University of Evansville

AceNotes Today

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

What's Happening Today

* This Week in Music: faculty recital

UE music professors James Sullivan (double bass) and Shawn Teichmer (saxophone) present a faculty recital this evening at 7:30 p.m. in Wheeler Concert Hall. They will be joined by Alicia Choi (violin), Anne Fiedler (piano), and Jaime Teichmer (piano). The program will include a variety of contemporary works for saxophone and bass, from Veldhuise and Burkali to Carter and Penderecki, as well as tangos by Piazzolla. The concert is free and open to the public.

 
* Rosary group today

The Newman Club will be praying the rosary today at 11:00 a.m. in Room 209 in the library. All students and faculty are welcome! For more information, contact Olivia Voegerl at ov4@evansville.edu.

 
* Lunch and Lead: How to Be the Very Best, the Best There Ever Was

Today is the day! Learn how to use your competitive side to your advantage as a leader at UE 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.

 

Upcoming Events

* Newman Club Dinner and Discussion today

All are welcome to join the Newman Club today for Dinner and Discussion at 5:00 p.m. Come for fellowship, a delicious home-cooked meal, and a discussion on the lives of saints led by Jenny Koch. You can find us at the house with the purple banner on Lincoln Avenue. For more information, please contact Olivia Voegerl at ov4@evansville.edu.

 
* Nerd Wars 2017: Honors Program hosts battle of the brains

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.

There will be prizes awarded to the top teams.

You can register online.

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.

 
* I-House: Argentina

M. Belén Alemán Mansilla will be presenting about Argentina tonight! She is a Fulbright teacher at UE and can't wait to tell you all about Argentina! Her favorite activity to do is play and watch sports and she loves the students here at UE. She is hoping to have you all try a wonderful dessert from Argentina as well. So be sure to stop by this evening at 7:00 p.m., upstairs in Ridgway University Center, to learn more about Argentina.

 
* Wednesday night Mass at Neu Chapel

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.

 
* Venturing Crew winter campout

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.

 
* Harlaxton update sessions for faculty and staff members

The Office of Study Abroad invites any faculty and staff member to a Harlaxton update session!

During this session we will be discussing some of the changes that have occurred with the Harlaxton program over the past few months. This would be a great opportunity to learn more about things like dates, pricing, and classes. There will be two sessions for faculty and staff members to attend: the first is today - January 31 - from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The second session will be held on Thursday, February 2 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Both sessions will be held in the J Henry Schroeder Boardroom (Room 203) in the library.

If you have any questions, please e-mail Greta Becker at gb91@evansville.edu.

 

Info You Should Know

* Road Trip hosts needed!

The Office of Admission needs current UE students who live in residence halls to sign up to host for Road Trip on February 17-19. If you are available, you can apply to host online, by e-mailing Ashley Ross (aj53@evansville.edu) or Jonathan Kelly (jk115@evansville.edu), or stopping by the Office of Admission in Room 104 in Olmsted Administration Hall.

 
* Calling all musicians: Spotlight!

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.

 
* Career advocates drop-in schedule for Spring 2017

Need help with a resume or cover letter? Come see a career advocate!

Career advocates are available in the Center for Career Development to help with resumes, cover letters, networking, the job search process, and more. No appointment needed! The Center for Career Development is located in Room 234 in Ridgway University Center.

Advocates will be available during the following hours:

  • Mondays:  8:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00-5:00 p.m.
  • Tuesdays:  9:00-11:00 a.m. and & 2:30-4:30 p.m.
  • Wednesdays:  8:00 a.m.-noon and 2:00-5:00 p.m.
  • Thursdays:  8:00 a.m.-noon and 3:00-5:00 p.m.
  • Fridays:  9:00-10:00 a.m.
 
* This Wednesday is the RA application deadline

Your last chance for applying to become a resident assistant is here! Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. this Wednesday, January 25. Applications should be turned into the residence life office on the second Floor of Ridgway University Center. For more information, including application and reference material, visit residence life’s webpage.

 
* Apply for the Jezreel expedition!

You are invited to participate in the Jezreel expedition's from June 2-30! Applications are now open. Please contact Amara Stuehling at as760@evansville.edu for instructions on how to apply and for more information.

 
* Outstanding Teacher award

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.

 
* Harlaxton applications due Wednesday

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.

 

Congratulations

* Birth Announcement - Chase Daniel Cox

Amanda Cox, software support and training specialist for the Ofice of Technical Services, and her husband Greg are pleased to announce the arrival of Chase Daniel, born on Monday, January 23. He weighed seven pounds, 13 ounces, and is welcomed by his proud big sister Rylan

 
* UE graduate participates in presidential inauguration

Major Michelle A. Rakers, a 1990 graduate of the University of Evansville school of music, took part in the 58th Inauguration of the President of the United States on January 20, as a member of The President's Own United States Marine Band.

Rakers joined The President's Own United States Marine Band in May 1998 as a trumpeter/cornetist. She was appointed assistant director and commissioned a first lieutenant in 2004 and promoted to captain by Commandant of the Marine Corps General Michael W. Hagee in 2006. She was promoted to major and appointed executive officer and senior assistant director in 2014. She is the first female assistant director and first female commissioned officer in the history of The President's Own.

With the Marine Band, Rakers has performed at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and across the country during the band's annual concert tour. An advocate for education outreach, she led the band's Music in the Schools, Music in the High Schools, and Concerto Competition programs from 2007-14.

Rakers earned her bachelor's degree in music management from the University of Evansville, and her master's degree in trumpet performance from Northwestern University. She received a doctorate from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University where she studied with Harlan Parker. She studied conducting with Mallory Thompson of Northwestern University and Kate Tamarkin of The Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

Her trumpet instructors included James Bursen of UE, Vincent Cichowicz of Northwestern University, and Chris Gekker of the Aspen Music Festival in Colorado. Prior to joining "The President's Own," Rakers enjoyed a career as an orchestral trumpeter, performing with many national orchestras.

During her tenure as an assistant director with The President's Own, Rakers has been a guest conductor, clinician, and public speaker, working with all-state and honor festivals and offering workshops at the Sibelius Academy of Finland, and universities throughout the United States. Rakers has appeared as a guest conductor with bands and orchestras throughout the nation and internationally.

In 2009 she received the University of Evansville's Distinguished Alumni Award and was granted an honorary induction into Tau Beta Sigma, a national music sorority.   

The Marine Band provided music for the Inauguration swearing-in ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, led the second division of the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue, and performed at the Salute to the Armed Forces Inaugural ball. The President's Own is the only musical unit to participate in all three events.

The Marine Band is America's oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. president since John Adams. Known as "The President's Own" since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band's mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

 

Athletics

* Aces Softball preparing for 2017 campaign

Coming off of one of the top turnarounds in the NCAA, the University of Evansville Softball team is looking for more as they are preparing for the upcoming 2017 season.

Head coach Mat Mundell and his assistants Ashley Balazs and Aubrey Watson enter their third season at the helm of the program after winning the MVC Coaching Staff of the Year Award in 2016. The staff saw the team enjoy a 14-game turnaround last year and are poised to take that next step in 2017.

“The main difference for our team is that we have been able to coach most of these girls for a few years now and they understand what Aces Softball is all about,” Mundell said. “In our first two years, we established a culture and now we can concentrate on softball.”

Mundell’s culture was never more evident than April of last year. A 3-2 win over Wichita State on April 10 saw the Aces clinch their first MVC series win since 2013. After ending the streak, the team was not happy with one series win. They rallied to win the next four on their way to a berth in the conference championship.

With more expectations coming into this year, Mundell knows that his team is ready for what is to come.

“We have nine seniors this season and we will really depend on that leadership,” Mundell added. “I am excited about the schedule we are playing, it will really test our girls out and give them the experience of playing top teams once we reach conference play.”

Five newcomers join an established squad that won 24 games a season ago. The newcomers include a pair of JUCO transfers in Brittany Hay and Bailee Porter, 4-year pitching transfers Ashleigh Downing and Danielle Cassidy, and freshman Deja Shelton, who will play in the outfield.

“We lost Danielle (Freeman) and Amanda (Blankenship) from last year’s team, but I feel like we were able to add five girls who will be able to come in and contribute right away,” Mundell said.

Those five join a nucleus who were recognized by the Valley a season ago. Chandra Parr earned All-MVC First Team accolades for the second time in her career while MVC Freshman of the Year Morgan Florey also earned a spot on the team. Susan Norris was named to the All-Defensive Team while Michal Luckett was named to the All-Tournament Team.

 

Contribute to Purple Pulse
To have content considered for inclusion in Purple Pulse, please submit a Marketing Request Form. Deadline for submission to Purple Pulse is 10:00 a.m. on the requested date of publication. Only articles concerning UE related/sponsored activities will be accepted. Articles submitted to Purple Pulse may be edited for length and clarity. Submitter contact information is at the end of each article.

Facebook   Twitter   YouTube

View Complete Issue