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USI Follows Nationwide Enrollment Trend

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USI Follows Nationwide Enrollment Trend

USI’s undergrad enrollment has fallen to its lowest levels since 1998 and now students are expressing some concern.

“I just wish they would advertise more to places farther away, I know its a small school and I know that’s not as appealing to people but its the cheapest school in the state,” freshman Zachary Whetsel says.

He says he had not even heard about USI until his senior year of high school.

“the campus is really nice, they have a lot to offer on campus, the dorms are the nicest I have seen in Indiana, the campus is beautiful it checks all the boxes for a small school and I am just sad I did not hear about it,” Whetsel says.

According to most recent enrollment numbers, USI’s population dropped below 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students for the first time since the 1998-1999 academic year. Enrollment fell from 9,014 students in 2017 to now just 8,962 not including college achievement program students.

Some students including junior Anna Jones say even if USI tried to do more, it would be almost impossible to increase enrollment.

“Obviously anywhere can try and do more but that’s not always going to affect the student population,” Jones says.

USI’s first time college student enrollment fell 3.8 percent to just above 1,600 freshman for the 2018-19 academic year.

Some students are now left wondering how the university will increase the number of students applying. USI recently unveiled the new Fuqauy Welcome Center in hopes of drawing more prospective students.

At university’s nationwide student enrollment has been falling for years and officials say its part of a larger trend.

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OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA WELCOMES THREE NEW TEAM MEMBERS

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Old National Events Plaza is pleased to announce the addition of three new team members in key positions within the company.  Brian Liivak, Director of Operations, Lauren Birch, Human Resources Designee/Finance Manager and Reeya Vyas, Sales & Social Media Manager, have all joined the Old National Events Plaza team over the last four months and bring with them a wealth of knowledge in their respective fields.

“We are thrilled to welcome Brian, Lauren & Reeya to the Old National Events Plaza team,” said Alexis Berggren, General Manager.  “Each brings a wealth of experience, a fresh perspective, and passion for our industry.  I am confident their contributions will strengthen and improve our ability to deliver dynamic event experiences to our visitors.”

Brian Liivak comes to Old National Events Plaza with almost ten years of experience in the event industry. Most recently, Brian worked as the Operations Manager at a four-building campus in Tucson, Arizona that included a convention center, 9,000 seat arena, 2,300 seat theater and a 500-seat community theater. In addition to overseeing all of the operations staff and event logistics, he spearheaded community engagement projects that helped create volunteer opportunities for venue employees in the community. Liivak graduated from Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Political Science and a Minor in Communication Studies. Brian’s experience in other markets, encompassing nine different venues, has helped him transition into his new role as Director of Operations. Liivak comments, “I look forward to the bright future of Old National Events Plaza and integrating into the great community of Evansville.”

Lauren Burch has been a lifetime resident of Evansville, IN. Burch is a graduate of the University of Evansville with a degree in Sports Management. Burch was most recently the Accounting Manager at VenuWorks. Burch comments, “My interest in the Old National Event Plaza came from my love of working and organizing event staff in a hospitality driven industry.  While searching outside my box, I was led to an opportunity to connect and work with a very cultural and diverse community. I look forward to this exciting opportunity and working with my team and the clients.”  

Reeya Vyas joins Old National Events Plaza following her December graduation from the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Minor in Graphic Design. Vyas excelled in business studies at the Romain College of Business and was the Assistant Lab Coordinator in the Strategic Social Media Lab at USI. Vyas was the Vice President of Membership for Speaking Eagles Toastmasters and a Commencement Speaker.  Vyas states, “I was attracted by the Old National Events Plaza’s mission to deliver excellence in customer service to all of their clients, and the commitment to being an integral part of community growth in the downtown area.  I am looking forward to building the Old National Events Plaza’s online presence and working with clients. I am excited to be a part of a team that is dedicated to going above and beyond clients’ expectations.”

 

 

 

 

Adoptee Birth Certificate Requests Soar After Change In Law

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Dave Stafford for www.theindianalawyer.com

The number of adopted Hoosiers seeking information from the state about their birth parents has more than quadrupled since a new law took effect last year, opening access to the records.

“We’ve received 4,211 requests for adoption records since June 1, 2018,” according to Indiana Department of Health spokeswoman Megan Wade-Taxter. That compares to past annual totals of 953 in 2017 and 916 requests in 2016.

The surge in requests for adoption records can be traced to a law that took effect last year. Senate Enrolled Act 91 permits people born in Indiana and adopted between 1941 and 1993 to obtain their birth certificates and medical records. Those records previously were closed to adoptees who requested them.

Wade-Taxter said the surge in requests for records began after the bill was signed into law but before it took effect July 1. Requests for information continue to far outpace prior years, she said.

The health department now provides those records unless the biological mother files a written form objecting to release of the information. Wade-Taxter said the department does not track the number of birth mothers who file the form denying the release of information to adoptees, nor does the department track the number of requests for records from adoptees that cannot be honored. The surge in requests for information also has led to a lag in the time it takes the department to reply to adoptees seeking their records. Processing the requests in some cases has taken several months.

“We began seeing an increase in requests in June, as adoptees knew the turnaround time was several weeks, so their request, even if submitted in June, would not be processed until after the law took effect,” Wade-Texter said in an email.

More information about access to adoption records is available here.

EVSC School Board Approves Innovative RAMP Initiative

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EVSC School Board Approves Innovative RAMP Initiative

Yesterday (April 8), the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation School Board approved a first-of-its-kind comprehensive work-based learning program in Indiana that completely embeds high school students within an Evansville-based industry. RAMP, Real-World Application; Maximizing Potential, is a program through EVSC’s OptIN, in partnership with AmeriQual, where students will work side-by-side with industry experts to acquire manufacturing skills that they can use, upon graduation, to acquire a high-wage, high-demand career.

“The collaboration between OptIN and AmeriQual to establish RAMP is truly an innovation in education. It creates an unprecedented learning environment that will increase student hope, engagement, and success,” said EVSC Superintendent David Smith. “RAMP will empower students to be successful by teaching not only traditional subject matter, but also provide transferable skills such as the ability to collaborate, think critically, problem solve, communicate effectively and demonstrate ethical practices. All of which are highly sought after by employers.”

Beginning this fall, students in RAMP will work and attend class on the AmeriQual campus on Highway 41 in Evansville. The classroom will be a hybrid where teachers will meet students where they are on the path to graduation. The students’ day will be split between four hours of on-the-job work and four hours of classroom time. This experience will provide students with an opportunity for hands-on learning and the ability to apply what they are learning in the classroom to the real world.

“AmeriQual, like many businesses right now, is always looking for qualified employees to join our team,” said Mirsada Salihovic, vice president of human resources.  “RAMP will allow us to create a pipeline of skilled workers who are already part of our family and who can be successful whether they stay at AmeriQual upon graduation or move on to something else.”

The initial RAMP cohort will include 80 students who will be selected through an application process based on need. The program fulfills the requirements for students to graduate with the opportunity to earn several certifications; including, MSSC Certification, OSHA 10 and a Forklift certification which all lead to high wage high demand careers. Students will get paid for their work and be eligible for attendance and productivity bonuses.

Going forward, the EVSC hopes to expand the program not only within AmeriQual but also work to include additional local companies and businesses.

Students interested in applying for RAMP can visit www.EVSCschools.com/RAMPapply or speak with their school counselor.

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT SWEETHEART SINGER/VENTRILOQUIST DARCI LYNNE BRINGS HER MUSICAL COMEDY SHOW TO EVANSVILLE

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An Evening For The Entire Family To Enjoy

Winning NBC’s “Americas Got Talent” at just 12-years old by the most votes for a final performance in the history of the show, singer/ventriloquist Darci Lynne impresses audiences across the country with her sweetheart disposition and undeniable, show-stopping talent beyond her years.

Accompanied by her musical friends including a divaesque rabbit: Petunia, a shy and soulful mouse: Oscar and a sarcastic old woman: Edna.  Singing through her friends helped the young entertainer find a voice inside she didn’t know she had and helped her overcome a lifelong struggle with shyness. An Oklahoma native, Darci began participating in talent-based pageants at a young age and picked up ventriloquism shortly after. Two weeks later, Darci began tackling talent shows, eventually making it to the biggest talent show on television, NBC’s “Americas Got Talent.”

Following her big win, she has been featured on NBC’s “Little Big Shots,” Food Networks “Kids Baking Championship,” “Ellen” and “TODAY.” Her first Christmas special “Darci Lynne: My Hometown Christmas” aired in Dec. 11, 2018. Darci and her friends are continually on the road bringing smiles to audiences across the country.  Visit: https://www.darcilynne.com/.

FOOTNOTES: Tickets: $26.75 – $46.75, See website for Platinum / Showtime: Sat. 7:00PM

Call: 800-745-3000 / Visit: https://www.darcilynne.com/.

The Old National Events Plaza is located at 715 Locust St. Evansville, IN 47708

Leighty Earns All-Tournament Honors At Triton Invitational

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University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf wrapped up competition in the Triton Invitational, hosted by the University of Missouri-St. Louis, on Monday. Junior Abbey Leighty (Mt. Carmel, Illinois) earned herself a spot on the All-Tournament team, posting two rounds of 75 for an eight-over performance in the two-day event.

USI encountered a rocky start on Sunday, as three of the six Screaming Eagles in the event had their first round disqualified, which eventually led to a team finish of 17th among the 19 teams. Leighty’s 75 in the first round left her T-3rd.

While Leighty stayed steady on Monday, sophomore Brittany Skinner (Evansville, Indiana) picked up five strokes from her Sunday round for 84 in the second day. Leighty finished T-4th in the Triton Invitational while Skinner finished T-40th among 92 players.

USI Women’s Golf has just under three weeks to prepare for the Great Lakes Valley Conference championship at the Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Illinois, starting on April 26.

Eagles Set For Senior Day As Leonhardt Snares Another Honor

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As University of Southern Indiana Softball gets set for its Senior Day festivities this weekend, junior pitcher Jennifer Leonhardt (Louisville, Kentucky) has been named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week in an announcement by the league office Monday afternoon.

The announcement marks the second straight week and the third time in four weeks that Leonhardt has been named the GLVC Pitcher of the Week. It’s the seventh time in her career that she has earned the honor.

Leonhardt went 2-0 with a save, a 0.00 ERA, a .167 opponent batting average and 24 strikeouts as the Screaming Eagles went 4-0 with GLVC road sweeps over William Jewell College and Rockhurst University.

Additionally, Leonhard went 9-for-15 at the plate with four doubles, three RBI and three runs scored.

USI (25-13, 13-3 GLVC), which begins the week atop the GLVC standings after winning nine of its last 10 games, returns to action Tuesday at 6 p.m. when it hosts Kentucky Wesleyan College in a Midwest Region doubleheader at the USI Softball Field.

The Eagles also host Missouri University of Science & Technology in a GLVC doubleheader Saturday at noon before finishing the week with a conference twinbill against Drury University Sunday at noon. Sunday is Senior Day for USI, which will honor its seniors—catcher Lindsey Barr (Whitesville, Kentucky), outfielder/pitcher Caitlyn Bradley (Forest, Indiana), second baseman Claire Johnson (Pittsboro, Indiana) and pitcher Haylee Smith (Florence, Kentucky)—following the games.

All six games will be aired on the GLVC Sports Network, while live stats, video and radio coverage can be accessed at Go

Alumni Reception Honoring Distinguished Alumna

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Alumni Reception Honoring Distinguished Alumni

Tuesday, April 9, 5-7 p.m. at Ivy Tech Community College
Hallway near Entrance B (front of campus facing First Avenue)
3501 N. First Avenue, Evansville

This year’s Distinguished Alumni Recipient, Amanda Crowe, along with past recipients and other alumni of Ivy Tech’s Evansville Campus, will meet to celebrate during an informal alumni reception on Tuesday, April 9. Amanda graduated from Ivy Tech in 2008 with an associate degree in Human Services. She is currently Vice President of Human Resources for the Evansville Rescue Mission, but since starting at the Rescue Mission has served in almost every position in the organization. Prior to attending Ivy Tech, Amanda worked for a utility company but decided a college education would better her life and opportunities. She began working at the Rescue Mission through internships in Human Services from Ivy Tech and never left.

Eagles Battle For Second At KWC Panther Invite

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University of Southern Indiana Men’s Golf nabbed a second-place finish at the KWC Panther Invite at The Pearl Club on Monday for its best finish, in any event, this season. Junior K.O. Taylor (Madisonville, Kentucky) and freshman Zach Williams (Mt. Vernon, Illinois) led the Screaming Eagles with par performances, both finishing T-6th of 56 players.

Taylor took a one-stroke lead on Williams in day one, posting rounds of 72 and 73, respectively. Sophomore Nate Caudle(Wayne City, Illinois) and junior Zach Breault (Bridgeport, Illinois) each posted a 78 on Sunday for USI, while freshman Adam Filo (Norton, Ohio) fell in line with another 78, competing individually.

Things heated up on Monday as the Eagles rallied for a 12-stroke improvement, led by Williams’ 71 and Taylor’s 72. Caudle finished the event with a 75 for a T-15th performance while Breault posted a 77, good for T-20th.

USI Men’s Golf heads to Springfield, Illinois on April 12 for the UIS Spring Invitational, hosted by the University of Illinois Springfield at the Piper Glen Golf Club.

ADOPT A PET

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Joe is a male Treeing Walker Coonhound. He’s about 3 years old and has had a rough life previously living outdoors. He’s afraid of chain link because of that. He is heartworm-positive (but VHS will provide treatment at no extra cost) and he deserves an indoor home. And he’s a Coonhound through & through – he will successfully “tree” other critters and make his voice heard when he does His adoption fee is $110 and includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and more. Contact Vanderburgh Humane at (812) 426-2563 for adoption details