This Week at USI
UPCOMING EVENTS
2 p.m. Monday, September 15
Founders’ Day Reception
The University will celebrate Founders’ Day and its 60th anniversary at 2 p.m. Monday, September 15 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West on campus. The event will celebrate the University and its visionary leaders who worked diligently to establish it on September 15, 1965. This event is not open to the general public.
10:30 a.m. Thursday, September 18
Fall USI Liberal Arts Faculty Colloquium to begin September 18
The USI College of Liberal Arts will host its first Faculty Colloquia presentation of the Fall Semester from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Thursday, September 18 in Kleymeyer Hall (LA0101), located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. The event is open to the public at no charge.
9 a.m. Friday, September 19
USI Alumni Golf Scramble
USI Alumni Engagement and Volunteer USI will host its annual Alumni Golf Scramble on Friday, September 19 at Helfrich Golf Course on Evansville’s west side. Check in will begin at 8 a.m. with shotgun start at 9 a.m. Proceeds support the USI Alumni Scholarship Endowment, which provides tuition assistance to USI students in need.
Noon Friday, September 19
USI Anthropology Speaker Series to present Dr. Angela Story
The USI Anthropology Speaker Series will present a lecture and Q&A by Dr. Angela Storey at noon Friday, September 19 in Kleymeyer Hall (LA0101), located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. The event is open to the public at no charge.
SAVE THE DATE
Monday, September 22
USI Romain College of Business to host Silicon Valley entrepreneur to kickoff Romain Market Makers Speaker Series
The USI Romain College of Business is proud to welcome David Siminoff, noted Silicon Valley entrepreneur, investor and innovator, as the inaugural speaker in the College’s new Romain Market Makers Speaker Series.
September 23
USI College of Liberal Arts to present poetry reading by Ruth Awad and Natalie Louise Tombasco
The USI College of Liberal Arts is proud to present A Celebration of Poetry: a reading and reception with Ruth Awad and Natalie Louise Tombasco from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 23 in the USI Performance Center. The poets will read from their recently released collections, followed by a brief Q&A and the opportunity to purchase books and have them signed by the authors. This event is open to the public at no charge.
September 23
USI Center for Communal Studies Lecture Series presents Dr. Tristra Newyear September 23
The University of Southern Indiana Center for Communal Studies is excited to offer a presentation by Dr. Tristra Newyear, Chief Strategy Officer at Rock Paper Scissors in Bloomington, Indiana, titled Radical Women in Early Indiana. The presentation will take place at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23 in Kleymeyer Hall (LA 0101), located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center. This event is open to the public at no charge and will also be offered online via Zoom.
September 26
USI Multicultural Center to host 15th annual Essence of Excellence Summit
The 15th annual USI Multicultural Center (MCC) Essence of Excellence Summit will take place at 3 p.m. Friday, September 26 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. This year’s theme, “Developing Your Blueprint,” aims to provide all college students knowledge, tools and skills to achieve better versions of themselves.
October 16
USI to celebrate Inauguration of fifth President, Steven J. Bridges, October 16
The public is cordially invited to attend the Inauguration of Steven J. Bridges as the fifth President of the University of Southern Indiana and first alumnus in the role. The ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 16 in Liberty Arena, Home of the Screaming Eagles. Doors will be open at 9 a.m., and guests should be seated by 10:15 a.m. Attendance is free and seating will be open, but those who plan to attend the ceremony are asked to RSVP at https://www.usi.edu/inauguration/inauguration-rsvp. Following the ceremony, a luncheon for all guests will be held in the adjacent Screaming Eagles Complex.
October 24
USI to host Health Professions Day for high school students October 24
The USI Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions is hosting a Health Professions Day for high school juniors and seniors exploring careers in healthcare on Friday, October 24. The day will incorporate hands-on experiences within various health professions programs, as well as interaction with USI faculty and current students.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Released Tuesday, September 9
Registration open for Fall 2025 USI healthcare conferences and workshops
During the fourth quarter of 2025, USI’s Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning will offer the following conferences and workshops designed to provide essential continuing education and professional development opportunities for health professionals across disciplines.
Released Wednesday, September 10
USI Bronstein Center funds Online Care Partner Support Group with PAC
The University of Southern Indiana Bronstein Center for Healthy Aging and Wellness, within USI’s Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions, is partnering with Positive Approach to Care® (PAC) to offer a free, online care partner support group designed especially for people caring for someone living with dementia.
Released Thursday, September 11
Braun appoints Kissel to fill vacated term of USI Board of Trustees
Indiana Governor Mike Braun has appointed Dr. Glen Kissel of Evansville to the USI Board of Trustees for a term beginning September 7, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Kissel fills the remainder of a four-year term previously held by W. Harold Calloway, who retired from the Board earlier this year.
IDEM Forecasts Air Quality Action Day for Tomorrow in two Southern Indiana Regions
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Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange) in the following areas:
Continued unseasonably warm temperatures combined with low humidity, sunny skies and light wildfire smoke is expected to contribute to elevated ozone levels that are forecast to reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) range in the Southeast and Southwest Regions. Hoosiers can visit SmogWatch.IN.gov to:
Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. (24-hours) on the specified date. Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, go to idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. |
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
ROOM 301, CIVIC CENTER COMPLEX
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2025
NOON
AGENDA
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. MEETING MEMORANDUM: September 3, 2025
3. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Request Re: Approve and Execute Swim Team Coordinator Agreement with Lindsey
Byrley. – Bedwell
b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Swim Team Coordinator Agreement with Jeremy
Wolfe.- Bedwell
4. OLD BUSINESS
N/A
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Request Re: Vann Park Neighborhood Association request permission to add a Pavillion in
Vann Park.- Benson
b. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with Mid-America Golf & Landscape
for Fendrich Golf Course Irrigation Project. – Crook
c. Request Re: Approve and Execute Agreement with Mid-America Golf & Landscape
for Helfrich Golf Course Irrigation Project. – Crook
d. Request Re: Permission to award DeBra Kuempel the Rooftop Unit Replacement
Project for Swonder Ice Arena. – Lord
6. REPORTS
N/A
7. ACCEPTANCE OF PAYROLL AND VENDOR CLAIMS
8. ADJOURN
HOT JOBS
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EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Aces Celebrate Senior Day to Close Out Non-Conference Play
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s soccer team suffered their loss since August 21st on Sunday, falling to Middle Tennessee by a score of 2-0 at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Postgame, UE celebrated Senior Day by honoring 8 seniors who are playing their final season with the program – Kaylee Woosley (Evansville, Ind./Evansville North), Kathryn Tyler (Dallas, Texas/Liberty Christian), Amy Velazquez (Avon, Ind./Avon), Chrysta Vasquez (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado), Ella McAndrew (Greendale, Ind./Lawrenceburg), Joelle Haines (Raleigh, N.C./IMG Academy), Paige Radel (Metamora, Ohio/Evergreen), and Isa Valdez (Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista).
Middle Tennessee jumped out to an early lead on an Evansville own goal in the 8th minute and added another goal in the 40th minute to take a 2-0 into the halftime intermission.
The Blue Raiders continued to hold the Aces at bay in the second half, despite seven Evansville shots. The best scoring opportunities for Evansville came in the final seven minutes of play, with Vasquez and Olivia Colson (Waterloo, Ill./Waterloo) putting shots on goal, but a pair of saves from Blue Raiders keeper Ella Sellers kept Evansville off the scoreboard.
Emma Nathans (Toronto, Ontario/Havergal College) made her first collegiate start in goal for the Aces, making four saves. Colson also made her collegiate debut with 17 minutes of action. 22 different Aces saw the field in the match.
With the loss, Evansville moves to 4-2-1 on the season. The Aces will open conference play on Saturday, hosting UIC at Arad McCutchan Stadium. Kick-off is set for 4 PM.
Screaming Eagles charge past Mastodons with six goals on Sunday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer closed out its non-conference schedule in a big way Sunday afternoon at Strassweg Field, posting a 6-1 victory over Purdue University Fort Wayne in front of several USI Women’s Soccer alumni in attendance for alumni weekend.
USI Women’s Soccer wrapped up its non-conference slate with its fourth consecutive result and third win in the last four matches to improve to 3-5-1 heading into the start of Ohio Valley Conference play later this week. Meanwhile, Purdue Fort Wayne dropped to 1-6-1 before the start of the conference season in the Horizon League.
The six goals by the Screaming Eagles on Sunday are a program best since USI made the jump to Division I in 2022 and the most scored in a single game since 2019 when USI scored six against the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Five different Screaming Eagles scored a goal on Sunday. The last time five different Eagles scored a goal in a single game was in the 2020-21 championship spring season in a win against Southwest Baptist University.
Leading the goal-scoring for USI Women’s Soccer against the Mastodons was sophomore forward Josie Pochocki. Pochocki not only scored her first career goal but also her first two-goal game. Pochocki recorded the brace and placed all three shot attempts on goal in the contest. Pochocki became the second Screaming Eagle to have a two-goal outing this season, as senior forward Emerson Grafton had a pair of tallies in USI’s home win against Valparaiso University on September 4. The last time USI had multiple players with a two-goal performance in the same season was in the 2021 season, with three players achieving the feat that fall.
Speaking of Grafton, the senior found the back of the net for the second consecutive home match on Sunday, pushing her team-leading total to three on the campaign and matching her total from last season. Grafton also had an assist on Sunday.
Freshman forward Brooke Shafer registered her first career goal on a penalty kick in the second half of Sunday’s match to become the fourth USI freshman to score this season. Shafer had two shots on goal in three shot attempts. Redshirt sophomore forward Eva Boer notched her second goal of the season. Junior forward Erica Cox capped off the scoring for the Eagles with her first goal in a USI uniform, becoming the 10th different Screaming Eagle to score this season.
USI came out Sunday with energy and on the attack. Pochocki started the scoring with her first goal of the match in the eighth minute off a corner kick. It was the third game this season that USI scored a goal within the first 10 minutes of action.
The Eagles doubled their lead to 2-0 nearly 25 minutes into the game when Grafton headed a ball across the face of the goal and in off another USI corner kick from senior defender Brynn Quick. Purdue Fort Wayne responded with a goal only a couple of minutes later to bring it back to a one-goal lead for USI, 2-1, which remained the score at halftime.
Out of the intermission, it was Pochocki who got USI rolling again early, just like the first half. Pochocki finished a rebound opportunity off a punch-away by the Purdue Fort Wayne goalkeeper to score her second goal of the game and push USI back ahead by two, 3-1, nearly five minutes into the second half. The goal marked the fourth time this season that USI scored within the first 10 minutes after halftime.
The Screaming Eagles kept the control in the second half and went up 4-1 in the 68th minute after Shafer’s relentless effort and hustle in the previous five minutes were rewarded with a penalty-kick conversion.
The goal-scoring feast continued in the 76th minute when Boer settled a pass from junior defender Kamryn Bea at her foot for a turnaround rocket into the back of the net to increase USI’s lead to four, 5-1. Then the Eagles finished the scoring barrage with the goal by Cox in the 88th minute off another cross, this time off an assist by freshman midfielder Paulina Campos.
Overall, the Screaming Eagles totaled 19 shots with 11 on goal against the Mastodons. The 19 shots marked USI’s second-highest shot total this season after tallying 21 against Cleveland State University in August. The 11 shots on goal were a season high in addition to 12 corner kicks on Sunday.
Defensively, USI limited Purdue Fort Wayne to its one goal on five shots and three on target. Before the Mastodons scored their only goal on Sunday, the Screaming Eagles extended their defensive scoreless streak to 313 consecutive minutes, marking the longest defensive scoring stretch for USI since the D-I jump in 2022.
Next, USI Women’s Soccer set its sights on the start of OVC play later this week. USI will kick off the OVC season on Saturday, September 20, on the road at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. from Martin, Tennessee, and can be seen with a subscription to ESPN+.
Charlie Kirk’s death draws calls to end political violence from Indiana lawmakers
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Indiana politicians across the political spectrum denounced political violence after the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah on Wednesday, with many Republicans describing the populist ally of President Donald Trump as an influential figure.
Charlie Kirk, conservative influencer and co-founder of Turning Point USA, poses beside Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith at Purdue University in April. U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, one of Kirk’s closest allies in Indiana, said Kirk was “one of the most influential leaders in the conservative movement” and “a warrior and a friend.”
“He inspired so many students with open and honest dialogue on college campuses across the country,” said Banks, a Republican. “There is no place for political violence in the United States of America. Amanda and I are praying for his wife, children, and the millions of Americans impacted by this horrific assassination.”
Kirk, 31, dropped out of college in 2012 to co-found Turning Point USA. He built a massive social media following through events on college campuses that often led to viral moments. Kirk had been scheduled to appear Oct. 21 at Indiana University Bloomington as part of his “American Comeback Tour.” Kirk appeared at Purdue University in April.
Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon while speaking at Utah Valley University. Kirk was answering audience questions under a tent when a bullet struck him in the neck.
Kirk’s death also rapidly reverberated nationwide. Kirk was hailed by President Donald Trump on Truth Social as “Great, and even Legendary.”
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, posted urgent requests for prayers for Kirk. Beckwith has a long history with Kirk and his organization Turning Point USA; he has attended and hosted Kirk or other leaders with Turning Point USA for years.
Beckwith wrote on X that he and his wife “lost a dear friend” Wednesday. He posted a photo of himself and Kirk with their wives.
Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith shared a photo of himself, conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, and both of their wives in a heartfelt post about Kirk after he was shot and killed Wednesday. He said Kirk “now joins the company” of slain American figures like Revolutionary War spy Nathan Hale, Presidents Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy and Civil Rights Movement icon Martin Luther King Jr.—“heroes who gave their lives for liberty and righteousness.”
“This moment will be remembered as a turning point for America,” Beckwith said.
Kirk’s killing comes amid heightened concerns over political violence in the United States following several recent high-profile attacks. Earlier this year, a Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker and her husband were assassinated in their home, and Trump survived two attempts on his life during the 2024 campaign.
U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, called the shooting “a dark day for America.”
“Political violence is abhorrent and unacceptable. We must come together and ensure such actions have no place in our country,” Young said.
U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Indiana, wrote that Kirk “spoke truth into the world and always believed that honest conversation, not heinous actions were the way to solve political differences.”
U.S. Rep. Erin Houchin, R-Indiana, noted Kirk had just encouraged students to pursue faith “minutes before his passing.”
Gov. Mike Braun, Attorney General Todd Rokita and Secretary of State Diego Morales emphasized Kirk’s role as a husband and father as well as his impact on young conservatives.
Democrats also spoke out against the attack. U.S. Rep. Andre Carson, D-Indiana, said “Political violence is never ok and must be stopped,” adding his condolences for Kirk’s young children. U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, D-Indiana, urged Americans to move forward “with peace as a nation.”
The Indiana Democratic Party issued a statement on X denouncing political violence. “We strongly oppose political violence in all forms and in every part of our nation. No one should ever have to fear for their safety while exercising their First Amendment rights,” the party said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie and his family during this difficult time.”
This article was published by TheStatehouseFile.com through a partnership with The Indiana Citizen, a nonpartisan, nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed, engaged Hoosier citizens.
Please join me to discuss college readiness
by Tim O’Brien
| As high school seniors start thinking about their post-graduation plans and begin applying to colleges, my office is pleased to host a “College Readiness Webinar” with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) to help make this process as seamless as possible. | |||||
| This webinar will offer students and parents more insight into the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the Indiana Pre-Admissions: Your Path to College program, and state student assistance options like the 21st Century Scholars Award and the Frank O’Bannon Grant.
College Readiness Webinar Date: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025 Time: 6 p.m. CDT Location: Virtual I hope that you will join me in exploring the different options and paths available for prospective college students. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office for more information. |
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