Katherine Linzy, Software Support and Training Specialist in the Office of Technology Services, has received the December 2012 Employee Excellence Award.

Katherine came to UE in 2009, and in that short time has become a well-respected problem-solver.  She has utilized her talents to improve processes, procedures and functions campus-wide.  Nominations for Katherine came from many departments, all citing the many ways that she has helped that department or an individual employee.  Katherine takes those who are frustrated or upset at technology and gives them the knowledge to make technology work for them.  Whether she is teaching a lab-style training class or working with someone one-on-one, Katherine always shows patience, grace and humor.
 

The Department of Music invites the greater Evansville community to its annual Holiday Pops concert in the Victory Theatre in downtown Evansville on Tuesday, December 4, at 7:30 p.m.  The program will feature several Department ensembles performing separately and in various combinations.  Director of Choral Activities Dennis Malfatti, Director of Orchestral Activities Brian St. John, Director of Bands Kenneth Steinsultz, and Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies Timothy Zifer will lead the ensembles in a program of traditional and popular holiday favorites.  Assistant Professor of Voice Stacey Uthe, Associate Professor of Piano Garnet Ungar, Assistant Professor of Guitar Renato Butturi, and Professor Emeritus of Organ Douglas Reed will also appear, playing and singing a number of holiday favorites, and the evening will climax with the traditional audience sing-along medley of Christmas classics.  The concert is free and open to the public.

For those unable to attend, the concert will also be streamed live on AcesTV (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/evansville-acestv).

Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Dick Connolly will be the presenter at today's Think Outside the Lunch Box faculty speaker series event. The presentation begins at noon at Old National Bank’s Blue and Gold Room.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 147,260 fertility treatments took place across the United States in 2010, and more than one percent of all infants born in the U.S. are conceived using assisted reproductive technology. While such treatments have given hope to couples struggling with infertility, they also have raised many ethical questions and concerns.

Connolly will examine these issues in his presentation, “18 Ways to Make a Baby.” begins at noon on Thursday, December 6, in the Blue & Gold Room on the first floor of Old National Bank’s headquarters in Downtown Evansville. The event is free and open to the public.

“In an age of donated eggs, donated sperm, and surrogate mothers, what counts as a parent, and what counts as a family?” Connolly asks. “I hope people will carry away from this talk not a fear of the future, but a recognition of the complexity of the ‘brave new world’ of assisted reproduction and the need to think carefully before we act.”

Connolly, a native of Mt. Kisco, New York, holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College in Connecticut and a PhD in philosophy from Michigan State University. He has been a member of the UE faculty since 1971, having also served as a visiting professor at The University of Pittsburgh. He received the University’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year award in 1994 and the Sydney and Sadelle Berger Award for Service in 1998.

Attendees are welcome to eat lunch during the presentation. There is a restaurant conveniently located in the Old National Bank lobby.

The nurse will not be in Ridgway University Center on Monday, Dec. 3, as previously scheduled. The nurse’s last visit of the semester is on Monday, Dec. 10, in Olmsted lobby, 1 -3 p.m.

Experience the excitement of British theatre during Harlaxton Summer Session 2013! Since 1996 University of Evansville theatre faculty have been offering this exciting and unique opportunity to students from UE and other campuses.  Over a hundred students have gained insight about Britain and the theatre and at the same time satisfied one of their required electives.  Be one of them in 2013.  See as many as seven plays in five weeks, from London's glittering West End, to Shakespeare's Stratford, to professional theatres within a short drive from Harlaxton.  You will get to visit the towns and cities, meet the artists, and see a varied selection of plays both modern and classic.

To find out more, visit the information table (under the TV) in Ridgway University Center Lobby on Wednesday, December 5 from 12:30- 3:30 p.m. You will be able to meet the professor and get details. You can also contact: Professor Emeritus of Theatre Joseph Flauto at jf33@evansville.edu or visit the Harlaxton website: http://www.ueharlax.ac.uk/academics/curriculum/SummerSchool2013.cfm

What former students have to say about this unique experience:
•What stands out is attending plays throughout England.
•It was an amazing experience and a great sample of the variety of theatre.
•My favorite part was being able to see many parts of England and experience the culture of the towns and cities.
•Overall the plays I saw made me aware of how alive the theatre really is.
•This class has helped me to learn how to reflect on a performance and to share my opinions in an environment that would not judge my opinions.
•The single most defining experience of the class was the sense of community within our class.
•The theatres were gracious enough to give us tours. I loved being able to see the props and all the work that goes on behind the scenes

The December 11th Office Staff Association Luncheon will be held at the Historical Reitz Home Museum. There will be a mini-tour and a luncheon provided by the Reitz Home Guild. Please RSVP by December 6. For details about price or menu contact dj32@evansville.edu or 2586 or any of the OSA officers.

The University of Evansville Acettes invites all children ages 3-13 to their Holiday Dance Clinic! The clinic will be held on Friday, December 14, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Children will learn a holiday routine, play games, and have a pizza party with the team. Registration will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Maikranz Gym (small gym) at the University of Evansville. Dress is comfortable with an athletic shoe. Clinic participants will perform with the Acettes during half time at the Men’s Basketball game vs. Alabama State on December 15. Game time is 1:05 p.m.

Registration is $25 per child and includes clinic t-shirt, pizza party, and child admission to the game. Advanced registration is welcomed but not required. Please visit the Dance Team page on www.gopurpleaces.com for clinic registration forms—also available at clinic. You may RSVP to Coach Mariel Arata at ma112@evansville.edu or (409) 4ACESDT.

Fitness Center Winter Break Hours are as follows:

• Wednesday, December 5 – 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Thursday, December 6 -8:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Friday, December  7 – 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Saturday, December 8 – 11:30 am to 5:30 pm
• Sunday, December 9 – 11:30 am to 5:30 pm
• Monday, December  10  through Friday, December 14– 8:00 am  to 6:00 pm
• Saturda,y December  15 & Sunday,, December 16 – Closed
• Monday, December 17 through Friday, December 21  - 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Saturday, December 22 through Tuesday, January 1, 2013 – Closed
• Wednesday, January 2 through Friday, January 4 – 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Saturday,,  January 5 & Sunday,  January 6 – Closed
• Monday, January 7 – 6:30 am to 10:00 pm (Normal  Hours Resume)

Pool Hours are 12:00 to 1:00 pm  - depending on life guard availability

Please Note***The Fitness Center will close early on December 12 due to Winter Commencement

As we approach the end of the fall semester, the Office of Financial Aid would like to clarify all policies related to the academic standards that govern scholarship and financial aid renewal. Other than the two exceptions* noted below, the Office of Financial Aid does not monitor grades or credit hours earned after the fall semester. The stated Grade Point Average and credit-hours-earned standards that govern UE scholarships and all aid eligibility are monitored each MAY.

Therefore, if a student’s GPA dips below the required minimum at the end of the fall semester, he or she has the spring semester restore the cumulative GPA to the necessary level.  Aid is neither reduced nor restored in mid-year.

See the full policies for the renewal of UE Merit-based Scholarships, as well as maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress for the renewal of all forms of aid, including federal loans.

Please direct your questions to the UE Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@evansville.edu, or 1-800-424-8634 or 812-488-2364. You may also stop into the Office of Financial Aid, Olmsted Hall room 116, to arrange an appointment with a financial aid counselor.

*Exception 1: First-time students who receive need-based grants from the state of Indiana – the Frank O’Bannon Higher Education Award (HEA), Frank O’Bannon Freedom of Choice Award (FOC), and Twenty-first Century Scholarship – must be monitored each semester. See our current student website for the full policy stating the required GPA for state grant renewal.

*Exception 2: Students who are granted a semester of probational financial aid for fall under a specific appeal plan will be monitored at the end of the fall semester for continued spring aid eligibility.

A black leather wallet has been lost at the Fitness Center. The owner is offering a $40 award for its return along with all of the documents and cards that were in it. If you have found the wallet, please turn it in to the Office of Safety & Security.

Just a reminder all UrEntal books (the in-store rental program) must be returned to the UE Bookstore by Wednesday, December 12 at 4 p.m.  Also if you rented books from our affiliate SKYO you can easily return those books to the Bookstore as well and we will check them in and ship them back for you.  SKYO will send you a reminder via email to return your book.  The full Spring 2013 booklist will be posted on the bookstore website no later than the night of December 13 to allow us to post everything properly.  The webiste will show the availability of new and used books, and UrEntal rental (in store) options and also a link to our rental affiliate SKYO for additional rental options.  If you have any questions please contact the Bookstore.

UE Libraries will extend its schedule of hours during Exam Week. Contact William Louden, University Librarian, with questions at 488.2376 or  wflouden@evansville.edu.

• Wednesday, December 5: 7:45 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
• Thursday, December 6: 7:45 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
• Friday, December 7: 7:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, December 8: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday, December 9: Noon – 1:00 a.m.
• Monday, December 10: 7:45 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
• Tuesday, December 11: 7:45 a.m. - Midnight
• Wednesday, December 12: 7:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Financial Aid has an announcement for Direct Loan recipients who are graduating, withdrawing or transferring from UE at the end of the Fall Semester. Students who have received a Direct Loan while attending UE and plan to graduate, withdraw from school, or transfer to another school, are mandated by federal regulations to attend an Exit Counseling Session.  The Office of Financial Aid will hold a session on December 5 (Reading Student Day) at 1:30 pm in Hyde Hall, Room 126. 

You must arrive on time and bring the names, addresses and phone numbers of 2 people who you will remain in contact with after leaving UE, plus a next of kin at a different address than yours. Session will last approximately 30 minutes.

The Indiana Alpha chapter of Pi Gamma Mu, International Honor Society for the Social Sciences, was listed on the National Honor Roll of Merit for the 2011-2012 Academic Year.  Chapters named to the Roll of Merit are active chapters that evidence activity and programming that reflects the overall ideals of Pi Gamma Mu and contribute to their institutions and communities.  Only seven chapters out of 186 active American chapters were listed to the Honor Roll of Merit.
 

Anthony Beavers, professor of philosophy and director of cognitive science, is soon to publish an anthology on "Ethics and Affective Computing," for the IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing. This special issue of the transactions is devoted to the ethics of giving simulated emotions to robots, including, among other entities, automated autonomous pets, robotic sex partners and more sophisticated war robots. The special issue will constitute the fourth quarter issue of the "Transactions" for 2012.

University of Evansville head softball coach Mark Redburn has announced the signing of six high school standouts to continue their careers at Evansville. Emma Buckles (St. Louis, Mo.), Danielle Freeman (Hudsonville, Mich.), Kati Gregory (Indianapolis, Ind.), Michal Luckett (Georgetown, Ky.), Susan Norris (Snellville, Ga.), and Chandra Parr (Anna, Ill.) will join the Aces for the 2013-14 season.“I am extremely happy with this signing class,” says Redburn. “Not only are they the largest class in my four years here at UE, but they bring a tremendous amount of athletic and softball talent that will have an immediate impact on our program. Each player in this group has the ability to play multiple positions, run really well, and hit for power. This group will certainly contribute to the continued development of our program’s growth both on the field and in the classroom.”

Emma Buckles, P/1B/OF, St. Louis, Mo./Webster Groves H.S.

Notable: Hit .573, had 37 RBI’s and 5 homeruns at one of the more successful programs in the St. Louis area, Webster Groves coached by Bryan Gibson, which has won district the last two seasons and came away with a conference championship last season…pitched with a record of 11-2 during high school season…plays for the club team the Worth Prospects out of St. Louis…named to the 2012 1st Team All-State as well as grabbing Conference Player of the Year…named high school female athlete of the year as well as being academic all state, a four-time scholar athlete, and a member of National Honor Society.

Redburn on Buckles: “Emma is a great athlete that gives our team several options both offensively and defensively. She will be hard to defend at the plate as she can hit three different ways--swing away, slap, and drag from the left side. Defensively, she can pitch, play first base, and if she is not playing either of those two positions, then she can play center field.”

Danielle Freeman, SS/OF/P, Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville High School

Notable: Played for Tom Vruggink as starting short stop last year at Hudsonville where they won the 2012 large school state championship…named 12-time State Swimming Champion in the 50 and 100-yard Freestyle…played this past summer with the successful Compuware organization headed by Scott Combs.

Redburn on Freeman: “Danielle not only knows how to win, but she wins at the highest level in both softball and swimming. Her work ethic and strength are off the charts. She has dedicated herself to being the absolute best teammate and player she can be. She runs, well, hits from the right side for power, and has an extremely strong arm. Her athleticism gives us a lot of options for her defensively.”

Kati Gregory, C/3B,1B, Indianapolis, Ind./Speedway High School

Notable: Led her team in hitting last year as a junior with a .462 at bat and tallying 3 homeruns…was selected All-Conference as a freshman, sophomore, and junior while earning All-County her junior year…played for the club team the Indy Dreams under Craig Bell this past summer…named Phi Beta Kappa Outstanding Junior as well as being the National Honor Society President…ranked #1 in her class academically.

Redburn on Gregory: “Kati is very smart and picks up quickly what we want our players to know and perform defensively here at UE. Her quick hands, strong arm, and the ability to use the hands through the hitting zone are her strengths. Kati will most likely see much of her time behind the plate where she will have a chance to utilize her strong arm in shutting down the running game of any opponent we face. She is also very quick with the bat at the plate and hits with some power now, but she certainly has the potential to develop into a very good power hitter in the future.”

Michal Luckett, SS, Georgetown, Ky./Scott County High School

Notable: Named 1st Team All-State at Scott County High School where the short stop and the rest of her team will have the chance at getting back to the State Tournament…plays for the club team Central Kentucky Force in the summer which is coached by Gary Johnson…ranked in the top 1% academically in her class.

Redburn on Luckett: “Michal helped lead both teams last year at the short stop position and she continues to get even better each year. She is very quick with great range and although I have seen players with great range in the past, Michal has an arm that can throw runners out while she stands in the grass. Although she is already strong, her size and frame will allow for even more strength development. She competes every play and goes hard until the very last out. Her desire and determination will take her where she wants to go.”

Susan Norris, 3B, Snellville, Ga./Brookwood High School (Gwinnett County Public Schools)

Notable: Named four-time All-Region 8 5A Selection and Gwinnett County Defensive Player of the Year…member of the 2012 ASA Georgia State Championship team…has been a long time player for the club team the Vipers under coach Ed Prance…older sister Lisa pitched at the University of North Carolina and is currently an assistant coach at Georgia Tech.

Redburn on Norris: “Susan is very talented at third base with size, hands, and an arm. What is even more impressive about Susan is how smooth she plays the position. She is under control and moves effortlessly while she uses her size and quickness for increased lateral range as well as the ability to attack the short game. Susan will come in and add some offensive power, speed, and some aggressive, but smart, base running right away to the lineup. Even more impressive about Susan is her knowledge of the game and being able to communicate it clearly. She doesn’t just rely on physical ability for success.
 

The University of Evansville women’s basketball team will conclude its two-game road swing with a non-conference game at Eastern Illinois Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Charleston, Ill.  The Purple Aces will be looking to end a four-game losing skid, while the Panthers have won three of their last four.

Evansville (2-5) was held to a season-low 23.1 percent shooting percentage in its last contest against No. 15/16 Ohio State, falling to the Buckeyes, 77-38, in Columbus, Ohio.  The Aces failed to have a player reaching double digits in scoring for the first time this seas, as senior Samantha Heck led UE with nine points and needs just two more points to become the 18th player in program history to score 1,000 career points.  Freshman Laura Friday added a career-high seven points at OSU, while senior Chelsea Falkenstein grabbed a team-best seven rebounds in her first start of the year.

As the team, the Aces rank second in the Missouri Valley Conference with 48 made three-pointers, but have struggled from behind the three-point line in their last three games, connecting on just 13 of their 64 shots from long distance for a 20.3 percent clip.  UE is averaging 55.3 points per contest and shooting 33.8 percent from the field, while pulling down an average of 36.1 rebounds per game.

Redshirt sophomore Khristian Hart leads Evansville in scoring at 15.0 points per outing and has made 19 treys this season.  In Saturday’s loss at Ohio State, Hart was held to just six points, marking the first time this season that she has not scored in double figures.  Heck ranks second on the team with 14.9 points per game average and leads UE in rebounding (8.6 rpg), field goal percentage (.500), free throw percentage (.957) and blocked shots (8).  Senior Meagan Collins is posting 10.1 points and 4.9 boards per contest, while Falkenstein has been the Aces’ top reserve with 4.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.

Eastern Illinois (3-3) has won three of its last four games and is coming off of a 71-60 overtime win against IUPUI last Thursday.  A pair of players posted double-doubles for the Panthers in the victory, as Mariah King scored a game-high 19 points and pulled down 11 rebounds and Sabina Oroszova posted 15 points and 11 boards.  EIU has played a pair of contests against MVC teams this season, dropping decisions to Indiana State and Bradley in its first two games of the year.

The Panthers are averaging 65.7 points per game as a team with a 37.1 percent shooting percentage.  Eastern Illinois is also shooting 35.8 percent from behind the three-point line and forcing 19.7 turnovers per game, including 10.0 steals.

King leads EIU in scoring at 14.5 points per game and is second on the squad in rebounding with 6.3 per outing.  Ta’Kenya Nixon also averages in double figures for the Panthers at 13.2 points per game and leads the team in assists and steals with 33 and 17, respectively.  Oroszova has been the top rebounder for Eastern Illinois, as the sophomore forward averages 7.2 per contest, including 16 on the offensive glass.

EIU returns 11 letterwinners and four starters from last year’s team that finished 22-9 overall and placed second in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 13-3 mark.  The Panthers are led by first-year head coach Lee Buchanan, who owns a 359-219 record in 21 seasons as a head coach.  Buchanan spent the last five seasons as the top assistant at Eastern Illinois and was the head coach at Division II Missouri-St. Louis from 2003-07 before joining the staff at EIU.

Tuesday ‘s game at Lantz Arena will be the 13th meeting between the Aces and Panthers and the first since the 1998-99 season.  Eastern Illinois leads the all-time series, 8-4, but Evansville has won the last two meetings. 

Following the game at Eastern Illinois, UE will return to the Ford Center for a home game with St. Louis on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m.