Robert Morse, professor of computer science, has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to spend the Spring 2014 semester in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

From February 1 through July 15, 2014, Morse will split his time between teaching and research at the University of Ljubljana. He will teach a graduate-level course on his specialty, computational algebra, and collaborate with local mathematicians on two research projects.

“I’m honored to be selected for the Fulbright and look forward to returning to Slovenia after visiting and presenting my research there in 2012,” Morse said. “My activities abroad will enhance my professional growth and challenge me mathematically as I will be providing computational expertise to several mathematicians at the University of Ljubljana in support of their research.”

“My work as a Fulbright scholar also will benefit UE’s vision and strategic plan by extending the University’s global reach and making deeper connections abroad,” Morse added, “and it will provide the groundwork for possible future student interaction between the University of Evansville and the University of Ljubljana.”

“At the University of Evansville, we’re very proud and excited for Dr. Morse,” said John Mosbo, senior vice president for academic affairs. “The Fulbright Scholarship is among the most prestigious and competitive in higher education, and Dr. Morse’s successful application for the award demonstrates that the University of Evansville’s faculty is truly world-class.”

Morse came to the University of Evansville in 1998 after a 12-year career designing avionics software for IBM Corporation’s Federal Systems Division. He is the co-editor of two books on computational algebra and is author of several peer-reviewed publications in mathematics. Morse holds a PhD and Master of Arts in mathematics from the State University of New York at Binghamton, as well as a Bachelor of Science in computer science from The Pennsylvania State University.

Morse’s previous honors include the University of Evansville’s Global Scholar Award from the Institute for Global Enterprise, Sadelle and Sydney Berger Award for Scholarly Activity, and Dean’s Teaching Award for the College of Engineering and Computer Science. He also has served as a visiting professor at the National University of Ireland in Galway (funded by a Marie Curie Transfer of Knowledge grant from the European Union) and received an Outstanding Technical Achievement Award from IBM Corporation.

The Fulbright Program, founded in 1946 and sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, offers grants for U.S. citizens to study, teach, and conduct research abroad, and for non-U.S. citizens to come to the United States. Each year, the program awards approximately 800 highly competitive, merit-based grants for U.S. scholars and professionals. Past Fulbright Scholars include recipients of 43 Nobel Prizes, 81 Pulitzer Prizes, 28 MacArthur Foundation Awards, and 16 U.S. Presidential Medals of Honor.

The Great Lakes Valley Conference announced Thursday that nine teams have been named recipients of the GLVC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Sportsmanship Award for the spring season. The nine squads, which include, Indianapolis Men’s Golf, Missouri-St. Louis Women’s Golf, Lewis Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field, Southern Indiana Men’s Tennis, Southern Indiana and Bellarmine Women’s Tennis, UW-Parkside Baseball, and Drury Softball, were selected by their peers as best displaying ‘Good Sportsmanship’ during the 2012-13 spring season.

The SAAC Sportsmanship Award is determined by voted of the GLVC member institutions’ campus SAACs. The committees select their top three choices in each sport and base their decision on their view of sportsmanship. Each team that received a first-place vote received three points, second place received two points, and the third place received one point. The GLVC sponsors the award in each of the league’s eighteen championship sports.

This year’s award-winning squads were recognized after an exciting spring season in the GLVC.

Southern Indiana claimed its first Sportsmanship Award honors of the 2012-13 year, while the women’s tennis team claimed back-to-back sportsmanship titles. This is the second award for both USI tennis squads with the men having won back in 2008. Bellarmine also staked claim to the women’s tennis title for the first time since their three-peat in 2008-10. The Knights also won the men’s basketball sportsmanship title for the winter season. Lewis took its third track and field title of the 2012-13 season, as the women’s squad won the accolade for the indoor season, while both the men and women displayed good sportsmanship in the outdoor segment. Missouri-St. Louis and UW-Parkside recorded their first sportsmanship titles of the season. The Tritons received their fourth consecutive sportsmanship title in women’s golf with this year’s selection. The Rangers became only the third team in history to receive the baseball sportsmanship award, as Northern Kentucky has won four and Lewis won the other award in the history of the honor. Indianapolis added a third award to its trophy case this season as the Greyhounds’ football and men’s indoor track and field teams were also recognized for good sportsmanship. Drury claimed its third award of the 2012-13 year with the softball squad’s first-ever accolade, coupled with the men’s and women’s cross country teams’ distinction back in the fall.

A team award will be presented to each of the squads claiming the team sportsmanship awards. An overall ‘Good Sportsmanship’ award, which will be announced on Friday, will be presented to the institution with the most points during the 2012-2013 academic year. Northern Kentucky claimed the inaugural award in 2007-08, UW-Parkside earned it in 2008-09, Bellarmine claimed back-to-back titles in 2009-10 and 2010-11, and Southern Indiana won the title for the 2011-12 academic year.

2013 GLVC SPRING SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD WINNERS
Men’s Golf: Indianapolis
Women’s Golf: Missouri-St. Louis
Men’s Tennis: Southern Indiana
Women’s Tennis: (Tie) Southern Indiana, Bellarmine
Baseball: UW-Parkside
Softball: Drury
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field: Lewis
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field: Lewis

For the Screaming Eagles, Guy earned all-region in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Guy’s time of 14 minutes, 17.48 seconds in the 5,000 is the second fastest time in the region, while his 10,000 mark (29:40.81) is tops in the region.

Jordan, meanwhile, garnered all-region honors in the 1,500 meters and steeplechase. His time of 8:42.63 in the steeplechase is a school record and ranks ninth among Division I and II runners.

Schickel has the fourth quickest 1,500-meter time in the Midwest Region. The Evansville, Indiana, native is 15th nationally with a 3:49.95 mark and will run in the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships.

As the third fastest runner in the region, Minor picks up the nod for the first time in her career. Minor has the 16th best time in the steeplechase this season with a 10:53.49 clip.

Also earning all-region for the first time is Wilson, who will run in her second track and field national championship this year. Wilson won all-region in the 10,000 meters after being clocked at 35:58.76, which is the fourth fastest time in the Midwest Region.

The five all-region runners compete in the NCAA Division II Outdoor National Championships May 23-25 in Pueblo, Colorado.

Johnnie Guy Southern Indiana Midwest 5000 Meters
Johnnie Guy Southern Indiana Midwest 10,000 Meters
Michael Jordan Southern Indiana Midwest 1500 Meters
Michael Jordan Southern Indiana Midwest Steeplechase
Tyler Schickel Southern Indiana Midwest 1500 Meters
Lauren Minor Southern Indiana Midwest Steeplechase
Erika Wilson Southern Indiana Midwest 10,000 Meters

The City-County Observer would like to announce Vanderburgh County Superior Court Judge Brett J. Niemeier as its 4th “Mole Award” Winner for the year 2013. Judge Niemeier was chosen by the “Mole Award” selection committee for his efforts in starting a plethora of not-for-profit programs in conjunction with the Vanderburgh County Court System. The programs founded by Judge Niemeier encompass a variety of situations for offenders and non-offenders alike that find themselves in situations out of their control. Some of these programs offer help to those with anger and substance abuse issues as well as youngsters having problems adapting to normal classrooms. Other programs involve offenders with local churches in an effort to provide them mentoring, as well as another specialized program, Family Connections, which is designed for teenagers and their parents who are dealing with the poor choices of their child. All of these programs were initiated by Judge Niemeier with absolutely no cost to the taxpayer.

Judge Niemeier is also well known for the soft spot he has for troubled and less fortunate children. Many of the programs listed above were started by Judge Niemeier in an effort to keep children out of the court system and previous young offenders from ever making their way back into the system. Judge Niemeier is also involved in many community service programs such as the Indiana Family and Juvenile Judges’ Board and the Regional Committee for the Department of Child Services. Judge Niemeier has received many awards in his career but none quite like the prestigious Robert J. Kinsey Award which is the highest honor in the State of Indiana for Juvenile Judges.

Judge Niemeier’s selection follows The Honorable Judge Wayne Trockman’s selection for his work on and off of the bench, the selection of Matthew Burkhart for his work in lobbying reformation of child labor laws in Indiana and the selection of Ben Trockman for his work in addressing the challenges facing special needs persons traveling by air. City-County Observer Chairnan of the Board Ron Cosby said of Niemeier, “Judge Niemeier’s reputation for community service and dedication to the job precedes him. The community owes him a debt of gratitude for the work he has done for our younger generations. We are pleased to honor Judge Niemeier with the 4th “Mole Award” of 2013.” The winners will be presented their “Mole Awards” during this year’s annual City-County Observer “Mole Awards” Banquet to be held at Casino Aztar in October.

(Washington, DC) – Yesterday, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 45, a bill to comprehensively repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), most commonly known as Obamacare. H.R. 45 is the first vote for full repeal of Obamacare in the 113th Congress.

Representative Larry Bucshon (IN-08) released the following statement:

“Because of this ‘train wreck’ of a law, many Americans are losing their employer provided health insurance, having their workweek cut back to part-time, and seeing their premiums increase while businesses are strapped with job killing taxes, like the medical device tax. This specific tax has already caused many businesses to scrap plans to expand and create much needed jobs here in Indiana.

“As a physician, I understand that this law fails to help patients get access to quality, affordable healthcare, prevents businesses from expanding and creating much needed jobs, and puts government bureaucrats between the patient and their doctor. The IRS is intrusive, untrustworthy and is targeting American citizens on the basis of politics, yet this agency is expanded by Obamacare and will be responsible for the implementation of much of the law.

“It is no wonder 49 percent of the American people have said the law is so complicated they are having a hard time figuring out how implementation will affect their family. As a physician and member of Congress, I am part of that 49 percent.

“That is why I am proud to support our nation’s patients by voting to repeal this disastrous law so that we can replace it with common sense, patient centered reforms.”

BACKGROUND:

Rep. Bucshon participated in a press conference with the GOP Doctors Caucus to highlight the third anniversary of Obamacare becoming law. He also spoke on the House floor yesterday to explain why Obamacare should be repealed. That video can be accessed here -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrwJft46NPc.

Bucshon: Obamacare’s burden on school districts

Indiana is home to over 300 medical device companies, creating over 54,800 jobs that pay an average salary of $59,706 dollars and the medical device industry provides a $50 billion dollars to Indiana’s economy. The healthcare law levies a 2.3% excise tax on this industry. Because of this, many companies have decided not to expand and many across the county have announced layoffs.

The House has voted 37 times to fully and partially repeal, defund, or dismantle the law. Of those votes, 7 different bills have been signed into law that directly repeal or rescind funding from at least 8 different Obamacare provisions.

On March 14, 2013, members of the Energy and Commerce Committee sent letters to 17 of the nation’s largest health insurance companies requesting analyses of the effect of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s (PPACA’s) policies, mandates, taxes, and fees on health insurance premiums. The report can be found here – http://energycommerce.house.gov/rate-shock.

The report, “chronicles the massive premium increases awaiting Americans when full implementation of the PPACA occurs in eight months, definitively contradicting the promise that the law will lower costs. As this report demonstrates, consumers purchasing health insurance on the individual market may face premium increases of nearly 100 percent on average, with potential highs eclipsing 400 percent. Meanwhile, small businesses can expect average premium increases in the small group market of up to 50 percent, with potential highs over 100 percent.”

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller today announced the top three telemarketing calls Hoosiers have reported receiving the most.

Since January, the Attorney General’s office has received more than 5,100 complaints from consumers who received a telemarketing call from either a live operator or prerecorded message.

“Indiana’s Do Not Call law protects registered numbers from receiving certain telemarketing calls,” Zoeller said. “Unfortunately, illegitimate businesses and scammers skirt the law by trying to deceive consumers with phony sales pitches. That’s why if you are on the Do Not Call list and receive a sales call or text message you can count on it being a scam.”

The next quarterly deadline to block annoying sales calls and text messages is Tuesday, May 21. Consumers can register their residential landline, cell, VOIP or prepaid wireless numbers.

Zoeller said the top three most annoying telemarketing calls aim to separate consumers from their money or collect consumers’ personal information.

1. Card Services

More than 920 consumers reported receiving an automated call from a woman, who says her name is Rachel (or Kelly, Courtney, Heather, etc.) from “Cardholder Services,” offering to lower their credit card interest rates. Rachel warns that this “is your final notice,” but Zoeller says Hoosiers should just hang-up on Rachel and her sisters. If you follow through with the prompts, you will be connected with a representative who will collect an upfront payment from you without any intention of providing services or a refund.

2. Home Security

Since January, more than 370 complaints have been filed about an automated call which mentions an FBI report on the number of home break-ins and offers a “free” home security system. These telemarketers have no relationship with federal law enforcement agencies. The caller will take your information and sell it to a home security company that may charge up to $45 per month for monitoring services.

3. Prize/Sweepstakes Scams

So far this year, more than 110 consumers have received calls from a live operator that says “You have won $2 million from Publisher’s Clearinghouse. All you need to do is transfer $250 for fees and taxes via Moneygram, Western Union or GreenDot money card…” This is a scam designed to separate you from your money. Once you wire money, it’s like using cash and it’s nearly impossible to get back.

In Indiana, most robocalls are illegal regardless of whether or not a consumer’s number is registered on the Do Not Call list. Exceptions include calls from school districts to students, parents or employees and businesses advising employees of work schedules. It is also legal if a live phone operator first obtains your permission before playing a pre-recorded message.

Zoeller said consumer complaints help the Attorney General’s office bring enforcement actions against violators and stop unwanted calls. Since 2009, the office has obtained 57 settlements or judgments against companies that violated Indiana’s telephone privacy laws. The total awarded to the state has been more than $4.9 million and the total collected is more than $791,800. Zoeller said this money collected is used to defray the cost of enforcing the state’s telephone privacy laws.

Individuals do not need to re-register for the Do Not Call list unless their address has changed. To sign up or to confirm a number is already on the list, visit www.IndianaConsumer.com or call 1.888.834.9969.

Out-of-state area codes can also be added as long as the billing address is located in Indiana. Those consumers who are registered and receive an unwanted call can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com and clicking on “file a complaint.”