U.S. News & World Report has again named the University of Evansville one of the top 10 regional universities in the Midwest – and one of the region’s best values – in its annual Best Colleges rankings.

This year, UE held steady at ninth place in the “Best Regional Universities: Midwest” category, which ranks approximately 150 universities in 12 states.  UE also maintained its #3 position on the list of “Great Schools at Great Prices” in the Midwest, and was named an “A-Plus School for B Students” among Midwest regional universities. This unranked list features schools “where non-superstars have a decent shot at being accepted and thriving – where spirit and hard work could make all the difference in admissions offices,” according to U.S. News & World Report.

“While we know that numbers alone can’t capture the full University of Evansville experience, we’re pleased to maintain our stature as one of the Midwest’s top universities,” said President Thomas A. Kazee. “Particularly noteworthy is our ‘Great Schools at Great Prices’ recognition. Our commitment to offering a high-quality education at an affordable price is evident in our recent announcement of ‘The Big Freeze.’”

“Under this initiative, current students and members of the incoming class of 2013 will see no tuition increases during their four years of undergraduate study at UE,” Kazee added. “Our U.S. News & World Report rankings further demonstrate that UE is a smart investment – a place where motivated students will thrive in a challenging yet supportive academic community.”

The rankings are based on academic quality, student graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, and alumni giving. They include 1,600 colleges and universities nationwide.

The Best Colleges rankings are available online today at USNews.com, and will be published in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges 2013 edition, on newsstands September 18. 

Harlaxton student Gloria Atanmo, whose home campus is Baker University, put together a collage and took photos of students at Harlaxton expressing how they remember 9/11.
 

The campus community knows UE is special, and now, the entire nation is taking notice! On Wednesday, Today Show co-hosts Kathie Lee and Hoda played a video produced by AcesTV as part of the "Go Back to College" Twitter contest. (If you missed it, you can watch the Today Show clip here.)

But we can't stop now! TODAY come to a flash mob, group video shoot, and mass tweet on the front oval. Grape snowcones will be served in honor of The Big Freeze (#UEBigFreeze) and in celebration of Purple Friday. Wear purple! 

In the meantime, keep tweeting your photos, videos, or messages with the hashtag #KLGandHodaU. Tell Kathie Lee and Hoda why they should broadcast the fourth hour of the Today Show live from UE's campus! The deadline to tweet is this Sunday at 8:00 a.m. CDT, after which six finalists will be chosen. Tweet as often as you like and ask your family and friends to do the same. Don’t forget to use #KLGandHodaU!

Do you like freebies and fun? If so, come to Booze Clues on Wednesday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. in Eykamp 251, Ridgway University Center. The Resident Assistants of Powell Hall, Schroeder Hall, and the Villages are teaming up with Counseling Services to conduct a Define Your Life campus wide program!

Family Weekend 2012 is from September 28 to September 30!  Encourage your family to join the festivities!  Register before September 14 to be entered into a drawing to WIN a free overnight stay at one of the Family Weekend hotels or a $50 coupon to the UE Bookstore!  There are several ways to register for Family Weekend.   (1) Families can now see a detailed schedule of events and register online by visiting  www.evansville.edu/parents. (2) Return the registration form inside the Parents Connections Newsletter, (3) Call the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at 812-488-2586.   Questions? Contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, at 812-488-2586 or 800-423-8633 x 2586.

Join us this week for I-House: Ecuador with Belen Robles. Bring your friends to enjoy a presentation about this incredible country in South America, Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.at the second floor of Ridgway University Center in the Class of 1959 Gallery. See you there!

Are you interested in playing indoor volleyball competitively? There will be an information session held at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 12 in Eykamp 253, Ridgway University Center. All are welcome to attend as we will be covering team information, time commitments, estimated finances, etc. if for any reason you are unable to attend, please contact either Emily Hurt (eh149@evansville.edu) at (270) 724-9578 or Emily Bourg (eb150@evansville.edu) at (425) 760-6943 for information. Thanks and we hope to see you there!
 

Are you worried about gaining the freshman 15? Haven't visited the Fitness Center yet? Well let's start this semester off right by stopping by the Fitness Center Wednesday, September 12 from 4-5 p.m. You will have the opportunity to get involved in lots of activities: Wander Indiana, fitness classes, intramurals, Race for the Cure, and getting to know your cafe court. In addition, you will get to meet the staff and take a free tour of our facility. If you stop by the Fitness Center to pre-register you will have the chance to win some great door prizes!"

The federally-funded Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for Spring 2013 from current Pell Grant recipients. To learn more about the program and how to apply, please attend one of two Gilman Scholarship Workshops on Friday, September 14 or Monday September 17, both at 4:00 p.m. and both in Room 250, Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building.  A major goal of the Gilman Scholarship is to enable US citizens “of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad.”  The Gilman organization defines “limited financial means” as being a recipient of a federal Pell Grant.  Only US citizens who receive Pell Grants may apply.  Pell Grant recipients who are applying to an approved Spring 2013 study abroad program may apply for a Gilman Scholarship in this application cycle. 

There is much useful information on the Gilman website:

www.iie.org/gilman

The application must be completed by October 2nd, so it is important to act promptly. 

The Gilman workshop will focus on the Spring 2013 application process, but students who are Pell Grant eligible and considering a future term abroad are also welcome to attend to start early planning. 

Questions?  Contact Earl Kirk (ek43@evansville.edu) in the Study Abroad Office, Room 263 in the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building.

Are you interested in language and culture of Japan? The first Japanese Club meeting will be this Thursday, September 13 at 5 p.m. in Room 272 of the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building. All are welcome to join the club, and the registration form will be available at the meeting. Come by and help decide what activities we will do throughout the year! If you are interested in joining Japanese Club or have any additional questions, feel free to e-mail Sunghee Park at sp133@evansville.edu. See you there!

Bring your lunch and enjoy a free performance by Douglas Reed, university organist and professor emeritus of music, as part of the Neu Chapel Organ @ Noon series.  

The series begins at 12:10 p.m. Thursday, September 20 in Neu Chapel, with "The Genius of Bach." The amazing J.S. Bach, known in his lifetime and ever since as one of the greatest composers of all time, left a rich heritage of over 1,000 works, many of which were written for the organ.  Dr. Reed will perform a selection of Bach’s most famous organ pieces including the Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.

Also performing will be Mai ishihara, current UE organ student from Nagasaki, Japan, and Matthew Baugh, 1989 graduate of the University of Evansville and winner of the prestigious Gumberts Award, who earned his masters degree in organ performance from the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester. 

The Neu Chapel Organ @ Noon series continues on Thursday, October 18 with "A Louis Vierne Tribute" (featuring selections from 24 Pièces en Style Libre and 24 Pièces de fantaisie) and Thursday, November 15 with "Special Birthdays" (featuring music from John Bull, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, John Staney, and John Cage). 

Phi Alpha Delta is the pre-law fraternity on campus. It's a great way to network and learn about what law school can really be like. Join us for our first meeting on Thursday, September 13 at 6:15 p.m. in Room 72, Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Buidling
 

Adventist Campus Ministries will be having Bible study on Thursday night from 7-8 p.m. in Room153 (Eades Music Room) in the McCurdy Wing of Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building.

The topic this week is "Angels and Aliens". What does the Bible have to say about angelic beings and other extra-terrestrial life?  Anyone is welcome to attend and you can contact: Alexandra Statham (as509@evansville.edu) for more details.

The Accounting Club will be having its first meeting of the year on Thursday Sept. 13 from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in Room 273, Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building! SABIC will be coming to talk about its co-op opportunities.  Dues are $20 and pizza is served at every meeting and members get a t-shirt. If you are unable to attend this meeting, please e-mail Amanda Weisman (aw269@evansville.edu) with your name and student ID number so you can be added to the roster. If you have any additional questions feel free to e-mail Amanda for those as well.

The Muslim Students Association (MSA) Call-Out Meeting on September 19, from 8-9 p.m. at in Room 273 in the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building.

The Muslim Students Association at UE consists of a group of students dedicated to preserving and educating the general public about their Islamic heritage along with providing necessary services to the Muslim students of UE. We would also like to promote awareness of issues related to Islam and Muslims across the world.

Further Goals:
• To take appropriate steps for establishing unity among Muslims and non-Muslims
• To conduct social, cultural, religious, and educational activities in relation to Islam
• To promote friendly relations between Muslims and non-Muslims
• To present Islam to non-Muslims so as to help them understand its message and teachings

If you are interested in joining the MSA or have questions, email Kareem El-Khodary at ke94@evansville.edu

The Office of Cultural Engagement and International Services invites all employees, alumni, and members of the UE community to participate in a friendship program with international students!  "Families" of all kinds are welcome to join the UE Global Friends & Families program to learn more about an international student who is part of our UE family.  You will have the chance to get to know someone from another country, share more about American culture beyond campus life, and have the potential for a life-long friendship. 

If you are interested, please contact Lauren and Emily at UEGlobalFamily@gmail.com or attend the interest session on Thursday, September 13 at 4:30 p.m. in Eykamp 253, Ridgway University Center. Don't miss this opportunity to share a little Evansville hospitality and learn more about someone from another part of the world!

Beginning this fall, the University of Evansville College of Engineering and Computer Science will offer a review course for those preparing to take the 2013 Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, administered by the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying.

The eight-hour FE exam, to be held April 13, 2013 in Hyde Hall on the UE campus, is designed for students who are close to finishing an undergraduate engineering degree. It is typically the first step in the process to becoming a licensed professional engineer. 

The review class is taught by UE faculty members and offered only once a year. It covers information required for the exam, including mathematics, materials science, chemistry, statics, mechanics of materials, dynamics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, probability and statistics, and engineering economics.

Most classes will take place on Thursday nights (with occasional Wednesdays) from 6:30-9 p.m. in UE’s Koch Center for Engineering and Science. Those who are reviewing for the civil engineering portion of the exam should plan to attend from October 18 to March 28; all other disciplines will attend classes through February 21. No classes will be held between November 28 and January 10.

The review class costs $100 for current UE students, $250 for non-UE college students, and $400 for the general public. Required texts will be provided in the fee.

The deadline to register for the review course is October 15. For more information or to register, please see Tina Newman or Liz Wannemuehler in KC 250 or call 812-488-2651.

Do you need a photograph of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa or Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth?  Are you creating a project on pop art and need images by Andy Warhol or Jasper Johns?  Do you want to closely examine the sculpture David by Michelangelo?  ARTstor Digital Library provides a large array of images for your consideration.  Collections in the Digital Library are continually expanded by collaborating with photographic archives in libraries, museums, photographers, and private collectors.

ARTstor Digital Library is an online digital image library created to serve educational and scholarly communities with more than one million images on subjects in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. ARTstor provides tools and software to search, present, and share digital images both online and offline for research and teaching.  Instructor level privileges are available for faculty.  Contact Kathy Bartelt (kb4@evansville.edu) for the password.

Search ARTstor today!    

The Softball Team is looking for a manager to assist with the 2012-13 season. Those with baseball or softball experience and the flexibility to attend practice preferred. Duties include field set up and clean up, organizing equipment, keeping charts, and laundry. Stipend of $1500 included toward 2012-13 school year. Please contact Assistant Softball Coach Christine Sheridan, at cs309@evansville.edu for more details.

An electronic device was found in the FA 213 (Mac Lab) and turned into the Art Office.  If you are missing a device, please call the Art Office at ext 2043, for verification and details.

The ROTC (Army Reserves Officer Training Corp) has notified the Office of Financial Aid about an unusual opportunity that may be of interest to students needing financial assistance who are also interested in serving in the military.

Effective this year, ROTC is offering 2 and 3 year full tuition scholarships to sophomore and junior students in all majors.  However, students must respond by September 30 if they are interested.  It is relatively simple to apply and the military commitment is straight forward.  For more information, contact John Hubbard, ROTC recruiting officer, at (812) 461-5303 or email at jhubbard1@usi.edu. 

Reserve Component Scholarships
(starting as a college sophomore, 3 or 2 year award)
Scholarship benefits:
• Full tuition plus fees or room and board
• $1200 a year for books
• Up to $500 monthly stipend for personal expenses
The scholarships can be awarded for two or three years starting the sophomore year.
Requirements to be considered for a reserve component scholarship at UE include:
• Must have 30 credit hours toward degree
• U.S. citizen
• Minimum college cumulative GPA minimum 2.5
• Meet physical standards (Males 18-21 yrs old - 43 push-ups, 53 sit-ups, 15:56 for 2 mile run; Females - 17 push-ups, 53 sit-ups, 18:54 for 2 mile run)
• Pass an Army medical physical (at no fee to the student)
• Under 31 years old at time of commissioning (can be waived)
Obligation to the U.S. Army upon degree completion:
• 8 years in an active drilling status (i.e. National Guard or Army Reserves, 1 weekend per month and 2 weeks in the summer). 

To apply:
Indicate your intent to apply for an ROTC scholarship as soon as possible by notifying John Hubbard at (812) 461-5303 or email at jhubbard1@usi.edu to schedule an interview, medical physical, and physical fitness test. 

The University of Evansville Friends of Art are proud to present “Jerry Baum: A British Experience,” featuring original watercolors by a popular Southwest Indiana artist. The exhibit will run through November 9 in the Melvin Peterson Gallery, located on the corner of Lincoln and Weinbach avenues.

From London landmarks to countryside scenes, “Jerry Baum: A British Experience” will feature large watercolor paintings Baum produced from visits to England. The paintings, which have been on exhibit throughout the United States and Europe, are on loan to the Peterson Gallery from the Barning family’s private collection.

Baum has been a professional watercolor artist for over 55 years. He has held shows nationwide and in countries such as Bolivia and Germany, donating the proceeds from much of his work to religious, educational, and humanitarian causes. His work is featured in embassies around the world as well as notable private and corporate collections.

Baum was one of the founding members of the Watercolor U.S.A. juried exhibition and has taught workshops and master classes for the last 45 years in venues around the United States, including the University of Evansville.

The Melvin Peterson Gallery is open from noon-3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday or by appointment. All exhibits are free, open to the public, and handicap accessible. For more information, please contact the University of Evansville Department of Art at 812-488-2043.

UE student Ryan Bassemier was recently appointed the University Enhancement Chair, and is currently working on a proposal for the University called The UE Green Project.

The goals of the project include:

Increasing the participation of recycling at UE
To Improve the efficiency of the recycling program
To replace old containers, relocate current containers to better locations
To create new posters near recycling containers to encourage participation

Anyone with interest is encouraged to email him at rb167@evansville.edu
 

Fall Phonathon is looking for Student Callers.  If you love to brag about your school and have great communication skills, why not get paid for it?!  This position requires that you have at least 2 evenings available a week for 8 weeks. Training will be provided and there is no “cold calling.” Incentives are giving for exceptional work ethic and calling results.  Please call Jennifer Jacobs in Annual Giving at 812-488-2021 or email at jj130@evansville.edu if you are interested. 

Congratulations to Dr. Laura McDonald, assistant professor of exercise and sport science, and clinical coordinator, for the Athletic Training Education Program,  on the successful defense of her Ph.D. thesis “Biomechanical Variability in High School and Collegiate Softball Pitchers:  A Within and Between-Pitch Comparison”.  Dr. McDonald received her Ph.D. from the University of Delaware, her Master of Science in Biomechanics from the University of Delaware and her Bachelor of Science, Athletic Training, from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY.

The UE United Way committee would like to thank the 100 UE staff, administrators, faculty, and students who volunteered for the United Way Day of Caring this past Friday. UE was again well-represented in the community and sent volunteers to Evansville ARC, ARC Industries (Peter Rosen's ID 150 class), YMCA Caldwell Community Center (Don Hudson's ID 150 class), and ARK Child Crisis Center (Women's Basketball). Thank you all for your time and effort!

Dr. Kristy Miller, associate professor and chair the Department of Chemistry, has been selected as one of Evansville Business Journal’s “20 under 40.”  Each year, Evansville Business Journal honors 20 professionals younger than 40 who are making a difference in their field and also in the community.  This year, EBJ received 120 nominations for its third 20 under 40 edition.  Congratulations Kristy!

The UE Bass Fishing Club competed in the Midwest Collegiate Fishing Series Kinkaid Lake Tournament hosted by Southern Illinois University – Carbondale this past weekend.  A total of 14 boats were entered into the tournament including UE.  Nick Uebelhor and Eric Kieffner were the anglers representing UE in Illinois.The tournament was on Sunday starting early in the morning.  Each team was allowed to have five keepers, and Uebelhor and Kieffner made the most of those five fish.  The two UE anglers came up with a total of 15.68 pounds which was plenty to win it all.  They were also only .08 pounds away from winning the big bass award as well finishing second in that respective category.

The club’s season is not over yet, as they continue to prepare for the Midwest Collegiate Fishing Series Midwest Classic coming up October 21st at Lake Springfield in Springfield, IL.  We will release more details as they come on the Classic. 

In an offensive clinic, Ashley Ring notched a career-high 28 kills, but Belmont came away with a 3-2 win over the University of Evansville volleyball team on Tuesday night at the Carson Center.Ring tallied an impressive 28 kills, just four short of the UE single-match record of 32.  Hannah Wilson notched 14 kills while Lauren Seyller tallied 12.  Leading the way for Belmont was Scarlet Gable, who notched 22 kills as Jen Myer tallied 16.  With the win, the Bruins moved to 3-7 while the loss dropped UE to 3-8.

It was Evansville who showed some fight early on, rallying late to take the win in the opening set.  Belmont had a pair of errors as UE jumped out to an 8-5 advantage.  The Bruins found their groove as Jocelyn Youngdahl notched two of her five kills in the set to help the Bruins rally to take an 11-10 lead.

Belmont added to its lead, going up by a pair (19-17), forcing UE to take a time out.  The Aces found some magic in the break as they finished the set on an 8-3 run to take the 25-22 win.

In the second frame, Belmont was able to hold off a late UE rally to tie up the match.  The Bruins opened up an early 10-7 advantage before an Ashley Ring kill got UE back within a tally at 11-10.  The Bruins bounced right back, extending their lead back up to five points at 17-12 before the Aces took advantage of two BU errors to cut the gap to 19-17.

At that point, Belmont regrouped and took advantage of a pair of service aces to finish the match on a 6-1 stretch to tie the match up at 1-1.

A back-and-forth battle ensued in the third stanza before a late rally gave UE a 2-1 edge on the night.  Belmont held the lead early on, jumping out to a 5-1 advantage.  Evansville battled back throughout most of the set before a Ring kill made it a 17-16 game in favor of the Bruins.

Belmont made their way back as a Madison Croft kill seemed to give BU a decisive 24-20 lead, but Evansville showed its heart.  Ring led the way once again, notching three kills as UE scored five-consecutive points to take their first lead of the set.  They would eventually grab a 2-1 lead in the match as Lauren Seyller recorded a kill to finish off the set.

In the fourth game, Belmont led throughout and overcame yet another UE rally to knot the match up at two games apiece.  An ace and two UE errors helped the Bruins get out of the gate with a 4-1 lead before stretching that to seven points, 15-8.    As was the case all night, the Purple Aces rallied back, going on a 10-5 run to get within a pair at 20-18.  Following a timeout, Belmont quickly regrouped to take a 25-22 win on a Jen Myer kill.

Looking to keep their momentum going, the Bruins scored four out of the first five points once again before holding off another UE rally.  Down 14-12, a Seyller kill coupled with a Bruin error helped the Aces tie the set up at 14-14.  Belmont was not phased by the UE rally as they came on late to take the match with a 17-15 victory.

This weekend, Valley play begins for the Aces as Illinois State comes to town on Friday at 7 p.m. before Indiana State makes its way to the Carson Center for a 5 p.m. match on Saturday.
 

The University of Evansville women’s soccer team recorded its second shutout of the season and freshman goalkeeper Simone Busby notched the first clean sheet of her career, as the Aces and host Southeast Missouri State played to a 0-0 draw Tuesday night at Houck Stadium in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Busby made numerous spectacular saves, including one in the final five minutes of the match to keep the Redhawks off the scoreboard and preserve the tie for the UE defense.  The Chattanooga, Tenn., native made a career-high six saves and played all 110 minutes in net for the Aces.

Southeast Missouri State fired six shots to Evansville’s three in the opening 45 minutes, with two being on goal.  Stephanie Thompson recorded UE’s only shot on goal in the first half just over five minutes after the opening whistle.  Despite being outshot in the half, the Aces earned three corner kicks to SEMO’s one.

SEMO’s offense tested Busby and the Evansville defense even more in the second half, as the Redhawks got off nine shots and put three of them on target.  UE got off five shots in the second period, forcing SEMO keeper Renee Kertz to make three saves.

Extra time was needed after neither side found the back of the net in regulation.  Evansville’s Kayla Smith recorded the only shot of the first extra period, but it was off target and the two sides headed into a second extra period.

The Redhawk defense held the Aces without a shot over the final 10 minutes of the match, taking three on the offensive side of the ball and forcing Busby to make a diving save with just over five minutes to go to keep the score knotted at 0-0.

Thompson led the Purple Aces offensively with five shots, including three on goal.  Smith tallied three shots and put one on frame, while Allie Arguello recorded the other shot for UE.

Evansville will return to the pitch Saturday, Sept. 15, when it hosts Xavier at Arad McCutchan Stadium.  The contest will serve as a final tune-up for the Aces before they open conference play against Illinois State on Sept. 23.
 

With a pair of victories under her belt, junior Kelby Jenkins picked up another honor on Tuesday as she was named the Missouri Valley Conference Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week.Jenkins has gotten off to a blazing start in 2012, winning the UE Mid-America Opener prior to taking top honors in last week’s EIU Walt Crawford Open.  She picked up the win at EIU with a time of 17:56.00 in the 5K race, just the second sub-18 minute five kilometer run in UE history.

She bested the competition by eight seconds on Friday and also faced other battles along the way.  Due to severe weather, the men’s and women’s races were run at the same time.  Jenkins came across slower runners from the men’s side before battling a torrential downpour near the end of the event.

With the honor, Jenkins becomes the second UE runner to garner MVC honors in just the second week of the season.  Last week, senior Cody Stein took MVC Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week honors following a fourth place finish at the UE Mid-America Opener.

Jenkins will look to make it 3-0 on Friday as the Aces travel to the Indiana Intercollegiate.  The race is set for 2:30 p.m. CT in Terre Haute.

In addition to appearing on the front page of the men’s soccer section on TopDrawerSoccer.com and being mentioned as a “Story to Monitor” by J.R. Eskilson, the University of Evansville men’s soccer team received votes in three different national polls this week.

The Purple Aces received 13 votes this week in the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Men’s Poll this week, after receiving only six one week ago.  Despite improving to 4-0-0 over the weekend, UE dropped a spot to seventh in the NSCAA Midwest Regional Poll.  Missouri Valley Conference member Creighton tops the poll, while SIU Edwardsville ranks fourth.  Valley schools Missouri State, Bradley and Central Arkansas ranked eighth, ninth and tied for tenth, respectively.

Evansville tallied votes in two other national polls, as the Aces garnered nine votes in the SoccerTimes.com  College Coaches Poll and also received votes in the College Soccer News Top 30 National Poll.

Prior to this weekend’s win over Cincinnati at the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic, UE was mentioned by Eskilson as a team to monitor after the Aces’ early season success.  Evansville will look to keep its record unblemished this weekend when it travels to St. Louis, Mo., for a matchup with the Billikens Saturday evening at 7 p.m.