USI to hold two Commencement Ceremonies to honor Fall Class of 2023
The University of Southern Indiana will host two Fall Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, December 16 in the Screaming Eagles Arena.Â
The 10 a.m. Commencement Ceremony will recognize graduates from the College of Nursing and Health Professions; the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education; and the School of Graduate Studies. The 1 p.m. Commencement Ceremony will recognize graduates from the College of Liberal Arts; the Romain College of Business; and the School of Graduate Studies.Â
Tickets will not be required for guests, and a livestream of each Ceremony will be available at USI.edu/watch-commencement.
Dr. Jill Raisor ’03, Professor of Education and 2023 Distinguished Professor Award recipient, will present the Commencement Address at the 10 a.m. Ceremony. Raisor joined the USI faculty full-time in 2010 as Teacher in Residence, and over the course of her tenure has served as a Children’s Learning Center Liaison and Coordinator, Chair of Teacher Education, and now as Professor of Education. She is recognized for her tireless service to students, teaching and scholarship, as well as her vast work in the community. Â
Dr. Mark Krahling, Associate Professor of Chemistry and the 2023 H. Lee Cooper Core Curriculum Teaching Award recipient, will deliver the Commencement Address at the 1 p.m. Ceremony. Krahling joined the University in 1994 and has served as Director of University Core Curriculum and Associate Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education, in addition to his current role as Associate Professor. He is recognized for his nearly 30 years of service as a professor, scholar and leader in the Core Curriculum at USI.   Â
During Fall Commencement Ceremonies, 681 students will be eligible to receive master’s degrees, post-bachelor certificates, bachelor’s degrees and associate degrees. As part of the Ceremonies, 107 students are graduating with academic honors: 14 will graduate summa cum laude, 52 magna cum laude and 41 cum laude. Of the graduates, 11 are University Honors Scholars students who have successfully completed the Honors Program and will be recognized by the white honor cords worn with their regalia.
Tomancova sets career highs with 27 points and 19 rebounds in loss to IUPUI The Purple Aces blocked a season-high seven shots over 40 minutes
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team fought until the final buzzer in a close 81-74 loss to the IUPUI Jaguars.
It was a career night for graduate center Barbora Tomancova against IUPUI as she set career highs on both offense and defense. With 27 points, 19 rebounds, an assist, and a block over 31 minutes, Tomancova led the Purple Aces to come within a possession of the Jaguars. UE also had two other players score in double figures while freshman forward Maggie Hartwig had a career-high four blocks.
“There were a lot of positives to take from the game, but we put IUPUI on the free throw line too many times in the fourth quarter,†said Head Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells following the game. “It’s tough losing so many close games that have been a possession with two minutes left. It hurts but we’ll keep working hard to get better and fight for wins,â€.
Evansville fell behind early on Wednesday night and couldn’t dig themselves out of the deficit in the first 10 minutes. A two-minute scoreless stretch had UE down by six, but a successful and-1 play from point guard Kynidi Mason Striverson made it only a one-possession game. Only free throws were made in the final two and a half minutes of the quarter as the Aces trailed 19-13.
UE got within one early in the second quarter as the teams traded buckets. But an eight-point run from the Jaguars with under six minutes in the half kept Evansville from finding a sustained offensive push. The Aces deficit grew to double digits in the final five minutes as they headed into halftime down 10.
But UE didn’t go down without a fight in the second half, cutting IUPUI’s lead to five within the first four minutes of the third. Evansville trailed by double-digits again in the quarter with 3:16 left on the clock. The team responded with six points in the final three minutes to bring it down to a seven-point game with a quarter left.
The Aces came out hot in the fourth quarter led by Tomancova as they chipped away at the Jaguars’ lead. A seven-point run in less than a minute from Mason Striverson and guard Madline Gerke made it a one-possession game with almost seven minutes to go. IUPUI stayed in the game with attempts at the line but momentum was all UE’s way as Tomancova had a layup and free throws in back-to-back possessions.
It was traded free throws for the next three minutes as Evansville kept getting the deficit down to one. With 2:42 left on the clock, Hartwig put in a layup off a turnover to tie the game. The Aces got the ball back on the next play thanks to a baseline foul from the Jaguars. But three missed shots in a row and three made shots for IUPUI ended UE’s fourth-quarter comeback with an 81-75 loss.
UE gets a week and a half off until its next game at Meeks Family Fieldhouse. Evansville will welcome the Lindenwood Lions to town on Saturday, Dec. 16. Tip-off for next week’s game is set for 2 p.m.
Lady Blazers unable to overcome slow start in road showdown at Jefferson College
HILLSBORO, Mo. – The Vincennes University Lady Trailblazers hit the road to begin the week, heading to Hillsboro, Mo. to take on Jefferson College in the first game of a home and home series with the Lady Vikings this season.
The Lady Blazers got off to a slow start Wednesday night, with the Lady Vikings scoring 12 of the first 14 points and held a 16-4 lead over the Blazers.
Vincennes looked to answer back before the end of the first quarter, closing out the period with a 7-0 scoring run including back-to-back steals and baskets by sophomore Brie Miller (Bainbridge, Ind.) to cut the deficit to 19-16 after the first 10 minutes of play.
VU would continue to ride this momentum into the second quarter, cutting the Jefferson lead down to a single point at 24-23 before the Lady Vikings ended the first half of action on a 14-2 scoring run.
Vincennes headed into the locker room trailing the host Lady Vikings 38-25 at the break.
Jefferson looked to be in firm control of the game early in the second half, opening the third quarter on an 11-3 scoring run to take a 49-28 lead, their largest lead of the night.
The Lady Blazers began to slowly chip away at the JeffCo lead, using a 16-4 scoring run to cut the lead back to single digits before the Vikings scored the final bucket of the quarter to head into the fourth leading VU 55-44.
The two teams traded baskets to begin the fourth quarter, before Jefferson expanded the lead again with six unanswered and were able to hold on to pick up the 71-58 victory over the Lady Blazers.
Vincennes was led offensively by freshman Karina Scott (Noblesville, Ind.) who finished with 17 points, including hitting four three-pointers on the night and dishing out a pair of assists.
Sophomore Brie Miller picked up 10 points on the game, including a team-high four steals, two rebounds and two assists.
Sophomore Najra Voloder (Konjic, Bosnia) came off the bench to score in double-figures, scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds, her first game in double-figures this season.
VU also got seven points off the bench by freshman Makyla Tucker (Indianapolis, Ind.) and six points and four rebounds from freshman Taylor Guess (Indianapolis, Ind.).
Sophomore Katrina Litte (Valmiera, Latvia) ended her night with five points, a team-high seven assists and three rebounds.
The Lady Trailblazers will again look to bounce back when VU returns home to take on NJCAA Division II No. 3-ranked Parkland College Saturday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. eastern.
MAYOR-ELECT STEPHANIE TERRY SELECTED AS ONE OF 30 NEWLY-ELECTED U.S. MAYORS TO JOIN THE BLOOMBERG CENTER AT HARVARD
MAYOR-ELECT STEPHANIE TERRY SELECTED AS ONE OF 30 NEWLY-ELECTED U.S. MAYORS TO JOIN THE BLOOMBERG CENTER FOR CITIES AT HARVARD PROGRAM FOR NEW MAYORS: FIRST 100 DAYS
DECEMBER 7, 202
Through the first 100 days in office, the Mayor-Elect will gain world-class tools and training from the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School to set strategic priorities, build effective organizations, and lead[Evansville, IN] – December 6, 2023 – Mayor-elect Stephanie Terry today announced she was selected as one of the 29 newly-elected U.S. mayors to participate in the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University’s Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days.
Over the next five months, Mayor Terry will take part in world-class training offered by Harvard faculty, government innovation leaders from Bloomberg Philanthropies, urban innovation and management experts, and other mayors. Topics include how to set strategic citywide priorities, build effective city hall organizations, and deliver for residents. The program is delivered in collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School.
“Effective mayors build strong city teams and robust citywide coalitions that move communities forward,†said Mayor-elect Terry. “I am proud to be selected to join this prestigiou program and learn alongside other U.S. mayors and global experts as we work to strengthen the capabilitiesour city needs to lead and deliver on our most pressing challenges and opportunities.â€
To kick off participation, the Mayor joined 29 other newly-elected U.S. mayors for a two-day immersive classroom experience at Harvard University. The mayors hail from 21 states and together represent 10.5 million residents nationwide.
As cities find themselves on the frontlines of addressing increasingly global challenges, the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard’s Program for New Mayors is designed to help the new mayors make the most of their roles. Participants gain strategic insight into how to strengthen critical leadership and management skills, build and lead teams to work across departments and sectors and build out their city hall organization in the first days and months of their administrations.
In addition to the core coursework and convenings with peers, the Program for New Mayors provides opportunities to share strategies with other mayors through the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard’s vast mayoral leadership network and learn about interventions that are already working effectively in other cities to better resident lives.
The Program for New Mayors is offered by the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, home to a fast-growing global community committed to improving public Philanthropies, which encompasses all the giving of Michael R. Bloomberg, the 108th mayor of New York City, the center’s cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use. The center is designed to have widespread impact on the future of cities, where more than half of the world’s people now live, by informing and inspiring local government leaders, scholars, students, and others who work to improve the lives of residents around the world. The Program for New Mayors builds on the longstanding tradition of a seminar for new mayors that originated at the Institute of Politics in 1975.
For more information and the full list of 30 new participating mayors, visit cityleadership.harvard.edu/program/program-for-new-mayors.
Memorial Services Planned for 46th Anniversary Commemoration of 1977 UE Plane Crash
Memorial Services Planned for 46th Anniversary Commemoration of 1977 UE Plane Crash
DECEMBER 7, 2023
EVANSVILLE, IND.
On the cold and drizzly night of December 13, 1977, a chartered DC-3 crashed slightly after takeoff from Evansville’s Dress Regional Airport. Members of the UE community soon learned that this plane included men’s basketball Coach Bobby Watson, 14 players, 11 team friends, and a plane crew of 5. For those who remember the crash, it’s known as “the night it rained tears.”
This event was a shocking loss to the UE community. At a memorial service held a few days later, Dr. Philip Ott, then-professor of philosophy and religion, said “we do not choose to live. We do not choose to die. Life is a gift.”
Former UE President Wallace Graves reminded the community, “Out of the agony of this hour we will rise.”
While this tragedy will always be remembered, the University of Evansville came together in strength and unity to move forward and carry on as a tribute to those who were lost.
To commemorate the 46th anniversary and remember these lives, UE has planned a memorial on Wednesday, December 13, that is open to the campus community and public. The service will be held at noon at Memorial Plaza on campus, located directly behind Olmsted Hall. The service will include an invocation, special message, the reading of all 29 names, and a moment of silence. 46 years later, we remember each life that was taken much too early.
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.
FOOTNOTE: 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.
UE Hosting Weeklong Events in Honor of 2024 MLK Day
EVANSVILLE, IND. (12/05/2023) The University of Evansville (UE) proudly announces the comprehensive schedule for its 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Events, a week-long celebration dedicated to honoring the legacy of the iconic civil rights leader. Under the theme “Embracing Liberation: Radical Love for a United Community,” the University invites all individuals to participate in activities that commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s unwavering commitment to solidarity.
As part of a larger community-wide day of service, on Saturday, January 13, the UE MLK Day of Service kicks off by providing 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.
As a guiding principle for the week’s celebration, the University shares a profound quote from Dr. King’s Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, delivered on December 11, 1964: “There is a sort of poverty of the spirit which stands in glaring contrast to our scientific and technological abundance. The richer we have become materially, the poorer we have become morally and spiritually. We have learned to fly the air like birds and swim the sea like fish, but we have not learned the simple art of living together as brothers.”
The schedule of events for the week is as follows:
Saturday, January 13:
9:00 a.m. – UE MLK Day of Service for UE Students, Faculty, and Staff
Monday, January 15:
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:
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:
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.
SENS. BRAUN, MARSHALL INTRODUCE NEW BILL TO REINSTATE PILOTS FIRED DUE TO COVID VACCINE MANDATES
WASHINGTONÂ -Â U.S. Senators Mike Braun and Roger Marshall, M.D. introduced legislation to reinstate pilots who were wrongfully put out of work over their Covid-19 vaccination status.
In 2021, President Biden mandated through his executive authority that all federal contractors, including airlines operating in the United States, must receive a Covid-19 vaccination. As a result of the unconstitutional ‘jab-or-job’ politics coming out of the Biden Administration, many airline pilots were forced out of a job.Â
“No one should have lost their job because they didn’t want to take the COVID vaccine. President Biden’s vaccine mandates were completely out of line and violated the liberties of key workers who are essential in daily operations of our skies. Cosponsoring this bill to restore fired pilots to their previously held jobs is a no brainer and will help bring this critical industry back to full capacity.â€Â — Sen. Braun
“The Biden Administration’s ‘jab or job’ vaccine mandates will go down as a dark time in American history. Our legislation seeks to right the wrongs of this administration who forced hard-working American people out of not only their jobs, but their careers. We will continue to fight for every American wronged by the Biden Administration’s unconstitutional vaccine mandate that has impacted not only our pilots’ livelihoods but our servicemen and women, our children, small businesses, and beyond. Our bill is just one step of many to correct the wrongs of Joe Biden’s vaccine politics.â€Â — Sen. Marshall
Click HERE to read the full text of the legislation introduced by Senators Marshall and Braun.Â
BACKGROUND
- Senator Braun has been a vocal opponent of the Biden administration’s unconstitutional vaccine mandates, leading several initiatives to prevent the mandates from going into effect. This includes:
- Leading a successful bipartisan measure in the Senate to repeal Biden’s vaccine mandate for private businesses, which the Supreme Court cited in their decision to block the mandate.Â
- Standing with Senate Republicans to invoke cloture on the NDAA unless the vaccine mandate for our troops was removed: a key reason why the vaccine mandate was dropped.Â
- Supporting the effort to block the vaccine mandate for healthcare workers that was passed in the Senate.
- Cosponsoring the Travel Freedom Act, legislation that repeals federal policies requiring international travelers to show proof of Covid-19 vaccination for entrance into the United States.
Attorney General Todd Rokita’s litigation team wins 100% of jury trials on state’s behalf in 2023
Attorney General Todd Rokita today congratulated members of his office’s litigation team, which won 100 percent of the eight jury trials in which it defended the state’s interests in 2023.
“To achieve a 100 percent success rate in these proceedings demonstrates both the integrity of the entities we defend and the skills of the lawyers working at this office,†Attorney General Rokita said. “Not only do these wins save money for Indiana taxpayers, but they also provide peace of mind to citizens who want to see justice prevail.â€
As the State of Indiana’s law firm, the Office of Attorney General’s dedicated litigators represent the state and its agencies, officials, elected leaders, and employees in a wide variety of legal proceedings — including federal and state jury trials. Every day, the office fights to protect the legal interests of the state and its citizens and defend the rule of law.
By securing the state’s legal victories in all of its federal and state jury trials, Attorney General Rokita’s government litigation team saved Hoosier taxpayers well into the six figures, said Chief Counsel of Litigation Patricia Erdmann.
Besides the jury trial wins, the team also has saved millions through ongoing successful advocacy and motion practice in other cases. Working under Erdmann, Section Chief Adrienne Pope oversees government litigation.
Attorney General Rokita thanked both Erdmann and Pope for their strong leadership and effective oversight of litigation strategy and jury trial arguments.
“Hoosiers can rest assured they are in good hands when it comes to the professional litigators representing their state government in legal matters,†Attorney General Rokita said. “I am proud every day to work with individuals who serve this state with servants’ hearts.â€