Ascension St. Vincent Donation Supports Teacher Locker and EVSC Schools

DECEMBER 1, 2022

EVANSVILLE, IN – Ascension St. Vincent is partnering with the EVSC Foundation to donate $12,700 to support the development of a new STEAM area at Teacher Locker and to purchase audiometers for EVSC schools. Teacher Locker, a program of the EVSC
Foundation is a place where EVSC teachers in grades PreK-12 can receive FREE school supplies for their classroom at no cost to the teacher.

The goal is to reduce what teachers spend out of their own pockets for their classrooms. This generous donation will also be used to help support EVSC school nurses through the purchase of new audiometers.

Since the beginning of this school year, Teacher Locker has served over 442 teachers, giving away over $32,000 in teaching supplies.

The EVSC Foundation and Teacher Locker volunteers work with individuals, local partners, and other community organizations to generate funding and in-kind donations for EVSC classrooms. The efforts for the fall of 2022 became focused on building a STEAM area
with supplies that could be used in classrooms of all ages. Ascension St. Vincent’s partnership with Teacher Locker will provide an updated space as well as the ability to offer highly needed STEAM supplies. The area will be named the Ascension St. Vincent STEAM
Area.

“The impact Teacher Locker has been able to have in EVSC classrooms over the last four years has been exciting. However, most of our supplies have been very general classroom supplies that meet some but not all, of the needs of our Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math courses. These courses have unique, specific needs that often come with a higher price tag than the typical classroom consumable supplies. With this grant, we now will be able to meet even more of the needs in our classrooms as we look to support STEAM education in the present and moving into the future,” says Nora Walsh, EVSC science teacher, and founding Teacher Locker Board Member.

The objective of the EVSC Health and Wellness program is to advance the health and well-being, academic success, and lifelong achievement of students. One of the ways that EVSC provides care for students is by performing state-mandated health screenings each school year. Hearing screenings are provided annually for all students in Grades 1, 4, 7, and 10, and any student suspected of having a hearing issue. These tests require an audiometer which can become costly for schools. The donation from Ascension St. Vincent will provide the funds to purchase three new audiometers.

The partnership between Ascension St. Vincent and EVSC Foundation is crucial to keeping EVSC students and educators healthy and engaged in state-of-the-art education opportunities. Ascension St. Vincent is a community partner that understands the needs of
Evansville schools. “We enjoy partnering with EVSC schools and programs to make a difference for children and support a vibrant community”, says Jackie Lanan, Community Development Director at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville. “We are proud to come
alongside educators to promote health-related initiatives and deeper learning in STEAM.

FOOTNOTE: The donation will help fund the newly developed STEAM area at Teacher Locker as well as purchase audiometers for school nurses.

University Of Evansville Hosting Events For MLK Day In 2023

EVANSVILLE, IN (12/1/2022)

The University of Evansville (UE) will host a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 16, 2023. There will be several activities throughout the day, and the public is invited to participate along with the campus community. The 2023 theme is “Daring to Dream: The Radical Imagination of a Liberated Other America.”

The schedule of events is available below. For full details, please visit evansville.edu/MLK.

54 Miles to Social Change – December 15, 2022 – January 16, 2023

During the Civil Rights March of 1965, activists gathered in Selma, Alabama, to complete a 54-mile trek to the state capital in Montgomery. In recognition of this historical event, UE invites everyone to participate in 54 Miles to Social Change, a virtual march that raises awareness for social injustice in the United States. Join from anywhere in the world and log your miles spent walking, running, biking, or swimming.

Miles 1-53 will be completed virtually, and the 54th mile will be completed together on the Day of Service. Participants can register for free at evansville.edu/54miles.

9:00 a.m. – Faith-Based Service

The Day of Service will begin with a religious service in Neu Chapel.

10:30 a.m. – Rally

The rally will be held in Meeks Family Fieldhouse, located inside Carson Center off Walnut Street. The rally will recap the significance of a day on, not off, and include remarks from Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, president of UE; and Rob Shelby, PhD, vice president for talent & community and chief inclusion & equity officer.

11:15 a.m. – Symbolic March

After the rally, UE invites everyone to complete the 54th Mile to Social Change together. The march will begin at Meeks Family Fieldhouse and along nearby streets before returning to campus at Ridgway University Center.

12:00 p.m. – Luncheon and Keynote Speaker

Held in Eykamp Hall on the second floor of Ridgway University Center, the MLK Day of Service Luncheon will include student speakers, award presentations, a performance by the Boom Squad, and the keynote speaker.

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

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

To purchase tickets or sponsor a table, visit evansville.edu/MLK.

2:00 p.m. – Community Service Projects

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

3:30 p.m. – Local Leaders Panel Discussion

Held in Shanklin Theatre, this panel will bring together dynamic individuals from across Evansville to discuss their roles as changemakers and how we as a community can support the next generation in the continued pursuit of ‘a Liberated Other America.’

4:30 p.m. – Lead Forward Lecture

The 2023 MLK Day of Service will culminate in a final Lead Forward Lecture. This final discussion will amplify the messages and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and encourage all community members to ‘lead forward’ with what was learned throughout the day.

5:30 p.m. – Reception

Following the lecture, a reception with light refreshments will be held outside Shanklin in the Toyota Lounge of Hyde Hall.