Each year the UE Alumni Association honors the achievements and service of select alumni.  These awards are presented at the Founders Day Luncheon, Sunday, February 17, at noon.  The follow awards will be presented:

Marjorie Soyugenc M’73
Posthumous Distinguished Alumna Award

George Day ‘95
Young Alumni Award

Patricia Kishline
Samuel Orr Honorary Alumna Award

Steve ’86 and Kathie Bugg
Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award

Founders Day is recognized each year in February in honor of our founding as Moores Hill Male and Female Collegiate Institution in 1854.  Celebrate with purple cake Friday, February 15, at 12:45 p.m. in the Ridgway University Center lobby.

The annual Founders Day Convocation and Luncheon will be held on Sunday, February 17.  More information and online registration can be found at www.uealumnionline.com/foundersday2013.  Questions?  Contact the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at alumni@evansville.edu.

In a Valentine's week tradition, the Newman Club welcomes Professor Emeritus of Biology Jerry Seng tonight. He will be reading a chapter from the book he is writing on the love that he and his late wife Ann shared. Waikiki meatballs are on the menu, so come and bring a friend! The Newman Center is located on Lincoln Avenue, just across the street from the Koch Center and front oval. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m., with the discussion from 6-7 p.m. Contact campus minister Mike Roesch at mr201 with any questions.
 

The Spanish Club will be hosting a Game Night on Monday, February 11 at 8 pm in Room 172, Schroeder Family School of Business Administration Building. There will be board games, food, and a bunch of great Spanish conversation. All levels of Spanish are welcome. So grab a friend, and come join us for a night of food, fun, and conversation this Monday!

Associate Professor of Piano Garnet Ungar will present this week’s Faculty Recital in Wheeler Concert Hall this Tuesday evening at 7:30 p.m.  The recital will feature several works by noted Romantic composers Frédéric Chopin and Felix Mendelssohn, as well as works by their lesser known contemporaries Ferdinand Hiller and Charles-Valentin Alkan.  The program includes several selections from Chopin’s Études, op. 10.  The concert is part of the UE Piano Series and is free and open to the public.

The University of Evansville Music Management Association (UEMMA) will be holding its 2nd annual Swing Dance Fundraiser at the Old Courthouse in downtown Evansville this Wednesday, February 13, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  The event includes dancing and live music performed by the UE Jazz Ensemble.  Drinks, finger foods, and desserts will be available.  The evening also includes a silent auction with items that have been donated by area restaurants and businesses, as well as gift baskets made by band members.  Proceeds from the event go toward UEMMA and UE Jazz bands to help the groups travel to conferences and festivals, purchase equipment and music, and host guest speakers and artists on the UE campus.  Please make this fantastic event featuring live Jazz in downtown Evansville part of your Valentine's Day plans!  Tickets for the event are $20 and can be purchased by contacting Brittney Smith at (812) 204-0339, or via e-mail at bs201@evansville.edu.

Department of Music students will offer two recitals this Sunday, February 17.  Violinist Katie Demuth and trombonist Travis Guffey will present a joint Senior Recital in Wheeler Concert Hall at 1:00 p.m., and clarinetist Meghan Pund will offer her Junior Recital at 4:00 p.m.  The recitals are free and open to the public.

Ash Wednesday is February 13 of this week and will be observed on campus and in a brief noon-time service in Neu Chapel. Receive ‎"Ashes to Go” on the Sesquicentennial Oval at 10:00 a.m., in Ridgway University Center at 1:00 p.m., and at Carson Center at 1:30 p.m. 

In the Christian church, Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a 40-day period of discipline and study prior to the Festival of the Resurrection, Easter. You are invited to be imposed upon, remembering your mortality, but believing the Gospel. Repent!   

For more information contact University Chaplain, tg85@evansville.edu.

All members of the campus and local community are encouraged to attend I-House: Zimbabwe. Attendees will learn about another culture, lifestyle, food, and so much more. Bring your friends to enjoy the presentation and complimentary cookies this Wednesday at 7 pm. on the second floor of Ridgway University Center in the Class of 1959 Gallery.

The annual Nerd Wars Trivia Night fundraiser is tomorrow (Tuesday, February 12) at 7:00 p.m. in Eykamp 251/252, Ridgway University Center!  Twenty-four awesome teams are registered to compete.  It is going to be a great competition!

If you are not a team member, we would still love for you to attend!  Audience members are welcome!  In addition to cheering on their favorite team, audiences members are eligible to play “Buy, Answer, Win” in which you purchase a prize ticket and if your ticket number is called, after answering a simple question, win a great prize!  Please bring some money to purchase prize tickets (1 for 50¢ or 3 for $1). All proceeds from the night will be donated to Albion Fellows Bacon Center and Honors Ace Mentors.

Please come support the teams, win prizes, and help two great causes!

The UE Psychology Club will host a panel discussion on eating disorders at 6 p.m. Wednesday, February 13 in Eykamp Hall 252. The event is free and open to the community.

The discussion will include advice from local professionals, as well as personal stories about eating disorders. Panelists include Mari Plikuhn, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Evansville; Sandy Bowersox, a pediatric psychologist at St. Mary’s Center for Children; Amy Cavanaugh, a staff therapist at the University of Southern Indiana’s counseling center; and Kelsey Horick, a graduate student in clinical psychology at Middle Tennessee State University. 

Our third Mentor Speaker Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, February 13 from 12-1 pm in Eykamp Room 253, Ridgway University Center. Our speaker will be Associate Professor of Management Information Systems Peter Rosen. His topic will be "Social Media Strategy."  This event is open to the campus community.

If you wish to reserve a free lunch, please RSVP to ds120@evansville.edu by Monday, February 11.

If you want to hear banjo, mandolin, double bass, and other instruments playing bluegrass music, come to Wheeler Concert Hall tomorrow, Feb. 23 at 4:00 p.m.! This is the senior recital of Ellyn Washburne and will feature both toe-tapping tunes and a walk through the history of bluegrass. After the recital, we’re sticking around for an open jam session, so bring your instrument if you want to try this music for yourself!

The Jostens representative will be at the UE Bookstore on Tuesday, February 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. near the entrance.  This will be the only visit during the year for the Jostens rep.  During this day Josten's will be offering up to 40% off on select college rings.  Women's rings start at $169 and men's at $189.  If you're looking to buy a college ring or just curious this is the perfect opportunity to place your order or get more information.  The offers are only good the day of the event.  If you have any questions please contact the UE Bookstore.

A schedule of FREE supplemental instruction sessions offered this semester is available at http://acelink.evansville.edu/Areas/Advising/  If you have questions or other tutoring needs please contact Linda Bathon at lb24@evansville.edu or phone 488-2606.

Attention Spring and Summer May 2013 Graduates
Please come to Commencement Central at Ridgway University Center on February 25 from 4-7 p.m. and February 26 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. to review your graduation information (diploma name, degree, major, minor).

Dropping a Class with a “W” Grade?
Last day to do so is March 28 at 5:00 p.m.
 

There is still time to apply for UE Summer Programs Abroad including those bound for Harlaxton/United Kingdom, China, Israel, Trinidad,  Turkey, and Korea. Interested students are encouraged to contact the Office of Study Abroad studyabroad@evansville.edu for information regarding courses, dates, fees, and the application process.

The UE Bookstore is starting the return process of unsold books.  The Bookstore will be returning used books to vendors first which will begin shortly.  If you still need a textbook for the Spring term please purchase your book now.  If for some reason you need a book but don't have the money now please contact the Bookstore and we will be happy to put a book on hold for you so that it will be there when you need.  If you have any questions please contact the Bookstore.

All University of Evansville full-time undergraduate students who will be juniors or seniors in 2013-14 may apply. An essay of about 300 words must accompany the application, along with two to five faculty recommendation letters.

It was the desire of the donor, Margery Florence Kahn, that her scholarship be awarded to "dedicated and conscientious students who exhibit a true passion for their chosen fields of study, and who, in the opinion of the members of the University of Evansville faculty, are likely to bring the same enthusiasm into the performance of their jobs or the practice of the professions which they will pursue following graduation."

Applications are available from the Office of Financial Aid (Olmsted Hall 116). Completed applications and recommendation letters should be returned by April 1.

Questions may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid at (812) 488-2364, (800) 424-8634 or financialaid@evansville.edu.
 

University of Evansville senior Colt Ryan scored a season-high 33 points while registering 2,000 for his career as the Purple Aces men's basketball team picked up an 84-78 overtime win over Drake on Sunday evening at the Ford Center in front of a national audience on ESPNU.

Ryan hit the milestone with 1:21 left in the first half as he registered his sixth point of the game.  The Batesville, Ind. product entered the game with 994 points in his career and became just the third player in UE history to hit 2,000 and the 14th in the history of the Missouri Valley Conference.

"It was great to get it over with but more importantly to get the win," Ryan said.  "I just want to keep doing great things for me team and our fans.  Our senior class is working hard to finish on a high note."

Head coach Marty Simmons was also pleased with the win and proud of Colt's milestone

"Colt has worked so hard for so long, he is just that kind of player, he loves the game and has gotten better every year, it is a special accomplishment," Simmons said.  "I am so proud of my team because they give so much to practice, weight training, their schoolwork and the game, so it is great to see them get this win."

With the win, Evansville (14-11, 7-6 MVC) improves to 6-0 in conference home games this season and 12-2 overall at the Ford Center.  Drake fell to 11-13 and 5-8 in the Valley.

Drake jumped out to the early edge at 7-4 as the Purple Aces began the game 1-5 from the floor before Ned Cox hit a layup to bring UE back within one at the 15:50 mark.  With the Bulldogs lead standing at 11-6, UE rallied to tie before eventually taking the lead thanks to a 10-4 run.

Evansville's defense held the Bulldogs to 1-of-9 shooting and forced four turnovers over the stretch while a Ned Cox trey put UE back on top at 16-15.  With 7:46 left in the first half, Joey King hit a three to mark the third lead change of the game as DU grabbed the lead back.

The game was tied for the fourth time with four minutes remaining before the Bulldogs finished the half on a 14-5 stretch.  Ben Simons, who led all players with 15 in the first half, hit a pair of threes as DU hit four out of their last five shots to give Drake a 35-26 halftime lead.

Colt Ryan hit a milestone in that final stretch as his bucket with 1:21 remaining in the frame gave him 2,000 for his career.  He scored six in the half while Cox led UE with nine.  The late flurry helped Drake shot 40.6% in the half, including 5-of-10 from long range.  Evansville was held to 28.1%, connecting on nine of their 32 attempts.

With the pressure of accomplishing such a special feat off of his mind, Ryan and the Aces came out with a reenergized spirit in the second half, reeling off seven in a row over the first 3:19 of the half.  Ryan scored the first five before tallying ten in the first five minutes.  His trey with just over 15 minutes left gave the lead back to UE at 38-37.

Drake missed two shots in the run while turning the ball over four times.  Simons put DU on the board with 16:26 remaining, but the UE run to open the half would extend to 12-2.  Both teams shot lights out early in the half as Evansville began 9-of-13 while the Bulldogs missed their first two buckets before hitting five out of seven. 

The run culminated in Drake holding a 49-46 lead before Evansville posted a 7-0 run to take their largest edge at 53-49.  It began with a Cox trey before capping it off with a layup.  Richard Carter hit a pair of free throws to get Drake back on track.

The back-and-forth action continued as a Ryan free throw put UE up 58-56 with five minutes left but seconds later, it was Simons knocking down another trey to put DU back on top marking the 11th lead change of the contest.  His fifth three of the game two minutes later gave the Bulldogs a 64-61 lead

Their lead would extend into the final minute, but with 15 ticks left in regulation, Colt struck again as his three tied it up and Drake was unable to muster up an open shot in their last possession as the game advanced into overtime.

UE scored the first four points of OT before Drake hit back-to-back threes to take a 72-70 lead with 2:47 left.  From there, it was all Aces as they finished off overtime with a 14-6 run to earn the 84-78 win.  Evansville hit an incredible 16-of-18 free throws in overtime to seal the win while hitting 25 out of 29 on the game.  Drake was also strong from the line, making 14 out of 16.

Leading Drakes was Simons, who notched 27 on an efficient 9-of-12 shooting night while hitting five out of seven treys.  Jordan Clarke notched a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 14 boards.  His efforts helped the Bulldogs finish with a 39-36 edge in the rebounding battle.

Behind Ryan’s performance was Cox, who tallied his season mark of 21.  Troy Taylor also reached double figures with 11 tallies to go along with 10 rebounds.  Egidijus Mockevicius was a dominant force down low.  He tied his career mark with six blocks while pulling in eight rebounds.  Evansville was once again unselfish as a team, recording assists on 22 out of 26 made baskets.

Featuring a total of 16 lead changes and 11 ties, the contest ended a three-game slide for the Aces against the Bulldogs.

Wednesday will mark UE's annual trip to Carbondale, Ill. as the Aces will square off against Southern Illinois.  Game time is set for 7 p.m. at SIU Arena.  Following the trip to SIU, Evansville will host Creighton and Illinois State at the Ford Center.
 

The University of Evansville women’s tennis team improved to 3-3 on the season after taking down Austin Peay by a final of 5-2 on Saturday evening at the Tri-State Athletic Club.The night began with the Purple Aces earning the doubles point by taking two out of three matches.  Natasha James and Marketa Trousilova were victorious at flight one, taking down Ornella Di Salvo and Andra Corna, 8-6.  At No. 3, the team of Gaby Fifer and Emily Richardson earned an 8-3 win over Julie Covington and Jovana Karac.  Kelsey Costales and Marina Moreno fell, 8-7, to Alison Carre and Vanessa Taveras.

Evansville took four out of six singles matches, led off by James, who won (6-2, 6-4) over Carre.  Flight three saw Trousilova earn the win over Cornea, 6-3, 6-3.  Fifer picked up another victory in the fifth slot by a final of 6-2, 6-3 over Karac while Richardson finished an undefeated night of her own with a win (6-1, 6-0) over Covington.

Milovic was edged by Di Salvo in the second spot, 6-4, 6-3, while the fourth flight saw Moreno fall to Taveras (6-3, 6-4).

Butler will be up next for UE as they travel to Indianapolis for a 4 p.m. CT match next Saturday, February 16.

Senior Samantha Heck and sophomore Mallory Ladd each recorded double-doubles Saturday afternoon in Carbondale, Ill., as the University of Evansville women’s basketball team ended a three-game losing streak with a 52-41 victory over host Southern Illinois at SIU Arena.

Ladd paced Evansville (8-13, 6-4 MVC) with 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead three Purple Aces in double figures.  Heck finished with 11 points and 11 boards, while sophomore Kat Taylor pitched in a career-high 14 points, going 9-for-10 from the free throw line.

The contest proved to be an offensive struggle in the early going.  UE took an early 6-2 lead, but Southern Illinois (4-17, 1-9 MVC) used a full-court, pressure defense to force seven Evansville turnovers that led to five-straight Saluki points and gave SIU a 7-6 advantage just over five minutes into the ballgame.

At the 8:53 mark in the opening half, Taylor regained the lead for the Aces by burying a three from the top of the arc to put UE in front 13-11.

Four and a half minutes later, Southern Illinois’ Cartaesha Macklin recorded a steal and dished out a pass to Azia Washington that led to a layup making the score 17-15 in favor of the Salukis with 4:29 remaining in the opening period.

Ladd scored the next four points for UE to give the Aces a two-point advantage, but Rishonda Napier buried a 12-foot jumper with just 52 seconds left in the half to knot the score at 19-19 heading into the locker room.

In the first half, combined to go just 2-for-15 from behind the three-point line and committed 23 turnovers.  Evansville went 7-for-21 from the floor (33.3%) and committed 12 turnovers in the first 20 minutes, while SIU shot 9-for-26 (34.6%) from the field and turned the ball over 11 times.

Southern Illinois took a 24-21 lead in the opening moments of the second stanza, when Jordyn Courier trey, but senior Taylor Ware answered back with a triple for the Aces to retie the score at 24-24 with 18:09 to play.

Ware’s three sparked a 10-0 UE run that was capped by a pair of Heck free throws, as the Evansville defense held the Salukis without a field goal for nearly nine minutes, allowing the Aces to build a 34-24 lead with 13:16 remaining.

With 5:18 left on the clock, Macklin scored four quick points for SIU, cutting UE’s lead to six at 40-34.  Senior Chelsea Falkenstein responded with a driving layup to push Evansville’s margin back to 42-34.

Napier regained the momentum for Southern Illinois by drawing a foul and banking in a layup heading into the final media timeout at the 3:54 mark, once again cutting the Aces’ advantage to just six at 42-36.  However, Napier would miss the ensuing free throw and SIU would get no closer the rest of the way.

Heck connected on a layup to put Evansville back in front by double digits at 48-38 with 2:50 to play and UE sealed the win by hitting its free throws down the stretch.

The Aces held Southern Illinois to just a 30.8 percent shooting clip on the second half (8-for-26) and the 41 points scored by the Salukis were the least allowed by Evansville this season.  In addition, UE connected on 10 of its 19 second-half shots and sank 11 of its 16 second-half free throw opportunites.

Macklin led SIU with 15 points and grabbed six rebounds, while Courier finished in double figures with 10 points, going 3-for-11 from the field.

Evansville was able to outrebound Southern Illinois, 37-27, and scored 26 points in the paint.

The Aces will be at home for their next two games, as they will host in-state rival Indiana State, Thursday, Feb. 14, at 7 p.m., before hosting Illinois State for a 5 p.m. contest Saturday, Feb. 16.