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USI events and updates for the week of 2/12/2024

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Tuesday, February 13

USI Romain College of Business presentation to address building student wealth and careers in investing

 

The USI Romain College of Business will present “Markets, Building Wealth as a Student and Careers in Investing” with Ross Mayfield, Baird Private Wealth Management Investment Strategist, at 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 13. The presentation will take place in the Business and Engineering Center, BE0035, and is open to the public at no charge.

Thursday, February 15 through Sunday, February 18

USI Theatre continues 2023-24 season with Ride the Cyclone

 

USI Theatre will continue its 2023-24 season with Ride the Cyclone. The book, music and lyrics are by Jacob Richmond and Brooke Maxwell, and the production is directed by Joshua Robinson, Professor of Musical Theatre in USI’s Philip H. Hagemann Performing Arts Department. Performances will run from Thursday, February 15 through Sunday, February 18 in the USI Performance Center.

 

Friday, February 16

USI International Food Expo to offer taste of culture on campus

 

The USI International Club and Center for International Programs will host the annual International Food Expo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, February 16 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West on campus. The International Food Expo provides an avenue for USI’s international students to showcase the rich tapestry of their home countries’ cultural diversity, customs and cuisine to both the USI community and public.

February 23

2024 USI M. Edward Jones Engagement Award now open for nominations

 

USI Outreach and Engagement is now accepting nominations for the 2024 M. Edward Jones Engagement Award through Friday, February 23.February 28

USI Romain College of Business to host Azzip Pizza co-CEO Andy Niemeier

The USI Romain College of Business will present “Ready for Change: Adapting to the Marketplace and Lessons Learned in Azzip’s Journey” with Andy Niemeier, co-CEO of Azzip Pizza at noon Wednesday, February 28. The presentation will take place in the Business and Engineering Center, BE0035, and is open to the public at no charge.

 

February 28

USI to host second annual Be a Teacher Day

The USI Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education is hosting its second annual Be a Teacher Day on Wednesday, February 28 on the USI campus. The event will highlight the importance of the profession of education, allow students to meet current teaching professionals and teacher education students, as well as ask questions about the profession.

March 9, 10, 12 and 27

USI faculty to present on eclipses ahead of SolarpaloozaDr. Kent Scheller, Professor of Physics, will present Eclipses and Humans: Science, Shock and Awe ahead of the University of Southern Indiana’s Solarpalooza event, happening Sunday and Monday, April 7-8 on campus.

March 15

USI 26th annual Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Symposium happening March 15

Barb Bancroft, RN, MSN, NP will be the presenter at USI’s 26th annual Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Symposium on Friday, March 15.

March 23

Southern Indiana Dance Marathon returns for 12th year

Southern Indiana Dance Marathon will return to USI for its 12th year on Saturday, March 23 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. Participants will be on their feet for 12 hours straight to raise money and awareness for Riley Hospital for Children. This year’s event will begin at noon Saturday, March 23 and continue until midnight Sunday, March 24.

April 3

USI Nursing Leadership Conference happening April 3

Steve Gutzler, President of Leadership Quest, a Seattle-based Leadership Development company, will be the presenter at USI’s 21st annual Nursing Leadership Conference on April 3. His most recent book, Lead with No Fear, provides practical and thought-provoking strategies for exceptional leadership and growing leaders at every level.

April 17

USI conference focuses on healthcare research, evidence-based practice

A former member of the USI Nursing faculty will be the keynote speaker at the 28th annual USI Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Performance Improvement in Healthcare Conference, slated for Wednesday, April 17 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West.

April 24-26

USI to present 40th annual Historic New Harmony Heritage Artisans Days 

 

USI is excited to present Historic New Harmony’s 40th annual Heritage Artisans Days, happening Wednesday through Friday, April 24-26. Artisans will demonstrate their professions and roles as they were in the 19th century. Students from the Tri-state area will hear and see how these artisans lived and worked in the early days of New Harmony.

USI CALENDAR

A collection of events on campus and in the community can be found on the



Men’s basketball set for home contest against Drake

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Game time is 7 p.m. on Tuesday evening

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Taking on another one of the top Missouri Valley Conference squads, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team welcomes Drake on Tuesday night.  Tip is set for 7 p.m. CT with ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network on the call.

Last Time Out

– Tanner Cuff scored a team-high 15 points as the Purple Aces dropped a 73-70 game at Murray State

– Trailing by as many as nine points, UE fought back to tie the game late before a three at the buzzer gave the Racers the win

– Kenny Strawbridge Jr. finished with 14 points, 10 boards and 6 assists while Ben Humrichous scored 14 points

On the Verge of History

– Recording 14 points, 10 boards and 6 assists at Murray State, Kenny Strawbridge Jr. knocked on the door of the third triple double in program history

– On the defensive side of the floor, he has posted 19 steals over the last 8 games, an average of 2.4 per game; he has multiple swipes in 7 of the last 8

– His season average continues to rise and he is second in the league with 1.83/game

– Offensively, he led UE at Valpo with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting and is third on the team with 9.6 PPG on the season

Still Going Strong

– Leading the Purple Aces with 15 points at Murray State, Tanner Cuff continued his recent success

– Cuff has 9+ points in 5 of the last 6 games while averaging 11.5 PPG (69 points) over that span

– His average of 7.9 PPG is the highest since the second game of the season

– In the home win over UIC, he recorded a career-high 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting

Scouting the Opponent

– Drake holds a 20-5 overall record while sitting at 11-3 in the Missouri Valley Conference

– The Bulldogs have solidified a strong grip of second in the league standings

– Over the last week, Drake earned a 92-88 home overtime win over Southern Illinois before taking a 74-67 road win at Bradley

– Tucker DeVries continues to pace the Bulldogs with 20.9 points per game while sitting second on the team with 6.5 rebounds

– Atin Wright holds a 13.7 PPG average while Darnell Brodie checks in with 12.3 PPG and a team-high 8.6 caroms per contest

 

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UE track and field splits weekend in Nashville and Greencastle

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The Purple Aces competed in two separate meets across 290 miles

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Four more program records fell on the track and in the field over the weekend for the University of Evansville track and field teams.

The Purple Aces split their time and team this weekend at two different meets, the Music City Challenge in Nashville hosted by Vanderbilt, and the DePauw Indoor Invitational in Greencastle. Two program records fell at each meet, with both track records happening in Nashville and both field records at DePauw. In total, UE competed in 16 events across two days at both meets.

Music City Challenge – Day 1

Evansville began its weekend with the field events at the Music City Challenge on Friday morning. Jaden Hayes (Huntingburg, Ind. / Southridge HS) and Zach Dove (Princeton, Ind. / Princeton Community HS) participated in the weight throw in the morning where Hayes threw a PR of 17.22 meters. The Aces then had the rest of the morning off until the track events in the late afternoon.

UE started on the track with the mile race for both the women and men. On the women’s side, Kalina Urbaniak (Suchy Las, Poland) had the fastest finish at 5:02.39 followed by Nicole Prauchner (Neuhofen an der Ybbs, Austria) at 5:03.12 and Nayla Martin (Vaudreuil-Dorion, Quebec, Canada) at 5:05.14. On the men’s side, freshman Rafael Rodriguez (Segovia, Spain) set a new program record in the mile at 4:14.58. Adam Ouglout (St. Paul, Minn. / Central HS) finished with a time of 4:26.17.

The final event of the first day of the Music City Challenge for Evansville was the 200-meter sprint. The Aces only had one runner compete in Raymond Felton III (Houston, Clear Brook HS). Felton III finished 24th overall with a time of 22.15 seconds.

Music City Challenge – Day 2

It was all track events on the second day of the Music City Challenge for UE. Another track record fell on Saturday morning in the second event of the day as freshman Samuel Lea (Worchester, England) ran the 3000-meter race in 8:23.82, besting his former record by almost eight seconds. Evansville also had two women run the 3000-meter race as Sonja Inzinger (Mautern an der Donau, Austria) placed ninth in a time of 9:55.88, and Sarah Vanderhoof-Dossett finished in 10:34.01.

The Aces had a handful of runners compete in the 800-meter race on both sides. The women ran first as Prauchner led the pack in 18th with a time of 2:14.45 followed by Martin with a time of 2:17.33. On the men’s side, Cedrik Flipo (Beloil, Quebec Canda) finished 20th in a time of 1:53.30, followed closely by Alvaro Monfort (Castile Y Leon, Spain) in 30th with a time of 1:54.88. Rodriguez rounded out the 800-meter race with a time of 1:55.46.

Sprints ended the day for UE as Felton III finished 33rd in the 60-meter dash with a time of 7.13. Evansville’s final event in Nashville was the men’s 4×400-meter relay. The Aces finished middle of the pack at 12th with a time of 3:20.05 to end the Music City Challenge.

DePauw Indoor Invitational

Meanwhile in Greencastle on Saturday, UE had a small group compete at DePauw. Evansville only had finishes from its field entries as its three runners DNF’d. The Aces got their first program record at DePauw early as sophomore Kate Walke (Batesville, Ind. / Oldenburg Academy) beat her record from the week before in the 60-meter hurdles. Walke completed the event in 9.47 seconds to take third place in the finals.

UE had more podium finishes in the men’s shot put as Dove and Hayes placed second and third with throws of 14.87 meters and 14.78 meters. Hayes’s throw of 14.78 was a personal best by .38 meters.  In the women’s shot put, freshman Jillian Harris (Boonville, Ind. / Boonville HS) set a PR with a throw 9.19 meters for 10th. Kaitlyn Sansone (Fairfield, Ohio / Mercy McAuley HS) and Brooke Springer (Henderson, Ky. / Henderson Community HS) also threw in the event at 8.80 meters and 8.66 meters.

Evansville wrapped up its day in Greencastle with the men’s and women’s weight throw. The Aces picked up their second field program record of the weekend from Dove in the weight throw. Dove broke his former record from 2023 by 15 centimeters at 17.83 meters to take the top spot in the event. Hayes finished right behind in second with a throw of 17.75 meters.

On the women’s side, sophomore Gwen Darrah (Cleveland, Ohio / Orange HS) earned a podium finish in third with a throw of 13.17 meters. Senior Hannah Bryan (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz HS) threw a PR in the event with a throw of 11.18 meters for eighth. Harris rounded out the event with a throw of 9.38 meters.

The Aces will wrap up the indoor season at a Valley opponent meet next week. UE will participate in the Indiana State Open on Saturday, February 17th before the MVC Indoor Championships in Chicago.

Largest single building project ever: Vincennes University breaks ground on $33.9 million Center for Health Sciences and Active Learning

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VINCENNES, Ind., February 19, 2024 – Vincennes University is undergoing a project that will redefine the landscape of health sciences education in Indiana and elevate how students engage in learning as VU prepares to build the $33.9 million Center for Health Sciences and Active Learning.

The landmark structure is an unprecedented pinnacle for Indiana’s First College. Funded by the State of Indiana, it is the largest single building project in Vincennes University history, symbolizing a bold commitment to high-quality education and innovation.

VU held a ceremonial groundbreaking on Monday, Feb. 19, for the Center for Health Sciences and Active Learning. VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson, VU Board of Trustees Chair Mike Sievers, VU Director of Architectural Services and Facilities Andrew Young, and Good Samaritan CEO Rob McLin shared their profound remarks, emphasizing their commitment to advancing education and fostering collaboration.

Wearing hard hats and surrounded by students, VU leaders and community leaders, ceremoniously put shovels into the dirt, symbolizing the commencement of the construction project with unity and excitement.

According to VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson, “We are embarking on a transformative journey that underscores Vincennes University’s dedication to academic excellence. This monumental center signifies the physical expansion of the Vincennes Campus and the boundless opportunities it offers for cutting-edge learning and one-of-a-kind experiences. The center will have profound and far-reaching impacts on the lives and careers of countless VU graduates and innumerable Hoosiers.”

The construction of the new 72,000-square-foot, two-story center promises to enhance the healthcare infrastructures of an infinite number of communities by helping to meet critical workforce needs. Yearly, hundreds of VU graduates enter the workforce as healthcare heroes. Many of those VU alumni enjoy careers with Good Samaritan.

Good Samaritan CEO and VU graduate Rob McLin said, “The mission of Good Samaritan Hospital is to provide excellent healthcare by promoting wellness, education, and training through trusting relationships. Vincennes University is making investments today in healthcare that will have a profound impact not only on Good Samaritan but on our mission for decades to come. The single greatest challenge that Good Sam has is access to world-class caregivers and our ability to recruit and retain the best and brightest, not only for Good Samaritan but for this community. Today kicks off what I think will be one of the most incredible feeder systems for healthcare in this region and really for healthcare across the state. The center will train and educate caregivers ranging from nursing to pharmacy techs to surgery techs to health information managers, and other sorts of allied health professionals that will be a godsend to places like Good Samaritan Hospital.”

A Jewel in the Heart of Campus

The Center for Health Sciences and Active Learning’s strategic location within the Vincennes Campus further amplifies its transformative potential.

Nestled in the heart of campus, it will serve as a beacon of accessibility and convenience. Its central location invites exploration and engagement from every direction. The center will rise from the site of the former Harrison Hall on Indianapolis Ave. between 2nd and Chestnut. It will act as a hub, effortlessly connecting students, faculty, staff, and visitors to a vibrant campus. The center is expected to open in the fall of 2025.

The new facility nearly doubles the footprint of the current health sciences center. It is the future home of Nursing, Health Information Management, Surgical Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Pharmacy Technology, and Funeral Service Education programs. It will also house a Center for Active Learning.

The newest jewel in the academic crown of VU will be a stunning addition to the Vincennes Campus and features an environmentally friendly design. The center’s aesthetic will take on that of the new buildings in the same area, including its closest neighbor Updike Hall – Center of Science, Engineering and Mathematics.

Students will have access to cutting-edge classrooms, simulation labs, and multidisciplinary health labs infused with the newest technology, reflecting the evolving needs of healthcare education.

College of Health Sciences and Human Performance Dean Michelle Cummins said, “This state-of-the-art facility will empower VU students to excel in in-demand and rewarding careers. The center will serve as a driving force for VU students, providing an environment where knowledge is not only gained but actively applied. By fostering innovation, collaboration, and hands-on learning, it will be a catalyst for producing highly skilled professionals who will elevate the standards of health and contribute significantly to the vitality and well-being of communities across the state of Indiana and beyond.”

 

Dynamic Spaces with the Latest Technology

New simulation labs will replicate real-world healthcare scenarios for a realistic educational experience. Very critical in the healthcare arena, these ultra-modern clinical simulation labs will include the highest quality and latest state-of-the-art technology, including high-fidelity manikins, virtual reality simulators, and video recording systems.

​Active learning spaces will promote collaborative, team-based, flexible learning classrooms, which will be utilized by all colleges on campus, integrating dynamic and engaging learning. Students will also enjoy vital breakout spaces, including study and lounge areas that encourage interaction between students and faculty.

The center will also include administrative, faculty, and staff offices.

With a meticulous use of glass, VU has created dynamic views and diligently integrated daylight strategies to maximize natural light penetration throughout the building. The goal is to create an environment that promotes health and productivity, offering vibrant spaces for learning and work. Another key highlight is an outdoor plaza and space that provides an indoor/outdoor experience year-round.

More than brick and mortar, this monumental facility embodies the VU’s dedication to shaping the future, fostering collaboration, and nurturing excellence in every facet of higher education. With its grandeur and vision, the Center for Health Sciences and Active Learning promises to redefine the landscape of VU and beyond.

Architect, Mechanical and Structural Engineers – Architect: Gibraltar Design, Inc. (Indianapolis); Mechanical Engineer: Heinz Associates, LLC (Jasper, Indiana); Structural Engineer: Lynch, Harrison & Brumleve, Inc. (Indianapolis)

Construction Team – General Construction: Empire Contractors, Inc. (Evansville, Indiana); Mechanical Construction: Huntingburg Machine Works (Huntingburg, Indiana); Electrical Construction: Weyer Electric, Inc. (Ferdinand, Indiana); Site Construction: Kerns Excavating, LLC (Bicknell, Indiana)

LINK OF THE FEBRUARY 2024 CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER PRINTED PAPER

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LINK OF THE FEBRUARY 2024 CITY-COUNTY OBSERVER PRINTED PAPER

Feb. CCO Proof

ARE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION CLOSELY LINKED VALUES TO ASSURE SUCCESS IN THE WORK FORCE

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Do organizations believe in diversity equality and inclusion?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are three closely linked values held by many organizations that are working to be supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.

“Whitelash” and Other Current Challenges to DEI in the Workplace  

ARCC NEWS

 August 17. 2023

Despite heightened public awareness around systemic racial inequalities, much of which was galvanized by the murder of George Floyd in 2020, there are now equally escalating challenges to efforts aimed at improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Here are some of the biggest barriers to DEI efforts in corporate America today.

Why Can It Be Challenging for Some Companies to Hire a Diverse Workforce?

Multiple factors are setting up the current obstacles to achieving diverse and inclusive workplaces. Here are some that everyone should be aware of.

Pre-Existing Low Engagement With DEI

Just as cultural and political leanings skew different ways in different US regions, so do values around diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. This has been true long before the recent discourse about racial justice, and unfortunately, deepening ideological divisions are intensifying these differences.

As of 2017, company DEI programs flourished the most in New England, Middle Atlantic, and West Coast states. The regions where DEI fared worst included the South (Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas) and Mountain states (Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming). In these large swathes of the country, DEI programs are especially unlikely to thrive with any additional threats or challenges to their existence — and there are several.

Confusion Around Federal vs. State EEO Laws

Federal laws around DEI are set and enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). These are known as Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws, which are most commonly referenced by companies in rote boilerplate statements. Although most employers are familiar with federal EEO laws, some states have their versions of these, which can make DEI program compliance tricky at best and legally risky at worst.

Conservative Backlash Against DEI Awareness and Engagement

If you’ve read, watched, or listened to any news in the past few years, you’ve heard about the conservative backlash — also known as “whitelash” — of right-wing politicians, industry leaders, and individuals who resent policy efforts aimed at protecting liberty and justice for all Americans.

These groups present a false argument that America is under attack from “woke culture” and the so-called “woke agenda.” In doing so, conservatives choose to ignore hundreds of years of profound and continuing racial injustices — which, even today, are far from being adequately addressed — in favor of the idea that white populations are now the victims of “reverse racism.”

However unfounded, political and public whitelash has necessarily spilled over into corporate America, whose C-suite staff are still overwhelmingly white and male. As a result, DEI officers in many companies and industries feel they have to tread carefully in how they advocate for equity in hiring and promotion practices as well as other important company policies.

To begin with, many of these business leaders, well-intentioned and otherwise, are simply unaware of the ways and degree to which they have enjoyed automatic advantages because of their race and gender. They may not realize that even “meritocracy” — a concept speciously championed by politicians like Texas Governor Greg Abbott — often fails to account for how the barrier-ridden realities of life keep non-white and other marginalized workers from achieving the same successes as their white male peers, despite their best efforts and sacrifices.

Others have additional conscious or unconscious racial biases and are unwilling to fully examine how these function in their career or in company operations, much less invest the time and resources needed to eliminate them in the workplace.

Mass Layoffs of DEI Professionals

Far from what Americans might expect in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and increased awareness of racial inequalities, many companies are cutting DEI staff rather than stepping up related efforts.

Although corporations actively sought out these professionals between September 2019 and September 2020, DEI roles began facing mass elimination just months after the death of George Floyd. This downward trend has been driven in large part by a slow economy, cooling interest in corporate accountability about racial equity, and public whitelash against the principles that drive DEI as a whole. Related job cuts exist across all industries, but most notably in top tech firms.

The SCOTUS Ruling on Affirmative Action in College Admissions

In addition to all of these factors, the Supreme Court recently ruled that affirmative action in college admissions is unconstitutional. In short, it is requiring higher education institutions to eliminate race-conscious aspects of admissions (which take racial barriers into account) for race-neutral ones (which don’t).

This decision may also have a legal impact on affirmative action hiring practices. Although employers cannot lawfully discriminate against employees based on a protected status like race, they may, conversely, run into other legal challenges if they use race-conscious policies like those used by many universities. Employers are also likely to be concerned with avoiding backlash and lawsuits from prospective and actual employees who believe they were discriminated against because of their white race or male gender.

How to Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Your Workplace

Your company can overcome current challenges to DEI efforts in the workforce. Educating yourself, your coworkers, and your direct reports about ethically and legally sound DEI policies is a great place to start. You can learn about this by reading books like The Anti-Racist Organization: Dismantling Systemic Racism in the Workplace by HR strategist Shereen Daniels, which offers a four-part approach for tackling structural racism in the workplace.

Support DEI in the American Workplace With ARCC

The Anti-Racism Commitment Coalition (ARCC) is an inclusive coalition of dedicated people committed to eradicating racism and spreading anti-racism throughout our communities, countries, and the world. We work to help and educate people on their transformative journey to anti-racism by providing access to related support and resources. On [fill in date and time and link to social media or website landing page], ARCC welcomed Shereen Daniels, who visited us as part of her book tour.

You can help us to build a racism-free world. Subscribe to receive news and updates about our work. Be sure to check out our newsletters and ARCC of Change podcast series. Show your commitment to anti-racism by purchasing ARCC merchandise or by donating.

FOOTNOTE: THE CITY-COUNTY  OBSERVER POSTED THIS ARTICLE WITHOUT BIAS, EDITING OR OPINION.