Contributed by: Sheila Ritchie, Director of Forensics & Debate

• We attended 10 tournaments throughout Louisiana, Arkansas, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia. The competition included LSU, SMU, Cornell, Rutgers, George Washington, Georgetown, Idaho State, TCU and many others. We earned at least one award at every single tournament we attended.
• Our Novice Squad ranked 11th out of 92 teams in the Nation for IPDA Debate.
• We had students who advanced to either Octofinals, Quarterfinals, and Semi-finals in Debate at each tournament.
• We had two students who advanced to finals in Extemporaneous Speaking in addition to their debate achievements. (Garrett Bonner and Mark Shi)
• We had three students who won Speaker Awards in addition to their debate achievements. (Shekinah Kahongo, Elizabeth Miller, and Lexi Ritchie)
• At the National tournament, we had two students, Elizabeth Miller and Noah Pruitt, who advanced to the elimination rounds. Elizabeth reached triple octofinals (out of 115 Novice debaters) and Noah made to quarterfinals before being eliminated. This puts Noah in the top eight Novice IPDA debaters in the nation.
• We also had two teams invited to the Madison Cup Invitational at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The competition was intense but the team of Garrett Bonner and Elizabeth Miller ranked in the top 8 teams for the tournament and in the end, they won a $500 scholarship.

At the National Tournament, I was also honored to be asked by the Executive Committee of IPDA to join the National Governing Board for the International Public Debate Association. The Governing Board consists of 7 members representing the areas of the nation that support the IPDA style of debate. Most debate coaches are male, so female coaches are the minority. On this committee, I am proud to be the second female member and the representative for the western part of Texas and the southwest part of the United States. The goal for my time on the committee will be to help spread this form of debate westward. We will begin that task by hosting a collegiate IPDA invitational tournament on ACU campus in February 2020 and possibly bid to host the National tournament in 2021.

At this point, the team is resting and getting ready for another great year. We grew from seven students in the fall to nine in the spring. We hope to welcome a few new Freshman to the team in the fall as well.  We will attend some camps and trainings this summer to sharpen our skills and get us ready for another great year.

Thank you again!

Dear Fellow Scholars,

The truth is, I’m not sure that anyone who would venture to pen a letter to the undergraduates of her alma mater and give them “insight” or “advice” about “what I’ve learned about the ‘real world’ since graduation” could ever possibly have a clue what she is actually talking about. The world, and thus human work and human lives, are changing at a rate rapid beyond belief. Our wildest imaginations may not be enough to predict the world of the next 10 or 20 or 50 years, which means you should probably be a touch suspicious about this quasi-life-advice-column I’m writing to you now. Permission to stop reading and go get a Bean cookie or something, it’s the end of the semester and you probably deserve it.

But, if I was going to offer you anything at all in the way of reflections on what’s stuck with me from my time at ACU, suspicion might actually be a good place to start. The world is changing faster than any concrete, “marketable skills” can hope to keep pace with, but what about those skills that require thinking like a human, not a computer? A critical, helpful suspicion is one of these skills you’ve had the opportunity to practice and refine at ACU. Why are these people in power and these people not? Why are these people rich and these people poor? Who decides who gets what? The world may evolve, but it is unlikely that the burning importance of asking these questions will leave us. I worry that there are not nearly enough people asking them.

It’s important to note, however, that one key trait in any good asker-of-hard-questions is that they are willing to turn this suspicion back to face themselves. Another word for this would be one we hear all the time at liberal arts colleges, “humility,” taking seriously the possibility that I might be wrong. At the risk of seeming didactic, I propose to you that this, humility, is actually the central mission of the “college” thing you are up to. Liberal arts colleges are, after all, supposedly “liberating.” And what is it that we need to be liberated from? I don’t know about you, but the thing I need to be liberated from pretty much every day is the easy assumption that I am Right, that the highest Truth is my own experiences, and that the most important thing is the world through my own eyes. This sounds overly dramatic, but it’s more real than it seems. Think about it—I don’t currently hold any beliefs that I think are false, otherwise, I wouldn’t believe them. This makes it incredibly easy for me to write off people who disagree with me, because, from my current view, I already have all the right answers. A suspicious critic without humility cannot hear, cannot emphasize, cannot recognize their own limitations. Only when I can break out of my automatic assumptions can I meaningfully listen, ask critical questions, stand in solidarity, go to work for the sake of justice and the other.

I reiterate. The world is changing faster than we can dream it. The problems of the future are yet unknown, as are their solutions. You are among those lucky enough to spend a few years thinking about the world, what all this means, how we might make it better.  Your best tools just might be the questions you can ask, of yourself first, then of the world as it is, and then of the world as it could yet be. And if you do, you just might figure out how to make things even just a little bit better, and in these small acts, we may just change the world.

Sincerely,

Courtney Tee

Sociology faculty and students attended the 2019 Pacific Sociological Association Conference this March in Oakland, California. The conference theme was Engaging Millennials: Researching and Teaching about Power, Diversity, and Change.

Three undergraduates gave two presentations:

• Ari Gee, “Leadership and Love within LGBT Christians.”
• Ashlyn Byrd and Kaylor Hatfield, “Concerns Younger and Older Adults Face Regarding the Aging Process.”

One Sociology alum gave a presentation:

• Trice Prince, “The Modern Experience of Black Millenial Males in White Evangelical Churches in America.”

Two Sociology faculty and one graduate student gave a total of five presentations:

• Dan Morrison, PhD, “Committee on Freedom of Research and Teaching.”
• Suzanne Macaluso, PhD, “Choose Your Own Adventure: How Incorporating Free Range Assignments Increased Student Engagement in a Social Problems Class.”
• Krista Masci (graduate student) and Suzanne Macaluso, PhD, “Gerontology Maximized: A Longitudinal Study of Student Motivation on Effective Learning in Aging Studies.”
• Dan Morrison, PhD, “Rating Risk: Football Helmet Standards and the Veil of Regulation.”
• Dan Morrison, PhD, “Honoring the Work and Legacy of Adele, E. Clarke.”

This interview with Dr. Suzie Macaluso, Director of the Pruett Gerontology Center, Associate Professor of Sociology & Gerontology, focuses on her vision for the Pruett Gerontology Center.

What are do you hope to accomplish in your new role as director?

The mission of the PGC is to “prepare today for an aging tomorrow through scholarship, service, and ministry” which means that we have a three-pronged purpose. I hope to expand our scholarship through research presentations at various conferences and publications. I’m working to expand our academic programs by creating a new introductory level course for the undergraduate minor. I’d also like to explore ways that we can expand our graduate level options. I’m also wanting to increase our visibility on campus and in the Abilene community.

How will the new space support your visions and goals?

Having a space that is more easily accessible to our older adult neighbors is an important part of meeting our mission of service. Being located in the Sherrod Building also brings us into closer partnership with the department of Communication & Sociology which will enhance our academic programs and allow for easier research partnerships.

What do you look forward to most about being in the new space?

I’m looking forward to having a space that is open and available for everyone. I want the center to be a service to the community, students, faculty and staff, and community neighbors.

What projects is the center currently working on?

We recently wrapped up the Images of Aging Photo Contest. Several students presented research on Concerns of Aging and how those vary depending on the age of the respondent. They also presented at the ACU Undergraduate Research Festival and at the Pacific Sociological Association. Our big event is the intergenerational study abroad to Germany this summer. Five generations of participants will explore the construction of public memory around the fall of the Berlin Wall.

How does the center support or integrate with sociology?

The center has an academic component in the Aging Studies Minor and the Graduate Certificate in Aging Studies. Gerontology is a multidisciplinary field focused on the biological, social, and psychological aspects of aging. The minor and certificate utilize sociology classes, like Sociology of Aging, to help students understand the social aspects of aging.

What role did you play in creating the new space?

The new space was something that Dr. Pruett and I had talked about. We wanted to better align the center with the Department of Communication and Sociology, and we thought physical proximity would be useful. I chose all of the colors and look of the new space and made sure that the space would fit our needs. The most important part was to have an exterior door that would be accessible for people in wheelchairs or using walkers.

Ageless Billiards by Koby Claborn.

What ways can students be a part of the work you do?

Students can be involved in the study of gerontology by taking classes, but more importantly, they can be involved through research. We have gathered lots of data through surveys at different points in time, and I would love for students to mine that data for projects that they could present at the Undergraduate Research Festival or other regional and national conferences. Students can also be involved in the Images of Aging photo contest which takes place every fall and spring. The student who takes the winning photo receives a cash prize, and then the photos are displayed at the Undergraduate Research Festival.

Are there any other projects or research you are conducting?

I am doing research with two students on the concerns that people have about aging and how that varies along demographic lines. I am also doing research on best teaching practices for gerontology. I have some data on retirement plans of preachers that I’d like to analyze and publish. I also have some ideas for a project with Dr. Heidi Morris around sexuality and older adulthood.

Both graduate and undergraduate students presented at the 2019 Southern States Communication Association Conference with Dr. Lauren Lemley. The conference was held in Montgomery, Alabama this April. The theme of the conference was Conflict & Crisis at the Crossroads of Change

Two undergraduate students presented papers at the conference:

• Jenna Salzman (Junior), “There’s Nothing Gendered About a Sexy Cat: A Rhetorical Analysis of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.”
• Sahori Hernandez-Quinones (Sophomore), “Why Suicide, Sexual Assault, and Rape Should Matter: 13 Reasons Why Rhetorical Analysis.”

Six graduate students gave seven presentations at the conference, with one earning a top paper panel distinction. Presenters included the following:

• Kendra Bolin, “Do You Even Know What You Are Talking About?” Graduate Instructors and Conflicts About Credibility.”
• Kelvin Kelley, “Hey . . . Don’t I Know You? Navigating Conflicts Created by Out-of-Class Relationships with Students.”
• Madeline Fortner, “Can I Have Your Attention? Facilitating Engagement During Live-Online Classes.”
• Rachel Runnels, “Money Can’t Buy Happiness: A Rhetorical Criticism of the Minimalists’ Documentary”
• Stephanie Flores, “The Paradoxical Rhetoric of President Donald Trump.” — Selected for the Top Papers in Political Communication
• DiArron Morrison, “When a Hitman Hollas: The Scapegoating of Hitman Holla and Conversation About Black Identity”
• Madeline Fortner, “Reimagining Space: How Elon Musk Resignified the Space Race.”

By Summer Thompson

This summer, I worked for the City of Abilene Office of Neighborhood Services as an intern. My job was to help the mayor implement ANI (Abilene Neighborhood Initiative). As a response to the task given to me by the mayor, I conducted research that included interviewing all the city managers, the mayor and the interim director of neighborhood services.

In addition, I did research on Chapter 380 Legal Agreements. I researched different cities similar to Abilene by population and cities in the metroplex, and I researched the United States HUD department’s policies and grants that are allocated. I also traveled around to the different neighborhoods in Abilene to understand the community needs.

As a result of my findings, I wrote a resolution to promote infill build and neighborhood revitalization for Abilene. The revitalization solution that I found through my research was that Abilene should implement a mission network called 6Stones. 6Stones is a Christ-centered organization that “serves as a neutral convener bringing together local governments, businesses, churches, and other non-profits to jointly seek to transform” their local neighborhoods and communities.

This internship gave me an opportunity to further develop my research skills and advocate for change that will help many people in Abilene. I was given the trust to work independently on my project and got to collaborate with many different city officials. As a result of my work, my internship supervisor said she would be willing to offer me employment after graduation. But until then, I am looking forward to finishing school and presenting my resolution to Abilene’s City Hall before the end of this year.

Building Bridges

         Students pose along the Ohio River

Eastern Communication Association Conference
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, April 2018

Three undergraduate students presented a total of five papers at this conference. One of these students’ papers was selected for the top paper panel. Undergraduate students who presented at this conference included:

• Emily Counts (Senior), “How Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” Became a Black Lives Matter Anthem”
• Jacqueline DeMuynck (Senior), “Analyzing the Catholic Church’s 2002 Crisis Response Strategies”
• Jacqueline DeMuynck (Senior), “The Feed that Feeds: A Rhetorical Analysis of @NourishAndEat’s Body Positive Instagram Campaign and Its Effect of Self-Image” — Selected for the Top Paper Panel at the Undergraduate Scholars Conference
• Rachel Runnels (’17), “But I Believe Females Can Save The World: A Rhetorical Analysis of Female Empowerment in Avatar: The Last Airbender”
• Rachel Runnels (’17), “Navigating Turbulence: An Analysis of the JetBlue Ice Storm Crisis Response”

Four graduate students gave four presentations and one chaired a panel at this conference:

• Madeline Fortner, “Innovating the Public Speaking Course: Delivering High-Quality Courses that are Flexible, Affordable & Efficient”
• Kim Martinez, “The Chick-fil-A Same-Sex Marriage Crisis and Image Repair Theory”
• Kim Martinez, “Speak in the Box” — Delivery Activity
• Taylor Powers, “Too Little, Too Late: Analysis of Susan G. Komen’s Crisis Response”

By Sheila Ritchie

In fall of 1983 I walked onto ACU campus as a Freshman ready to debate. I had debated in High School and felt like this was a great place for me to continue honing my argumentation skills. Debate in college was much like high school – heavy research, rapid-paced speaking, and lots of travel. It was intense but it was also very rewarding. Each tournament was an academic endeavor that allowed our team to meet like-minded students from all over the nation and learn from the experience.

By: Madeline Fortner

Change Lives. Achieve the Extraordinary. Be a great team. These bold statements are the cornerstone everyday life at ServiceTitan, the software company I had the privilege of working with this summer in Glendale, CA. During my eight week internship, I worked on two large projects and had the opportunity to participate in numerous learning and development initiatives.

The primary project I worked on was rewriting and revamping the online-training webinar program that is offered weekly to customers. I created a six-part training series that included a curriculum, powerpoints, and facilitator guides. The biggest challenged I faced in developing these trainings was how to keep the audience engaged during a computer-mediated training. I applied training and development theory as well as numerous education strategies to the curriculum in order to create an engaging training that customers could not only understand but enjoy.

The other project I worked on was the company-wide Hackathon, a four-day event where teams got to solve any problem that impacted the company. I both served on the planning committee and competed with my own team. As a member of the planning committee, I was in charge of marketing the event. I created flyers and hosted meetings to build interest and facilitate team creation. Additionally, I was the product manager for my own team. Together, we developed a fully-functioning software solution that addressed one of our customers biggest pain points, tracking permits. During this process, I was able to utilize critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership skills I learned through communication, while also gaining new skills in product management. We presented our product to the entire company, including the CEO’s and were awarded “Best Customer-Focused Product” for the event. Even more exciting is the fact that we created a software solution that will save ServiceTitan Customers time, money, and headache. I feel proud knowing that something I made will make the daily lives of thousands of hardworking people all over the country a little bit easier.  Not all internships offer students that level of opportunity.

Some of the perks of interning with ServiceTitan included free lunches delivered to the office through Eat Club each day, access to linked-in learning, team outings, and career development workshops. Although these extras were exciting and showed me that ServiceTitan was invested in my success and wellbeing, they are not the reason I would recommend this internship. Student’s should consider interning with ServiceTitan because it is an opportunity to work alongside an extraordinary team who will empower them to take charge of their ideas and create change that benefits the lives of the customers who use the software every day.

Exploring Public Memory and Civil Discourse in Great Britain

“Now, when I hear London, Edinburgh, Venice, Paris, or any of the other places I’ve been, I have my own images in my head rather than relying on what the media has portrayed for me. I also learned so much about myself and what my strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to travel and independence.”
– Christine Dottle

In addition to making memories and exploring new places, studying abroad offers students an opportunity to learn in a location connected to the context they are studying. This summer, COSO sponsored a study abroad trip to Oxford and Great Britain that was led by communication professor Dr. Lauren Lemley. Students on this trip were offered the chance to take two special topics course — The Rhetoric of Public Memory and Black Mirror: Communication and Technology.

To study public memory, students visited numerous historical sites and museums. The purpose of the course was to compare the way Americans remember significant past events to how people from other countries and cultures do. In Oxford, they visited a J.R.R. Tolkien exhibit as well as Kilns the home of C.S. Lewis. The class also took a trip to Edinburgh, Scotland and visited Loch Ness. Christine Dottle, a communication major said that visiting the Churchill War Rooms in London was particularly impactful. Dottle said she learned more about the war there than she ever had before. Her testimony is a tribute to the power of experiential learning and the value of studying abroad.