Purple Patrol will return for the Spring 2023 semester, and we need employees to sign up and volunteer! The first Purple Patrol of the semester will be Friday, January 13.

To sign up for Purple Patrol, visit SignUpGenius and enter your information (please mention the team/department you're signing up). We ask that you sign up for one slot only (for now) so all our departments and offices have a chance to help! If several spots are still unfilled, we welcome multiple signups.

If you have any questions, please contact Julie Beer at jb855.

Daring to Dream: The Radical Imagination of a Liberated Other America
The University of Evansville invites everyone to take part in celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 16, 2023.

Activities and events throughout the day will commemorate King’s passionate pursuit of social justice and the work that remains today. Please see the full schedule below or visit the 2023 MLK Day of Service webpage.

54 Miles to Social Change - now through January 16, 2023

During the Civil Rights March of 1965, activists gathered in Selma, Alabama, to complete a 54-mile trek to the state capital in Montgomery. In recognition of this historical event, UE invites everyone to participate in 54 Miles to Social Change, a virtual march that raises awareness for social injustice in the United States.

Participants can complete the first 53 miles by walking, running, biking, or even swimming. You may register individually or in teams, and participants can also purchase a T-shirt to celebrate the march. At 11:15 a.m. on the MLK Day of Service, we will complete the 54th mile together.

All proceeds will go directly towards Journey to Justice Scholarships for students expressing a financial need. To donate, visit UE Alumni Online.

Faith-Based Service – 9:00 a.m.
The MLK Day of Service will begin with a faith-based service in Neu Chapel.

Rally – 10:30 a.m.
We will hold a rally in Meeks Family Fieldhouse, located inside Carson Center. The rally will recap the significance of a day on, not off, and include remarks from Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, president of UE; and Rob Shelby, PhD, vice president for talent & community and chief inclusion & equity officer.

Symbolic March – 11:15 a.m.
After the rally, UE invites everyone to complete the 54th Mile to Social Change together. The march will begin at Meeks Family Fieldhouse and along nearby streets before returning to campus at Ridgway University Center. Public Safety will have streets blocked off to safely complete the march, which should conclude by 11:45 a.m.

MLK Day of Service Luncheon and Lectureship – 12:00 p.m.
Held in Eykamp Hall on the second floor of Ridgway University Center, the MLK Day of Service Luncheon will be an opportunity for community members to join together in fellowship. The time will be filled with performances, student speakers, award presentations, and our featured keynote speaker.

Each year, the Martin Luther King Lectureship is made possible by the generous support of William G. and Rose M. Mays. The 2023 lectureship will feature keynote speaker Chris Emdin.

Chris Emdin is the Robert A. Naslund Endowed Chair in Curriculum Theory and Professor of Education at the University of Southern California. There, he also serves as Director of Youth Engagement and Community Partnerships at the USC Race and Equity Center. He is the creator of the #HipHopEd social media movement, and he is the author of numerous award-winning works. He was recently named one of the 27 people bridging divides in the United States by TIME, and he has been named to Root 100’s list of most influential African Americans.

During the luncheon, the 2023 Mays Legacy Award and the 2023 Rising Star Service Award will also be presented.

Tickets and table sponsorships for the 2023 MLK Day of Service Luncheon can be purchased until Sunday, January 8, 2023.

Community Service Projects – 2:00 p.m.
Four community service projects will run concurrently in Carson Center. Participants will have the ability to participate in a project of their choosing upon arrival. All service projects will go towards benefiting the following local organizations: United Caring Shelter, Youth First, and House of Bread and Peace.

Local Leaders Panel Discussion – 3:30 p.m.
Held in Shanklin Theatre, this panel will bring together dynamic individuals from across Evansville to discuss their roles as changemakers and how we, as a community, can support the next generation in the continued pursuit of ‘a Liberated Other America’. This panel will be moderated by Dr. J.C. Campbell. Dr. Campbell is the senior pastor at Greater Hope Church and vice president and chief diversity officer at Oakland City University.

Panelists include:

Alex Burton
Courtney Johnson
Melissa Morehead-Moore
Arlinda Payne
DeAndre Wilson

Lead Forward Lecture – 4:30 p.m.
The 2023 MLK Day of Service will culminate in a final Lead Forward Lecture. This final discussion will amplify the messages and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and encourage all community members to ‘Lead Forward’ with what was learned throughout the day. This final Lead Forward Lecture will be provided by UE Men’s Basketball Coach David Ragland.

Reception – 5:30 p.m.
Participants are invited for a reception following the final lecture, hosted in the Toyota Lounge outside of Shanklin Theatre in Hyde Hall. The reception will include light refreshments.

We are looking for volunteers for UE's 9th High School Changemaker Challenge on Tuesday, January 24.  Available shifts at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A4BA8A822A1FF2-changemaker.

Volunteers guide participating students around campus, score Challenge entries, sit at the information desk, and support the judges. All day volunteers are welcome (8am - 5pm), but shift workers are more than welcome as well! You can learn more about the Challenge at www.evansville.edu/cc-hs, or text Erin Lewis at 812-449-1044 with questions. We hope you can join for this inspirational day!

Beginning 1/4/23 repairs will be made to the east entry to Carson Center. That entry/exit will be inaccessible during this work. Work is anticipated to be complete by the close of business on Friday, 1/06/2023.

Looking for its first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team travels to Missouri State on Wednesday evening. Tip is set for 7 p.m. CT with the Purple Aces Radio Network and ESPN+ having the coverage.

Last Time Out
- Murray State jumped out to a 23-1 lead on New Year’s Day as they defeated the Purple Aces by a final of 78-61 at the Ford Center
- The Racers held a 41-21 halftime lead before UE got within 12 points in the final 20 minutes
- Marvin Coleman II led Evansville with 13 points while Gabe Spinelli reset his career scoring mark with 12 points

Double Digits Again\    
- Gabe Spinelli’s strong play continued against Murray State as he reset his scoring high with 12 points
- This came on the heels of a 10-point game at Indiana State on Dec. 28
- Over the last two games, Spinelli has averaged 11 PPG while connecting on 9 of his 16 field goal tries
- He hauled in his top total of four rebounds against the Racers
- His performance continued a nice turnaround that has seen him record 6.4 PPG over the last nine outings
- Spinelli’s shooting has also improved in that time as he is 26-of-49 (53.1%)

Team Leader
- Marvin Coleman II scored a team-high 13 points versus Murray State on the way to his fourth double digit scoring effort in the last five games
- Coleman is averaging 13.6 PPG in the last five games including his first double-double at UE with 14 points and 10 boards at Indiana State
- Prior to his recent streak, Coleman was averaging 5.4 points but has seen his average rise to 8.1
- Three days after scoring a career-high 18 points against Campbell, he led the Aces with 17 points at Ball State
- In the win over Campbell, he set career-highs in scoring (18 points), field goals (7), triples (4) and minutes (38:20)
- Coleman entered the Campbell game hitting just two of his first 22 3-point tries but is 10-for-24 in the last five outings

Scouting the Opponent
- Opening the calendar year with a 52-49 win over preseason MVC favorites Drake, Missouri State enters Wednesday’s game with a 7-7 record and sit at 3-1 in the league
- MSU defeated UIC to open its Valley schedule and earned a win at Northern Iowa on Dec. 28
- Chance Moore leads the Bears with 12.6 points per game
- A 50.4% shooter from the floor, Moore has connected on 41.4% of his attempts from outside
- Kendle Moore is just behind him with 8.1 points per game
- Donovan Clay is the top rebounder for the Bears, hauling in 5.9 per game