Lot C will be closed Friday, May 1, for curb painting as part of UE Gives Back. It will be closed between midnight and 2 p.m. CDT. Please plan accordingly.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2026 Philathropy Week Scavenger Hunt. Congratulations to our winner Rayanna Garrison.

The University of Evansville is excited to announce the return of UE Gives Back! Please mark your calendars for Friday, May 1, and join us for a day of service to support and enhance our campus.

With approval from your immediate supervisor and as schedules permit, employees may participate without using vacation time.

Projects this year include:

• Mulch areas along the walk between the Library, Olmsted, and the Oval (including Memorial Plaza/Ann Cooper Garden and surrounding beds)
• Add trap rock to the bed near the ADA entrance on the southeast corner of Olmsted
• Paint curbs and parking lines along the Oval
• Paint curbs at the Koch Center parking lot
• Mulch areas around building signage or place trap rock where applicable
• Power wash at Memorial Plaza, SOBA, and the Koch Center
• Clean outfield mats at the baseball field
• Paint handrails at the Panhellenic Center
• Add sand to the Hale Hall volleyball court and clean up the surrounding area

You can sign up for a project using the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44AAAC2EAAFDC25-63105190-uegives

If you have any questions, please contact Keith Gehlhausen (kg77@evansville.edu) or Apryl Weatherford (aw605@evansville.edu).

Division of Talent & Community

2026 Summer Hours

From Monday, May 11 through Friday, August 14, 2026, we’ll be shifting to a slightly sunnier schedule:

• Monday–Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Regular hours return Monday, August 17.

Juneteenth – Recognized as Federal Holiday for 2026

For the third year, all University offices will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.

July 4 Holiday

UE closed on Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3, in addition to the Fourth of July, which falls on a Saturday this year.

On May 4th at 7:30, we will be presenting a concert of ALL ORIGINAL MUSIC composed by UE Students and Faculty.

This concert will be held in the John David Lutz Theatre Lab in Hyde Hall, and will utilize the Immersive Audio Environment installed by Jon Robertson.

Please join us and celebrate the talented composer community of UE!

Featured composers and singer/songwriters on this concert are:

• Tommy Housman
• Tomi Akinwande
• Kurt Sparks
• Mags Payne
• Nico Herbert
• Jon Robertson

With a band of talented UE Musicians:

• Jace Castaneda
• Kennedy Olson
• Micah Traweek
• Jonathan Hartard
• Tyler Guthrie
• Charles du Preez

The University of Evansville Leadership Awards celebrate the achievements of outstanding students who have dmeonstrated exceptional leadership on campus. Established in 1983, this annual event brings together multiple departments to honor students for thei dedication, service, amd impact in various areas of campus life. The awards highlight the diverse talents and contributions of UE students, fostering a sense of community and recognizing those who inspire others through their leadership.

The Leadership Awards will take place on April 29th in Eykamp Hall from 6pm - 8pm. Doors open at 5:30pm. Attire is semi-formal.

RSVP for the Leadership Awards here!

Free off site paper shredding by Piranha Mobile Shredding will return to the campus once again! All UE students, faculty, staff and alumni can take advantage of this free service by bringing paper to the Piranha truck in Koch parking lot. Paper will be shredded offsite.

So, if mounds of paper are taking over your office, home, or room, this is the time to gather those old files, receipts, cancelled checks, tax forms, etc. No need to take out the staples or paper clips. Avoid identity theft by having confidential information permanently destroyed.

Please no telephone books, magazines or newspapers. Also, please note that there is a 100lb. paper limit per visit (number of visits is not limited).

Students and employees (faculty, administrators and staff) can bring the following personal, obsolete electronic equipment to be recycled at no cost:

• LCD displays, LCD TV’s and LCD monitors, computers, printers, fax machines, laptops, cell phones, PDAs, cables, circuit boards, connectors, electrical equipment, audio video equipment, DVD players, stereos, radios, calculators, speakers, VCRs. Small quantities of batteries will be accepted.

The following items will NOT be accepted:

• CRT TV’s and CRT computer monitors

• Fluorescent light bulbs (including compact bulbs), refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, stoves, vacuum cleaners, dehumidifiers, leaking or enlarged batteries and any other items C&I deems unallowable

• Electronics owned by the University.

NOTE: The cost of processing CRT TV’s and CRT computer monitors has increased significantly, and the University is no longer able to cover these items.

Accepted items included: TVs, computers, monitors, printers, hard drives, laptops, fax/scanners, cell phones, DVD players, digital cameras, modems

Not Accepted: copy machines, microwaves, appliances

For more information or questions contact Amber Elkins at ae152 or 2697.

The Pancake Study Break is coming up on Reading/Study Day - Thursday, April 30.

Students - Join us for pancakes and more on Thursday, April 30, from 9:00-11:00 p.m. at The Eatery in Ridgway University Center. There will also be drawings for prizes - so don't miss out!

The Pancake Study Break is offered free of charge to UE students on Reading/Study Day. UE ID required.

The Center for Professional and Continuing Education invites you to join us for our upcoming Lunch and Learn workshop, Delegation: An Essential Skill for Enhancing Leadership and Teams, on Tuesday, May 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Eykamp Hall, Room 252.

In this interactive session, Dr. Tad Dickel will share how to delegate effectively by matching tasks to team strengths, avoiding common pitfalls, and ensuring accountability.  Participants will gain tools to delegate with clarity and confidence, unlocking greater productivity, engagement, and leadership growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the role of delegation in leadership development
• Identify what and when to delegate
• Match tasks to team member strengths
• Avoid common delegation pitfalls
• Ensure accountability and follow-through

Lunch will be provided.

Cost: $15 per participant
Registration Deadline: Friday, May 1

REGISTER HERE

Join us for the Hanns Pieper Photo Exhibit Reception on Thursday, April 30 at 4:00 p.m. in Krannert Gallery.

This annual exhibition celebrates the creative work of University of Evansville employees - past and present - featuring photography by faculty, staff, and retirees.

This year’s exhibiting artists include Corliss Chastain, Nancy Lockyear, Patty McCrory, Hanns Pieper, PhD, Mari Plikuhn, Lynn Penland, Eric Renschler, Jon Robertson, and Steve Worthington.

All are welcome to attend and support our campus community of artists. We hope to see you there!

Office of Alumni and Engagement – Student Worker Position

Student workers in the Office of Alumni and Engagement are part of the Development and Alumni Relations team. They contribute fresh ideas, take responsibility for their work, and gain valuable real-world professional experience. The department is committed to supporting student growth and skill development.

Primary Duties Include:

• Typing, filing, copying, and organizing materials

• Preparing mailings and event materials

• Maintaining alumni database information, including email addresses, phone numbers, and event attendance

• Assisting with social media posts

• Answering phones and providing general office support

• Preparing name tags, labels, table tents, and event supplies

• Assisting at alumni events as needed

Skills Required:

• Strong attention to detail

• Professional manners and a good understanding of written and spoken English

• Basic typing skills

• Familiarity with social media posting

• Experience with Microsoft Excel and Word

• Dependability and initiative

• Interest in gaining more than a basic work experience

Please submit application for employment to Dina Willming dw285@evansville.edu.

The Office of Marketing has recently adopted two policies that are now available on the office's website: the Preferred Vendor Policy and the Preferred Photographer Policy. We ask all campus departments to please review these policies to be informed, especially if you ever print materials, order promotional items/swag, or request a photographer for your department.

Should you have any questions about the policies, please contact Julie Beer with the Office of Marketing at x2236 or jb855@evansville.edu.

PREFERRED VENDOR POLICY (for printing and promotional items)

If you are seeking approval to work with a vendor not listed above, please contact the Office of Marketing. If we determine your vendor meets print quality standards, they may be added to the preferred list.

Thank you for upholding this policy, which helps protect the brand standards and professional quality expected of the University.

PREFERRED PHOTOGRAPHER POLICY

The UE Office of Marketing strives to maintain a consistent, high-quality style across all photography representing the University. As such, Marketing has a Preferred Photographer Policy that includes vendors with trusted quality, style, professionalism, and familiarity with the University’s photography expectations. These vendors also agree to an hourly rate established by the Office of Marketing.

Any department in need of professional photos for an event should first contact the Office of Marketing to book a photographer. The office can help with coordination and communication, and an estimate of the total cost will be provided. If direct coordination is more appropriate, the office will provide contact information for the photographer once availability is confirmed.

After your event, the photographer typically uploads high-resolution images to the digital asset manager for the Office of Marketing. After photos are tagged and approved, a link will be provided to view and download your images.

As of April 2026, the University’s preferred vendor for photography is Kylie McFall Photography. In the event Kylie is unavailable, the Office of Marketing will find an approved replacement.

If you have a photographer you would like the Office of Marketing to consider as an approved photographer, please contact our department.

In Episode 6, José Ocampo talks with Dr. Héctor Will Pinto about his journey from Honduras to becoming an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at UE. Have a listen!

Celebrating Hispanic Voices – Apple Podcasts – Episode 6 – Season 3 – Dr. Héctor Will Pinto's Story

Celebrating Hispanic Voices – Spotify – Episode 6 – Season 3 – Dr. Héctor Will Pinto's Story

 Thank you to our production team, Ale España and Tommy Housman!

The Writing Center is currently accepting applications for writing consultant positions for Fall 2026. If you'd like to apply, please fill out the form linked here. Contact Kristina Groves at kg76@evansville.edu if you have any questions.

Employment/Job Application for the Writing Center – Fill out form

The Office of Institutional Equity and Title IX (OIETX)relocated from the Koch Center to the Library. You can now find the OIETIX in the Library rooms 150 and 152. You can find these offices by entering through the main Bower-Surheinrich Library entrance, turning to your right, and walking through the door that says 'To Title IX/Office of Institutional Equity and  OTS'. The offices are the first two doors on your left once you go through the door.

Are you participating in the Secret Ace program this year? We are currently working to confirm the list of participants and need your help. If you are participating in Secret Ace, please send an email to Jenni Sauls at js944@evansville.edu to let me know. If you have already responded to an email sent directly to you, no further action is needed—thank you!

CT-101 is a relatively new course offering at UE. It is a great option for incoming freshman, or students looking for an elective in the creative and technology sector. This course is an overview of practices in Performing Arts, Live Entertainment, and Interactive Media. Contact Jon Robertson, jr462@evansville.edu with any questions.

Beginning Friday, May 1st, all official transcript requests will be held until final grades for the spring term have been verified. Unofficial transcripts will still be available through Self-Service.

Spring graduates should select “Hold for Degree" when ordering a transcript. Once final grades are verified and degrees are conferred, official transcript orders will be processed.

Please note a correction regarding the upcoming reception for the Employee Photo Exhibit in the Krannert Gallery. 

The reception will now take place on Thursday, April 30, at 4:00 PM.

We apologize for any confusion caused by the previous announcement and look forward to seeing you there to celebrate the work of our colleagues.

Read Harder Challenge!

If you’ve participated in the Read Harder Challenge this year then it’s almost time to turn in your reading list! Your goal was to read eight books from September to April, four of which fill one of the criteria below. It’s not too late! If you’re an avid reader you can still read eight books before April 30!

1.      Read a book by a BIPOC author.

2.      Reread a Childhood favorite.

3.      Read a book about immigration or refugees.

4.      Read a nonfiction book about nature or the environment.

5.      Read a banned book.

6.      Read a book about little known history.

7.      Read a queernorm book.

8.      Read a book in a genre that you haven’t explored before.

When you finish your eight books, turn your reading list in to the Information Desk on the first floor of the library. Students will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card. The winner will be announced on May 1^st.

Jon Robertson, Director of Creative Technologies, is building an internal database of singer/songwriters and composers across the university, welcoming all skill levels from both students and faculty alike.

This is a Creative Technologies initiative aimed at connecting musicians who may want to collaborate and create together, with more opportunities on the horizon.

If that sounds like you, please reach out to Jon with a brief introduction: jr462@evansville.edu 488-1158 

Summer session due dates:

Summer Session 1: May 1, 2026

Summer Session 2: June 1, 2026

Summer Session 3: July 1, 2026

Summer Session 4: May 1, 2026

For more information, please contact Student Financial Services at 812-488-2565

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.

Eligible students for the 2026-2027 Hartig Memorial Scholarship will be sophomores in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Deadline: Please return all materials to the Office of Student Financial Services by May 4, 2026. The decision will be announced by May 25, 2026.

Questions: Amber Chandler, Administrative Assistant to the Office of Student Financial Services, at ac547@evansville.edu or 812-488-2364

Access the application and faculty recommendation information.

2026-27 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 2026-27 academic year may apply. An essay of about 300 words must accompany the application along with two to five faculty recommendation letters.

Download the application and faculty recommendation information.

Completed applications and recommendation letters should be returned to the Office of Student Financial Services by MAY 8, 2026.

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

WATERLOO, Ill. – Omar Khalid finished in third place to lead the University of Evansville men’s golf team to a fourth-place finish at the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Championship at Annbriar Golf Club.

Khalid posted a 2-under 69 in Tuesday’s final round of the tournament and completed the event with a 7-under 206. He finished two behind runner-up Anthony De Schutter of Southern Illinois and just three strokes behind league champion Francis Bautista of Illinois State.  Khalid was named to the All-Conference Team.

His finish was just the third top four finish at the MVC Championship for the men’s squad since 2012. Andrew Luo was the runner-up in 2012 while Rick Voyvodic came in fourth place in the 2016 tournament.

Evansville finished in fourth place in the final team standings, its best finish since tying for the fourth position in 2015. The best finish for the Purple Aces came in 2002 when the team took third place. It is just the third top four team tournament finish since its first MVC Championship in 1995.

Daniil Romashkin was second on the team and tied for 16^th on the final leaderboard. He posted an even 71 on Tuesday and completed the three rounds with a 5-over 218. Completing the tournament one behind him was Juliann Kiesslinng. He carded a 2-over 73 in the last round and wrapped up the week with a 6-over 219.

Next up for the Aces was Mason Taylor. His low round of the week saw him register a 2-under 69 in the final 18 holes to complete the tournament with a 9-over 222. He tied for 31^st. Jamison Ousley tied for 33^rd in the final standings. His even round on Tuesday saw him complete the event with a 10-over 223.

Following the completion of the tournament, Daniil Romashkin was named the recipient of the Elite 18 Award. The Elite 18 Award Program was established by the MVC in the fall of 2010 to honor the highest achievement in academics and athletics by a student-athlete in each MVC-sponsored sport. Modeled after the NCAA Elite 90 Academic Recognition Award Program, the MVC Elite 18 award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average competing at the finals site at each of the MVC’s 18 team championships.

Romashkin is the second UE player to earn the award on the men’s golf side. Quinn Vilneff was the recipient in 2013.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The final week of the 2026 regular season begins on Wednesday when the University of Evansville softball team travels to Indiana. Game time is set for 5 p.m. CST with B1G+ having the broadcast.

Evansville MVC Notes

- Evansville won its 12th MVC game on April 24 at UIC; it is UE’s highest MVC win tally since 2016 and is the 7th time the Purple Aces have won 12+ MVC games since joining the league

- Since its first season of MVC softball in 1995, the Aces have won double digit conference games on 15 occasions including the 2026 campaign

- The highest MVC win tally for the program came in 2001 when the Aces won 19; the second-highest mark was a 16-win season in 2002

- Highest UE win totals in MVC:

            1) 19 wins       2001

            2) 16 wins       2002

            3) 13 wins       2003, 2004

            4) 12 wins       2007, 2016, 2026

            5) 11 wins       1995, 2000, 2008, 2013, 2017, 2021

            6) 10 wins       2010, 2024

- With the season entering its final two weekends, the Aces have put themselves into position to earn a top 6 finish for the first time since 2016

- Since joining the league in 1995, the program has finished in the top six on 12 occasions

- Evansville’s top finishes have included 1st (2000), 2nd (2001), 4th (1995, 2002), 5th (1999, 2003, 2007, 2016), 6th (1997, 1998, 2004, 2008)

MVC Player of the Week

- Niki Bode was named the MVC Player of the Week on April 28 following a 4-game stretch that saw her bat .818 while posting an on-base tally of .875

- In a single game at NKU and the 3-game series at UIC, Bode went 9-for-11 while posting 7 runs, 5 walks, and 3 RBI

- The latest streak has lifted her season batting average to .407 as she looks to become just the third player in program history to finish a season batting over .400

- Bode has accumulated 17 doubles on the season and is in 4th place on the UE single-season list; she is one away from tying the third-highest mark

- Her 17 doubles rank second in the MVC while her batting average is fourth

- In 23 games since March 14, Bode is batting .444 going 32-72

Adding to her Numbers

- Over the last 17 games, Taylor Howe is batting .373 with 19 hits in 51 at-bats and is now batting .314 on the season

- She has scored a team-best 35 runs, which is tied for 11th in the MVC while her 11 doubles are tied for 11th in the league

- Howe went 2-2 with two walks in the game two victory at Bradley

Making a Run

- Alexis Tucker has thrown 11 1/3 scoreless inning over her last two starts while evening her season record at 7-7

- Tucker threw 6 1/3 innings allowing six hits at Bradley before tossing five shutout innings last weekend at UIC

- She struck out a season-high 7 batters in the win over Indiana State in just 4 1/3 innings of work

ST. LOUIS – In a week that saw her bat an unreal .818, University of Evansville junior Niki Bode was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week on Tuesday.

Bode recorded nine hits in 11 at-bats. Her on-base percentage was even higher as a total of five walks gave her a final tally of .875. She added three RBI and two doubles.

In the midweek contest at Northern Kentucky, Bode was a perfect 2-2 with two runs, two walks, a double, and RBI. She followed that up with another perfect effort in the series opener at UIC. Bode was 4-4 with two more runs and another double. Game two against the Flames saw her go 1-2 with two RBI, two walks, and two runs scored.

She completed the weekend going 2-3 with her seventh run of the week and another walk.

WATERLOO, Ill. – Strong efforts from Omar Khalid and Julian Kiessling helped the University of Evansville men’s golf team rise to 4^th place in Monday’s second round of the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Men’s Golf Championship at Annbriar Golf Club.

Khalid and Kiessling each completed the second round with scores of 72, one over par. Coupled with his 6-under 65 in Sunday’s first round, Khalid holds a 2-round tally of 137. He is tied for second place entering Tuesday’s final 18 holes.

Kiessling also recorded a 72 on the second day of the tournament. He opened with a 3-over 74 and heads into the final day tied for 18^th place with a 146. One stroke behind him is Daniil Romashkin. He carded a 2-over 73 on Monday to rank in a tie for 22^nd with a 147.

Next up is Jamison Ousley. He carded a 77 in round two and is in 33^rd place with a 152. Mason Taylor is one behind Ousley with a 153. After posting a 77 to open the event, Taylor lowered his score to a 76 on Monday.

Evansville sits in 4^th place heading into the final round. The Purple Aces are at 13-ver and lead 5^th place Drake by four strokes. UE is 12 behind Southern Illinois who sits third. Illinois State registered a team score of 11-under to take the team lead. They pace Murray State by 11 strokes.

Francis Bautista of the Redbirds is the individual lead. He recorded a 4-under 67 on Sunday before completing Monday with the low round of the day – a 6-under 65. He leads Khalid and SIU’s Anthony De Schutter by five shots with 18 holes remaining.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. –  The University of Evansville baseball team took the series finale at Indiana State in dramatic fashion on Sunday afternoon, taking the lead in the top of the ninth inning before holding on in the bottom half to take a 4-3 win.
 
Kenton Deverman (Dardenne Prairie, Mo./Fort Zumwalt West) got the start on the mound and was excellent, limiting the Sycamores to two runs across six innings of work. Owen Byberg (Barrie, Ontario/Frontier CC) got the win in relief working two scoreless frames, while Chris McCormack (Naperville, Ill./Iowa Central CC) got the save by stranding runners on first and third with two outs in the ninth inning.
 
Spike Magill (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista) had two hits to lead the Aces offensively, while Drew McConnell (Blue Springs, Mo./Blue Springs) and Benji Kautto (Toronto, Ontario/W. Technical Commercial) picked up RBIs.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Indiana State scored first in the bottom of the third, using a home run to take a 1-0 lead. Evansville responded in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of an error and a wild pitch to plate two and take the lead.
 
Deverman kept the Aces in the lead in the middle innings, striking out two in a 1-2-3 fourth inning before stranding a runner in the fifth. Indiana State used a 2-out double to tie things up at two in the sixth, but Deverman stranded runners at second and third ot get out of the inning.  
 
Byberg took over in the seventh and stranded a pair before stranding the bases loaded in the eighth to keep the game tied.
 
In the top of the ninth, the Aces took advantage of two Sycamore errors to take the lead before Kautto delivered a clutch hit with two outs to give the Aces a 2-run advantage.
 
Indiana State came storming back in the bottom of the ninth, plating a run on an RBI double and putting runners on first and third with nobody out. However, McCormack came up big, striking out two before getting a lineout to second base to end the game and clinch a 4-3 win.
 
UP NEXT
Evansville returns home next week, taking on SIUE on Tuesday before hosting UIC for a crucial MVC series. First pitch for Tuesday's midweek contest is set for 6 p.m.

LOUISVILLE – The University of Evansville track & field team saw four program records fall in the final day of action at the Clark/Woods Invitational. 

Women 
Kyleigh Wolf (Columbus, Ind./Columbus North) picked up the first program record of the day, taking down the 3000 meter steeplechase record with a time of 11:38.11 to place eighth. 

Tristen Thomas (York, Pa./West York) took down the next record, breaking her own triple jump record with a mark of 10.98 meters while placing 27th. 

The third record of the day came from Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz), who smashed her own 400 meter record for the second consecutive week with a time of 55.76 to finish 12th. 

Emma Bertel (Franklin, Ind./Franklin Community) and Amick McClelland (Quincy, Ill./Quincy) also competed for the Aces, with Bertel placing 13th in discus with a mark of 38.79 meters, and McClelland taking 41st in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:54.25. 

Men
Rafael Rodriguez (Segovia, Spain/Colegio Claret) had a huge day on the men's side, taking first place in the 1500 meters while breaking a program record that had stood since 1983 with a time of 3:43.94. 

Brody Riggs (Fort Branch, Ind./Gibson Southern) and Josiah Hoehn (Hazel Crest, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor) also notched personal bests, with Riggs placing 17th in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 14.84, while Hoehn placed 21st in the 110 meter hurdles with a time of 15.23.

The University of Evansville (UE) is proud to announce that its renovated athletics facility will be named the Begle Family Sports Performance Center in recognition of the leadership giving of Trustee Curt Begle ’99 and his wife, Kelley Begle ’00.

The Board of Trustees approved the recognition unanimously during their February meeting and the Begle’s along with University leaders officially cut the ribbon during a ceremony on Friday.

The Begle family’s long-standing support has culminated in a major investment that will directly enhance the student-athlete experience. This project, funded entirely through private gifts, has already surpassed $800,000. The new facility will provide space for training, recovery, and development, serving all 300 student-athletes across UE’s 17 NCAA Division I programs.

Further enhancements to the space will focus on the holistic well-being of student-athletes, with an emphasis on nutrition and opportunities for engagement that strengthen community and team connections.

“When I first arrived at UE, it was clear to me that the greatest facility need for our entire department was a new sports performance center that could serve all 300 of our student-athletes.” said Director of Athletics Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried. “The Begle Family Sports Performance Center will transform the student-athlete experience at UE and provide our coaches with a first-class tool for recruiting the brightest and best. We are deeply grateful to the Begle family and to all of our supporters who stepped forward to make this vision a reality,”

“This project will give all student-athletes the resources they need to grow physically and mentally, supporting their overall well-being and helping them perform at their best in every aspect of their college experience,” said Head Men’s Basketball Coach David Ragland.

Curt Begle knows the impact this project will have firsthand. A forward on the Purple Aces men’s basketball team, he was part of the 1999 squad, the last UE team to compete in the NCAA Tournament. Since graduating from UE, Begle has become Chief Executive Officer of Magnera Corporation. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2019, is co-chair of the 50th Anniversary Plane Crash Task Force and is a highly involved member of the Athletic Director’s Council.

Kelley Meisler-Begle ’00, a former member of the cheer team and Acettes, has also been devoted to UE. She has hosted University events, supported multiple sports, and attended games courtside for years with Curt and their son, Crue. Together, Curt and Kelley have encouraged other donors to support the project and provided input on its design to ensure it meets the needs of student-athletes.

“Kelley and I know the lessons athletics instill last a lifetime, including teamwork, perseverance, and resilience,” said Begle. “UE made those lessons real for me, and it has been our privilege to give back. We are proud that this support will help every student-athlete pursue excellence here and step into the world ready to lead.”

Curt and Kelley Begle have shown how generosity can shape lives and strengthen community. Their legacy reflects a strong future for the University of Evansville, where ideas are launched and meaningful change takes root.

The University of Evansville (UE) is introducing new transfer-friendly policies designed to expand access to higher education and create more seamless pathways for students to earn a UE degree.

These updates reflect the University's continued commitment to removing barriers and increasing opportunity for students from a wide range of educational backgrounds.

"Our mission calls us to develop the intellectual and personal potential of every student," said UE Acting Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Mary Kessler. "By enhancing our transfer policies, we are opening doors wider for students who are seeking a personalized, high-impact education that prepares them to change lives and change the world."

UE will now accept up to 90 credit hours from regionally accredited institutions, making it easier for transfer students to bring more of their previous coursework with them and stay on track to graduate. Most courses with a grade of C- or higher will be considered for transfer, helping students save both time and money. To earn a UE degree, students will complete at least 30 credit hours at the University, including their final 15, to ensure a meaningful on-campus academic experience. While some majors require sequenced upper-level courses that may affect timing, the policy is designed to balance flexibility with the quality of a UE education.

The initiative aligns with the University's broader strategic priorities to expand access for student success and strengthen partnerships with regional institutions. Students interested in transferring to the University of Evansville can learn more about the updated policies and admissions process at the UE transfer admissions page.