A couple of weeks ago, I received a piece of mail I’d been anticipating: the latest issue of my alumni magazine, ACU Today. Regular readers will know I’m a proud alumna of a small Christian college in West Texas, but that’s not the only reason I love ACU Today: it’s one of the first (and most consistent) places I ever had a byline.
I worked for ACU’s Creative Services office as an undergraduate, helping proofread and fact-check and edit text on dozens (maybe hundreds?) of projects each year. That job launched my career in communications; I was earning an English degree, but was already pretty sure I didn’t want to teach. Ron Hadfield, who still edits and produces ACU Today, was my first editor other than my professors; he taught me more than I can properly express about sharp prose, branding, style guides, good design, and – perhaps most importantly – being one of the caretakers of a university’s story.
Later, after I finished grad school, I worked full-time for Ron for a couple of years before moving to Boston. I’ve written dozens of small news items, numerous alumni profiles, more than a few feature stories and hundreds of EXperiences – what we call the alumni news section near the back. I left Abilene more than a decade ago, but I’ve still had the honor of working with Ron and the team sometimes on a story or two for the magazine.
For this issue, I interviewed two distinguished alumni: Essie Childers and Kathy Halbert, both of whom have done tremendous good for the world in their own ways. It’s always a thrill to see my name in the mag, and to know that I can still produce a story that makes Ron smile and say, “Well done.”
cakes, tea and dreams 
So proud!
Well, aren’t you nice for sharing all those kind words. You are a pro’s pro and a voice I – and our readers – trust. And I would not want to do another Centennial without you. 🙂 Thanks for all you do to help the effort here at ACU, for letting me be your friend all these years.