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Staples to be awarded USI President’s Medal at Spring 2023 Commencement Ceremonies

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Savannah M. Staples, who will graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in English teaching and minors in secondary education licensure and psychology, has been named the recipient of the President’s Medal, the highest honor bestowed to a graduate in the Class of 2023.

An avid volunteer, a recipient of the Sherrianne Standley Service Award, and the Indiana Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Outstanding Future Educator Award winner, Staples is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in and beyond the classroom.

During her time at USI, she has been extensively involved in the Honors Program. During her senior year, Staples served as the Honors Program Co-Service Chair, planning several service events including “After School @ USI” and “Service Saturday at Posey Humane Society (PHS).”

Staples brought junior high students from the Dream Center—an after-school program serving underprivileged students—to campus for “After School @ USI,” exposing them to the benefits of higher education. At “Service Saturday at PHS,” she volunteered alongside 22 USI Honors students. Additionally, she has served as an Honors Program mentor and Honors Living Learning Community member.

At the start of her senior year, Staples represented USI internationally as one of the first students to study abroad post-pandemic. As a USI Global Engagement Scholar, she studied diversity and representation trends in children’s literature in Dublin, Ireland, during the 2022 Summer Semester. Staples presented her vast findings at the Global Engagement Research Forum during the 2022-23 academic year, allowing her to establish a strong foundation as a social justice orientated educator for her future students.

For her 2022 Fall Semester Honors Capstone project, she tirelessly researched how racism, gender discrimination, and classism affect secondary schools, providing recommendations from her research to school administrators, teachers and education students. Her research was also presented at the USI Honors Symposium during the 2022 Fall Semester.

Staples, who served as a Study Abroad Ambassador and an Emerging Leader, has volunteered countless hours tutoring K-12 students in the Evansville community and has worked with young writers in her hometown public library system, helping them become more confident in their writing abilities.

Those who recommend her note her passion for lifelong learning, dedication to service and humble leadership style. Staples serves as a role model for how to act in the classroom, both as a fellow student and as a future educator determined to make a difference.

Following her graduation, she will continue to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in education by teaching high school English at a local public school. Staples expresses great appreciation for her Honors Program Co-Service chair, Kinley Day, the Honors Program team and all her influential professors in the USI English and Teacher Education departments.

Other finalists for the President’s Medal from the Class of 2023 included Hortensia M. Almanza Guizado, Molly E. Donoho and Sarah E. Fruit. The Student Affairs Committee of Faculty Senate annually selects the recipient of the President’s Medal.

The Shield To Release Magazine Unmasked At SGA, APB Partnered USI Event

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The Shield, the University of Southern Indiana’s student-run newspaper, in partnership with the USI Student Government Association (SGA) and Activities Programming Board (APB), will host a kickoff event, Unmasking USI, in celebration of the end of the Spring Semester and for the release of Unmasked: Unmasking the Story of How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected the University of Southern Indiana from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 24 on The Quad. The event is open to the USI community.

Unmasked: Unmasking the Story of How the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected the University of Southern Indiana is The Shield’s 56-page special edition retrospective magazine telling the story of how the COVID-19 pandemic affected USI. The magazine will feature four sections: Going Home, Returning to Campus, Entering New Normal and Managing COVID-19. Unmasking USI is making history as the first USI event to be hosted by The Shield, SGA and APB.

“The purpose of Unmasked is to reflect and remember the stories of the USI community during the global COVID-19 pandemic,” says Shelby Clark, Editor-in-Chief of The Shield. “This magazine will serve as a record for these moments in the University’s history. I am so proud of my incredible staff for investing their energy and efforts into this historic magazine in addition to the work they complete as full-time students and full-time Shield staff. We could not think of a better way to release our magazine than partnering with SGA and APB, making USI history once again with the event Unmasking USI.”

Unmasking USI will feature a cookout on The Quad, Kona Ice, giveaways, tabling from over 20 campus organizations and appearances by Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, USI President, Archie the Eagle and the USI Dance Team.

“Unmasking USI with SGA, APB and The Shield is meant to celebrate our return to normalcy,” says Taegan Garner, SGA President. “It has been so nice to see everyone on campus, and we want to celebrate where we have been and where we are going.”

Kyler Kennett, APB President, adds, “The Activities Programming Board is excited to work together with SGA and The Shield to put on an event that hopefully reaches the majority of campus and celebrates campus after COVID.”

VU distance runner Hope Laughlin signs with Nova Southeastern

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VINCENNES, Ind. – Vincennes University Track and Field distance runner, sophomore Hope Laughlin (Olney, Ill.) signed to continue her athletic and academic careers at NCAA Division II Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Wednesday afternoon.

Laughlin is joining a Sharks program led by Head Coach Bryan Hagopian, who has coached 42 Individual Conference Champions and 12 NCAA All-Americans in his 12 year career at Nova Southeastern.

“Nova has a very good athletic and academic program,” Laughlin said. “They also have a lot of internships and opportunities that will help me build my resume and experience for my masters degree and future career as an occupational therapist. Also the warm weather and the beach definitely played an important factor in my choice.”

Laughlin has been a member of the Trailblazers Cross Country and Track and Field programs the last two seasons, competing in the 800, 1000, 1500, mile, 3000 and 5000 meter races for the VU Track program.

Laughlin recently set a new PR in the Mile at the GVSU Bill Clinger Classic in Allendale, Mich., posting a time of 5:47.78.

Laughlin also closed out her VU Cross Country career in style, setting a new PR at the 2022 NJCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships with a time of 21:42.5.

Laughlin also has collegiate PRs of 2:42.69 in the 800, 3:34.69 in the 1000, 5:22.67 in the 1500, 11:42.20 in the 3000 and 21:25.66 in the 5000 in her VU track career.

Laughlin also competed as a member of the Vincennes Distance Medley Relay (DMR) team at the 2022 NJCAA Indoor Track and Field National Championships. Her team finished with a time of 13:48.54 and placed 14th overall.

Laughlin has helped guide the VU women’s Track team to a No. 24-ranking in the USTFCCCA polls and the VU women’s Cross Country program to a No. 16-ranking this past fall.

“My favorite memories at VU were spending time with my teammates at Track and Cross Country meets,” Laughlin added. “Especially the exhilarating feelings of experiencing all of my teammates and myself succeed and celebrating our races and successes.”

“My coaches and teachers have always believed in me and supported me with my busy schedule balancing sports, school and work all at the same time,” Laughlin said. “They have always had high expectations for me that has pushed me to continue to work hard every day and to push through any hard tasks such as hard practices, races, or busy weeks of schoolwork and it has helped me learn about balance and growth as a person.”

The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Hope Laughlin on her signing with Nova Southeastern University and wishes her good luck as she continues her running career next fall.

USI Chamber and Women’s Choirs to perform 2023 Spring Concert, preview pieces to be performed on Ireland tour

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The University of Southern Indiana Chamber Choir and Women’s Choir, under the direction of Daniel Craig, Associate Professor of Music, will perform their 2023 Spring Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 23 at Old North United Methodist Church, located at 4201 Stringtown Road. The concert is open to the public at no charge.

This concert will feature two pieces for double choir. The first piece, O Filii et Filiae by Volckmar Leisring, is a piece for the Easter season, arranged for a choir of tenors and basses and a second choir of soprano and altos. The second work, A Hymn to the Mother of God by John Taverner, is written for two mixed choirs.

This concert will also feature pieces that will appear on the Chamber Choir’s 2023 Emerald Isle tour, happening May 15-22. The Chamber Choir will be performing concerts in Ireland, including Lisdoonvarna, County Clare; Clifden, County Connemara; Kylemore Abbey, County Connemara; and at the Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. The Choir will also partner with the Mayo All Male Voice Choir for a concert in Westport, County Mayo, Ireland.

“This choir has produced a concert of music with great blend, clarity and emotion,” Craig says. “I am proud to have them sing in some of the finest concert venues in Ireland.”

For more information on upcoming performances, contact Craig at dcraig@usi.edu.

Dept. of Agriculture receives over $1 million in funding for gulf hypoxia zone

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INDIANAPOLIS (April 19, 2023) — The Indiana State Department of Agriculture’s Soil Conservation Division received $1,713,333 from the US EPA through the Gulf Hypoxia Program created under the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states in their nutrient reduction strategy efforts.

“Indiana’s water and soil are some of our most valuable resources,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “This funding will go a long way in furthering the efforts of the Indiana State Nutrient Reduction Strategy.”

The Gulf Hypoxia Program seeks to lessen the downstream impact of excessive nutrient loads into the Gulf of Mexico. Eutrophication, or nutrient enrichment of waters, is a concern in many areas of the United States as well as around the world. Nutrients are an essential part of the water system for plant and animal life, however when there is an excess of nutrients, it can cause water quality impairments such as hazardous algal blooms and oxygen depleted water.

“Indiana is grateful to have received funding through EPA’s Gulf Hypoxia Program to continue and grow our nutrient reduction strategy,” said Don Lamb, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “The work done through the strategy is critical in ensuring Indiana’s lakes, streams and river’s health improves, as well as those downstream.

This funding will allow ISDA to support efforts to improve water quality through the Division of Soil Conservation and partnerships. The agency plans to develop a statewide soil sampling program aimed at increasing the adoption of nutrient management to minimize nutrient runoff and improve nutrient use efficiency across the state. Additionally, ISDA will partner with Purdue University to create an Indiana Nutrient Research and Education Program (INREP) to continue and expand the work of the Indiana Science Assessment to improve methods for quantifying nutrient reduction from conservation practices and to determine conservation practice efficiency.

This funding will complement and contribute to the efforts and success of the Indiana State Nutrient Reduction Strategy. This strategy represents the state’s commitment to reduce nutrient runoff from point sources and non-point sources alike, to ultimately improve water quality in Indiana lakes, streams and rivers, and downstream in the Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico, and Great Lakes.

“I am very appreciative that ISDA has received this funding from EPA to grow our staff support and expand upon programs with proven success,” said Julie Harrold, ISDA Program Manager for Water Quality Initiatives. “With this funding, and future expected funding under the Gulf Hypoxia Program, we will be able to implement a variety of meaningful projects we did not previously have the funding and resources to execute.”

Partners for this project include Indiana Conservation Partnership, Indiana Agriculture Nutrient Alliance, ag retailers, Certified Crop Advisors, Purdue University and landowners. The funding is expected to sustain efforts through September of 2025, with additional future funding expected through the Gulf Hypoxia Program.

Eagles fly through Oaks, 15-6

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball banged out 18 hits in flying through Oakland City University, 15-6, Wednesday evening at the USI Baseball Field. USI watched its record go to 11-25 overall, while OCU goes to 24-18 this spring.
 
USI led from the opening frame, posting a tally in the first, before exploding for 12 runs between the third and sixth innings to lead 13-0. The Eagles took command with six in the third and sealed the victory with five in fourth and one more in the fifth.
 
Oakland City, however, was not ready for game to end early, cutting the margin to seven runs with six unanswered tallies between the sixth and eighth frames. The Mighty Oaks posted one in the sixth, three in the seventh, and two in the eighth to close to within 13-7.
 
USI responded with two more runs in the eighth to close out the scoring in the 15-6 victory.
 
At the plate, senior second baseman/rightfielder Lucas McNew (Floyds Knobs, Indiana) led the offensive explosion by going four-for-five with three runs scored and two RBIs. Junior first baseman Jack Ellis (Jeffersonville, Indiana) was one-for-one with a home run, a three-run blast in the fourth, and four RBIs overall, while junior designated hitter Tucker Ebest (Austin, Texas) was two-for-four with two runs scored and a two-run home run in the third.
 
USI junior right-hander Trent Robinson (Louisville, Kentucky) led seven Eagle hurlers and picked up his first win of the season. Robinson (1-1), who struck out a season-high five batters, blanked the Mighty Oaks through the first four frames on one hit and three walks.
 
Up Next for the Eagles:  
USI, which is 3-9 in conference action, continues the five-game homestand this weekend when it hosts a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series with Eastern Illinois University April 21-23. The first pitch Friday is set for 6 p.m., continues Saturday at 2 p.m., and concludes Sunday at noon.
 
The series between USI and EIU tilts toward the Panthers, who hold an 18-5 series margin. EIU has won the last four meetings, taking the last meeting in 2002, 7-3, at USI. The last time the Eagles were victorious over the Panthers was in 1986 when USI won the first half of a doubleheader, 3-1.  
 
EIU is 21-13 overall in the 2023, 3-6 in the OVC, and has won four-straight games after posting a 5-0 win St. Xavier University Wednesday.
 

Annual UE Journey to Justice Program to Educate on Civil Rights Movement

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EVANSVILLE, IND. (04/19/2023) The University of Evansville (UE) is proud to announce the third annual Journey to Justice bus tour, an upcoming summer program that will take place from June 10 through 17.

This unique program offers students a chance to explore the history of the Civil Rights Movement firsthand and gain valuable insights into present-day racial justice protests.

Journey to Justice is an eight-day bus tour that will take participants through several cities in the South, including Montgomery, Alabama; Birmingham, Alabama; Selma, Alabama; Memphis, Tennessee; and Louisville, Kentucky. Students will visit historical sites, churches, and museums in each city, including the Edmund Pettis Bridge, where John Lewis and others were met with violence during the Civil Rights Movement.

The tour is aimed primarily at high school juniors and seniors and is designed to convey information about the nation’s past, specifically in regard to matters of race.

Dr. Valerie Stein, who is both a professor of religious studies at UE and the director of the race and ethnicity studies program, said Journey to Justice has three primary objectives.

The first is to educate students about the country’s historical background, with a particular focus on issues of race. The second objective is to encourage students to engage in discussions about current social movements, such as Black Lives Matter, by asking relevant questions. Lastly, the program aims to provide a platform for students to critically examine and address significant questions pertaining to race and social justice.

“The tour is a powerful tool for education and awareness, it allows members of our community to witness firsthand the impact of historical and contemporary systems of oppression,” said Dr. Stein. “By confronting uncomfortable truths and acknowledging the injustices of the past and present, we can work towards creating a more equitable and just society for all.”

The deadline to register is April 30. Additional information can be found by visiting https://www.evansville.edu/journeytojustice/

Hart’s big day on the mound give Trailblazers split at John Wood

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QUINCY, Ill. – The Vincennes University Trailblazers closed out another Mid-West Athletic Conference (MWAC) series Tuesday afternoon at John Wood Community College and came away with the doubleheader split, winning the first game 5-2 before falling in game two of the day 14-6.

VU got off to an excellent start to the day Tuesday, with sophomore leadoff hitter Ethan Burdette (Linton, Ind.) leading off the game with a single and later coming around to score on an RBI single by sophomore Kobe Bartlett (Rockport, Ind.).

The game turned into a low scoring pitcher’s duel with VU breaking the streak of clean innings with another run in the fourth on an RBI single by freshman Kade Hinton (Fort Wayne, Ind.) to give Vincennes a 2-0 lead.

The Blazers continued to add to their lead in the sixth after four straight singles, including an RBI single by Burdette. Burdette later scored on an error on a fielder’s choice put in play by sophomore Colton Evans (Henderson, Ky.).

John Wood avoided the shutout with a pair of runs in the sixth but were unable to get much momentum offensively with the VU pitching staff holding JWCC to just four hits on the day, allowing the Blazers to pick up the 5-2 victory over John Wood.

Vincennes was led on the mound by sophomore starter Xavier Hart (Jeffersonville, Ind.) who threw five-plus innings, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out six batters.

Freshman Christian Pinson (Elizabethtown, Ky.) entered the game out of the pen and threw the final two innings, allowing just one hit and picking up the save for Vincennes.

Game two of the day did not get off to such a great start for the Trailblazers. John Wood looked to bounce back on their home field and secure the series victory with a pair of runs in the first, a run in the second and two runs in the fourth to take a 5-0 lead.

Vincennes was able to get on the board in the fifth after a leadoff walk by sophomore Dale Coy (Evansville, Ind.) followed by a single by Ethan Burdette, his third hit of the day and a two-RBI double by Colton Evans to cut the deficit to 5-2.

John Wood was able to get those runs back in the bottom half before the Trailblazers answered back in a big way in the sixth, with six of the first seven batters in the inning reaching base, including an RBI single by freshman Trevor Newman (Fort Wayne, Ind.), a two-RBI single by Ethan Burdette and an RBI single by sophomore Colin Long (Evansville, Ind.) to put VU within a run of John Wood at 7-6.

John Wood was able to answer back with a run in the bottom of the sixth, before putting the game away in the seventh with a six-run inning, including a walk-off two-run home run to give the host JWCC the 14-6 victory.

Freshman lefty Gavin Craggs (Taylorville, Ill.) got the start on the mound in game two, throwing three and one-third innings, allowing five runs on five hits and striking out three.

Freshman Logan Medsker (Marshall, Ill.) pitched an inning and a third out of the pen, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out one, before turning the game over to freshman Jace Parnin (Fort Wayne, Ind.). Parnin lasted two innings, allowing five runs on three hits and striking out one.

The Trailblazers will have a short turnaround before hitting the road again this weekend to face off against Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Ill. Saturday, April 22 and Sunday, April 23. First pitch both days is set for 1 p.m. eastern.

BOX SCORE

GAME ONE

VU (17-22, 5-10) – 100   103   0 – 5

John Wood – 000    002   0 – 2

VINCENNES HITTING

RBI – Burdette, Evans, Bartlett, Hinton. HBP – Egger

GAME TWO

VU (17-23, 5-11) – 000   024   0 – 6

John Wood – 210   221   6 – 14

VINCENNES HITTING

2B – Evans. RBI – Burdette 2, Evans 2, Long, Newman.

-30-

The Vincennes University baseball team improves to 17-23 on the season with a 5-11 record in MWAC Conference play.

GOP Breakfast- April 22, 2023

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NCAA Champion Burns to Return for Fifth Year

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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Two-time NCAA Champion and Big Ten Swimmer of Year Brendan Burns will take advantage of his fifth year of eligibility, the Indiana swimming and diving senior announced on Wednesday (April 19).

Burns has helped the Hoosiers to back-to-back Big Ten Championships and was IU’s top scoring athlete at each of the last two NCAA Championships, where the Hoosiers placed top five nationally in consecutive seasons.

The senior is a four-time NCAA runner-up and 19-time All-American He also owns program records in the 100-yard backstroke (43.61), 200-yard backstroke (1:38.22), 200-yard butterfly (1:38.71), 200-yard medley relay (1:21.52) and 400-yard medley relay (2:59.09).

Burns was named the 2021-22 IU Male Athlete of the Year after becoming the first Hoosier since 1973 to win the NCAA 200-yard butterfly title. A year later, he won his second national title during the 2023 championships, this time in the 100-yard backstroke.

The 17-time Big Ten Champion was named the Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships for a third-consecutive season at the 2023 meet. Burns is the only athlete to win the 200 back, 200 fly double at the Big Ten Championships and has accomplished the feat three times in his career.

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