|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
|
HOT JOBS
Vincennes University awards former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb Honorary Doctorate of Public Service
VINCENNES, Ind., May 5, 2025 – The Honorable Eric Holcomb has a lifelong connection to Vincennes University, the city of Vincennes, and Knox County. This connection spans generations, making it fitting and profoundly personal for VU to bestow an honorary doctorate upon the 51st Governor of Indiana.
Holcomb, who served as Indiana’s Governor from 2017 to 2025, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Public Service during Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 3, in the P.E. Complex. VU began the tradition of awarding Honorary Doctorates in 1952.
“As someone with deep Knox County family roots dating back to the 1800s and a lifelong history buff, I couldn’t be more sentimental and grateful to Vincennes University for this recognition,” Holcomb said.
His parents, Neil and Marcia Holcomb, are Knox County natives who met as students on the Vincennes Campus and graduated from VU in 1961.
Eric Holcomb said, “Six decades later, I, as Governor, got to work with President (Dr. Chuck) Johnson, faculty, and trustees to support VU’s vital state mission. The future productivity of Hoosiers calling Indiana home, both citizens and companies alike, has become dependent on VU’s areas of expertise.”
University leaders recognize Holcomb’s strong connection to VU, which is enhanced by his exceptional professional reputation, which is rooted in innovative leadership.
VU Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Sievers said, “Vincennes University is incredibly proud to award an honorary doctorate to the former Governor Eric Holcomb. His distinguished public service and deep-rooted ties to our institution embody the very essence of leadership and civic dedication. We are sincerely grateful for his tireless advocacy on behalf of Hoosiers.”
As Governor, Holcomb championed initiatives that propelled Indiana to new heights in economic growth, global engagement, and workforce development. He is a true catalyst for transformation and advancement. There’s no denying his powerful impact on driving forward-thinking initiatives that foster growth. His leadership instills a sense of motivation that encourages Indiana residents to transcend limitations and strive for excellence.
President Johnson said, “VU welcomes Eric Holcomb among our esteemed honorary doctorate alumni, celebrating his distinguished career in public service. As Governor, he demonstrated extraordinary leadership during extraordinary times and a steadfast commitment to enhancing the lives of all Hoosiers. His many contributions to education, economic development, and community development serve as an inspiration to VU students and graduates. The University is honored to recognize his remarkable achievements, which are even more special because of his strong personal connections to VU and Knox County.”
Holcomb speaks warmly about his time in the 1990s living in Vincennes, his mother’s hometown. His father hails from Oaktown.
Holcomb said, “When I got out of the U.S. Navy from overseas, I moved back to Vincennes, Indiana, into the home my mother was raised in and where our family spent annual holidays with my grandmother.”
Living in Vincennes gave him ample chances to explore VU and its campus. Holcomb commends VU for its impact across the state and its advancements in higher education.
He added, “As a Vincennes resident, I immediately started to attend what would become countless events on this beautiful campus, which has remained in lockstep with the industry of tomorrow while providing upward mobility today for those who seek to make and use the products that make our future.”
USI Radio and TV Program rises in Broadcasting Education Association rankings
The University of Southern Indiana Radio and Television (RTV) Program has, once again, earned high rankings according to the Broadcast Education Association (BEA). This year, BEA ranked USI as sixth in audio programs, 27th in sports programs and 22nd overall out of over 150 schools in the nation. In two years, USI has jumped 15 spots in overall rankings.
The rankings are founded on results from the BEA Festival of Media Arts; an international media competition focused on student and faculty creative endeavors. The rankings are not an overall evaluation of an academic program, but rather an evaluation of the quality and consistency of students’ creative works produced at one institution compared to those at other institutions.
“These rankings are a reflection of the great students we have and the hard work that they have put in both this year and over the past five years,” says John Morris, Instructor in Radio and Television. “These students are dedicated to their craft and take great pride in the finished product. And for students considering a college, this says that as you consider USI, you know that you will be at an outstanding program and working with other students and faculty that will help make you better each day.”
USI’s Radio and Television major prepares students for the media industry by providing a foundation in media production, analysis, and theory, along with hands-on training in creating, editing and producing digital media. Students learn how to produce and distribute audio and video programs and receive on-air experience.
BRIDGE Statement Regarding the First Amendment and Antisemitism
The Trump administration and the Braun administration have both release Executive Orders related to First Amendment rights and antisemitism. However, what the government has said and done is far more dangerous than what they have written in official Executive Orders.
The Trump administration’s detention of Mahmoud Khalil and so many others is an affront to our country’s laws and values. Mahmoud Khalil used his voice to protest something that he believes to be wrong, inhumane, and immoral. This simple, foundational First Amendment right must be extended to U.S. citizens and residents alike. The Trump administration is attempting to equate speaking out on behalf of Palestinians with support of a terrorist organization. The administration is also attempting to equate protesting the policies and actions of the government of Israel with antisemitism. These equivalencies are false. They are dangerous. These actions deprive people in the U.S., like Mahmoud, of their rights. This perpetuates a dehumanizing narrative that Palestinian lives do not matter and emboldens anti-Muslim hate and violence. This also obscures actual antisemitism which is incredibly damaging to our Jewish neighbors locally and around the world.
BRIDGE stands for human rights, including First Amendment rights. BRIDGE values the dignity of human life, including residents of the U.S., Palestine, Israel, and the rest of the world.
At BRIDGE, we are working locally to raise awareness of inequities and facilitate transformative change. If you, your company, congregation, or other group want to join us in this work, please email bridge.evv@gmail.com or message us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BRIDGEevv) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/bridgeevv).
Bode and Howe earn All-MVC honors
Both recognized on Wednesday
DES MOINES, Iowa – University of Evansville softball players Niki Bode and Taylor Howe were recognized on Wednesday as the Missouri Valley Conference announced its postseason award. Bode earned a spot on the All-MVC Second Team while Howe was named to the All-Defensive squad.
Bode led the Purple Aces with a .338 batting average in 2025. She completed the regular season with three home runs, 24 RBI, 22 runs scored, and 22 walks. In February, Bode had a perfect 3-for-3 effort in a win over UT Martin before picking up three hits versus Ball State in March. She had the game-winning double in the second game of a doubleheader versus Lindenwood.
As conference play began, Bode continued her solid play. She recorded five hits in eight at-bats over the final two games of the UNI series before scoring four runs in a pair of games at Valparaiso. Bode played a pivotal role in the May 3 win over Southern Illinois as she went 2-3 with an RBI.
Howe put up several highlight reel plays at third base over the course of the season on the way to the defensive accolade. A strong start to the season was highlighted by an MVC Player of the Week nod on February 25. She batted .455 that week with a home run in all four games for UE.
Her strong efforts continued as she completed the regular season with seven home runs, 31 RBI, and 33 runs while batting .285. Howe recorded a career-best four hits in the finale at Missouri State while matching her top mark with three runs scored in the second game at Valparaiso. She also had a strong performance in the win over SIU going 2-3 with two runs and a steal.
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 Circuit Court Judge Ryan Hatfield received the Emerging Voice Award from Purdue University’s
On April 11, 2025, Vanderburgh Circuit Court Judge Ryan Hatfield received the Emerging Voice Award from Purdue University’s College of Liberal Arts. Since 2008, the Emerging Voice Award has recognized young alumni who have excelled in their careers and proven to be productive, engaged members of society.
Alumni with one or more degrees from the College of Liberal Arts and are 40 years or younger are eligible to be considered for this award. Judge
Hatfield is a 2010 graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political In addition to being the Circuit Judge of Vanderburgh County, Judge Hatfield was recognized for his service in the Indiana General Assembly, where he served as Assistant Leader and Ranking Minority Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Employment.
Labor and Pensions. He is the 2024 recipient of the ARMIGA Civility Award for exceptional display of civility, cooperation, friendliness and bipartisan spirit throughout his tenure in the Indiana legislature from 2016 to 2024.
Evansville Fire Department to Take Over Emergency Ambulance Services
In a strategic effort to coordinate emergency response and create long-term fiscal sustainability, the City of Evansville has announced that the Evansville Fire Department (EFD) will assume full responsibility for ambulance services within city limits.
The target date for the changeover is July 1, 2026.
This transition follows the City’s notification to its current provider of ambulance services, AMR, of its intention to bring that role internal. By bringing this service in-house, city officials anticipate quicker response times, more affordable rates for users, and significant operational efficiencies.
“Evansville is moving forward—and that means delivering smarter, faster, and more affordable services for our residents,” said Mayor Stephanie Terry. “This transition not only enhances our public safety infrastructure, it also creates a reliable source of revenue that can be reinvested in our fire department and help offset future budget pressures created by recent statewide property tax caps.”
Currently, EFD’s 14 stations are fully integrated with Central Dispatch and are strategically located throughout the city – positioning the department to respond to emergencies quickly and effectively. Forecasts project that ambulance rates will decrease by approximately 20%, while the department moves toward cost recovery and profitability.
Mayor Terry also expressed gratitude for the long-standing emergency service partnerships in the community: “We are thankful for the service provided by AMR under our current system, and for the professionals who have supported our residents in times of need. As we take this next step, our focus is on building a system that is even more responsive to the evolving needs of Evansville.”
The Evansville Fire Department will now begin procurement of necessary ambulances and equipment, with the support of the Board of Public Safety and Evansville City Council. Approximately $7 million in initial investment will be required to launch the service.
Fire Chief Tony Knight estimates the service will become self-sustaining within four years.
“By 2028, we project an annual surplus of $3.5 million,” Chief Knight said. “That’s revenue that can relieve pressure on the city’s general fund, freeing up dollars for investments in roads, housing, parks, and other vital services.”
This initiative aligns with Mayor Terry’s priority to strengthen public safety while modernizing local government operations to better serve Evansville residents.