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USI Women’s Golf moves up one spot in regional rankings
University of Southern Indiana Women’s Golf moved up a spot to No. 3 in the latest NCAA Division II East Regional Rankings.
The Screaming Eagles are riding a three-tournament win streak as they head into the Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship this weekend at Annbriar Golf Course in Waterloo, Illinois. USI is one of seven teams in the top 14 of this week’s ranking.
The University of Indianapolis and the University of Missouri-St. Louis were second and fifth, respectively, while the University of Illinois Springfield, William Jewell College, Lewis University, and Drury University were 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th, respectively.
USI is looking for its second GLVC championship in program history and its first since 2011. The Eagles have had the last two individual medalists in senior Anastasia Carter (Granger, Indiana) and junior Allison Koester (Wadesville, Indiana). Carter captured the individual title in 2014, while Koester earned the conference championship in 2015.
GLVC Championship play begins Friday, with live GLVC Sports Network coverage available at GoUSIEagles.com.
NCAA Division II East Region Rankings
- Grand Valley State
- Indianapolis
- Southern Indiana
- Findlay
- Missouri-St. Louis
- Ashland
- California-Pa.
- Northwood (Mich.)
- Trevecca Nazarene
- Illinois Springfield
- William Jewell
- Lewis
- Drury
- Merrimack
Justices find man did not waive his right to jury trial
Scott Roberts for www.theindianalawyer.com
The Indiana Supreme Court reversed and remanded a man’s conviction for Class D felony domestic battery after it found his silence did not constitute a waiver to right of trial by jury.
It also found acknowledging publicly available records as evidence in a trial is minimally sufficient, but is not an encouraged practice and those records should be entered into the court record whenever possible.
Adam Horton was convicted of Class A misdemeanor battery and sought to bifurcate a Class D felony battery charge against him. After he was convicted, the judge asked Horton’s attorney if he would like to waive Horton’s jury trial right on the felony charge. The attorney said yes, and he would like it proceed as a bench trial, but Horton said nothing. Horton was later found guilty of the charge.
During the bench trial, the state asked the court to take notice of another case file in proving Horton’s prior domestic battery conviction, but never entered that into evidence. Horton didn’t object.
Horton appealed and said he did not waive his jury trial rights. He also said because the sentencing order from the prior conviction was unsigned, insufficient evidence supported the felony domestic battery conviction. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court, and the Supreme Court granted transfer.
The state admitted that Horton did not personally waive his rights, but said the court should make an exception because he had just experienced a jury trial and is more aware of the right his attorney attempts to waive on his behalf. Citing precedent from a few cases, the decision written by Chief Justice Loretta Rush said the court could not grant that exception.
“The personal waiver requirement, rooted in Indiana Code section 35-37-1-2 and longstanding precedent, eliminates an intolerable risk,†Rush wrote. “It ensures that a felony prosecution will not proceed to a bench trial against the defendant’s will by demanding direct evidence that waiver is the defendant’s choice. Given the high stakes of erroneous jury-trial deprivation and the low cost of confirming personal waiver, we see no reason to dilute our time-honored personal waiver requirement by ‘back[ing] away from [the] standard practice’ that ‘Indiana trial courts have clearly adopted.’â€
The court also ruled it was not an abuse of the trial court’s discretion to admit evidence from Horton’s prior conviction, even though it was not entered into the record. The information was publicly available and the case number was given, so it was easy to look up. However, not including this information makes it harder on appellate courts, so it should be included whenever possible.
The case is Adam Horton v. State of Indiana, 79S02-1510-CR-628.
Ivy Tech Community College Dedicates 360â° Classroom
 A 360-degree multimedia classroom at Ivy Tech Community College was dedicated today, as the result of a generous donation made by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI).
TMMI made a $100,000 contribution as part of the Changing Lives major gifts campaign. $63,000 of these funds were used to purchase four high-definition flat screen television monitors with built-in Wi-Fi, a synching system which allows each monitor to be controlled by multiple devices (phone, tablet, computer), a projector and moveable desks and chairs, as well as 20 laptops for student use in the classroom.
This unique classroom is home to Ivy Tech’s communications classes. It offers television monitors around the entire perimeter of the room which allows for several modes of presentation for both the instructor and students. Faculty members are encouraged to limit lecture time, and introduce class participation learning activities. Seating is arranged in groups encouraging collaborative efforts, and increased communication. The room is designed also to prevent any seat in the room having poor access visually or auditorily. Students are able to seamlessly interact in new and exciting ways.
Karen Johnston, external manager of community affairs for Toyota Motor North America, said, “Because STEM-based programs are a key focus area for Toyota, we are pleased to make this contribution to Ivy Tech for the use of technology in its classrooms. This will not only help advance students’ education, but it will prepare them for success in the workforce.â€
Ivy Tech Chancellor Jonathan Weinzapfel said TMMI has been a continuing force in assisting the college to prepare tomorrow’s workforce. “The continued collaboration of Toyota with Ivy Tech makes a difference at Ivy Tech and in our community in so many ways,†he said. “In addition to this funding to enhance our technological learning environment, TMMI realizes the importance of job skill development for its employees, partnering with the college to provide certification classes; and has contributed to the College Connection Coach program, placing advisers in high schools to educate students about the benefits of a college education, and assist them with the application process.
“Ivy Tech has also been a part of a national conversation about how to make the practice of workforce training and traditional higher education richer, more dynamic, learner centered, and technology driven,†Weinzapfel continued. “Under this initiative, faculty who are content experts in their respective fields will have access to a teaching center in which they will be able to merge their expertise with the best thinking in educational delivery and instructional design.â€
Ivy Tech continues to make strategic investments in the technology that is necessary to equip its faculty and students and develop collaboration stations and labs where students and faculty can share data across multiple platforms in real time, he said.
“Ivy Tech is grateful for its partnership with TMMI and for its investment in this state-of-the-art teaching center, the first of its kind on our Evansville campus,†said Ayana Blair, Ivy Tech executive director of resource development.
Women’s Tennis Announces Signees
University of Evansville Head Women’s Tennis Coach Jayson Wiseman has announced the signing of three freshman student athletes who will join the Purple Aces for next season. This impressive international class will include Diana Tkachenko, Theodora Soldatou, and Andrea Pascual-Larrinaga.
Tkachenko comes to Evansville from Russia where she and her twin sister attend school and have been playing many international ITF tennis events. Diana and her sister posted and impressive 11-5 record in international ITF doubles play and Diana is currently ranked 1688 in the world. Diana, who was born in New Jersey, and has dual United States and Russian citizenships.
“Diana has an excellent all court game that will translate well to the American hard courts and indoor courts that we play the majority of our schedule on. She is also an accomplished doubles player and I expect her to make and immediate impact in both the doubles and singles lineup.â€
Soldatou comes to the Purple Aces from Athens, Greece. Theodora also boasts extensive ITF tournament experience and has achieved success in both singles and doubles. She has also played ITF Professional events as an amateur.
“Theda brings fantastic intelligence to the court and the classroom and is a fantastic fit for our program and school. In addition to being an excellent tennis player, she is a student of the game who is committed to maximizing her abilities both on and off the court.â€
Pascual-Larrinaga comes to UE from Basauri, Spain. Â Andrea has extensive experience playing in the Spanish Tennis Federation where she was top 60 in the country as a junior and top 150 in the adult rankings. She has a number of impressive wins over players ranked in the top 60 of the RFET adult rankings. She has also won a number of state, regional, and national events in Spain.
“Andrea brings a ton of tournament experience with her to UE and is incredibly match tough. Despite growing up on the red clay, in addition to the toughness and endurance necessary to be successful on clay, she has shown the ability to play an aggressive all court style on hard courts. Her tactical and skill diversity will serve her well on the college level.â€
All three will join the program in the fall of 2016.
Aces to open MVC road slate at Missouri State this weekend
 After grabbing a pair of series victories at Charles H. Braun Stadium the last two weekends, the University of Evansville baseball team will look to see if it can duplicate its Missouri Valley Conference success on the road when the Purple Aces set out to Springfield to square off against Missouri State for a three-game series.
The Aces (21-14, 4-2 MVC) sit just one-half game out of first place in the conference, and this weekend could prove one of the biggest tests of the season as the Bears (27-8, 2-3 MVC) boast of the league’s top offense and have been ranked as high as 15th in the national baseball polls.
A big reason for their success is the power slugging duo of Jake Burger and Spencer Johnson, who have combined for 27 home runs this season. The Bears hold conference-best totals in batting average (.305), runs (277), doubles (79), triples (15) , home runs (44), slugging (.502), on-base percentage (.401) and stolen bases (33)
However, the Bears have yet to win a conference series this year. MSU opened up with a series split against Bradley before dropping two out of three to Wichita State last season.
Faced with the task of halting the MSU offense, the Aces will be looking to continue their prowess on the mound. Patrick Schnieders and the freshman duo of Brandon Gomer and Alex Weigand will get the starting nods for the Aces, and it’s been the bullpen that has really impressed the most. Prior to reliever Brian Jestice giving up two runs in Wednesday’s 6-2 win over Western Kentucky, the Aces relief staff had gone 26.2 consecutive frames without allowing an earned run.
Overall, the Aces own a 3.90 earned run average.
UE also boasts of a number of impressive offensive statistics, highlighted by a line-up that has produced 38 home runs on the season, which is already the most in a single season for a UE squad since 2010. Eleven different players have left the park this season, led by the duo of Jonathan Ramon and Korbin Williams, who have racked up nine and eight round-trippers, respectively.
The Aces are hitting .283 this season, and five different players this season currently own a better than .300 batting average.
First pitch on Friday is slated for 6:05 p.m., and the series will continue Saturday at 2:05 p.m. before wrapping up on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.
Ivy Tech All Years Nursing Reunion April 30
A reunion for nurses who received their degree from Ivy Tech Community College Southwest, as well as for faculty, retired faculty, the 2016 graduating class, and Ivy Tech staff has been planned for April 30, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Arts Council Art Gallery at Innovation Pointe, 318 Main Street, Evansville.
The free event is designed to honor those who make a difference for others – nurses educated at Ivy Tech Community College – and those who educated them, as well as give everyone an opportunity to re-connect, and learn about all of the good things that are happening at Ivy Tech.
Ivy Tech Community College Southwest offers a variety of nursing-related degrees including: an Associate of Science in Nursing, Practical Nurse (LPN) degree and a technical certificate of Practical Nursing. Thousands of open nursing positions are predicted in Indiana through 2020.
For additional information call Erica Schmidt at 812-429-1409.
Greater Evansville Football Hall of Fame to induct over a dozen Panthers into first class
Over 20 former Reitz Football players and coaches will be inducted into the Greater Evansville Football Hall of Fame this fall, it was announced Tuesday.
The Panthers, along with many others from the area, will be honored at the newly-formed organization’s induction banquet on Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Holiday Inn Airport.
The Hall of Fame will have a physical presence, as well, according to Tim Turpin, who has been instrumental in bringing the National Semipro Baseball Hall of Fame to Evansville. The two halls will share a facility with others (including the Greater Evansville Baseball Hall of Fame and Greater Evansville Basketball Hall of Fame), and will open sometime in 2017.
“We’ll have a football field made of engraved bricks and black granite pieces,†said Turpin.
Turpin was also excited about Logan’s Square, which will be an area at the Hall of Fame devoted to the memory of the late Logan Brown, the Reitz student who was killed last year by a drunk driver.
“I played on the Outlaws with his dad, Charles,†said Turpin.
Sam Ball, the Henderson native who played for the Baltimore Colts and appeared in Super Bowls III and V, will be the guest speaker at the banquet.
Reservations should be made by Sept. 15 and can be downloaded here.
So far, 19 former Panthers have been announced:
- Jamie Bateman
- Tyrone Browning
- Tom Buck
- Herman Byers
- Pete Fisher
- Marlon Flemming
- Don Hansen
- Andy Hape
- Bill Hape
- John Hart
- Matt McIntosh
- Paul McIntosh
- Bob Padgett
- Duce Reeder
- Mick Schnell
- Tim Shipp
- Bob Stephenson
- Don Waterman
- Tom Wilson
More will be announced as the date gets closer.
“We’ll have over 300 inducted in the first class,†added Turpin. “This should have been done 30 years ago. I figure, if there had been 10 people added over 30 years, that wouldn’t leave anyone out who deserves to be in included.â€
Governor Pence Spokeswoman Statement on Meeting with Presidential Candidate Senator Ted Cruz
Indianapolis – Spokeswoman for Governor Mike Pence, Kara Brooks, issued the following statement after Governor Pence met with Senator Ted Cruz at the Governor’s Residence today. Governor Pence met with Donald Trump yesterday and will be meeting with Governor John Kasich next week.
“Governor Pence was pleased to welcome Senator Cruz to the Hoosier state. The Governor touted Indiana’s economic progress and pro-growth economic policies while noting the creation of more than 130,000 new private sector jobs since he took office. He stressed his desire to have a partner in the White House who will help advance policies on the federal level that will enable states like Indiana to build on this progress. Governor Pence firmly believes that by addressing these issues on the national level, Indiana can build on its recent momentum and continue to be a great place to live, work and raise a family