“The workshop was extremely helpful in providing hands on experience as to what working in a third world country would be like as well as open up a world of connections to other missionaries,” said Kathleen Henderson, junior environmental science major from Rockport, Texas.

The focus of the program will be on a holistic ministry in both rural and urban settings.  Students will learn about inner city ministry, language acquisition, developing world market, disaster assistance, water purification, gardening, health care, sanitation and more through hands-on learning experiences including large group simulations and discovery Bible studies.

“I enjoyed the simulation of village/rural settings and all of the hands-on experience.” Said Anabel Reid, freshman environmental science major from Becton, Texas.  “I was able to physically help dig a well which put my dream of working in developing countries into perspective.  I learned about the attitude with which I should approach situations and also about the cultures and how to live within them.”

Speakers included missionaries from around the world and representatives from Global Samaritan Resources, Good News Productions International, Healing Hands International, Pioneer Bible Translators and MANA.

“I think more missions and agriculture students should attend,” said Lina Deitmen, freshman agricultural business major from Tenn.  “Anyone could benefit from attending.  I think ACU should hold this event.  The university owns a ranch and has the potential to make a great workshop.”

“It gave me a clear idea of how a law class should be taught,” Nicodemus said.

The course was used to introduce students to the domestic statutes and international treaties that regulate and prohibit unlawful wildlife taking and trafficking.  In addition, it emphasized the enforcement schemes and methods used to address these crimes.

This summer session course was taught by Robert Anderson, senior trial attorney for the department of justice in the environmental crimes section of the environmental and Natural resources division.

“Since Robert Anderson actually practices law class didn’t just consist of descriptions of cases, he was able to talk about the behind the scenes of the case and explained how things really worked,” Nicodemus said.  “It wasn’t just a flashy, broad presentation.  He worked the nuts and bolts of the cases with us.”

Nicodemus made it clear that this wasn’t a trip just to prepare for his new class.  This was also an opportunity for networking.

“I wanted to establish relationships with Vermont Law School to help our students out down the road,” Nicodemus said.  “It’s the number one place to study environmental law in the country and I want those of our students who are interested in that area of study to have a foot in the door.”

For more information about A&E’s Environmental Law and Policy class check it out on the course catalog.

Dr. Foy Mills, A&E department chair, decided to do something different asking all participants in this year’s visiting committee discussion to do a SWOT analysis of the department.  The working session involved small group interaction discovering the department’s strengths and weaknesses, and identifying opportunities and threats.  Mills included a time in the meeting where the faculty, visiting committee and selected students all discussed the analysis together, unlike the format in previous years.

“We are drawing close to the completion of Project 2012, which repositioned and revitalized A&E.  I thought that the SWOT process, including the working session, would be a great way to interact and generate valuable information for reflection to help us as we position A&E for the next ten years,” Mills said.

This type of small group discussion proved to be a valuable time for not just the department, but also for the individuals around the table.

“It was more structured this year compared to last,” said Tiffany Lutz, sophomore animal science major from Zelienople, Pa.  “Small group discussion works better because it’s more personal.  You actually get to know the person that you’re talking to.”

Mills relates, “I am excited about the very tangible results produced from our visiting committee’s presence on campus.  Their contributions through the years have been invaluable in the continuing formation of A&E.”

“Our students know how science works and how to express themselves scientifically, which is not always the case with undergraduate researchers,” Nicodemus said.  “I think often undergrad research amounts to students doing the grunt work and never really understanding why. Our students have much more ownership over their work.”

A&E is proud to report that Laws won first place in the poster competition and Davis won third place in the oral presentation competition.  Dylan Wann (ENVR, ’08), who is pursuing his MS in Sustainable Agriculture at UGA, took top place honors in the graduate student competition.

“I gained a lot of confidence in my field of study by presenting in front of several seasoned professionals in the animal science community,” Davis said.

Davis presented on the use of a naturally occurring source of sulfur to control gastrointestinal nematodes in small ruminants.  Shinsky presented on utilization of tropical forage legumes to supplement a sudangrass diet fed to growing small ruminants.

“I realized that I could be much more professional than I usually see myself,” Shinsky said.  “It was great to have professors from other universities come up to me after I presented and tell me I did a good job.  It was also really cool to realize that ACU has a good reputation with some big state schools.”

Laws made his presentation over the comparison of warm season legume production under drip irrigation in the summer in a semiarid region of West Texas.

“I gained valuable experience from this convention,” Laws said.  “This was the first time I have presented any of my own academic work and I will be able to draw from this experience if I ever get another opportunity.”

There are many benefits for students to participate in undergraduate research and public presentations.

“Another benefit for our students is the opportunity to network with scientists and other student-scientists in the field,” Nicodemus said.  “Our students have made numerous contacts with professors, some of which have led to graduate work with those individuals.”

Despite our size, A&E shines in the area of undergraduate research compared to other schools.

“A&E is certainly a force to recon with,” Mhlanga said.  “Our department compares very well with other departments mostly from large research institutions in terms of conducting quality research.”

“I would highly recommend students to participate in undergraduate research opportunities because it allows you take what you’ve learned in the classroom and put it into practice,” said Davis.  “The hands on experience, taking ownership of an actual research project, and the opportunity to articulate your findings to professionals in that field is something that most undergraduate do not have the opportunity to participate in.”

We thank the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s office, the Undergraduate Research Office, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Dr. Ira Hill and Dr. Kent Anderson for their support in helping get our students to this point.

Last summer Steve Eller, counselor and certified EAP therapist, began talking with Dr. Foy Mills, A&E department chair and professor of agribusiness, about starting this type of therapy program at the Rhoden Field Laboratory. Dr. Ed Brokaw, Bray Cook professor of animal science and Ellice Pierce, A&E farm manager have led A&E’s efforts in collaborating with Eller in support of the EAP program.

“This presents an alternative to coming into a room and just talking,” Eller said.

This program will be a valuable tool for not only the Counseling Center but for A&E as well.

“I think this could positively affect the A&E department and students because there are many powerful life lessons that can be learned in the sessions,” said Katie Havis, freshman psychology major from Fort Worth, Texas.

This program was introduced to Eller through the organization Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).  This organization is “dedicated to improving the mental health of individuals, families and groups around the world by setting the standard of excellence in EAP” (eagala.org).

“This type of therapy reveals a metaphor language in relating the arena to life, helping people more easily identify the problem they are facing,” Eller said.  “If an individual or a group can name the problem then there is a better chance of them overcoming it.”

This type of therapy is 100 percent on the ground.  This is not therapeutic riding.

The EAP program is also a good opportunity for students to learn other ways to use horses.

“This is another use of horses that many people do not know about, but the more it is broadcasted the more people appear interested in this program,” Havis said.

Havis is the equine specialist for this project.  Her job is to read the horses body language and attitudes in order to ensure the safety of the clients and the horse during the session.

“It’s really exciting during the sessions,” Havis said.  “I love watching the horses and clients interact.  Since I can read the horse’s emotions and reactions easily it’s always interesting to hear what the client’s opinion is of what the horses are doing.”

For more information check out the Web page for ACU’s EAP program at http://www.acu.edu/campusoffices/counseling/eap/index.html.  Or contact Steve Eller by phone at 325-674-2626 or steve.eller@acu.edu.

Last year with the help of Billy Kniffen (‘71), a Texas AgriLife Extension rainwater catchment specialist, the A&E department constructed a water catchment system on the animal stables at the Rhoden Field Laboratory.

Due to West Texas drought, catching rainwater on site and using it to irrigate and water livestock is a priority for this department that seeks to be good stewards and set an example.

“We are trying to be good stewards of our resources,” said Dr. Jim Cooke, professor of environmental science.  “We want to model the best practices in water resources management.”

Water catchment involves collecting rainwater from a roof of a structure and storing it for later use.  Right now, the water that is being collected at the Rhoden is non-potable, meaning that it is not suitable for human consumption.  We hope to eventually be able to purify the water that is captured for human drinking.

The plan is to provide the Rhoden with water, but also to educate students.  With this education students will be better prepared to work in drought prone areas as well as in the mission field.

One of A&E’s students, Alex Wann, senior environmental science major from Torrington, Wyo., has done research using the water catchment facilities at the Rhoden.  The purpose for Wann’s research was to evaluate the potential of utilizing and purifying rainwater in order to provide in-home-filtered and potable drinking water at low-cost to users.

“The hope is this can be one way families in places around the world can be empowered with the tools to compliment their existing water source, or to replace it with a safer, cleaner, higher-quality source for drinking water,” said Wann.

The Rhoden’s water catchment project has already been and will continue to be a useful tool in our department and to our students.

“At the very basic level, it’s wonderful to see, touch, learn about and work with a real rainwater harvesting system that is in use at the Rhoden,” said Wann.

They have had less time in past years to work and do other activities, but his year they were allotted two-and-a-half days to finish what they needed to.  They cleaned three cottages, worked with and built pins for the livestock, cleaned general areas, mowed and weed ate and fellowshipped with the kids and workers there.

“I know in the past we’ve spent a lot of time directly with the kids,” said Kyle Ferrell, junior agribusiness major from Weatherford, Texas, “but since we were there over Fall Break, we were able to do a whole lot more for the house parents that live and work there. We were able to be more of a hand to them to finish some things that would have taken them days to finish.”

In addition to ministering to the kids and working at the home, the team was able to enjoy some local festivities.  They attended a weekly fish fry and the homecoming parade.

“This year we had two-and-a-half days and before we had less,” said Dr. Emmett Miller, assistant professor of range andenvironmental science.  “So it gave us a little more time to do some work and other activities.  They enjoy the fellowship that we can have together.”

On Saturday evening the team prepared a hamburger dinner for 150 residents of the children’s home.  Following the meal the team played football and basketball with the children before they all went to bed.

“Getting to spend time with fellow students, working toward a Christ-focused goal really strengthens your relationship with other students as well as your relationship with God.” Ferrell said.  “Plus it’s just down right fun.”

The A&E homecoming award luncheon is designed to bring past and present students together and to recognize achievements made by individuals in both groups.  Current scholarship students were recognized as well as those with individual awards.

Samantha Futrell, freshman wildlife and natural resource management major from San Angelo, Texas, was awarded the Texas Wildlife Association Scholarship.  Kendra Gregory, senior environmental science and Spanish major from Pittsburgh, was awarded the Academic Excellence award from Ag workers Mutual Auto Insurance.  Over 40 other A&E students were recognized for the scholarships that they have attained through the department.

The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award went to Brian Turner (2000), Vice President of Project Estimating and Project Management in Eastland, Texas.  He was unable to attend the luncheon to accept the award because of a Cub Scout camping trip

he promised his son he would attend.  After graduating from ACU, Brian accepted a position as Estimator/Project Manager at

Eagle Construction and Environmental Services in Eastland, Texas.  In November 2008, Eagle merged with Southern Waste Services of Florida.  Brian was promoted to his current position.

The Outstanding Alumnus Award was given to David Forrest (’74), Ph.D., professor in A&M University’s Department of

Large Animal Clinical Sciences.  Following completion of his B.S., David was accepted into the graduate program in the Department of Animal Science at Texas A&M University.  He completed an M.S. in Physiology of Reproduction in 1976.  He continued graduate study at the University of Wyoming and received a Ph.D. in Reproductive Physiology in 1979.

The event was held at Hillcrest Church of Christ on Oct. 17, 2009.

“They have created a truly beautiful environment!  Out stay was relaxing and             comfortable.  The living space was gorgeous and the grounds were nicely             landscaped.  The pier overlooking the creek looked like quite a project.  Breakfast             was excellent and hit the spot,” said guests Tom and MaryLou.

“Their hospitality and friendliness have been second to none,” said guests Hugh             and Janet.

“Thanks to the Langfords for carving out such a delightful spot in little ol’             Abilene.  It was a most comfortable alternative to staying in a soulless hotel,” said             gust Christine.

“It was a dream to stay in the luxury and simple elegance of the charming place,”             said guest Jamie.

The story behind this adorable bed and breakfast starts with the history of James and Peggy.

As James was attending ACU, Peggy was attending Pepperdine University, and did not know each other.  The summer of 1974 both James and Peggy were doing mission work in South America; James in Chili and Argentina and Peggy in Columbia.  The missionary that James worked for traveled to Columbia in the middle of that summer to speak at a conference, which Peggy attended.  Upon meeting Peggy and hearing her heart for what she is doing, the missionary mentioned to Peggy that she should meet a young man by the name of James whom she should meet.  He advised that transfer to ACU and get to know James.  This seemed silly to Peggy at first, but she realized that attending ACU was considerable less expensive that Pepperdine.  So, she applied and was accepted into ACU’s education department.  Soon after her arrival at ACU Peggy was asked to speak at a weekly meeting called Mission Outreach.  This meeting included students who had already or were interested in doing summer mission work.  Peggy was asked to speak at the South America meeting.  James’ roommate attended this meeting.  When he got back to his dorm room he told James about her and advised that James meet her.  Once the met they were inseparable.  That is, until she was offered and accepted a music scholarship from Pepperdine.  She returned to California and the two kept in touch through letters and phone calls.  He visited her during his Spring Break and proposed.  Since that time the two have lived in a small town called Trinton in north-east Texas; Austin, Texas; Stockton, California; New Jersey and finally Abilene.  Within all of those moves James received his master’s in ESL and they had two sons.  The house they live in now is the second house they have lived since moving to Abilene, and they have lived there for 17 years.  They worked on renovating the main part of the house first and then decided to make the bottom portion into a bed and breakfast.  In 1997, four years after moving into their current house, they opened the Hashknife. It renovated it again in 2006 to what it looks like today.

“It has been so much fun getting to meet people from all over,” said Peggy.

The Hashknife averages two to three weekends a month of customers.  Sometimes they have long-term visitors, but usually customers only stay a weekend.

For one to three nights, the Hashknife is $100 per night plus about $15 tax.  Reduced rates are available for longer stays.  Reservations can be made by calling (325) 675-6867 or by e-mailing to info@thehashknife.com.  Confirmation for a reservation can’t be made until a 50% deposit has been made.  Money is payable by check or via credit online.  Detail can be sent out through e-mail.

There are many opportunities that the JMC department offers its students.  These degrees consist of journalism, advertising and public relations and electronic media.  Within the journalism degree there are tracks in print, photo, broadcast and religion. Course work in the department carefully balances theoretical and practical information about journalism and mass communication. The curriculum is designed to help students master analytical processes, writing, technology, and the theoretical, historical, ethical and legal foundations of their major field choices.

State-of-the-art laboratories and a faculty that balances strong academic and professional preparation support the unique purposes of the university and the department. The JMC department operates several student media, including KACU-FM, a National Public Radio affiliate; KUF-TV7, a low-power TV station; ACU Video, a television production facility; a student-run advertising and public relations agency; and the Optimist, a twice-weekly All-American student newspaper.  All of these operations have access to up-to-date computer and electronic technology so the graduate is proficient in contemporary media operations.

My time at ACU has proven to be extremely helpful in my career planning.  I have a lot of unique and quality experience under my belt that I don’t believe I could have obtained from another place.  Beyond those things I have been able to form quality relationships and grow in more ways than just academically.  If personal quality learning is what you are looking for then ACU should be at the top of your list of potential universities.  If you have more inquiries then you should check out our Web site.