I am very proud to announce that we achieved our first goal of 500 donors!

As you know, the Alumni Board of Directors donated $10,000 when we reached 500 gifts in 24 hours. The Alumni Board has challenged us again to reach 750 gifts today, Friday, April 13, to receive an additional $10,000 for a total of $20,000 to UE’s annual fund!

Let’s continue to show our Pep and Vim to reach and exceed our next challenge of an additional 250 donors. Give online here. 

Thank you for your continued support and participation on UE’s Pep and Vim Annual Day of Giving.

Best,

President Kazee

BSU invites you to the Diversity house (463 Weinbach) TODAY 4/13 from 5-7pm to enjoy an event celebrating African and African American cultures. We will have hot dogs and hamburgers for main dishes and African food and soul food as the sides. Stop by and say hello. We’d love to see you there! 

Please join us in Koch Center 101 today for the final day of Honors Program project presentations. Below is the schedule of today’s presenters.

Friday, April 13

3:00 P.M. – 3:45 P.M.

• Jordan Buechler, Psychology / Criminal Justice
“Attorney Gender, Race, and Emotion Affect Jurors’ Perceptions of Attorney Effectiveness”
• Kristen Fowler, Psychology
“Effects of Religiosity and Informational Interventions on Spanking Support: Exploring the Role of Affect”

4:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M.

• Josh Baty, Biology
“Restriction on Bacterial Diversity Demonstrated by Community Level Physiologic Profiling (CLPP) Using Biolog EcoPlatesTM After Carbon Tetrachloride Exposure and with the Introduction of Bioremedial Nutrients”
• Jamie Durbin, Biology
“Effectiveness of Household Chemicals at Sanitizing Wind Instruments”
• Brendan Ninneman, Physics
“Using the Gravitational Settling Model to Evaluate Asbestos Settling Times”

The honors project represents the culmination of the honors experience and provides an opportunity for students to explore an area about which they are passionate. The honors project may consist of a research project, thesis, or creative work.

Special thanks are extended to all faculty, advisors, and others who have supported the honors students in their educational achievements.
 

Join SAB for one of the biggest events on campus, PurplePalooza on Friday, April 13 starting at 6:00 pm. Note - the event has been moved forward an hour due to potential for inclement weather later that night. The evening will still consist of inflatables, concerts, a rock wall, food trucks, raffle prizes, and so much more! Best part, everything is FREE!! Can't wait to see you there. 

Submitted by Megan King mk225@evansville.edu 

Cameron Buckner (University of Houston) will give the final Crick lecture of the 2017-18 school year this Friday, April 13 at 4:00 p.m. in Room 100, Koch Center for Engineering and Science. Buckner has published and presented work on a variety of topics involving artificial intelligence, non-human animal cognition, learning and behavior, and the philosophy of science. The talk is open to the public.

Title: Empiricism without Magic: Transformational Abstraction in Deep-Learning Neural Networks

Abstract: Unless you have been living under a rock for the last few years, you have heard about the incredible recent achievements of deep neural networks. These artificial intelligence methods seem to achieve "superhuman" performance on new domains weekly, from beating grandmasters at the ancient Chinese game of Go to driverless navigation to automated image classification to winning at video games, to name just a few. However, it has proven difficult to explain how or why deep neural networks perform so well. In philosophy of mind, empiricists like Locke and Hume argued that complex cognition is based on information derived from sensory experience, often appealing to a faculty of abstraction. Rationalists have frequently complained, however, that they never adequately explained how this faculty of abstraction actually works, charging that abstraction is just empiricist "magic". In this talk, I tie these two problems together, to the mutual benefit of both disciplines. I argue that the engineering tweaks that distinguish deep networks from their shallower forebears explains how they (and the brain) implement a form of hierarchical processing that I call “transformational abstraction”. Transformational abstraction iteratively converts sensory-based representations of category exemplars into more generic formats that are increasingly tolerant to “nuisance variation”, one of the main systematic challenges that cognition must overcome to reliably succeed in the natural world. I here illustrate the power of transformational abstraction through a series of examples, including classic philosophical conundrums from Locke and Hume as well as more contemporary applications like Go strategy and abstract arts."

Submitted by Derek Jones dj4@evansville.edu 

With the prediction that the Tri-State area will have thunderstorms and heavy rainfall over the weekend, Bike Race 2018 has been moved to Friday afternoon as part of the annual Purplepalooza festivities.

The women’s race will begin at 3:30 p.m. on H-Lot and the men’s race will begin at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Food will be grilled and served to spectators at 5:00 p.m. on the south lawn of Black Beauty field. No outside containers or bags will be permitted in the south lawn area.

Purplepalooza, sponsored by SAB, will begin at 7:00 p.m. on the Ridgway East Terrace Lawn. Games, food, entertainment and prizes will be on display from 7:00 -11:00 p.m. Please come out and enjoy these two annual events.

Submitted by Geoff Edwards ge21@evansville.edu

The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience would like to invite the campus community to a talk by Vincent Campese about "Identifying Mechanisms of Control Using Avoidance." The lecture is set for today - Monday, April 16 - at 4:00 p.m. in Room 170 in the Schroeder School of Business Building. Campese is a postdoctoral fellow at New York University's Center for Neural Science. His work with Joseph LeDoux has explored the neuroscience behind memory and learning.

For decades, Pavlovian fear conditioning has been an effective model for how aversive memories are formed and expressed. A major goal of this work is to identify mechanisms that suppress these memories in order to develop better treatments for disorders of fear and anxiety. While popular exposure-based interventions, such as extinction, can reduce aversive reactions (e.g., freezing), they do so only transiently. Using an aversive Pavlovian-instrumental transfer procedure, avoidance learning was shown to more effectively reduce aversive reactions and permit adaptive coping. Furthermore, this shift from passive to active responding was found to depend on changes to cue-elicited noradrenergic transmission between the amygdala and brain stem resulting from avoidance learning.

Submitted by Elizabeth Hennon Peters eh82@evansville.edu

A New to Online Teaching Workshop will be held April 26 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. for anyone interested in learning more about teaching in an online environment. This is particularly geared toward those who haven’t taught online in the past, but are considering offering an online course in the future. Topics will include creating an effective online class experience, using technology tools for creating course content, and getting started with developing your online class. If interested, please complete the workshop registration and contact Leslie Barton (lb261@evansville.edu) with any questions. 

The University of Evansville Department of Theatre proudly presents its final production of the season, The Grapes of Wrath, by Frank Galati, based on the novel by John Steinbeck, opened Friday, April 13 in Shanklin Theatre. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. on April 19, 20, and 21, and at 2:00 p.m. on April 22.

This Tony Award-winning play is an expansive retelling of John Steinbeck’s brilliant Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. The riveting tale follows the impoverished Joad family’s flight from the Dust Bowl and into the promised land found out West. Full of loss, triumph, and endless struggle, this timeless epic is a celebration of the soaring tenacity of the human spirit.

Ticket prices are $18 for adults and $16 for senior adults, students, and UE faculty and staff. UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at noon on the day of the performance they wish to attend. 

Submitted by Sharla Cowden sc75@evansville.edu

The Office of Academic Affairs invites you to join us for this year's Tree Planting/Retirement Reception on Sunday, April 15th at 1:00. The tree will be planted just west of Memorial Plaza with the reception immediately following in the Class of '59 Galley, Ridgway University Center. Those being honored at this year's event are Ann Baker, Suzanne Bailey, John Felton, John Lakey, John David Lutz and Robert Morse. 

The Department of Mathematics invites the campus community to attend a talk by UE alumnus Alan Vandagriff at 4:00 p.m. today - Monday, April 16 - in Koch Center 101. Alan will discuss how statistical modeling is used to help health insurers improve their financial performance and patient care under the Affordable Care Act.

Alan graduated from UE in 2014 with a degree in applied mathematics, specializing in actuarial science. He is an actuarial analyst with Milliman in Chicago.

Weather permitting the UE Bookstore will have some clearance items for sale outside the store on the west side of Ridgway University Center. Items include but are not limited to sport tee shirts, shorts, and other clothing items. The event starts at 10:00 a.m. and runs until 2:00 p.m. (or later!)

Submitted by Doug Gustwiller dg57@evansville.edu 

Every week, the Neu Chapel community gathers for a 20-minute prayer service on Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. in Neu Chapel. This beautiful service has been described as "the best kept secret on campus." But we do not want it to be a secret! All are welcome and invited to attend this time of reflection and prayer. Our Night Prayer service is an ideal way to prepare one's inner self for the coming week ahead! So why not give it a try this Sunday? Hope to see you there!

Submitted by Keith Turner kt160@evansville.edu

The campus community is invited to University Worship this Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in Neu Chapel. We will continue our Easter celebration by continuing our conversation on how blind faith is not an option, because the risen Christ opens the minds of the disciples. All are welcome to attend this meaningful service complete with donuts and coffee before and after the service!

Submitted by Keith Turner kt160@evansville.edu

Please join the Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures in a farewell reception for Ann Baker, assistant professor of Spanish, Krista Williams, assistant professor of French, and Ignacio Benítez, Fulbright teaching assistant, in Room 120 in Hyde Hall from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on April 26.

Baker received her B.A. from Purdue University and her M.A. in Education from the University of Evansville.  Her list of activities in service to the department, the University and our community is exceptionally long.  Professor Baker began teaching here in 1984 as an adjunct and in 1992, became a full-time faculty member.  Please come and celebrate her retirement after 34 years of service to the University of Evansville! 

Williams has been at the University of Evansville since 2014, teaching beginning and intermediate language courses, as well as upper-level courses in such topics as phonetics, linguistics, and advanced grammar, in addition to FYS. Her research interests include the definitions of color terms in monolingual dictionaries and their translations in bilingual or multilingual dictionaries, profanity in pidgin and creole languages, and Occitan lexicography. The Department of Foreign Languages and Cultures will miss her energy, enthusiasm, and good cheer. Please join the department in wishing her all the best at the College of Charleston in the Fall!

A native of Uruguay, Benitez, has assisted the Spanish faculty in teaching beginning, intermediate, and upper level Spanish courses this year. Additionally, he has tutored students outside of the classroom to assist professors and has sponsored extracurricular activities to help students improve their speaking skills while broadening their knowledge of Hispanic cultures and customs. Please join the department in thanking him for his work this year!

Submitted by Tammy Johnson tj87@evansville.edu

University Choir, Mixed Choir and Kantorei
Today - Tuesday, April 10, 7:30 p.m., Neu Chapel
The University of Evansville University Choir, Mixed Choir, and Kantorei, under the direction of Dennis Malfatti, will present a performance of Haydn’s Theresienmesse and selections from Mendelssohn’s Sechs Lieder, Op. 59 today -Tuesday, April 10 - at 7:30 pm in Neu Chapel. The concert will feature Andrea Drury, Alanna Keenan, Benjamin Smith, and Eric McCluskey as soloists, as well as several faculty playing in the chamber orchestra. The concert is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the music department concert calendar.

Tri-State Ensemble Fest
Thursday, April 12, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Old National Events Plaza
The Department of Music will host the first ever Tri-State Ensemble Festival at the Old National Events Plaza on Thursday, April 12. Local high school bands and choirs will come in for the day and perform for University of Evansville music faculty. After each performance the UE faculty will rehearse with each ensemble. Performances begin at 9:15am and will last until approximately 5:00pm. This event is free and open to the public.

Faculty Recital: Ion-Alexandru Malaimare
Friday, April 13, 7:30 p.m., Wheeler Concert Hall
University of Evansville music faculty and Eykamp String Quartet violinist Ion-Alexandru Malaimare will present a faculty recital on Friday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Wheeler Concert Hall. The program will feature works by Beethoven, Bartok, Enescu, Ravel, Dinicu, and Hisaishi. He will be joined by pianist Catalin Dima. The recital is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the music department concert calendar.

Rite of Spring
Saturday, April 14, 6:00 p.m., Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center
The Friends of UE Music invite you to join us for this year's Rite of Spring on Saturday, April 14 in Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center. The evening will feature drinks, dinner, student performances, a silent auction, swing music, and dancing!

For more information and reservations, visit www.evansville.edu/riteofspring. Book your tickets by April 12 at noon!
6:00 p.m. - Cocktails
6:45 p.m. - Dinner
7:30 p.m. - Musical Program
8:00 p.m. - Jazz and dancing with the UE Jazz ensemble

You may also purchase tickets for only the swing dance portion of the evening for $10 at the door or by contacting Timothy J. Zifer(tz3@evansville.edu).

Student Recitals
April 14, 1:00 p.m., Wheeler Concert Hall – Melanie Baker (piano)
April 14, 2:30 p.m., Wheeler Concert Hall – Kaitlyn Lowe (cello) and Abbie Jasper-Brown (clarinet)
April 14, 4:0 0 p.m., Wheeler Concert Hall – Adam Smith (voice)
April 15, 1:00 p.m., Wheeler Concert Hall – Samantha Waddell (piano)
April 15, 2:30 p.m., Wheeler Concert Hall – Alexis Howey (voice)

Submitted by James Sullivan js820@evansville.edu

PurplePalooza is back again! Join SAB on Friday, April 13 from 7:00-11:00 p.m. for an evening full of inflatables, rock climbing, food trucks, a professional beatboxer, UE student musicians, raffle prizes, customizable license plates, and so much more. Free for all UE students and Evansville community members. Come help celebrate UE’s Annual Day of Giving and Greek Week as well as kick off Bike Race weekend with SAB at this event.

Submitted by Megan King mk225@evansville.edu

Venturing Crew Applications for the executive board are now open. They will be open until April 18. This is a great opportunity to make friendships, get involved on and off campus, do more with the crew, and build leadership skills while being a great resume builder. No prior crew or leadership experience is necessary.

Follow this link to apply. Please email Sidney Winstead at sw228@evansville.edu if you have any questions.

Due to upcoming Bike Race,the Fitness Center will be open from 6:30am to 2:00pm Friday, April 13th. Normal hours on Saturday, April 14th. 

The University of Evansville’s Schroeder Family School of Business Administration’s chapter of Delta Sigma Pi bestowed its annual business awards on Tuesday, April 3. Mike Ciholas, founder and president of the high-tech research and engineering firm Ciholas, Inc., received the Business Leader of the Year award. Koch Enterprises, Inc. was named the Business of the Year. Trevor Gregory, a UE graduate, received the Young Business Leader of the Year award.

Ciholas earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and minors in mathematics and computer science from Centre College, and his master’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He spent two years on a robotics startup, and two more years as a network hardware engineer for the Computer Science Laboratory at MIT. Ciholas was also a part-time consultant, designing electronic devices for clients. He later became a full-time consultant, moved to Newburgh, Indiana, in 1995 and continued his consultant work. He hired his first employee in 1999. The business now has 35 employees – many of whom are graduates of UE’s College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Koch Enterprises, Inc. began business in 1873 as the George Koch Son Tin Shop in Evansville. Now in its 145th year of operation, the company is overseen by fifth-generation family member Kevin Koch. Kevin’s father, Robert L. Koch II, is still very active in the company and serves as chair of the board. Over the years, the business has expanded and diversified into a total of seven separate businesses while its headquarters have remained in Evansville. Koch Enterprises is the parent company to Gibbs Die Casting Corporation, Uniseal, Inc., Audubon Metals LLC, Brake Supply Co. Inc., Koch Air LLC, George Koch Sons, LLC and Southwestern Communications, Inc. It is listed among Indiana’s top 10 private companies by Indiana Business Journal.

Trevor Gregory is an assurance manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers, a multi-national professional services network ranked among the largest and most prestigious accounting services firms. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2010 from UE and his master’s degree in accounting from IU-Kelley School of Business in 2011. Gregory serves UE as a member of the Alumni Board, Indianapolis Purple Aces Club Board, and UE Connect. He belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, National Association of Black Accountants, Indiana CPA Society, and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Delta Sigma Pi is a professional fraternity organized to foster the study of business in universities; to encourage scholarship, social activity, and the association of students for their mutual advancement by research and practice; to promote a closer affiliation between the commercial world and students of commerce; and to further a higher standard of commercial ethics and culture and the civic and commercial welfare of the community.

Starting Monday, April 16, through Wednesday, April 25, the UE campus will begin using a new, on-line system for course evaluations called IOTA. Students in classes that are being evaluated will receive an email from Patti Thompson at IOTA with instructions on how to access the evaluations through Blackboard. The evaluations can be completed on any mobile device using Firefox, Edge, Chrome, and other browsers. If you use Internet Explorer, please use version 11 or higher and enable “cookies”. The survey will consist of three open-ended questions and several multiple choice questions. The entire survey should only take between 5 to 10 minutes to complete. We appreciate your thoughtful feedback. It will be very helpful in understanding what helps you learn in your courses and what could be improved. If you have any questions, please contact Mark Valenzuela (mv23@evansville.edu) or Amanda Ireland (ai41@evansville.edu).

Submitted by Mark Valenzuela mv23@evansville.edu

If anyone wants a copy of the award-winning 2017 LinC, copies can be picked up outside of student publications, second floor Ridgway University Center, while supplies last.

Submitted by Tracy Maurer tm2@evansville.edu

UE Paint Wars, planned for this Friday, has been cancelled!

Submitted by Madison Smith ms738@evansville

May graduates are reminded to make sure they try on their purchased cap and gown well before graduation to make sure everything fits. If you need changes come to the UE Bookstore. Those students who have not purchased their cap and gown should do so in the UE Bookstore promptly.

Submitted by Doug Gustwiller dg57@evansville.edu

Would one class that fulfills several general education requirements and teaches you valuable life skills interest you? Do you want to reduce your course load during the regular fall or spring semesters? How would you like to take such a course NO MATTER WHERE you plan to be this summer?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should consider enrolling in COMM 380 ONLINE (Intercultural Communication) offered in Summer Session II.

COMM 380 meets criteria for General Education Outcome 9 (Understanding of Core Concepts of Society, Human Behavior, and Civic Knowledge) and Overlay Component A (Global Diversity: International Component).

For more information, contact professor emeritus of communication Dean Thomlison at dt4@evansville.edu.

Submitted by Dean Thomlison dt4@evansville.edu

Are you staying in Evansville for the summer? Do you need a place to stay this summer? The Office of Residence Life offers summer housing in Powell Hall. Applications are due April 16.

Checkout our website for further details: www.evansville.edu/residencelife/campushousing/summerHousing.cfm.

Submitted by Brian Conner bc32@evansville.edu 

Update your Facebook Profile with our UE Pep and Vim filter

Access through computer:

1. Click on ‘Update Profile Picture’
2. Click Add Frame
3. Select UE Pep and Vim Filter

Access through phone:

1. Click on ‘Edit’ on Profile Picture
2. Select ‘Add Frame’
3. Either search ‘UE Pep and Vim Filter’ or scroll down and it will pop up

Do you have unwanted T-shirts that you do not want to take home in May? Bring them to Ridgway University Center on Monday, April 16 through Friday, April 20, from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. The Athletic Training Club will be collecting T-shirts to donate to Uncharted International. These T-shirts will be distributed to orphanages in Myanmar!

Submitted by Hannah Bernhardt hb92@evansville.edu

Applications for the 2018-19 Margery Florence Kahn Scholarship are now available.

It was the desire of the donor, Margery Florence Kahn, that her scholarship be awarded to "dedicated and conscientious students who exhibit a true passion for their chosen fields of study, and who, in the opinion of the members of the University of Evansville faculty, are likely to bring the same enthusiasm into the performance of their jobs or the practice of the professions which they will pursue following graduation."

All University of Evansville full-time undergraduate students who will be juniors or seniors in 2018-19 may apply. An essay of about 300 words must accompany the application, along with two to five faculty recommendation letters.

Applications are available from the Office of Financial Aid (Olmsted Hall 116).

Completed applications and recommendation letters should be returned to the Office of Financial Aid by April 15.

You may also request application materials by e-mailing financialaid@evansville.edu.

Questions may be directed to the Office of Financial Aid via e-mail or by phone at 812-488-2364.

Submitted by Trisha Hawkes th187@evansville.edu

Applications are now being accepted for this year’s Dr. Marvin E. Hartig Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is dedicated to the loving memory of Hartig, dean of Evansville College’s Evening College in 1967, and administrator for the Center for Advanced Study, director of the Evansville chapter of the American Institute of Banking (AIB), and the international student advisor. In 1974, Hartig was appointed dean of academic services. He retired in 1984 after serving his alma mater for 35 years and passed away in 2007.

This scholarship is awarded each year to a deserving sophomore. Preference will be given to a student working while being enrolled as a full-time student.

International students are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed application
 
2. In a one page, single spaced, 12 point Verdana font essay, please answer all of these questions:
•What have you learned about yourself as a UE student?
•What do you do for fun when not studying or working?
•Name a special attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart.
•You have done a lot in your short life.  In what areas do you think you can improve?
•What are your scholastic and career goals?
•How did you finance your freshman year and how will you finance your sophomore year?
•Why are you a good candidate to receive this scholarship?
•What have you learned about Dr. Hartig, how does he influence or inspire you, and how will you preserve his legacy as recipient of this scholarship?

Please return all materials to the Office of Financial Aid by May 1. Decision will be announced by July 2.

If you have questions, contact Trisha Hawkes, administrative assistant to the Office of Financial Aid, at financialaid@evansville.edu or 812-488-2364.

Submitted by Trisha Hawkes th187@evansville.edu

Lori Johnson was presented with the Employee of the Year Award by Dr. Kazee at the Staff Recognition Dinner on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.  The 2018 Staff Employee of the Year is an excellent example of what UE is all about.  She is encouraging to the whole community of employees, current students and future students.  She is known for being helpful in any situation, kind and extremely hard-working.  She is a problem-solver and will always help find a solution.  She has earned the nickname, “SACM Mom” (Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission) from her endeavors in assisting International students with all of their needs.  She is a pleasure to work with whether over the phone or in person and a very worthy recipient of this year’s award. Please join us in congratulations to Lori Johnson from the Registrar Office as 2018 Staff Employee of the Year! 

Other staff employees recognized at the annual dinner were:

Five-year Service Award

Cynthia Felts (School of Health Sciences)
Darren (Ken) Miller (Administrative Services)
Andrew Nichols (Grounds)
Janice Kidder (Department of Physical Therapy)
Wendy Marx (Institutional Advancement)
Sarah O’Leary (Counseling & Health Education)
Robert Mettle (Grounds)

10-year Service Award

Carol McCraney (Law, Politics and Society)
Tina Hurt (Office of Admission)
Cynthia Kelley (Institute for Global Enterprise)
Gloria Spencer (Accounting and Audit)
Kimberly Flowers (Adult Education)
Serena Browning (University Libraries)

15-year Service Award

Timothy Meny – Physical Plant

25-year Service Award

Amy Brunty – University Libraries
Cynthia Simmons - Marketing

Retirement recognition was presented to Ken McGinnis (Physical Plant).  Pam Young (Exercise Science) and Donna Jones (Office of Development) were not present but recognized also.  

The votes have been tallied! The People’s Choice Award goes to ... Emilee Johnson for “Mom’s Garden.”

The University of Evansville competed this past weekend, April 6-9, in the Firefighting Robot International Robot competition at Trinity College in Harford, CT. Seventy teams from around the world including China, Israel, Indonesia, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania (to name a few) competed and were challenged to program a robot to navigate a model home in search of a fire, represented by a burning candle, and then extinguish the fire. The robot was required to watch out for walls, furniture, animals, and other obstacles.

Team Isaiah Frey and Jacob Stratman (both electrical engineering students) placed third with their robot “Spit Fire."

Frey and Stratman competed in the Versa Valve Challenge while at the competition. This challenge required a unique robot to complete two successful runs while using a Versa Valve. They placed first in their division!

Congratulations to the UE Team!

Another huge weekend of Missouri Valley Conference action is upcoming for the University of Evansville softball team as the Purple Aces head to Normal, Ill. for a 3-game series against Illinois State.

The series has been shifted to Friday and Saturday with the weekend forecast in Illinois; the teams will play a doubleheader on Friday at 1 p.m. with a single game set for Saturday at 11 a.m.

Despite falling in its four games last week, the Aces were extremely competitive, falling by a total of six runs in those contests.  Three of those games went to extra innings, including a 14-inning marathon on Wednesday.  Mea Adams was the top performer for UE, batting .357 in the last four games while walking on two occasions. 

Second on the team in batting was Jaime Nurrenbern, who notched a hit in four at-bats.  Nurrenbern threw 10 innings in the last two games, posting an ERA of 0.70 while giving up just six hits.  Morgan Florey notched a 3.32 ERA with 25 K’s over the last week while Ashleigh Downing was also solid, tossing 8.1 frames with a 3.36 ERA.

Adams led the way with a .400 batting average against Missouri State and went 1-4 with a run against UT Martin.  Adams registered four hits in 10 at-bats while walking twice, recording an RBI and scoring a run versus MSU.  She heads to Illinois State riding a 5-game win streak.

Florey struck out the side in the first inning on Saturday and in the process, posted the 600th strikeout of her career; Florey is just the second in program history to do so, joining Katie Markle on the exclusive list.  Florey is on the cusp of joining the top 20 in MVC history as Drake’s Jessica Hicks ranks 19th with 653 in her career from 2003-06.  With 202 strikeouts on the season, she is just 15 away from setting the single season program record.

The Redbirds sit at 14-23 overall and 5-5 in the Valley.  They have won four in a row with two victories over both Indiana State and Loyola.  ISU is led by Allison Spence, who is batting .304 on the season.  She leads the way with 34 hits, nine doubles and 23 RBI.

Former University of Evansville women's golfer and current assistant coach Kayla Katterhenry was named to the Missouri Valley Conference's 25-Year Anniversary Team, it was announced in a release by the conference office on Thursday.

Katterhenry enjoyed a storied career as a Purple Ace from 2013 to 2017 earning MVC Golfer of the Year honors in 2017 after winning the individual championship at the 2017 MVC Women's Golf Championship. During her Evansville career, Katterhenry was named All-Conference all four seasons as an Ace while earning MVC Golfer of the Week honors 14 times during her four year career. The 2014 MVC Newcomer of the Year was an MVC-best 11-time career medalist and averaged 75.11 strokes per round in her senior campaign with the Aces.

After finishing her career as a student-athlete, Katterhenry joined head coach Jim Hamilton's coaching staff as assistant coach and has helped build the next group of Purple Aces golfers.

"Women's sports and the MVC have come a long way over the last 25 years," said Katterhenry. "I feel honored to be recognized amongst an amazing group of athletes, and grateful to have played the sport I love with so many great competitors!"

Team composition for each sport has been determined by a 25-person committee (two representatives from each MVC institution and a panel of five voters from the Conference office).  The team composition includes years in which league teams competed under the MVC umbrella during the past 25 years (1992-2017) and does not include competition from the current season.

The Missouri Valley Conference was founded in 1907 and is the nation's second oldest Division I athletics conference.   Women's sports were incorporated into the MVC in 1992, having previously competed under the Gateway Conference banner from 1982-92.   In August 2017, the Conference announced its 2018 Hall of Fame Class, which featured three women (in the six-person class).  A total of 22 women's athletes, coaches and pioneers have been honored by the MVC as part of the Hall.

For women's golf, a total of 34 student-athletes were nominated, and the voting panel determined a 'Top 10' from a list of 25 finalists.   Those top 10 honorees are listed below, and the top vote-getter is denoted.