Throwing His Weight Around - ACU'S THOMAS WILSON AND A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP Abilene Christian University Winter 2020 - Abilene Christian ...
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L E G A C Y
Abilene Christian University • Winter 2020
Throwing His
Weight Around
ACU’S THOMAS WILSON AND
A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
A MESSAGE FROM
THE ACU FOUNDATION n March 2020, ACU students
PRESIDENT departed campus for a
Recently in a meeting, I asked my much-deserved Spring Break.
students to think back on the past
eight months and to consider all that Their return was disrupted,
has happened since last Spring Break however, by COVID-19, and ACU
when our worlds were suddenly turned
upside down by COVID-19. From quickly transitioned to a virtual
lost jobs to lost loved ones. From learning model to help complete
heightened stress and anxiety in personal interactions
to new pressures on life’s regular activities like going
the spring semester online.
to the grocery store or getting a haircut. Yes, 2020 has Our students were able to navigate the pandemic
been hard. and return to school this fall, thanks to two influential
donor-driven funds: the Exceptional Fund and the
I then asked them to try to push through those
Hope for the Future Scholarship Fund. Loyal ACU
challenges and to try to look for the blessings. It took
donors give to the Exceptional Fund each year, which
a minute of reflection, but then they began to share:
allows the university to quickly respond to the areas of
Friendships. Facetime and Zoom. Being back on campus.
greatest need on campus. Similarly, when donors give
Scholarships and grants. New jobs for parents. Doctors
to the Hope for the Future Scholarship Fund, their
and nurses. The list went on and on. Even in hard years,
dollars make a direct impact on students who need
blessings still seem to overflow.
immediate financial support to pursue their dream
As a fundraiser and someone who works closely of a Christian college education.
with students, I sometimes get to see both sides of the
In the midst of a global pandemic, these two
equation. I witness students receiving and appreciating
quick-response funds gave ACU the tools it needed
the gift of a new scholarship that helps them stay in
to support our students and respond to the needs
school, and I get to see the joy on the face of the giver
of our community.
who believes in “paying it forward” for a Christian
collegiate experience at ACU. “Dozens of students and their families had been
financially impacted by furloughs and layoffs because
In a year of unexpected and unthinkable challenges,
of COVID-19, and we knew we needed to act,” said
the ACU community has stepped up with unprecedented
Jim Orr, J.D. (’86), vice president for advancement.
generosity. In this issue of Legacy, I trust you will
“We also knew there would be new, unplanned costs
be reminded of the vital importance of your annual
related to equipment, technology and sanitation
investment. It makes a difference in the lives of more
supplies required to retool our facilities to create
than 5,000 students who are able to attend Abilene
socially distanced learning spaces. We had to find a
Christian because of you!
way to help our students financially afford to return to
Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your campus and to try to keep them as safe and healthy as
support. And thank you for loving our students. possible when they got back to Abilene. Donors who
Blessings and health, gave to the Exceptional Fund and the Hope for the
Future Scholarship Fund were there to help make
this happen.”
In an uncertain time, the ACU community stepped
Brad Benham up with incredible generosity to meet the pandemic’s
President, The ACU Foundation unprecedented challenges. “When I got the call asking
us to consider supporting the Hope for the Future
Scholarship Fund, I just knew we had to do what we
could to help,” said Marilyn (Colby ’63) Willems.
“If financial circumstances force a student to take a
Legacy is published twice a year by The ACU Foundation Graphic Designer: Holly Harrell
at Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas. Contributing Writer: Brad Benham, J.D. (’05), Sean Hennigan
For address changes: ACU Box 29132, Contributing Photographers: Steve Butman,
Abilene, Texas 79699-9132, 325-674-2620 Scott Delony (’06), Mike Mulholland, Paul White (’68)
Two Funds, One Goal
semester off, there is no guarantee
they would return, making a loss
donation helped ACU better sanitize
classrooms, turn conference rooms
scholarship and institutional dollars.
Will you prayerfully consider
to the university but more so to and gymnasiums into lecture halls joining other Wildcat families and
their education. We had to do and allowed us to be responsive to becoming an annual donor to one
everything we could to help our these unforeseen times and create of these two important funds? We
returning students get back and all the best and safest experience possible have seen these dollars make an
our new freshmen to start their for our students.” immeasurable difference in the lives
college journey.” Marilyn and Leslie are just two of of students in countless, tangible
“The same could be said for the the nearly 1,000 donors who stepped ways this year. And we are confident
Exceptional Fund,” added longtime up last year and gave to either the your future support will continue to
supporter Leslie Fry (’87). “I’ve always Exceptional Fund or the Hope for the pave the way for students to receive
given to the Exceptional Fund because Future Scholarship Fund. These funds Christian higher education for years
it allows the university to quickly react will continue to make a difference to come.
to the pressing needs of the day. I have after the pandemic because there Visit acu.edu/give to make
been so encouraged knowing that my will always be a need for responsive a difference.
“The pandemic hit many families really
hard, and my family was certainly no
exception. If it hadn’t been for additional
scholarship help last summer, I am not
sure I would have been able to make it
to ACU for my freshman year. I am so
happy I did because I really loved my
first semester, and it’s been a blessing
to come to such an amazing college
campus in the midst of this hectic year.
I thank everyone who made it possible
for me and my older sister to receive
scholarships. I also thank all of the
amazing staff and faculty who provide
students such an enriching
and supportive experience.”
– CAROLINE HELM
Freshman biochemistry major from Coppell, Texas
A memorial plaque honoring Katherine “Katie” Kirby is located in the Campus Mall near the GATA Fountain.
ACU’S THOMAS WILSON AND A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
hroughout high was conspiring with these men to get me
to ACU,” Wilson said. “In high school, my
school, Noel heart was set on going somewhere else, but
“Thomas” Wilson III out of respect to these three guys, I came
to visit. As soon as I stepped on campus, I
(’20) leaned on three just knew this is where God wanted me to
male role models be – I knew this was a place where I could
continue to grow.”
who dramatically
Wilson’s heart had been captured by
impacted his life: his ACU, and donor generosity helped make
minister, his principal his dream of a private, Christian education
a reality. “Affording ACU ended up being
and his coach. much easier than I initially thought,” he
These three pushed Wilson to make said. “My mom and I were really taken
the most of his potential, encouraged him aback by the generosity of the scholarship
to grow in his faith and called on him to offer I received with my acceptance letter.
be a leader. Whether in the classroom, on Those scholarships allowed me to follow
the athletic field or in his personal life, my heart to Abilene.”
they pushed him to seek excellence and
maximize his God-given strength, talent Maximizing his time
and skill. When he arrived at ACU, Wilson
Each also shared another commonality: immediately felt God, through mentors and
they were all alumni of Abilene Christian coaches, pushing him to make an impact on
University. the community around him.
Dr. Rickie Harris (’97) was defensive “I decided to walk on to the track and
back and team captain while at ACU, but field team, but that status didn’t change
Wilson remembers his inspiring devotional the way coach [Lance] Bingham treated
messages at Cliff View Church of Christ, me,” he said. “He made it very clear what
where he encouraged the youth group to he expected from each of us as athletes
live out their faith boldly in the community. and teammates, but even more so, as
Adrian Eaglin (’98), was a celebrated students and as people of faith. He and
lineman for the ACU football team, but all the coaches showed us how our faith
Wilson can still picture him patrolling and growth as a person could be modeled
the halls as assistant principal of Denton through our hard work in athletics.”
Ryan High School and taking time to Bingham recalled Wilson already being
encourage him to be a strong leader for his ready for this next step in his journey.
fellow classmates. And Sam Collins (’10) “Since the first day Thomas arrived
gained acclaim as an All-America center on campus he has been willing to learn,
for the Wildcats, but to Wilson, he was observe and grow,” said Bingham, who
the coach willing to spend hours with him is now the head track and field and cross
in the throwing pit, working each day on country coach at Liberty University. “He
the nuances and explosiveness needed to exhibits many Christlike qualities as he
launch a discus and, later, the hammer. goes about his daily life: He loves God and
“It is really crazy. It was almost like God he genuinely cares about other people.
Whether he’s with a friend or COVID wiped out the 2020
stranger, he is always available to be season but he finished fourth in
the hands and feet of Christ. I am Southland Conference weight
thankful for the impact he had on throw standings in 2019, setting
me, my family and the team. I know personal-best records in the discus
he will continue to faithfully serve (174-4) and hammer (176-4) at
Jesus in the years to come.” Baylor University’s Michael Johnson
Bingham wasn’t the only Invitational. He cracked the
local leader giving Wilson Wildcats’ Top-10 list in the weight
wisdom and guidance. Like other throw (59-03.75) in a meet with
student-athletes, Wilson began competitors from USC, Texas Tech
volunteering at events sponsored and Arizona.
by the Tri-College Fellowship
of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Aiming for the Future
Through this service, Wilson Having earned an undergraduate
Wilson degree in biology, Wilson plans to
met local director Kristian Dillard,
who challenged student-athletes open a full-service chiropractic
to put their faith into action practice focusing on nutrition,
SCHOLARSHIPS and make an impact in the
Abilene area.
pain management and whole-
body health. He recognizes the
importance of building strong
Matter
Dillard and Wilson’s friendship
skills in owning and managing
and mentor relationship continued
his own business.
to grow, and he served as best man
at Wilson’s wedding in Spring 2020. “I want to be a good servant
Scholarships made Wilson’s
The same semester, Dillard was to my future clients and a good
dream of an ACU education
named one of ACU’s new assistant steward of money to better support
possible. Gifts to scholarships
coaches, helping fill the shoes my family, my church and my
create opportunities for ACU
left by Bingham when he returned community,” he said. “Earning
to partner with and retain great
to Liberty. an MBA through ACU’s online
students like Wilson.
graduate program is going to help
From mentor to friend to coach,
As he progressed in his me accomplish all of those goals.”
Dillard has joined the rest of the
athletics ability, he improved He is also committed to
ACU coaching staff in navigating
so substantially that he being the best husband he can
challenges presented by COVID-19.
moved from a “walk-on” to a be to his wife, Brynn. He wants
He and his colleagues encouraged
scholarship student-athlete. to boldly share his faith and was
players and coaches to find
That accomplishment, and the recently hired by The Well, a local
positives in their difficulties.
scholarships that bring great Abilene church, to serve as
students such as Wilson to ACU, “Many of our students, like
student minister.
would not be possible without Thomas, plan to stay at ACU
and use this extra year of NCAA Wilson is steadfast in his
donor support.
eligibility as a chance to grow, as desire to make a difference in the
If you are interested in donating people and as athletes,” Dillard community because he knows that
to the general scholarship said. “I have been blessed to have he didn’t get here alone.
fund or establishing an Thomas as a brother. I am excited “I really wouldn’t be here and
endowed scholarship at ACU, my soon-to-be-born child will get have the chance to become the
please contact our team at to learn what a godly man looks like person God has called me to be
theacufoundation@acu.edu or through his influence.” without my family, some incredible
at 800-979-1906. You can also mentors and coaches, and all of
Wilson plans to use his senior
visit acu.edu/give to make a those people who have poured
year and COVID-created “bonus”
donation today. into me along the way,” he said.
year of competition to give back to
his community, shoot for personal “My ACU family loved me, made it
bests in the hammer throw and financially possible to come here
complete his Master of Business through scholarships, and helped
Administration degree through build me up throughout my time in
ACU Online. Abilene. My hope is to return the
favor in the years to come.”
Mentors Matter
dr. rickie harris
Dr. Rickie Harris (’97) was formerly
a teaching minister at Cliff View
Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas,
and an assistant principal in Cedar
Hill ISD. Harris is now the pulpit minister
at Beaumont Church of Christ and has
served since 2015 as superintendent
of West Orange-Cove CISD in
Orange, Texas.
adrian eaglin
Adrian Eaglin (’98) previously was
assistant principal at Ryan High School in
Denton, Texas, and is now a principal at
Braswell High School in Little Elm, Texas.
sam collins
Sam Collins (’10) is a member of the ACU
Sports Hall of Fame who won the Gene
Upshaw Award as the top lineman and the
Dave Rimington Award as the top center in
NCAA Division II. He is a teacher and coach
at Ryan High School in Denton, Texas.
CHELSEA FLOW
Senior vocational ministry major
with a minor in business from
Amarillo, Texas TAKUMA TSUNEKI
Nellie Snyder and Mildred O. Senior English education
Nation Endowed Scholarship major with a Bible minor
“ACU has shaped the person I COURTNEY HINES from Mito, Japan
am and the path I am on in a Senior social work major with R.P. and Cecile Black
profound way. The scholarships minors in Bible, ministry and Education Endowment
I received were one of the missions, and criminal justice
from Kennedale, Texas
“Coming to the states to study
major ways I was able to in a Christian environment has
Eliza J. Cooper
make the decision to come Endowed Scholarship always been my dream, and
here, and I am so grateful for this scholarship has allowed
the generosity of the people “There are not enough words
me to not only experience that
who have made that possible. I can use to express how
but to grow through countless
I’ve found a community that genuinely grateful I am for this
opportunities and experiences.
continues to grow and stretch scholarship and to everyone
Thank you so much for making
me, and meaningful support who has ever donated towards
the ACU college experience
from faculty and staff that has a scholarship. I thank God for
possible for me!”
helped me to develop my sense each donor because the money
of calling and vocation. I owe invested is changing a student’s
so much to the people who life. My life was forever changed
have made my experience at by this scholarship because
ACU a reality – those who have I thought attending ACU was
poured into me and those I may impossible, but God wanted to
never meet.” show me that he really does put
the ‘possible’ in ‘impossible.’
Thank you!”
Scholarship Recipients
DANNY HO
Senior kinesiology major
from Wichita Falls, Texas
NATALIE ALVAREZ Nellie Allen Hardgrave
Endowed Scholarship
Junior ad/PR major with
a minor in business from “I am so grateful every day to be
La Quinta, California JOSH DOWELL able to attend a great university
Unrestricted Scholarship Junior engineering major like ACU. This university has
from Amarillo, Texas proven to be my dream school.
“My experience at ACU has
helped me grow into the leader James B. Rives Jr. Endowed And with the support of this
Engineering Scholarship
I am today. What a blessing it scholarship and the others
is to have the support of the “I fear that sometimes people awarded to me through ACU
ACU family and community to forget the significant impact and its generous donors, I have
ensure that not only myself but scholarships make on the lives been able to meet lifelong
many students have access to of students. It is because of friends and life-changing
a Christ-centered education! scholarships that I have not mentors. Thank you so much!”
Thank you so much for only been able to attend ACU,
this opportunity.” but make Abilene my home.
My life, development and
future prospects have been
transformed because of those
generous people who have
donated to ACU.”
CAMPUS NEWS
JMC HONORS 2020 ACU CONTINUES TO SHINE
GUTENBERG RECIPIENTS IN NATIONAL RANKINGS
In a virtual ceremony Oct. 15, three alumni
For the second year in
of ACU’s Department of Journalism and Mass
a row, Abilene Christian is
Communication received the Gutenberg Award
the highest-ranking university
for distinguished professional achievement in
in Texas in a U.S. News & World
their respective fields.
Report benchmark focused
The honorees for 2020 were Chelsea on programs that lead to
(Thornton ’01) Buchholtz, J.D., executive director student success.
at Texas Real Estate Commission in Austin; Taylor
ACU achieved Top 10
Hemness (’04), anchor at KSHB-TV in Kansas City;
status in three of eight areas
and Daniel Johnson-Kim (’09), head of media liaison
of emphasis – #4 in First-Year
at 72Point US in New York.
Experience, #9 in Service
Learning and #10 in Learning Communities – and was
ranked #44 in Undergraduate Research. No other Texas
university was ranked in the top 10 of any category.
ACU is the only Texas institution to be ranked in
four of the eight categories. In the 2021 “America’s Best
Colleges,” Abilene Christian ranked 15th overall among
Regional Universities (West) and was named #3 in Best
Undergraduate Teaching, #4 in Most Innovative, #9 in
Best Value, and #9 in Best Colleges for Veterans.
Buchholtz Hemness Johnson-Kim
GROUNDBREAKING BEGINS NEW RESIDENCE HALL PROJECT
Architectural rendering of view from East North 16th Street.
Donors, alumni and friends of ACU kicked off the Life Hub, a place for students to gather and student
new school year in August by breaking ground on a new organizations to meet.
residence hall on the site of former McDonald Hall, set to In later phases, the Freshman Village project will
be a home for freshmen in Fall 2021. include renovation and construction of other residence
Construction of the residence hall marks Phase 1 of halls on East North 16th Street, where all freshmen will live.
ACU’s new Freshman Village, which will include the new The project is a component of the university’s upcoming
hall and renovation of Sewell Theatre into a Student comprehensive campaign.ACU IS ONE OF TOP COLLEGES LEE RECEIVES STEVENS
IN U.S. FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY BIOLOGY ENDOWED
ACU is the largest
PROFESSORSHIP
university in Texas powered On Dec. 4, the ACU community
entirely with renewable celebrated the legacy of the late
energy, according to Dr. Clark Stevens. Over the past
“America’s Top Colleges several years, friends, family
for Renewable Energy and former students of Stevens
2020,” a new report have joined together to establish
by the Environment the Clark Stevens Endowed
Texas Research & Professorship in the Department
Policy Center. of Biology.
Stevens
The report ranks At a virtual investiture ceremony,
colleges and universities ACU provost Dr. Robert Rhodes
across the nation in key energy formally honored professor of
sustainability metrics. More than biology Dr. Tom Lee as inaugural
40 institutions obtain 100% of their electricity from holder of this prestigious
renewable energy sources, according to the report, professorship. The Clark Stevens
including three in Texas: ACU, Southwestern University Endowed Professorship will further
and Austin College. support Lee’s groundbreaking
mammalogy research in the cloud
forests of Ecuador.
Lee
Architectural rendering of view from the north.
(INSET) McDonald Hall – one of eight original structures on the hilltop
campus ACU moved to in 1929 – was named for Albert “A.F.” McDonald
and his wife, Cornelia Elizabeth “Neelie” (Gray) McDonald, two of Abilene
Christian’s original benefactors. A.F. was one of the university’s five
founding trustees in 1906.Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Abilene Christian
ACU Box 29200 University
Abilene, Texas 79699-9200
Gilbreth Scholarship ACU baseball icon William Freeman “Bill” Gilbreth (’69) died
July 12, 2020, in Abilene, Texas, following complications with
Honors Wildcat Great emergency heart surgery at age 72. He left an indelible mark on
the baseball program as a student-athlete, coach and mentor.
The first former Wildcat player on a MLB roster, Gilbreth was a
1969 third-round draft pick of Detroit and made his major league
debut in 1971. He played for the Tigers and the California Angels, and
was named his alma mater’s head baseball coach in 1991. He coached
five seasons, leading the Wildcats to a Lone Star Conference title in
1993, and was inducted into the ACU Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
In February 2020, Gilbreth became the first Wildcat baseball
player to have his jersey number (13) retired, and only the seventh
former student-athlete in any sport so honored in the university’s
114-year history.
Gilbreth was a devoted husband and father, and is survived by his
wife of more than 52 years, Phyllis (Collier ’69); a daughter, Melanie
(Gilbreth ’92) Offutt and her husband, Brian (’93); a daughter,
Tiffanie (Gilbreth ’93) McMillan and her husband, Bryan; and his
grandchildren Nathan Offutt (’18) and his wife, Kelsey (Odum ’17),
Noah Offutt (’20) and Hannah Offutt, Mason McMillan and
Morgan McMillan.
To honor his life and legacy, the family established the
Bill Gilbreth Endowed Baseball Scholarship in October 2020.
If you would be interested in donating to the Gilbreth
scholarship or establishing another endowed scholarship to
honor someone in your life and make a generational impact
on future ACU students, please contact The ACU Foundation
at 800-979-1906.You can also read
