Abilene Christian University (ACU) is a private university located in Abilene, Texas, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute. ACU has an annual enrollment of about 5,000 students from across the United States and 60 nations. The date of establishment or date of founding of an institution is the date on which that institution chooses to claim as its starting point. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Private schools, or independent schools, are schools not administered by local, state, or national government, which retain the right to select their student body and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students tuition rather than with public (state) funds. ... Various Religious symbols, including (first row) Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Bahai, (second row) Islamic, tribal, Taoist, Shinto (third row) Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, Jain, (fourth row) Ayyavazhi, Triple Goddess, Maltese cross, pre-Christian Slavonic Religion is the adherence to codified beliefs and rituals that generally involve a faith in a spiritual... Alternate meanings: see Church of Christ (disambiguation). ... A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution, with the stipulation that it be invested, and the principal remain intact. ... University President is the title of the highest ranking officer within a university, within university systems that prefer that appellation over other variations such as Chancellor or rector. ... A faculty is a division within a university. ... Alternate uses: Student (disambiguation) Etymologically derived through Middle English from the Latin second-type conjugation verb stŭdērĕ, which means to study, a student is one who studies. ... In some educational systems, undergraduate education is post-secondary education up to the level of a Bachelors degree. ... Nickname: Location within the state of Texas County Taylor County Government  - Mayor Norm Archibald Area  - City 286. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Crowded Shibuya, Tokyo shopping district An urban area is an area with an increased density of human-created structures in comparison to the areas surrounding it. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos and other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... Nickname: Location within the state of Texas County Taylor County Government  - Mayor Norm Archibald Area  - City 286. ... The Churches of Christ discussed in this article are not part of the United Church of Christ; the Disciples of Christ; the International Churches of Christ; the Church of Christ, Scientist (Christian Science); the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or any other denomination within the Latter Day... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

History

Abilene Christian University grew from an idea held by A. B. Barret and Charles Roberson to form a school in West Texas. The Church of Christ in Abilene agreed to back the project. J. W. Childers sold Barret land and a large house west of the town and lowered the price with the stipulation that the school would be named in his honor. Childers Classical Institute opened in the fall of 1906, with 25 students. The dry plains of West Texas, have often been divided up into tracks of land divided by barbed wire fences. ... 1906 (MCMVI) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

When Jesse P. Sewell became president of the institute in 1912, the school began using "Abilene Christian College" on all its printed material. In 1920, the school paid the Childers family $4,000 and formally changed the name. 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ...

The Optimist, the university's student-run newspaper, was founded in 1912. The Prickly Pear, the school yearbook, was founded in 1916. The campus literary-arts magazine (now The Shinnery Review, formerly The Pickwicker) has been in production since 1933. 1912 (MCMXII) was a leap year starting on Monday in the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Tuesday in the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

In 1927, with the help of a $75,000 contribution from the city of Abilene, the board of trustees purchased 680 acres (2.8 km²) northeast of Abilene. In addition, residents donated 75 acres (304,000 m²) of adjoining land. The new campus opened in the fall of 1929. Year 1927 (MCMXXVII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1929 (MCMXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

From the time of its founding to the present, the university has been governed by a board of trustees made up of members of the Churches of Christ.

Abilene Christian University first received school accreditation in 1971 when it became an accredited member of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.^[1] Accreditation is a process by which a facilitys services and operations are examined by a third-party accrediting agency to determine if applicable standards are met. ... The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is a regional accreditor for over 13,000 public and private educational institutions ranging from preschool to college level in the Southern United States. ...

On February 22, 1976 the name was changed to Abilene Christian University. The school celebrated its centennial in the 2005-06 school year. is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Amberton University, previously Amber University, was created as an extension campus of Abilene Christian University. It was launched in Mesquite, Texas in 1971, moving to Garland, Texas in 1974. It became a separate institution as Amber University in 1982, and was rechristened Amberton University in 2001. Like Abilene Christian University, Amberton remains affiliated with the Churches of Christ. Amberton University is located in Dallas, Texas, in the United States of America. ... Mesquite is a suburb of Dallas, Texas, located in Dallas County and Kaufman County, Texas. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... Garland is a suburb of Dallas, Texas, in Dallas County, Texas, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 215,768. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ...

Mission statement

"The mission of Abilene Christian University is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world."

Traditions

• Sing Song. Since 1957, this annual competition in mid-February has featured student groups of 30-100 people, singing themed a cappella medleys, usually satirical. Originating as a fund-raiser for the school, the modern event has developed into a major show for which each group assembles costumes related to their act's theme, such as weight loss, Coca Cola, Adam and Eve, or forest fires. Often the costumes involve a mid-performance quick-change to a second costume — such as the 1987 acts in which grapes turned into raisins or bananas peeled to reveal Carmen Miranda — or elaborate choreography within the risers, as when the 1983 freshman class act recreated a Pac-Man screen and manipulated their costumes so that the character appeared to move around the screen.^[2][3]
• Lectureship. Begun in 1918, this annual program gathers thousands of attendees for lectures and workshops on religious topics connected with a biblical theme that changes each year. After many years of following directly after Sing Song, the lectureship moved in 2006 to a September event, in part to spread out the events that bring the most visitors to campus and also to take advantage of the more stable autumn climate, as winter storms and rain had hindered attendance on multiple occasions.
• Spring Break Campaigns. Hundreds of students participate each year in missionary or community-service programs of 7-10 days in various parts of the United States and, some years, other nearby countries.^[2]
• Welcome Week. Modeled on a program at Baylor University, this event for the integration of incoming first-year and transfer students provides small-group study programs, social activities, and information fairs in the week preceding the beginning of the fall semester.
• Homecoming. Like most residential U.S. universities, the campus hosts a celebration each fall for alumni to return for a parade, class-year and organizational reunions, and musical theater.^[2]

Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Coca-Cola is a cola (a type of carbonated soft drink) sold in stores, restaurants and vending machines in more than 200 countries. ... Michelangelos Creation of Adam, from the Sistine Chapel. ... Fire in San Bernardino, California Mountains (image taken from the International Space Station) A wildfire, also known as a forest fire, vegetation fire, grass fire, or bushfire (in Australasia), is an uncontrolled fire in wildland often caused by lightning; other common causes are human carelessness and arson. ... It has been suggested that Veraison be merged into this article or section. ... Raisins Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. ... Bananas may refer to: Bananas (film), a 1971 Woody Allen film Bananas (album), a 2003 Deep Purple album Bananas (catamorphism), a generalization of folds Bananas, one of Donkey and Dragons hybrid Children. ... Carmen Miranda, pron. ... In sand casting, a riser prevents shrinkage in metal cast parts during the solidification process. ... Pac-Man is an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution by Midway Games in 1979. ... 1918 (MCMXVIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. ... Baylor University is a private, Baptist-affiliated research university located in Waco, Texas. ... Alternate uses: Student (disambiguation) Etymologically derived through Middle English from the Latin second-type conjugation verb stŭdērĕ, which means to study, a student is one who studies. ... Musical theater (or theatre) is a form of theatre combining music, songs, dance, and spoken dialogue. ...

Social Clubs

Abilene Christian University has a number of student organizations or social clubs which would be the equivlent to a Fraternity or Soroity on other college campuses. The main goal of these social clubs is to help in service to the surrounding communities and the school itself. Other activites social clubs participate in are intramural sports and Sing Song. Here are a list of active social clubs at ACU.

Defunct clubs of note include the men's clubs Trojans and Centurion, and the women's club Tri Kappa Gamma.

Presidents

• Allen Booker Barret (1906-08)
• H. C. Darden (1908-09)
• Robertson Lafayette Whiteside(1909-11)
• James F. Cox (1911-12)^[1]
• Jesse Parker Sewell (1912-1924)
• Batsell Baxter (1924-1932)
• James F. Cox (1932-1940)
• Don H. Morris (1940-1969)
• John C. Stevens (1969-1981)
• William J. Teague (1981-1991)
• Royce Money (1991-present)

Batsell Baxter (b. ...

Notable alumni

• Gordon Bethune, former CEO of Continental Airlines
• James Browne, Olympic long jumper from Antigua
• Nelson Coates, Emmy-nominated film production designer^[4]
• Randall "Tex" Cobb, professional boxer, actor
• Bonnie Curtis, film producer
• Jeff Knipp, film production designer
• Jody Dean, news anchor of KTVT-TV, Dallas, Texas
• Holly Dunn, country music artist, painter
• James Hill, professional football player
• Robert D. Hunter, member of the Texas House of Representatives, District 71, (1986-2006)
• Daniel Johnston, singer and songwriter
• John Layfield, professional wrestler
• David Leeson (1978), co-winner of 2004 Pulitzer Prize (previously nominated in 1986, 1990, and 1995)^[5] and winner of the Edward R. Murrow and National Headliner Awards^[6]
• Cindi Love, executive director of Metropolitan Community Church^[7][8]
• Max Lucado, best-selling Christian author
• Danieal Manning, professional football player
• Bobby Joe Morrow, Olympic sprinter
• Wilbert Montgomery, professional football player
• Billy Olson, first pole vaulter to go over 19 feet indoors (1983), set 11 indoor world records in the 1980s. ^{[citation needed]}
• Cline Paden (Class 1947), Church of Christ missionary, founder of Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock
• Ted Poe, former Harris County, Texas judge, member of the United States House of Representatives
• Kevin Price, Host of the Houston Business Show on CNN 650 and Publisher of the Houston Business Review at HoustonBusiness.com
• Jack Scott, California State Senator
• Jeev Milkha Singh, professional golfer from India
• R. Gerald Turner, President of Southern Methodist University
• Earl Young, 1960 Gold Medal Olympian --4X400 relay

Gordon M. Bethune (born August 1941) is the chairman of the board of Aloha Airgroup, parent company of Aloha Airlines. ... Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the job of having the ultimate executive responsibility or authority within an organization or corporation. ... Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL) is a US certificated air carrier. ... James Browne is a retired long jumper, who finished in 17th position at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, as a representative of Antigua, where he grew up as a soccer player. ... Randall Tex Cobb (born May 7, 1950 in Abilene, Texas) is an American prizefighter from Texas. ... Bonnie Curtis is a film producer, whose credits include Saving Private Ryan, A.I., and Minority Report directed by Steven Spielberg. ... Jody Dean is an American journalist and author, and news anchor for KTVT-TV in Dallas, Texas. ... A news anchor (US,Can. ... KTVT (CBS 11) is a CBS owned and operated television station in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas designated market area with its transmitter in Cedar Hill. ... Dallas redirects here. ... Holly Dunn was a country music artist in the late 1980s and early 1990s, who first found fame with the release of her 1986 hit Daddys Hands from her self-titled début album. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... The Texas Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. ... Daniel Dale Johnston (b. ... John Charles Layfield, known by his current ring name John Bradshaw Layfield or JBL (born November 29, 1966), is an inactive American professional wrestler. ... David Leeson (born October 18, 1957, in Abilene Texas) is a staff photographer for The Dallas Morning News. ... The Pulitzer Prizes for 2004 were announced on April 5, 2004. ... The Edward R. Murrow Award is an award presented by the Radio-Television News Directors Association in recognition of what the Association terms outstanding achievements in electronic journalism. ... The National Headliner Awards are a prize given out by Press Club of Atlantic City since 1935. ... Reverend Cynthia (Cindi) Love was appointed Executive Director of the Metropolitan Community Church on 18 January 2005. ... Executive director is a title given to a person who is the head of an executive branch of an organization or company. ... Logo of the Metropolitan Community Churches The Metropolitan Community Church (in full, The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches or UFMCC, or more commonly MCC) is an international fellowship of Christian congregations. ... Max Lucado is a best selling Christian author and well-known minister. ... Danieal Manning (born August 9, 1982 in Corsicana, Texas) is a professional American football free safety for the Chicago Bears. ... Bobby Joe Morrow (born October 15, American athlete, winner of three Olympic gold medals in 1956. ... Wilbert Montomery (born September 16, 1954 in Greenville, Mississippi) is a former American football player in the National Football League. ... Cline Rex Paden (August 22, 1919 - May 26, 2007) was a prominent Church of Christ evangelist and missionary who, in 1962, founded what became the Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas. ... Year 1947 (MCMXLVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Two Mormon missionaries A missionary is traditionally defined as a propagator of religion who works to convert those outside that community; someone who proselytizes. ... Nickname: Hub City Location within the state of Texas Coordinates: County Lubbock County Government  - Mayor David Miller Area  - City 297. ... Lloyd Theodore Ted Poe (born September 10, 1948) is a Republican politician and jurist currently representing Texass 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. ... The United States House of Representatives (or simply the House) is one of the two chambers of the United States Congress; the other is the Senate. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Jack Scott is an American politician. ... Jeev Milkha Singh (b. ... R. Gerald Turner graduated from Abilene Christian University with a BS in Psychology and from the University of Texas with a PhD. He served as the chancellor of The University of Mississippi, and is current president of Southern Methodist University. ... Dallas Hall at Dedman College at SMU The Laura Lee Blanton Hall during a rare snow storm Southern Methodist University (commonly SMU) is a private, coeducational university in University Park, Texas (an enclave of Dallas). ... Earl Young was a 1960 Olympic Gold medalist in the Mens 4x400 meter relay for the United States. ...

Notable Professors

• Douglas A. Foster, Professor of Church History, editor of the Stone-Campbell Encyclopedia
• Everett Ferguson, Patristics scholar and noted author

Douglas A. Foster is professor of church history at Abilene Christian University and Associate Dean of Abilene Christians Graduate School of Theology. ...

Trivia

• Abilene Christian University is alphabetically the first of all United States colleges or universities.
• Abilene Christian University is the largest organization in the United States that has time set aside each day for chapel.

Athletics

• NAIA National Football Champions in 1973 and 1977.
• Men's Track Program has won 15 outdoor national track championships (four when competing in the NAIA, eleven in NCAA Division II).
• Men's Track Program has won 9 indoor national track championships (one in NAIA, eight in NCAA Division II).
• Ove Johansson kicked the longest field goal in college football history (69 yards) in 1976.
• In the 2006 season, The ACU Wildcats were ranked No. 20 in the nation in the season-ending American Football Coaches' Association Top 25 poll for Division II teams.

Notes

1. ^ Southern Association of Colleges and Schools: Abilene Christian University institutional profile
2. ^ ^{a b c} "ACU Traditions, from A to Z," ACU Today, Fall 2000.
3. ^ Sing Song official site.
4. ^ Nelson Coates in Internet Movie Database
5. ^ Jay DeFoore. "Leeson, Diaz Meyer Of DMN And LAT's Cole Win Photo Pulitzers," Photo District News Online, April 5, 2004. Retrieved Aug. 6, 2007.
6. ^ ACU press release."Pulitzer Prize-winning alumnus David Leeson wins Murrow, Headliner awards," July 19, 2004. Retrieved Aug. 6, 2007.
7. ^ Loretta Fulton. "Gay Christians face tough choices: Churches deal with question in different ways," Abilene Reporter-News, March 11, 2001. Retrieved Aug. 6, 2007.
8. ^ Metropolitan Community Church press release. [http://www.wfn.org/2005/01/msg00113.html "Dr. Cindi Love Is New Executive Director of Metropolitan Community," Worldwide Faith News, January 18, 2005. Retrieved Aug. 6, 2007.

External links

• ACU official site
• Prickly Pear - student yearbook
• The Optimist - student newspaper
• Office of Career and Academic Development - ACU career center

Footnote

• ^[2] When James Cox's wife became ill, his brother, Alonzo B. Cox, filled in for him to finish the term.