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USI Engineers in Action chapter helps design and build pedestrian bridge in eSwatini in southern Africa

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This past June, five students from the University of Southern Indiana’s Engineers in Action (EIA) chapter departed for the Hhohho region of eSwatini in southern Africa to build a pedestrian footbridge to connect isolated communities to schools, hospitals and stores. The bridge, completed in six weeks, benefits over 4,800 residents in local communities, including more than 3,500 children. The bridge that had previously been used to connect the community to critical resources was often not usable for over seven months of the year due to eSwatini’s rainy season flooding and had to be rebuilt yearly after being washed away.  

The EIA team that designed and built the bridge, named Emkhiweni, was composed of students from USI, McGill University and Oregon State University. USI and McGill worked as co-leaders on the project while Oregon State participated as a tag-a-long. In total, 12 students worked on the project, including five from both USI and McGill universities and two from Oregon State. 

The students experienced multi-faceted involvement, including staying with local host families, communication with local government officials, partnership with local masons, involvement in community events and more. The trip is equally a cultural experience as well as an educational one.  

Along with USI faculty members Dr. Jason Hill, Associate Professor of Engineering, and Justin Amos, Laboratory Manager of the Applied Engineering Center, seven students from USI had specific roles during the project. USI civil engineering students Corrie Grubb and Daniel Lopez, along with contributors from other universities, helped design the bridge over the course of six months. “Their design was approved by the EIA staff, and the final design plans were stamped by a licensed professional engineer,” said Hill. 

Koby Lindner, mechanical engineering major ‘23, was one of the Lead Construction Managers on the project. In his role, he created construction schedules, led daily team meetings and ensured everyone was on task daily. One of his biggest challenges in the role was balancing what was required for the project with preferences for what each person preferred to work on, which sometimes conflicted. Lindner participated in the USI EIA chapter’s 2019 bridge build in eSwatini and was able to construct full sentences in siSwati during his most recent visit. 

Josiah Hollis, electrical engineering major ‘25, served as Safety Manager during construction. In his role, he was responsible for overseeing and enforcing safety standards on site, ensuring proper safety gear and implementation of safety protocols. “My experience in Africa was profoundly transformative, immersing me in the rich tapestry of its culture, the heartfelt warmth of its people and the genuine authenticity that defines the region,” Hollis said, speaking of his time on the trip. “I had the privilege of witnessing the unwavering work ethic of the local community and the inherent beauty of eSwatini’s landscapes.” 

Lisa Botello, civil engineering major ’24, was the Travel Logistics Manager and oversaw travel information, sleeping accommodations, finances and meals. A challenge she faced in her role was the language barrier. Confirming important details in a foreign country was stressful, but luckily, many eSwatini people learn English in grade school. 

Melanie Cedeno Morales, electrical engineering major ’24, was USI’s first Media Manager for the project. In her role, she collected photos and videos from the trip of the work and interactions between the team and the local community to create a video and photo essay to document the entirety of the project. “I documented the whole process of the completion of the bridge. It was a rich cultural experience that I was able to capture with my camera,” said Morales. “Two months in eSwatini have changed me as a person and as a student. I am passionate about becoming a global leader for change and motivated to continue putting my academic knowledge to action to help communities around the world.” 

She plans to create a photo book on the project that will be sent to the school children in eSwatini. Morales also assisted in the creation of training videos that will be used by EIA to educate future teams that showed the quality control process of a bridge walkaway. 

Miguel Pinto, electrical engineering major ‘25, served as Project Manager, which included overseeing and assisting each student with their activities, such as design, living arrangements, food, transportation, construction planning, safety and material logistics. His primary goal was to ensure everyone was fulfilling their responsibilities in order for the bridge to be successfully completed. “Much like the bridges we construct, our journey as students in the EIA Bridge Program connects knowledge to action,” Pinto says of the impact of these projects. “With each bridge we build, we intricately weave a tapestry of understanding engineering concepts, empathy with team members and collaboration with the local community.” 

The project team also relies on involvement from the local community. In eSwatini, more than 20 members of the local community helped with various aspects of the bridge construction.  

In 2022, USI’s EIA chapter spent six weeks in Bolivia building a bridge to connect an isolated community to critical resources. In 2021, they spent two weeks in West Virginia building a vehicular bridge to assist in rebuilding communities across the state damaged by high water events, including severe flooding in 2016 and 2017. In 2019, USI students and faculty traveled to eSwatini to participate in an EIA Bridge project mentoring experience, assisting Cornell University in the build of a 90-meter foot bridge to allow villagers to safely cross a dangerous river. Students from the 2023 trip were able to visit the bridge that was built in 2019, which is one of the most utilized bridges out of the 20 bridges built in the country by EIA teams. 

BOB DYLAN ROUGH AND ROWDY WAYS TOUR IS COMING TO EVANSVILLE!

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BOB DYLAN ROUGH AND ROWDY WAYS TOUR IS COMING TO EVANSVILLE!

TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2023, AT 10 AM

Evansville, IN – October 3, 2023 – Bob Dylan, one of the greatest songwriters of all time, is bringing his Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour to Old National Events Plaza on December 3, 2023.  Dylan is a legendary singer-songwriter, who has influenced generations of fans and musicians with his distinctive voice and incredible musical talent.

Bob Dylan’s career has lasted the better part of fifty years now. That’s pretty remarkable. What is more impressive is that Dylan has remained not only active for almost all of that period but controversial. He has never gotten by on sentimentality or nostalgia. He has never repeated his successes. For better or for worse, Dylan has always pushed his work ahead.

“Bob Dylan is as great a songwriter – ah, let’s not beat around the bush – as great an artist as America has produced. But he’d be the first to tell you that he is part of a long line, one link in an endless chain. You can follow his influence backward or forward according to your own inclination. Or you can spend a long time just listening to Dylan’s five decades of contributions. Wherever you go into it, and whatever you get out of it, your time will be well spent.”- Bill Flanagan – New York, 2007

Fans can learn more about Bob Dylan at www.bobdylan.com. 

Ticket Information:

What:                   Bob Dylan: Rough and Rowdy Ways Tour

When:                  Sunday, December 3, 2023, at 8:00 PM

Where:                Old National Events Plaza | 715 Locust Street | Evansville, IN 47708

Tickets:                Tickets are only available at AXS.COM and start at $63.50 plus applicable fees and tax.

                                VIP Packages are available as an add-on, online only.  

Tickets are only available at AXC.COM or the Old National Events Plaza Box Office. For more information about the Aiken Theatre, visitwww.oldnationaleventsplaza.com

 About Old National Events Plaza

Old National Events Plaza, managed by ASM Global, is Evansville, Indiana’s premier convention center and largest live entertainment theatre. Housing a spacious 2,500-seat theatre, 38,000 square- feet of column free exhibit space, a beautiful 14,000 square-foot ballroom, and 12,00 square-feet of meeting space, Old National Events Plaza hosts a variety of events. The venue offers easy scheduling, one-stop-shop services, and in-house catering and audio-visual services. For more information and a complete schedule of events, please visit www.oldnationaleventsplaza.com.

About ASM Global

ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. For more information, please visit www.asmglobal.com.

 

National Scorecard Reflects Indiana’s Commitment to Improvement in Long-Term Services and Supports for Hoosiers

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Indiana’s ranking of how well it delivers care for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as supports their caregivers, has improved markedly over the last three years, according to a national review.

The AARP Scorecard rank s Indiana 27th in the country, up from 44th in 2020. This score considers the state’s performance across five key areas: affordability and access, choice of setting and provider, safety and quality, support for family caregivers and community integration.

“This ranking is demonstrative of broad improvements the state has made in serving some of our most vulnerable residents and their families,” FSSA Secretary Dan Rusyniak, M.D. said. “All credit goes to our partners across the state, including providers, care managers, and advocates, who collaborate with us daily to provide the best support for Indiana’s growing aging population, whether they are at home, receiving services in the community or living in a facility.”

“We will continue to work with these key stakeholders, and in partnership with the Indiana General Assembly and Gov. Eric J. Holcomb, to build on these improvements as we identify opportunities to better provide long-term services and supports to Hoosiers as they age,” Rusyniak said.

The scorecard noted an innovative Indiana Medicaid initiative that allows the state to speed up the time it takes for individuals to qualify for home and community-based services – a process called presumptive eligibility. Additionally, the scorecard ranks Indiana 5th in the nation for community integration, which examines the employment rate for people with disabilities, livability indexes regarding transportation and housing, and age-friendly health systems.

“We will remain keenly focused on our ongoing efforts to better serve Hoosiers, such as our Indiana PathWays for Aging program that launches in 2024, in lockstep with our critical partners who are committed to this work,” Rusyniak said.

The scorecard can be found here.

MCBA attorneys help Indianapolis residents register to cast a ballot

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Walking into the PACE office looking for directions to his class, a man encountered a voter registration drive and encouragement to cast a ballot.

Indiana’s deadline for voter registration is Oct. 10 and attorneys from the Marion County Bar Association were at PACE Sept. 19 as part of National Voter Registration Day.

They were seated at a folding table just inside the door and were offering to help anyone register to vote in the November general election. They had a stack of paper registration forms and a laptop computer logged onto the Indiana Secretary of State’s website so they could help file registrations electronically.

The lawyers tried to convince the man to register, but he resisted, saying he did not follow the politics of Washington, D.C. Marion County Superior Court Magistrate Judge Terrance Tharpe explained the upcoming election is focused on local issues and municipal races.

“Don’t get caught up in what’s happening in Washington, D.C.” Tharpe said. “If you want things to get better here, you have to vote.”

The man continued to hesitate and said President Joe Biden was not doing what he had promised. Tharpe, again, redirected and emphasized the 2023 elections were about local concerns that directly affected Indianapolis residents.

Then the man shared what may have been his main reason for not voting. “I’m a felon,” he said.

Tharpe and his colleagues replied in unison, “That does not matter.”

Voting privileges restored

The Marion County Bar Association and PACE (Public Advocates in Community re-Entry) had teamed together – especially to spread the word that individuals with criminal records can vote and help people get registered.

Indiana is one of just 23 states that automatically restores voting privileges upon release from incarceration, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Other states require additional actions, such as a completion of parole or probation or payment of fines, before voting rights are reinstated. A handful of states never return voting rights.

The MCBA was at the PACE office for three hours and by 1 p.m. had checked the registration status of some individuals and helped register a 21-year-old who had never voted. Amber Finley, president of the bar association, highlighted the value of being there.

“I think there’s misinformation out there where people think that they cannot vote if they have a felony or if they’ve been previously incarcerated,” Finley said. “So that’s what we see as a barrier. So we’re just trying to share some information that, ‘No, that’s not accurate and that you can still vote.’”

Tharpe, an MCBA board member, started the bar association’s first voter registration drive in 2014. Every year since, the organization has connected with different community groups to find underserved places for the drives. The attorneys have volunteered their time to answer questions, file registration applications and promote voting.

Indiana has 4.65 million registered voters across 92 counties, according to the Indiana Secretary of State.

However, as the 2021 Indiana Civic Health Index shows, the Hoosier state consistently records some of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country, ranking 46th in 2020. Obstacles to voting in Indiana include no same-day voter registration, no unrestricted absentee voting and polling places open no longer than 12 hours on Election Day.

As he talked to people at the registration drive, Tharpe explained to them the problems and potential solutions are on the ballot every election and people can help determine the direction their communities and their country will take by voting. Also, he emphasized that people must be active at the ballot box, or their silence might spur elected officials to make changes to their neighborhoods or schools that they do not like.

Tharpe sees encouraging people to vote as part of the lawyers’ duty to serve their communities.

“Lawyers aren’t just called to practice law and make money,” Tharpe said. “We have a responsibility to try to make our society better. And one of the ways that’s particularly important to me is making sure that we have an active and informed citizenry of people participating in our democracy.”

The MCBA attorneys convinced Javon Waller, 21, to register. He was released from incarceration in March and has been struggling to find a job. When he visited the PACE office and found the voter registration drive, he decided to take the first step to voting.

“We need to change,” Waller said. “One of the things that can help is to vote for somebody who’s going to help change and stop the violence out here.”

‘Your voice counts’

Most who stopped by the MCBA’s voter registration table wanted to know if they were registered and where they could vote. Many of those who came into the PACE office were surprised they could vote.

“People who are re-entering society, they need to know that they are fully members of our society,” Tharpe said. “One of the ways to fully reintegrate people is to get them to vote. We hope they’re going to be law-abiding, taxpaying citizens. And, if that’s the case, you should have a voice in how your tax dollars are being spent, how people are making decisions that affect your life and affect your ability to continue to be a good, productive citizen.”

The man who had been pushing back on the MCBA’s efforts, eventually took a couple of paper registration forms and said he would talk to his wife. If she told him to register, he would probably vote.

He then complimented the attorneys, saying they did a good job of convincing people to participate in elections.

“If we were good,” Tharpe replied, “you would have registered. We’ve got work to do.”

The journey from the MCBA voter registration drive to the casting of a ballot is a long one. People have to register, learn about the candidates, find their polling places and then actually go vote. Many, especially those who have been incarcerated, do not complete the trip because they believe their vote will not matter.

Finley brushed that assumption aside.

“Of course your voice counts,” she said, “because you’re a member of society, just like anyone else, and we want to hear from you.”

Anderson, Sobieralski voted as OVC Players of the Week

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Senior outside hitter Leah Anderson (Bloomington, Illinois) and junior setter Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) were given Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week honors for the first time in University of Southern Indiana Volleyball history. Anderson secured OVC Offensive Player of the Week while Sobieralski was voted as OVC Setter of the Week after the Screaming Eagles’ top-tier performance last weekend.
 
USI went 2-1 on the week after sweeping Tennessee State University over the weekend. The Eagles racked up 138 kills with a whopping 0.216 hitting percentage to pair with 33 aces, 28 blocks, and 161 digs. After the week, USI is fourth in the OVC standings and holds a 4-2 conference record.
 
Anderson, who was voted unanimously, receives OVC Offensive Player of the Week status for the first time in program history. The outside hitter nabbed an OVC-leading 49 kills and 11 aces to go with a stellar 0.264 attacking percentage. She also put up nine blocks and a conference-high 65 points in 12 sets played. This is not the first weekly award Anderson has received as she was named the GLVC Offensive Player of the Week twice as well as the AVCA Division II Player of the Week between 2020 and 2021.
 
Sobieralski has dominated the passing game this season, especially last week after capturing an OVC-best 113 assists with 9.42 assists per set, leading to OVC Setter of the Week accolades. She combined 23 digs and a pair of blocks in 12 sets played to pair with her offensive abilities for the week. This is Sobieralski’s first career weekly honor and the first for a USI setter since October 2021.

Also voted for weekly awards this week were Southeast Missouri State University’s Tara Beilsmith and Lucy Arndt for Defensive Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week, respectively.
 
The Eagles, who are 8-9 overall, are back in action this weekend to face Southern Illinois University Edwardsville at Screaming Eagles Arena on Friday at 6 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Dig Pink Night will highlight Friday’s match while Saturday’s match will be Mental Health Awareness Day. Sobieralski will also be acknowledged prior to Saturday’s match for earning 1,000 career assists.

This Week at USI

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Below is a list of events and activities happening in and around the USI community this week:

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday, October 5 through Saturday, October 7

USI Communal Studies Association Conference to explore communal theory, practice and impact

The Communal Studies Association (CSA) Conference will meet Thursday through Saturday, October 5-7, on the USI campus and in New Harmony, Indiana. The theme for the 2023 Conference is “Communal Theory, Practice and Impact,” in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the CSA.

Read more



SAVE THE DATE

October 12-15

USI Theatre to present Dracula in October

USI Theatre will begin its 2023-24 season with Dracula, Kate Hamill’s adaptation of the classic novel by Bram Stoker, directed by Eric Altheide, Professor of Theatre. Performances will run Thursday, October 12 to Sunday, October 15 in the USI Performance Center.

Read more


October 18

USI to host Evansville Mayoral Debate October 18 in USI Performance Center

USI will host an Evansville Mayoral Debate, presented by WNIN Public Media, Wednesday, October 18 in the USI Performance Center on campus. The debate will feature the three Evansville mayoral candidates: Republican Natalie Rascher, Democrat Stephanie Terry and Libertarian Michael Daugherty.

Read more


 

October 26

USI to hold community roundtable event in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

USI, with grant support from the Community-Engaged Alliance, will present a community roundtable event, “Speak Now: Addressing Domestic Violence in the Tri-state Area,” at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, October 26 in University Center East, Rooms 2217-18. The roundtable discussion, organized by USI students, will honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month and will feature a range of community partner participants.

Read more


 

October 26

USI 2023 Latinx Heritage Month speaker to address Latino community’s local impact

The University of Southern Indiana Multicultural Center will host Abraham Brown, a local community leader, from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, October 26 in Carter Hall, located in University Center West. This event will honor Latinx Heritage Month and is open to the public at no charge.

Read more


 

October 27

USI Pharmacology Update Webinar slated for October 27

The USI Center for Health Professions Lifelong Learning is hosting the annual Pharmacology Update for Healthcare Professionals Webinar, an all-day virtual workshop, on Friday, October 27.

Read more


 

October 28

USI Live at the Apollo event to showcase variety of student talent

The USI Multicultural Center is set to host its annual Live at the Apollo event at 6 p.m. Saturday, October 28 in the USI Performance Center. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the event is open to the public at no charge.

Read more


 

October 29

USI Chamber and Women’s Choir to perform Fall Concert

The USI Chamber Choir and Women’s Choir, directed by Daniel Craig, Associate Professor of Music, will perform their 2023 Fall Concert Sunday, October 29 in the Rice Library second floor Reading Room.

Read more



Adult Crafternoon: Bookish Ghost Garlands

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October 5th from 4 – 5PM

Browning Gallery (lower level)

Get ready for a hauntingly creative afternoon at the WPL! Join us on Thursday, October 5th, at 4:00 PM in the Browning Gallery for a Halloween-themed Crafternoon like no other.

Crafting Theme: We’ll be crafting spooky and unique “BOOKish Ghost Garlands” using recycled book pages. It’s the perfect way to combine your love for books with your Halloween spirit!

 What to Expect:
– A fun and relaxed crafting atmosphere
– All crafting materials provided
– Step-by-step guidance from our talented craft hosts
– The chance to unleash your inner artist and create something spooktacular

No Experience Necessary: Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or a newbie, everyone is welcome to join in the fun. Our experienced hosts will make sure you have a ghostly good time!

We can’t wait to see your spooktacular creations! This program is free and open to the public. No WPL card is required to attend and all necessary materials will be provided.

UE Fraternity Continues Tradition at Evansville’s Annual Fall Festival, Demonstrating Ongoing Commitment to ChemoBuddies

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EVANSVILLE, IND. (10/02/2023) The members of the University of Evansville’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fraternity will continue their participation in Evansville’s Annual Fall Festival, a tradition they have proudly upheld since 2012. SAE’s booth at the festival serves a noble cause, extending support to ChemoBuddies, an organization dedicated to ensuring that no one has to face cancer alone.

SAE members say they are looking forward to selling a few different treats at the Fall Festival to further their support for ChemoBuddies. Festival goers can indulge in “Haystacks,” a mouthwatering delight similar to a walking taco. The Haystacks come with a choice of popular snack chips like Doritos, Fritos, or Grippos, complemented by savory BBQ pulled pork or chili. In addition, SAE’s booth will offer a range of refreshing beverages, including root beer and dreamsicle floats, as well as apple and cherry cider.

The SAE booth will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., running from Monday, October 2, through Saturday, October 7. It’s the perfect opportunity for festival attendees to enjoy delicious food while contributing to a worthy cause. Every purchase made at the SAE booth directly supports ChemoBuddies.

ChemoBuddies’ mission is deeply rooted in compassion and community. They provide invaluable positive and uplifting support to individuals navigating the challenging journey of chemotherapy. In addition to emotional assistance, ChemoBuddies offers free transportation to medical appointments and financial aid to procure essential items like wigs, helping patients maintain their dignity and self-esteem throughout their battle with cancer.

“Our partnership with ChemoBuddies and the yearly Fall Festival provides us with a great opportunity to serve our community each year,” said SAE member Landon Stoll. “We get to spend valuable time as a fraternity in working together to provide for a wonderful philanthropy. SAE looks forward to seeing many people come out and support ChemoBuddies this week.”

USI Chamber and Women’s Choirs to perform Fall Concert

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The University of Southern Indiana Chamber Choir and Women’s Choir, directed by Daniel Craig, Associate Professor of Music, will perform their 2023 Fall Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, October 29 in the Rice Library second floor Reading Room. The performance is open to the public at no charge.

The concert will feature works by Giuseppe Pitoni, John Michael Trotta, Z. Randall Stroope, Frank Ticheli, Randall Thompson and Philip Hagemann. The Fall Concert will also feature the premiere of Perhaps, based upon the poetry of Sara Teasdale composed for the choir by Thomas Drury, Instructor of Music. This work was first composed for piano and a soprano soloist and originally premiered in a recital last Spring at USI. Drury then arranged the work for the choir at the request of Craig.

“I believe that this particular choral arrangement is one of the most beautiful works Mr. Drury has written to date,” said Craig.

The Chamber Choir will also perform the final chorus of the opera Ruth by the department’s namesake, Philip Hagemann. The entire opera will be performed at USI in January in a collaboration between USI, the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus and Pegasus Opera Company from London, England. More information will be available on this performance closer to the new year.

Petrova and Borisova lead UE women at Saluki Invitational

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Aces in 7th place in Cape Girardeau 

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Identical rounds of 76 had Kate Petrova in the top ten with two out of three rounds complete in the Saluki Invitational at Dalhousie Golf Club.

Petrova’s rounds have her tied for 8th place with a score of 152.  She is just one shot outside of the top five.  Second on the University of Evansville women’s golf team was Magdalena Borisova.  She made the Purple Aces’ largest jump of the day.  After carding an 83 in the first round, Borisova posted a 4-over 76 in the second round.  Her 159 is tied for 23rd place.

Jane Grankina is third for UE.  Scores of 84 and 82 have her tied for 33rd.  Destynia Sheridan and Trinity Dubbs completed Monday with scores of 168 and 169, respectively.  Both opened play with an 86 while Sheridan posted an 82 in the second 18 while Dubbs finished with an 83.

Adeline Wittmer played as an individual and tallied scores of 92 and 100.  Evansville is in 7th place with a 645 and is just eight behind Lindenwood for the 6th spot.

With a 2-round team score of 586, Austin Peay holds a commanding lead at the top spot with Stephen F. Austin in second, 32 shots behind.  Erica Scutt of APSU leads the individuals with a 139.  She is five in front of a second place tie.  The third and final round is set for Tuesday morning.