University of Evansville

AceNotes Today

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

* Katherine Linzy Receives Administrator of the Year Award

Katherine Linzy, software support and training specialist in the Office of Technology Services, was presented the Administrator of the Year Award on May 4.

Katherine came to UE a few years ago and in that short time has become a well-respected problem-solver.  She utilizes her talents to improve processes, procedures and functions campus-wide. Nominations for Katherine came from many departments, all citing the ways that she has helped that department or an individual employee.  Whether she is teaching a lab-style training class or working with someone one-on-one, Katherine always shows patience, grace, and humor.

Congratulations, Katherine!

 
* Melanie Bacaling and Brock Reneer Named Outstanding Seniors

Congratulations to 2013 graduates Melanie Bacaling and Brock Reneer, who received the Mabel Dillingham Nenneker and Guthrie May Outstanding Senior Service Awards during Saturday’s Commencement ceremony.

These are the highest honors the University presents to one female and one male senior. A University committee chose the two recipients based on academic performance, a commitment to service, outstanding leadership, and diverse involvement in campus activities.

Melanie graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in performance and a Bachelor of Science in psychology, and Brock graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with majors in finance and economics.

 
* Mark Valenzuela Named Outstanding Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Mark Valenzuela, associate professor of civil engineering, who was named Outstanding Teacher of the Year by the UE Alumni Association at Saturday’s Commencement ceremony. He is the first UE faculty member to win this prestigious honor twice (the first time in 2003).

Students who nominated Dr. Valenzuela for the award noted that he “uses a very detailed and interactive teaching style,” “ensures that his students make ethical decisions and treat one another with respect,” and “is willing to take as much time as necessary to help students understand class material.”

In addition to the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award, Dr. Valenzuela has won the Dean’s Teaching Award for the College of Engineering and Computer Science (2003 and 2013), a UE Global Scholar award (2008), and the ExCEED New Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (2002). He came to UE in 1999 and received tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2005.

 

Upcoming Events

* 2013 Purple Aces Club Golf Classic Set For May 21

The annual Purple Aces Club Golf Classic, which benefits University of Evansville Athletics Scholarships, is set to take place on Tuesday, May 21 at Quail Crossing Golf Club in Boonville, Ind.

Everyone is welcome to play as individuals can sign up for $125 while foursomes cost $500.  Registration and lunch will be from 11 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. before a shotgun start commences the tournament at 12:30.  At approximately 5:30 p.m., a post-event reception takes place followed by an awards ceremony.

For those wishing to be a sponsor, several opportunities are available including the sponsorship of holes, longest drive, closest to the pin and recognition on all carts that will be used at the event.

One of the top courses in the state of Indiana, Quail Crossing is on a natural terrain located just minutes from Evansville.  Known for their minimalist style or lay of the land design, Renaissance Golf Design (led by Tom Doak) complemented the natural terrain of Quail’s 320 acres.

Styling the course in imitation of Shinnecock Hills, with fairway bunkers framed by bluestem and other prairie grasses that were selected in conjunction with Quail Unlimited, provides suitable habitat for the birds after which the course is named. Quail’s links style routing is a real treat for golfers who will see an abundance of natural beauty during their 18-hole round.

Those interested in participating are asked to sign up by May 13.  You can register by sending in the entry form that is linked above, or by contacting Dwight Merilatt.  Sponsorship questions and other inquiries can also be directed to him at dm160@evansville.edu or 812-488-2287.

 
* Douglas Reed's "Amazing Grace" Concert

Douglas Reed, University Organist/Professor Emeritus of Music, will play a concert entitled Amazing Grace in Neu Chapel on May 12, at 4:00 p.m.  A matinee performance of his concert in Siegen, Germany later in May, the program will include music by American composers William Albright, William Bolcom, Sydney Hodkinson, and Daniel Pinkham.

Reed will perform three compositions based on familiar hymn tunes. These include Pulitzer Prize winning composer William Bolcom’s Gospel Prelude on “Amazing Grace” and Prelude on “Abide With Me" as well as Pinkham’s Variations on “Wondrous Love.” 

The program will also include a 35th anniversary performance of William Albright’s Organbook III (1977-78) premiered by the composer on the Neu Chapel Holtkamp organ in 1978.  Albright had strong ties with the University of Evansville who commissioned him to write Four Fancies for harpsichord (1978) with the support of the Mesker Music Trust, and Symphony for organ with percussion (1986) with the support of the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The most recent works on the program are Swing Shift and Zephyrs from Sydney Hodkinson’s Organmusic (2012). Hodkinson conducts the Contemporary Ensemble and teaches composition at the Aspen Colorado Music Festival and School.  A composition professor and conductor of the Musica Nova Ensemble at the Eastman School of Music for many years, Hodkinson wrote Papillons, Book III (1984) for Douglas Reed, and Cantata Sancta (2001) with the support of the McGary Family of Newburgh, Indiana and the Friends of UE Music for the dedication of the Francile MacDonald McGary portative organ.

Sponsored by the University of Evansville Department of Religious Life, the program is free and open to the public.

 
* TIAA-CREF Counseling

The TIAA CREF representative will be on the UE campus on Tuesday, May 21 and Thursday, May 23, 2013 for individual counseling sessions.  To schedule an appointment, call TIAA CREF at 1-800-732-8353 or 317-706-6200.   The sessions are held in the Clifford Rare Books Room of the University Libraries (Room 158).  If you have any questions, call Carol McCraney at extension 2943.

 

Info You Should Know

* Graduation Announcements Sent to Hometown Newspapers

Congratulations to all who graduated Saturday! To recognize this achievement, news releases have been sent to your hometown newspapers and posted online at readabout.me.

You should receive an e-mail notification with a link to view your story online and share your achievement with friends and family through e-mail and social media. If you haven't already, log in to readabout.me via Facebook to customize your profile by adding a photo, leadership positions, activities, and professional experience.

Your online reputation is important – most employers Google an applicant's name during the hiring process for jobs and internships. UE helps students create a positive online presence by providing readabout.me as a free service. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of University Relations at x2241 or kl147. 

 
* Join UE's Midwest Dragon Boat Team!

Come join TEAM UE as we attempt to defend our Gold bracket title in the Midwest Dragon Boat Race on June 1. This is a fun, exciting event that anyone can participate in (students, faculty, or staff). To sign up or for more information please  contact  Angie Stauber  ext 2622 or email as547 to be a team member.

 

Congratulations

* UE Bass Fishing Club Takes 7th at Pickwick Lake Tournament

The UE Bass Fishing Club competed in the FLW Outdoors Pickwick Lake tournament this past weekend.  Eric Kieffner and Nick Uebelhor were the anglers competing and representing UE at the tournament.  The field of 50 teams proved to be much tougher than expected, but the tournament title was not the only thing on the line.  Uebelhor and Kieffner were also competing for a spot in the Central Invitational Tournament on the Detroit River given to only the top 15 teams.

Uebelhor and Kieffner struggled early in the day with only one keeper at about 10:00am.  However, the guys would bounce back quickly and swiftly by catching 4 keepers by 10:30am.  Kieffner and Uebelhor finished strong by catching 7 total keepers.  Teams were allowed to keep their 5 best fish for official weight.  UE finished with a total weight of 13 pounds 5 ounces giving them a 7th place finish and a spot in the Central Invitational on the Detroit River July 27-28.  Full results on the Pickwick Lake tournament can be found on FLWOutdoors.com.
 

 
* Psychology Major Emily Jamieson Wins 2013 Best Senior Thesis Award

Senior psychology major Emily Jamieson has won the 2013 Best Senior Thesis award for her research, titled "Juror Perceptions of Coerced Confessions: The Influence of Mental Illness."  She found that mock jurors were more likely to convict a defendant who was coerced to confess when he was portrayed as having clinical depression than when portrayed as having no mental illness.  These results support the theory that people endorse negative stereotypes toward those with mental illnesses (i.e., that they are more prone to violence).  These findings were presented at the 2013 Midwestern Psychological Association in Chicago.

 
* Honors Program Graduates

Forty May 2013 graduates have earned the distinction of Honors Program graduate.  To complete the program, graduates were required to maintain Honors participation points, complete courses to earn a minimum of 13 Honors credit hours, achieve a 3.3 GPA or higher, and complete and Honors project.  Congratulations to Melanie Bacaling, Eros Bazebizonza Mizidy, Lynn Beaumont, Lauren Bernier, Mason Blankenship, Sarah Blotsky, Bethany Bonifield, Janelle Clausen, Alexandra Cutler, James Drury, Michael Grassmyer, Wolfe Greene, Mollie Hamilton, Marjorie Heideman, Elizabeth Ingram, Emily Jamieson, Collin Jones, Gabriel Kinser, Zuzana Kocsisova, Jessica Kraemer, Danielle Langness, Chris Matlak, Desire Matouba, Kepra McBrayer, Jenna McCord, Deanna Miller, Samantha Miller, Christine Mueller, Klara Nichter, Rosa Palmeri, Patty Schulz.

 

Athletics

* Aces Host SIU Edwardsville in Midweek Contest

Following a pair of wins at Indiana State over the weekend, the University of Evansville baseball team will host SIU Edwardsville in a non-conference game Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at Braun Stadium. 

Evansville (19-29) enters Wednesday’s game having won its last three contests, including a pair of key Missouri Valley Conference victories over the Sycamores last weekend in Terre Haute, Ind.  Freshman Shain Showers led the Aces by going 2-for-5 with a double and four walks in the pair of games with ISU for a .667 on-base percentage.  Redshirt sophomore Kevin Kaczmarski went 4-for-11 with an RBI and a run scored, while senior Andy Lasher went 2-for-7 with a game-winning, three-run home run in UE’s 6-4, 13-inning victory Friday night.

Senior Kyle Lloyd allowed just three hits over 6.0 innings and struck out four in his start on Saturday, before the game was suspended due to rain.  Redshirt junior Sam Johns picked up saves in both contests, as he recorded the final out with the bases loaded in Friday night’s win and allowed just one run on three hits in 3.0 innings Sunday.

As a team, Evansville is hitting .261 as a team with 51 doubles, eight triples and 14 homers for a .331 slugging percentage.  The Aces sport a .356 on-base percentage and have swiped 39 bases in 60 chances.  Defensively, UE has committed 56 errors for a .969 fielding percentage.

Kaczmarski leads the team with a .340 average, .474 slugging percentage, 37 runs scored, 12 doubles and 13 stolen bases.  Senior Chris Pearson boasts a .305 average with a team-best 28 RBI and is tied for the team lead with four long balls.  Fellow senior Jason Hockemeyer is hitting .296 with six doubles, two triples and 26 RBI and leads the Aces with a .437 on-base percentage.  Junior Jake Mahon, who returned to the UE lineup this weekend after being sidelined by a wrist injury he suffered on April 5, is hitting .311 with four doubles and 13 RBI in his 29 games.

Evansville’s pitching staff has combined for a 4.27 ERA this spring with a .277 opposing batting average and 350 strikeouts over 415.0 innings.  Lloyd leads the staff with a 7-2 record, 2.18 ERA, 91 strikeouts and a .220 opposing batting average.  Sophomore left-hander Kyle Freeland is 3-7 on the year with a 3.97 ERA in his 12 starts and has racked up 79 strikeouts.  Junior lefty Cole Isom, who is slated to start against the Cougars, is 3-5 this season with a 4.50 ERA and 42 strikeouts in his 50.0 innings of work.

SIU Edwardsville (13-29) will play Indiana State Tuesday night before making the trip to Evansville and enters the game in Terre Haute on a four-game winning streak.  Last weekend, the Cougars swept UT Martin in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference set in Edwardsville, Ill.

SIUE is hitting .240 as a team with 56 doubles, four triples and 23 home runs for a .335 slugging percentage.  SIU Edwardsville is reaching base at a .346 clip and has stolen 32 bases in 49 tries.  The Cougars have a collective .971 fielding percentage, as they have been charged with 45 errors in their 42 contests.

Joel Greatting leads SIU Edwardsville with a .311 batting average and is one of two Cougars hitting over the .300 mark.  Greatting has tallied six doubles, five homers and 23 RBI.  James Vazquez boats a .303 average with six doubles, a triple, two round-trippers and 16 RBI, while Skyler Geissinger is hitting .263 with a team-best 11 doubles and 27 RBI.  Travis Becherer leads SIUE with 17 stolen bases, while Devin Caldwell has been the top power bat for the Cougars, as he leads the team with nine homers and a .470 slugging percentage.

On the mound, SIU Edwardsville pitchers have combined for a 5.60 ERA, .283 opposing batting average and 252 strikeouts over 361.1 innings.  Travis Felax has been the top arm for the Cougars, as he enters Tuesday’s game with a 2.26 ERA and a team-high 58 strikeouts in 75.2 innings, despite a 3-6 record in his 11 starts.  Jake Stauffenberg is 3-3 on the year with a 3.23 ERA in his 39.0 innings out of the bullpen and Tony Schaeffer is 1-4 with a 4.01 ERA and a team-best four saves. 

Evansville leads the all-time series with SIU Edwardsville, 12-9, and won both meetings with the Cougars last season, as the Aces earned an 8-6 victory in Edwardsville, before defeating SIUE, 10-2, at Braun Stadium.

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUP (UE STARTER LISTED FIRST)
WEDNESDAY – Cole Isom (LHP, Jr., 3-5, 4.50 ERA) vs. TBA

 
* Jenkins, Kruzman Finish in Top 15 at the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon

In a mini-marathon of over 16,000 female runners, University of Evansville cross country held its own at the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon Saturday in Indianapolis.

Junior Kelby Jenkins finished ninth overall with a time of 1:23:24, while fellow Junior cross country runner, Nicole Kruzman, finished 15th overall with a time of 1:26:07.

The average time for all runners, both male and female, was 2:29:51. A total of 30,069 runners finished the marathon, which is the largest mini marathon in the country.

 

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