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HOT JOBS
 USI’s Shafford named OVC co-Player of the Week
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball junior guard Vanessa Shafford (Linton, Indiana) has been named Ohio Valley Conference co-Player of the Week. The OVC’s weekly accolades are voted upon by the league’s communications directors.
The player of the week award is the first of the season for the Screaming Eagles. Shafford also represented USI on the 2023-24 Preseason All-OVC Team.
In earning the honor, Stafford averaged a double-double in two games last week, registering 21 points and 12 rebounds per game. The junior also shot efficiently over 46 percent overall and 50 percent from long range.
Stafford began the week with a standout performance in USI’s 78-57 win over Tennessee State University. Shafford posted a career-high 26 points on 60 percent shooting and matched a career-best six three-pointers made. The guard also pulled down nine rebounds in 32 minutes. The scoring effort was her third 20-point outing of the season.
In Saturday’s 69-66 win against Tennessee Tech University, Stafford tallied 32 minutes played once again and recorded her eighth career double-double and the third of the season. Shafford notched 16 points and a new career-best 15 rebounds.
Shafford’s efforts last week helped Southern Indiana to a 4-0 start in OVC play and extend the team’s winning streak to five games.
On the season, Shafford paces the Screaming Eagles with 15.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per contest. Plus, Shafford is shooting over 48 percent overall and nearly 42 percent beyond the arc. Within the OVC, Stafford ranks top-4 in scoring, rebounding, and field goal percentage. Additionally, Stafford has scored 10 or more points in 12 consecutive games.
Shafford and the Screaming Eagles (9-5, 4-0) return to action Thursday at 5 p.m. with an OVC contest at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Thursday’s game can be seen live with an ESPN+ subscription.
Road trip to Peoria on tap for UE men’s basketball
Aces and Braves meet up on Wednesday
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Taking back to the road on Wednesday, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team travels to Peoria, Ill. to face Bradley. Tip is set for 7 p.m. CT with ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network having the coverage.
Last Time Out
– Murray State led from start to finish on their way to an 81-59 win over the Purple Aces on Saturday at the Ford Center
– MSU led by 9 at the break and as many as 27 in the second half
– Gage Bobe and Kenny Strawbridge Jr. scored 12 apiece while Yacine Toumi and Antonio Thomas each finished the game with 10 points
Season-High
– Converting all four of his outside attempts against Murray State, Gage Bobe posted a season-high 12 points
– Entering the game, he missed 10 consecutive triples over a 6-game span
– His previous season mark of 9 points came at Missouri State with all nine points coming from the long ball
Defining Consistency
– Antonio Thomas has recorded 7 or more points in 11 of the last 14 games for the Purple Aces including 27 in the win over UNI, his top Division I scoring effort
– He recorded 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting and a 9-for-10 effort from long range
– At Bellarmine, Thomas made a run at a triple double, posting 9 points, 8 boards and 5 assists and finished in double figures with 10 points at Indiana State and 10 vs. Murray State
– Thomas is tied for 15th in the MVC with 1.20 steals per game and has jumped to a tie for 13th in the league with an 81.6% free throw shooting mark; he has hit 24 of his last 28 free throw tries
Make it Seven in a Row
– Recording 10 points against Murray State, Yacine Toumi reached double figures in scoring for the seventh-consecutive game
– Over that span, he has averaged 13.7 points and 8.0 rebounds
– Toumi’s playing time has gone up – he played 28 minutes or under in each of the first 12 games but has played over 30 minutes in each of the last three outings
– He has two double-doubles in the last four games, including a 19-point, 10-rebound performance at Indiana State
– Toumi was 9-for-13 from the field against the Sycamores and has converted 25 of his last 38 attempts over the last four games, an astonishing 65.8%
Scouting the Opponent
– Bradley holds a 10-5 overall record and have split their first four MVC games entering Wednesday’s contest
– After opening the season with six wins in a row, the Braves lost their next five before putting together a 4-game win streak
– Four Braves average double figures with Connor Hickman pacing the team with 14.8 points per game
– Malevy Leons is second with 13.3 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game
– Darius Hannah and Duke Deen hold averages of 11.8 and 11.3 PPG, respectively
– Bradley has won the last ten meetings against the Aces
Vanderburgh County legislators invite local students to page at Statehouse during 2024 session
 STATEHOUSE (Jan. 9, 2024) – Vanderburgh County legislators invite Hoosier students to sign up and experience a day serving as a House page at the Indiana Statehouse during the 2024 legislative session.
According to State Rep. Tim O’Brien (R-Evansville), Hoosier students ages 13 to 18 can sign up to be a House page and assist state lawmakers and Statehouse staff with daily duties while having the opportunity to tour the governor’s office, the Supreme Court, and House and Senate chambers.
“Paging at the Statehouse is always a unique opportunity for students,” O’Brien said. “Pages can get a firsthand look at how laws are written and debated in our state and learn more about how their representatives work for their districts.”
State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) said that student pages will receive an excused absence from school and that groups of students may participate together.
“As the 2024 session begins, I always encourage parents and teachers to discuss the benefits of the hands-on learning that the page program offers students,” McNamara said. “I hope young Hoosiers take advantage of this opportunity and sign up soon.”
“Learning experiences like the page program are so beneficial for young people,” said State Rep. Matt Hostettler (R-Patoka). “Meeting legislators, assisting staff and watching session are great ways to learn how laws are made.”
Interested Hoosier students or parents can visit indianahouserepublicans.com/pageprogram to fill out the online application and select a day to participate during the 2024 legislative session, which began Jan. 8 and must conclude by March 14. Individual page opportunities will be on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To schedule a large group, please reach out to the page program by calling 317-232-9410 or emailing pageprogram@iga.in.gov. Large groups will be scheduled for Wednesdays only.
Students will be responsible for their own lunch along with transportation to and from the Statehouse located in downtown Indianapolis.
Department of Parks & Recreation Breaks Ground on Inclusive Wesselman Playground
The Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation today held a groundbreaking for the new, inclusive Wesselman Playground.
“We are incredibly excited to be able to make this playground a reality for our community,†said Danielle Crook, executive director of the Department of Parks & Recreation. “I hope that this is just the beginning of a renewed focus on inclusion in our parks and recreational spaces. We want children and adults of all ages, with or without unique physical or developmental needs to be able to fully enjoy the benefits of outdoor play.â€
The nature-themed playground, designed with the help of Play Pros and Morley (see attached designs), features a ramp-style structure that provides ample space for adult-size wheelchairs to navigate. It also includes a wheelchair swing and accessible merry-go-round structure.
Deig Bros. Construction will begin the sitework immediately, with Play Pros installing the equipment. The playground is expected to be completed this spring.
Road trip to Peoria on tap for UE men’s basketball
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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Taking back to the road on Wednesday, the University of Evansville men’s basketball team travels to Peoria, Ill. to face Bradley. Tip is set for 7 p.m. CT with ESPN+ and the Purple Aces Radio Network having the coverage.
Last Time Out
– Murray State led from start to finish on their way to an 81-59 win over the Purple Aces on Saturday at the Ford Center
– MSU led by 9 at the break and as many as 27 in the second half
– Gage Bobe and Kenny Strawbridge Jr. scored 12 apiece while Yacine Toumi and Antonio Thomas each finished the game with 10 points
Season-High
– Converting all four of his outside attempts against Murray State, Gage Bobe posted a season-high 12 points
– Entering the game, he missed 10 consecutive triples over a 6-game span
– His previous season mark of 9 points came at Missouri State with all nine points coming from the long ball
Defining Consistency
– Antonio Thomas has recorded 7 or more points in 11 of the last 14 games for the Purple Aces including 27 in the win over UNI, his top Division I scoring effort
– He recorded 27 points on 8-of-11 shooting and a 9-for-10 effort from long range
– At Bellarmine, Thomas made a run at a triple double, posting 9 points, 8 boards and 5 assists and finished in double figures with 10 points at Indiana State and 10 vs. Murray State
– Thomas is tied for 15th in the MVC with 1.20 steals per game and has jumped to a tie for 13th in the league with an 81.6% free throw shooting mark; he has hit 24 of his last 28 free throw tries
Make it Seven in a Row
– Recording 10 points against Murray State, Yacine Toumi reached double figures in scoring for the seventh-consecutive game
– Over that span, he has averaged 13.7 points and 8.0 rebounds
– Toumi’s playing time has gone up – he played 28 minutes or under in each of the first 12 games but has played over 30 minutes in each of the last three outings
– He has two double-doubles in the last four games, including a 19-point, 10-rebound performance at Indiana State
– Toumi was 9-for-13 from the field against the Sycamores and has converted 25 of his last 38 attempts over the last four games, an astonishing 65.8%
Scouting the Opponent
– Bradley holds a 10-5 overall record and have split their first four MVC games entering Wednesday’s contest
– After opening the season with six wins in a row, the Braves lost their next five before putting together a 4-game win streak
– Four Braves average double figures with Connor Hickman pacing the team with 14.8 points per game
– Malevy Leons is second with 13.3 points and a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game
– Darius Hannah and Duke Deen hold averages of 11.8 and 11.3 PPG, respectively
– Bradley has won the last ten meetings against the Aces
USI to host Health Professions Day for high school students February 23
The University of Southern Indiana College of Nursing and Health Professions is hosting a Health Professions Day for high school juniors and seniors exploring careers in healthcare on Friday, February 23. The day will incorporate hands-on experiences within various health professions programs, as well as interaction with USI faculty and current students.
The event, from 8 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. in the USI Health Professions Center, will include lunch and an optional campus tour. Representatives from the following programs will lead breakout sessions: Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene; Diagnostic Medical Sonography; Food and Nutrition; Health Administration and Health Services; Health Informatics; Nursing; Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant; Radiology and Imaging Sciences; and Respiratory Therapy.
“There are several different career paths in the health field,†says Sean Weir, Chair of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program. “This Health Professions Day is an opportunity to show high school students that the possibilities are endless if they choose to major in one of our healthcare programs.â€
This event is free, but capacity is limited. Registration is required. For more information, visit USI.edu/hp-day.
UE Hosting Weeklong Events in Honor of 2024 MLK Day
EVANSVILLE, IND. (01/09/2024) The University of Evansville (UE) will hold weeklong events to honor Martin Luther King Jr. beginning this weekend. The week-long celebration is dedicated to honoring the legacy of the iconic civil rights leader. Under the theme “Embracing Liberation: Radical Love for a United Community,” a larger community-wide day of service will take place this Saturday, January 13.
The UE MLK Day of Service provides an opportunity for UE students, faculty, and staff to actively contribute to the community. The week continues with a series of impactful events culminating in the UE Inaugural conference on community solidarity, welcoming all members of the Evansville community.
The schedule of events for the week is as follows:
Saturday, January 13: deadline to register Thursday, Jan. 11.
9:00 a.m. – UE MLK Day of Service for UE Students, Faculty, and Staff
Monday, January 15: no registration needed.
8:30 a.m. – Faith-based service in Neu Chapel
9:45 a.m. – Rally at Meeks Family Fieldhouse
10:00 a.m. – Symbolic March
Wednesday, January 17: deadline to register Friday, Jan. 12.
11:30 a.m. – Luncheon in Eykamp Hall featuring the William G. and Rose M. Mays Lectureship, 2024 Mays Legacy Award, and Rising Star Service Award presentations.
Saturday, January 20: deadline to register Monday, Jan. 15.
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – UE Inaugural Conference on Community Solidarity open to all Evansville community members
To enhance the experience, individuals are encouraged to register for the luncheon and Unity Conference on Community Solidarity through the provided buttons by visiting www.evansville.edu/MLK.
The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university located in the southwestern region of Indiana. Established in 1854, UE is recognized across the globe for its rich tradition of innovative, academic excellence and vibrant campus community of changemakers.
Home of the Purple Aces, UE offers over 75 majors, 17 Division I sports, and a unique study abroad experience at Harlaxton, the University’s very own Victorian manor located in the countryside of England. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: Â EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Vincennes University offers students and families free help with new, simplified FAFSA
VINCENNES, Ind., January 9, 2024 – The arrival of the new FAFSA form heralds an opportunity for individuals to access vital federal aid for their college education. The 2024-25 form introduces a simplified and user-friendly approach, streamlining the application process for students seeking financial aid.
Applying for federal aid by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid is an investment in one’s education, and it opens doors to crucial financial support, including grants and loans, that can significantly help with college expenses.
Students and families looking for the best value and lowest cost in higher education in Indiana should look no further than Vincennes University. VU strives to keep its in-state tuition below the value of a full Pell Grant.
The redesigned 2024–25 FAFSA form will help 610,000 new students from low-income backgrounds receive Federal Pell Grants, according to the U.S. Department of Education. It will also help 1.5 million more students receive the maximum Pell Grant – bringing the total number of students eligible for the maximum Pell Grant amount to more than 5.2 million.
Nearly 90 percent of first-time, full-time VU students receive financial assistance through grants, scholarships, or both. VU extends in-state tuition to Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan residents. This development offers residents of these states an approximate 50 percent reduction in tuition costs, exemplifying VU’s mission of making high-quality education accessible and affordable to all.
The best step to unlocking pathways to affordable education and potential financial aid opportunities is to file a FAFSA for the 2024-25 academic year. The FAFSA is typically released in October. The 2024-25 FAFSA form rolled out online with a “soft launch†on Dec. 30, 2023.
According to the Department of Education, the FAFSA is available periodically during their soft launch as they monitor site performance and form functionality. Students wanting to submit applications now should monitor the studentaid.gov website to check availability.
VU is ready to assist
The VU Financial Aid Office offers assistance Monday – Friday during its regular hours, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (ET). One-on-one Zoom appointments with VU financial aid representatives also provide help with filing the FAFSA and answer questions regarding financial aid at VU. Financial aid experts will also be available on College Goal Sunday to provide free FAFSA filing help at the Vincennes Campus and Jasper Campus on Feb. 25, 2024, 2-4 p.m. (ET).
VU Financial Aid Director Stan Werne said, “With clearer instructions and reduced complexity, the updated FAFSA aims to make accessing financial aid more straightforward, ensuring that students can focus on their education with greater ease. At Vincennes University, we are committed to supporting the educational journey of all students. If someone has questions about the new FAFSA form or any financial aid needs, our dedicated team is here to assist every step of the way. Student success is our priority, and we’re just a call, visit, or email away from helping students and families navigate the financial aid process.â€
College is a great investment in your future
A college degree not only equips individuals with specialized knowledge and skills but expands possibilities and increases career prospects. The wage gap between college graduates and high school graduates is at a record high, according to this report. The return on investment for a college degree is substantial – worth upwards of $800,000 or more in increased earnings over a lifetime. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York concludes that a college degree pays off with a 75 percent premium, or more than $30,000 per year in earnings, compared to those with a high school diploma.
Filing a FAFSA is a strategic investment that ensures individuals have the financial resources needed to pursue higher education, unlocking opportunities for students to access vital federal aid.