in December 2012 at age 10, affects people for generations to come.

The Rex Fleming Endowed Scholarship is one of more than 60 endowed scholarships created thus far as part of ACU’s $50 million Partnering in the Journey Campaign. The campaign is more than 40 percent of the way to its goal, with more than $20 million raised thus far.

“Our students’ journeys may take them across Treadaway here in Abilene or across the globe, but wherever they go, you are their partners,”ACU president Dr. Phil Schubert (’91) told donors Feb. 17 at the President’s Circle Dinner, one year after the campaign was first announced. “Your generosity makes an ACU education possible and opens up possibilities for them they could never have imagined when they took their first steps on campus.”

The Partnering in the Journey Campaign aims to raise $50 million in endowed scholarships, the largest fundraising effort focused solely on student affordability that ACU has ever undertaken. It has inspired hundreds of donors to add to existing endowments or create new ones in honor or memory of family members, friends, mentors and other loved ones.

Dr. Darryl Jinkerson

Lois Marie Reed

Rhonda Holder

Among those created in the past year are scholarships in honor of Lois Marie Reed, administrative coordinator of the Department of Engineering and Physics; Rhonda Holder, retired coordinator of the Department of Political Science; and Willa B (Sloan ’34) Patterson, ACU’s youngest centenarian. Scholarships also have been created in memory of several members of the Abilene Christian community who have died in recent years, including alumna Jenny (Ross ’00) Bizaillion, business management professor Dr. Darryl Jinkerson, and Rex, the oldest son of Lance (’92) and Jill Fleming.

“Jill and I wanted to establish the Rex Fleming Endowed Scholarship to help aspiring doctors, nurses or medical research student-athletes attend ACU,” said Fleming, ACU’s assistant athletics director for sports media relations. “Cancer is a very tough opponent, but we know that one day a cure will be found so that no other family will suffer the loss of a child as we did. Wouldn’t it be great if one of the doctors on the team that finally cracks the code to cure cancer went to ACU with the help of the Rex Fleming Endowed Scholarship?”

Willa B Patterson waves to the Moody Coliseum crowd at 2013 Opening Assembly.

Tuition and fees only covers about 60 percent of the cost of educating a student at ACU, and more than 90 percent of students receive some sort of financial aid on top of that, making endowed scholarships a vital part of the equation that allows students to obtain an ACU education.

“That’s a tremendous help to students who love ACU,” Schubert said, “who want and need to be here, but find it hard to afford the cost of college tuition.”

Unrestricted scholarship endowments must be funded at a level of $10,000 before they can begin awarding funds to students, while restricted endowments must reach a $25,000 level. Along with the 63 new scholarships, nearly 40 others have received gifts of $10,000 or more since the beginning of the campaign.

For more information on creating an endowed scholarship, contact director of advancement Don Garrett (’78), or call 325-674-2213. To give to an existing endowment, visit ACU’s online giving page or call 325-674-2612.

The healing sights, sounds of Sing Song

Posted By Ron Hadfield ON March 1, 2013 | 1 Comment »

Trojans captured its first overall Sing Song win in 2013.

Linda (LaBounty ’87) Smith brought her husband, Todd (’87), and sons Connor and Dawson to campus on Sing Song weekend, just a few weeks after her daughter, 20-year-old Abilene Christian University student Lindsey, died in a two-vehicle accident. Linda did not look forward to the trip, but as she explains in the following narrative, the experience was affirming and life-changing. Our thanks to her for allowing us to adapt it for the ACU Today magazine blog:

It is late February, and the last few days have kind of been a blur.  You see, three months ago we planned this trip.

I registered one of my sons, Connor, for his first official tour at Abilene Christian University. I was supposed to watch my daughter, Lindsey, perform at the Seekers of the Word (a Christian drama troupe) breakfast and attend my favorite ACU tradition: Sing Song. It was going to be memorable.

Lindsey Smith

On Jan. 25, however, our lives were changed. Would Connor want to go on his tour, just three weeks after his sister died in an tragic accident on Highway 36, near Abilene? How can I watch Seekers perform without Lindsey? How could Sing Song ever bring me joy again?

As the time to leave grows near, I begin to feel sick. Everyone would understand; I would have a legitimate excuse to back out. It’s OK to change your mind while grieving, I have been told. Still, I wrestle with myself, telling my cousin how much I dread getting in the car and waiting until the last minute to pack. As the trip begins from our home in New Braunfels, I feel my blood pressure rise. As ACU students are texting me about how they can’t wait to see me, my stomach tightens further. Will I disappoint them?

It is late Friday night and I am driving as we approach Abilene. I assume the boys and Todd are asleep. As we approach the outskirts of town, I notice a sign pointing towards Oplin, and it takes my breath away. The song, “I Hope You Dance” begins on the radio. Todd, who has been feigning sleep, sits up and says “Really?” The last time I heard that song was three weeks ago at my daughter’s funeral. My arms are covered in goosebumps as I burst into tears. I reach to Todd. Lindsey is all right. I know it. Peace comes over me; my blood pressure begins to drop. We arrive in Abilene and sense Lindsey’s presence.

The next morning we are up early to go on the campus tour. We are meeting Todd’s brother’s family and my in-laws. My in-laws take Dawson and my nephew, Gunner, to the Seekers of the Word breakfast. Todd, Connor, Trent, Tammy, Peyton and I are off to explore ACU. Being that we all attended there I am not expecting to learn anything new, but I am proven wrong. Our tour guide is a young man who is Korean but from West Africa. He tells us many things about ACU I didn’t know before. He was the first one that day to remind me of the ACU community that has been pouring into me for the last few weeks. But hearing this stranger explain what it means to him, makes it come alive to me. My energy and courage are revitalized.

I meet up with my former supervisor, Suzanne Allmon (’79). She was a great mentor in my life during a time where I didn’t have a huge support system, and we have have been friends ever since. Thankfully, God placed Lindsey as a student employee in the Office of the President, where Suzanne now works. She ate lunch with Lindsey the day she died. She has told me beautiful things about her and noticed the quirks that made Lindsey unique. Again, God and the ACU community did not disappoint.

We reconnect at lunch with some dear college friends who also belong to the community of parents who have lost a child. They cry and tell us we will make it through, and that doubt and anger are natural feelings. Our love of God and of ACU give us instant common ground. We are now blessed with someone who has walked the road before us and can make us feel hopeful.

I am nervous that evening as we head to Sing Song. That event was a huge part of my life while I was a student at ACU. Will it now just be a time of sorrow for me? Will everyone be staring at me? I ask God to cover me with peace, and He does. I look through the event program. Where my daughter should be listed in it is instead a dedication to her. The words are such an accurate representation, as though her mother or father wrote them. The lights are lowered and the show starts. I am amazed by the level of talent and the show itself. My heart swells.

Members of the Smith family, including Linda (purple blouse) with some members of Trojans men’s social club.

Lindsey had many friends in the Trojans, one of the men’s social clubs at ACU, yet one that has yet to win a Sing Song competition in the event’s 57-year history. Earlier in the week, I sent the club a poem and a picture of Lindsey, encouraging them to win.  In return, they embraced me: I received texts, Facebook messages and phone calls promising to do their best to make Lindsey proud. It is getting close to the time for their act and I am so nervous for them. As they are announced, our family’s 9:00 alarm to pray goes off. You see, the Smith family made a pledge at Thanksgiving that every day at 9 p.m. we would stop and remember our place in this world, our family and our blessings. Do you think it is a coincidence that the Trojans took the stage at 9 p.m.? I don’t. The club went on to sweep first place in every category.

We ended the night with the ACU tradition of singing “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.” Five thousand voices sang the lyrics beautifully. I wept as I thought about the road my life has traveled. Why did Lindsey and I choose the same path to attend ACU? Why did God take her home before me?

He knew from the beginning that the Smiths were supposed to be Wildcats. He also knew I would need the Abilene Christian community for such a time as this. I am forever grateful.

Is ACU football in your hometown this fall?

Posted By Ron Hadfield ON February 22, 2013 | Leave a comment »

The Wildcats stomped McMurry 51-0 in the 2012 season opener.

Abilene Christian University’s first football season as a member of NCAA Division I includes just four home games in 2013, but also four others in some of the biggest markets where alumni and future students live. Details were announced yesterday by ACU athletics:

  • August 31 – Concordia (Ala.) College, Abilene, 7 p.m.
  • September 7 – McMurry University, Abilene, 6 p.m.
  • September 14 – New Mexico Highlands University, Abilene, 6 p.m.
  • September 21 – at Illinois State University, Normal, Ill., TBA
  • September 28 – Tarleton State University, Frisco (FC Dallas Stadium), 4 p.m.
  • October 5 – at Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kan., 2 p.m.
  • October 12 – at Houston Baptist University, Houston, TBA
  • October 19 – University of the Incarnate Word, Abilene, 2 p.m. HOMECOMING
  • October 26– at New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M., 7 p.m. CST
  • November 9 – at University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TBA
  • October 16 – at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TBA

Games in the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex (Sept. 28), Houston (Oct. 12 and Oct. 16) and San Antonio (Nov. 9) will give fans in those areas an opportunity to see the Wildcats play in person.

Because ACU is playing an independent, non-conference football schedule in 2013, its opponents will range from NAIA (Concordia) to NCAA Division II (Tarleton State, Pittsburg State, McMurry) to NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (Illinois State, Prairie View A&M) to NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (New Mexico State). All other Wildcat sports will participate in the Southland Conference beginning in Fall 2013, but because of prior scheduling commitments, football will enter in 2014.

Illinois State was a FCS national quarterfinalist in 2013. The neutral site for the Sept. 28 game with Tarleton State will be FC Dallas Stadium in the north Dallas city of Frisco, the site of the FCS national championship game each fall. Prairie View, just west of Houston, is the site of the Oct. 16 game with Prairie View A&M University.

ACU’s Oct. 26 football game with New Mexico State will be its first with a traditional FBS opponent since the Wildcats traveled to Honolulu in 1980 to play the University of Hawaii.

Bynum, Nelson honored with alumni awards

Posted By Paul Anthony ON February 19, 2013 | 2 Comments »

Cmdr. David Bynum, 2013 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year

In an emotional conclusion to Abilene Christian University’s busiest weekend of the spring, two graduates accepted the university’s most prestigious alumni awards on Sunday at a luncheon in the Hunter Welcome Center.

University president Dr. Phil Schubert (’91) gave Dr. Marcus Nelson (’94) the Young Alumnus of the Year Award then honored Cmdr. David Bynum (’84) as the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. The ceremony featured a member of the Texas Supreme Court, an impressive guitar performance from Bynum’s son, a surprise gag gift from Bynum’s roommate, and some good-natured trash talk between Nelson, Schubert and alumni relations director Craig Fisher (’92), who were ACU undergraduates together.

“I’ve been to a few of these occasions,” Schubert said as he concluded the program, “but I’ve never been to one like today’s.”

Nelson, superintendent of the Laredo Independent School District since 2009, has helped turn around one of the state’s largest and poorest districts. His tribute speakers included Jeff Boyd (’83), newly appointed to the Texas Supreme Court. When Boyd was chief of staff to Gov. Rick Perry, he submitted Nelson’s name for consideration as education commissioner.

“I can’t tell you what pride I felt” as a fellow ACU Wildcat interviewed for the position, Boyd told the audience. “I’m going to be watching his career continue to rise. I’m proud to know him.”

Dr. Marcus Nelson, 2013 Young Alumnus of the Year

Nelson grew emotional several times as he described the impact ACU had made on his life. Describing the “joy bus” ministry to his low-income San Antonio neighborhood that allowed him to attend MacArthur Park Church of Christ as a child, he said he would likely never have come to ACU without it.

“If I wasn’t introduced to ACU, I don’t know where I’d be today,” he said, pausing to wipe his eyes as he noted he had met his wife, Julie (Dickens ’93), as a student. “When I think about my wife and child, I don’t know where I’d be. … It is overwhelming to me to be a part of such a fine university.”

Nelson also made sure to have some fun at the expense of his former classmates, noting that he was a pledge when they were members of Galaxy and questioning whether their position on how social club pledges are treated has changed now that they hold positions in the administration. Fisher said he didn’t know what the imposing Nelson, a high school football star who easily tops 6 feet tall and 300 pounds, was talking about. “Whatever Marcus wanted to do, we said, ‘OK!’ ” Fisher retorted.

Bynum, soon to be a Navy captain and director of operations for the Navy chief of chaplains office in the Pentagon, was more subdued – but his ACU roommate, Darrel Andrews (’84) was not, presenting the straight-laced Bynum with a miniature replica of the infamous “leg lamp” from the 1983 comedy A Christmas Story to commemorate the “major award” Bynum was receiving.

Capt. Bill Perdue, a fellow Navy chaplain who served with Bynum from 1998-2001, helped place in context some of Bynum’s accomplishments: one of only six active-duty Navy chaplains affiliated with the Churches of Christ, and the lone Navy chaplain in 2012 selected to attend the National War College.

“The military takes you to places where you cannot get to Hilltop Church of Christ,” Perdue said. “It’s a high and holy calling to do ministry. … I am honored today to celebrate with you and your family your wonderful career.”

David’s son Micah, an ACU freshman, paid tribute to his father with a self-composed guitar piece entitled “Broken Silence,” an impressive performance that wowed the audience. The men gripped each other in a prolonged hug on stage before Bynum accepted his plaque from Schubert.

“It has taken me aback to receive this award,” Bynum said, joining Nelson in crediting ACU with the well-rounded preparation he needed to minister to the young men and women of the Navy. “If all you ever get here is an education, you’ve missed the greater part.”