The Office of Admission will be hosting Davidson Scholar Day and Engineering Scholar Day on Saturday, January 21. We will be welcoming approximately 175 families for these events. The Scholar Day families will join the UE community for lunch in Café Court between 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. We would like to thank everyone involved with these events. Please give our visitors a warm welcome! 

Sarah Lee Bivin will be retiring after 18 plus years of dedicated service to the University of Evansville in the advancement services department. A reception will be held in her honor TODAY from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Igleheart Building lobby. Please stop by and wish Sarah Lee well in her retirement!

Senator Greg Taylor will be on campus today to take part in a panel discussion on the Bias Motivated Hate Crime Bill that he has written. The event is from noon-1:00 p.m. in the Vectren Lecture Hall, Room 100, Koch Center of Engineering and Science.

Other panelists include Maggie Stevenson, UE associate professor of psychology, Wally Paynter from Tri-State Alliance, Gary May, who will be speaking on behalf of disabled veterans, Rev. Gerald Arnold, president of the local NAACP, Dave Wedding, sheriff of Vanderburgh County, and Todd Shellenbarger from the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Southern District of Indiana. The panel will be moderated by Diane Clements-Boyd, executive director of the Evansville/Vanderburgh Human Relations Commission.

Indiana is one of only five states that do not have a hate crimes bill in place.

During the event, there will also be an opportunity to sign the No Hate In Our State Banner as part of the annual celebration of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, and this year’s theme, "Championing Peace and Justice."

For more information contact, LaNeeca Williams at lw161@evansville.edu or 812-488-2413.

The Student Activities Board will be sponsoring a performance by Eric O'Shea in Café Court at 9:00 p.m., tonight. Eric was awarded Best College Comedian in 2007 and was the creator of the Youtube sensation Songs for Commercials. This event is free to students, and drinks and popcorn will be available.

Come celebrate mass at Neu Chapel on tonight! Mass will begin at 9:30 p.m. and end around 10:00 p.m. Wednesday night masses will be held on the last Wednesday of the month for the rest of the semester. Hope to see you there! For more information, contact Olivia Voegerl at ov4@evansville.edu.

Join Venturing Crew for its annual winter campout on January 28-29! This will be a great weekend at Garden of the Gods. The group will hike and have the usual campfire, and, of course, have amazing food. Plan to leave Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. and return on Sunday around 1:00 p.m. Since the group will be sleeping in tents, please keep in mind the weather and dress warmly. The cost of this trip is $20.

The deadline to sign up for this trip is next Thursday, January 26, by 4:00 p.m.

If you would like to sign up, bring $20 to the tables in Ridgway University Center lobby from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., or 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, or Wednesday, January 25. Space is limited on this trip, so be sure to sign up as soon as possible!

You must be a member to attend this trip. If you are not joined Venturing Crew and would like to join, please contact Michael Mannchen at mm650@evansville.edu.

Join us at Neu Chapel this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. for the university Worship service. This week we'll begin a series on the Sermon on the Mount.

The Honors Program is hosting Nerd Wars trivia night on Tuesday, February 28, at 7:00 p.m., in Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center. Teams of five, consisting of students, faculty, administrators, and staff, will battle in a competition of wits while enjoying pizza, popcorn, and soda.

Prizes will be awarded including gift cards to area restaurants, Blue Tooth speakers, Blue Tooth headsets, universal portable keyboard, portable chargers, fitness/sleep monitors, and more.

You can register online.

The entry fee is $5 per person.

Pay your $5 per person entry fee to Jayme Williams in Room 238, Koch Center for Engineering and Science. Those who are unable to compose a team of five may still register and will be matched to make a team. The deadline to enter is February 1.

Questions can be e-mailed to Paige at ph89@evansville.edu.

Another Chance for Animals will be holding an event, Paws for a Cause, on Saturday, March 11, from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Tropicana. It's a pet fashion show! The organization is in need of volunteers. Volunteer duties will include changing the pets' outfits and walking them down the runway. If you think you'll be in town during spring break and are interested in this, please sign up ASAP! Money from the event supports animals that ACA rescues and cares for and for finding placement for homeless animals in the area.

Help volunteers who are working diligently to find forever homes and loving families for these animals.

You can volunteer by signing up on the ACA'S Paws For A Cause website.

Do you want to be the very best? Like no one ever was? Join us for the first Lunch and Lead of 2017 and learn how to use your competitive side to your advantage as a leader at UE. The event is planned for January 24 at 12:30 p.m., in Eykamp Hall, Room 252, Ridgway University Center.

Justin Coffey, residential coordinator for Hale Hall and assistant director for campus programs, will be presenting.

This event is free and open to all students, faculty, staff, and UE community members. We encourage attendees to bring their lunch with them to these events.
 

UE's Music Therapy Association (UEMTA) is still in need of professors and students to perform in Spotlight! No audition is necessary! They are accepting live musical acts until Monday, January 23. Spotlight is a philanthropy event that supports the Isaac Miller Music Matters Endowment Fund. Stop by UEMTA’s table in Ridgway University Center lobby during lunch or dinner on January 20, 25, or 27 to sign up. You can also e-mail Hannah Nilsen (hn22@evansville.edu) or Kelsey Fields (kf135@evansville.edu) to request a spot on the program. The $5 performance fee is $5, and tickets are $5 each.

Library afterhours will start on Sunday, January 22. The first floor will be open until 4:00 a.m. with limited library services. The upper floors will close at midnight and will not be accessible after that time. The current after hours schedule is Monday-Friday, midnight-4:00 a.m. Access to the libraries after 11:50 p.m. Sunday-Thursday is through the Ridgway door only.

This service is dependent on student staffing. Interruptions to the afterhours schedule will be posted to the UE app.

Today - Monday, January 23 - the Writing Center will reopen for business for the spring semester. 

The Writing Center will be open from Monday, January 23-Tuesday, April 25. Hours will be Monday-Thursday, from noon–5:00 p.m. and 7:00– 9:00 p.m., and Friday from 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

The Writing Center is located in Room 153 in the Clifford Library, on the circle next to the Koch Center for Engineering and Science.

The center’s web page has many valuable resources including linked documents on writing and grammar. Its Facebook page - UE Writing Center - has writing links, vocabulary help, and other general writing support.

It is really easy to make an appointment at the Writing Center. Go to Acelink > Areas > Writing Center > Appointments > Create an Appointment. Register for an account - or sign in if you have used the Writing Center before - and you can then access the center from any mobile device to schedule or cancel a session. The site manages appointments, cancellations, and reports on the content of the session. You will receive an e-mail or text reminder before your appointment and your professor will receive feedback afterward from the tutor who worked with you.

When you go to your appointment, bring the assignment sheet (writing prompt) or draft of your paper. Prepare specific questions for your tutor to get the most out of a session. For example, “Can you help me to see if my thesis statement is clear?”

Plan to visit the Writing Center well in advance of an assignment due date. If you come in the day before or the day an assignment is due, you may not have enough time to make the revisions discussed during a session. You should arrive a few minutes early for appointments and don’t be late. If another student is waiting, that student will be helped if you are over five minutes late. Put your cell phone on silent during the session so you may benefit from the tutor’s full attention to your writing needs.

Interested in studying short fiction, poetry, and drama at Harlaxton College this summer? Want to take interesting field trips to London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Lincoln, York, and other places of literary interest? Want to satisfy Outcome 5 of your General Education requirements while also earning a Writing-Across-the-Curriculum overlay? Then please consider taking Writing 205: Introduction to Creative Writing, during the Harlaxton Summer Session this year. For more information, please contact Professor Rob Griffith at rg37@evansville.edu or contact the study abroad Office!

There is still time to sing in the UE choirs. Singing not only feels good but is good for you. Studies show that singing is healthful, energizing and relieves stress. Sing with us and see your attitude and studies improve! To get more information on how to take part in the UE choirs, e-mail wm90@evansville.edu.

Registration for the Engineering Career Forum sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers is now open! The event is on Wednesday, January 25, from 6:15-8:30 p.m. in Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center. The event features job search strategy sessions, and a networking reception. Registration closes on Friday, January 20. E-mail ec132@evansville.edu with any questions.

Free tutoring is offered each week in many classes. To see a list of dates, times, and locations for tutoring, go to AceLink and click on Areas, and then select Academic Advising. The information can be found under Resources on that page. Take advantage of support services for all UE students. For more information, contact Stacey Shanks, director of student success services, at 812-488-2606.

It's not too late to sign up to study world history at Harlaxton this summer. Professor of history James MacLeod, who spent five years at Harlaxton, will be teaching History 112, World History from 1500, during the Harlaxton Summer Session. His course will include field trips to explore the wonders of such places as Lincoln, Cambridge, and London. The course fulfills two of the requirements of the Enduring Foundations Gen Ed program - Outcome 3 and Overlay A. This is a fascinating time in British and European history, so take advantage of this opportunity to study history in a place where history is being made. The deadline for applications is January 25, and the course runs from May 13 to June 1.

A capella auditions for Ladies in Pink are planned for Sunday, January 22 at 1:00 p.m. in Eykamp Hall, Room 251, Ridgway University Center. Please prepare one minute of a pop song. Come show us your skills! All genders welcome.

The Libraries are hosting the 7th Annual Faculty Scholarship Display from January 13-29, featuring works produced from August 2015-July 2016. Participating faculty include:

Katie Aldred
Patricia Andueza
Meg Atwater-Singer
Michael Austin
Mohammad Azarian
Lora Becker
Cara Dailey
Phil Gerhart
Tammy Gieselman
Noah Gordon
David Green
Derek Jones
Mary Kessler
Lisa Kretz
Ralph Larmann
Richard Maass
James MacLeod
Tink Martin
Joni McFelea
Rania Mousa
Lesley Pleasant
Diana Rodridguez Quevedo
Peter Schmidt
Immanuel Selvaraj
Maggie Stevenson
Heidi Strobel
David Unger
Jim Ware
Atefeh Yazdanparast

A reception to honor all faculty scholars will be held on Friday, January 20, at Fridays in the Melvin Peterson Gallery from 4:30- 7:00 p.m. 

Please stop by to peruse the depth and breadth of our colleagues’ contributions to their fields.

Orientation leader (OL) applications are now available!  To complete an electronic application before the deadline of January 23, visit the Welcome Week website.

Information on “What it takes to be an Orientation Leader” and the “OL Code of Conduct” can be found on the Welcome Week website along with the application and reference forms.
Current orientation leaders will be available in the Ridgway University Center from January 18-20 if you have any questions.  You can also contact the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students at 812-488-2500 or stop by Room 230 in Ridgway University Center during business hours.  

The UE libraries, in cooperation with the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, is happy to announce that the Chronicle of Higher Education is now available online to all students, staff, and faculty. Access is available by going to Chronicle.com. Off-campus access requires you to create an account using your UE e-mail address. Conduct searches, search archives and current news, and sign up for newsletters. Questions can be directed to Danielle at dw56@evansville.edu.

College Mentors for Kids has been a campus organization for the past 10 years. It allows college students to give back to the community and mentor an elementary student. Activities are held on campus every Wednesday to teach elementary students about higher education, cultural diversity, and community service. If you are interested, apply online on the College Mentors for Kids application webpage.

The application due date is January 24 and our first activity is January 25.

If you have any questions, please contact the organization's president, Myka Goode, at mg222@evansville.edu.

The UE Alumni Association recognizes an outstanding teacher for his or her exemplary instruction and student support at spring commencement. UE administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni may nominate a faculty member who exemplifies the award’s criteria for outstanding teaching effectiveness that inspires the intellectual development of students. The nomination form is located on the Office of Alumni’s Outstanding Teacher webpage.

Full-time faculty who have taught in the classroom at UE for two years or more and hold the rank of lecturer, instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, or professor are eligible for nomination.

Past award recipients are as follows:

• Associate professor of anthropology James Berry 2011
• Associate professor of sociology Mari Plikuhn 2012
• Associate professor of mechanical and civil engineering Mark Valenzuela 2013
• Associate professor of archaeology Jennie Ebeling 2014
• Associate professor of psychology Margaret Stevenson 2015
• Associate professor of sociology and criminal justice M. Kevin Gray 2016

The deadline to submit nominations is February 6, at 5:00 p.m. For questions, contact Tracey Folden at tf91@evansville.edu.

Travel to Nicaragua this summer and help Habitat for Humanity build homes for families in need of safe, decent and affordable shelter.

As you build with the family, you’ll be welcomed into the community. Eat traditional gallo pinto and other typical foods, meet the neighbors whose community you’re helping to improve, and explore local sites. Learn about the innovative and holistic approach Habitat Nicaragua takes to serve families in need of decent shelter. This trip is a unique opportunity to experience life inside this culture. No experience is required! This build is your next step with Habitat to make the world a better place.

This summer program is accepting applications now. Find more information and cost of the program on the study abroad webpage. (Search for “Nicaragua” under Programs.)

Questions? Contact Amara Stuehling at as760@evansville.edu.

All Harlaxton Summer and Fall 2017 applications MUST be submitted by Wednesday, January 25, in order to secure a space on the program.

The application can be found on the study abroad webpage.

If you have already applied but not yet paid your deposit for the program, it is also due Wednesday, January 25. Please visit student accounts office in Olmsted Administration Hall to pay your deposit.

We are also accepting applications for Harlaxton's Spring 2018 program, so get these in early to beat the rush!

If you have any questions about studying at Harlaxton, visit the education abroad office on the second floor of the Schroder School of Business Building or e-mail ls283@evansville.edu.

Richard W. Maass, assistant professor of political science, discussed the foreign policy of the incoming Trump administration on 44News with Tommy Mason Thursday morning. The discussion focused on relations with Russia and China, and whether the changes Trump has advocated offer better opportunities to the United States or its rivals. Watch the full interview here.

Second-year DPT students Laura Finch and Sarah Nungester have received honorable mention in the Student Consumer Brochure contest from the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy. The brochure titled "Weathering Dementia: Loving your partner through all walks of life" was a course assignment for Physical Therapy 523: Patient Management III-Multiple Systems, taught by Tzurei Chen, assistant professor of physical therapy. Their brochures will be displayed at the Academy Booth at APTA Combined Section Meeting in February.

Congratulations Danyelle, Kristen, Libby, and Sarah!
 

Rarely has the cliché “mixed emotions” been more apt for describing the feeling of saying farewell and good luck to everyone’s favorite Harlaxton transport coordinator, Zyggy Dekanski. After 16 years at the wheel, and some time spent behind reception on security, Zyggy has decided to turn over his keys. He will indeed be missed massively by his many adoring fans from around the globe. If you wish to join us in congratulating Zyggy, you may leave a comment on the Harlaxton Facebook page or send him a personal note care of Harlaxton. (We’ll make sure the cards and letters all reach him).

Congratulations and thank you, Zyggy!
 

Missouri Valley Conference play continues this weekend as the University of Evansville Men’s Basketball team travels to Chicago to take on Loyola on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.

Evansville led by as many as 13 points in the first half, but Wichita State cut the halftime gap to three before outscoring the Aces by a 52-32 margin in the second half to earn an 82-65 win on Tuesday evening. Jaylon Brown scored 28 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including four triples while Ryan Taylor registered 17.

Dru Smith had one of his best all-around efforts for UE, notching nine rebounds and seven assists in 33 minutes, all career highs. The Aces head to Loyola on Saturday, looking to make it a perfect 4-0 in their last four trips to Gentile Arena; despite winning the last three road contests against Loyola, the total margin in those contests is just 13 points.

Jaylon Brown has done a great job of getting to the line and making those efforts pay off this season.  His 126 made free throws in 2016-17 ranks second in the country while his 149 attempts is fifth. On January 4 versus Bradley, Brown connected on 17 free throws, which is the third-best game in Division I this season.

At the top of the scoring charts for the Aces this season, Jaylon Brown and Ryan Taylor have been dominant. The duo has combined for 34 overall double-figure scoring games and 14 in Valley play. The rest of the team has accumulated just 14 overall efforts in double digits and four in the MVC games.

A 72-69 loss in double overtime at UNI on Wednesday evening saw Loyola fall to 13-7 overall and 3-4 in the Valley. Four Ramblers average double figures, led by Milton Doyle; Doyle has started all 20 contests and leads the way with 15.9 points per game and team-highs in assists (95) and blocks (14). Aundre Jackson is next up with 14.7 PPG while Donte Ingram stands with 13.8 PPG and a team-high 6.5 boards.  Clayton Custer completes the double figure scorers for Loyola with 12.2 points. Ingram was the leading scorer for the Ramblers against the Panthers on Wednesday, notching 19 points and 9 rebounds while Custer added 16 in the double OT defeat.

Since Loyola joined the MVC in 2013, the Aces have won five out of six meetings versus the Ramblers, including all three visits to Gentile Arena. Overall, Evansville has a 26-17 lead in the series and is 11-8 on the road against Loyola.

University of Evansville president Thomas A. Kazee has announced a contract extension for Purple Aces director of athletics Mark Spencer.

“The University of Evansville is excited that Mark Spencer will continue in his leadership role,” Kazee said.  “Since coming to Evansville in 2014, Mark has established a strong foundation, and we look forward to what the future holds.”

Spencer began his tenure as the fifth Division I athletics director at UE in September of 2014 after working for eight years at Oregon State University where he served as the associate and senior associate athletic director for business operations.

“I would like to thank Dr. Kazee and the University of Evansville for their commitment to our department and the direction that we are leading it,” Spencer said.  “We are only beginning to scratch the surface of what Purple Aces athletics can become.  I am very excited about the future and look forward to working with Dr. Kazee, the University, and the athletics department for years to come.”

In just over two years of work in Evansville, Spencer has directed the department to great success on and off the playing field. One of his first priorities was to focus on a unified branding campaign within the athletic department. The new branding became a reality when Spencer inked a deal with Nike to be the exclusive apparel provider for each of the Aces sports programs. This was the first such deal in program history.

He has also directed several impactful projects within the department. Most recently, his efforts have resulted in a renovation of the Armory building on campus. This project featured new netting, turf and signage for a facility that impacts over half of the Aces’ 14 sports programs. Other projects he has directly worked with include: a new scoreboard for soccer and softball, windscreens at soccer, baseball, and softball, an updated sound system and press box renovation at soccer and an updated ticketing plan for Men’s Basketball.

Other projects are on tap, including renovating Meeks Family Court in the Carson Center in preparation for hosting Women’s Basketball beginning next season.

On the playing field, Spencer’s first season featured the Men’s Basketball team winning the 2015 CIT Championship before winning 25 games last season. The women’s soccer team defended its home field to win the 2015 MVC Tournament and advance to play Florida State in the NCAA Tournament. 

His first coaching hire at UE – head Men’s Soccer coach Marshall Ray – led the Aces to the second-largest single-season turnaround in school history, pacing the squad to a 10-8-3 mark in 2016.  On the Women’s Basketball side, he recently announced the hiring of Matt Ruffing as the permanent head coach.  Ruffing has already doubled the UE win total from last season.

Another hire under his tenure – Women’s Tennis coach Jayson Wiseman – has already made a huge impact. His 2016 recruiting class was in the top 35 in the nation. Spencer extended the contracts for head Baseball coach Wes Carroll and head Softball coach Mat Mundell since his arrival. Carroll led the Aces to 29 wins last year while Mundell and his staff were named the 2016 MVC Coaching Staff of the Year after engineering a 14-game turnaround.

As part of the Carson Center renovation, the UE Volleyball team will play on a new floor beginning next season and will benefit from the major additions to their facility. The swimming and diving and golf teams have each enjoyed unparalleled success during Spencer’s tenure while the future of the cross country program has never been brighter. In 2016, Spencer and head coach Don Walters announced the addition of Men’s and Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. 

“When I started here, it was my goal to make this a better place for all of our student-athletes,” Spencer continued.  “I feel we have moved towards that goal and am very excited about the direction of the department.”