A mentoring workshop sponsored by the Office of Diversity Initiatives is planned for Friday, August 4 for anyone interested in becoming a mentor for incoming and current Fellow Scholars. The Fellow Scholars initiative was created to help increase the number of domestic students of color to the University of Evansville by providing a cohort of students with similar backgrounds as a support system for success. The workshop will be in Room 172 in the Schroeder School of Business Building from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Designated times will be set aside for a complimentary breakfast and lunch for attendees.

It is important to spend some time thinking about what is needed in a mentoring relationship. The most successful relationships happen when both have thought through their definition of mentoring, and their own preferences and parameters for their relationships before embarking on such relationships. Having this initial workshop about mentoring will help to avoid potential problems.

The workshop will cover planning and defining a mentoring relationship, goals and guidelines, and a partnering agreement followed by assignment of a mentee. A mentoring resource packet for all attendees will be provided.

There will also be a luncheon speaker who will have a candid conversation about mentoring students of color.

Deadline to RSVP is July 10. Contact LaNeeca Williams, chief diversity officer, for more information at lw161@evansville.edu or 812-488-2413.

Submitted by LaNeeca Williams lw161@evansville.edu

Dear Campus Community,

As you know, the office of admission continues to enhance the visit experience for our prospective students in order to make them feel welcome and at home on our campus.  Added communication prior to events, updated event schedules and tour routes, a new hotel partnership, and personalized visit experiences are all things we’ve recently done to make a lasting impression on our visitors.

The latest enhancement is the addition of special parking signs in front of Olmsted Administration Hall that will be personalized to welcome each arriving guest by name. These signs will be installed during the week of July 10. You’ll also notice that additional purple parking spaces have been added to the parking area in front of Olmsted. In order to ensure that each visiting guest has a place to park, we’re asking for your help to keep the purple spaces open at all times (including the summer months). Please help us communicate this change to your various constituency groups including student workers, outside guests, and others so that we may make a positive first impression on our visitors.

Thank you for continuing to be an important part of the campus visit experience. We truly appreciate the enthusiasm and cooperation from the entire campus community in making the experience special for each of our visitors.

Sincerely,

Dr. Shane Davidson
Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing

Several new staff members have joined the University of Evansville Athletics Department this summer.

The department welcomes the following new staff members and coaches to the Purple Aces:

Erik Brown – Assistant Athletic Trainer

Erik Brown has been hired to replace Troy Coppus as an assistant athletic trainer and instructor in the athletic training education program. (Coppus left to become clinical education coordinator for the UE athletic training education program.) Brown is no stranger to Southern Indiana. He attended Heritage Hills High School. He attended DePauw University for his undergraduate schooling. He completed a master’s degree from Indiana University and a second master’s degree from California University Pennsylvania. Most recently he served as the athletic training education clinical coordinator for Wheeling Jesuit University. He has experience in a variety of sports including: Baltimore Orioles minor league baseball, NBA top 100 Prospects Camp, and the Maccabia USA team participating in the 2017 Maccabia Games.

Joe Downs – Director of Media Relations

Joe Downs makes his way to the UE athletic department after spending the last five years as the sports director at WFIE in Evansville. Downs came to the Tri-State area with nearly two decades of broadcasting experience and has worked his way from behind the camera to in front of it, starting out as a videographer in his hometown of Portland, Maine. Since then, he has been a sportscaster in Colorado, Pittsburgh, Virginia, and Ohio. He came to WFIE after a stint as the sports director at WFIE's sister station in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In his career, Downs has covered everything from NFL and NHL playoff games, the BCS Title Game, the FCS Title Game, Major League Baseball, and some of the best high school football in the nation. He is a lifelong Pittsburgh sports fan, but also roots for the Celtics and the Yankees. In fact, he grew up idolizing Evansville native Don Mattingly. He is married with two daughters and looks forward to making "the Pocket City" his home for years to come.

Carson Harris – Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach

Carson Harris returns to the University of Evansville as an assistant men's basketball coach. Harris was an assistant under head coach Marty Simmons from 2010-15 when he took the position of head coach at Marian University. He spent two seasons pacing the Knights. He joined the UE staff in 2009 as director of basketball operations. A three-time all-North Central Conference guard at Lafayette Jeff High School and a three-time all-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference selection at Manchester (Indiana) College, Harris stayed on at Manchester as an assistant coach for two years following his graduation in 2001. He then coached three years at Earlham College and three years at DePauw University before making the move to the Division I level in the summer of 2009. He and his wife Ali have two children.

Jake Hill – External Affairs Intern

Jake Hill began his time at UE in June. He will be serving the Purple Aces as an external affairs intern. Hill comes to UE after graduating with his master’s degree in sports management from Western Illinois University. During his time at WIU, Hill served as a marketing and promotions intern, focusing strongly on graphic design as well as game-day operations and development. During his undergraduate studies he also assisted with the university's ESPN 3 athletic productions. He is originally from Machesney Park, Illinois. 

Kayla Katterhenry – Golf Graduate Assistant

One of the top golfers in UE and Missouri Valley Conference history joins the coaching staff as a graduate assistant. Kayla Katterhenry will continue working with the Purple Aces while obtaining her master’s degree at UE. Katterhenry won the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Championship and, in doing so, set the all-time league mark with 11 individual victories. Her efforts resulted in her being named the 2017 MVC Women’s Golfer of the Year. Over her 4-year career, Katterhenry set the program mark with a 75.86 stroke average while being a 4-time All-Conference First Team golfer. She is originally from Newburgh, Indiana, and graduated from Castle High School. Katterhenry earned her degree in management from UE in 2017.

John Metelko – Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach

John Metelko returns to the University of Evansville to serve as assistant coach for the cross country and track and field teams. A 2005 Evansville graduate, Metelko returns to UE after serving as head coach at Viterbo University for cross country for the past nine years, and track and field for the past six. Since 2008, Metelko built the Viterbo cross country program from one which had been discontinued twice due to a lack of interest, into a solid program with over 28 student-athletes in the program, each of the last seven years. Additionally, Metelko grew the track and field team to over 80 student-athletes. Before being a head coach, Metelko served as a volunteer assistant cross country coach at UE in 2005. Prior to his coaching experience at Evansville, Metelko found success as a student-athlete under Coach Don Walters. During his time as a student- athlete, he was chosen as recipient of the Most Improved Runner Award and the team’s 110% Effort Award. He also helped the men’s UE cross country team to their best finishes to date at the Indiana Intercollegiate, MVC, and NCAA Great Lakes Region Championships. Metelko graduated from the University of Evansville with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Metelko and his wife Beth will reside in Evansville with their three daughters.

Kayli Miller – External Affairs Intern

Kayli Miller joined the University of Evansville Athletics Department in June as an external affairs intern. She received her B.S. in Marketing from Illinois State University in May. While attending ISU, Kayli interned with Redbird Athletics, both in the marketing and ticket sales departments. She also interned with the Peoria Chiefs, a Minor League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, during the 2016 season. Miller is originally from Minier, Illinois.

Melissa Rabell – Volleyball Graduate Assistant

Melissa Rabell joins the Aces volleyball staff as a graduate assistant. She was a student-athlete at North Carolina Central where she played volleyball from 2011-15. Rabell graduated magna cum laude and made the Dean’s List on six occasions. She also garnered the NCCU Athletics True Grit Award in 2013 and 2014. Rabell spent time in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as an accounting auditor at BDO Puerto Rico, P.S.C.  She now looks to continue her volleyball career on the coaching side where she has Level I FPV National Coaching Certification. Rabell is also a Gold Medal Squared Volleyball Clinic attendee.

Michael Robertson – Assistant Director of Media Relations

Michael Robertson joined the University of Evansville as assistant director of media relations in July. He has been involved in college sports information and athletics media relations since 2010. He comes to UE after serving as the assistant director of athletics communications at the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina. At Mount Olive, Robertson was the primary contact for men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s volleyball, softball, women’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s tennis. Robertson managed statistical operations for his sport responsibilities while also producing webcasts, writing releases, and managing the Trojans’ social media accounts. Robertson graduated from the University of Southern Indiana, earning a bachelor's degree in radio/TV broadcasting. While at USI, Robertson served as a sports information student intern for two years. He also worked as a play-by-play announcer for The Edge Radio from 2010-14. While there he was named a part of the Best Sportscast by Intercollegiate Broadcast Systems in 2012, Best Sportscast Finalist in 2013 by College Broadcasting Inc., and Best Play-By-Play Finalist in 2014. Following the completion of his bachelor's degree, Robertson continued at Southern Indiana as a graduate assistant for two years.  Robertson resides in Evansville with his wife, Katie.

Jauwan Scaife – Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach

Jauwan Scaife joins the UE women’s basketball program after spending the last two years on the staff at Southeast Missouri State in the same capacity. While at SEMO, he served as the team’s facilities, social media and video/technology coordinator in addition to assisting with recruiting, camps, scouting, player development and other tasks as assigned. In his first season with the Redhawks, Scaife helped guide Southeast to a fifth-place finish in the OVC with an 8-8 record. SEMO finished the season with an even 15-15 overall record. Scaife worked closely with the guards including Bri Mitchell, Southeast’s first All-OVC performer since 2008-09. Mitchell’s 13.5 points per game led the Redhawks as well as ranked 10th in the league. Scaife put up a team-best 20 double-digit point performances in the 27 games he played in.  Prior to Southeast, he spent the last two years as a graduate assistant/video coordinator with the Ball State men’s basketball team. Scaife played four years as a guard at Ball State from 2009-13. He was named Second-Team All-Mid-American Conference in 2012-13 and earned MAC All-Freshman Team honors in 2009-10. Scaife finished his career ranked 14th in program history with 1,326 points, becoming the 26th 1,000-point scorer for the Cardinals. He broke BSU’s career records in three-pointers made (203) and attempted (579), as well. Scaife graduated in three years at Ball State with a degree in sport administration. He remained at BSU to get his master’s in physical education/coaching.

Heather Tarter – Assistant Softball Coach

Heather Tarter joined the Purple Aces softball program in June. She spent the 2017 campaign as the interim head coach at IUPUI.  After joining the team early in 2016 as an assistant coach, Tarter took the reins of the program and enjoyed great success.  She led the Jaguars to an 11-6 mark in Summit League play on her way to conference coach of the year honors. Her Jaguars were the top seed in the Summit League Tournament and advanced to the championship game for the second year in a row. The team was also received its first-ever postseason bid, playing in the inaugural National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC). Prior to IUPUI, Tarter was head coach at Purdue Calumet for three seasons where she led the Peregrines to a 28-8 mark in the program’s inaugural season. The 2014 PUC squad ranked in the top 25 in NAIA Division II in five offensive categories and earned a 2-1 win over Division I Purdue in the fall season. Originally from Fairbury, Illinois, Tarter spent her first two collegiate seasons playing at Kankakee Community College. She was a standout catcher for the Cobras where she led the team to a pair of NJCAA Regional titles on her way to being an All-Region player.  She finished her career in the Missouri Valley Conference, playing at UNI in her final two years.

Andrea Wallace – Director of Business Operations

Andrea Wallace, a 2006 graduate of the University of Evansville, returns to her alma mater as the director of business operations. She began her career in the sports industry as assistant box office manager at The Center, now Old National Events Plaza. She quickly transitioned to ticket office manager at Roberts Stadium, Victory Theatre, and Mesker Amphitheatre.  In June of 2011, shortly after marrying her husband, Nick Wallace, she became part of the inaugural Ford Center staff. In this position she gained a lot of industry knowledge as she built a ticket office and ticketing system, literally from the ground up. In the summer of 2014 she took on the responsibilities of premium services manager and was able to build relationships with many business people within the Tri-State. She joined the Evansville Otters front office staff for their 2016 championship season before transitioning to UE this past winter. Andrea and Nick have two daughters, Emmalyn and Clara. She is a member of Methodist Temple and is an active member of the local Phi Mu Alumnae Chapter.

Rachel Weigel – Athletic Training Intern

Rachel Weigel will come to the University of Evansville this fall to serve as an athletic training intern. Her primary responsibilities will be with the volleyball and softball teams. She comes to UE from Kent State University where she received a wide variety of experiences with athletic teams and worked as a summer intern with the Philadelphia 76ers. Weigel was on the Dean’s List for four years while at Kent State.

We recently announced a partnership with Chartwells, a new food service provider who will begin serving the campus community throughout the fall 2017 semester. Chartwells will offer menu items from Chick-fil-A and Starbucks as well as several other new dining options and construction will begin soon. The proposed construction timeline is as follows:

July 10-17:  Construction begins in café court

August 21:  Construction begins on Chick-fil-A

August 23:  First day of school and opening of:
• Rademacher’s Coffee Shop featuring We Proudly Serve Starbucks
• Student Choice Station where students determine what will be served each semester
• Anytime dining providing all-you-can-eat access from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
• 24-hour access to a satellite Smart Market Express stocked with fresh food daily in Koch Center

Late October:  Expected Chick-fil-a Grand Opening

Updates will be provided periodically. Just think about how good those warm waffle fries will taste on a brisk October day…

The University of Evansville’s 23rd president, Thomas A. Kazee, will step down on May 31, 2018, after an eight-year tenure at the institution. Since his inauguration in June 2010, Kazee has led UE as it has developed new programs, enhanced and expanded its physical facilities, and extended its reach as an international institution.

“Dr. Kazee has provided outstanding leadership to this great University,” said Linda White, Chairman of University of Evansville’s Board of Trustees. “During his eight years as president, we have witnessed the development of innovative new programs spearheaded by an outstanding faculty and staff.”

Under his leadership, UE has implemented a facilities master plan that includes new student townhouses as well as renovations and additions of key academic buildings, such as the Bower-Suhrheinrich Library. Hyde Hall, the most heavily used classroom building on campus, will undergo a major renovation in May 2018 following the recent completion of the first $5 million fundraising milestone for the project. The largest gift in UE history was secured during Kazee’s presidency after donor and longtime friend to the University, William L. Ridgway, left UE $39 million from his estate.

UE has also added important new academic programs, including a Physician Assistant Masters program, which will be located in the new Academic and Health Science Research campus in downtown Evansville when it opens in the 2018-19 academic year.  Other new programs added during Kazee’s tenure include Statistics and Data Science, Masters in Public Health, and a learning-in-retirement program.  Moreover, UE’s unique Fellows program, which recruits students from high schools around the state, has made the campus a more diverse and inclusive place.

“I’m proud to reflect on my career at the University of Evansville, and I know the successes accomplished during my time here could not have been done alone,” said Kazee. “The UE family is made up of an outstanding group of individuals with a passion for the success of this University and the students who pass through its doors.”

During Kazee’s tenure, the University has been a leader in career preparation through its pioneering Center for Career Development, which is dedicated to support students' career exploration from before they enroll through post-graduate life. In addition, the University now offers its innovative “UE Guarantee,” a commitment to students that ensures substantial financial aid, internships, study abroad, and four-year graduation.

Other key advancements under Kazee’s leadership include the addition of the McCarthy Greenhouse, substantial land acquisition around Harlaxton College—UE’s renowned living-learning center in Grantham, England—and the restoration and move of the historic Peters-Margedant House through the city of Evansville to its new home on the UE campus.

“It’s impossible to thank each person I’ve been fortunate to work with during my time at UE,” said Kazee. “I hope each and every one of them—students, faculty, staff, and administrators—know how truly grateful I am to have worked alongside such a passionate and talented group of people.”

UE’s prominence regionally and nationally has also benefitted from Kazee’s leadership roles on the Council of Independent Colleges, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, the New American Colleges and Universities consortium, and the Independent Colleges of Indiana.

Kazee’s wife, Sharon, has been deeply involved in the Evansville community as an advocate for arts and education.  She has served on many boards, including those for the Signature School, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, St. Vincent-Evansville Hospital, and the Evansville Museum.  She was also instrumental in founding the DaVinci Institute, a network of Evansville community leaders facilitating creative educational opportunities for K-12 learners and those who support them.

A political scientist, Kazee served for 18 years on the faculty at Davidson College and four years as Dean of the College at the University of the South (Sewanee). Prior to coming to UE, he served as Provost and Executive Vice President at Furman University. He received a B.A. in political science from Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, in 1974, and a Ph.D. in political science from Ohio State University in 1978.

“I’ve had a long and fulfilling career,” Kazee said. “I’m ready to make the shift from full-time academic administration to do many things that I’ve postponed for too long.  It will be fun to read a book that doesn’t deal directly with higher education!” 

At the conclusion of the 2017-2018 academic year, the Kazees intend to relocate to Pawley’s Island, South Carolina. Their plans include travel and visits to children and grandchildren. Son, Geoff, is a turf management specialist who will soon be moving to Phoenix, Arizona. Daughter, Nicole, is the Vice President for Strategy and Business Development at the Erie Family Health Center in Chicago, Illinois. Nicole lives with her husband Andy and three-year-old twins, Cora and Milo, in Chicago.

“The Board of Trustees wish Dr. Kazee and his wife, Sharon, the very best as they venture forward,” said White.

There's a new UE stories abroad submission available on the study abroad website! Spanish education major Jennifer Riedford has written all about her semester in Spain, including her experiences trying to master the Spanish language, adjusting to the Spanish lifestyle, and a trip with friends that almost ended in disaster!

You can read all about her story by visiting the study abroad stories webpage.

Submitted by Greta Becker gb91@evansville.edu

The UE Bookstore has a month-long opening for summer work for eligible UE students. Twenty-five hours per week. Work hours open for the month of July. If interested please contact the UE Bookstore at dg57@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Doug Gustwiller dg57@evansville.edu 

The Fall 2017 Pcard cardholder training session calendar is now available on the AceLink Pcard website under Training Materials/Dates to Remember. For questions or to reserve a training spot, contact the Office of Administrative Services at ext. 2941.

Submitted by Kim Winsett kw83@evansville.edu

As you know, the University has signed an agreement with Chartwells, a new food service provider. In addition to general dining options beginning this fall, Chartwells is also the catering services provider to the campus community.

Please direct all catering requests to the new catering e-mail address at UEcatering@evansville.edu. Sodexo’s service to the University ended on Thursday, June 22. Any requests sent to the previous catering@evansville.edu address will automatically be forwarded to the new address.

Chartwells Catering Contact Information
UECatering@evansville.edu
Kellie Short
Director of Dining Services
765-641-4262

Read more about Chartwells’ services, including menu favorites from Starbucks and Chick-fil-A, on our website here.

The employees of the University of Evansville are again invited to play golf with other UE employees on Thursday afternoons during the summer months. The UE golf outings will be on Thursday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. at Fendrich golf course.

You can reserve your tee time by contacting Debbie Kassenbrock in the Center for Academic Advising at dk26@evansville.edu or 488-2605 by 4:30 p.m. on the Wednesday prior to the outing. 

Robert Dion, chair of the Department of Law, Politics, and Society, was the recipient of the 2017 “Making Democracy Work” Award at the annual meeting of the League of Women Voters of Southwestern Indiana last weekend. 

"As both an educator and an advocate, Dr. Dion has advanced the ideas of democracy, good governance and civil rights in our community," the League stated. "He helps make democracy work by sharing his expertise and insights, prompting us to think, and helping us understand and respond to the complex, confusing, challenging and - currently - often frustrating political system that is the United States democracy." 

The League of Women Voters is a non-partisan organization that works to empower voters and encourage participation in the democratic process, and the Making Democracy Work award is their signature program for recognizing community leaders who advance these aims. Previous recipients include Chief Justice Loretta Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court, State Senator Vaneta Becker, and Representative Gail Riecken.

Paul Bone, associate professor of creative writing, recently published a poem titled "Poem" in the American Journal of Poetry. You can read Bone's poem on the American Journal of Poetry's website. Bone's poem is an homage to American poet Brigit Pegeen Kelly, who died in 2016, and a direct response to her poem, "Song." You can read her poem "song" on the Poets.org website.

Riley Horlock, a 20l7 UE graduate from St. Charles, Illinois, recently won a $500 student manager scholarship from the Athletic Equipment Managers Association. The award was announced at the AEMA national convention in Atlanta in early June. Riley was a 4-year student manager for Women's Soccer. She is the 34th University of Evansville winner of an AEMA student manager scholarship. UE has had more winners than any other university.

Paul Bone, associate professor of creative writing, recently published two poems - "The Truest of Our Offerings" and "Gun Cabinet" - in the online literary journal Ducts. You can read the poems on the Ducts' website.