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Vincennes University Board of Trustees hears about rising incoming enrollment on Vincennes Campus

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JASPER, Ind. August 29, 2024 – In a meeting charged with optimism, the Vincennes University Board of Trustees acknowledged strategic investments in faculty and staff and heard reports of rising incoming enrollment at the Vincennes Campus and the vital impact of community partnerships. The meeting on Aug. 21 at the VU Jasper Campus culminated with a special recognition of an outstanding student leader.

Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Sievers praised the University and the Board for their investments in VU faculty and staff, including the salary improvements made to attract and retain the best employees. After an independent consultant undertook a 15-month compensation study, VU aligned salaries with market compensation rates at the start of the 2024–25 fiscal year. It has resulted in a new compensation management system that VU will utilize to stay competitive.

Sievers said, “I’m very proud that in just one year we were able to get significant changes made and completed some benchmarks that we are striving for.”

Largest Incoming Class on Vincennes Campus since 2021

The Trustees heard news of positive trends from Director of Admissions Sarah McLin. She shared a series of exciting developments, reflecting an outstanding start to the new academic year.

VU kicked off Fall Semester 2024 with the largest incoming class on the Vincennes Campus since 2021, with just under 1,100 students. VU has also experienced a 20 percent increase in enrollment from Twin Rivers Career and Technical Education Cooperative on the Vincennes Campus. This program serves high school students from Knox, Sullivan, Daviess, Greene, and Martin counties, providing them with dual enrollment opportunities in high-demand fields. The University also has the largest number of housing contracts on the Vincennes Campus since 2020.

VU is attracting high-achieving students, according to McLin. The University has experienced a 60 percent increase in the number of incoming Trailblazers who were the Valedictorian or Salutatorian of their high school class. Preliminary first-day figures also revealed encouraging diversity growth, with an increase in African American students and Latino students compared to Fall Semester 2023. Additionally, VU is witnessing promising rises in its female and urban student populations. VU is also proud to report a rise in international students, both on the Vincennes Campus and through online programs.

“This speaks to the quantity of students, and the quality of students,” McLin said.

A Model for Indiana in Workforce and Education Alignment

The Board heard an engaging report from the Interim Dean of VU Jasper Stephanie Stemle, the University’s Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives.

Stemle shared how VU Jasper supports local high school students in numerous ways, including providing technical education to high school students in conjunction with the Patoka Valley Career and Technical Cooperative that serves Dubois and surrounding counties. According to Stemle, VUJ has 225 high students on the Jasper Campus for Fall Semester 2024 through dual enrollment and dual credit programs in high-demand pathways such as Construction Trades, Automation and Robotics, EMT, Health Careers and Criminal Justice, and most of these students are engaged in work-based learning opportunities with employers in Dubois County. She added that Patoka Valley students are participating in a Habitat for Humanity of Dubois County build as part of their VUJ courses. This is the fourth house in the past five years that VUJ has partnered with Habitat for Humanity to construct.

VUJ is also a partner of Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center, and more than 70 percent of recent graduates who received their license have gone on to work at Memorial Hospital. Stemle also shared an update about the LPN to BSN bachelor’s nursing program established in 2022, which provides an accelerated path for licensed practical nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and transition to careers as registered nurses. She mentioned that the first students have graduated from the bachelor’s program.

Stemle also highlighted Dubois County’s robust manufacturing industry and VUJ’s strong partnerships with companies such as Kimball Electronics, MasterBrand, OFS, Jasper Engines, and others through the Automation and Robotics Academy, Career Advancement Partnership program and customized business and industry training programs. She also shared that a new PLC lab in VUJ’s Center for Technology, Innovation and Manufacturing (CTIM) will supplement training offered by VU Jasper. She also shared an important milestone from the VUJ Foundation, which has sponsored Scholastic Excellence Awards for five straight years. An impressive 120 students have received full tuition, a one-year $1,000 stipend and a laptop through the scholarship program.

VUJ is exploring more ways to reach adult learners and the area’s growing Latino population with vital educational opportunities, according to Stemle. Additionally, nearly $3 million investments have been made at VU Jasper, including in new equipment and technology to enhance the affordable, high-quality education it provides.

Stemle said, “These investments ensure that the Jasper Campus continues to be a hub for cultivating local talent and contributing to the overall vibrancy of this community.”

President’s Remarks

VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson introduced the new Director of Athletics John Meeks, to the trustees via video conferencing during his President’s Remarks. Meeks, an experienced athletics administrator and former men’s college basketball coach, will begin his new role on Sept. 9. John Meeks succeeds Harry Meeks (no relation), the longstanding director of athletics who retired in June.

Johnson said, “John brings a lot of passion and intensity to this role, and we welcome John to the Trailblazer family.”

Johnson also shared several important milestones, including that the fourth training class has graduated from VU’s industrial maintenance training lab, which opened in 2023 in the Jackson County Learning Center in Seymour. Additionally, he shared that for 15 straight years, the College of Science Engineering and Mathematics’ Pre-Pharmacy program has enjoyed a 100% acceptance rate to pharmacy schoolsnationwide.

History-making Student Trustee honored

Another joyous milestone was recognized as the meeting came to a close. The Board issued a Resolution of Appreciation to Student Trustee Gayle Baugh in honor of her distinguished service. Baugh is the only VU student trustee who has served two terms on the Board. Her current term expires Oct. 6, 2024, and she will graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Mild Intervention K–12. Baugh enthusiastically embraced her time at VU, serving not only as a trustee but also as a student tour guide for the Admissions Office, participating in the service-oriented Education Club, leading the Cheer Team as captain, being a part of the Horticulture Club and making the Dean’s List.

Reps. McNamara, O’Brien: Applications now open for 2025 Statehouse internships

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 Reps. McNamara, O’Brien: Applications now open for 2025 Statehouse internships

 STATEHOUSE (Aug. 28, 2024) – Applications to intern with Indiana House Republicans for the 2025 legislative session are now open, according to State Reps. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) and Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville).

O’Brien said the Indiana House of Representatives offers a spring semester internship at the Statehouse in Indianapolis during the legislative session, which will start in January and conclude in April. House Interns earn $900 biweekly and work full time, Monday through Friday.

“The Indiana Statehouse is a great place to build connections that can help interns achieve their career goals,” O’Brien said. “The internship can lead to a job in state government or a variety of other fields.”

McNamara, a former House intern, said internships are open to college students and recent graduates of all majors. Interns get free parking, career and professional development assistance, enrollment access to an Indiana government class, and opportunities to earn academic credits through their college or university.

“A House internship is a tremendous opportunity for young Hoosiers to use the knowledge and skills they learned in the classroom and apply it at the Statehouse,” McNamara said. “Working during a legislative session can really boost an intern’s resume.”

Internships are open to college students and recent graduates of all majors. Interns get free parking, career and professional development assistance, enrollment access to an Indiana government class, and opportunities to earn academic credits through their college or university. Interns are also eligible to apply for a competitive $3,000 scholarship to use toward undergraduate and graduate expenses.

The program offers opportunities for students to work in various departments related to their studies, including legislative operations, policy and communications. Applications are available online at indianahouserepublicans.com/internship and are due by Oct. 31.

LINK OF Retail Food Establishment Inspection Report

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Healthy food. Healthy eating background. Fruit, vegetable, berry. Vegetarian eating. Superfood

 

LINK OF Retail Food Establishment Inspection Report

Food Reports Aug 4-10, 2024

AUGUST BIRTHDAYS

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                           Tracy Renee Mercer

Jason Ascher
Donald Barnes
Fred Thompson
Rick Reed
Scott Conrad
Christopher Whitaker
Matt Michelle Hostettler
Chris May
Cathy Cobb-Gish
Lola Perkett
Kevin Martin
Bradley Ray Stinchfield
Dan Johnson
Rick Kyle
Lisa Mckinney
Duane Gilles
John Regan
Heath Farmer
Pete Schwambach
Andrée Gates Beaver
Jackie Redford
Jim Sanders
Eileen Kahre
Joan Wetherill
Debbie Bush
John Hurley
Brandon Scott Danks
David Goldblatt
Marc Hoeppner
Vicky Hasenour
Jared Davis
Jason Ascher
Donald Barnes
Fred Thompson
Rick Reed
Scott Conrad
Christopher Whitaker
Matt Michelle Hostettler
Chris May
Cathy Cobb-Gish
Lola Perkett
Kevin Martin
Bradley Ray Stinchfield
Dan Johnson
Rick Kyle
Lisa Mckinney
Duane Gilles
John Regan
Heath Farmer
Pete Schwambach
Andrée Gates Beaver
Jackie Redford
Jim Sanders
Eileen Kahre
Joan Wetherill
Debbie Bush
John Hurley
Brandon Scott Danks
David Goldblatt
Marc Hoeppner
Vicky Hasenour
Jared Davis
Madeline King
Clayton Daugherty
MELANIE SOLMOS
Steven Lowell Smith

Jennifer Nagy

Scott Railey

Lance Wilkerson

Vicki Bettag

J. Glenn Robinson

Karen Gasaway
 Joan Andy Lindauer

8th Annual Friday Knights Hunger Bowl to Raise money for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry

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8th Annual Friday Knights Hunger Bowl to Raise money for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry

Submitted by Mark Hackert and John Sandwell

AUGUST 22, 2024

Eight years ago, John Sandwell, a member of Auxillio Knights of Columbus Council 16541(St. Phillip/Corpus Christi parishes) had an idea after reading an article about two Catholic High School Football teams in Florida raising money to feed the hunger at their annual Football Game in the Knights of Columbus magazine –COLUMBIA.  John wondered, why can’t the area Knights do something like this here in Evansville with the game between the two Catholic High Schools Mater Dei and Reitz Memorial?   He reached out to Brother Knight Mark Hackert of the St. Benedict Cathedral Knights of Columbus 7544 and supporter of Reitz Memorial High School. 

LINKS TO PICTURES OF STUDENTS WHO HELP RAISE MONEY FOR ST VINCENT FOOD BANK

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Sister Donna Marie Herr, St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry, the manager of St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry(SVDP), a longtime teacher at Mater Dei and known to generations of Mater Dei Wildcats. After talking with and the approval of the two high schools– THE FRIDAY KNIGHTS HUNGER BOWL was born.  John and Mark reached out to the ten K of C councils and over 1,000 Knights in the Evansville area to work on this project and to promote the Knights of Columbus mission toward this worthy goal. 

All the area Catholic Grade and High Schools, and parishes are involved in their own way to raise funds for St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry. From the $3,500 raised the first year to nearly $30,000 raised last year, John and Mark are amazed but not surprised by the support from the Catholic community.   A mantra they have is:  People can’t DO If they Don’t Know. 

The 8th Annual Friday KNIGHTS Hunger Bowl is scheduled for Friday, September 13th at the Reitz Bowl at Reitz High School.  Game time is 6:30 pm.  This project raises money for the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry.  The Hunger Bowl Game will feature the Reitz Memorial Tigers and Mater Dei Wildcats. Donna Marie Herr, OSB, SVDP Food Pantry Manager, appreciates all the monies from the supporters of Memorial and Mater Dei.  Over the first seven years over $90,000 has been raised to help St. Vincent dePaul Food Pantry.  Our goal this year is to raise $30,000.

The gathering of the fans for the two Evansville Catholic High School football teams is probably the largest gathering of Catholics in the diocese each year.  Donations at the game last year exceeded $5,000 toward the goal.  Each year the 4th Degree Color Guard of AJ Sprigler Assembly 253 presents the Flags prior to the game and Evansville Diocese Bishop Siegel provides invocation for the game

As successful as the Hunger Bowls have been, the needs continue to grow and more help is needed.  Some sobering facts from last Fiscal year at SVDP Food Pantry:

    • Distributed an estimated 94,032 boxes of food weighing 666,108 pounds.
    • Not unusual for the SVDP Food Pantry to serve over 100 families per day. 
    • Spent $154,00 on food purchases for distribution, up from $90,000 the previous year
    • an increase in the number of households seeking assistance – many were first-time visitors.

Each year the student bodies of Memorial and Mater Dei, the Catholic grade schools, the area K of C Councils, attendees of the game itself and community supporters are involved in the fundraising. Over the last few years, foundations, trusts and businesses have supported this worthy cause.  Each year we have worked to involve more people and groups to increase the amount of support we can offer the St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry.  Your support in promoting this event with the goal of promoting the gift of giving to those in need.  Donations can be made directly to St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry online at:  https://www.fridayknightshungerbowl.org.

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VUVB alum Ariana Gentzler named Assistant Coach

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VINCENNES, Ind. – Former Vincennes University Trailblazer and 2019 NJCAA Division I leader in blocks and block assists Ariana Gentzler is set to join the VUVB coaching staff this season as an Assistant Coach.

“Joining the VUVB coaching staff is a special feeling,” Gentzler said. “When Coach Sien asked me to join the staff as an Assistant, it was an easy answer. I have a ton of great memories from playing at Vincennes and I am excited to make more on the coaching side.”

“We couldn’t have a better person coming into this position,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “Ariana has already been a coach here for one season in 2022. I would have loved if she could have come back a year earlier to assist, but it’s still definitely great to have her, both as someone who grew up in the program and as someone who I have really known since she was 16.”

“It’s nice to have that person on the staff who wanted to come here and be a middle hitter and have all these experiences of being an athlete at Vincennes University,” Sien added. “Getting her associate’s degree at VU and then transferring to get her bachelor’s degree at West Virginia Tech. She’s just a great example for our team to look at and will really be able to help out our sophomores and show them what it takes to achieve all of those things.”

“Volleyball wise, Ariana is a very experienced middle blocker and middle hitter,” Sien said. “She will be working mostly with our middles, which is good because we worked really hard with our middles during the Spring season and we are looking for our two returning middles to have big seasons now that Ariana is here.”

Gentzler came to Vincennes after a stellar high school career at Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School, where she earned All-Sangamon Valley Conference honors.

Gentzler joined the Trailblazers in the fall of 2018 and made an immediate impact, guiding the Blazers to a 27-13 record, with a 12-3 record at home.

Gentzler ended her freshman season with 226 kills, good for third most on the team and a team-leading 100 total blocks and 84 block assists.

Gentzler came back even stronger in her sophomore campaign, leading the nation in blocks with 208 total blocks and 179 block assists, while also adding 195 kills.

Gentzler was named to the 2019 Showdown on the Wabash All-Tournament Team and was named Second Team All-Region 24 as a sophomore.

Gentzler then transferred to play her final two seasons at NAIA West Virginia University Tech in Beckley, W.V.

Gentzler would record 80 kills and 47 total blocks in a shortened 2020 season, before coming back as a senior to record 239 kills and 89 total blocks for the Golden Bears.

Gentzler received Second Team All-River States Conference honors as a junior and received the 2021 River States Conference Champion of Character Award as a senior.

Gentzler was also twice named the West Virginia University Tech Athlete of the Week.

Gentzler returned to the sidelines for the Blazers for the 2022 season as a Volunteer Assistant Coach and helped guide VU to their second straight Region 24 Championship.

“I want the girls to be able to come to me not only for advice on volleyball, but for academics and any other struggles they might be having,” Gentzler added. “Another thing I hope to pass along is having accountability. It’s okay to make mistakes, it’s what you do after that matters. Don’t beat yourself up over an error, everyone makes them, just keep working on getting better on the next play.”

“Also to be coachable and take constructive criticism, whether it’s from Coach Sien, myself, or one of your teammates trying to help you out,” Gentzler said. “Use the info to get better. Be a leader and motivate each other. Success starts in the classroom. If you are a good student, it makes you an even better athlete. I had to overcome some injuries. I had to learn patience and trust and to lean on my team for support. I learned how to be a good teammate and how to lead and support my team both on and off the court.”

“I learned how to work harder to be better so I could continue playing the sport I love,” Gentzler added. “I am hoping to pass this on to the players. This team is not just a team, but a family. They are here to support you through the ups and downs of not just volleyball, but life too. They will always have your back. I developed lifelong friendships at VU and I want that for my players as well. I can’t wait to see what this season brings.”

“I feel like the best situation for any coach in any sport at any level is to bring back alumni to coach,” Sien said. “Of course, they are the ones that have the experiences of the sport side but when you talk about the academic part or the social part of being a student-athlete, that’s something us coaches only have a small idea of because we weren’t students here and I think Ariana will help with those aspects of being a student-athlete at VU as well.”

The Vincennes University Volleyball team is off to a great start to the 2024 season, opening the season with a 3-0 record and a 3-0 record against Region 24 opponents.

The Trailblazers will be on the road this weekend as they travel to Perrysburg, Ohio to take part in the 2024 Owens C.C. Tournament.

VU will open the weekend tournament Friday, Aug. 30 against Mott Community College at 10 a.m. eastern, before taking on NJCAA Division II No. 8-ranked Richard Bland College at 1:30 p.m. eastern Friday.

Vincennes will then close out the weekend slate Saturday, Aug. 31 against Southwestern Michigan Community College at 9 a.m. eastern before taking on Danville Area at 12:30 p.m.

 

USI visits Green Bay Thursday, UE Sunday USI-UE Mayor’s Cup airs on ESPN+

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Men’s Soccer reaches the midway point of its five-game, season-opening road swing Thursday when it visits the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Kick off Thursday is set for 1 p.m.
 
Following the visit to Green Bay, USI returns to the tri-state area and travel across town to play the University of Evansville in the Mayor’s Cup September 1 to start the second half of the road swing. The USI-UE matchup will air on ESPN+.
 
Game coverage for 2024, including links to live stats and/or video streams, can be found on USIScreamingEagles.com.
 
The Eagles open the 2024 home slate September 14 when they host Bellarmine University at Strassweg Field for a 7 p.m. USI fans are able to attend Men’s Soccer 2024 home matches for free courtesy of a sponsorship from ProRehab.
 
USI Men’s Soccer Week 2 Notes:
Eagles fall to Belmont in 2nd Half: The Eagles could not hold off Belmont University in the second half, falling 3-0. USI and Belmont battled to a 0-0 draw through the first 45 minutes, but the Bruins exploded for three goals midway through the final half to pick up the victory.

USI loses opener at Butler: The Eagles opened the 2024 season with a 2-1 loss at Butler University. USI freshman midfielder Ahiro Nakamae scored the Eagles’ lone goal and his first collegiate tally. 

USI was  0-1-1 in preseason: The Eagles were 0-1-1 in the preseason, tying Campbellsville University in a scrimmage, 1-1, and falling to Bradley University in an exhibition match, 4-1. Junior forward Jaron Frye posted USI’s lone goal versus Campbellsville, while junior forward Jackson Mitchell broke up the shutout with a second half goal versus Bradley.

Green Bay in 2023: The University of Wisconsin Green Bay was 10-4-5 overall and 5-2-2 in the Horizon League last year. The Phoenix also won the Horizon League post season championship and advanced to the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Green Bay’s start to 2024: The Phoenix are 0-2-0 to begin the 2024 campaign, losing 2-0 at Northwestern University and 4-2 at the University of Illinois Chicago.

USI vs. Green Bay: USI trails the all-time series with Green Bay, 3-1-1. The Phoenix took last year’s meeting in Green Bay, 7-0. 

Evansville in 2024: The University of Evansville is off to a 2-0-0 start to the 2024 campaign. The Purple Aces started the year with a 2-1 win at Bellarmine University and a 3-0 win at the University of Memphis.

Evansville in 2023: Evansville was 4-8-4 in 2023, 2-4-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

USI vs. Evansville: USI trails the all-time series with Evansville, 1-0-1. The Aces took the 2023 match at Strassweg Field, 4-0.
 

EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT

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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.

Nolan, Seward named OVC Runners to Watch, Eagles open season Friday at IU

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EVANSVILLE, Ind.—University of Southern Indiana Men’s and Women’s Cross Country sophomores Alex Nolan (Evansville, Indiana) and Zoe Seward (Rochester, Indiana) have been named Ohio Valley Conference Runners to Watch in an announcement by the league office Wednesday.
 
The announcement comes two days before the Screaming Eagles open their 2024 campaign at the Sam Bell Invitational in Bloomington, Indiana. The women’s 4k is scheduled for 4 p.m. (CDT), while the men’s 6k follows with a 4:40 p.m. start time.
 
Both Nolan and Seward earned OVC Freshman of the Year honors in 2023 following strong performances throughout the season.
 
Nolan was USI’s number two finisher on the men’s squad throughout the season and is USI’s top returner after earning second-team All-OVC honors with a 10th-place finish at the OVC Championships. Senior Brady Terry (Philpot, Kentucky) also garnered second-team All-OVC honors thanks to his 13th-place finish at the OVC Championships last fall.
 
As a team, USI’s men are coming off a second-place finish at the 2023 OVC Championships. Sophomore Jackson Collman (Bethalto, Illinois) added a top-20 finish for the Eagles’ efforts a year ago and figures to be one of USI’s top returners, while senior Dylan Bland (Holland, Indiana) and sophomores Cole Hess (Cannelton, Indiana) and Landen Swiney (Du Quoin, Illinois) should provide depth to the Eagles’ lineup after finishing in USI’s top-seven at the OVC meet a year ago.
 
Seward emerged as USI’s top finisher on the women’s side by the end of the season. She earned first-team All-OVC honors with a fourth-place finish at the 2023 OVC Championships before claiming a conference title in the 10,000 meters at the 2024 OVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
 
The return of junior Micah Peals (Terre Haute, Indiana) will bolster the Eagles’ lineup after she earned second-team All-OVC honors with a 14th-place finish on the grass last season. Senior Audrey Comastri (Indianapolis, Indiana), who has been running well during the early-season workouts, also should make an impact after finishing 15th at the OVC Cross Country Championships last fall.
 
Two names that could challenge Seward at the top of the lineup late in the season are senior Cameron Hough (Olney, Illinois) and sophomore Ellie Hall (Ferdinand, Indiana). Hough, a two-time Division II All-American, was USI’s top runner for most of the 2023 cross country season before injury derailed her prior to the conference meet.
 
Hall, the sister of men’s runner Ethan Hall, is a transfer from Southern Illinois University (Carbondale), where she finished 13th at the 2023 Missouri Valley Conference Cross Country Championships and 64th at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
 
Other returners that figure to make an impact on the Eagles’ depth chart is sophomore Sara Livingston (Jasper, Indiana) and senior Katie Winkler (Santa Claus, Indiana). Both posted top-30 finishes at the OVC Championships last fall, helping the Eagles secure a second-place finish as a team.
 

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