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Mockevicius named to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Watch List

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The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today the 20 watch list members for the 2016 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award.  Named after Hall of Famer and three-time NCAA Champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the annual honor in its second year recognizes the top centers in men’s college basketball.  A national committee comprised of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.

 

Included among the 20 candidates is University of Evansville senior Egidijus Mockevicius.  The native of Lithuania has been a stellar performer in his career with the Purple Aces and has led the Missouri Valley Conference in rebounding in each of the last two seasons.  In 2015, Mockevicius was named a First Team All-MVC player.

 

“When it comes to collegiate centers, none have accomplished more than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and we are pleased to include him in this celebration of the best in the game today,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Basketball Hall of Fame. “The 20 athletes on this list represent the most dedicated, determined and skillful centers in college basketball today and we wish them well as they head into the 2015-16 season”

 

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played for legendary coach John Wooden at the University of California, Los Angeles from 1966-1969. He is a three-time NCAA Champion who earned numerous accolades including three-time Final Four Most Outstanding Player, three-time National College Player of the Year and three-time Consensus First-Team All-American (1967-1969).

 

“It’s truly an honor for this award to bear my name,” said Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a 1995 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and six-time NBA Champion. “Last year’s finalists featured an elite class including Frank Kaminsky, Jahlil Okafor and Willie Cauley-Stein. We expect this year’s competition to be just as tough.”

 

By mid-February, the watch list of 20 players for the 2016 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award will be narrowed down to just 10. In March, five finalists will be presented to Mr. Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee. The winner of the 2016 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award will be presented at the ESPN College Basketball Awards presented by Wendy’s from Club Nokia in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, April 8, 2016. Broadcast information will be released at a later date.

 

Last season, Frank Kaminsky of Wisconsin was named the inaugural winner of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award. For more information on the 2016 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, log onto www.HoophallAwards.com.

 

 

2016 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award Candidates

 

Kaleb Tarczewski, Arizona

 

Mamadou Ndiaye, UC Irvine

 

Josh Scott, Colorado

 

Egidijus Mockevicius, Evansville

 

Przemek Karnowski, Gonzaga

 

Thomas Bryant, Indiana

 

Jameel McKay, Iowa State

 

Cheick Diallo, Kansas

 

Skal Labissiere, Kentucky

 

Diamond Stone, Maryland

 

Stephen Zimmerman, UNLV

 

Kennedy Meeks, North Carolina

 

Zach Auguste, Notre Dame

 

AJ Hammons, Purdue

 

Jakob Poeltl, Utah

 

Damian Jones, Vanderbilt

 

Daniel Ochefu, Villanova

 

Josh Hawkinson, Washington State

 

Joel Bolomboy, Weber State

 

Devin Williams, West Virginia

 

About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate and high school, for both men and women on the global stage.

 

Heather McNabb to Receive Outstanding New Librarian Award from Statewide Library Association

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Heather McNabb, an employee of Evansville

Vanderburgh Public Library, will be honored by the Indiana Library Federation as Outstanding New Librarian on November 17 during the ILF’s annual conference.

Heather has shown great promise and leadership, contributing to the library’s impact on the

community.  Heather served as director at Poseyville Public Library before she joined the staff at EVPL in 2013. Heather is known as a high-performing, results-oriented library leader. She implemented a new staffing model that was adopted systemwide; she also demonstrated creativity and innovation in library programming. She looks for ways to improve systems and works collaboratively with others.

Besides being a panelist for the Glick Indiana Authors Award, Heather is an ILF board member and co-chaired the District 5/7 conference this past year. She has also spoken at ILF conferences addressing topics such as team building and fostering community relations outside of the library. She presented at ALA’s midwinter meetings as a panelist and is recognized by the library community as an untiring library champion.

The Indiana Library Federation is a membership-driven non-profit organization with the mission of professional development and advocacy work for libraries of all types in the state. For information, visit www.ilfonline.org

Global Ambassador: USI’s Takaendesa among Africa’s 25 Outstanding Emerging Women Leaders

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This summer, University of Southern Indiana sophomore Florence Takaendesa of Zimbabwe was surprised to learn that she had been selected as one of Africa’s Most Outstanding Emerging Women Leaders by the Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa.

She is one of only 25 Moremi Initiative Leadership and Empowerment Development (MILEAD) Fellows chosen from more than 3,020 applicants in 44 countries. This select group “represents Africa’s most promising young women leaders, with the courage and commitment to lead and shape the future of Africa.” MILEAD Fellows are chosen through a highly competitive selection process and criteria based on their outstanding leadership promise, community service accomplishments and commitment to the advancement of women in Africa.

Raised by a single mother in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, throughout primary and high school, Takaendesa was recognized as a leader, advocating for girls and children’s rights in Zimbabwe and working on issues related to HIV/AIDS, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy and school drop-out rates. She volunteered at an orphanage in Chiedza, Zimbabwe, teaching students and starting an arts and crafts club that conserves the environment by making crafts out of reused paper and plastic.

She received a Global Ambassador Scholarship to attend USI where she is majoring in mathematics with a minor in economics. Her dream is to get into politics and address the challenges faced by her country, as well as the entire continent of Africa. “My parents couldn’t afford to send me to college,” she said. “If it wasn’t for the scholarship I received from USI, I wouldn’t be in college, and I wouldn’t have been selected for this honor. When other universities didn’t see potential in me, USI believed in me. They saw my potential, and helped me succeed.”

Her commitment to women’s issues has been evident during her time at the University. She is co-founder and treasurer of Kesho, a new student organization focused on developing international women’s leadership skills. She also serves as vice president of the International Club, as a member of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education student advisory board, as a Student Ambassador, and is a member of USI’s Honors Program.

“She is extremely determined, dedicated and disciplined,” said Dr. Ronald Rochon, USI provost, who met Takaendesa and her mother during the selection process for the Global Ambassador Scholarship, and since has become a mentor for her. “Her determination is linked with service, and that is what is refreshing about Florence – it’s not just about good grades, it’s about getting a seat at the table so she can create change.”

Takaendesa recently returned from Ghana where she not only accepted the fellowship, but also deliberated with national leaders in Ghana, including the ministries of education and health, to decide on a project she will work on as part of her commitment for the MILEAD Fellows Program. She has one year to launch the project, which is required to demonstrate a lasting impact and facilitate real change in the country.

Her dream is to create an education center for children in her hometown of Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. The center would provide educational opportunities including books, computers and a library. Takaendesa herself didn’t start learning about computers until she was 17 years old, and was surprised to hear how different that is here. She wants children in her hometown to be able to explore technology at a much earlier age.

Getting her project under way will require a large time commitment and connections in Africa, balanced with the studies required to complete her degree at USI. To overcome the financial and logistical challenges, she plans to start small and work toward larger goals. She has $1,000 in grant seed money provided by the Moremi Initiative, but is also looking to partner with other organizations and groups to fund and implement her project.

During her trip to Africa, she met the rest of the 25 Moremi Fellows. “I was truly inspired,” she said. “Some of these women have done wonders. They’re already doing great things. I heard their words and their stories of positive change. I can now see the range of what is possible. It was an honor to be connected with these women from across Africa.

“I want to see Africa get better,” she added. “I know that I want to do something that brings real change. I feel like a leader already, regardless of my selection for this honor.”

VCSO Recognition Ceremony

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SPONSORED BY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IVAN ARNAEZ.
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On Monday, October 19th, 2015, the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office will host a ceremony to recognize the accomplishments of several employees; a retirement; and to swear-in two new deputy sheriffs. The ceremony will be held at the Old National Events Plaza at 715 Locust Drive. The ceremony will begin at 9:00 A.M. Those deputies, confinement officers and civilians being recognized or sworn-in are:

Retirements:
Confinement Sgt. Dan Collins

New Deputy Sheriff’s:
Skye Terhune
Brent Persinger

Special Awards:
Deputy Kyle Alexander, Lifesaver Award
Deputy Jason Cutrell, Lifesaver Award
Deputy Mark Harrison, Lifesaver Award
Deputy Brandon Mattingly, Lifesaver Award
Deputy Brandon Rolley, Lifesaver Award
CO Jared Wagner, Lifesaver Award
CO Shelley Wallace, Lifesaver Award
RN Audrey Woodard, Lifesaver Award
EMT Erin Shephard, Lifesaver Award
Brandon Woodley, Citizen Appreciation
Chad Woodburn, Citizen Appreciation

 

MEDICARE SEMINAR SET FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH

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St. Mary’s Senior Connection will hold a Welcome to Medicare seminar Monday, November 9, at 4:00 p.m. at 951 S. Hebron Ave., Suite C (between Bellemeade and Washington Ave.) adjacent to the Senior Connection Office.

When individuals and their families are new to the federal Medicare program, it can be confusing and frustrating at first glance. This program will help you better understand the many different parts of Medicare and what your options are when you enroll.

This is an informational program only. No specific plans or companies will be discussed. The seminar will be presented by Gina Downs, Director of St. Mary’s Senior Connection. It is free but registration is required. Call St. Mary’s Senior Connection at 812-473-7271 or toll free at 800-258-7610 for reservations and directions.

Daily Off Topic Forum October 17, 2015

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Adopt A Pet

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7-month-old female pitbull/Shepherd mix puppy! Lived outside & didn’t even have a name before arriving at VHS. Sweet & social. www.vhslifesaver.org or (812) 426-2563.

Aces Swimming and Diving heads to Indiana Intercollegiates

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Competition continues this weekend as the University of Evansville swimming and diving teams head to West Lafayette for the Indiana Intercollegiates on Saturday.

 

Set or a 12 p.m. start time, the meet will feature ten swimming events as well as 1 and 3 meter dives for both the men and women.  Also taking part in the meet are: Ball State (women), DePauw, UIndy, IUPUI (diving), Purdue, Rose-Hulman, Valparaiso and Wabash.

 

Last weekend, the Aces swam at Missouri State and have been in preparations this week for their trip to Purdue.

 

A pair of freshmen have been strong so far for the Purple Aces.  Matt Duke ranks 8th in the Mid-American Conference in the 50 free event while his efforts so far in the 100 free rank 20th in the league.

 

Madison Jones has four top ten rankings in the Missouri Valley Conference.  She ranks 8th in both the 200 free and 200 fly while her time in the 1000 free has her 9th in the MVC and 10th in the 100 fly.

 

At MSU last Friday, Evansville had several notable finishes, performing exceptionally well in the shorter distances.  Michaela Kent took second place in the 50 free, posting a 25.36.  The men did well in the same event, taking second through fourth place, led by Matt Duke’s time of 21.78.  Everett Plocek and Matt Childress followed.  Kent did well in the 100 backstroke race, notching another runner-up finish at 1:00.46.  Ethan O’Rourke did well in the men’s 100 backstroke event, swimming a 53.94, less than a second off the victor.

UE Invitational set for Saturday at Angel Mounds

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For the second time this season, the Purple Aces cross country squads will host a home meet as they welcome 11 schools to the Angel Mounds Cross Country Course on Saturday for the UE Invitational.

 

Set to participate in the event are: Cedarville, Evansville, Fontbonne, IPFW, Lourdes, McKendree, Oakland City, Rose-Hulman, USI, Spalding, UT Martin and Vincennes.  The men’s squads will run their 8K race beginning at 11 a.m. before the women take to the course for their 5K race.

 

Fresh off of the first win of her career at Austin Peay, freshman Sienna Crews continued to improve, setting her PR at 19:00.78 to lead the Aces and take 8th place out of 365 runners at the Greater Lousiville Classic last time out.  Her time bested her race at the Early Bird Invite where she ran a 19:01.1.  Taking 19th place was senior Elizabeth Kingshott.  She ran her best race of the season, rounding the course in 19:28.01.

Third on the team once again was Michelle Karp.  An impressive season continued for Karp as she set her PR for the fourth time in five races, running a 19:52.97.  That time was over 35 seconds below her previous record of 20:28, which was set last weekend.  Fourth on the team was Ashton Bosler.  The freshman continued her adjustment to the college sport, setting her low time of 20:23.06.  Bosler has improved in each of her three 5K events this fall.

Laurel Wolfe rounded out the top five for the Purple Aces, completing the 5K in a time of 20:57.21.  The team finished the race in 8th place out of 44 schools.

Ben Woolems was the top finisher for the men in Louisville, taking 88th out of 306 runners in the event.  His 28:00.12 was his best time of the year by over a minute with his previous low this year being a 29:01.1 in the Bradley Intercollegiate.  Next up was Ross Frondorf.  He also ran his best race of the season, finishing the 8K in 28:10.94.

 

Freshman Jordan Carpenter was third on the team, posting a PR of 29:20.57.  It was a great race, topping his previous best time of the season, which was a 30:59.5 at the Commodore Classic.  Andrew Barrett was fourth for UE with a PR of his own – 29:24.65.  Paul Schwartz rounded out the top five for the men, crossing the line in 29:49.03.  The men were 27th out of 34 squads.

 

UE Trustee Rose Mays Honored by Independent Colleges of Indiana

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University of Evansville alumna and member of the board of trustees Rose Mays will be inducted into the Indiana Academy at its 45th annual symposium on Monday, October 19, in Indianapolis. She is one of four honorees who will be recognized at that time by the Independent Colleges of Indiana for lifetimes of achievement and contribution to the state of Indiana.

Mays, an Indiana University School of Nursing professor emeritus, recently retired from IU after a 36-year career. During her time there, she worked to improve life for vulnerable adolescents by carrying out a research and professional service program focused on health promotion and disease prevention.

Mays is active in various education, health and social service organizations, including her alma mater, the University of Evansville.

Some of the many contributions that she, in partnership with her late husband William G. Mays, has made to UE include:

• A contributing founder of the Zerah Priestly Carter Endowed Scholarship (named after the first African American to graduate from UE in 1938).

• Dr. Rose M. Mays Endowed Scholarship, awarded to an African American student with financial need and academic merit with a 3.0 GPA, annually.

• Rose and William Mays Endowed Professional Development Fund for Nursing, used to meet the need for professional development seminars at UE, professional development and conferences related to nursing at other sites, and tuition assistance for doctoral coursework

• William G. and Rose M. Mays Martin Luther King Jr. Lectureship that annually funds the keynote speaker during UE’s annual MLK Jr. Day celebration.

• Mays Challenge, which generated enough donations to reach the goal of taking the ZPC Scholarship to $100,000, by matching any gift made to the Zerah Priestly Carter Endowed Scholarship in time for the UEAAA Reunion 2015.

Besides serving on UE’s Board of Trustees, Mays is a founding and current member and past president of the University of Evansville African American Alumni Association (UEAAA) She also served as chair of UE’s Annual Fund Campaign (1995-1996)

In recognition of her generosity and dedication to the school, Mays has received several awards over the years from UE. They include the Distinguished UEAAA Award in 2015, from the UEAAA Executive Board, The Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2010, from the University of Evansville Alumni Association, and the University’s Medal of Honor Award in 2004.

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