The English as a Second Language Program, along with Bosse High School, is planning its multicultural event Festival of Nations on April 16, from 6-8 p.m.  The event is sponsored by a grant from the Public Education Foundation and is free and open to the public.

The event will take place in the Bosse High School cafeteria and is designed to be a place where EVSC students, representing 33 different languages and countries, will come to connect with the community — sharing their culture, dance, songs, games, etc…

A variety of vendors are also planned to have samples of food and other artifacts available for viewing. They include:  Qdoba Mexican Grill, Mnna Mediterranean Grill, Acropolis, Taj Mahal, Taste of India, Exotic Eyebrows Threading Salon, and River City Food Co-op.

Dr. Amie McKibban, associate professor of psychology at the University of Southern Indiana, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to provide continued support for Map Evansville, a web-based community asset map and directory which measures area businesses’ inclusivity of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) customers and employees in Evansville and surrounding communities.

The project was initiated by McKibban in 2014 and received grant support from USI’s College of Liberal Arts and Outreach and Engagement, as well as support from other USI and community sponsors. With grant funding expired, McKibban’s goal is to raise $4,439 to sustain the site through 2017, with a long-range goal of supporting the project through corporate sponsorships.

The website directory quickly outgrew current software after Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Participating businesses more than doubled. McKibban plans to upgrade current software to allow for expansion of the project and to develop a mobile app. “We have a large LGBT population here who have a lot of allies, friends and family members,” said McKibban. “They want to know they can walk into a business and feel comfortable, be treated fairly and are supported.”

While businesses and organizations in the Map Evansville directory receive a sticker that can be displayed, this project differs from many of the other sticker campaigns developed in reaction to the RFRA. “We really want to know you are a business that supports everyone, and we also want to know you actively work toward inclusion,” said McKibban. In order to be included, businesses and organizations fill out assessments to measure their level of inclusivity of the LGBT community.

The Map Evansville Kickstarter campaign runs through May 17. For more information contact Dr. Amie McKibban atarmckibban@usi.edu or 812-465-1222.

The University of Southern Indiana will hold five Spring Commencement ceremonies over two days, May 1 and 2, in the Physical Activities Center (PAC). More than 1,450 students are eligible to participate.

Of those, 19 graduate summa cum laude, 117 magna cum laude and 128 cum laude. Sixty-five graduates are University Honors Scholars – students who have successfully completed the Honors Program – and can be recognized by the white honor cords worn with their regalia.

The Graduate Ceremony for master and doctoral degree candidates from all of USI’s Colleges will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 1, in the PAC. On Saturday, May 2, Spring Commencement exercises for undergraduate students will take place.

The College of Liberal Arts will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday; the Romain College of Business and Outreach and Engagement at noon;College of Nursing and Health Professions at 3 p.m. and Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education at 6 p.m.

Speakers at each Commencement ceremony will be USI alumni who have excelled in their professional lives.

Friday

The speaker for the Graduate Ceremony is D. Keith Jewell ’86 M’91, president of St. Mary’s Health in Evansville. He is a USI graduate with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in business administration.

Also at the Graduate Ceremony, Honorary degrees will be presented to Patricia A. Koch and Dr. Joey V. Barnett. The honorary Doctor of Laws will be awarded to Koch, retired director of values for Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, and the honorary Doctor of Science to Barnett, professor of pharmacology, medicine, pediatrics, pathology, microbiology and immunology and acting chair of the Department of Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Saturday

The College of Liberal Arts Commencement speaker is Bryan R. Harper ’96. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from USI and is preparing for his 12th season with the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings, where he currently serves as executive producer. Also during the College of Liberal Arts ceremony, Kathryn M. Waters, professor of art, will receive theDistinguished Professor Award.

Eric R. Williams ‘89 will address graduates at the Romain College of Business and Outreach and Engagement ceremony. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management from USI, where he was appointed the first student trustee by Governor Robert D. Orr in 1985. Currently senior vice president and director of security at Old National Bank, Williams served in the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office for 26 years, retiring after seven years as sheriff.

Lisa F. Hancock ’97 is the Commencement speaker for the College of Nursing and Health Professions. Hancock has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from USI and a master’s degree in health administration from Indiana University. She is senior vice president of advisory services at Marwood Group in California.

The Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education Commencement speaker is Harolyn G. Torain ’71. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from USI, a master’s degree in secondary education from Indiana University and was an educational administrator for 32 years. She was the first USI graduate to serve as president of the USI Board of Trustees.

Also during the Pott College ceremony, Shelby N. Tarantino will receive the President’s Medal, the highest honor the University presents to a graduate. Tarantino is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, which she completed in three years, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and competing on the USI Women’s Soccer Team.

Guests of graduates participating in the College of Nursing and Health Professions and College of Liberal Arts ceremonies require tickets to attend. For more information about all ceremonies, as well as links to other Commencement information, go tousi.ede/commencement.

Live video of each ceremony will be streamed in the University Center East Conference Center (Rooms 2217-2220). You also can view ceremonies via a livestream online. Instructions are available at www.usi.edu/it/commencement.