Home Blog Page 20

Trailblazer Teaching Academy elevates new Vincennes University faculty

0

VINCENNES, Ind., May 22, 2025 – At Vincennes University, student success starts with faculty excellence.

The Trailblazer Teaching Academy, developed in 2020 by VU Provost Dr. Laura Treanor continues to transform how first-year faculty begin their journey at the University.

The innovative, yearlong program offers new professors and instructors the tools, training, and confidence to make an immediate impact in the classroom.

“At VU, we invest in faculty because we know they shape the future of our students,” Treanor said. “The Trailblazer Teaching Academy is an additional way we ensure our students are learning from the very best.”

The 2024-25 academy cohort was honored for completing the program with certificates at a recognition luncheon attended by Treanor and VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson on Monday, May 12.

The most recent cohort included Keith Adkins (Education), Tim Buckner (Lafayette Advanced Internship in Manufacturing), Sara Burger (Nursing), Shane Chester (Indianapolis Aviation Technology Center Flight), Spencer Ebbinga (Art), Molly Engstrom (Nursing), Amanda Jerrel (Nursing), Brent Maguire (Homeland Security and Public Safety), Jennifer McNeece (Journalism), Nickole Meier (Nursing), Dawn Nelson (VU Jasper Nursing), and Jaret Roach (Advanced Manufacturing).

During the academy, the faculty is empowered by gaining insight into VU’s academic ecosystem and cutting-edge teaching practices, ensuring students are learning from educators who are supported, confident, and committed to teaching excellence.

Since 2020, more than 50 faculty have completed the program, directly enhancing student

retention, success, satisfaction, and academic outcomes.

Director of the VU Center for Advancement of Faculty Excellence (CAFE) Dr. Sarah Alderfer leads the academy.

Alderfer said, “This program offers more than just an orientation; it’s designed to foster a strong sense of community among faculty cohorts while equipping them with research-based best practices to ensure their success in the classroom.”

###

UE women’s basketball announces three signees

0

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville head women’s basketball coach Robyn Scherr has announced the signing of three student-athletes to begin playing for the Purple Aces in the 2025-26 season.

Georgia Cox – 6-4 – Forward – Ballarat, Australia

After playing as a redshirt freshman at Eastern Illinois last season, Georgia Cox joins the Aces as a redshirt sophomore.  Seeing action in 18 games off the bench last season, Cox averaged 2.3 points and 0.6 rebounds.  Her top effort of the season came in a home Ohio Valley Conference win over Morehead State where she recorded 18 points while going a perfect 5-for-5 from long range.

Her first collegiate points came against No. 23 Illinois after redshirting at EIU in 2023-24.  Prior to playing at the collegiate level in the United States, Cox played club basketball for Ballarat Rush in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia.  She helped lead the squad to country championships in all four of her seasons, something that had been done just three times on either the boys or girls side in the tournament, which dates back to the 1960’s.

In her last season, she finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game while shooting 90% from the free throw line and 51% from the field.  Cox was part of the elite junior state development program from U12 to U18 and made the Victorian State Team in both 2020 and 2021. Her 2021 squad earned a bronze finish at nationals.

Coach Scherr on Cox: “Georgia is such an intriguing player with unlimited potential! With her length and shooting ability as a stretch forward, we will have the opportunity to create advantages all over the floor. She’ll be great in pick and pop and pick and roll scenarios. I believe she has the ability to be a great threat and facilitator from the high post. And I am confident we can help her grow her game around the rim. I’m thrilled she will be an Ace!”

Daniela Llavero Sanchez – 5-5 – Guard – Malaga, Spain

Bringing a wealth of experience from her time career in her native Spain, Daniela Llavero Sanchez played for multiple teams and levels as her career evolved.  In 2019, she began playing Club Minibasket level with second place finishes in Malaga and Andalusia.  Two years later in Infantil, Llavero’s squads were second in Malaga and fourth in Andalusia.

She played Cadet level in 2022 and 2023, earning three second-place league finishes including two in Malaga and another in Andalusia.  She played at the Junior level beginning in 2023 and took second place in Malaga while finishing first in the Canary Islands in 2025.

Llavero has played for the National Team, taking first place in their group in 2023 and another #1 finish in 2025 at the Canary Islands.  She will be a freshman at UE in the fall of 2025.

Coach Scherr on Llavero: “Daniela is a playmaker! She has the ability as a point guard to get out and run and push our transition game. She sees the floor well and creates a lot of offensive advantages. She has great court vision, shoots it well, and can score at the rim if needed. She compliments our guard group well in that she brings a different set of strengths that enables her to play well in any lineup. She’s got the heart and desire to succeed and I can’t wait to coach her!”

Jelena Savic – 5-11 – Guard/Forward – Melbourne, Australia

Another native of Australia – Jelena Savic makes the trek to Evansville as a freshman in the fall.  Some of her top performances came in the most important moments.  In the CBL semi-final, she tallied 26 points and 11 rebounds before totaling 12 points and 10 caroms in the championship game versus Ballarine.

Her club team – the Keilor Thunder – won the Victorian Youth League Championship in 2022.  One year later, the Thunder won the Victorian Championship Reserve for Under 18 Juniors.  Savis was the DMC Tournament MVP in 2024 while earning Bacchus March Lions Country Basketball Team MVP as well.

Coach Scherr on Savic: “Jelena is a guard/forward that can really shoot the ball and with range! She’s a blue collar worker – a great teammate who will do whatever the team needs. She has a knack for finding the ball. She’ll bring us some much-needed rebounding! I am excited to coach her. She has tremendous potential to keep growing her game. She brings us some length and the ability to guard bigger guards and forwards.”

O’Brien: Local students serve as pages at the Statehouse

0

STATEHOUSE – State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville) welcomed area students who served as pages during the 2025 legislative session. Olivia Branch from Evansville, who attends Evansville Day school, andChris Sermersheim from Evansville, who attends Reitz Memorial High School, both paged during the legislative session.

The page program offers a unique hands-on opportunity for Hoosier students to gain a better understanding of the ins and outs of the legislative process while interacting with state leaders.

“The House page program is a great opportunity to experience state government firsthand and learn about the legislative process,” O’Brien said. “I enjoy engaging with students from my district and showing them around the Statehouse. All students interested in participating should apply next session.”

During their day as pages, Branch and Sermersheim interacted with and assisted lawmakers and staff, toured the Statehouse and joined O’Brien on the House floor to watch the legislative process in action.

Students ages 13 to 18 should consider serving as pages during the 2026 legislative session. Contact O’Brien’s Statehouse office at in.gov/h78 or 317-232-9759 for more information.

Color Our World Summer Reading Program | Programs Start June 4

0

Color Our World: Summer Reading 2025

Get ready to Color Our World with imagination, creativity, and a love of reading! Willard Public Library’s Summer Reading Program kicks off on Saturday, May 24, and it’s open to kids of all ages. Track your reading, earn fun prizes, and join us for exciting activities all summer long.

Don’t miss our Wednesday programs in June and July—from performers to crafts to hands-on fun, there’s something new every week at the library.

It’s free to join and easy to participate. Come celebrate a summer of stories with us!

To learn more or sign up, please visit: HERE

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

0
EPD

 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

0

Vanderburgh County Arrest Warrants

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

0

Booked Last 24 Hours-Public

Jones, Brown each tally three hits as Otters win series

0
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Evansville Otters (5-6) won their second straight against the Schaumburg Boomers (7-5) behind a strong four-run seventh and strong efforts from the bullpen.

Evansville’s night got off to a shaky start with starter Parker Brahms only recording one out before exiting the game due to injury. Ryan Wiltse came in on short notice and after surrendering a home run, settled in and went three and two-thirds innings, striking out five.

The Otters pounced in the second inning, scoring five runs in a stretch that included five straight hits, followed by back-to-back bases loaded walks. Evansville added one more on a Ty Crittenberger double, who was making his first start in the leadoff spot.

Evansville would have to battle from behind once again after a grand slam in the fifth made the score 8-6 Boomers.

Zach Voelker made his second appearance of the season, striking out three in his two innings with his only blemish being a solo home run in the seventh.

The Otters jumped on the Boomers in the home half of the seventh. After Graham Brown led off with one of his two doubles on the day and Pavin Parks drew a walk, LJ Jones plated one run with an RBI single. JT Benson followed him with a two-run home run that tied the game at eight.  But the Otters were not finished yet – after a Cohen Wilbanks walk and JJ Cruz single, two wild pitches plated what would be the eventual winning run.

Alex Valdez came on in the eighth and worked a clean top of the frame, striking out two. Evansville called on Nate Wohlgemuth for the ninth, where he struck out the side and earned the first save for the Otters this year.

The Otters scored in double digits for the second time this year. Evansville’s pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts for the second straight night.

The homestand continues tomorrow night as the Otters look for their first series sweep of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. CT, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. CT for 70’s Night and a Budweiser Thirsty Thursday.

‘Indiana hires and promotes based on merit,’ says Attorney General Todd Rokita following litigation team’s win in federal court 

0

 

After a federal jury trial cleared the State of Indiana of racial discrimination charges brought by a state employee, Attorney General Todd Rokita praised the work of his litigation team.

“Indiana hires and promotes based on merit,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Kudos to our team for making that fact abundantly clear throughout the course of this four-year legal battle and two-day jury trial.”

The plaintiff, an employee of the State of Indiana Office of Technology, filed suit alleging that IOT failed to promote him because of his race. The employee, who is Black, applied for a new position with the agency in May of 2019. The position had already been offered in April, however, to another employee, who is white.

“The chain of events showed clearly that IOT supervisors did not pass over the plaintiff because of his race,” Attorney General Rokita said. “Rather, even before the plaintiff applied, IOT supervisors carefully evaluated the distinct attributes of staff members to achieve the best possible match for the open position.”

Attorney General Rokita specifically thanked Deputy Attorneys General Brandyn Arnold, Gustavo Jimenez and Jake Zurschmiede — along with their supervisors, Chief Counsel of Litigation Patricia Erdmann and Section Chief of Government Litigation Adrienne Pope.

The team’s work in this case produced an estimated savings to the state of $200,000 in damages, fees and costs.

Through successful trial advocacy, motion practice and negotiations, the litigation team’s work during Attorney General Rokita’s administration has saved Hoosier taxpayers millions.

USI Historic New Harmony exhibit tells story of visionary Kentucky artist, writer and sustainability pioneer

0

USI’s Historic New Harmony is proud to present Driftwood: The Life of Harlan Hubbard on display at the Atheneum Visitors Center. The engaging, traveling exhibit on maverick northern Kentucky artist and writer Harlan Hubbard (1900-88) is on display now through July 12, with a closing talk and book signing at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 12. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Driftwood: The Life of Harlan Hubbard paints a vivid portrait of Hubbard and his wife, Anna, who are revered for the example they set for those who wish to create a simple life that embraces ecological consciousness and connection to place. While some may have heard of the Hubbards’ shantyboat journey on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, or their search for a quiet life at their home of Payne Hollow, few know the entire story.

Hubbard published two books about his countercultural life: Shantyboat (1953) and Payne Hollow: Life on the Fringe of Society (1974). Some of his journals and other writings were published posthumously. Known best as a writer and early environmentalist, Hubbard considered himself an artist above all. His artistic practice encompassed watercolor, oil, acrylic, pencil sketches and woodcut printmaking. He focused on pastoral subjects, notably those found in the rural landscapes around Kentuckiana and the Ohio River.

Harlan and Anna Hubbard’s practice of simple and sustainable living has resonated with many people, including poet, writer, environmentalist and farmer Wendell Berry. In 1997, Berry published the biography, Harlan Hubbard: Life and Work, which introduced the Hubbards’ story to a wider audience. Over a decade later, curator Jessica K. Whitehead learned about Harlan Hubbard as a student at Hanover College in Indiana, which has 31 paintings donated by the artist in its archives. Her fascination with his life and work led her to curate multiple exhibits about the Hubbards and to write the introduction to The Watercolors of Harlan Hubbard (2021). In February 2025, Whitehead released a new biography, Driftwood: The Life of Harlan Hubbard, that uses published and unpublished journals, letters, manuscripts and artwork to offer new insights about his character and legacy.

The traveling exhibit coming to New Harmony shares the essential narrative of Jessica K. Whitehead’s biography alongside images of Hubbard’s artwork and historic photographs. Driftwood is sponsored by Payne Hollow on the Ohio and designed by Brooks Vessels of the Filson Historical Society. The Atheneum is the latest stop on its tour, which is booked through 2026. The exhibit will next travel to the Lucille Caudill Fine Arts and Design Library at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, in late July. It will also be displayed in 2025 at the Janice Mason Art Museum in Cadiz, Kentucky.

“I’m thrilled Historic New Harmony can display Driftwood: The Life of Harlan Hubbard at the Atheneum Visitors Center this summer,” says Diane Sanders, Assistant Director of Historic New Harmony. “There are numerous connections between New Harmony’s history and Harlan and Anna Hubbard’s story as they attempted to create their own version of utopia featuring simple living, environmental sustainability and the arts. We’re especially excited to host the exhibit inside the Atheneum, featuring views of New Harmony’s historic sites and the bank of the Wabash River, which will provide visitors with a relevant context for exploring the content of the exhibit.”

1...192021...7,229Page 20 of 7,229