The University of Evansville Winter Commencement ceremony is set for 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 16, in Neu Chapel on UE’s campus. The ceremony will include the announcement of the recipient of the 2015 Exemplary Teacher Award, presented by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. After the event, there will be a reception sponsored by the UE Alumni Association in the Class of 1959 Gallery and Lounge in the Ridgway University Center.

This year’s Winter Commencement speaker is UE associate psychology professor Margaret Stevenson, who received the 2015 Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award at May’s commencement ceremony. The University of Evansville Alumni Association presents this award annually to a faculty member who is nominated by students, faculty, or administrators for his or her exemplary teaching abilities.

Stevenson came to UE in 2008. She teaches courses in such areas as social psychology, research methods in psychology, and psychology and the law, and serves as advisor to many psychology majors, advising and directing some in research projects. At UE, Stevenson has been Honors Faculty Scholar in Residence, and served on the Institutional Diversity Council, Honors Program committee, and General Education Subcommittee She has been the social sciences representative for UE Faculty Senate, as well as corresponding secretary and parliamentarian.

She received the Sydney and Sadelle Berger Award for Research in 2012, and the Association for Psychological Science RISE Research Award in 2011. She was presented the United Methodist Exemplary Teacher Award by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church in 2014. Stevenson is a past recipient of the American Psychological Association Division 37’s Section on Child Maltreatment Early Career Award. She serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Forensic Psychology and the International Journal of Psychological Studies.

Stevenson earned her Ph.D. and Master of Arts in social psychology from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and her Bachelor Science degree in psychology and Bachelor of Science in French from Ohio State University.

For those who cannot attend Winter Commencement in person, a video of the ceremony will stream live at: https://www.evansville.edu/live/
     
 

The UE Alumni Association is sponsoring a reception following Winter Commencement, Wednesday, December 16. The ceremony is at 3:00 p.m. in Neu Chapel and the reception will follow in the Class of 1959 Gallery on the second floor of the Ridgway University Center. Graduates, their family and friends and other members of the UE community are welcome to attend. Questions? Contact alumni@evansville.edu or extension 2586.

Congratulations Winter graduates!
 

The UE Bookstore is offering 20% OFF all UE clothing and gift purchases December 10-16. Stop in and browse and save some money on your UE gift purchases. We also have some items on clearance at greater savings. Items already on clearance are exempt from additional discount. 

Cash for Books at the UE Bookstore starts at 9 a.m. on Thursday, December 10, and runs until 5 p.m., on Wednesday, December 16. We freely quote any book regardless of its original. Please remember to bring your student ID to sell books. 

Do you want to get ahead in credit hours, take a general education course, finish missing requirements, or complete electives? SOC 105- Introduction to Sociology is available during Winter Session online! This is an introductory course designed to increase your knowledge of sociology and its concepts and theories. We will explore the basic social institutions, systems of inequality, and social forces that shape our world. There are NO prerequisites, and it satisfies general education outcome and overlay requirements!

The last day to add is Tuesday, December 15th. For more information, contact Mari Plikuhn (mp168) or visit www.evansville.edu/registrar/winterAbout.cfm
 

The second round of grants from the Innovation and Re-Investment Fund have been awarded.  The Programs Task Force received 15 proposal submissions with combined funding requests in excess of $1.25 million. 

Five proposals will receive funding.  Those receiving funding are listed below in alphabetical order by department/area:

Communication

• Proposal: Creates a multimedia experiential education experience initiative for students in communication interested in video programming and production 
• Amount Funded: $50,000 one-time

Development

• Proposal: Improves the Fehn House aesthetics to enhance the overnight experience for guests
• Amount Funded: $20,000 matching grant

Facilities/Marketing

• Proposal: Creates a central coordination of special events and guest services for university facilities usage 
• Amount Funded: $89,930 over two years

Math

• Proposal: Creates a data analytics program within the department of mathematics 
• Amount Funded: $232,730 over two years 

Public Health

• Proposal: Increases the school of public health offerings by creating a master’s of public health
• Amount Funded: $94,964 for one year

Congratulations to these receiving funding!  The full proposals for those listed above can be found in AceLink at https://acelink.evansville.edu/Areas/ProgramsTaskForce/. The submission deadline for round three is April 1, 2016.    

Just a reminder that all books rented from the UE Bookstore for the Fall term are due back to the Bookstore by 5:00 p.m. on December 16. Avoid late fees and return on time. 

The December Pcard cycle which began November 24, ends on December 21, at midnight. As of December 23, cardholders may schedule and run the December Cycle report. December transactions may be reconciled in SDG2 until January 6. On January 6, the general ledger Pcard file will be uploaded and cardholders will be locked out of (unable to make changes) posted transactions for the December Cycle. 

 Christian Benzon had a career-high 9 points while Egidijus Mockevicius grabbed 18 rebounds to lead the University of Evansville men's basketball team to a 95-60 victory over Mississippi Valley State on Saturday afternoon at the Ford Center.

Benzon knocked down three of his four shots and hit all three free throw attempts. D.J. Balentine was the top scorer for the Purple Aces (8-2) as he scored 20 points. Mockevicius finished with 16 while he led everyone with 18 caroms. Blake Simmons also recorded a double-digit outing, finishing with 11.

“Coach always says to be ready,” Benzon said. “When I got my chance I was able to capitalize.”

As a team, Evansville grabbed 58 rebounds. It was the first time UE had that many since December of 2008 against SIU Edwardsville when the Aces finished with 61.

Mississippi Valley State (0-11) was led by a 25-point game from Marcus Romain. He hit 7 out of 18 shots and knocked down 10 free throws to lead all scorers. Isaac Williams totaled 10 for the day.

"We did a better job in the 2nd half of not fouling," head coach Marty Simmons said. "We started off sloppy but our guys got better as the game went on. After they cut it to 11 in the 2nd half, we were really able to turn it on."

It was a slow start for the Purple Aces as they missed their first seven shots, but were able to score their early points from the charity stripe. MVSU took a 7-4 advantage, but a Balentine triple gave UE its first lead at 9-8. What turned into a 1-12 start from the floor was ended when Mislav Brzoja nailed a triple to put UE up 12-9. After a Harris Brown triple, Brzoja struck again as the Aces took an 18-15 advantage.

While the threes were falling, UE missed its first eight shots from inside, but Jaylon Brown ended that at the 11:10 mark as UE went up 20-15. Evansville went up by 18 in the final minutes of the half before taking a 48-33 lead into the break.

The Delta Devils made a run in the opening minutes of the second half, getting within 11 at 60-49 with 14:24 left in the contest. From there, it was all Aces. They outscored MVSU by a 35-11 score in the final 13:56 to take the 95-60 win.

Mockevicius recorded his 7th double-double in 9 games this season. Jaylon Brown had another nice effort, posting nine points. Brzoja recorded 8 points and7 rebounds while David Howard checked in with 7 points. In 14 minutes of action, Willie Wiley was strong, he had 5 rebounds and 4 points. Overall, UE’s bench outscored its counterpart, 35-13.

“Give credit to our guys who came off the bench – they really gave us a spark,” Balentine said.

Five days from now, UE is back at the Ford Center to face Norfolk State. Game time on Thursday is 7 p.m.
 

Faculty and staff will be able to pick up their two complimentary tickets for select games over winter break beginning today. Tickets can be picked up for the Men's Basketball games on December 17, 22 and 30. Tickets can be picked up for the women's games on December 21 and December 29.

Tickets can be picked up from the Carson Center Athletic Ticket Office with a UE ID. The Athletic Ticket Office is open Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm.