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Attorney General Todd Rokita surveys Hoosier businesses and public institutions in bid to strengthen cybersecurity

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Attorney General Todd Rokita surveys Hoosier businesses and public institutions in a bid to strengthen cybersecurity

March 25, 2023

Attorney General Todd Rokita is advising Indiana businesses and governmental organizations to take precautions to guard against cyber threats such as phishing attempts, malware attacks, and ransomware demands.

To gather information about the extent to which institutions are taking protective measures, Attorney General Rokita is sending out letters to hundreds of organizations asking them to go online to answer survey questions.

“Cyberattackers are relentless in their determination to steal data and generally cause mayhem,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We need to be even more steadfast in our commitment to beat them at their game and keep our systems safe.”

Attorney General Rokita chairs the Legal and Insurance Working Group of the Indiana Executive Cybersecurity Council (IECC). In 2020, the IECC’s Legal and Insurance Working Group collaborated with Indiana University and the University of Arizona to circulate a cyber survey to Indiana local governments, schools and businesses. The result of that survey was the 2020 State of Hoosier Cybersecurity Report.

The same entities are partnering once again to do a follow-up survey.

“Among other things,” Attorney General Rokita said, “we want to learn whether Hoosier organizations are giving more attention to safeguards in a post-Covid environment in which work-from-home has become a standard operating procedure. We aim to continue identifying barriers that prevent effective cyber risk planning, and we want to do everything we can do in our own capacities to enable and encourage organizations to implement effective cyber risk planning.”

 

University Of Evansville Programs Recognized During Annual Leadership Everyone Awards

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ue building
ue building

University of Evansville Programs Recognized during Annual Leadership Everyone Awards

March 25, 2023

EVANSVILLE, IND.  Several University of Evansville (UE) ChangeLabs won awards during the 28th annual Celebration of Leadership program hosted by Leadership Everyone.

Celebration of Leadership is an annual event during which Leadership Everyone honors individuals, projects, programs, businesses, and organizations that make[LP1] significant, collaborative contributions that improve and transform the community in the Tri-State region.

“We are very proud of what our students and faculty accomplish through their work in ChangeLabs,” said Erin Lewis, executive director of the Center for Innovation & Change, which facilitates ChangeLab at UE. “Every day we are inspired by the passion, talent, and ingenuity of our students and the UE community and truly honored to empower them as they serve.”

ChangeLab is a multi- and inter-disciplinary academic offering at the University of Evansville. Through this program, students and faculty can propose projects that make a positive difference in the community and around the world and then get to work on these transformative initiatives while earning academic credit. ChangeLab courses are made up of individuals from nearly all areas of study and explore topics ranging from data analytics to housing and food insecurity to healthcare and educational topics.

“We feel a great sense of pride for our community members in their accomplishments by being recognized with Leadership Everyone Awards,” said UE President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz. “As a Changemaker Campus, UE is dedicated to empowering students and faculty as they work to make the world more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive. We are honored to see their efforts recognized in our community.”

Below is a list of the students and programs recognized with the 28th Annual Celebration of Leadership Awards.

Annie Kim

UE United Sound

2023 Sam Featherstone Youth Award

Annie Kim is a sophomore biology major and concertmaster for the UE Symphony Orchestra. Over the past two semesters, she has established and championed UE United Sound, a student club and ChangeLab course at UE based on the national group aimed at removing barriers and fostering social change through music. UE United Sound trains UE music students to teach younger students with disabilities how to play instruments, and gives them exciting opportunities to perform, such as at the Victory Theatre for the Holiday Pops concert.

Jack Deig

Hydration Station

2023 Sam Featherstone Youth Award

As a high school student, Jack Deig identified a problem in our community-not everyone has access to filtered drinking water. He entered UE’s High School Changemaker Challenge with his idea to provide clean drinking water to all through Hydration Stations. Continuing his work at UE ChangeLab, he has now installed a free drinking water machine at Patchwork Central, and more are being installed around Evansville’s downtown, specifically targeting those experiencing homelessness.

Joshua Academy Music Instruction ChangeLab

Coach Fran Vile, UE Clinical Instructor of Music

2023 Arts Award for a Project or Program

Through this course led by Fran Vile of UE’s Music Conservatory, music education students Will McDonner and Luke Robertson have established and cultivated an instrumental music program at Joshua Academy. Beginning with a closet full of forgotten, dusty, and broken instruments, they repaired or replaced the instruments and taught students to read and play music, finishing the year with a popular performance and partnering with the Academy’s choir.

Data Analytics ChangeLab

Coach Omid Khormali, UE Assistant Professor of Mathematics

2023 Leader in Technology Award

UE’s Data Analytics ChangeLab, led by Assistant Professor of Mathematics Omid Khormali, puts its students’ talents to use for the community. They have served Deaconess, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s iCivics, and COVID Between the Coasts, a partnership with WNIN. Last semester, their project took data received from the United States Forestry Service and created a tool for them to identify trends in invasive species and forest fires. The Data Analytics ChangeLab students have also been asked to testify before Congress about the project.

Children’s Mental Health ChangeLab

Coach Jennie Braun

2023 Project and Program Division Award

When children need mental health testing, it is often a year-long wait. The students at UE’s Children’s Mental Health ChangeLab collaborated with parents and doctors in our community to identify the root causes of this issue, and then developed a well-designed, multi-tiered solution. They make it easy to view eligible doctors and wait times and use UE’s Doctor of Psychology program to help with the backlog of doctors and paperwork, increasing affordability and speed of testing for kids.

FOOTNOTE:  The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university located in the southwestern region of Indiana. Established in 1854, UE is recognized across the globe for its rich tradition of innovative, academic excellence and vibrant campus community of changemakers.

Home of the Purple Aces, UE offers over 75 majors, 17 Division I sports, and a unique study abroad experience at Harlaxton College, a Victorian manor located in the countryside of the United Kingdom. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.

UE softball travels to Missouri State

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Three-game series set for Saturday and Sunday

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the first time in Missouri Valley Conference play, the University of Evansville softball team takes to the road as the Purple Aces will be in Springfield to take on Missouri State.  Saturday will feature a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. before Sunday’s finale begins with a 12 p.m. first pitch.

In the opening weekend of MVC action, junior Alexa Davis batted .444 with four hits in nine at-bats.  She recorded three stolen bases, two walks, a run and RBI. In Friday’s opener versus the Braves, Davis was 2-4 with a walk, steal and run.  Game two of the Friday doubleheader saw her go 0-2, but she did draw a walk and steal.  Davis completed the weekend with a 2-3 effort with another steal and double.  Making Sunday’s effort even more impressive was that she left the game in the middle innings after suffering a cut on a stolen base.  She re-entered in the seventh to hit a double.

Sydney Weatherford had an effective pair of appearances to open the conference seasons.  Weatherford tossed 1 2/3 innings on Friday against Bradley while giving up a walk and striking out one.  She made the start on Sunday and went five innings and gave up an unearned run on just two hits while adding another strikeout.  Following a March 11 game against Indiana, her ERA stood at 5.33 but two solid appearances against the Braves saw her ERA drop to 4.10.

Making her Missouri Valley Conference debut against Bradley over the weekend, UE freshman Taylor How batted .300 and reached base 41.7% of the time.  Howe recorded a hit in each game, including a 1-4 game in Friday’s doubleheader opener.  She was also hit by a pitch in the contest.  She went 1-3 in the second game before adding another 1-for-3 effort in Sunday’s finale.  Howe was hit by another pitch on Sunday to improve her on-base percentage.

Missouri State enters the weekend with a record of 13-15 and a 3-2 mark through their first five MVC outings.  After falling in two games to Southern Illinois, the Bears have rebounded to win four in a row overall while sweeping Drake in a home series last weekend.  MSU outscored the Bulldogs by a 24-1 tally.

 

Hoosiers Build Momentum in Friday Morning Session

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MINNEAPOLIS – It’s moving day for the Hoosiers.

No. 6-ranked Indiana men’s swimming and diving looks to make a big jump in Friday (March 24) evening’s finals session after an action-packed preliminary session at the 2023 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships inside the Jane K. Freeman Aquatics Center.

IU divers showed their stuff in the 3-meter dive prelim, sending three to the championship final. Two-time NCAA 3-meter champion Andrew Capobianco, who won silver on 1-meter last night, led the way in second with a 412.45. Sophomores Quinn Henninger (402.05) and Carson Tyler (400.15) were not far behind in a tightly packed group.

All 10 IU swimmers in prelims placed better than their seeds, with six doing enough to qualify for finals. Three advanced to championship finals, three to consolation heats.

Van Mathias was the No. 2 qualifier in the 100-yard breaststroke despite coming into the week as the No. 11 seed. His new career-best 50.57 set in the morning makes him the second-fastest Hoosier in program history as well as one of two to go under the 51.00 mark. Like his performances this season in the 50 free and 100 free, Mathias has seen huge drops in the 100 breast – his personal best at the start of the season was a 54.74.

Junior Tomer Frankel broke a program record in the 100-yard butterfly, dropping a 44.26 to surpass Olympian Vini Lanza’s 44.37 mark in 2019. Frankel will be the No. 4 seed in the A final after coming in as the No. 7 and finishing fifth at last year’s championships. With a 44.79, senior Brendan Burns advanced to the consolation final after placing ninth a year ago.

Burns later qualified for the 100-yard backstroke championship final, tying for third with a 44.28. The 2022 national runner-up swam a program record 44.15 a year ago.

Rafael Miroslaw was IU lone swimmer in the 200 free. His 1:32.28 tied for eighth to force a swim-off. As a result of that race, Miroslaw is the top qualifier in the consolation final.

Following Mathias’ swim, sophomore Josh Matheny also posted a career-best in the 100 breast, swimming a 51.17 to qualify for the B final. Five Hoosiers swam in the 100-yard breaststroke prelim, and all five placed better than their seed.

Indiana will also swim the 400-yard medley relay, the event it finished second in last year. IU is the No. 4 seed in the event after posting a 3:01.53 to win the Big Ten title.

RESULTS
100 BUTTERFLY
4. Tomer Frankel – 44.26 (Championship Final, Program Record, Career Best)

  1. Brendan Burns – 44.79 (Consolation Final)
  2. Finn Brooks – 45.45

200 FREESTYLE

  1. Rafael Miroslaw – 1:32.28 (Consolation Final)

100 BREASTSTROKE

  1. Van Mathias – 50.57 (Championship Final, Career Best)
  2. Josh Matheny – 51.17 (Consolation Final, Career Best)
  3. Jassen Yep – 52.00 (Career Best)
  4. Maxwell Reich – 52.46 (Career Best)
  5. Luke Barr – 52.73

100 BACKSTROKE

t3. Brendan Burns – 44.28 (Championship Final)

3-METER

  1. Andrew Capobianco – 412.45 (Championship Final)
  2. Quinn Henninger – 402.05 (Championship Final)
  3. Carson Tyler – 400.15 (Championship Final)
  4. Maxwell Weinrich – 346.55

HOOSIER ALL-AMERICANS

Finn Brooks (200 Freestyle Relay*)
Brendan Burns (200 Medley Relay, 800 Freestyle Relay, 100 Butterfly*, 100 Backstroke)

Andrew Capobianco (1-meter, 3-meter)

Tomer Frankel (200 Medley Relay, 800 Freestyle Relay, 100 Butterfly)

Quinn Henninger (3-meter)

Josh Matheny (100 Breaststroke*)

Van Mathias (200 Medley Relay, 800 Freestyle Relay, 50 Freestyle*, 200 Freestyle Relay*, 100 Breaststroke)

Rafael Miroslaw (800 Freestyle Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay*, 200 Freestyle*)

Carson Tyler (3-meter)

Gavin Wight (200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle Relay*)

* - Denotes Honorable Mention

UP NEXT
Indiana will turn its final seeds into points in Friday night’s evening session. With no one in the first competition of the night, the 400 IM, Indiana’s evening will begin at approximately 7:22 p.m. ET with 200 butterfly heats.

USI College of Liberal Arts Global Salon Series featuring Engineers In Action Chapter

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USI College of Liberal Arts Global Salon Series featuring Engineers in Action Chapter

March 25, 2023

The University of Southern Indiana Engineers in Action (EIA) chapter will present on their experiences traveling and building bridges at noon Tuesday, April 4 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. This event is open to the public at no charge.

Dr. Jason Hill, USI Associate Professor of Engineering, will present on the cultural aspects of living and working in Eswatini and Bolivia, focusing on two of the chapter’s bridge projects. These pedestrian bridge projects provide isolated communities with access to vital resources, such as markets, schools and hospitals.

The USI EIA chapter was established in 2019 and has completed four pedestrian bridge projects, two of which required travel to Eswatini and Bolivia. The presentation will also feature several engineering students who participated in the projects.

This event is part of the Global Salon Series, founded in 2011, which focuses on current global issues and offers students and the community a deeper understanding of international and global issues. The series features three to four lectures per semester, highlighting the research of USI faculty and community figures.

For more information, visit USI.edu/globalsalon.

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Founded in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana enrolls nearly 9,200 dual credit, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in more than 130 areas of study. A public higher education institution, located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. The University offers study-abroad opportunities in more than 60 countries and hosts international students from around the globe. USI is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University and offers continuing education and special programs to more than 15,000 participants annually through Outreach and Engagement. USI is online at USI.edu. 

Over 55 farming families honored with the Hoosier Homestead Award

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INDIANAPOLIS (March 24, 2023) — At the Indiana Statehouse, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb presented 56 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.

“It is a true honor to be in the historic Statehouse today celebrating your incredible family farming history,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Your commitment to Indiana and our agriculture history and future is renowned. It was awe-inspiring to celebrate this family achievement with you all today.”

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of more than 20 acres. If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.

Since the program’s inception in 1976, over 6,000 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Many past awardees can be identified by the sign proudly displayed in front of the family farm or field.

“Being a farmer myself I know how challenging it is to farm today in general, and to keep the same property in the family for decades on end, no less,” said Lamb. “This award being presented today to your farming families is proof of your dedication to agriculture, to our State and to feeding our world, so I thank you.”

Below is a list of the Hoosier Homestead Award recipients honored during the spring 2023 ceremony:

County Award Name Award Year Award Type
Adams Maller 1889 Centennial
Adams Peter D. & Barbara Moser 1838 Sesquicentennial 
Allen Koenenman 1899 Centennial
Allen Ronald J. & Linda K. Schlatter 1835 Sesquicentennial 
Allen Ronald J. & Neil C. Schlatter 1835 Sesquicentennial 
Allen Schuhler/Connor/Loesch 1866 Sesquicentennial 
Bartholomew Tooley-Calvin 1907 Centennial
Benton Atkinson 1852 Sesquicentennial 
Benton Brandt 1886 Centennial
Benton Ferguson/Creek 1871 Sesquicentennial 
Cass Berlet 1918 Centennial
Clay Dierdorf 1889 Centennial
Clay Keith & Paula Jones 1870 Sesquicentennial 
Clay Wayne R. & Mary A. Jones 1905 Centennial
Clay Zurcher 1868 Sesquicentennial 
Dearborn Decker 1919 Centennial
Dearborn Hoog 1919 Centennial
Delaware Smith 1892 Centennial
Fountain Gray 1869 Sesquicentennial
Franklin Meyer 1920 Centennial
Grant Harner 1850 Sesquicentennial
Grant Philip W. Corey 1866 Sesquicentennial
Greene Hays 1855 Sesquicentennial
Hamilton Sowers-Pickett 1918 Centennial
Harrison Crosier 1917 Centennial
Harrison Pate/Gettelfinger 1906 Centennial
Howard McQuiston-Howell 1880 Centennial
Huntington Thorne 1910 Centennial
Johnson Becker 1919 Centennial
Kosciusko McSherry Farms, Inc. 1838 Sesquicentennial
Lagrange Strayer 1916 Centennial
Madison Williams 1920 Centennial
Martin Brown 1922 Centennial
Newton Constable 1869 Sesquicentennial
Newton Frank Douglas Best & John Berry Best 1860 Sesquicentennial
Noble Hooley 1920 Centennial
Orange Dennis F. & Patricia F. Cleveland 1842 Sesquicentennial
Owen Watson 1907 Centennial
Pike Charles Wayne & Barbara J. Satkamp 1922 Centennial
Putnam Carter 1862 Sesquicentennial
Putnam Risk 1870 Sesquicentennial
Randolph Bowen, Taylor, Cowen 1882 Centennial
Ripley Boggess/Bauman 1922 Centennial
Rush Harcourt 1873 Sesquicentennial
Shelby Marvin Covalt 1922 Centennial
Tippecanoe Meisenhelder-Jones 1859 Sesquicentennial
Tipton Phenias A. Salsberry 1896 Centennial
Wabash Albright 1847 Sesquicentennial
Warren Adams 1896 Centennial
Warren Akers 1868  Sesquicentennial
Warren Fleming 1918 Centennial
Warrick Titzer 1913 Centennial
Wayne Druley-Pierce 1866 Sesquicentennial
Wells DeVoe 1841 Sesquicentennial
Wells Fred & Emma (Meyer) Nuerge 1913 Centennial
Whitley Milton Rupley 1923 Centennial 

To view photos from the Spring 2023 Hoosier Homestead Award Ceremony at the Indiana Statehouse, click here. All family photos will be available online by March 31, 2023. 

The 2023 Summer Hoosier Homestead Award Ceremony will take place on Aug. 16, 2023 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. 

A firefighter privacy protection bill will head to the Senate

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On June 12, 2021, Jonathan Wright, a private in the Evansville Fire Department, was attacked while on a medic run.

Wright said the individual that the fire department was responding to had overdosed on heroin and was given two doses of Narcan prior to their arrival. The computer on the rescue vehicle was down at the time, so they weren’t provided that information.

“On an unassuming day and what we believe to be an unassuming call, my family’s life was flipped upside down,” Wright said in the Senate Local Government Committee Thursday. The committee discussed House Bill 1578, which “protects the privacy of Hoosier firefighters,” said author of the bill, Rep. Timothy O’Brien, R-Evansville. 

The individual Wright and his crew were responding to stabbed Wright in the face with a large kitchen knife. 

He also attempted to stab Wright in the chest but failed after being subdued by Wright and a member of his crew. Wright said the individual tried again to stab another firefighter while refusing to give up the knife. 

Wright said he became a firefighter to serve his community and to “prevent the loss of life within it.” He chose this career over law enforcement because of his time “behind the trigger” while serving in the military.

He said he wanted to leave the “violence of humanity” behind him but he was thrust back into the “sad reality”—and that firefighters are not immune to situations that cause immense stress and trauma. 

“My wounds have all been healed from that day, and even though I’m reminded every time I look in the mirror, I myself have moved on from it. However, I will not forget the sheer panic and worry that I could see in both my daughters as well as my wife’s eyes,” Wright said.  

O’Brien said the bill would add firefighters, both paid and volunteer, to the list of people who can conceal their personal information on public data websites.  

Wright was fearful of a follow-up attack and tried to have his address withheld from public record, but his request was denied due to current statute.

Wright said in his testimony that firemen can be away from their homes for at least 24 hours, and under current law, his residence and other properties could easily be found on a county assessor’s website as public records. 

“I’d like to believe that these new rules, were they put in place, would help to protect and give peace of mind to future victims and their families,” Wright said. 

The bill passed the Senate Local Government Committee unanimously, with Sen. Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, and Sen. Rodney Pol, D-Portage, asking to be added as sponsors of the bill.  

It heads to the full Senate next.

USI to host “World Religions: Exploring Diversity” event

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USI to host “World Religions: Exploring Diversity” event

MARCH 25, 2023

The University of Southern Indiana College of Liberal Arts, religious studies minor, College of Liberal Arts Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Religious Life are proud to present “World Religions: Exploring Diversity,” a one-day event featuring music, art, yoga and more, on Tuesday, April 4. Light refreshments will be served. This event is open to the public at no charge.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees can enjoy music, art, henna painting, yoga and meditation on the Labyrinth in front of the Liberal Arts Center. At 5 p.m., Tom Drury, Instructor of Music, and Dr. Norma Rosas-Mayen, Associate Professor of Spanish, will give a musical performance in Kleymeyer Hall, located in the Liberal Arts Center.

Following the performance from 5:15-6:30 p.m., there will be a roundtable audience Q&A focusing on the similarities and differences in belief between various major world religions. Panelists include Dr. Greg Brown, Center for Communal Studies; Dr. Rocco Gennaro, Professor of Philosophy; Dr. Sukanya Gupta, Associate Professor of English; Jo Olson, Liberal Arts Adjunct Professor, Dr. Mary Lyn Stoll, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Dr. Manuel Apodaca-Valdez, Associate Professor of Spanish, and Amira Alashi, sociology and world languages and cultures student.

Cultures around the world have long been fascinated by questions central to the study of religion. Knowledge of world religions is crucial to being a fully informed citizen and educated person. A religious studies minor can act as a springboard to a graduate degree. The minor can also enhance career opportunities in today’s increasingly multi-national and global world. Religion has an enormous impact on individuals, our nation and the international community. Learn more about this and other programs in the College of Liberal Arts at USI.edu/libarts.

For more information, contact Dr. Oana Armeanu, Associate Professor of Political Science, at oiarmeanu@usi.edu.

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Founded in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana enrolls nearly 9,200 dual credit, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in more than 130 areas of study. A public higher education institution, located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. The University offers study-abroad opportunities in more than 60 countries and hosts international students from around the globe. USI is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University and offers continuing education and special programs to more than 15,000 participants annually through Outreach and Engagement. USI is online at USI.edu. 

 

Davis bids goodbye to Evansville

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Otters announced Friday the trade of infielder J.R. Davis to the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Davis said. “Without him, none of this would have been possible. Jesus deserves all the glory, not me. Also, I want to thank the coaching staff for taking a chance on me and helping me not only develop as a player but as a man. Thank you to the Bullocks for opening up their home to me and treating me like a son. [Team Chaplain] Pastor Tyrone Edwards helped me a lot along the way as well, I appreciate you for that.”

Davis returned for his second season with the franchise in 2022, originally signing with the Otters in May 2021. With the Otters, Davis batted .296 with 98 runs, 34 doubles, six triples, 14 home runs, 112 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 180 games played. Davis was named a 2021 Frontier League Postseason All-Star. Davis earned his 500th professional hit milestone against his former team, the Washington Wild Things on August 31, 2022.

“J.R. has been a tremendous member of this team both on and off the field,” Evansville Otters Field Manager Andy McCauley said. “We are excited to see what the next chapter of baseball has in store for him.”

Davis, from Vallejo, Calif., played for the Washington Wild Things in 2019, where he hit .273/.310/.373 through 150 at bats. Davis spent four years in affiliated ball, after the St. Louis Cardinals drafted the Oklahoma State University product in the 15th Round of the 2016 first-year player draft. In 2019, while in the Seattle Mariners organization, Davis had the opportunity to play a game at the AAA level with the Tacoma Rainiers and collected a base hit. In his Junior Year at Oklahoma State University, Davis hit .347/.422/.438 with 13 doubles and 32 RBI through 256 plate appearances.

“It truly was a blessing to play in Evansville for the last two years,” Davis said. “The fan base was amazing and I will miss my best buddy, Nick Drake. Keep screaming and cheering on the Otters, Nick!”

The 2023 season is right around the corner. For information on season tickets, call 812-435-8686. Group and single-game tickets will go on sale in the coming weeks.

The Evansville Otters are the 2006 and 2016 Frontier League champions.

The Otters play all home games at historic Bosse Field, located at 23 Don Mattingly Way in Evansville, Ind. Stay up-to-date with the Evansville Otters by visiting evansvilleotters.com, or follow the Otters on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

OPINION: Being in nature can make you feel connected to your roots

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OPINION: Being in nature can make you feel connected to your roots

Illustration by Juliette Albert

 

The music of the forest often sounds like rustling leaves, chirping birds and gurgling waters. To sit and observe the stillness can make you feel connected to yourself. You acknowledge your thoughts, recognize them, and are unaffected by them.

Every year until my early adulthood, I spent my summers at my grandpa’s place, which is in a hill station in India. We would go hiking to the natural waterfall with a pool that was near his house. On the way he’d take me to the guava trees he had planted, and we’d enjoy a fruit or two from it. Upon reaching the pool, we’d go swimming and spend hours soaking up in the sun. It was healing to be in nature.

Spending time in nature can have a range of physical and psychological benefits including reduced stress, improved mood, and boosted cognitive function.

A 2015 study out of Stanford University found that participants who walked for 90 minutes in a natural, vegetative environment showed decreased neural activity in the areas of the brain that fixate on negative emotions.

[Related: OPINION: Stop stressing and start reading]

When our workspaces are not surrounded by nature, all our attention is directed toward the task at hand. This is called directed attention. According to American Psychological Association, “Directed attention fatigues people through overuse.” In nature, you find that attention is automatic because it springs from fascination. For high-density cities where the access to nature is cut off, the above research suggests that the cities should be designed in a long and thin fashion giving people easy access to the countryside.

Being connected to nature can make us feel calm. As Paper Kites sing, “Watch the trees turn to shadows now/ See the light changing her color/ When it fades away/ I still hear the sweet sound of you.” Observing the nature around me makes me feel close to my roots. It often reminds me of my grandpa and how he was one with nature.

Every day during sunset my grandpa would sit out on the porch and speak to the mockingjays sitting on the transmission lines. Not wanting to disturb this routine of his, I would watch him from a corner. He would whistle to the birds and the birds would reply and try to imitate his tune. This connection he had with the nature surrounding him was calming and I loved being around him.

I can almost see spring blooming in Bloomington. Some beautiful places you can visit on campus that I can personally attest to are Biology Greenhouse, Dunn Woods, Beck Chapel and Rosewell House. Furthermore, you can explore nature hotspots around Bloomington including Griffy Lake and Hickory Ridge Fire Tower.

[Related: OPINION: These three nature spots make Indiana a little less dull]

I leave you with this quote from Sylvia Plath: “I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery— air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy.’”

What better time than now to wander out into nature and feel the sun on your skin?

FOOTNOTE: Sanjana Jairam (she/her) is a first-year graduate student studying data science. 

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