The campus community is invited to worship with the Neu Chapel community today - Holy Thursday - for a 30-minute service with Holy Communion. The service will be at noon in Neu Chapel. All are welcome to share in this meaningful service as we enter into this sacred weekend.

Submitted by Keith Turner kt160@evansville.edu

The University of Evansville Theatre Society is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Join in the celebration during the Gilt By Association gala held at the Old National Atrium, 1 Main St., on Friday, April 6.

At 6:30 p.m., enjoy cocktails with music by After Hours and at 7:30 p.m., dinner catered by Just Rennie’s. After dinner, there will be a silent and live auction facilitated by Curran Miller Auction/Realty, which includes the Great White Way Package with a backstage tour and two house seats to Broadway’s “Hamilton: An American Musical,” high tea at The Palm Court at The Plaza, airfare, and a $500 hotel voucher.

The gala is open to both society members and non-members. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Theatre Department office. Non-members tickets cost $125 and member tickets cost $100.

Guests can also purchase a Spotlight Table for $1,200, which includes seating for eight, two bottles of wine, a party favor for each guest, and an individual or business name prominently displayed on the table.

Corporate Presenting Sponsor: Old National Bank.

Corporate Producing Sponsors: Berry Global, Woods Printing, Ligature Creative Group, Total Title Services, 21st Century Healthcare.

For more information on the Gilt by Association gala or the UE Theatre Society, please call 812-488-2747 or visit www.uealumnionline.com/UETSociety50.

Submitted by Sharla Cowden sc75@evansville.edu

The location of the Andiron Lecture planned for today - Wednesday, April 4 - has been changed to Room 170 (Smythe Lecture Hall), Schroeder School of Business Building. The event begins at 4:00 p.m. with a social gathering with beverage at 3:45 p.m.

The speaker will be Robert Shelby, assistant professor of sociology. His topic will be "Modern American Megachurches – Kaiju Religion?"

Shelby earned his PhD in applied sociology from the University of Louisville. He holds Master of Arts degrees in sociology from Western Illinois University and in communication and culture from Trinity International University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in youth ministry and biblical studies from Trinity International University. He specializes in the sociology of complex organizations, race and ethnic relations, and community organization. His research examines complex organizational structures germane to large Protestant churches. As an applied sociologist, Shelby has conducted program evaluations at prominent multi-sited megachurches. One study determined how “small groups” programming contributed to social cohesion for church attendees at Crossing Church (57th largest church in 2016). Another study consisted of a program process evaluation of a new member program at Southeast Christian Church (10th largest church in 2016).

American megachurches (Protestant Christian Churches with 2,000 attendees) have been compared to for-profit corporations, shopping malls, and even amusement parks. However, other than the dominance of its physical buildings (kaiju) and views on a range of social issues, little is known of its organizational structure. The present research examines the theoretical, empirical, and methodological approach of organizational density dependence theory (i.e., how the density of a population of organizations gains legitimacy, leading to establishment of more of the same, and whether competition curtails growth). Study hypotheses relating to legitimacy and competition effects were mostly unsupported by the findings; megachurch density was a broadly significant predictor. These findings suggest that megachurches operate differently than for-profit businesses. The study results also suggest that modern American megachurches require ongoing research using organizational theories.

For further information, call the series coordinator Annette Parks at 812-488-1070 or the William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences at 812-488-2589.

Submitted by: Cheryl Emmons, ce36@evansville.edu

The Master of Public Health program is accepting applications for fall admission. Students may enroll on either a full-time or part-time basis, with a full-time student taking two years to complete the program. Total credit hours required for the master's degree is 44. If you would like more information, contact Payal Patel-Dovlatabadi at pp42@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Payal Patel-Dovlatabadi pp42@evansville.edu

Thank you to the many UE faculty, staff, and administrators that have placed their deposit for new men’s basketball season tickets – your support is greatly appreciated! We have more than QUADRUPLED the number of new season tickets that we sold during the 2017-18 season (in March, no less!).

Although you will continue receiving your two complimentary tickets each game, I want to encourage each of you to consider purchasing season tickets for the 2018-19 season. In addition to showing support for the university and our new head coach, Walter McCarty, you would receive the same seats each game (chosen by you), a season-long parking pass, commemorative season ticket box, and other coupons, incentives, and perks.

As we celebrate the 100th season of Aces basketball, new season ticket holders can get seats starting at just $100 for the whole season.

You can find more information regarding season tickets here: http://gopurpleaces.com/sports/2015/6/12/MBB_0612153403.aspx.

Please note that faculty, staff, and administrators receive 50% of the listed ticket price (PAC contribution must still be paid in full) – this does not apply to the Century Club (102), Family Section (103), or Young Adult (108) sections.

You can call the ticket office at 812-488-2237 or simply place your deposit online by visiting www.uealumnionline.com/mbbdeposit.

This $50 non-refundable deposit secures your spot in line to select your seats in August after the season ticket renewal deadline and goes toward your end ticket balance.

Submitted by Scott Peace sp166@evansville.edu 

During the period of March 28 through April 11, benefit-eligible employees may enroll or make changes in the University’s health, life, long term disability, and dental insurance, and ACES flexible spending account benefit plans. It is the only chance for benefit-eligible employees to enroll or make changes until the next open enrollment period unless you have a qualifying change in status.

Please review the documents in the Open Enrollment section of the MyUE portal at: https://bit.ly/2GcdKph, beginning with the open enrollment memo, for important announcements, reminders, and changes which will occur June 1 to the University’s benefits. 

We will once again utilize an on-line enrollment process, eliminating all paper enrollment forms for health, life, dental, and long term disability insurance, as well as the ACES flexible spending account. This will ensure the accuracy of your enrollment elections and maintain records electronically regarding your current and future participation.

Enrollment/changes to your TIAA and Emeriti VEBA Trust retirement plan salary deferrals will continue to be processed on paper forms available in the Office of Human Resources. Therefore, you do not need to re-enroll in the TIAA or Emeriti retirement plans.  ALL benefit eligible employees (including those who do not want to make any changes to their current coverage) must enter their elections by April 11. 

Please review the open enrollment memo and On-Line Benefit Enrollment Documents on the HR Area of the MyUE portal, which should answer many of the questions you might have about this system.   

Please contact the Office of Human Resources at ext. 2943 with any questions. 

The University of Evansville will be sending a delegation to the National Affiliation of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) Conference at the University of Arizona, Tempe. This conference will have thousands of delegates from all over the country and the world in attendance. Needless to say, this conference would allow for unique experiences to learn, travel, network, grow as a person, and bring back new and exciting information that could be used to improve our own university.

The conference will be held from May 25-28. The cost of attending the conference is free.

You can find the application here. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on March 30. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail Josh Baty at jb621@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Josh Baty jb621@evansville.edu

The UE Alumni Association supports faculty scholarship by offering research grants for the 2018-19 fiscal year. The deadline to apply is by 5:00 p.m., Monday, April 2. Find out more and complete the online applications at acelink.evansville.edu/Areas/AcademicAffairs/arsafApplication.cfm.

Questions? Contact Sylvia DeVault at sy5@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Sylvia DeVault sy5@evansville.edu

Library's hours over Easter Break:

• Tuesday, March 27: 7:45 a.m.-12:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, March 28: 7:45 a.m.-12:00 a.m.*
• Thursday, March 29: 7:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
• Friday, March 30: Closed
• Saturday, March 31: Closed
• Sunday, April 1: Closed

Submitted by Meg Atwater-Singer ma35@evansville.edu 

Are you career/internship ready? Do you have your professional documents in order -  résumé, cover letter? Can you present yourself effectively in your 30-second oral résumé? Are you ready for the all-important interview? EXED 090: Building Your Professional Image will help you be prepared and feel confident in your new professional role. EXED 090 offers six sections for fall 2018; two sections each on Monday through Wednesday evening. Need an extra credit? EXED 090 now has the option of one credit or zero credit. Register today for this informative and all-important course taught by UE alumni professionals.

Submitted by Linda Wulf lw8@evansville.edu 

The UE Bookstore will be closing Thursday, March 29 at 5:00 p.m. and will not reopen again until Monday, April 2 at 8:00 a.m. for the Easter holiday. Have a Happy Easter!

Submitted by Doug Gustwiller dg57@evansville.edu 

UE PRIDE's annual drag show will be taking place next Saturday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center.  PRIDE is still looking for performers so if you’re interested, please e-mail uepride@gmail.com. PRIDE will also be selling tickets in Ridgeway University Center on April 4, 5, and 6 for $5. If you don’t buy a ticket then, they will be sold at the door for $7. All proceeds go to support AIDS support and research.

Submitted by Katie Brown kb362@evansville.edu

As the end of the University’s fiscal year approaches on May 31, administrative services and accounting and audit announce the following procedures related to purchases of goods and services during May.

Pcard purchases

• Pcard purchases posting on the May statement (cycle end date is May 21) will be paid from FY 2017-18 funds. Most shipments post on your Pcard within three to four business days. However, vendors have up to nine business days to post transactions.
• Pcard purchases posting from May 22 through May 31 will be paid from FY 2018-19 (new year) funds, unless the item purchased exceeds $500. Purchases exceeding $500 will be paid from FY 2017-18 funds.

Office Depot orders

• Normally, Office Depot orders placed online by 3:00 p.m. for items in stock are delivered the next business day. Upon delivery, the transaction should post on your Pcard within three to four business days.
• Office Depot orders received by May 15 will likely post on the May 21 Pcard Cycle and be paid from FY 2017-18 funds.
• Office Depot orders placed and received but posting to the Pcard between May 22 and May 31 will be paid from FY 2018-19 funds, unless the items purchased exceed $500. Purchases exceeding $500 will be paid from FY 2017-18 funds.

Purchase Orders

• Approved requisitions converted into purchase orders and delivered by May 31 will be paid from FY 2017-18 funds.
• Approved requisitions indicating FY 2018-19 written on them in red ink will be processed with a delivery date of June 1 or later.
• Backordered purchase orders not delivered by May 31 will be paid from FY 2018-19 funds.

Blanket Orders

• All FY 2017-18 blanket orders expire on May 31.
• Approved requisitions for FY 2018-19 (new year) blanket orders may now be submitted with June 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019 effective dates.
• Backordered blanket purchase order items not delivered by May 31 will be paid from FY 2018-19 funds.

Requisitions for check request

• All services completed and items purchased (and on campus) by May 31 must be submitted on a WebAdvisor voucher to accounting and audit by Monday, June 18 to be paid from FY 2017-18 funds. Any pre-May 31st purchases submitted for payment after this date will be charged to FY 2018-19.

Submitted by Kim Winsett kw83@evansville.edu 

Math seniors Keenen Cates, Zeyu Zhang, and Calvin Dailey, and Pengcheng Xiao, assistant professor of mathematics, have had a paper accepted for publication in the Journal of Data Science. This study is an extension work based on math senior seminar project under the supervision of Xiao.

The paper is titled" Can Emoticons be used to predict sentiment? " Getting a machine to understand the meaning of language is a largely important goal to a wide variety of fields, from advertising to entertainment. This work focuses on YouTube comments from the top two hundred trending videos as a source of user text data. Previous Sentiment Analysis Models focus on using hand-labelled data or predetermined lexicons. The goal is to train a model to label comment sentiment with emoticons by training on other user-generated comments containing emoticons. Naive Bayes and Recurrent Neural Network models are both investigated and implemented in this study, and the validation accuracies for Naive Bayes model and Recurrent Neural Network model are found to be .548 and .812.

Congratulations and best wishes to our wonderful math seniors!

Lorena Andueza, associate professor of Spanish, is the co-editor of L2 Spanish Pragmatics, published by Routledge. The book is divided in two parts. Part I provides some theoretical grounding and recent research contributions to the field of Spanish pragmatics, and part II focuses on classroom practice and offers various hands-on activities to teach the pragmatic features of irony, humor, non-verbal communication, speech acts, as well as colloquial conversations.

The Journal of Transportation Engineering, published by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), recently selected Immanuel Selvaraj, associate professor of civil engineering, as an ASCE 2017 Outstanding Reviewer. The journal contains technical and professional articles on the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of air, highway, rail, and urban transportation, as well as pipeline facilities for water, oil, and gas.