Why are there so many purple flags on the Sesquicentennial Oval? There are 7,811 flags and each one represents someone who believes in the mission of UE and supported UE by making a financial gift to UE. Tag @UEAlumni in your Instagram post or Tweet at @UEAlumni by the purple flags and tell us why you are thankful for the 7,811 donors that gave to UE during last year’s 2017-18 academic year. Use #TrueandLoyal and #UEPepandVim.

Submitted by JC Campbell jc603@evansville.edu

It is Philanthropy Week on campus and Pep and Vim, UE’s Day of Giving on Friday, April 12.

What better way to celebrate philanthropy and school spirit on campus then to have a fun game of Penny Wars!

Stop by the Philanthropy Table in Ridgway University Center this week and support your college with your pocket change. While you are there, enter to win an iPad (one entry per person, donation not required).
Go Aces and game on!

When: Monday, April 8-Thursday, April 12 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Friday, April 12 from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Where: Ridgway University Center

Who: Students, Faculty, Staff and Administrators – everyone!

Why: To celebrate Philanthropy Week and the Day of Giving

Prize: A golden squirrel trophy with bragging rights for a year! (Awarded at Friday’s at Five on April 12)
Raffle: Enter to win an iPad - bring your UE ID! (one entry per person; Donations are not required to enter)

Rules:
• Five jugs:
o William L. Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences
o College of Education and Health Sciences
o College of Engineering and Computer Science
o Schroder School of Business
o UE Staff and Administrator Association
• Gain points by adding pennies and bills into your jug
• Lower the other jug’s total by adding silver coins in their jugs

Point System
Adding:        Subtracting:
Pennies  +1pt      Nickels  -5pts
$1 Dollar +100pts      Dimes  -10pts
$5 Dollars +500pts      Quarters -25pts 
$10 Dollars +1000pts

Submitted by Jennifer J. Calderone jj130@evansville.edu

All vehicles must be removed from Lot H by 5:00 p.m. on April 10. Vehicles remaining in the lot after this time may be towed. The removal of vehicles is necessary so that the lot can be prepared for the bike race, which will be on Saturday, April 13. Vehicles must be moved so the lot can be prepared and time trials can be held.

The lot will be reopened for parking by Sunday morning at the latest. Vehicles must be moved to legal parking places for the permit category held by the driver. The use of Lot O, by the Armory, and Lot Q, by the general services building, is recommended.

Submitted by Doug Cook dc2@evansville.edu

During the period of March 18 through April 12, 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 12.

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. 

Submitted by Lori LeDuc ll138@evansville.edu

The Newman Club invites you to volunteer with us tonight, Monday, April 8, at St. Vincent DePaul! We will meet at the Newman house at about 5:00 p.m. to carpool to the store to volunteer and stay there until 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to help!

Here's a quick link to sign up so we know you're coming: www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c4ca5aa22a0fe3-stvincent10.

Contact cc328@evansville.edu with any questions.

Submitted by Sam Wallisch sw265@evansville.edu

Medical Spanish practice is designed to help students practice communication skills in Spanish for medical settings. Students may arrive and leave at any time. The next session is Monday, April 8, from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in Room 64 in the Schroeder School of Business Building. Please contact associate professor of Spanish Diana Rodríguez Quevedo at dr130@evansville.edu for more details. ¡Nos vemos el lunes!

Submitted by Diana Rodriguez Quevedo dr130@evansville.edu

Join the Newman Club this Wednesday, April 10, at 5:00 p.m. for our weekly dinner and discussion. This week's topic is "Social Media and How It Affects Our Perception of the World," hosted by Connor Cleary, a member of the Newman Club. He will be talking about social media's influence on our lives and society. One of our seminarians, Joseph, will be making dinner for us. All are welcome!

Submitted by Michaela Kunkler mk305@evansville.edu

Harlaxton Quintet
Tuesday, April 9
7:30 p.m., Wheeler Concert Hall
On Tuesday, April 9, at 7:30 pm in Wheeler Concert Hall, the Harlaxton Quintet will present a wide-reaching program featuring works by Lecuona, Blumer, Rameau, and Ligeti. Quintet members include Leanne Hampton (flute), Elizabeth Robertson (oboe), Thomas Josenhans (clarinet), Ed Lacy (bassoon), and Emily Britton (horn).

The concert is free and open to the public. For complete program information, visit the music department concert calendar: https://www.evansville.edu/majors/music/eventDetails.cfm?eventId=14796

UE String Ensemble
Thursday, April 11
6:00 p.m., Wheeler Concert Hall
On Thursday, April 11, at 6:00 pm in Wheeler Concert Hall, the University String Ensemble, under the direction of Chun-Ming Chen, will present their spring concert. The program will feature Leo Weiner’s Divertimento No. 2 and Kirt Mosier’s Blue Rhythmico.

The concert is free and open to the public. For complete program information, visit the music department concert calendar: https://www.evansville.edu/majors/music/eventDetails.cfm?eventId=14797

Rite of Spring
Saturday, April 13
5:45 p.m., Eykamp Hall, Ridgway University Center
Friends of UE Music invite you to join us for this year's Rite of Spring. The event will be held on Saturday, April 13 in Eykamp Hall in the Ridgway University Center on UE's campus. This year's event celebrates the contributions of Kim and Mary Fillingim.

The event includes cocktails, dinner, musical performances, and dancing accompanied by UE's Jazz Ensemble!

For more information and reservations visit: www.evansville.edu/riteofspring or cut and paste evansville.edu/riteofspring into your browser window.

Submitted by James Sullivan js820@evansville.edu 

Mark your calendars! BiSci Plant Sale will kick off on April 15 and end on April 22 - Earth Day Birthday! Plants for sale will include butterfly milkweed and other flowers, succulents, tomatoes, and herbs, including basil and cilantro, and many more. Prices will range from $1 for cups of seedlings to $15-25 for larger plants and “design-your-own” succulent bowls.

Submitted by Kelly Nixon kn94@evansville.edu

SAB's annual PURPLEPALOOZA is set for Friday, April 12, from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. on the East Terrace Lawn. This event immediately follows the International Food Festival.

PurplePalooza is free and open to the UE Community.

Attractions include:

• Live music
• American Ninja Warrior Course
• Inflatables
• Food trucks
• Caricature artists
• Giveaways
• And much more!

All activities and food are free for students with a valid UE ID. Community members can purchase food truck tickets for a small fee. 

Submitted by Megan King mk225@evansville.edu

The University of Evansville’s inaugural International Food Festival is Friday, April 12, from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the Café Court in Ridgway University Center. This celebration of the home cuisine of UE’s international students is open to the public. Tickets for adults are $7 until April 11, and can be purchased at UE’s Office of Cultural Engagement and International Services, located on the second floor of Ridgway University Center. If purchased at the event, tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. UE students are admitted free.

The festival food will be prepared by UE international students with the assistance of Chartwells, the University’s food service. The menu will include such dishes as poutine, grape leaves, kabsa, biryani, feijoada, matar paneer, and baklava. Entertainment for the event will be provided by the local folk music group, Redwood Preservation Society.

For more information, please contact UE’s Office of Cultural Engagement and International Services at 812-488-2279 or internationalstudent@evansville.edu.

Event contact: Megan Sicard

Please join us in the Phillips Study Alcove on the second floor of Ridgway University Center from 2:00-04:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10, to say farewell and wish the best to Lindsay Roberts, director for the advancement of learning. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome. 

Submitted by Kim Flowers kf186@evansville.edu

Join Newman Club for dinner and Mass with the bishop on Tuesday, April 9! The Newman Campus Community invites you to a special dinner with Most Reverend Joseph M. Siegel, DD, STL. We will be having a dinner at 6:00 p.m. at the Newman house and then hang out until mass at 8 p.m. at Neu Chapel. All are welcome to come join us for the free dinner and discussion and/or Mass with the bishop!

Submitted by Sam Wallisch sw265@evansville.edu

Our graduating creative writing majors will read from their poetry and prose, at the Coffee Hour Senior Reading event held on Friday, April 12, at 4:00 p.m. in the Melvin Peterson Gallery. The faculty will also announce the winners of the Virginia Grabill Writing Awards. Please join us for a delightful and often moving send-off to our graduating seniors.

Submitted by Michelle Lehman ml281@evansville.edu

The annual Phi Sigma Iota initiation ceremony will be held Sunday, April 14, at 2:00 p.m. in Eykamp Hall, Rooms 253 and 254, Ridgway University Center.

Phi Sigma Iota, the international foreign language honor society, was founded in 1922 at Allegheny College and recognizes outstanding ability in the fields of foreign languages, literature, and cultures. The University of Evansville has inducted 178 members since it established the Epsilon Beta Chapter in 2000.

This year’s initiates include Chelsea Gaddis, Lindsay Langstaff, Erin Leinenbach, and Diana Rodriguez Quevedo. Conducting the initiation ceremony will be PSI officers Lauren Perry, Tatiana Czajkowski, and Caitlin Kaleri, and faculty advisor Cindy Crowe. Dr. Ray Lutgring, Dean of the Ridgway College of Arts and Sciences, will be the featured speaker.

This event is open to the public and free of charge. 

Submitted by Cindy Crowe cc109@evansville.edu

Syrian-American architect, writer, and founder and CEO of the Karam Foundation Lina Serge Attar will be the speaker for the final presentation of the Scholars for Syria Lecture series in Evansville. The lecture is set for April 11, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 162 in the Schroeder School of Business Building. Also during the event, we will be additionally proud and excited to celebrate the graduation of Syrian seniors Walid Hasanato and Aya Aljandali as they tell of their journeys from Syria to Indiana. This is a celebration of all that Syrians have contributed to the UE and Evansville community, so we hope to see you there!

The event is free and open to the public, but donations to the Karam Foundation will be accepted at the event to help support the exemplary and inspiring work the foundation is doing on behalf of Syrian youth. UE has welcomed and supported Syrian students since 2012. Let's continue this support to include more future leaders of a free Syria.

How do we imagine a vibrant future for Syrians after the mass devastation and trauma they have endured? How can we rebuild agency and confidence for marginalized refugee communities? What if there was a space created for the most vulnerable of refugees - the youth - where cutting-edge technology, social camaraderie, and expert mentors were available? 

Attar is a Syrian-American architect, writer and founder and CEO of the Karam Foundation. During her lecture, Attar will map out an alternative vision for Syrian refugee youth, one that is a world away from war and despair. At her team's Karam Houses in Turkey, hundreds of Syrian teens are building their ideas while gaining world-class critical and creative thinking skills.

“They are on pathways of future success and leadership for their communities and beyond,” said Attar. “Within their inspiring stories of resilience and determination, another Syrian narrative emerges about the limitless potential and possibilities for a better future we can create together."

In 2007, Attar developed the vision of Karam (which means generosity in Arabic). Since 2011, she has directed Karam in its focus on the Syrian humanitarian crisis: developing an innovative education program for Syrian refugee youth, distributing aid to Syrian refugee families, and funding projects initiated by Syrians for Syrians. Her articles and essays have appeared in the New York Times and the Chicago Tribune, and she has appeared on CNN, NBC News, the BBC News, NPR and other media outlets. Attar is a graduate of the University of Aleppo, Rhode Island School of Design, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

More information on the Karam Foundation can be found at www.karamfoundation.org.

Submitted by Megan King mk225@evansville.edu

“First Americans: Paintings and Prints by Contemporary American Indian Artists” will be on display at the University of Evansville in the Krannert Gallery in the Krannert Hall of Art and Music from April 8-May 11. The exhibit will feature works from local art collections, curated with the assistance and expertise of Stephen and Sandra Falls of Haubstadt, Indiana. There will be a reception on April 25 at 6:30 p.m. Both the exhibit and the reception are free and open to the public.

This exhibit is part of the Emerging Contemporary Artist Lecture Series sponsored by the Efroymson Family Fund and the University of Evansville’s Department of Art.

Gallery hours are Monday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and Sunday, noon-8:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact the UE Department of Art at 812-488-2043, email art@evansville.edu, or visit the gallery’s Facebook page.

Submitted by Corliss Chastain corlisschastain@gmail.com

Join the Newman Club this Tuesday, April 9, at 8:00 p.m. in Neu Chapel to celebrate a Catholic Mass. Bishop Siegel will be joining us! All are welcome!

Submitted by Michaela Kunkler mk305@evansville.edu

UE nursing students will be presenting the "Sex on Campus" program on sexual health - Wednesday, April 10 - from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in Eykamp Hall, Room 252, Ridgway University Center. This program, which is sponsored by the office of health education and wellness, will highlight an important issue on college campuses. The program focuses on education about STIs and HIV and the very real risk that this presents for students.

Submitted by Jennifer Hargus jh693@evansville.edu

EVERYONE is invited to pitch their idea on how to make Evansville more fun and exciting. Be sure to submit your idea by tonight at midnight. Folks of all ages and walks of life are welcome to form a team. The top 4 teams will win $1,000 in cash and pitch their idea to a panel of community investors. Submit your 60-second video to Centerforinnovation@evansville.edu to enter. Learn more here.

Submitted by Cindy Kelley ck116@evansville.edu

Money will be accepted Monday - Thursday at the Philanthropy Table in Ridgway University Center from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and all day Friday at Pep & Vim Headquarters outside of Ridgway University Center.

Submitted by Megan McCombs mm825@evansville.edu

The UE Jazz Ensemble I will present a Swing Dance Fundraiser at 8:00 p.m. in Eykamp Hall in Ridgway University Center on Saturday April 13. Tickets are $10 each and all proceeds go towards the UE jazz program. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting professor of music Timothy Zifer at ext. 2878 or emailing tz3@evansville.edu, or you may purchase tickets at the door. Come swing and dance with us!

Submitted by Timothy J Zifer tz3@evansville.edu

The University of Evansville has announced plans to implement a new Masters of Engineering (M.Eng.) graduate program. Students will be able to enroll in the program beginning in the Fall of 2019. The professional degree program will offer three options: Master of Engineering - Electrical Engineering, Master of Engineering - Computer Engineering, and Master of Engineering - Computer Science. This 12-month graduate program is designed for those with a bachelor's degree in engineering who wish to gain advanced knowledge and experience in their field.

The program's one-year time frame is especially beneficial for undergraduate engineering students as they can extend their studies by one more year and obtain both a bachelor's and a M.Eng. degree.

"Earning a Master of Engineering degree enables students to begin their career at an advanced level," explained Ying Shang, UE dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science. "Most engineers only have a bachelor's degree, so those who have a M.Eng. stand out in the job market and in their work place. In fact, the salary for an engineer with a M.Eng. degree is typically $20,000 higher than for an engineer who just has a bachelor's degree."

The curriculum of all three degree options in the program follow a similar format but differ in specific course requirements and content. Students take advanced courses in their engineering area option and in related fields.

Admission into the Master of Engineering degree program requires an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science. The cost of the program is $525 per hour.

For more information, please contact Professor Dick Blandford at db64@evansville.edu.

UE's Monarchs and Milkweed Changelab class visited New Tech High School to educate an environmental science class about declining monarch and milkweed populations. The New Tech students are hoping to create a native plant garden behind the school over the next few years. The UE Changelab team helped them begin the process by planting milkweed with the students, and by consulting with them on management strategies for the garden.

If you are interested in having an opportunity to plant milkweeds for monarchs or if you are interested in having native seeds to grow other plants, look for the two events that the Milkweed and Monarch team will host in the community during April.

Submitted by Cris Hochwender ch81@evansville.edu

The Earth Day Birthday committee is hosting a recycling competition among all student organizations. The competing organizations are to collect clean, glass jars, and old T-shirts to use at Earth Day Birthday on April 22, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The competition will last from April 1-17. There will be a table in Ridgway University Center from April 15-17 between 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. for recycled items to be deposited. The winning organization receives free food as a reward! 

Submitted by Paige Johnson pj31@evansville.edu

File the 2019-20 FAFSA by April 15 at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Continuing students should file the 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for federal, state and University need-based financial aid, including all federal student loans. UE's FAFSA code is 001795.

Filing by April 15 is essential for Indiana residents to receive state aid, and highly recommended for all.

Questions regarding the FAFSA should be directed to the Student Financial Services (Olmsted Administration Hall, Room 106) at 812-488-2364.

Submitted by Trisha Hawkes th187@evansville.edu

Are you staying in Evansville over the summer? If so, Residence Life is offering summer housing in Schroeder Residence Hall. You can find more information about summer housing online here - https://www.evansville.edu/residencelife/campushousing/summerHousing.cfm

Submitted by Brian Conner bc32@evansville.edu

Family, friends and loved ones of the late Dr. Marvin E. Hartig are pleased to announce the application process for the Dr. Marvin E. Hartig Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is dedicated to the loving memory of Dr. 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, Dr. Hartig was appointed Dean of Academic Services. He retired in 1984 after serving his alma mater for thirty-five years and passed away in 2007.

This scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving sophomore student. Preference will be given to a student working while being enrolled as a full-time student. International students are encouraged to apply.

The application can be found here.

Deadline: Please return all materials to the Office of Student Financial Services by April 26.

The decision will be announced by July 1.

Questions: Trisha Hawkes, administrative assistant to the Office of Student Financial Services, at th187@evansville.edu or 812-488-2364

Submitted by Trisha Hawkes th187@evansville.edu

Atefeh Yazdanparast, associate professor of marketing, was named the 2019 Marketing Management Association (MMA) Master Scholar award recipient at the MMA International Conference in Chicago. The MMA Master Scholar competition recognizes and honors outstanding marketing scholars that have engaged in innovative and impactful practices in research. The engagement of other faculty, students, and/or community in accomplishing research, and a history of effective scholarship with an innovative approach to conducting research are considered by the panel of judges in identifying the recipient of the award.

University of Evansville starting pitchers Emily Lockhart and Izzy Vetter combined to give up just four runs over 12 innings of work on Saturday, but Southern Illinois was able to take a pair of close games to sweep the series over the Purple Aces softball squad.

SIU (23-9, 8-3 MVC) took game one by a 2-1 final before earning a 2-0 shutout in game two over UE (12-22, 2-9 MVC). 

Emily Lockhart pitched a gem in game one, giving up just two runs in the complete-game effort. Evansville notched one run on six hits while the Salukis finished with two runs on eight hits. The first threat for UE came in the third when Mackenzie McFeron and Eryn Gould posted back-to-back singles with one out. SIU got out of the jam by forcing a ground out and strikeout. 

In the fifth, the Aces stranded two more batters before SIU took advantage in the bottom of the frame. Maddy Vermejan hit a solo home run before the squad added a second to break the scoreless tie. UE was able to cut the deficit in half in the sixth on a Lindsay Renneisen home run, but the Salukis held on for the 2-1 victory.

Izzy Vetter had a stellar outing in game two, tossing 5 2/3 innings of 3-hit, 1-run ball, but the Aces were unable to push any runs across the plate in a 2-0 loss. The Salukis plated a run in the fourth and sixth frames to take the win. Evansville received hits from Gould, McFeron and McKenzie Johnson.

Evansville looks to get back on track with five home games over the next week. UE welcomes Indiana State to Cooper Stadium for a 3:00 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday before taking on Bradley in a 3-game series next weekend.

UE admission director Kenton Hargis talked with 14 News about the importance of filing the FAFSA this week.

Watch the full interview on 14 WFIE's website. 

If you or a college student you know hasn't filled it out yet, you still have time! The deadline is April 15 at fafsa.ed.gov.