Friday, April 21, 2006
Vol. 8, Issue 3
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ACU WORLDWIDE
ACU is taking distance education to the cutting edge by launching ACU WorldWide, a new program offering two master's programs online and utilizing Apple's Video iPod technology as an educational tool to download and access study materials at the convenience of the iPod user. This new level of online learning is designed to empower the busy professional. The two master's programs currently offered are Leadership of Learning and Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation.
SHOOT FOR SUCCESS
The second annual "Shoot for Success" Sporting Clays Tournament is Saturday, May 6, at Elm Fork Shooting Park in Dallas. Faculty, staff, alumni, students and friends are welcome to participate. Proceeds benefit scholarships for the ACU College of Business Administration, the V.W. Kelley Scholarship Fund and Texoma Youth Camp. Shells, earplugs and safety glasses are provided. See the Web site for more information or to register for the tournament.
MEET US AT THE BALLPARK
Join alumni and friends at Minute Maid Park in Houston for an Astros game on June 10, or Ameriquest Field for a Texas Rangers game on June 17.
GOLD MEDAL NOMINATION
Former ACU Trustee and golfing legend Byron Nelson has been nominated for the Congressional Gold Medal. The nomination has moved from the U.S. House of Representatives to the Senate where it must receive two-thirds sponsorship. The Byron and Louise Nelson Golf Endowment Fund has provided more than $1.5 million in funding to the ACU golf program. He would be the 131st recipient of the highest honor the United States Government can bestow upon a civilian.
HELPING KIDS DISCOVER GOD
David Needham ('92) and Steven Miller ('90) are helping preschoolers discover God's word with BOZ, the Green Bear Next Door. Reel FX, a Dallas-based animation studio where both men work, recently released the first two DVDs in its new faith-based pre-school series. BOZ is available in Christian bookstores and online.
ACCOUNTANT OF THE YEAR
Dr. Overton Faubus, chair of the Department of Business from 1967-80, has been selected as the University of Arkansas' 2006 Alumnus Accountant of the Year by the Department of Accounting at the school's Sam M. Walton College of Business. He received his Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Arkansas in 1967.
MISSIONARY NAMESAKE
A private Christian school in Brazil has been named after JoAnn Scruggs ('55). Colegio Cristao Joana Scruggs or JoAnn Scruggs Christian School is in Jereissati, Brazil, a small suburb of Fortaleza in northeast Brazil. JoAnn and others from the Northside Church of Christ in San Antonio and Wilbarger Church of Christ in Vernon have helped the school grow to an enrollment of nearly 400 students.
MORE BANK FOR HIS BUCK
Tom Nichols ('69) is the chairman of State National Bancshares in Fort Worth. His modus operandi involves attracting small businesses, a method that has helped his Fort Worth-based bank make leaps and bounds above other operations of its size. He was featured in a recent article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
GIVING FOR A LIVING
Lacy ('61) and Dorothy Harber have been named two of the top givers in the nation according to the "Slate 60," a list of the country's 60 biggest givers. The Harbers, who have pledged $10 million to ACU, have also extended their generosity to the Texoma Medical Center in North Texas and Wilson N. Jones Hospital in Sherman.
RISING STAR
Patty Farley (Strader '81) Wenetschlaeger is one of the rising stars at Brewer, Anthony & Middlebrook, P.C., a law firm in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Wenetschlaeger, who practices family law, was featured in the October issue of Texas Super Lawyers and March issue of Texas Monthly.
TO THE TUNE OF THE LAW
Austin trial lawyer Bobby Earl Smith ('64) isn't only known for his performance in the courtroom, he and his band, Freda and the Firedogs, came close to making it big in the music world. Even though a record deal fell through with Atlantic in 1974, Smith has continued to strum away - when he's not on a case.
READY TO DISPATCH
Shane DeFoore ('96) is part of the brains behind DeFNiC, the dispatching software and consulting business that has recently opened in Abilene. The software targets businesses that send out vehicles like electric companies, and plumbing and repair services.
THE SKY IS FALLING
ACU missions coordinator Larry Henderson ('73) was one of 400 skydivers who made a record-breaking jump in Thailand as part of the Royal Sky Celebration in honor of King Bhumibol of Thailand. The group, which previously set records recognized by the Guinness Book of Records, broke the world record for the largest freefall formation.
TRAVELING PREACHER
Lauren Garduno ('91) spends his weekdays as a district engineer for the Texas Department of Transportation in Odessa - and his weekends as the minister of the Shep Church of Christ just outside Abilene. Garduno began preaching as a fill-in when he was in high school and it has evolved into a weekend ministry.
BRONZE STAR
Sgt. Maj. William Skiles, husband of alum Tanis (Boucher '82) Skiles, was recently awarded the Bronze Star for Valor in Iraq. Sgt. Maj. Skiles was the first sergeant for Company E on the outskirts of Fallujah during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
OpenDocument
BIG COUNTRY ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Wes Kittley ('81) and James Segrest ('59) are among eight athletes who will be inducted into the Big Country Athletic Hall of Fame in May. Kittley, a state champion in the 880-yard run as a senior in high school in Rule, was an all-American at ACU. He is now the head track and field coach at Texas Tech University. Originally from Bangs, Segrest ran on relay teams that set five world records from 1956-58 at ACU, then was a successful coach. He now lives in Granbury.
HOT OFF THE PRESSES
Austin H. Emery ('62) recently published a book titled "Christians Are People Who Worship." The book can be purchased directly from Emery at 305 Scott Dr., Mena, AR 71953, for $5.
Former ACU track standout Gilbert Tuhabonye ('01) recounts in his new book, "This Voice in My Heart," how he escaped a fiery death to run the race for his life. The book will be available May 2 at online retailers and other outlets.
SEND YOUR KIDS TO CAMP
Spaces are still available in ACU's premier Leadership Camps: Cross Training, Kadesh Life Camp, MPulse, Learning to Lead and KidQuest Day Camp. Each camp is uniquely designed to encourage the growing faith of the youth who attend, help kids build positive peer relationships and challenge young people to boldly lead the life of a disciple of Jesus at any age! To learn more or register online, see the Web site.
THIRD ANNUAL TOURNAMENT
Guy ('79) and Julie (Grasham '80) Blasingame are again coordinating the Rachel Blasingame Memorial Scholarship Fund Golf Tournament in memory of their daughter, who was killed in an automobile accident the spring before she was to attend ACU. This year's tournament will be Monday, June 5, at Buffalo Creek Golf Course in Rockwall.
PROUD TO BE A WILDCAT
ACU is on the forefront of a new way of thinking about libraries on college campuses. Talking out loud and drinking coffee are allowed in the new Learning Commons of the Brown Library, which provides new educational and recreational accommodations for students featuring a Starbucks Coffee bar, group workspaces, comfortable chairs and computers inside the library.
