Abilene Christian University
Encyclopedia
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 a fall 2011 enrollment of 4,558 students, including 787 graduate students, from across the United States
and 60 nations.
"
. The Churches 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.
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.
The Optimist, the university's student-produced newspaper
, was founded in 1912. The Prickly Pear, the school yearbook
, was founded in 1916. The JMC Network, a converged student media operation, was created in 2008 to produce all student-led news media. The campus literary-arts magazine (now The Shinnery Review, formerly The Pickwicker) has been in production since 1933.
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.
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 has historically been the largest organization in the United States that has time set aside each class day for chapel
. Chapel attendance is required, absent an approved exemption, and those students failing to meet the requirement over a period of more than one semester may be subject to suspension
.
Abilene Christian College 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
.
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.
On February 22, 1976 the name was changed to Abilene Christian University. The University celebrated its centennial in the 2005-06 school year.
The school established an NPR
station, KACU-FM, in 1986. Initially, the community was concerned that the school might use the station for proselytizing, and for the station's first 10 years, an advisory board composed of community members served to monitor the station against this possibility. On October 18, 2008, the school hosted a live broadcast of NPR's long-running "A Prairie Home Companion
" radio show from the campus' Moody Coliseum.
An extensive history of the university and its involvement in the world has been consolidated into a single volume work by Dr. John C. Stevens, a former ACU president. The book is called No Ordinary University. As part of the university's Centennial celebration, a coffee-table book called The ACU Century was compiled. It contains images and stories from the university's first 100 years.
. ACU's business programs are professionally accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
(AACSB International). ACU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
(CCCU). ACU Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
classes would receive a free Apple iPhone
or an iPod Touch
. This decision was the result of a study to find out the viability of iPhone and iPod for academic purposes. ACU was reported as the first university in the nation to embrace this opportunity to further education through the use of the new generation of smartphone technologies. In February, 2009, ACU hosted more than 400 academics and technologists from 31 states and 8 countries for its first ConnectEd Summit on mobile learning. Attendees representing more than 90 schools participated in workshops designed to foster mobile learning programs on their own campuses.
In August 2008,Campus Technology magazine named ACU "Innovator of the Year" in the mobile learning category for this "ACU Connected" initiative. On February 27, 2009, ACU received the award for Institutional Excellence in Information Communications Technology from ACUTA
and on March 4, 2009, Alcatel-Lucent
named ACU a Dynamic Enterprise Award winner and awarded ACU with its first Analyst Choice Award for its ACU Connected initiative. On June 13, 2009, the New Media Consortium
presented ACU with one of three Center of Excellence awards at its annual summer conference for ACU's efforts in mobile learning.
or sorority on other college campuses; chapters of national Hellenic societies, however, are not permitted. The main goal of these social clubs is to help in service to the surrounding communities and the school itself. Clubs also participate in intramural sports and Sing Song.
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
located in Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Texas
Abilene is a city in Taylor and Jones counties in west central Texas. The population was 117,063 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Abilene Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2006 estimated population of 158,063. It is the county seat of Taylor County...
, affiliated with Churches of Christ. ACU was founded in 1906, as Childers Classical Institute. ACU has a fall 2011 enrollment of 4,558 students, including 787 graduate students, from across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 60 nations.
Mission statement
"The mission of Abilene Christian University is to educate students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. This mission is achieved through:- exemplary teaching, offered by a faculty of Christian scholars, that inspires a commitment to learning;
- significant research, grounded in the university's disciplines of study, that informs issues of importance to the academy, church, and society;
- meaningful service to society, the academic disciplines, the university, and the church, expressed in various ways, by all segments of the Abilene Christian University community.
"
History
Abilene Christian University grew from an idea held by A. B. Barret and Charles Roberson to form a school in West TexasWest Texas
West Texas is a vernacular term applied to a region in the southwestern quadrant of the United States that primarily encompasses the arid and semi-arid lands in the western portion of the state of Texas....
. The Churches 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.
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.
The Optimist, the university's student-produced newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
, was founded in 1912. The Prickly Pear, the school yearbook
Yearbook
A yearbook, also known as an annual, is a book to record, highlight, and commemorate the past year of a school or a book published annually. Virtually all American, Australian and Canadian high schools, most colleges and many elementary and middle schools publish yearbooks...
, was founded in 1916. The JMC Network, a converged student media operation, was created in 2008 to produce all student-led news media. The campus literary-arts magazine (now The Shinnery Review, formerly The Pickwicker) has been in production since 1933.
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.
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
. Chapel attendance is required, absent an approved exemption, and those students failing to meet the requirement over a period of more than one semester may be subject to suspension
Suspension (punishment)
Suspension is a form of punishment that people receive for violating rules and regulations.- Workplace :Suspension is a common practice in the workplace for being in violation of an organization's policy...
.
Abilene Christian College 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
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
.
Amberton University
Amberton University
Amberton University is a private, non-profit university located in Garland, Texas, in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex of the United States of America. The main campus is adjacent to Interstate 635. Amberton is a private university that adheres to a Evangelical Christian philosophy...
, previously Amber University, was created as an extension campus of Abilene Christian University. It was launched in Mesquite, Texas
Mesquite, Texas
Mesquite is a city located within the Dallas/Ft.Worth area of Texas. As of the 2010 US Census, the population was 139,824.-History:The city was founded May 22, 1873, by a Texas & Pacific Railway engineer who purchased land along the Texas & Pacific line outside of Dallas...
in 1971, moving to Garland, Texas
Garland, Texas
-Climate:* The average warmest month is July.* The highest recorded temperature was in 2000.* On average, the coolest month is January.* The lowest recorded temperature was in 1989.* The maximum average precipitation occurs in May....
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.
On February 22, 1976 the name was changed to Abilene Christian University. The University celebrated its centennial in the 2005-06 school year.
The school established an NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
station, KACU-FM, in 1986. Initially, the community was concerned that the school might use the station for proselytizing, and for the station's first 10 years, an advisory board composed of community members served to monitor the station against this possibility. On October 18, 2008, the school hosted a live broadcast of NPR's long-running "A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion is a live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor. The show runs on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Central Time, and usually originates from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota, although it is frequently taken on the road...
" radio show from the campus' Moody Coliseum.
An extensive history of the university and its involvement in the world has been consolidated into a single volume work by Dr. John C. Stevens, a former ACU president. The book is called No Ordinary University. As part of the university's Centennial celebration, a coffee-table book called The ACU Century was compiled. It contains images and stories from the university's first 100 years.
Presidents
- Allen Booker Barret (1906–08)
- H. C. Darden (1908–1909)
- Robertson Lafayette Whiteside (1909–1911)
- James F. Cox (1911–1912)
- Jesse Parker Sewell (1912–1924)
- Batsell BaxterBatsell BaxterBatsell Baxter was one of the most important leaders and educators in the Churches of Christ in the first half of the 20th century.-Biography:...
(1924–1932) - James F. Cox (1932–1940)
- Don H. Morris (1940–1969)
- John C. Stevens (1969–1981)
- William J. Teague (1981–1991)
- Royce MoneyRoyce MoneyRoyce Lynn Money was president of Abilene Christian University from 1991 to 2010, whereupon he became Chancellor. He was succeeded as president by Phil Schubert.-Academic background:...
(1991 – May 31, 2010) - Phil SchubertPhil SchubertPhil Schubert is the eleventh and current president of Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. Schubert's appointment was publicly announced on February 12, 2010, and he formally took office June 1, 2010, succeeding Dr. Royce Money...
(June 1, 2010– )
Accreditations
ACU is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and SchoolsSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
. ACU's business programs are professionally accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business was founded in 1916 to accredit schools of business worldwide. The first accreditations took place in 1919. The stated mission is to advance quality management education worldwide through accreditation and thought leadership. It is regarded...
(AACSB International). ACU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
Council for Christian Colleges and Universities
The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities is an organization designed to help primarily Protestant and evangelical Christian institutions of higher education cooperate and communicate with one another...
(CCCU). ACU Graduate School of Theology is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Traditions
- The Prickly Pear. Since 1916, this has been the titled for Abilene Christian University's (formerly Abilene Christian College) yearbook. The Prickly Pear ceased publication in 2009.
- Sing Song. Since 1956, this annual competition in mid-February has featured student groups of 30-100 people, singing themed a cappellaA cappellaA cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
medleysMedley (music)In music, a medley is a piece composed from parts of existing pieces, usually three, played one after another, sometimes overlapping. They are common in popular music, and most medleys are songs rather than instrumental. A medley which is a remixed series is called a megamix, often done with tracks...
, usually satiricalSatireSatire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
. Originating as a fundraiserFundraiserA fundraiser is an event or campaign whose primary purpose is to raise money for a cause. See also: fundraising. A fundraiser can also be an individual or company whose primary job is to raise money for a specific charity or non-profit organization...
for the school, the modern event has developed into a major show for which each group assembles costumeCostumeThe term costume can refer to wardrobe and dress in general, or to the distinctive style of dress of a particular people, class, or period. Costume may also refer to the artistic arrangement of accessories in a picture, statue, poem, or play, appropriate to the time, place, or other circumstances...
s related to their act's theme, such as Peter Pan, the British Royal Guard, Coca Cola, Adam and EveAdam and EveAdam and Eve were, according to the Genesis creation narratives, the first human couple to inhabit Earth, created by YHWH, the God of the ancient Hebrews...
, or forest fires. Often the costumes involve a mid-performance quick-change to a second costume — such as the 1987 acts in which grapeGrapeA grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
s turned into raisinRaisinRaisins are dried grapes. They are produced in many regions of the world. Raisins may be eaten raw or used in cooking, baking and brewing...
s or bananas peeled to reveal Carmen MirandaCarmen MirandaCarmen Miranda, GCIH was a Portuguese-born Brazilian samba singer, Broadway actress and Hollywood film star popular in the 1940s and 1950s. She was, by some accounts, the highest-earning woman in the United States and noted for her signature fruit hat outfit she wore in the 1943 movie The Gang's...
— or elaborate choreography within the riserRiserRiser may refer to:* Riser , a reservoir in a manufacturing mold* Stair riser, the vertical elements in a set of stairs* Drilling riser, a device used on a ship or offshore drilling rig...
s, as when the 1983 freshman class act recreated a Pac-ManPac-Manis an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution in the United States by Midway, first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. Immensely popular from its original release to the present day, Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games,...
screen and manipulated their costumes so that the character appeared to move around the screen. - Summit. Referred to as Lectureship until the 2008 school year. 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 missionaryMissionaryA missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
or community-service programs of 7–10 days in various parts of the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and, some years, other nearby countries. - Welcome Week. This event for the integration of incoming first-yearFreshmanA freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
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 paradeParadeA parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
, class-year and organizational reunions, and musical theater. - Chapel. ACU is one of the few Christian colleges that maintains daily required chapel for all undergraduate full-time students. Chapel is a 30-minute praise and worship time, usually with a featured speaker. The whole campus stops classes and activities for chapel.
ACU ConnectEd: Mobile Learning Initiative
On February 26, 2008, ACU announced that all incoming freshmanFreshman
A freshman or fresher is a first-year student in secondary school, high school, or college. The term first year can also be used as a noun, to describe the students themselves A freshman (US) or fresher (UK, India) (or sometimes fish, freshie, fresher; slang plural frosh or freshmeat) is a...
classes would receive a free Apple iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
or an iPod Touch
IPod Touch
The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line...
. This decision was the result of a study to find out the viability of iPhone and iPod for academic purposes. ACU was reported as the first university in the nation to embrace this opportunity to further education through the use of the new generation of smartphone technologies. In February, 2009, ACU hosted more than 400 academics and technologists from 31 states and 8 countries for its first ConnectEd Summit on mobile learning. Attendees representing more than 90 schools participated in workshops designed to foster mobile learning programs on their own campuses.
In August 2008,Campus Technology magazine named ACU "Innovator of the Year" in the mobile learning category for this "ACU Connected" initiative. On February 27, 2009, ACU received the award for Institutional Excellence in Information Communications Technology from ACUTA
ACUTA
ACUTA is a nonprofit association whose core purpose is to support higher education communications technology professionals in contributing to the achievement of the strategic mission of their institutions...
and on March 4, 2009, Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent is a global telecommunications corporation, headquartered in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France. It provides telecommunications solutions to service providers, enterprises, and governments around the world, enabling these customers to deliver voice, data, and video services...
named ACU a Dynamic Enterprise Award winner and awarded ACU with its first Analyst Choice Award for its ACU Connected initiative. On June 13, 2009, the New Media Consortium
New Media Consortium
The New Media Consortium is an international 5013 not-for-profit consortium of more than 250 colleges, universities, museums, corporations, and other learning-focused organizations dedicated to the exploration and use of new media and new technologies.NMC member institutions are found in almost...
presented ACU with one of three Center of Excellence awards at its annual summer conference for ACU's efforts in mobile learning.
Athletics
- Formerly a charter member of the Division I Southland ConferenceSouthland ConferenceThe Southland Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the south central United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I for all sports; for football, it participates in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision...
, Abilene Christian has been in the Lone Star ConferenceLone Star ConferenceThe Lone Star Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. Member institutions are located in the southwestern United States, with schools in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico...
(LSC) of Division II of the NCAANational Collegiate Athletic AssociationThe National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
since 1973. In 2007, the conference included 33 ACU current and former student athletes in its 75-member all-sports team commemorating the conference's 75th anniversary. Through 2009, ACU is fourth in NCAA history in team national championships won with 57, trailing Division I schools UCLA, Stanford, and USC, and tied with Division III school Kenyon College. - The men's track and field program has won 32 NCAA National Track and Field Championships: 19 NCAA outdoor and 13 indoor.
- The women's track and field program has won 22 national championships: 12 indoor and 10 outdoor.
- The Wildcats were NAIA national football champions in 1973 and 1977.
- Before the NCAA invalidated its 2007 season, nine ACU football players were included in the LSC's 75th-anniversary list of top players in conference history. The school's 2007 victories were vacated by the NCAA in 2009. The NCAA charged "two assistant football coaches helped a pair of players find an English correspondence class to take, enroll in the same course, allowed them to use the coaches’ school computers for writing papers and paid to mail the assignments." The school had scored more than 40 points in 11 of its 13 games and more than 50 points in 7 games and 70 or more points in two games including a 73-76 three overtime loss to Chadron State in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.
- In 2008, the Wildcats "set a record for points in an NCAA (football) playoff game, beating West Texas A&M 93-68 in the second round of the Division II playoffs."http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/8834284/?MSNHPHCP>1=39002
- Ove JohanssonOve JohanssonOve Claes Johansson, born March 31, 1948, in Gothenburg, Sweden, is a former American football placekicker and the current holder of the record for the longest field goal ever kicked during an American football game, at ....
kicked the longest field goal in college football history (69 yards) in 1976, 6 yards longer than the current NFL record. As of 2009 it remains the longest field goal over kicked in any level of football competition and is an unbroken world record. - Olympic athletes from ACU include Bobby Morrow, three-time 1956 gold medal winner; Earl YoungEarl YoungEarl Verdelle Young is a former American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x400 m relay at the 1960 Summer Olympics....
, 1960 Olympic gold medalist in the 4x400 relay; Billy OlsonBilly OlsonBilly Olson is an American Olympic pole vaulter who held several world records, including the first 19-foot indoor pole vault. Olson participated in the 1988 Summer Olympics and was to have been part of the U.S. team for the boycotted 1980 Summer Olympics....
, who made the 1980 and 1988 U.S. teams but did not compete in 1980 due to President Carter'sJimmy CarterJames Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
decision to boycott the Games; Yolande Straughn, who competed in 1988 for BarbadosBarbadosBarbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
; and *James BrowneJames Browne (athlete)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.-References:*...
, 1988 competitor for AntiguaAntiguaAntigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la...
. - ESPNESPNEntertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
and NFL NetworkNFL NetworkNFL Network is an American television specialty channel owned and operated by the National Football League . It was launched November 4, 2003, only eight months after the league's 32 team owners voted unanimously to approve its formation...
analyst and author Sean Adams is a former NCAA All-American athlete for ACU.
Social clubs
The school has a number of student organizations called "social clubs" that are equivalent to a fraternityFraternities and sororities
Fraternities and sororities are fraternal social organizations for undergraduate students. In Latin, the term refers mainly to such organizations at colleges and universities in the United States, although it is also applied to analogous European groups also known as corporations...
or sorority on other college campuses; chapters of national Hellenic societies, however, are not permitted. The main goal of these social clubs is to help in service to the surrounding communities and the school itself. Clubs also participate in intramural sports and Sing Song.
Notable alumni
- Gordon Bethune, former CEO of Continental AirlinesContinental AirlinesContinental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
- Bill BlakeleyBill BlakeleyBillie Buie Blakeley , also known as William and Billy, was an American basketball coach at the interscholastic, intercollegiate, and professional levels.- Intercollegiate basketball: NCAA Division I :...
, former basketball coach at the interscholastic, intercollegiate, and professional levels; ACU Sports Hall of Fame (1993) - James BrowneJames Browne (athlete)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.-References:*...
, Olympic long jumper from AntiguaAntiguaAntigua , also known as Waladli, is an island in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean region, the main island of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and was named by Christopher Columbus after an icon in Seville Cathedral, Santa Maria de la... - Nelson CoatesNelson CoatesNelson Coates is an American production designer and set designer for film, television, and theater. He was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1994 for his art direction of the miniseries The Stand, for which he designed all 225 sets. Coates is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and...
, Emmy-nominated film production designer and the first alumnus to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and SciencesThe Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures... - Randall "Tex" Cobb, professional boxer, actor
- Bonnie CurtisBonnie CurtisBonnie Kathleen Curtis is an American film producer whose credits include Saving Private Ryan, A.I., Minority Report, and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg. Her first solo project was the 2005 release The Chumscrubber...
, film producer - Jody DeanJody DeanJody Dean is an American journalist and author and a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Dean's career in broadcasting began in junior high school, in 1973 on WBAP-TV's "Museum of Horrors". After graduating from Ft. Worth's Paschal High School, Dean took a shift at...
, news anchor of KTVT-TV, Dallas, Texas - Holly DunnHolly DunnHolly Dunn is a country music artist who first found fame with her 1986 Top-10 hit "Daddy's Hands" from her self-titled début album. Dunn has charted more than a dozen country singles, two of which reaching the #1 spot.Dunn is the daughter of a minister father...
, country music artist, painter - Janice HahnJanice HahnJanice Kay Hahn is the U.S. Representative from California's 36th congressional district and a member of the Democratic Party. She was previously a Los Angeles City Councilwoman representing the 15th district from 2001 to 2011...
, member of the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
and former Los Angeles City Councilwoman - James Hill, professional football player
- Robert D. Hunter, member of the Texas House of RepresentativesTexas House of RepresentativesThe Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
, District 71, (1986–2006) - Ove JohanssonOve JohanssonOve Claes Johansson, born March 31, 1948, in Gothenburg, Sweden, is a former American football placekicker and the current holder of the record for the longest field goal ever kicked during an American football game, at ....
, Swedish-born American football fieldgoal record setter, father of Annika Johansson - Annika Johansson, stage actress, daughter of Ove Johansson
- H. Jeff KimbleH. Jeff KimbleH. Jeff Kimble is the William L. Valentine Professor and Professor of Physics at Caltech. His research is in quantum optics and is noted for groundbreaking experiments in physics including one of the first demonstrations of teleportation of a quantum state , quantum logic gate, and the development...
, William L. Valentine Professor and Professor of Physics at the California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Institute of TechnologyThe California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering... - Johnny KnoxJohnny KnoxJohnny Knox is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears. He was selected by the Bears as the 140th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, through a they acquired in the Kyle Orton-Jay Cutler trade....
, professional football player for NFL team Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - John LayfieldJohn LayfieldJohn Charles Layfield is a former American professional wrestler, a former commentator/host for mixed martial arts promotion Vyper Fight League and financial analyst for Fox News...
, professional wrestler - David LeesonDavid LeesonDavid Leeson is a staff photographer for The Dallas Morning News. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography in 2004, together with Cheryl Diaz Meyer, for coverage of the Iraq War. He also received the RTNDA Edward R...
(1978), co-winner of 2004 Pulitzer Prize2004 Pulitzer PrizeThe Pulitzer Prizes for 2004 were announced on April 5, 2004.The Los Angeles Times won five journalism awards, the most that the newspaper has ever won in a single year and second only to The New York Times in 2002 for the most won in a year by any paper.-Journalism awards:* Beat Reporting:**Daniel...
(previously nominated in 1986, 1990, and 1995) and winner of the Edward R. Murrow and National Headliner Awards - Max LucadoMax LucadoMax Lucado is a best-selling author and writer and preacher at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas...
, best-selling Christian author - Dr. Abraham J. Malherbe, Buckingham Professor Emeritus of Theology at Yale University
- Danieal ManningDanieal ManningDanieal Manning is a professional American football safety for the Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the 42nd pick in the 2006 NFL Draft from Abilene Christian University, which made him the first player from a non-Division I school to be selected that year...
, professional football player for NFL team Houston TexansHouston TexansThe Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team is currently a member of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Barry McCartyBarry McCartyC. Barry McCarty is an American preacher and current senior pastor of the historic Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta. He is primarily associated with the Christian churches and churches of Christ, which is part of the Restoration Movement. He is one of the three current speakers for the...
, National radio host and former President of Cincinnati Christian UniversityCincinnati Christian UniversityCincinnati Christian University is a private Christian University in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is supported by the Christian churches and churches of Christ, which are part of the Restoration Movement.... - Dr. Dale B. Martin, Woolsey Professor of Religious Studies, Director of Graduate Studies, Yale University
- TJ McCloudTJ McCloud-Early Career:Born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1980, he lived in Perry, Oklahoma until 1990, then moved with his family to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he finished high school. In 1999, he co-founded the group Doubting Thomas with Jenks High School buddies Ab Colby and Rockwell Ryan Ripperger...
, singer-songwriter, former member of Stephen Speaks - Bobby Morrow, Olympic sprinter, winner of three gold medals in the 1956 Games
- Wilbert MontgomeryWilbert MontgomeryWilbert Montgomery is a former American football player in the National Football League for nine years with the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions...
, professional football player - Billy OlsonBilly OlsonBilly Olson is an American Olympic pole vaulter who held several world records, including the first 19-foot indoor pole vault. Olson participated in the 1988 Summer Olympics and was to have been part of the U.S. team for the boycotted 1980 Summer Olympics....
, Olympic pole vaulter (1988 Summer Olympics1988 Summer OlympicsThe 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
, U.S. team for boycotted 1980 Summer Olympics1980 Summer OlympicsThe 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
); held several world records, including first 19-foot indoor pole vault — vaulted for AHS and ACU - Cline PadenCline PadenCline Rex Paden was a prominent Churches of Christ evangelist and missionary who, in 1962, founded what became the Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock, Texas...
(1947), Church of Christ missionaryMissionaryA missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
, founder of Sunset International Bible Institute in LubbockLubbock, TexasLubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University... - Johnny PerkinsJohnny PerkinsJohn Eugene "Johnny" Perkins was an American football wide receiver in the National Football League who spent his entire career with the New York Giants. Perkins was born in Franklin, Texas. He played college football at Ranger College before transferring to Abilene Christian University...
, professional football player - Ted PoeTed PoeLloyd "Ted" Poe is a Republican politician currently representing Texas's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. The district includes most of northern Houston, as well as most of the Beaumont-Port Arthur metropolitan area. He is the first Republican to ever...
, former Harris County, Texas, judge; member of the United States House of Representatives - Kevin PriceKevin PriceKevin Price is a radio host in Houston, Texas. Born December 18, 1961 in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in the small suburb of Ferndale, Michigan until the age of 13 when he and his family left the state for Texas. This was due to the continued decline of the Detroit economy and because others in...
, host of the Houston Business Show on 1070 KNTH and publisher of US Daily Review - David Sampson, President and CEO of the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
- Bernard ScottBernard Scott-Cincinnati Bengals:Following training camp, Scott made the active roster as a kick returner and as a backup to running back Cedric Benson. On November 15, 2009, Scott returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week...
, professional football player - Jack ScottJack Scott (politician)Jack Alan Scott is an American Democratic politician. He recently served as a California State Senator, representing the 21st district, which includes Burbank, Glendale, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, San Gabriel, Temple City, and Los Angelescommunities including Tarzana, Encino, Reseda, Van...
, California state senator; chancellor, California Community College System - Joe Shirley(1978) President, Navajo Nation,
- Jeev Milkha SinghJeev Milkha SinghJeev Milkha Singh is the first Indian professional golfer to become a member of the European Tour. He is the highest ranked Indian golfer in the world and first broke into the top 100 in October 2006.-Early life:...
(1996), professional golferProfessional Golfers AssociationProfessional Golfers' Association, , is the usual term for a professional association in men's golf. It is often abbreviated to PGA...
from India - Randall L. Speck, Partner, Kaye Scholer, LLP law firm
- Paul StelzerPaul StelzerDr. Paul Stelzer is an American cardiothoracic surgeon who is one of the few worldwide to routinely perform the Ross procedure – a procedure Stelzer helped establish as the standard for aortic valve replacement...
, Co-Director of the Heart Valve Center and a senior surgeon in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Mount Sinai HospitalMount Sinai HospitalMount Sinai Hospital may refer to:*Mount Sinai Hospital, New York*Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto*Mount Sinai Medical Center & Miami Heart Institute, Miami, Florida*Mount Sinai Hospital, Cleveland*Mount Sinai Hospital, Milwaukee...
, and a Professor of Cardiothoracic SurgeryCardiothoracic SurgeryCardiothoracic surgery is the field of medicine involved in surgical treatment of diseases affecting organs inside the thorax —generally treatment of conditions of the heart and lungs .-Cardiac / Thoracic:...
at Mount Sinai School of MedicineMount Sinai School of MedicineMount Sinai School of Medicine is an American medical school in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, currently ranked among the top 20 medical schools in the United States. It was chartered by Mount Sinai Hospital in 1963....
, whose experience with the Ross procedureRoss procedureThe Ross procedure is a cardiac surgery operation where a diseased aortic valve is replaced with the person's own pulmonary valve. A pulmonary allograft is then used to replace the patient's own pulmonary valve...
is considered among the most extensive in the world. - Gilbert TuhabonyeGilbert TuhabonyeGilbert Tuhabonye, born on November 22, 1974 in Songa, Burundi, is an American long distance runner.Tuhabonye's most noted accomplishment is winning the Burundi national championship in the men's 400m and 800m as a junior in high school....
, Burundian Championship runner and genocide survivor, author - R. Gerald TurnerR. Gerald TurnerRobert Gerald Turner is the President of Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Previously he served as Chancellor of the University of Mississippi .-Education:...
, president of Southern Methodist UniversitySouthern Methodist UniversitySouthern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church... - Thomas B. WarrenThomas B. WarrenThomas Bratton Warren was a professor of philosophy of religion and apologetics at the Harding University Graduate School of Religion in Memphis, Tennessee, USA and was an important philosopher and theologian in the Churches of Christ in the latter half of the twentieth century.Warren had been in...
, Minister, Restoration Theologian, and Religious Philosopher - Aaron WatsonAaron WatsonAaron Watson is an Texas country music singer.Watson was born in Amarillo, Texas and attended Abilene Christian University, where he began learning guitar, after playing junior college baseball in New Mexico. He gigged around Texas before releasing his debut album, A Texas Cafe; the follow-up,...
, country music singer - Allen WilsonAllen Wilson (American football)Allen Wilson is an American football coach. A highly successful high school coach, Wilson won two Texas state championships and amassed a 213-74-3 record. His teams are known for their smash-mouth running game....
, football coach - Earl YoungEarl YoungEarl Verdelle Young is a former American athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x400 m relay at the 1960 Summer Olympics....
, 1960 Olympic gold medal winner in 4X400 relay - http://www.alisonstarnes.com Alison Tetrick Starnes, professional cyclist
Notable former students
- Clint LongleyClint LongleyHoward Clinton "Clint" Longley, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League and Canadian Football League. He played two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and one for the San Diego Chargers...
, former NFL quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers - Ronnie DunnRonnie DunnRonnie Gene Dunn is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for being one half of the duo Brooks & Dunn. In 2011, Dunn began working as a solo artist following the breakup of Brooks & Dunn...
, singer and songwriter - one half of Brooks & Dunn - Bernard ScottBernard Scott-Cincinnati Bengals:Following training camp, Scott made the active roster as a kick returner and as a backup to running back Cedric Benson. On November 15, 2009, Scott returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which earned him AFC Special Teams Player of the Week...
, running back for the Cincinnati Bengals - Johnny KnoxJohnny KnoxJohnny Knox is an American football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears. He was selected by the Bears as the 140th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, through a they acquired in the Kyle Orton-Jay Cutler trade....
, wide receiver for the Chicago BearsChicago BearsThe Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Micah P. HinsonMicah P. HinsonMicah Paul Hinson is an American americana singer and guitarist and recording artist for Sketchbook Records in the United Kingdom and Jade Tree Records in the United States. His debut album Micah P. Hinson and the Gospel of Progress was released in 2004 to much critical praise...
, singer and songwriter - Daniel JohnstonDaniel JohnstonDaniel Dale Johnston is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and artist. Johnston was the subject of the 2006 documentary The Devil and Daniel Johnston. He currently lives in Waller, Texas....
, singer and songwriter - attended ACU in his first year of college - Ali Starnes, Professional Cyclist
Notable professors
- Everett FergusonEverett FergusonEverett Ferguson currently serves as Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas...
, Patristics scholar and noted author - Douglas A. FosterDouglas A. FosterDouglas Allen Foster is professor of church history at Abilene Christian University and Associate Dean of Abilene Christian's Graduate School of Theology. He has taught at Abilene Christian since August 1991. He was appointed Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Theology in June 2006 and...
, Professor of Church History, editor of the Stone-Campbell Encyclopedia - Forrest McCann, professor emeritus of English, hymnologist
- Gary D. McCalebGary D. McCalebGary Day McCaleb is the vice president and professor of management at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, and a prominent civic leader who formerly served as mayor of Abilene, the seat of Taylor County...
, professor of management and founder of Center for Building Community; former mayor of Abilene - Michael A. O'Donnell, (former) Professor of Family Studies and Founding Executive Director of the Southwest Center for Fathering