John W. Stanley, Director of Athletics at the University of Evansville since 2007, has announced his retirement. Stanley’s work at UE will continue through the end of June.  Current Senior Associate Director of Athletics Dwight Merilatt will assume Athletic Director duties on an interim basis beginning July 1. 

“I have been extremely fortunate to have served as the Aces Athletic Director,” Stanley said. “The time has gone fast and now, at age 64, it seems appropriate to move to the next stage offering more time and flexibility for other parts of life.” 

Recognizing Stanley’s contributions, President Tom Kazee added “John has accomplished a great deal in his tenure at UE and I have enjoyed working with him.” 

During his time at UE, Stanley was actively involved in the transition of the Aces from Roberts Stadium to the Ford Center and the development and construction of the Fifth Third basketball practice facility. Stanley initiated other athletic department projects including the Beeler Academic Center, UE Hall of Fame renovation, and numerous other capital improvements for the Aces.

Stanley added, “I have really enjoyed the people at UE, particularly, the coaches, staff, and Student/Athletes who all will leave me with a lifetime of great memories. I will continue to be the biggest cheerleader for them into the future.”

The Development Office at UE is pleased to announce a $50,000 two year grant from Old National Bank Foundation.

The Old National Bank Foundation contribution will be used by the University’s Diversity and Equality Office to build an anti-bias program during the 2014-2015 academic year. The anti-bias program will educate middle and high school students toward becoming anti-bias by learning about culture, racial identity, fairness, gender equity, family structures, differences in ability, and the celebration of holidays and cultural traditions.

The Office of Diversity and Equity’s Anti-Bias curriculum is an activist approach to educational curricula which attempts to challenge prejudices such as racism, sexism, ableism, ageism and homophobia. Anti-Bias curricula have a strong relationship to multiculturalist curricula and its implementation process. There is a need in the community to raise awareness of bias and work to providing middle and high school students with a solid understanding of social problems and issues while equipping them with strategies to combat bias and improve social conditions. The curriculum will promote analyzing society prejudices from different prospective, presenting different views of the subject and improving the overall environment of Southern Indiana schools and the Evansville regional community.

Congratulations to Brian Ernsting, biology professor and assistant vice president of academic affairs. Brian has accepted the position of vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He will begin his duties at Wartburg on August 1.

Wartburg is a liberal arts college of the Lutheran church (ELCA) recognized for professional preparation and community engagement.

Says Brian, “I am excited to pursue new opportunities at Wartburg, but at the same time I will miss my friends and colleagues at UE.”

Congratulations to Health Center Director Becky Ziliak on the birth of her new grandson. James Michael Ziliak was born on June 2nd at St. Mary's Medical Center weighing 6 lbs, 6 ozs. Proud parents are Jared Ziliak (UE 2005) and Jessica Ivy Ziliak. 

Condolences to the Department of Archaeology and Art History's Christine Lovasz-Kaiser and Alan Kaiser on the unexpected loss of their sister-in-law, Ann Lovasz, of Dallas, Texas. Funeral arrangements are still being made. 

Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner Doug Elgin officially announced the dates and sites for the various MVC sports championships for the 2014-15 athletic season. As part of the announcement, it has been revealed that the University of Evansville will play host to the 2015 Men’s and Women’s Tennis Team Championships.

Wesselman Park will play host to the tournament, which will take place from April 24-26, 2015. The Evansville Community Tennis Association will provide the tournament with 12 outdoor courts. The facility can accommodate over 150 fans.

“This will be a great opportunity to showcase the MVC tennis talent to everyone in Evansville,” Purple Aces head coach Nick Mueller said. “Both of the 2014 team champions (Wichita State women and Drake men) were ranked inside the top 50 of the country this last year, which is a very high level of tennis.”

“The Evansville community has been very supportive of tennis over the years, and hosting this event will be another feather in its cap,” Muller continued. “I want to thank the Evansville Community Tennis Association (ECTA) for allowing us to use Wesselman Park as the host site for this tremendous event. This will be a co-ed event, so there will be 5 men’s teams and 8 women’s teams at this championship in 2015. We are all very excited.”

This will mark the first time the University of Evansville has hosted the league tennis championships in 18 years. The Purple Aces hosted the 1997 men’s championship after hosting it for the women in 1996. UE has hosted several conference tournaments in the past, most recently welcoming the 2013 MVC Women’s Soccer Championship.

Other championship sites for next season include: women’s soccer – Illinois State, men’s soccer – Bradley, volleyball – UNI, softball – Wichita State and baseball – Wichita State.

The MVC Men’s Basketball Championship -- the 25th consecutive men’s tournament in St. Louis -- will feature all 10 Missouri Valley Conference schools and will be played at Scottrade Center. For the 10th-straight year, the tournament will begin on Thursday and end on Sunday (March 5-8). All nine games will be televised, and the championship game will be carried on CBS Sports. The MVC Women’s Basketball Championship -- the eighth consecutive women’s tournament in St. Charles -- will feature all 10 Missouri Valley Conference schools and will be played at The Family Arena. The tournament will begin on Thursday and end on Sunday (March 12-15).

Other hosts for league championships in 2014-15 include Drake (women’s individual tennis and men’s individual tennis); Missouri State (men’s golf at Porto Cima at the Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., and men’s and women’s outdoor track & field); UNI (women’s golf at Spirit Hollow in Burlington, Iowa, and men’s and women’s indoor track & field); and Southern Illinois (men’s and women’s cross country, and women’s swimming & diving).