Got questions? Curious about the Catholic faith? Join our seminarian interns from St. Meinrad Archabbey for coffee/hot chocolate in a casual setting anytime from 4:30-6 pm TODAY at Jazzman's. At 6 pm they will join students for dinner at Ridgway; University Center, and from 7-8 pm they will begin a book study/discussion series with "The Lamb's Supper" by Dr. Scott Hahn back at the Newman Center-Catholic Campus Ministry House, 1901 Lincoln Ave. Look for the purple and white Banner. For more info email Kristel at kr53@evansville.edu or call/text 812-760-8610. 

The employee wellness nurse will be in Ridgway University Center lobby on Wednesday, Jan. 28, from 1 - 3 p.m. Pick up a pocket-size card if you are joining the spring Healthy Lifestyle Challenge. Rules for the Challenge are in AceLink>Wellness>Healthy Lifestyle Challenge. 

I-House is back again this week! Our presenters are from Honduras! Their names are Marcela Pineda and Andrea Mossi. Marcela is an International Studies and PSCI double major. She loves to dance ballet and go to the gym. Andrea is a marketing and global business double major. She loves to exercise and watch movies. They both love how diverse UE is. So come watch them make a presentation about their country at 7 pm this Wednesday upstairs in Ridgway University Center! 

Sigma Alpha Iota will be having their spring recruitment this week beginning on January 26 and running through January 28. The theme is SAI Getaway: Around the World in Three Days. Each day will feature a specific theme: Oriental Excursion (January 26), African Safari (January 27), and Caribbean Cruise (January 28). The informal recruitment activities will be held in Krannert 142 and will begin at 9:15 on January 26 and 9:00 on January 27 and 28. Come to any of these events to find out more about information about our music fraternity! 

Venturing Crew 365 is skiing at Paoli Peaks on Saturday, February 7. The cost is $15 per person and it includes ski rentals and group lessons. Sign-ups will be on Thursday, January 29 from noon to 1:00 and Friday, January 30 from noon to 2:00 and 5:00 to 6:00 inside Ridgway University Center. Payment will be required in order to reserve a spot on the trip. There are limited spots available. 

The UE Bookstore will have a farewell reception for Linda Howard on Friday, January 30 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Bookstore. Linda will be leaving the University as the textbook clerk on that day. Please stop by and wish her well. 

The Honors Program is hosting Nerd Wars trivia night on Tuesday, February 17 at 7 pm in Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center. Teams of five consisting of students, faculty, administrators, and staff will battle in a competition of wit while enjoying pizza, popcorn, and soda. The winning student team and the winning faculty/administrator/staff team will receive $25 MasterCard/VISA gift cards.

Registration materials can be picked up in the Powell Honors Lounge, from Jayme Williams in Room 238 in Koch Center, or can be done online by clicking here.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J2oZGQ29AdGKeS0MSENgRPGGnrCkVx-W29rUFubPB9s/edit?pli=1#gid=0

Entry fee is $5 per person.

Those who are unable to compose a team of five may still register and will be matched to make a team. The registration deadline is January 28. Any questions can be emailed to Matthew at mb338. 

The Office of Cultural Engagement is hiring new International Orientation Leaders. We're looking for responsible, caring, and flexible student leaders who are up to the challenge of welcoming new international students to UE's campus this fall! This is a great opportunity for you to develop leadership skills and gain valuable global experience to add to your resume.

Pick up an application in the Cultural Engagement Office (2nd Floor Ridgway, back of Student Life Suite) or access the application online (https://docs.google.com/document/d/10wGvTr4ycVvTKCkRMXVbEWF7HxWgHVceR7-Yv7ln9vc/edit?usp=sharing).

Applications are due February 6th to the Cultural Engagement Office. Email ld101@evansville.edu with any questions. 

The Office of Cultural Engagement and International Services matches families with UE international students for intercultural communication and understanding for all involved. The Global Friends and Families Program is not a home-stay program, and matches will vary in length due to differing academic programs offered for international students. Students want to experience true American culture through a meal around your table, the bleachers at your child's soccer game, or simply a conversation over a cup of coffee. We'll provide you with ideas along the way! Find out more and register here (http://www.evansville.edu/ceis/friendsandfamilies.cfm) to be a Global Family! Please direct any questions to ld101@evansville.edu. 

The Office of Study Abroad is currently accepting applications for the 2015 International Cultural Immersion Experience: Trinidad and Tobago. The priority application deadline is Friday, February 20, 2015.

This program is open to students from all majors and will take place from May 25 - June 8, 2015.

Click here to apply or to learn more about costs, dates, and deadlines.

Please contact Marissa Mitchell, coordinator of short-term programs abroad, at mm353 or 488-2039 for additional information about the program. 

Each year the University of Evansville’s School of Education partners with the Evansville Courier and Press to recognize outstanding educators in Vanderburgh County.  NOMINATE an outstanding teacher or principal from Vanderburgh County who excels in their profession!  Nominees must be current full-time classroom teachers or building principals, grades K-12, who have completed at least three full years of service.   The deadline for nominations is this Friday, January 30.  Nominate a teacher or building principal today!! To make a nomination, go here: http://www.courierpress.com/educators

UE Admission Ambassador Applications are now available. Please go to this link to fill out the application: Admission Ambassador Application. Once you fill out the application, send the UE faculty or staff serving as your reference the recommendation form at this link: Admission Ambassador Application Form. Applications can also be picked up in the Admissions Office, Olmsted 104. They can be turned back into Admissions Office. The deadline for admission ambassador applications is Wednesday, February 11. The deadline for the Admission Ambassador Reference is Monday, February 16. If you have any questions, please email Dana Owens at do40@evansville.edu or Lauren Winkler at lw148@evansville.edu. 

The UE Alumni Association recognizes an Outstanding Teacher for exemplary teaching and student service at Spring Commencement. Students, faculty, administrators, staff, and alumni may nominate a teacher who exemplifies the award’s stated goals of “encouraging outstanding teaching and the inclusion of students in as many facets of academic life as possible.”

Click here to nominate a professor who you feel exemplifies teaching excellence.

Complete your nomination by Friday, January 30. Email Jennifer Graban at jg54@evansville.edu if you have questions.

Full-time faculty who have taught in the classroom at UE for at least two years and hold the rank of lecturer, instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, or professor are eligible to be nominated.

Past recipients within the last five years are not eligible. They are: ’10 – Jeff Tilly; ’11 – James Berry; ‘12 – Mari Plikuhn; ‘13 – Mark Valenzuela; ‘14 – Jennie Ebeling.
 

Margaret C. Stevenson, associate professor of psychology, published a peer-reviewed journal article in “Psychology, Public Policy, and Law,” entitled “The Influence of a Juvenile's Abuse History on Support for Sex Offender Registration.” A co-author included a UE alum, Katlyn Farnum. In a series of 5 studies, this research investigates whether and how a juvenile’s history of experiencing sexual abuse affects public perceptions of juvenile sex offenders. When asked about juvenile sex offenders in an abstract manner (Studies 1 and 2), the more participants (community members and undergraduates) believed that a history of being sexually abused as a child causes later sexually abusive behavior, the less likely they were to support sex offender registration for juveniles. Yet when participants considered specific sexual offenses, a juvenile’s history of sexual abuse was not considered to be a mitigating factor. This was true when participants considered a severe sexual offense (forced rape; Study 3 and Study 4) and a case involving less severe sexual offenses (i.e., statutory rape), when a juvenile’s history of sexual abuse backfired and was used as an aggravating factor, increasing support for registering the offender (Study 3 and Study 5). 

Walayet A. Khan, professor of finance, was an invited speaker at the 2014 Global Forum for Finance & Banking held in Istanbul, Turkey. The theme of the forum was "Bridging the World of Islamic Finance - Expanding the boundaries of Islamic Finance: Complementing Domestic Growth with International Linkages.” Dr. Khan gave a presentation to delegates from nearly 20 countries on the topic of "Islamic Finance in U.S. in the Context of Global Growth - Fund Investing, Property Financing and Commercial Banking (from Past to Future)." Islamic finance, a subset of socially responsible investing similar to other faith based investing, is the fastest growing financial service sector (20% annually), reaching over $2 trillion in 2013. Islamic financial institutions have been well-received in most parts of the world since its inception nearly 40 years ago. Islamic finance attained an added momentum due to its relative superior performance during the 2008/2009 global financial crisis in which conventional financial institutions took a hit. 

The NCAA-leading 15th double-double of the season for Egidijus Mockevicius saw the University of Evansville men’s basketball team earn an 89-78 victory over Indiana State in Missouri Valley Conference action on Tuesday night at the Ford Center.

Mockevicius had 10 points and a season-high 15 rebounds in the victory for the Purple Aces (16-5, 6-3 MVC). D.J. Balentine led UE with 18 points. He also dished out a team-best six assists. Balentine was pleased with his team’s effort in the win.

“They are a very good team and we came out with a sense of urgency today,” he said. “Seeing my teammates score gives me more joy than anything and us winning at the end of the day is the best.”

Blake Simmons tied his season mark with 14 points while Duane Gibson had a solid day with 11. He saw 3 of his 4 attempts fall through the bottom of the net and also had four helpers. For the third game in a row, Taylor Stafford set his career scoring mark. He netted nine on a 2-3 day from outside. He has scored more points in the last three outings than he did in the first 18 games of the season.

“The coaches told me to keep taking shots and eventually they would fall,” Stafford said. “I just want to keep doing whatever I can to help my squad.”

Indiana State (10-11, 6-3 MVC) got off to a quick start, scoring the first four points of the game as Justin Gant hit a triple in the first possession. After missing its first two shots, Evansville fought back, hitting five of its next six buckets.

Egidijus Mockevicius got the first points of the game for UE as the Aces went on a 9-0 run. Mockevicius hit an and-one in the stretch as he had five early tallies. The Sycamores stayed in it thanks to the long shot as three of its first five long range attempts were good. They retook the lead at 15-13.

In a back-and-forth period, the Aces were helped by a D.J. Balentine triple as he helped UE takes it largest lead at 23-17 midway through the half. Indiana State continued to rake from outside, going 5/8 to overcome the deficit and tie the game up at 23-23.

Evansville was able to wrestle the advantage back before taking its largest edge of the opening stanza at 40-33 inside the final minute of the half as Taylor Stafford was fouled on a three and hit the ensuing free throws. With time running out, Devonte Brown was fouled on a triple and was able to cut the deficit to four at halftime as the Aces were up 40-36.

Balentine led everyone with 11 at the half while Brenton Scott led Indiana State with 10 at the break.

A Tre Bennett bucket got the ISU deficit back to just three points before the Aces were able to make their largest move of the game. A 13-2 stretch saw UE extend its lead to a game-high 14 points at 60-46 with 9:19 left. In that run, Stafford netted his career-best ninth point of the night. It marked the third game in a row he has reset his career mark in scoring.

Indiana State did not go away easy as an old-fashioned 3-point play by Devonte Brown cut the gap to 10 with just over 7 minute left. Balentine countered with a triple at the other end to give UE a 67-54 lead.

An and-one by Mockevicius looked to give the Aces full control with 3:01 left as they went up 80-62. As always, the Sycamores did not make it easy for the Aces. An unbelievable 13-0 run saw them hit 5 out of six shots, including three triples to get back within six at 81-75 with 1:14 remaining. UE was able to clamp down and score the next five from the charity stripes to go back up 11 at 86-75. From there, the Aces held strong in earning the 89-78 triumph.

Adam Wing continued to get better after returning from injury. His 3-5 day from the floor helped him finish with 8 points. He also tied his season mark with five assists.

Evansville shot 53.2% on the day and finished with 89 points, the most against the Sycamores since an 89-64 win on Jan. 26, 1995 at Roberts Stadium.

Four Sycamores wrapped up the night in double digits, led by Brenton Scott’s 20 points. He also led ISU with 7 boards. Devonte Brown recorded 18 points and seven assists. Bennett (16) and Gant (14) were the other top scorers.

Evansville takes to the road for its next two games, beginning on Saturday when the Aces face Drake in a 2 p.m. game in Des Moines. A week from today, UE will face Illinois State in its annual visit to Normal, Ill. Game time will be 7 p.m. The next home game for the Aces will be on Saturday, February 7 against Bradley. Tickets are available by calling 812-488-ACES or by visiting the ticket office at the Carson Center or Ford Center.