Category: Alumni News
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 Day of Giving aims to serve students, change lives
Projects benefiting from Abilene Christian University’s fifth annual Day of Giving on April 26 – scholarship programs, transformational student experiences, cutting-edge technology – are all designed to help students dream bigger and aim higher. On this designated day of generosity, alumni and friends of ACU can contribute gifts of any amount to any of nine student-focused projects. … Continued
Halbert, Osborne presented with top awards at 2022 Alumni Day Luncheon
For those in attendance of ACU’s 2022 Alumni Day Luncheon, one fact was very clear: Thousands of lives have been changed thanks to the work of the two guests of honor. Family, friends, coworkers and hundreds of others gathered Feb. 19, 2022, at the Hunter Welcome Center to celebrate Kathy (Gay ’78) Halbert and Brandon … Continued
ACU to honor Halbert, Osborne with alumni awards
Abilene Christian University has named its Outstanding Alumna of the Year and Young Alumnus of the Year and will present the awards Saturday, Feb. 19, to Kathy (Gay ’78) Halbert and Brandon Osborne (’05). Kathy, cofounder of the Caris Foundation, is ACU’s Outstanding Alumna of the Year. Brandon, executive director of Abilene Youth Sports Authority, … Continued
Third-grade teacher becomes inadvertent Instagram influencer
By day, Katelyn (McLarty ’14) Cole is an elementary school teacher, wrangling third-graders for the Northwest ISD in Fort Worth, Texas. But in her off time, the ACU alumna has become a popular Instagram influencer with more than 90,000 followers who share her passion for books. An avid reader – she made her way through … Continued
New endowments provide support for faculty, students in political science and criminal justice, music
Two generous gifts to Abilene Christian University will provide funding for faculty in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice and a student scholarship in the Department of Music. Dr. Neal Coates, professor and chair of political science and criminal justice, established the two endowments in honor of his late wife, Cynthia Coates. The … Continued
ACU alumni to gather for Homecoming on campus Oct. 14-17
Abilene Christian University’s Homecoming will return to an in-person format after missing last year due to pandemic concerns. Alumni will be back in Abilene for traditional Homecoming festivities Oct. 14-17 with the theme “Any Dream Will Do.” Many of the weekend’s activities, including Chapel and class reunions, are taking place outdoors to reduce the spread … Continued
ACU alumna overcomes obstacles to launch career with Google
Overcoming challenges is nothing new for Ikumi Kobayashi (’15), who traveled more than 6,000 miles from her hometown of Ibaraki, Japan, to study at Abilene Christian University. She grew up with a profound hearing loss in both ears and relies on lip-reading as well as hearing aids to help her communicate. She also faced the … Continued
‘We Light the Fire’ music video highlights ACU’s new branding campaign
ACU has produced an original music video to accompany its new branding campaign, We Light the Fire Within. “ACU has a special spark that carries beyond the classroom,” said Linda Bonnin, senior vice president for marketing and strategic communications, who created the brand story. “The impact our graduates have on their communities through their personal … Continued