We Grow Aces! is a vital initiative dedicated to fostering a culture of belonging and support at the University of Evansville. In June, a Pure Produce Container from Evansville-based Anu and Ekō Solutions in Fishers will include a vertical garden system housed in an up-cycled, climate-controlled shipping container. The container farm can grow produce year-round. In addition to the food supply, we also aim to create meaningful connections and provide mentorship opportunities.

We Grow Aces! was recently featured in this article from Inside Indiana Business.

If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about how you can contribute, we encourage you to reach out to Rob Shelby, Vice President for Talent & Community, at rs262@evansville.edu. Your engagement can make a lasting impact on our university community.

Thank you for your support in growing Aces together!

In September 2025, a review team from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) will visit the university as part of our reaffirmation of accreditation. To learn more about the criterion on which UE will be evaluated, please take a moment to watch the following video guides.

HLC Criterion 1 | Mission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJYe4poqk-Q

HLC Criterion 2 | Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEcGIsTJRmU

HLC Criterion 3 | A-D Teaching and Learning for Student Success
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4M_MgYDQDg

HLC Criterion 3 | E-G Teaching and Learning for Student Success
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJAb7We7y6M

HLC Criterion 4 | Sustainability
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ4quibQzaQ

HLC Federal Compliance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fIP_9MOi0E

DIY Shaker Salad 🥗 – Hosted by Colorful

Join us for a fun and interactive DIY Shaker Salad event at The Eatery! Customize your own fresh and flavorful salad while learning from dietitians through engaging videos on how different food colors fuel your body and mind.

📍 Location: The Eatery
⏰ Time: During Lunch

Come mix, shake, and nourish with us! 🥗✨

Sip n Paint 🎨 – Hosted by Colorful

Unleash your creativity at our Sip n Paint event with Colorful! Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of painting while sipping on refreshing non-alcoholic beverages. No experience needed—just bring your imagination!

📍 Location: Class of 1959 Gallery (Upstairs by the piano)
⏰ Time: 2:30 - 4:30 PM
🎟 Limited seats available! Reserve your spot here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KDHFLYL

Join the Pep and Vim Virtual 5K!
Celebrate in a healthy way and receive an exclusive T-shirt!*

www.uealumnionline.com/2025PV5K

Event Details:

•          Complete your 5K anytime between April 21 – April 25.
•          Submit your time online (a link will be emailed).
•          Prizes will be awarded based on various criteria.

Registration & Fees:

•          General registration: $25
•          Current UE students: $15 

Important Dates:

•          Register by Friday, April 11 to guarantee you receive your T-shirt by Pep and Vim (Friday, April 25).

Questions?

•          Contact the Office of Alumni and Engagement at alumni@evansville.edu.

Get ready for a treat! We're rolling out the red carpet (or should we say, the dessert table?) to welcome you with open arms and a spread that's sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

This is your chance to:

• Meet and mingle with fellow new hires and some friendly faces from across the organization.
• Enjoy a variety of scrumptious treats that will make your afternoon extra special.
• Learn more about the SAA community and feel right at home.

Keep an eye on your calendars! You'll be receiving an official invitation with all the details in the coming days.

Join us for Eid al-Fitr on Monday the 31st at 6:15 in Gallery 59. Enjoy delicious food as we mark the end of Ramadan. All are welcome!

The University of Evansville (UE) Department of Theatre is proud to announce alumnus Dylan Frederick ’14 will be returning to campus to screen AMERICAN THEATER which recently won the Feature Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the Slamdance Film Festival. The event will be held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 1, and Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in the John David Lutz Theatre Lab. The 90-minute film will be followed by a Q&A with Frederick.

“AMERICAN THEATER follows artists who are on the conservative right, but our ambition is that the film can reach audiences across lines of difference,” says co-director Dylan Frederick. “In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to cast half of the country as fundamentally evil in the eyes of the other. AMERICAN THEATER aims to briefly interrupt that cynical strategy and offer audiences a new way to see ourselves in this current political moment—as an entire nation of actors desperate for direction.”

Once nationally celebrated for his large-scale outdoor musical productions at Serenbe Playhouse (TITANIC performed on an actual sinking ship or MISS SAIGON with a real helicopter landing) Brian Clowdus’s theater career came to a halt in 2020 amid extensive public allegations of unsafe working conditions, racism, and harassment. In the wake of these allegations, Clowdus reinvented himself as a MAGA Republican. AMERICAN THEATER follows Clowdus and his newly assembled troupe of actors as they rehearse their allegorical cancel culture musical–THE SALEM EXPERIENCE.

“The movie is a salute to the hardworking cast of THE SALEM EXPERIENCE,” says codirector Nicholas Clark. “They tried their very best to put on a new musical in the middle of the woods and under challenging circumstances. Musicals are unbelievably hard to make, and this one was particularly chaotic. Our idea for the project was to bring an entirely observational approach to documenting their artistic process without interruption. In this way, we were able to authentically capture a rehearsal room immersed in work.”

“At the center of this project is a complex relationship between a director and his cast which we feel reflects aspects of the dynamic between Trump and his supporters. That rehearsal dynamic has helped us understand the current national trend toward rightwing authoritarian leaders and those who follow them,” says producer Laura Hilliard.

Seating is limited and tickets are free to the public. Reserve your seat by calling the UE Theatre ticket office at 812.488.2031, Monday through Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn about resources available to current and future business owners from the Small Business Administration, Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center and SCORE Evansville. Representatives will be on campus for an info session on Tuesday, April 8, 12:25-1:05 in SB172. This event is open to the campus community, but seating is limited and lunch will be provided, so be sure to reserve your seat by registering here. Contact Megan Conapinski at mt263@evansville.edu with questions.

Join us Wednesday mornings @ 8:30 AM throughout Lent for a time of meditation and prayer.

The University of Evansville Theatre continues its Spring 2025 season with William Shakespeare’s ROMEO AND JULIET.  This production opens at 7:30 p.m., March 21, in Shanklin Theatre.  Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., on March 22, 27, 28, 29, and at 2:00 p.m. on March 30. In fair Verona, an age-old feud between two powerful families erupts in bloodshed, and a group of masked party-crashers push the envelope, setting in motion a story of both sweeping romance and heartbreaking tragedy. Considered one of Shakespeare’s best plays, the chaos and passion of being in love is juxtaposed with the obstacles and limitations that an “ancient grudge” places upon the young lovers. Our star-crossed teens, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, make both reckless and feckless choices about who to trust and discover the fruits of their “forbidden” love are not sweet at all. “For never was a story of more woe, than this of Juliet and her Romeo.”

ROMEO AND JULIET is directed by Assistant Professor Wes Grantom ’03. Don Hooper, guest artist, serves as the scenic designer; Associate Professor Sarah J. Smith serves as the costume designer; Jonathan Roth, a junior design and technology major from Brookfield, Wis., serves as the lighting designer; Visiting Assistant Professor Jon Robertson serves as the sound designer; Visiting Assistant Professor Liz Jenkins ’05 is the cultural coordinator; Diego Villada ’06, guest artist, serves as the fight and intimacy director; William Cooper Sanders, a junior performance major from Jeffersonville, Ind. serves as the dramaturg; Katie Lawhorn, a senior stage management major from Louisville, Ky., is the stage manager, and Visiting Assistant Professor Scott Carpenter ’05 serves as the technical director.

The cast features Adam Techmanski, a senior performance major from Richmond, Texas, as Romeo; Ashly Chalico, a senior performance major from Magnolia, Texas, as Juliet; Rachel Disney, a first-year theatre studies major from Louisville, Ky., as Friar Lawrence; Lindsay Perr, a senior performance major from Medford, N.J., as The Nurse; Gavin Ramirez, a junior performance major from McKinney, Texas, as Mercutio; Umbra Person, a junior performance major from Jonesboro, Ga., as Benvolio; Luis Alejandro Gonzalez, a first-year performance major from Midland, Texas, as Tybalt; Joshua Fisher, a first-year performance major from Galena Park, Texas, as Paris; Delaney Ross, a senior performance major from Keller, Texas, as Capulet; William Cooper Sanders, a junior performance major from Jeffersonville, Ind., as Montague; Reese Hickman, a first-year performance major from Conroe, Texas, as Lady Montague; Antonio Cortés Román, a junior performance major from Metepec, Mexico, as The Prince; Ethan Henry, a junior performance major from Salina, Kan., as Peter and Apothecary; Sydney Gepson, a first-year performance major from Queen Creek, Ariz., as Gregory; Daniel Perez, a junior performance major from San Antonio, Texas, as Balthasar; Mason Norton, a junior performance major from Bremen, Ind., as Abraham and Watch 1; Elizabeth Wusterhausen, a first-year performance major from Austin, Texas, as Paris’s Page; Alex Hattan, a first-year performance major from O’Fallon, Ill., as Friar John; Amanda Pascarella, a first-year performance major from Staten Island, N.Y., as Capulet’s Servant and Watch 3; Trace Levens, a junior performance major from Bryan, Texas, as Samson and Watch 2.

Adult ticket prices are $20 and $18 for senior adults, UE employees. and non-UE students. UE students may obtain one free ticket with their student ID by visiting the ticket office. In addition, UE Theatre is excited to continue their “Pay What You Will” initiative again this season. Every Thursday evening performance in Shanklin Theatre is available for any person to pay the price that best fits their budget. Single tickets may be purchased online at theatre.evansville.edu or by calling the ticket office at 812.488.2031, open Monday through Friday 12:00–5:00 pm.

Register for CHNG-310-02: Celebrating Hispanic Voices for the Fall 2025 semester! In this ChangeLab students explore Hispanic student identities, experiences, and perspectives by researching and recording podcast episodes in Spanish, English, and Spanglish. Hispanic students share their stories, discuss relevant issues, and celebrate their cultural heritage. Through this podcast, students develop a variety of skills to interview Hispanic students and community members who work to foster a sense of community, empowerment, and inclusivity at UE and beyond. Students are not required to speak Spanish to participate in this ChangeLab.

“Celebrating Hispanic Voices” Podcast trailer link:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1u4aRzFwFJ51rhHroAi8Gd?si=4e98316f31724c10

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/trailer/id1772118609?i=1000671694058

If you want to learn more about this ChangeLab course, contact Dr. Diana Rodríguez Quevedo (Profe) via email at: dr130@evansville.edu

"Celebrating Hispanic Voices" Podcast: A podcast by Hispanic Students for Hispanic Students

Episode 2 – Season 2  is out!

In Episode 2, Ashly Chalico, a performance theatre major, talks about her experiences as a Latina woman at UE. She shares moments like auditioning for graduate theater programs, staying in touch with her family, and immersing herself in her favorite artists. Enjoy this inside look into Ashly's UExperience!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3aQvk5y6ISGkXt3qLJ4KIl?si=Ps1sqcevQzC2Ez2YoMZ37g

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2nd-ep-ashlys-experience/id1772118609?i=1000699573950

Huge THANKS to our production team, Sophia Reyes, Jocelyn Solano Sánchez, and Tommy Housman!

I am pleased to announce open enrollment dates for the University’s benefit plans. During the period of March 31 through April 11, benefit-eligible employees may enroll or make changes in the University’s health, life, long term disability, and dental insurance, supplemental health and 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 benefits information and make your enrollment elections at: https://selfservice.evansville.edu/Student/HumanResources/Benefits, as well as details about benefits changes in the attached memo, for important announcements and reminders, which will occur June 1 to the University’s benefits.

Among the open enrollment highlights:

·         No change to any insurance premiums, including health insurance.

·         We are partnering with HealthJoy and Teladoc to offer a Mental Health Program to supplement UE’s already robust mental healthcare benefits to remove barriers and improve access to mental health providers.

·         We will implement the CancerCARE Program, which is a unique benefit designed to provide support to employees and dependent family members in the event of a cancer diagnosis.

·         Enrollment/changes to your TIAA retirement plan salary deferrals will continue to be managed on the TIAA website.  Therefore, you do not need to re-enroll in the retirement plan.

Date

Time 

Location

Tuesday, April 1

9:00 am to 10:00 am                     

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

Tuesday, April 1

10:30 am to 11:30 am                  

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

Tuesday, April 1

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm                       

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

Wednesday, April 2

9:00 am to 10:00 am                     

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

Wednesday, April 2

10:30 am to 11:30 am                  

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

Wednesday, April 2

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm                       

Eykamp Hall Room 251 

One of the meetings will be recorded so that employees may watch the presentation at their convenience. We will share a link to the recording in PurplePulse on April 3. However, in-person attendance is strongly encouraged.

 Again, please note that all benefit eligible employees (including those who do not want to make any changes to their current coverage) must enter their elections between March 31 and April 11 via On-Line Benefit Enrollment.  Insurance deductions will be made during May for coverage effective June 1.

 Please contact the Office of Human Resources at ext. 5045 with any questions.

 Lori LeDuc

Associate Director of Human Resources

University of Evansville

ll138@evansville.edu

812-488-5045

Tuesday, April 1

6pm-8:30pm

Eykamp Hall, RUC

Don't miss this opportunity to network with panelists from AT, EXSS, PA and PT fields working at these employers:

Athlete's True Performance

Deaconess gastroenterology

Easterseals

Ervin Therapy

Forefront Therapy

Rehabilitation & Performance Institute

University of Evansville

Warrick County School Corporation

Join Center for Inclusive Excellence intern and USI BSW student Shelby Gardner from 11:30 am-12:30 pm on Wednesday, April 16th, in the Multi-Cultural Student Commons, for a Service Dog Etiquette Lunch and Learn Program. Shelby will share information about service animal dog laws and rights, how to interact with service animals in public, and how to assist individuals in the disabled community with service animals.  Feel free to bring your lunch!

The University of Evansville has recently established an AI Task Force to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by the administrators, faculty, staff, and students of the University of Evansville (UE). It will use its discoveries to develop and implement strategies for enabling UE’s campuses and communities to use AI in a way that is productive, safe, and responsible. 

Your input is critical to our initial efforts. By completing this brief survey, which takes approximately 5-7 minutes, you will directly influence the development of training programs, policies, and strategies tailored to meet your needs. Please complete the survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/eeZHqUcRAK   Thank you for contributing to this important initiative!

H Lot will be partially closed (side closest to Carson Lawn) from 5:10 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2 for Greek Week Field Day. This event is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is open to everyone. There will be inflatables, food, and yard games!

COMM 130 Intro to Communication & COMM 380 Intercultural Communication, which fulfill the  General Education credit (Outcome 9), will be offered during Summer Session 2 as online, asynchronous classes. If you have questions about these 3 credit hour courses, which will run from May 19 to June 23, please contact Dr. Fahad Humayun via email - mh668@evansville.edu

UE students seeking financial aid or intending to use loan funds for summer courses at UE should complete a Summer Financial Aid Application and return it to the Office of Student Financial Services (Olmsted 105) however is most convenient by May 1, 2025. The application will allow our office to assess your financial aid and loan eligibility.

Work-Study:

On-campus jobs are available for continuing UE students during the summer. You do not need to be eligible for need-based Federal Work-Study during the academic year in order to apply. You may also apply regardless of your enrollment in summer courses. Applications will be available within the Student Employment area of Self-Service.

Nutrition 304 will be taught online and asynchronously in the summer II session.

Economics 101 (Principles of Macroeconomics) and Economics 102 (Principles of Microeconomics), which fulfill general education requirements for Outcome 9, are offered in Summer 2025. Both courses are online and asynchronous, which provides flexibility in terms of timing and location.

Evansville Fire Department is accepting applications through April 30. Learn more by exploring the brochure, clicking this link or scanning the QR code.

The Center for Inclusive Excellence is hosting monthly challenge cards for care baskets through the end of the semester. To participate, complete taks on the card and claim your prize at the CIE office (upstairs Ridge). For more details, follow us on instagram @ue_cie and review the guidelines before claiming your prize!

Discover the mouthwatering flavors of our new Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich at Chick-Fil-A! Don't miss the chance to elevate your meal by pairing it with our refreshing Pineapple Dragonfruit drink. Come treat yourself today!

BIOL 107 (General Biology), which fulfills the lab science General Education credit (Outcome 8), will be offered during Summer Session 2 as an online, asynchronous class. Although it is generally intended for those majoring in EXSS, public health, and similar, all majors are welcome! The lab portion of the course will be completed via Labster, an exciting virtual lab simulator! If you have questions about this 4 credit hour course, which will run from June 23-July 25, please contact Dr. Aldred via email - ka59@evansville.edu

ES 103 (Fundamentals of Environmental Science), which fulfills the non-lab science General Education credit (Outcome 8), will be offered during Summer Session 2 as an online, asynchronous class. If you have questions about this 3 credit hour course, which will run from June 23-July 25, please contact Dr. Aldred via email - ka59@evansville.edu

2025-26 MARGERY FLORENCE KAHN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION 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 the 2025-26 academic year may apply. An essay of about 300 words must accompany the application along with two to five faculty recommendation letters.

View the application and faculty recommendation information.

Completed applications and recommendation letters should be returned to the Office of Student Financial Services by MAY 9, 2025.

Questions may be directed to the Office of Student Financial Services at 812-488-2364 or studentfinancialservices@evansville.edu.

Faculty in UE's School of Education engaged in a self-study to evaluate the effectiveness of their elementary and intermediate classroom programs in preparing future educators. The self-study was submitted to the International Literacy Association (ILA) for evaluation. The International Literacy Association National Recognition is awarded to outstanding licensure, certificate, and endorsement programs that prepare literacy professionals.

We are proud to announce that the University of Evansville has become the fifth higher education institution in the United States to earn ILA National Recognition for program alignment to rigorous ILA standards. Only fifteen universities in the United States have earned this distinction, and the University of Evansville is the first university in Indiana to qualify for this honor.

Earning ILA National Recognition demonstrates that UE's School of Education adheres to a rigorous set of standards for preparing literacy professionals, setting us apart from similar programs. This seal of approval, granted only by ILA, shows that the program at UE meets or exceeds ILA's high standards for excellence.

Special thanks are extended to our Dean, Dr. Andy Lampkins, and our Program Chair, Dr. Shari Millikan, for their enduring support and encouragement throughout this long process. We are thankful for your guidance and leadership!

Congratulations to Angie Dawson from our Admissions Team!!

Angie is a one of a kind employee!  She is always willing to help, she goes above and beyond when students come to visit to make sure they have the best experience possible.  Her job touches every aspect of the admission process and she makes sure that it is done with great care and attention to detail.  Not only that Angie is a fantastic colleague, she always makes sure that everyone knows that they are appreciated and that their work matters.  Everyday is a good day when Angie is in the office whether it be her willingness to pitch in and help, or the occasional one-liners that have you in stitches.

Remembering Dr. Leaf Kretz: A Fearless Advocate and Inspirational Educator   The University is saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Leaf Kretz, a former associate professor of philosophy from 2013 to 2022.    Leaf welcomed everyone with open arms. They were a strong and fearless voice against injustice and always an advocate for those less fortunate. They deeply cared about their students and inspired so many by making them think more deeply about the world. Time and again, students’ eyes would light up at the mention of Leaf’s name, exclaiming, “Dr. Kretz is AMAZING.” To put it simply, Leaf was committed to enacting positive change and making the world a better place—not only through their scholarship on hope but through all the people whose lives they personally touched. They were intense and passionate, yet also incredibly genuine and caring. Leaf was deeply committed to the physical and emotional well-being of their students. They truly cared about each and every one of them. Their optimism was not just a feeling but a choice and a form of resistance. As their obituary so aptly states, Leaf carried immense hope for a more equitable and loving world and worked tirelessly to make it real. Their commitment was unrelenting, and their optimism never naïve—it was a discipline, a belief in the possibility of a better future.   “They made us better—more honest, more curious, more human.”   In their 2019 TEDxEvansville talk at UE, Leaf shared a vision for justice and equality, saying: “…I’d like for us to think for just a second about what a wonderful world it would be if accidents of birth didn’t dictate whether you had access to things like higher education, a roof over your head, food in your belly, [or] decent health care.” (Watch here)   Leaf was a fantastic teacher, mentor, and friend. Their scholarship of hope is more desperately needed now than ever.   Dr. Kretz deeply influenced the Department of Philosophy and Religion, fostering critical inquiry, ethical reflection, and a commitment to social responsibility. As one of the founders of the Ethics and Social Change major (now Social Justice), they played a pivotal role in shaping a program that continues to inspire students to engage in meaningful social change. Their legacy lives on in the values of this program and in the countless lives they touched. Their full obituary is available here: https://dartefuneralhome.com/tribute/details/10052/Leaf-Kretz/obituary.html

Some minor changes to the proposed Mini Olympics at Harlaxton have resulted in a significant reduction of cost for this amazing opportunity.

Harlaxton is hosting an inaugural Mini Olympics designed for local students to inspire, elevate, and empower children through the power of sports, whilst enjoying a beautiful, historical setting. Inspire+ is Harlaxton's sponsored charity of the year. Local Olympians and Paralympians host the 3-day event for over 2800 primary grade students from the Grantham area. Harlaxton will host one station that will offer Cheerleading activities, and participants will engage with students during this fun activity.

Participants will arrive on June 6th and tour the Grand Manor State Rooms. On June 7th, participants will travel to Nottingham and visit the City of Caves. On June 8th, participants will tour Belton House and Gardens. June 9, participants will finish the preparations for the Mini Olympics and then the big event takes place June 10-12. On June 13, participants fly home or travel onward on their own.

The total cost for accommodations and meals minus the air fare is $1900 per person. Please contact Lisa Hale at lh241@evansville.edu for more details.

The Purple Aces returned to German American Bank Field on Tuesday night after over a month on the road. UE wasn't quite able to get back to home field advantage against Western Kentucky as the Hilltoppers got a 13-3 win. Evansville will have a second opportunity to pick up a win against WKU at the end of April in Bowling Green as part of a two-game home-and-home series. 

The Aces will quickly have a chance to get their first home win of March this weekend as the Valparaiso Beacons visit GAB Field. Last season, UE took two of three games from the Beacons, winning the first game in eight innings with 13 runs and shutting out Valpo in the series finale. The Beacons do lead the overall series 42-2,9 but Evansville has an 18-10 advantage in the Division I portion of the series dating back to the 1978 season. 

Valparaiso comes into the weekend with a 5-15 overall record and went 1-2 in the opening weekend of Valley play. The Beacons' win over Indiana State on March 21 was their only win over the past week as they fell to Purdue 6-3 on Tuesday and lost to Ball State 14-10 on March 18. Valpo is led by Friday night starter Connor Lockwood, who earned his third career MVC Pitcher of the Week honor this week. Lockwood's honor came after he pitched Valpo to a victory over Indiana State, helping the Beacons beat the Sycamores for the first time since 2007. Lockwood threw 120 pitches over seven innings and did not allow an earned run while racking up 10 strikeouts, scattering five hits, and walking one batter.

Sophomore left fielder Charlie Longmeier (Seymour, Ind. / Seymour HS) earned some national attention for his big weekend against Murray State. Going 7-for-12 (.583) with four doubles and three RBIs made Longmeier one of the 100 best hitters in Division 1 baseball. D1Baseball listed Longmeier as having the 75th best performance in the country with a weighted on base average of 0.692 as he only struck out three times in 16 plate appearances. 

Due to projected weather over the weekend, both Saturday and Sunday's games for UE have been moved up to a 12 p.m. first pitch. Friday's game remains a 6 p.m. first pitch while Evansville will celebrate its 2024 MVC Tournament Championship at Saturday's game. The Aces will hold a banner unveiling Saturday morning before the second game of the series.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Looking to pick up its first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season, the University of Evansville softball team travels to Valparaiso for a 3-game weekend series.

An updated schedule will see the teams play a 12 p.m. doubleheader on Friday before squaring off in a single game on Saturday at 12 p.m. with all three games set to be televised on ESPN+.

Last Time Out

- A late rally saw Missouri State take a 4-3 win in Saturday’s series finale to secure a series sweep over the Purple Aces

- Taylor Howe went 4-for-5 in the contest as UE opened a 3-0 lead before the Bears tied the game with a 3-run fifth inning before scoring the winning run in the 8th

Finishing Strong

- In the series finale at Missouri State, Taylor Howe recorded a career-high four hits as she went 4-for-5 while adding a run

- The effort improved her season batting average to .301

- Howe is tied for 2nd in the MVC with 9 doubles, tied for 6th with 23 RBI and is tied for 10th with 18 runs scored

- On Feb. 25, Howe was named the MVC Player of the Week after batting .455 with four home runs and nine RBI

Hitting Streak

- Sophomore Niki Bode paces the Evansville offense with a .408 batting average, which puts her third in the MVC and enters the weekend with a 5-game hitting streak, the longest current streak on the team

- She is tied for second in the league with three sacrifice flies, 9th with an on-base percentage of 0.455 and 10th with 17 runs scored

Top Six

- Jess Willsey ranks in the top six in the MVC in multiple statistics

- Her rankings include 2nd in runs (24), T-3rd with 98 at-bats, T-4th in home runs (7), T-4th with 8 doubles, and T-6th with 23 RBI,