2008 Woodie Awards
Poor student evaluations cause resignation
Rachel Davis, Opinion Editor
Issue date: 8/29/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
During the summer, former ACU employee Kendall Massey was asked to resign, causing a flurry of rumors on Facebook.com and on campus.
One such rumor was that Massey, former director of student productions, was asked to leave because the shows were becoming too "edgy" for ACU's campus.
"The shows weren't edgy," Massey said. "If anything, I believe we had more Jesus in them. There are also rumors that the shows won't be as good anymore, and that's not true. All I did was facilitate the shows; the students did the rest of the work."
Tom Craig, the new director of student productions, said, "Every production has its own guidelines, and they are all designed to fit within the ideals of the university."
Craig added he didn't know much about Massey's leaving, but he wanted to keep a lot of the same things Massey included in the productions.
Massey said he only knew that the administration asked him to leave because of some poor student evaluations.
"There were some students who didn't think I was going in a good direction, so the administration said, 'Let's go in a different direction,'" Massey said. "But I'm OK with that-I'm actually really happy. I just want to spend my days learning about God and learning about what he wants me to be."
Massey said he asked an unnamed administrator for further explanation, but the administrator told him, "Sometimes we will never find the real reasons; you just have to let it go and move on."
Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, said he couldn't comment on Massey's resignation because of privacy issues.
"I'd just like to let the students know that the thing I'll miss the most is the relationships I've built," Massey said. "The most important thing about the job wasn't the money, it was the students who were involved. The reason I'm not at ACU anymore is because God doesn't want me to be."
While he was at the university, Massey was in charge of Sing Song and Freshman Follies, and he brought the SHADES Step Show and Ethnos under the wing of student productions.
"I think Sing Song is ready to go in a different direction."
Massey said. "Students who were from multicultural
backgrounds didn't feel like they could be a part of Sing Song and that was something I felt really challenged by. I just hope that the SHADES show continues after I'm gone."
Massey said he hopes to find a job with music or ministry, and he said he would continue to love the students he worked with and encourages them to keep in touch with him.
"I just wanted a chance to say goodbye and thanks. It's great to realize that you're part of something bigger than yourself.
"Feelings towards me or the administration don't matter. Keep treating each other with love. And they'd better make the shows good this year because I'm coming back."
E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu
One such rumor was that Massey, former director of student productions, was asked to leave because the shows were becoming too "edgy" for ACU's campus.
"The shows weren't edgy," Massey said. "If anything, I believe we had more Jesus in them. There are also rumors that the shows won't be as good anymore, and that's not true. All I did was facilitate the shows; the students did the rest of the work."
Tom Craig, the new director of student productions, said, "Every production has its own guidelines, and they are all designed to fit within the ideals of the university."
Craig added he didn't know much about Massey's leaving, but he wanted to keep a lot of the same things Massey included in the productions.
Massey said he only knew that the administration asked him to leave because of some poor student evaluations.
"There were some students who didn't think I was going in a good direction, so the administration said, 'Let's go in a different direction,'" Massey said. "But I'm OK with that-I'm actually really happy. I just want to spend my days learning about God and learning about what he wants me to be."
Massey said he asked an unnamed administrator for further explanation, but the administrator told him, "Sometimes we will never find the real reasons; you just have to let it go and move on."
Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, said he couldn't comment on Massey's resignation because of privacy issues.
"I'd just like to let the students know that the thing I'll miss the most is the relationships I've built," Massey said. "The most important thing about the job wasn't the money, it was the students who were involved. The reason I'm not at ACU anymore is because God doesn't want me to be."
While he was at the university, Massey was in charge of Sing Song and Freshman Follies, and he brought the SHADES Step Show and Ethnos under the wing of student productions.
"I think Sing Song is ready to go in a different direction."
Massey said. "Students who were from multicultural
backgrounds didn't feel like they could be a part of Sing Song and that was something I felt really challenged by. I just hope that the SHADES show continues after I'm gone."
Massey said he hopes to find a job with music or ministry, and he said he would continue to love the students he worked with and encourages them to keep in touch with him.
"I just wanted a chance to say goodbye and thanks. It's great to realize that you're part of something bigger than yourself.
"Feelings towards me or the administration don't matter. Keep treating each other with love. And they'd better make the shows good this year because I'm coming back."
E-mail Davis at: red04a@acu.edu
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Tami
posted 8/30/07 @ 7:07 PM CST
As a former employee and student of ACU, I am sad that the administration would let go of such a talented Christian individual. I was blessed to work with Kendall on many occasions during my time in Abilene and was always very impressed with his attitude, creativity and willingness to do whatever he could to teach others about Christ. (Continued…)
Jennifer
posted 9/18/07 @ 2:25 PM CST
I completely agree with Tami. Very few were ever priveleged to really know Kendall Massey. I was blessed to work with him as well, to know his family, and to be part of the result of his incredible talent. (Continued…)
Post a Comment