Wildcatz 4 Life.

Me & Jeffrey (my smartest friend) with Willy the Wildcat. ACU Graduation 2007.

The other night I was talking to some friends from my church about ACU. Someone asked me if there were a lot of "shady" things that happened at a private "Christian" school. (most of the people I was talking to went to A&M, and had to deal with being a minority of dedicated Christians in a huge state school). I think they imagined it being like any old private school were the "C" in the title is the extent of the Christian influence. Like a lot of private Christian universities that are now only renowned for their party school reputation.

I didn't really know what to say to that. How do you explain the ACU Bubble to someone who's never been in it? I wanted to explain how ACU is different, how they have a worship service with over 1,000 people every day of the week. How people have devotionals and pray openly in the middle of class. Or how the school invited and welcomed a bus full of protesting and angry gay rights activists to join them in discussion with love, not animosity. Or how thousands of students spend their spring breaks on mission trips all over the country. I wanted to tell them about how much fun trying to find something fun to do in Abilene can be, and how everyone knows about people like Kool, No Shoes, The Piano Man, Ruth and Mary Ann, and Squeaky the Perpetually Pregnant Sonic Girl. How you can't walk across campus without seeing someone you know. And how Abilene itself has all these unique and interesting quirks that make it such a perfect college town. And SING SONG, well, that might be too hard to explain to anyone. I could go on and on, and probably already have, to those who aren't such ACU enthusiasts.

Please, don't let me lose you by being too ACU praise-happy. I realize that it's not a perfect place, believe me. However, there is something about ACU that is different than other overpriced Christian universities. And that is it's undeniable dedication to teach faith that will prepare it's graduates to change lives. I only say this because I have never experienced a place where I felt so surrounded by Christian love than at ACU. If ACU has a problem, it would be that it is almost too sheltered and doesn't really reflect the experiences we encounter in the real world. (However I don't view that as a problem, but a blessing). I know it's not all blue skies & rainbows (I miss that song). But it will always be remembered by me as a light hearted and peaceful place. It's like my Shire. So, I do get a little defensive when ACU is cornered into the same category as...some other schools.

I mean really. There is no other place on earth where it is ok for macho college boys to wear tights and makeup while doing ridiculous arm motions to songs that they made up while not only keeping, but DEFENDING their pride....I had to post this video to anyone who doesn't know what I'm talking about. Sing Song is probably the funnest, most competitive, and oddest thing I've ever participated in. And I loved it. Please let the record show that my club, Sigma Theta Chi, won this year hands down (not Alpha Kai). And please note that my favorite cousin-in-law, Elliott "Galaxy" Wood, is the Joker and has the best laugh I've ever heard.



So, this post is dedicated to ACU, with love. I miss you, old friend. Three Cheers for the Purple and White. http://www.acu.edu/