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.
 

Free math tutoring will be offered to all students from 1-4 p.m. today in the Koch Center for Engineering and Science, Room 304.  Members of Kappa Mu Epsilon, a math honor society on campus, will volunteer their time to provide this service. 
 

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.

"Scratch and Win" Book Buyback starts on December 6 and runs through December 12 in the UE Bookstore.  The Bookstore quotes all books whether used on this campus or not and gives you cash on the spot.  Please bring your ID when selling books. 

Also during Buyback you can win prizes instantly including two Grand Prizes along with merchandise discounts from 15%...20%...25% percent. 

Sell back as many times as you want but remember in some cases the earlier you sell may net you more money based on the quantities the store is buying for itself. 

Bring all CDs and components with you as they may increase the value of your book and clean up workbooks if you can to give them value. 

If you have any questions please contact the Bookstore ... and remember books bought remain on this campus as much as possible to help keep book prices lower.

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.

If you need information regarding an archaeological dig in Egypt, Italy, or any other biblically relevant area, or you need research about the Dead Sea scrolls, Biblical Archaeology Society Online may have what you need.  The database is the most comprehensive resource on biblical archaeology providing full-text articles from the Biblical Archaeology Review.
If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Bartlet (kb4@evansville.edu) or Shane White (sw69@evansville.edu)

This is a call for nominations/applications of UE faculty to serve as a UE Global Scholar for the 2013-14 academic year.  It is anticipated that up to five appointments will be made.  Global Scholars will engage in scholarship, travel and/or research activities related to the impact of globalization on our learning environment.  Global Scholars will receive a $2,000 stipend and a professional development budget of $3,000 for expenses, e.g., materials, books, travel, workshop registration, etc.  In addition, funds will be available to the Global Scholar’s department to provide a one-course release during the academic year.  It is expected that Global Scholar activities will have an impact on the global awareness and understanding of our learning community through curriculum or co-curricular activities.  We will value both research and pedagogical advancement in the proposed projects.  Projects that impact both of these elements will be given stronger consideration.  An evaluation form and narrative report detailing activities will be required on or before June 28, 2014.  A requirement of the Global Scholars program is to provide a written summary of the project performed upon completion of the work.  We may also ask for updates on progress during the course of the work.

Nominations/Applications should be made to the Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana, Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building, Room 260.  Deadline for full consideration is February 8, 2013.  Electronic submissions may be sent to Dan Miller, Executive Director, Institute for Global Enterprise in Indiana at pm82@evansville.edu.  Materials in support of the candidate should include information that supports the candidate’s appointment and a description of activities proposed by the nominee/applicant, not to exceed one page.  The appropriate Department head and Dean must approve the application in advance. Materials will be reviewed by the Institute and Dr. Steve Standifird, Dean of the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration, in collaboration with the Council of Deans. Please provide your dean a copy of your submission.  Appointments will be announced by February 22, 2013.

Nu Rho Psi Charter is now at the University of Evansville. Nu Rho Psi is the National Honor Society in Neuroscience, founded in 2006 by the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience. University of Evansville now houses the 29th charter for Nu Rho Psi and the Alpha chapter for Indiana. Induction ceremony is scheduled for January 2013.  Neuroscience majors who are rising juniors and hold a GPA of 3.5 are able to apply for membership.

The purpose of Nu Rho Psi is to:
• encourage professional interest and excellence in scholarship, particularly in neuroscience;
• award recognition to students who have achieved such excellence in scholarship;
• advance the discipline of neuroscience; encourage intellectual and social interaction between students, faculty, and professionals in neuroscience and related fields;
• promote career development in neuroscience and related fields;
• increase public awareness of neuroscience and its benefits for the individual and society; and
• encourage service to the community.

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.

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.

Applications for students interested in becoming an Orientation Leader (OL) will be available beginning January 7, 2013 in the VP/Dean of Students Office.  The office is located in Ridgway University Center, Room 230, in the Student Life Center.  Application deadline is Monday, January 21, by 4:30 p.m.

If you have any questions, please contact the VP/Dean of Students at ext. 2500.

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.

Senior Samantha Heck became the 18th player in University of Evansville women’s basketball history to score 1,000 career points and fellow senior Chelsea Falkenstein recorded a career-high 15 rebounds, but a late rally by Eastern Illinois lifted the Panthers to a 70-57 victory over the Purple Aces Tuesday night at Lantz Arena in Charleston, Ill.

Senior Meagan Collins led three Evansville (2-6) players in double figures with 16 points, while Heck added 15 and redshirt sophomore Khristian Hart dropped in 10.

The game was closely contested throughout much of the contest, until Eastern Illinois (3-4) produced a late run and held UE to a 26.9 percent shooting percentage in the second half that included a seven-minute scoring drought by the Aces.

Heck notched her 1,000th-career point with Evansville’s first basket of the game, but Eastern Illinois led 6-4 at the first media timeout in a half that featured nine ties and 14 lead changes.

The Panthers opened a 20-17 lead on a basket by Sydney Mitchell after holding Evansville without a point for over five minutes.  However, the Aces were able to respond and took a 24-23 lead on a pair of three-pointers by Collins and freshman Laura Friday.

UE took its largest lead of the first half at 29-26 on a basket by Falkenstein, before Ta’Keyna Nixon scored six of Eastern Illinois’ final eight points of the first half to give the Panthers a 34-32 lead with 35 seconds remaining.

Hart knotted the score, 34-34, with a short jumper in the final seconds of the half and the score remained tied heading into the break, as the Aces shot 50 percent the field in the first 20 minutes (14-for-28).

Evansville came out of the locker room and went on a 9-2 run to open up a 43-36 advantage at the first media timeout of the second half, but the Panthers quickly countered with back-to-back buckets with 14:00 to play to trim the UE advantage to 43:40.

The Panthers soon began to settle into an offensive rhythm and used outside shooting to spark a 28-6 run that ultimately put the game out of reach for Evansville.

A deep triple by Katlyn Payne gave EIU its first lead of the second half at 47-46 and another three-pointer at the top of the arc by Sabina Oroszova forced a UE timeout at the 8:25 mark with the score 55-48 in favor of Eastern Illinois.

Mariah King scored on a backdoor layup to give the Panthers their largest lead of the night at 70-52 just under seven minutes later, until a Collins three ended Evansville’s scoring drought with 1:21 remaining in the contest.

Nixon led all scorers with 17 points and posted a double-double for EIU by pulling down 11 rebounds.  Three other Eastern Illinois players scored in double figures as King finished with 11 points and Jordyne Crunk and Sydney Mitchell each added 10.

After going just 2-for-14 behind the arc in the first half, the Panthers shot 6-for-14 from long distance in the second half and connected on 14 of their 30 shots from the field over the final 20 minutes. 

Eastern Illinois also prevailed on the glass, outrebounding the Aces, 44-31, and scored 13 second chance points in 13 offensive boards. 

Evansville will look to end its five-game losing skid Sunday, Dec. 9 at 1 p.m. when it hosts non-conference foe St. Louis at the Ford Center.

Following a stretch of playing two of three games on the road, the Purple Aces return home on Wednesday to face Miami (OH) at the Ford Center with tipoff set for 7:05 p.m.

Evansville will play its next four games at home before wrapping up the non-conference slate with a road trip to Butler on Dec. 22.  The Aces will play their next four games in their home venue; it is just the fourth time since the beginning of the 2003-04 season that UE has played four straight home games.  In the last three stretches, Evansville has been extremely successful, winning 10 out of those 12 games. The top streak came in early 2006-07 when the Aces went 4-0, picking up wins over Cleveland State, Buffalo, SEMO and UT-Martin.

D.J. Balentine posted one of the best efforts by a freshman in UE history in Saturday’s
game at Colorado State. The Kokomo, Ind. native registered 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting
while hitting six three-pointers, moving him up to sixth place in the Valley with 2.1 treys per
game.  His outing against the Rams was the top effort by a freshman since Colt Ryan notched 31 at Creighton in his freshman campaign of 2009-10. It also marked the top scoring output
for a UE player this season.  Balentine is now the top scorer for UE, averaging 11.3 points per game while ranking among the leaders in the MVC with 15 three-pointers on the season.

Over a 4-game stretch, senior Colt Ryan missed two games while playing a combined ten
minutes in the other two; he has returned to his regular form in the last two games while
averaging 27 minutes in those two contests.  Ryan led the Aces with 13 points and seven assists in the win over Alabama A&M before scoring a season-high 20 at Colorado State where he hit 9-of-19 shots while recording three steals and three assists.

Evansville has done a great job of spreading the ball around this season while not depending on any single player to spark the offense. That is shown in the disparity in UE’s bench scoring when compared to that of its opposition.  Evansville’s bench has outscored its opponents bench by a 192-123 margin this season, an average of 9.9 PPG. The bench has done even better over the last week, finishing with a 41-12 advantage versus Alabama A&M while outscoring Colorado State’s bench by a 32-12 margin, an average of 24.5 PPG.

The RedHawks enter Wednesday’s contest versus the Aces with an even 3-3 mark; their wins have come against Grambling State, William and Mary and James Madison while they have fallen to NC State, Louisville and IPFW.  A pair of MU players averaged double figures in scoring, led by Allen Roberts, who scores 12.3 points per game; Reggie Johnson is just behind with 11.  Miami was edged by IPFW last time out on Saturday by a 57-56 final; Will Felder
led the way with 15 points and 8 rebounds while Roberts tallied 11.

Evansville picked up a 77-75 win over the RedHawks last season in Oxford.  UE now owns an 8-4 edge in the series and is 5-1 in home games versus MU.

The University of Evansville athletics department has announced a special ticket package that is only available this week.Fans can purchase four lower bowl tickets for just $40!  The games you receive include Saturday’s contest versus Murray State, the January 5 game against Southern Illinois, February 10 against Drake and the home tilt versus Creighton on February 16.

This package is ONLY available until Friday.  Tickets can be purchase in two ways only.  You can call (812) 488-ACES or purchase your ticket pack at the UE ticket office inside the Carson Center on campus.