Although the Martin Luther King Jr. Day campus events were postponed due to inclement weather, UE's President Thomas Kazee was presented with the William G. and Rose M. Mays Legacy Award on Monday. LaNeeça Williams, UE's chief diversity officer, presented the award to President Kazee in his office.

The award is presented annually at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lectureship to a UE Alumni or other campus member selected by the University of Evansville’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee. This is the fifth year for the award.

The purpose of the award is to recognize and affirm those who have made significant contributions in the areas of race relations, justice, and/or human rights. The nominees have been personally or corporately involved in making tangible, visible, and meaningful contributions to the advancement of race relations, justice, and/or human rights.

One of those who nominated Dr. Kazee for this award said:

“It is with great pleasure that I nominate President Thomas Kazee for consideration for the May Legacy Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and tireless efforts in addressing and raising awareness about issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion both across campus and in our community. He has been a part of rally’s and calls to action on our campus to stop hate and help to better foster an inclusive, accepting environment, where students from diverse backgrounds freely exchange customs and culture. President Kazee has represented UE well and has led several efforts to create a more inclusive campus environment for all.”

The campus community is asked NOT to park at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer across the street from UE today - Friday, January 18. The visitation and funeral for Davis Collier, the young lady tragically killed in a sledding accident, is being held at the church. A large crowd is expected to attend and all parking space at the church will be needed.

Several study abroad events are planned for today.

Information Tables
Staff from the Harlaxton College/ UE study abroad office and SOL Education Abroad will have information tables set up in Ridgway University Center. Come by and get your study abroad questions answered, learn about new programs, and learn more about taking Spanish classes abroad with SOL!

You can find us across from Rademacher's Café on Wednesday, January 17 from 11:00 a.m.-1p.m. and Thursday, January 18 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Spanish Study Abroad Info Session and Pizza Party
Join us today - Wednesday, January 17 – at 5:00 p.m. in Room272 in Schroeder School of Business Building to hear all about options available to students through study abroad program provider SOL Education Abroad! Students who have previously gone abroad with SOL will be around to share their top tips and tricks from their experiences abroad. Come learn about the programs in Mexico, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Spain!

Pizza and drinks will be provided

RSVP here: https://goo.gl/forms/78jmjzfNd9YAsdA23.

Submitted by Amara Stuehling as760@evansville.edu

In-state rival Indiana State marks the next opponent as the University of Evansville men’s basketball team returns home to face the Sycamores today at 7:00 p.m. inside the Ford Center. 

UE fell to 12-7 overall and 2-4 in the Valley with an 81-65 setback at Drake on Saturday. The Bulldogs jumped out to an 11-0 lead and never looked back in the win. Ryan Taylor led the way with 28 points on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting effort.

Fans will have the opportunity to buy a Mystery Bag at tonight’s game. Bags cost $5 each.

Each bag will include a random Aces t-shirt, and one of the following prizes:
-Purple Aces fidget spinner
-2 wristbands to a home baseball or softball game
-2 tickets to a future MBB home game
-2 all-session passes to Arch Madness

The bags will be available for purchase in the Ford Center lobby starting at 6:00 p.m. until halftime.

Ryan Taylor has played all 80 minutes over UE’s last two games and his work paid off at Drake with 28 points in an accurate 9-of-15 shooting effort. He has scored at least 11 points in all 12 of his games this season and is averaging 21.1 PPG on the season and 20.5 in the Valley.

The MVC leader in assists and steals continued to add to those numbers on Saturday at Drake as he finished with 14 points, four helpers and three swipes. Smith is 17th in the nation with 2.4 steals per game and is 65th in the NCAA with 5.0 assists. In his seven games since the December 5 win at Bowling Green, Smith is averaging 15.7 points, 4.7 assists, 3.4 steals and 3.1 rebounds. Smith went a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line on his way to 15 points as the Aces defeated Missouri State last week.

Sophomore K.J. Riley has had a solid season for UE, but has flourished in conference play. Averaging 8.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game overall, Riley has seen that output rise to 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds in league play. He has hit double figures in four out of six MVC contests while his 74 free throw makes and 99 free throw attempts rank in the top 105 nationally.

Indiana State makes its annual trek to the Ford Center with an 8-10 mark and an even 3-3 record through its first six league games. Jordan Barnes leads the Sycamores with 17.2 points per game and a total of 72 assists; he has connected on 70 3-pointers. Next up is Brenton Scott, who has posted 14.6 PPG; in eight games against Evansville, Scott has posted an average of 15.8 points per game, including 24 points in Terre Haute in 2016.

Please join us for the first I-House presentation of the semester tonight at 7:00 p.m., upstairs in Ridgway University Center. Sunmi Lee will be presenting on South Korea. We hope to see you there!

Submitted by Alexis Whitacre aw339@evansville.edu 

Come find out more about the international student ministry Chi Alpha! A call-out meeting will be held tonight at 8:00 p.m. in Room 172 in the Schroeder School of Business Building. There will be door prizes!

Submitted by Madeline Stone ms594@evansville.edu

Join the University of Evansville Music Department for Music Night with the Aces today, Wednesday, January 17. UE's Men's Basketball Aces take on the Indiana State University Sycamores at the Ford Center in a MVC match-up that tips off at 7:00 p.m.

UE's music ensembles - Aces Brass, Wind Ensemble, University Band, Orchestra, and Choirs - will perform the National Anthem prior to the start of the game, and provide music during the game!

We invite alumni and friends to join in, perform with the ensembles, and cheer on the Aces!

If you would like to join the ensembles for the National Anthem or for the game, be sure to register online here.

Those interested in attending but not playing should contact 812-488-2237 for tickets.

Submitted by James Sullivan js820@evansville.edu

The Newman Center welcomes its very own president Olivia Vogerl today at 5:00 p.m. for her talk on the death penalty. All are welcome and dinner will be provided! 

Submitted by Gabrielle VanBuskirk gv19@evansville.edu

“STEEL TOE art SHOW,” an exhibit by ceramic artists and University of Evansville graduates Matthew Gaddie and Brian Somerville, will be on display at UE’s Melvin Peterson Gallery until February 24. On Friday, February 23, there will be a reception at 6:30 p.m., and a lecture by the artists at 7:00 p.m. These events, which are free and open to the public, are part of the Efroymson Family Fund Emerging Contemporary Artist Lecture Series.

Gaddie earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from the University of Evansville, and his Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramic arts from Hood College. His studio is located in Bardstown, Kentucky. Somerville earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UE and his Master of Fine Arts degree from Florida Atlantic University. He lives and creates his art in Nashville.

The Melvin Peterson Gallery is located at 1935 Lincoln Avenue on the corner of Lincoln and Weinbach Avenues in Evansville. Gallery hours are Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from noon-3:00 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday from noon-6:00 p.m.

For more information, contact 207-650-6073.

A memorial service for UE alumna Kate Slater will be held this Saturday, January 20 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in Neu Chapel. 

Submitted by Brooke Wininger bw150@evansville.edu

All students interested in learning more about job shadowing, volunteer and employment opportunities in health related businesses, offices, or hospitals around the community are invited to attend a workshop presented by pre-professional health advisor Francie Renschler. The workshop will be at 2:00 p.m. today in Room 203 (J. Henry Schroeder Boardroom), in the library.

This workshop will include a visit by a recruiter from the scribe company, Scribe America, with information about becoming a medical scribe and the possible opportunity to link this as a co-op experience. Scribe America places students in family practice, pediatric and internal medicine doctor’s offices, and the Deaconess emergency rooms.

Please plan to attend the workshop before asking for job shadowing assistance.

Francie Renschler fr25@evansville.edu

Attend the WUEV Call-out Meeting TODAY - Monday, January 22 - at 4:00 p.m. at the WUEV studios. DJ and sports broadcaster positions available. If you can't attend and would like to learn more, contact Alice Daum, student station manager, at ad209@evansville.edu.

Need to get organized, stay focused, study more effectively, and lower your stress? Need to raise your grades?

What:  “Kick Off the Semester” Workshop
When:  TODAY - Friday, January 19 – Sessions begin every 30 minutes from 2:00-4:30 p.m.
Where:  The Writing Center in Clifford Memorial Library

• Schedule time with a personal academic coach
• Bring syllabi for all classes
• Bring your planner
• Plan out projects, assignments and tests for the semester
• Learn about spring semester academic support services

Reservations: Kiersten Hasenour kh297@evansville.edu

Submitted by Angie Dawson ad5@evansville.edu

The University of Evansville women's basketball team will be hosting its annual "We Back Pat" game when the Purple Aces take on Illinois State at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18 to support the Pat Summitt Foundation in its mission to raise awareness of and to defeat Alzheimer's disease.

UE players and coaches will be wearing co-branded "We Back Pat" shooting shirts for the game and fans are encouraged to wear purple to show their support for the fight against Alzheimer's disease. The first 150 fans in attendance at Friday's game will receive a purple "We Back Pat" t-shirt.

Legendary head coach Pat Summitt spent 38 seasons as head coach of The University of Tennessee's women's basketball team, winning eight NCAA Division One national championships and amassing 1,098 NCAA victories. Summitt was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease in 2011 and lived with the disease for nearly five years before her battle ended on June 28, 2016.

The Pat Summitt Foundation was launched on November 27th, 2011 and in 2015, The Pat Summitt Clinic was created at The University of Tennessee Medical Center. The clinic, which opened in December 2016, greatly improves access to healthcare services for families and patients facing Alzheimer's disease in a facility created to advance Alzheimer's research, detection, treatment, family caregiver support, and ultimately, lead to a cure.

As we begin another semester, we are also beginning a new Fireside Chat series! Our theme for this semester is "Thus Saith the Lord! The Biblical Prophets Take On Contemporary Issues." Tonight we will focus on the message of Isaiah and consider what God would say in response to cycles of oppression and poverty and economic injustices.

All are welcome to join this important and necessary conversation! The Fireside Chat will be held in Grabill Lounge (basement of Neu Chapel) this evening at 7:00 p.m. Coffee, hot chocolate, hot cider, and Donut Bank cookies will be provided!

Submitted by Keith Turner kt160@evansville.edu 

The College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Evansville announces open registration for its annual engineering summer camps.

The Engineering OPTIONS for Middle School Boys summer career exploration program is a week-long day camp opportunity for middle school boys currently in grades 6, 7, or 8 and elementary school boys currently in grade 5. It will be held daily at UE from Monday, June 18-Friday, June 22. Registration deadline is April 1.

The Engineering OPTIONS for Middle School Girls summer career exploration program is a 3 ½ day residential opportunity at UE for middle school girls currently in grades 6, 7, or 8. The program begins on Sunday, June 10 and concludes Wednesday, June 13.  Registration deadline is April 1.

The Engineering OPTIONS for High School Girls Harlaxton Experience 2018 will be a 10-day program in London, England, and nearby Harlaxton College. The program is for high school girls currently in grades 9, 10, or 11 who have completed geometry. The program begins Thursday, June 28, and concludes on Saturday, July 7.  Registration deadline is February 12.

Participants in the Engineering OPTIONS programs will have a better understanding of what types of opportunities are available in fields most closely related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). 

Dependent children of UE employees are eligible for a $125 discount toward the cost of registration. 

For more information and to obtain an application or apply online, see www.evansville.edu/options.

Submitted by Kimberly Higgins kh209@evansville.edu

Fundraisers have been organized to help with medical expenses for Kingdon, infant son of Hilary and Heroshi Milan. Heroshi is a corporal in the Office of Safety and Security.

Kingdon was born December 4 with a critical heart condition and had open heart surgery on January 15 at Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. Kingdon is currently stable and remains a patient at Riley while he recovers from surgery. Donations to help his parents with expenses and prayers for Kingdon’s recovery would be very much appreciated.

You can help by either buying T-shirts at this website or by going to this go fund me page.

Submitted by the Office of Safety and Security

Have you been an RA during a past semester and want to be an RA again for the 2018-19 semesters? If so, e-mail Jackie Luedtke at jl295@evansville.edu for a link to either a new application or a re-application. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24.

Submitted by Jackie Luedtke jl295@evansville.edu

The deadline to sign up for Catalysts for Change has been extended to today - Monday, January 29 at 11:59 p.m.! 

Catalysts for Change is a free eight week program consisting of weekly sessions focused on various topics of leadership and service. The meetings are once a week on Tuesday evenings, and there is also a mandatory day-long retreat on February 24. It is a great opportunity to strengthen your leadership skills and build a support system along the way. 

Here is the link to reply.

Please contact Melinda Daniels at md212@evansville.edu, Jalyn Kowalski at jk306@evanasville.edu, or Jackie Luedtke at jl295@evansville.edu with questions or concerns. 

Submitted by Jalyn Kowalski jk306@evansville.edu 

The Office of Annual Giving is looking for student callers for the spring Phonathon campaign. This is a paid position with flexible hours, mostly evening, from January 29–February 25. Hourly pay starts at $8.25. If you are interested, please email Erika Johnson at ej51@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Erika Johnson ej51@evansville.edu

The Honors Program is hosting Nerd Wars trivia night on Tuesday, February 13, at 7:00 p.m., in Eykamp Hall! Students, faculty, administrators, and staff can all form teams of up to five people to battle in a competition of wits while enjoying pizza, popcorn, and soda. Winners will receive $25 Master Card/VISA gift cards. Other prizes include Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth headsets, A Fitbit-flex 2, a streaming video DRONE1, and more!

You can register your team online NOW.

Pay your $5 per person entry fee to Jayme Williams in Room 238, Koch Center for Engineering and Science. Those who are unable to compose a team of five may still register and will be matched to make a team. The deadline to enter has been extended to January 31.

Questions can be e-mailed to Aditi at as783@evansville.edu

Submitted by Aditi Sood as783@evansville.edu

University of Evansville cross country and track and field coach Don Walters has announced the addition of five student-athletes for the 2018-19 season.  These additions include two male distance runners in Carson Kline (Terre Haute, Indiana/South Vigo) and Kaleb Slagle (Hagerstown, Indiana/Hagerstown), one male hurdler in Justus Donaldson (Mattoon, Illinois/Mattoon), one female distance runner, Savanna Mills (Mooresville, Indiana/Mooresville), and one female sprinter in Ashlynn Sparks (Clarksville, Tennessee/West Creek).

"Each of these student-athletes are strong competitors who will only get better at the collegiate level," said Walters. "They are outstanding students as well, and will be great additions to our program and university."

Kline has lettered four years each in cross country and soccer at South Vigo High School, while lettering three in track. He helped lead the Braves to sectional titles in track in both 2016 and 2017, while also placing fourth individually at the Terre Haute North cross country sectional race, and setting a personal-best 5-K time at the Indiana Semi-State meet.

Slagle also has lettered four years in cross country and three years in track at Hagerstown High School. He holds the cross country course record at Hagerstown, and won the individual title at the Wayne County Meet this past fall. Slagle finished third at the Rushville Regional race this fall, the best-ever regional meet finish in Hagerstown High School history.

Donaldson will join the UE track team after qualifying for the Illinois state meet in both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. Donaldson has helped Mattoon to three-straight Apollo Conference titles, and won the 110-meter hurdle title last year. He has lettered in cross country, track, football and basketball at Mattoon.

Mills garnered team MVP honors in cross country this year at Mooresville High School, after qualifying for semi-state and winning the Morgan County individual championship. In track, Mills was the Morgan County champion in both the 800- and 1600-meter race as a junior.

Sparks will also join the women's track and field team at UE in 2018 after being a sprinter at West Creek High School in Tennessee.

The UE track and field teams will kick off their inaugural campaign on Saturday, January 20 at the Fort Wayne Duals.

Remodeling Kallipolis: Call for Applications

Kallipolis is a conceptual model of a city/state in Plato’s Republic that tests intuitions on the relationship between the individual and the state and develops strategies for transforming a social order from systemic injustice to one that promotes justice for all.

The Remodeling Kallipolis Project seeks to re-model portions of Plato’s conceptual model in an agent-based computer system in order to explore the consistency and viability of Plato’s ideas. While there are good reasons to think that Plato’s idealized city cannot be modeled perfectly in a computer simulation, there is little doubt that the attempt to do so will help students 1) gain a better understanding of Plato’s Republic, 2) appreciate the complexity of interacting social forces insofar as they affect both individual and collective life, and 3) become sensitive to some of the regulatory factors that govern social change.

The Cognitive Science Modeling Lab (CSML) at the University of Evansville is currently seeking six students to work as a team on the first phases of this project during this coming Fall (2018). While any UE student is eligible to apply, students in the following areas are particularly suited to work on this project: cognitive science, computer science, criminal justice, economics, education, ethics and social change, international studies, mathematics, neuroscience, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and statistics and data science.

Work on this project will carry three hours of COGS 492 internship credit. While a computer programming background is not required, it is essential that at least three of the team members have some programming experience, preferably with NetLogo or another agent-based programming language. Familiarity with Plato’s Republic is a plus.

Selection of team members will be made by way of an application process. If you are interested in working on this project, please send a cover letter outlining any particular qualifications and motivations you have, a resume or CV, and the name of two UE professors who can comment on the quality of your work to professor of philosophy Anthony Beavers at tb2@evansville.edu. The deadline for applications is March 16.

Submitted by Anthony Beavers tb2@evansville.edu

Need extra help in some classes? If you do, supplemental instruction is the way to go! Each week a peer student will review class topics and leave plenty of time for Q&A. See the schedule for times and locations. Attendance is optional, but always recommended!

For more questions, contact Stacey Shanks, director of student success services, at ss581@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Stacey Shanks ss581@evansville.edu

Orientation Leader (OL) applications are now available!  Visit our website at www.evansville.edu/orientation/welcomeWeek.cfm to complete an electronic application before the deadline of 4:00 p.m. on January 29. 

Information on “What it takes to be an Orientation Leader” can be found on the website along with the application and required reference forms.
                                                                                                                                                                                       
Our current Orientation Leaders are glad to answer any questions so feel free to send them an email or find them at the Ridgway information tables. You can also contact the VPSA/Dean of Students office at 812-488-2500 or stop by Ridgway University Center, room 230, during business hours. 

Submitted by Karen Martin km306@evansville.edu

Apply to be an International Orientation Leader for the 2018-19 school year! Applications are due TODAY - at 5:00 p.m., Monday, January 29. 

The IOLs are a dynamic group of students who work to welcome new international students to UE in August and throughout the year. Develop your leadership skills, share your UE experiences, and meet new UE students from all over the world! We welcome both international students and students from the United States to apply.

Applications are available online at https://goo.gl/forms/0idk3nVAeiSAKKhj1.

More information is available in the office of Cultural Engagement and International Services on the second floor of Ridgway University Center in the Student Life Center.

Questions can be directed to ms331@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Megan Sicard ms331@evansville.edu

UE faculty, staff, and administrators may now begin requesting their two complimentary tickets for the Men's Basketball game against in-state rival Indiana State. The game starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Ford Center on Wednesday, January 17. Please come to the Carson Center with your valid UE ID to claim your tickets.

Submitted by Scott Peace sp166@evansville.edu

New furniture for the lounge areas on the main floor of the Ridgway University Center have been installed. Be sure to check it out the next time you are in the building.

Submitted by Kim Winsett kw83@evansville.edu

The Indiana state sales tax exemption certificate for 2018 is now available on three AceLink Area websites (Accounting & Audit, Purchasing and Pcard) for your convenience under Forms & Instructions.

Submitted by Kim Winsett kw83@evansville.edu

The UE Alumni Association recognizes an outstanding teacher for exemplary instruction and student support at spring commencement. UE administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni may nominate a faculty member who exemplifies the award’s criteria for outstanding teaching effectiveness that inspires the intellectual development of students.

Please use this link to nominate a faculty member for the auspicious occasion: www.evansville.edu/alumni/outstandingTeacher.cfm.

Full-time faculty who have taught in the classroom at UE for two years or more and held the rank of lecturer, instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, or professor are eligible for nomination.

Past award recipients are as follows: James Berry in 2011; Mari Plikuhn in 2012; Mark Valenzuela in 2013; Jennie Ebeling in 2014; Margaret Stevenson in 2015, M. Kevin Gray in 2016, and Mary Ellen Wylie in 2017.

The deadline to submit nominations is January 31, at 5:00 p.m.

For questions, contact Tracey Folden at tf91@evansville.edu.