My claim to fame at ACU was ...
1972 - Eating the most pancakes of all the girls' club representatives and having my "sick" picture on the front of the Optimist! I went on to the citywide competition against a girl from McMurry at the Kiwanis Pancake Supper--and lost by 1/2 a pancake.
Debbie (Minick '73) Hoffman
Abilene, Texas
I'll never forget this person ...
My Mother, Mary Louise Starnes Oden, was part of ACU's history. She helped make it the special place it is today. She was a friend to many of the students she met while working at ACU and even offered several of them a place to live when they needed housing. Her house was open to any student who needed a meal, a place to stay or a home with a mama in it. She wanted the students to have a positive feeling about ACU and did her part to ensure they did. Many students looked to her as a touchstone in a large school.
Mary Oden served as secretary for two presidents and three deans during her 16 years. She was one of those behind-the-scenes, invaluable people who helped the school run efficiently. She believed people were equal and she treated everyone that way, whether they happened to be a president or a lost and lonely freshman. She was full of ideas, opinions and constructive thoughts about running a college. She contributed much to this university. She contributed much to everyone she knew.
Carol (Oden '76) Riordan
Oceanside, New York
One of my favorite ACU professors was...
It was in 1970 that I took organic chemistry with Dr. Tom McCord. His presentations always began before class started with a complete, detailed outline of his lesson plan from one end of the board to the other end. I was sitting in one of the front desks, wearing my hearing aids, writing down every word. Dr. McCord stated that if a student memorizes his data on the board, he or she will get 90 percent of the semester grade or a B+. I ended up with a B+, but I really enjoyed Dr. McCord's organic chemistry.
Most professors prefer to teach verbally rather than writing the lesson on the board, handing out only a syllabuses. If the professors did not speak clearly, then my grades would suffer. So I depended on secondary sources, i.e., fellow students. Imagine, then, who really are the professors in my life at the college, any college. The students!
However, most at ACC (during my time at college) were great presenters, for which I am very grateful.They had an impact on my life at the college, and the college of life which will not come to an end until I graduate in the coffin. I still have my texbook, Morrison and Boyd's Organic Chemistry with my notes from McCord. Great memories, great professors.
Craig Billingsley ('72)
San Antonio, Texas
I'll never forget this person ...
My parents - Charles and Mina ('65) Coleman - were both professors at ACU (then it was ACC). My mother taught primarily in the music department: music history, music theory, music literature, music and aesthetics - for this course she wrote a book that was illustrated by my father (Dan Paterson, artist). She also taught German and French. My father taught speech when we first came to Abilene, but then became an advisor to many, many students.
My memories, though, are of their generosity to all their students, bringing them into our home for meals, holidays and other special events. Those memories are strong for me.
Blessings to all in this celebration!
Sue (Coleman '70) Beck
Everett, Wash.